Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-03
WHEELERONM0KTA
The Exact Facts as to C0ndi-
lions at Camp Vikof
DEFENCEOF ADMINISTRATION,
Ergyt6ing Possible Done for The Men
in the Santiago Campaign.
r,uN MONTAUK POINT WAS CHOSEN
n WAS 10 Prevent an Epidemic of
YcIlow-Fever In the Country-The
Sick at the Long Island Camp
Cheerful and Improving.
MY MoNrAUIl POINT WAS CHOSEN

CAMP WIKOFF, September 2.-Major-
General Joseph Wheeler gave the follow
!r. t3 the Associated Press to-day:
headquarters United states Army,
camp Wkon, September 2 lS9S.-The fol-
loving is a sample Of the letters we are
constantly receiving regarding the SOL
C.rs IN the camp:
In regard TO my stepson. we feel very
uneasy about him on account OF the news
paper reports Of the priyations ana sui
f.rng inflicted on the private soldiers.
Although he has never uttered a COM
paint since he has been in the army, We
beard from other sources Of the csuel and
horrible treatment inflicted on our sol
U.rs under the pretence of humanity for
p.r ueighbors, and the whole country is
q, "a state of terrible excitement. l should
Not De surprised If the feeling should lead
,o "a revolution of some kind. for / as
sure YOU hear on all sides the most vio-
lent and bitter denunciatiOns of the War
Department and the administration. 1t is
.aleed "a great pity that the glory OF our
trumphs should be dimmed by such
shameful thing as the in-reatment and
starvation Of our own brave soldiers
while the Spanish prisoners have the best
treatment that the country can AFFORD
1T Will be seen that this letter says
that not a word of complaint has been
received from this soldier, and so far as
my investigation goes no complaint has
been made by any Of the brave soldiers
that have added glory to our arms in the
Cuban campaign.
"A great many anxious fathers, mo-
theirs. brothers, or sisters arrive here
from au parts of the United States 10
look after their relatives, who they say
the papers tell them are suffering and
many of them have heard that their rela-
tives are in condition OF starvation.
Most of these people are little able 10
expend the money 1or such a journey
and they are surprised when they come
here to fnd their relatives surrounded
with everything to eat which can be pro-
cured by money, and If sick in the hos
r.ial they are gratihed and surprised to
find that they are given every possible
care.
THE ENACT FACTS.
In reply 10 "a direct request that l will
give the exact facts as L see them, l VIII
state:
Every officer and soldier who went 10
Cuba regarded that he was given great
and special privilege i'm being permitted
10 engage IN that campaign. They knew
they were to encounter fellow-feYer and
other diseases. as well as the tOrrid heat
of the country, and they were proud and
cad TO do 50. They knew that 1t was I'M
possible for en- TO have the advantage
Of wagon transportation which usually
ACCOMPANIES armies, and yet officers ana
men were glad TO go, to carry theF
blankets and their ratiOns on their backs
and tc be subjected. without any shelter'
Ia the sun and rain by day and the
heavy dews by night. They certainly
knew that the Spaniards had spent years
ir erecting defences, and il was their
pleasure TO assault and their duty to
.lufure tht Spanish works. They were
more than glad TO. incur the hardships
and these dangers. They went there and
did their duty-each man seeming 10 Ieel
that American honor and prestige were
10 be measured by his conduct The
brave men who won the victories did not
complain OF the neglect Of the govern
ment. but on the contrary they seemed
grateful 10 the President and Secretary
of War for giving them the opportunity
8. incur these dangers and hardships.
Tuey realized that i'm the hurried organi-
zltion of an expedition by a government
which had 10 one with any experience
n such matters il was impossible to
iaye everything arranged 10 perfection;
sud they will testify that under the cir
umstauces the conditions were much
nore perfect than any one would
have reason 10 expect and that
.ae President and Secretary Of War
and others. who planned and dispatched
She expeditions, deserve high commen-
s.uon.
LACK OF EQUIPAGE.
cone reason why our army was lacking
m some respects In equipage was that
telegram was received from AdinlIal
sImpson. stating that If the army reach
sl thore Immediately they could take the
Itv al once. but II there should be delay
the fortincauons Of the Spaniards would
g. 30 perfected that there might be great
CWculty I'm taking II. On receiving TINS
dispatch from Admiral Sampson the War
I.partmcnt directed the army TO move
81 once and as all connected with the
srmy VIII recall. the orders were received
sfter dark. and the army was soon In mo-
ton and was on the ships at daylight
When the expedition sailed for cuba 1t
went there escorted by large heet OF
varships Al that time H. was regarded
impossible for a merchant ship TO SAIL
oa the ocean safely from any American
port 20 Santiago but as soon as the span
I.h feet was destroyed and II was posi-
h'o for unarmed ships 20 sail safely 10
Santiago. the generous people OF the
United states subscribed money without
rmlt. and dispatched ship after ship, load
s1 with luxuries and delicacies for the
Santiago army, and everything that could
Doe accomplished for their comfort was
done by the President and Secretary OF
War
THE MONTAUK CAMP.
after the surrender had been COM
3lcted and arrangements perfected for
transporting the Spanish army TO Spain,
the President and Secretary OF War sent
shipping 10 Santiago. and transported our
army 10 one Of the most heGsthful locail-
pes in the United States. The point So
scted By the Secretary of War was so