The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-13
SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES.
Many Excuses for Deficiencies of the
Quartermaster's Department..

Many Excuses Tor Denc1enc1es of the
Quartermaster's Department..
The quartermaster's department,
United States army, Brig. Gen. NJ L.
Ludington. quartermaster general, U.
S. A, in charge:
On March l. 1898, with the possibility of
war with Spain, the quartermaster's depart
ment found itself charged with varied, nu-
merous and important duties. its appropria-
large. army being soon organized for field
service. Within few weeks 1t became nee
essary to provide for clothing and equipping
an army OF more than quarter of a million
of men. So soon as funds were available
the quartermaster's department undertook
this work. There were occasions where
tentage and absence Of straw for bedding
where clothing was scarce and troops suffer
ed discomfort for lack Of shoes, shirts and
other articles This was noticed even as late
as October in the camps at Anniston, Hunts
Vile and Lexington, while at Huntsville,
Ala, and Fort Monroe, Va, in spite of cold
hospitals, and at Huntsville the supply Of
wood was short. With some of the troops
sent from San Francisco to Manila the deh-
cheney in shoes OF proper size continued even
up to Aug 81
At Santiago the deficiency at the front ap-
pears to have been caused rather from lack
of transportation than from lack of clothing
and tentage, supply Of which was on the
transports.
LAND TRANSPORTATION.
The condition of the railroad congestion
during the early portion of the time Tampa
was occupied by troops seems unparalleled.
showing almost ineXcusable lack of exec
utive ability on the part of those charged
with the loading, unloading and handling of
the trains.
park, probably with not serious results as
at Tampa, but complaint was made that ma
terials of different classes belonging to DIFF
ferent departments were frequently packed
in the same car. rendering 1t necessary to
| remove large packages Of medicines and med
ical supplies. There was also congestion and
| confusion in connection with the railroad IA
| cilties between the 5th and 18th of August
| at Camp Wikoff.
WATER TRANSPORTATION.
The testimony shows that the first call upon
the quartermaster's department was for ships
to transport 5000 men to Cuba, and that soon
after the call was increased and demand made
for steamers to transport 25,0GO Upon load
| ing these vessels. concentrated at Tampa, II
was found that their capacity had been large
upon them without great discomfort and dan
ger more than 10000 men, with their equip
ments, artillery. ammunition. subsistence.
age Of 1000 miles. Even with this reduction
the vessels appear to have been crowded
| Many of these vessels were poorly equipped
many instances were inconvenient and Insult
fcient and some Of the vessels were badly
ventilated and filed with disagreeable odors.
The quartermaster's department ought to
have been able to more thoroughly equip
those vessels. and surely it should have been
more certain of their carrying capacity.
sufficient number Of vessels for Transporting
%. coo men, with the required lighters for their
Decentralization, should have been promptly
furnished, even had such action rendered
necessary the seizure of every steamer ON
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts sailing under
the American flag.
Testimony shows that the vessels were not
loaded systematically. battery. with its