The times., 1898-10-13

| ply VI iTeSi DetI. ledTHeu several
later that the Third Virginia wagon had
not put in appearance at ALL This was an
evidence that not much Importance was
attached TO the order.
In another case the commissary off,
Ger of the Twenty-second Kansas Regi-
ment refused to draw his supply of fresh
beef. He was told by Capt Little, the
depot commissary, to draw the meat, and
replied that he was not going to do so
until he received a saw TO saw it up.
This case was reported to the Secretary
of War; who directed that the man be
disciplined"
How. then, do you account for the la
mentable ignorance?" inquired Mr.
Beaver
Il do not know" replied Gen Graham,
who then said that regimental commits
saries were not appointed by the War
Department, but by the regimental COM
manders coming from the States
Gen. Graham described the use of the
different arms in the service, and said
that he thought that the regulation
Springfield was better arm for recruits
than the 30-caliber rife. The tendency
of inexperienced soldiers, he said was
to fire al range and with the lighter gun
they wasted much ammunition with lit
tie effectiveness. With the Springfield
they would be steady under fire. He
said that after much practice the 20
caliber would be the better gun, but for
volunteers the smokeless powder Spring
field would be the better arm. with
the 30-caliber gun, green troops could
not hit anything he remarked.
Gen. Woodbury. questioned Gen. Gra-
ham closely about the conditions sur
rounding the sick at Camp Alger There
was one instance, Gen. Graham said,
when there was shortage In the supply
of ice. There was also time when the
linen supply run short. He recalled the
Illness of Secretary Alger's son. who had
the typhoid fever. 1t was by the order
of Secretary Alger he said. that a large
supply of linen was sent TO the camp.
Some men preferred TO be without the
sheets" said Gen Graham, las they
wanted to sleep between wooden blankets
| Col. Girard had some trouble with some
of the medical officers who neglected to
! carry out his orders. Ti.:s annoyed him
| considerably. The nursing system was
| excellent The Red Cross did good work.
| and so did the enlisted men who were as
J signed for service in the medical corps
Was there a sufficient force of medical
| ofiicers?" questioned DR.. Connor
AS general thing, yes" Gen. Graham
replied.
Were they competent"
Professionally. yes"
nurses?''
Not much"
| LAS rule the regiments sent their
| worthless men. did they not?"
II don't know that
DR.. Connor read letter from Francis
| Rowle, of Philadelphia relating 10 the
| conditions surrounding the Philadelphia
| City Troop. Mr.. Rowle said that his son
| charged that the troop was ordered "a
| camp beside a wood filed with decayed
| garbage left by entire regiment
Gen. Graham explained that Capt
Groome. of the City Troop. had the choice
OF the camp sites. and made the selection
| himself. The Sixth Illinois had occupied
the site before that and they had left il
| clean, but recruits passing through the
wood were responsible for its condition
| The place was cleaned up. though. and
| some time later. when Gen Graham Of
| iered Capt Groome new site near his
| headqaarters he declined to change
! 1t was reported in the communication
| that there We're two hundred booths
| where vegetables and improper food W. re
offered for sale
| Gen. Graham said he thought that it
! was exaggerated, but added that he had
ordered the discontinuance of all booths.
! They were then located on the camp
| grounds.
| The contract for the land, however al
| lowed a neutral zone of thirty feet all
around the leased property. and the
| owner placed the booths there out Of the
| camp Jurisdiction. The contract was
| made before Gen. Graham's arrival at
| Camp Alger, and if he had been consult
ed he would have objected to any reser-
walton Of ground by the owner. He did
all he could to prevent the sale of improp-
er food by placing a guard around the
| booths. Gen. Graham was asked about
the necessity for the change to Camp
Meade. r. ii'i s
in my opinion" he said" it was not
justified by any i'll health of the troops
or improper facilities for handling
them The removal of the camp was by
order of Secretary Alger, and 1 believe
that the order was due largely TO public
clamor. | do not know that the change
resulted in a decrease of the sick or
death rate. There was some congestion
in railroad transportation at Camp Al
ser but at Camp Meade the facilities
were unsurpassed. The railroad company
built the five sidings for troops in one
night. Gen. Graham testified that there
was nothing but what had been done for
the comfort, health and convenience of
the men at Camp Meade, except the reg
Jlation of the weather. He paid a high
tribute to the ability of Col. Lusk. his
engineer officer, who, he said was most
capable and efficient. He is now in a
hospital in Washington, i'll with typhoid
fever. and Gen. Graham said that he
had made himself i'll by overwork
After recess Gen. Graham resumed his
testimony. None OF the members of his
staff, he said, had been appointed from
civil life but there were civilians on bri-
gade and reeimental staffs. They were
not all competent.
There were. complaints. he explained,
against some of the commissary officers
and he thought that their lack of eff
cheney was mainly due to their lack of
experience.
Did you report these incapable mem"
asked Gen. Dodge.
II did not" Gen. Graham answered.
why not?"
well, l see a great many instances
where l failed to do what L ought to
have done, and if l had it TO do over l
would do different and report them
Col. Denby inquired of Gen Graham
what changes he would recommend in the
care of the sick, the organization of
camp, and what changes i'll general he
would make. The first recommendation
Gen. Graham announced was that volun-
teer regiments be commanded by regular
officers In addition to this. there should
be a regular officer on each regimental
staff. Then the tactics should be changed
with respect to the organization of the
camps. There is nothing in the tactics to
guide an officer. Company camps should
be enlarged the intervals between tents
should be greater. There should be no
less than five feet between tents. Garbage
should be cremated, and wherever possi-
be the commisssary and quartermaster's
departments should be under regular ar
my men.
He believed the appointment of regular
cooks 70 companies would benefit the men.