Evening star., 1898-11-22
CAPT. HODGES J, TESTIMONY
The Conditions Attent ing the Illness and
Death Of Sergeant Dobson.
The Soldier Did Not Want to Go to
the HOSPITAL or Inform
His Folks.
9 SnlnO3SG e.
n.--f@---

Capt. VIM. S. Hodges of Company D. LIST
District of Columbia Volunteer Regiment.
was before the war Investigating commits
sion this morning land was examined by
Col. DENLY in regafd to conditions attend
ing the illness and death of Sergt Henry A.
Dobson of his company.
Capt. Hodges said that a day or two after
the Hudson landed at Montauk he sug-
gested to Dobson that he go home, as he
had complained of not feeling well, saying
he had severe pains in his back, which he
said came from strain. He wanted him to
go home, as he thought he would be better
off there where he could be among his own
people and get more attention. He said he
was ready to arrange furlough for Dob
son, but he did not want to go home, as he
said he was afraid 1t would worry his par
ents, and he wanted to wait and 20 home
with the regiment. He did not consider
that he was as sick some other men
who were with the company.
Did Not Want to Go to Hospital.
The witness said DR.. Cox finally said
Dobson had typhoid fever, and that he
ought to, go to the hospital. Continuing,
Capt. Hodges said:
'Dobson began to speak, and said he did
not want to go. 1 said: Sergeant, you
need not say anything more about it. am
BolflS 10 SSH0 you ~ lltS IoSpltdl anu we
will not discuss the matter. 1 think 1t is
time sentiment should be dropped and that
your health should receive attention.; and
accordingly / told DR.. Cox to carry out
whatever measures were necessary and to
get an ambulance to take him to the hos
pital. He was sent to the hospital the next
day"
Colonel Denby-"Why was he not sent
that day?'
Captain Hodges-"The only reason / can
say is we always had trouble in getting
ambulances. 1 had one man more than
forty-eight hours before 1 could get an
the only way ! got him to the hospita! was
to stop an ambulance that went through
the camp"
Had Received the Best of Care.
While IN the company quarters, he said,
Dobson had received the best care it was
possible for his comrades to give him. He
had two or three extra blankets with
which to make up bed on the ground.
and he had hammock he could have used.
He did not think it would be wise to force
Dobson to go to the hospital until the
doctor said he had typhoid fever.
Capt. Hodges said that SO far he knew
no memorandum of the disease suffered by
Dobson was sent with him. He thought
descriptive lists should have been sent, but
they had no blanks on which to make them
out. On the day DobsOn was sent to the
hospital the witness had received a tele-
gram from his father in regard to his son.
and he replied that he was threatened with
typhoid fever. Dohsep had asked him not
to let his people know of his condition, as
he didn't want TO worry them.
In regard to the statement that Dobson
had been ordered to duty when he was sick
on September g. Capt Hodges said he had
heard that this had been done and at once
corrected the record providing that Ser
geant Dobson be given no duty. So he was
not required to do duty from the time he
was put on the sick list.
'''' a. The Food Given.
In regard to the food given Dobson he
said: tstf
1t has been reported that Corporal Fee
Ian said the milk in camp spoiled. 1t fire.
quently happened that the milk would be
sour before got it That was explained
to be due toHthss fact that the milk
was allowed to stand in the sun waiting;
to bs, transportedato Abe. camp. yas,tru.i
He said there yy'Fssa only one wagon for
the commissary and ,qpartermaster of the
regiment. He paid a high compliment to
the regiments commissary officer. Lieut..
Griffiths, and sand hes worked increasingly
to supply the regiment.