The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-09-06
ENDURED b SOLDIERS
NOT THE RESULT OF
OR INCOMPETENCI.
Illness AND PRlvATION UNAVOIDABLE
No Doubt of Individual Cases Of Suffering and
Possibly Neglect Among The Soldiers.
The Administration and War
Department Blameless.

Camp Wikoff. Montauk, L. l.. Septem-
Der 2.-NIajor General Joseph Wheeler
gave the following TO the Associated
Press to-day:
.Headouarter United States Forces,
Camp Wikoff. L. L.. September l.. lS9S.
The following is a sample of the let
ters we are constantly receiving regard
inc the soldiers III the camp:
In regard to my step-son, we feel
very uneasy about hin on account OF the
npwspaper reports of the privation and
suffering inflicted on the private soldiers.
Although he has never uttered a com
plaint since he has been III the army, we
hear from other sources Of the cruel ana
horrible treatment int1icteo on our SOL
dierS under the pretenSe OF humanity
for orr ncighborS. and the whole country
IS in Il state OF terrible excitement. |
should not be surprised if the feeling
should lead to a revolution Of some klnh.
for assure YOU / hear on all sides the
violent and bitter denunclatlons Of the
War Department and the Administra-
ton. It is indeed 4 great pity that the
glory Of our triumphs should be dimmed
by such a shameful thing as the ill-treat-
ment and starvation of our own brave
soldiers while the Spanish prisoners
have the best treatment that the coun-
try can afford.
1T will be seen that this letter says
that not q word of complaint has been
received from this soldier and so far
as my Investigation goes, no complaint
has beer made by any of the brave
soldiers that have added glory to our
arms ia the Cuban campaign. y great
many anxious fathers, mothers, brothers
;- I1,D frn,, oil no JtC of
the United States to look after their
relatives whom, they say. the papers tell
them are suffering. and many of them
have heard that their relatives are in a
condition of starvation. Most of these
people are little able to eNrend the mon
ely for such Il Quincy. and they are sur
prised when they come here to IND
their relatives surrounded with every
thing to eat which can be procured by
money: and if sick in the hospital. they
are gratified and surprised to find that
they are given every possible care.
IN reply to a direct request that
will give the exact facts as ] see them,
l will state:
LIVERY officer and soldier who went
to Cuba felt that he was given Il great
and special privilege in being permitted
to engage in that campaign. They knew
they We're to encounter yellow fever and
other diseases. as we'll as the torrid heat
Of the country, and they were proud and
glad to do so. They knew that it was
impossible for them to have the advan-
tage of wagon transportation which
usually accompanies armies. and yet off
GERS and men were glad to 90. to carry
their blankets and their rayl0ns on their
backs. and to be subjected without any
shelter. to the sun and rains by day
and the heavy dews by night. They
certainly knew that the SpaniardS had
, spent years in erecting defenceS. and it
was their pleasure to assault and their
duty to capture the Spanish works. They
were more than glad to incur the hard
ships and these dangers. They went there
! and did their duty: each man seeming
to feel that American honor and prestige
was to 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 to the President and Secretary
Of War for giving them the opportunity
to incur these dangers and hardships.
They realized that III the hurried
organization of an expedition by a
government which had no one
with any experience in such matters. it
was impossible to have everything ar
ranged to perfection; and they VIII tes-
tify that under the circumstances
the conditions We're much more perfect
than anyone would have reason to expect.
and that the President and Secretary OF
War and others who planned and dis
patched these expeditions, deserve high
compensation.
.One reason why our army was lack
ing in some respects III ]equippage was
that a telegram was received from Adj
MIRA S1mnS0n SfotinO that If tho arn,,
reached there Immediately they could
take the city at once. but If there should
be delay. the Notifications of the SDan-
lardS would be so perfected that there
might be great difficulty in taking it. On
receiving this dispatch from Admiral
Sampson, the War Department direct
ed the army to move at once. and as all
connected with the army will recall tha
orders We're received after dark. and tho
army was in motion. had travelled nine
miles and was on the ships at DAYLIGHT.
Nhen the expedition sailed for Cuba i
went there escorted by a large feet If
"arshlpS. At that time it was regarded
as impossible for n merchant shin "a
sail on the ocean safely from any 49,;
can nort to Santiago. but as soon ne tho
SpanlSh fleet was DESTROYED 81 tbo+ =
WAS possible for nnarmed sbins 70 coil
S'ielv 10 Santiago, the generous neonlo az
me lllted States subscribed money with
"nt limit and DISPATCHED shin after shin
loaded with Injuries and delicacias fo.
me Hah'iago army and everything that
could be ACCOMPLISHED for their con,for+
was d"n by the President and Socro-
tary of War. 81
.Al'er The surrender had been com
.'V'eo ana arrangements nerfectel for
49, "n.'or.lh@ the SnaniSh army To Spain
.esnien. ana Secretary of War sent
orn,,rnI /" HantIago and TRANSPORTED orr
army to one of the most bnoItbfu1 ~,
IONS IN the United States. h nn;'+
Sclecte4 by the Sncrotarr " H'