The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-21
LEADS Ml NORTH CAROLINA DAMES I'M NEWS AND G0RGUlAON<

baled," ''decomposed," injected"
poisoned" Spoiled" and the like.
In addition he showed Il summary of
reports on refrigerated beef co lIemncd
and thrown overheard from transports.
C. G.. Yeamans' from the 20, re
ported the condemnation Of 5000
bounds; Lieutenant Colonel Q Nei,. of
the steamsip Chester. 1000 pounds; Col
onel James Hamilton Lewis, 10000
pounds.
Colonel Gillespie took nand in the
inquiry when General Miles finished
describing the nauseating qualities of
the canned and refrigerated beef.
''Did You, General, ever eat any Of
this beef?" Colonel Gillespie asked.
II presume l did, about the ;lme we
were at Ponce" said Gelcral Miles
with some hesitation. "Yes, | presume
I did,
''Then," said Colonel Gillespie. sit has
not such characteristic qualities as
would permit you to detect It OFF nandT"
"No sir"
General Miles then left the witness
chair an5 Lieutenant Colonel Van
Horne, of the Thirteeath infantry was
sworn. He said he was at the outbreak
of the war Major of the Twenty
infantry and was through the entire
Cuban campaign.
Witness said he had used all kinds,
canned, corned, refrigerated and canned
roast beef. He said the criticisms of
the canned roast beef began early and
were made often. 1t was objected %
on the score of its lack of nutriment,
Witness did not recOIecC that tfc
large sick list of his regiment IN CuLa
had been laid at the time t0 the caautH
meat. When the refrigerator beef arII
we'd a large part of it was spoiled ana
the men continued to use the canned
meat The spoiled refrigerator beef
was laid out on the hill COR tie buzzar'ls.
Several issues were lost iii this way
Witness had eaten some of the refrigera
tor beef which arrived in camp untainI-
ed and found that good. The men ate
it without complaint, and hes had no
reason to believe it was different from
the beef he had gotten dt army posts III
the States.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles w Minor,
of the Sixth infantry, was the next wit
ness. His regiment was among the iirst
to leave Camp Thomas AMI t. camp at
Tampa. They reached Cuba and dis
embarked ON June 22nd. Canned roast
beef was issued as a travel ration when
they left Tampa and until The end of
the siege. 1t was replaced with rnf!Tg-
Grated beef after the surrender. Mean
time he said, absolutely no other fresh
meat could have been furn' shed dur NJ
the siege.
Complaints against The canned beef
became general and marke about .July
2nd. He said he was using i aad whtn
opened it was apparently fresh, but
stringy and absolutely without II puriSh-
ment, and when cut, it fell to piece.
The men could not and did not eat it.
II believed then and believe now ne
said, that that beef had been used FOR
making beef extract and The nItriment
taken out. 1t appeared to have l.een
boiled to pieces"
Colonel Minor said he knew nothing
of canned beef's preparation. His regi-
ment was in good condition until about
July Bird after which it deteriorated
suddenly and generally. When ,hey be-
came weak and sick the men dill net
want meat.
Examined as to refrigerated bc>f he
declared it was excellent aud satisfac-
tory and no complaints about it were
heard. Only one quarter was sp,l.ed.
He was unable he said, to letecc any
difference between the refrigerated beef
issued in Cuba and that which had been
issued at the posts in this country at
which he had been stationed.
Major Henry Jackson, Third cavalry,
who was with his regiment throughout
the Santiago campaign, was called. He
said his experience with the canned
roast beef began aboard the transport
en- route for Cuba and continued Till
his return TO Montauk. Complaints
commenced of the meat being stringy,
tasteless and unpalatable. The officers
had remarked the same thing to him
and he agreed with them fully. Colo
nel%Davis asked if witness had made any
effort to get different meat for his men,
he replied that there was nothing 10 DO
but take what was issued.
Major DAILY will PROBABLY be one OF
the witnesses at tomorrow ses sion.