The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-22

personally, he said, TO use it. but found it
unpalatable. it did not satisfy hunger and
he could not eat it. Such was the expert
ence generally Of the men. 1t was stringy
and without nutritive value. He said he
never saw canned roast beef before going
TO Cuba and knew nothing of its prepara-
ton. He made Oct. IL q report upon the
rations in response to the call of his regi-
mental commander, but replying TO a ques-
ton, he said he would not have felt called
upon to make any report had he not been
requested.
Capt. William Ennis. Fourth Artillery, was
with the Shafter expedition and remained
at Santiago until Aug. IA. He said the
canned roast beef was used on the transport
and more or less throughout the stay OF his
command in Cuba. None of the men COM
planned while there, but personally he had
taken it as a stew and was often nauseated.
Since his return he had inquired of the men
as to It's erect, and complaints were mdue.
He took no action about it in Cuba because
he heard Of notable complaints and did not
consider action necessary. Refrigerated beef
was furnished after the surrender and was
satisfactory. Everybody, he said, liked 1t
and he never suspected any use of chem
prised that he had been able to keep it
twenty-four hours after issue.
CAUSED VOMITING.
"a great many of the men would eat the
canned roast beef and turn about quickly
and vomit," Captain Ennis said, a final
ly they refused to eat it at ALL" This was
said in response to a question as to the
causes of illness among his troops. Captain
Ennis believed much of It was due to this
beef. No other food caused vomiting imme-
diately after eating. he said, but the sick
ness was only transient.
Responding to Colonel Gillespie, witness
said he thought the inability to eat the roast
beef did not cause hunger, because there
was an abundance of other food. The re-
frigerated beef was kept tWenty-four hours
aIlGr us issue 10 the battery stationed at
MORO Castle.
Maj. Stephen Baker, retired, attached to
the Fourth Infantry during the Santiago
campaign, said canned roast beef was issued
after landing and until after the surrender,
and complaints of no very specific character
were made generally by the men and cap
tains- No efini attempt to remedy the
defect in the ratiOnS was made. he said,
because all realized that the best possible
was being done under the circumstances and
they We're glad to get anything. After re-
frigerated beef was furnished no complaints
were fled except occasionally when 1t was
tainted or spoiled, when boards of survey
were appointed and the beef condemned.
Witness said he was surprised that the beef
Kept SO long as It did, but he never saw
anything unusual in its appearance and
never suspected the use of chemicals. It
was generally satisfactory.
Major Baker said he had made a special
report on the %rations pursuant to the adj
Jutant generals orders of Sept. 20, but
thought had the orders not been promul-
gated he would not have felt called on to
make n report upon the matter. Prior
to Sept. 20 he had accepted the situation as
being as good as possible. He did not think
the sickness in the regiment due in any ma
climate.
Col. Evan Miles, First Infantry. who was
q brigade commander in the Santiago expe-
dition, but left about July 10, being sick
after the battle, said he never saw q can of
roast beef, did not know it had been issued
and never heard a complaint.
GENERAL SUMMERS TESTIMONY.
Nf9fnV Go,n~o1 C.~.--- -
was colonel Of the Sixth Cavalry at the out
break Of the war, and commanded a brigade
of cavalry through the Santiago campaign.
testified that complaints about roast beef
were heard in the lines, but no action was
taken, because" as he declared, there
was not any use. That was all we had and
it would not do any good" Refrigerated
beef was furnished after the surrender and
was good, except that much of it spoiled
before reaching camp, five or six hours be-
ing required to bring 1t from the depot.
General Sumner said when he left Tampa
his adJutant. Captain Howse, reported that
some one had placed on board two quarters
or beef which he claimed, as the result of
treatment, would keep in the tropics two or
three days. The second day it became so
offensive that it was thrown overheard. He
dld not know who put the beef on board or
Dy what authority. Captain HowSe has been
directed to write particulars. General Sum-
ner said he attributed none of the sickness
to defective food.
Major Jesse NJ. Lee, Ninth Infantry. who
joined his regiment at Santiago, July 20,
said refrigerated beef was furnished, SEEM
ing daily, and frequently spoiled before it
could be got to camp, two miles from the
city. Much difficulty in transporting it was
experienced and, aside from putrefaction,
there appeared little ground for complaint.
Major Lee was very strong in the opinion
that beef on the hoof would have been more
satisfactory in Cuba than refrigerated beef.
although he said his opinion might result
largely from the fact that all his experience
in the civil and Indian wars had been with
cattle in herds. Refrigerated beef supply
was a novelty and when the camps were
removed three miles from the refrigerators
in the tropics, difficulty would be expert
enced in keeping it fresh while en- route. In
an experience Of thirty-six years, Major Lee
said he had never known a can of roast
beef ever being issued, and he had no ex-
perience with it. In Cuba.
Capt. James p. Jackson. Seventh Infantry.
who was in the battle and siege at Santiago,
said canned roast beef was issued off and on
While they remained in Cuba A few com
paints were made, but he investigated and
it, he said, and found it rather t~asteless but
nourishing. Refrigerated beef was issued
after the surrender, but about one-half was
spoiled when delivered, the camp being about
four miles from the depot. Witness never
had an idea of any chemical treatment of
beef. An open wagon, he said. was used in
transporting the meat, and it was delivered
the beef under orders from his colonel. but
otherwise his sense of duty to his men and
would not haVe prompted him to
have made a report.