Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-09
WHO BLUNDERED?
Impossible to Care for the
Wounded at Santiago.
Quartermaster's Department Utterly
Failed to Furnish transportation.
So that Medicines and Supplies Never Reached
Their Destination.

Washington. Aug. Sturgeon Gen
eral Sternbcrg has received the fol-
lowing report concerning the condi-
tions existing at Santiago, medical sup.
plies, transportation. and otdher fea-
lures connected with the expedition ID
Santiago under General Shafter The
report explains what has been done by
the medical department and gives the
disadvantages under which the depart
ment operated in Cuba:
Tampa Heights. Fla,
July %, 1898.
ITO the Surgeon General, U. S. A,
Washington:
'Sir-In view OF the recent charges
made affecting the efficiency of The
army medical department at Santiago
ana especially with reference to the
conditions prevailing on the hospital
transports sent North with wounded,
have the honor to submit the follow
.JS 4d' - bCilNN ms liIit NY J'iN4Llo't
as adjutant to the chief surgeon, 9Th
Corps, ana as the officer in charge Of
the Quitting Of the hospital transports
Iroquois. Cherokee and Breakwater.
may possibly give value to such re-
port
Drugs medicines, dressings. instru-
ments, hospital tentage and supplies
were loaded on the transports at Tam
pa, in quantities sufficient to meet the
needs Of the Santiago expedition.
These supplies were divided up on the
various vessels. each organization haV-
ing its own equipment. While the
bulk of the supplies was with the or
ganized hospitals the regimental equip
ment was largely in excess of its needs
and was intended TO be called into sup
ply. If necessary the equipment Of the
hospitals.
The landing on Cuban soil was made
as rapidly as possible each oreaniza-
ton accompanied by the medical at
tendants assigned to it, and troops wera
pushed forward with no other equip
ment and supplies than could be car
ried by the soldiers. Having no means
Of transportation for even their field
chests, the regimental medical officers
had absolutely no resources at their
command except such as were provided
by the orderly and ship corps pouches,
and the first aid packages carried by
the soldiers, having only left their
ships, the latter were promptly ordered
out of the small bays at Siboney and
Baiqum to permit the unloading of
other ships.
These partially unloaded ships. in
obedience to their orders, then proceed
ed to sea from 5 to 10 miles, where they
remained. hove to indefinitely. Such
orders were given the transports carry
ing the reserve and the first divisional
hospitals.
THE one carrying the reserve hos
pital in obedience to its orders, pro-
ceeded to join the naval blockadlnS
squadron off Moro Castle, where it
remained five days and nights, the
other transports disappearing, if L was
correctly Informed, for an entire week,
During the time the fight at Guazlma
occurred. and large numbers OF SICK
and wounded were requiring treatment.
I'm the meantime a report of the con-
ditions prevailing on shore was made
to the chief surgeon. who promptly
laid the case before the commanding
general. requesting that launch DC
placed until the condition of medical
for the collection of medi-
cal supplies from the various trans
norts. 1t was also requested that
pack train be organized, in the pro-
norton of one pack mule to each reSl-
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