Evening star., 1898-09-06
AT CAMP wIKOFF.
The Situation There Described by n
Washingtonian.

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
had occasion to visit Camp Wikoff for
the purpose of looking after sergt. John r.
Presneil of Company / of the District Vol
unteers. who was reported sick In the hos
pital. / reached MontaUk Point at noon
August 30 and went directly to General
Wheeler's headquarters. situated about
mile from Montauk depot, the eastern ter
minus of the Long Island railroad. en-
countered no difficulty in obtaining a pass
from headquarters.
1 first went to the detention hospital, but,
not finding Sergeant Presnell in this camp,
proceeded to the general hospital, situated
two miles or more from Montauk depot.
began the search there, going from one
ward to another.
As good luck would have it, met Capt.
George C. Lewis of Washington, secretary
of the Washington branch of the Red Cross
society, who was here looking after the
welfare of the District boys Captain Lewis
kindly accompanied me to ward K of the
general hospital, where he had previously
located my son and telegraphed me his con-
ditlon, but had left home for Moutauk be
fore the telegram reached me- This kind
service of Captain Lewis L shall long re-
member Many other parents who were
anxiousiy seeking the whereabouts OF their
sons nave occasion to thank Captain Lewis
This is the kind of work the Red Cross
people are doing. They are well organized
and fully equipped for the work necessary
to supply the wants and to alleviate the
suHerings of the soldier boys
l found the hospital in better condition
than L had anticipated. Tha newspapers
had reported that everything was in a de-
piorable state. / did not find it So The
wards are clean and neat The trained
nurses in charge of these wards are intalli-
gent women, who thoroughly understand
thelr duties The nurses as | understand
come from the Red Cross Society. The gem
" ana kindly way in which they discharge
thelr duty so impressed me that | sincerely
wish that the people of Washington could
see for themselves what these devoted wo-
men ara doing for the mitigation of the suf-
1efings of the gallant soldiers now return
ing from the Cuban campaign.
1he condition of the District troops is
such that many of them will not be able to
DO active duty for months to come Per-
haps one-half of them are so exhausted
tLat th9y are totally unable to take part in
the proposed parade along PENNSYLVANIA
avenue. The lean and hungry look of these
men tells its own story. They have lost the
f1re and vigor of youth. Want of the proper
k1nd OF food and exposure in a Cuban cli-
mate have sapped the energies of these
young lads They need rest above all
things. They are worn out These brave
boys who carried the guns to the front care
but little for parades, bonfires or illumina-
tons. They do want something that will
bring back the ruddy cheek and add luster
to the hollow eys. The desire to go home is
almost unanimous.
The conditions at Camp Wikoff, both in
the general camp and in the hospitals are
favorable. How long these conditions will
continue is uncertain. Some authorities
whose judgment is worth considering an
dcipate an outbreak of typhoid fever. The
detention of a 'arge army-seventeen thou
sand men-at this point may lead to sert-
Gus consequences. 1 heard these matters
discussed pro and con. but feel that / am
not prepared to express an opinion.
camp Wfkoff Is located on Montauk
Point, the extreme end of Long Island q
distance of 116 miles from New York CITY
It gives one at first sight the impression of
rolling prairie Of the west There is no
shade. Water seems to be abundant, is
somewhat brackish. but not unpleasant to
the taste Any one going to Montauk must
not expect too much. There are no conyen-
fences. / had no difficulty, however in
hnding my way through the camp and hos
pitals. At night found place to steep in
one OF the tents. i slept on the ground. /
enjoyed 1t. too
l have heard so much adverse criticism
case of the sick at Camp Wikoff and the
treatment of soldiers, that I have reached
the conclusion that much of the criticism
is made by persons who totally mfsuuder-
stand the condition of affairs.
inexperienced man make mistakes in civil
as well as in army life.
l found the District boys who were in the
hospitals doing well. A few We're quite
sick; one or two dangerously So Nv son
came home with me on furlough.
The sick at Montauk are well cared for
They have everything they need Their
friends need not worry about them
Sept }, 1898. H. PRESNEII.