The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-13
PRELIMINARY WORK.
How the Commission Set About to
Learn the Truth.

How the Commission Set About to
Learn the Truth.
The commission organized on Sept. "a,
electing Gen. Grenville NJ. Dodge president,
Hon. Charles DENLY vice president and Mr..
Richard Weightman secretary. Gen. James
"A. Beaver was designated to conduct the
examination of witnesses, Lieut.. Col. E. b.
Jones' chief quartermaster of volunteers,
was detailed by the War Department as
disbursing officer, and Maj. Stephen c..
Mills, United States army, was appointed
by the President as recorder.
On Monday, Sept. &c, the commission con-
vened in regular session. Arrangements
were made to admit to the rooms six jour-
nalists, three Of them representing the three
established press associations. Having only
two rooms at their disposal the commission
could not throw these open to the public
unfortunately. All the newspapers in the
country, however, had access, through the
press associations, to the examination of
witnesses, and the American people were
served. in respect of the proceedings of the
commission, exactly as they are served in
all other matters of public interest from
day to day.
Among the first acts Of the commission
was to ask the secretary of war, the adju-
tant general, the quartermaster general, the
commissary general and the surgeon gen
eral to transmit all the complaints received
by them touching the administration of
their respective departments. This request
was promptly complied with, and from that
time forth all complaints were forwarded
to the commission Immediately on their re-
ceipt at the War Department In further
pursuance of this preparatory measure, the
commission on Sept. q, made public invita-
ton through the press to all persons having
fsaFo
dereliction to submit their statements IN
writing, accompanied by such collateral
proof or information as might be at their
disposal. This invitation met with liberal
response. Hundreds of aitidavits, letters,
newspaper clippings editorial articles ana
sermons were received, all of which were
Will appear in the testimony taken by the
commission and the various exhibits ana
APPENDICES to be published hereafter. Next,
the secretary of war was requested to direct
the various chiefs of department under MIN
TO furnish the commission with a. statement
of the conditions of their respective depart
ments at the outbreak of the war, and the
operations of the same during the period Of
hostilitieS.
SCOPE OF THE INQUIRY.
This communication recited in detail the
subjects on which information was desired,
comprising facts touching the mobilization
of troops and their organization; the amount
and kind of camp and garrison equipage on
amount subsequently purchased; similar in
formation with regard to furnishing the
troops with arms and accoutrements; infor-
nation as to which of the volunteer regi-
ments were armed and equipped in the
various state camps; how the location of
the camps of general rendezvous was deter
mined; full particulars as TO the transporta-
ton furnished; information as to the tent
age, beds, linen, medicines and all other
ueceSsarleS for the hospitals; as 10 whether
the medical staff was efficient, and as to the
conditions and operations of the engineer
and ordnance departments. These state
ments promptly and intelligently made,
were of great service in the investigation
IN the character Of text and reference books.
Having thus arranged the preliminary
matters which seemed advisable 10 be de-
termined the commission resolved that all
charges specifically brought before 1t should
be made the basis OF the examination of
witnesses who had or professed to have
knowledge of the facts involved In such
charges. 1T was further determined" says
the report, that in the examination of wit
nesses the strict rules of evidence as APP
nlied IN legal proceedings should not be ad-
hered TO, but considerable latitude should be
allowed. While, therefore, in general the
rules of evidence have been followed we
have not hesitated to relax their applica-
ton when thought advisable During our
sessions we examined 495 witnesses All OF
these were sworn or affirmed except one.
who declined to take the oath. The chief
examination was conducted by the member
designated for that purpose. but each wit
Ato1a was lHtSAAO6atS1 ~ oFSAS hlcHADSI OF
the commission who desired TO do so.
PEOPLE WHO WE'RE EXAMINED.
"Our purpose, in the discharge of our du-
ties, was TO arrive at the facts touching the
conduct OF the war and no effort was spared
by US to reach that result We have ex-
aFnined the secretary of war. the command
ing generals, heads OF departments, officers
Of corps. divisions, brigades. regiments and
companies; noncommissioned officers and