The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-26
In His Testimony Given Yesterday Before
the Army Court Of Inquiry.
When the Cans Were Opened There
Was a Covering Of Slime, the
Meat Was Stringy and Did Not
Agree With Those Who Ate It.


Before the hearing began Major Lee
said he believed Governor Roosevelt
would be- the only witness heard here
Upon his arrival Governor Roosevelt
shook hands with several members CT
the court and then took the stand, after
Colonel Davis had administered the
oath. The Governor described the or
ganization Of the Rough Riders at San
Antonio, Texas, and told of the issu-
ance of rations.
when was the first complaint you
heard of the rations?" asked Colonel
Davis.
MAY I answer that in my own way ?'
asked the Governor
Certainly"
well, it was aboard ship at Tampa. 1
saw a man, 1 think his name was Ash,
]. know he came from Kentucky, throw
ing away can of the so-called roast
beef. I asked him what was the mat
ter, and he said he could not eat it. 7
told him not to be baby, and that he
did not volunteer for a good time, and
ought to be able to take what came. I
thought no more of the matter until T
heard that complaints were being made
on all sides. Then I made inquiries,
and was told that the roast beef was
part of the regular ration, ana that all
the volunteers were complaining. 1
spoke to Colonel Wood about it, and he
said it was the regular ration. took
nouthful or two myself, but did not
eat it,
Governor Roosevelt spoke of the issue
OF rations in Cuba, and said that all
though he did not like the beef, and his
men would not eat it, he never heard
anyone say it was an unfit ration"
What did the meat look like?" asked
Colonel Davis.
When the cans were opened there
was a covering of slime 1t was unat-
tractive. The meat was stringy. and
1t did not agree with the men who ate
it,"
Gould you not eat it when served
with onions and potatoes?"
Il think at that time I could have
eaten my hat if I could have had onions
and potatoes. The men would have
eaten anything with fresh vegetables.
They stewed the meat with manages
and ate it. Some of the men seemed to
eat the meat without difficulty or Dis
tress, but it was not suitable for sick or
half-sick men,"
Governor Roosevelt told at length Of
his attempts to get supplies in Cuba
He repeated the statements that he
made to the Army Investigating Com
mittee as to his attempts to organize a
transportation train to bring supplies
TO
When did you begin receiving refrig-
Grated beef?" asked Colonel Davis.
about July 22d, when ashore about
month";
Were the supplies regular?"
Sometimes. We received them about
noon'
What was their condition when you
received them?''
Their condition as a rule was good.
The outside was sometimes bad, but it
seemed awfully good to u.s."
What was the proportion that was
bad?"
Il can't exactly say, but I doubt if
there were more than two or three is
sues when the large proportion was
bad"
Had you reason to believe the refrig-
Grated beef was treated with chemicals
before YOU received it?'
Il never thought about it until I re-
turned home. The meat seemed good
to us. We ate it and enjoyed it. Ii
did undoubtedly give the men diar-
rhea."
Did you hear any complaint"
We'll, I heard that some of the Off
GERS and men thought there was some
thing wrong with the meat. but I have
known meat if kept for a few DAYS on
hunting trip to have like effect.
None of US were in very good health.
ana II took less to upset us than it
would have at any other time
Did you attribute their ill-heafth 20
the rations?" asked Colonel Davis.
To certain extent 1 suppose. yes
When left Cuba less than twenty per
cent. of the brigade was fit for active
work.
What was given the men on their
voyage home as a ration?"
1.-THE canned roast beef,
TO what extent was it acceptable ?"
1T was utterly and hopeIessly unac-
ceptable"
Was any of it eaten?"
Some of it was, but it could not he
eaten by the half-sick, and the wei!
men did not like it,"
Major Lee was about to ask ones
ton, when the Governor interr1nted
10 say ne wished to speak of the talk
of 'sembalmed beef
When We left Tampa" he said 1.-TWO
or three quarters of beef vera nut
aboard our ship. l was told to mt If
IN the shade. I understood it was sne-
cially treated for the tropics. It did not
last, and board of investigation de-
clded to throw it overheard
Can you remember the brands ar
labels On the canned roast beef COM
planned OF, either that used in C,ba or
at Montauk?' asked Major Lee.
I do not think I can. some were
Swift's and some Armour's believe y,
Governor Roosevelt said he had sub
mltted reports regarding the rations
through the regular army channels
and again on September 10th. These
reports We're omitted from the published
records of the War Department, but
We're to be printed, so he said. in the
next report
Major Lee applied to the court to or
der copy of Governor Roosevelt's re-
port, and to be made a part of the min
utes of the proceedings.
General Wade ruled IN oor,ylia MOO