Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-27
Made Ill by Canned Beef.

Made Ill by Canned Beef.
Lieutenant Charles F. Dwyer of the 9th
Infantry first underwent examination. He
is now stationed at Madison barracks, but
during the war was in Cuba. He could
not state positively what meat formed a
part of the travel ration from Tampa to
Santiago. He did recollect, however, that
canned roast beef was issued at that time,
and that IN Cuba the men claimed that it
nauseated them. To him it was unpalata-
BILE While at the front they were given
canned corned beef and bacon. No official
action was taken with regard to the num-
erOus complaints. as it was difficult to get
any supplies at the front and all felt that
the commissary department was doing the
best it could.
After the capture of Santiago his COM
mand was stationed in the city. Refriger-
ated beef was issued to them, and as they
got 1t early in the day il was always good.
He heard no complaints or suggestions that
it had been chemically treated. 1t seemed
the same kind of meat that was issued to
him in this country before and after the
war.
He made no report upon the canned roast
beef and should not have felt it his duty to
make it.
In reply to a direct question from Colonel
Gillespie, the witness admitted that he was
taken i'll after eating the canned roast beef,
and he said he regarded it as the sole cause.
Introduction of the New Ration.
Brig. Gen. Robert D. Maefeeiy. retired.
the next witness, said he was a commits
sary of subsistence from 1919 to 1880. In
1878 he had recommended the Introduction
of travel ration, with view to amelio-
rating the condition of soldiers Prior to
that the men had suffered in trying to live
for days on a march or campaign on what
vas called a cooked ration" consisting
of bread and meat without COFFEE even
He recommended the use of canned meats
and cheese.
Col Davis read to the court and witness
extracts from the department records
showing orders as far back as 1873 making
canned fresh beef a part of the army travel
ration.
Gen. Macfeely said Cen Sherman was in
command of the army at that time and
was consulted as to the advisability of
Grating a travel ra ton" He said he had
seen the articleS-beans, chess and canned
corned and fresh meats-then included in
inc travel ration in use often on hunt
ing trips. They were found good His
recollection was that general satisfaction
was expressed in the reports upon the in
novation. 1t was intended for issue only
"heh the men had no facilities for cook
ing. Later. cheese was dropped from the
however liked it.
Gen. Macfeeiy referred to his experience
with fresh beef during the civil war and
Said II was taken from cattle on the hoof
driven along with the army either by the
commissaries or meat contractors. At the
time of his retirement about two-thirds of
the army We're fed from beef on the block
IN preference to on the hoof. He did not
recollect handling refrigerated beef during
his term of service
Gen Macfeely said he is of the opinion
that western refrigerated beef is today the
best beef in the world. During the Indian
campaigns the troops were supplied mainly
with salt pork. Sometimes they had beef.
Sometimes horse meat was used.
canned Meat Was Beyond Description
First Sergt, Howard Alexander of the
9th Infantry was next on the stand. In
the meantime Maj Jesse B. Lee entered
the inquiry room, and, sitting next to
Judge Advocate Davis, took close interest
in the examination.
The witness said that he served in Cuba
and received canned corned and canned
roast beef on the voyage there. There
were many complaints against the roast
beef and the men said it made them sick
at the stomach. 1t was not fit to eat
There was not much nutriment in it He
said he had not eaten anything like it be-
fore He was asked to explain fully but
could not find words to tell more than that
the men did not like it and would not eat
It.
Men Blamed the Canned Meat.
The witness said that in Cuba ore can of
roast beef was three days ration for one
man. The meat was not spoiled when the
CdAS were opeHeu- Dut III would not Keep
from one meal to the next Before Sam
tiago many of the men thr-w their roast
beef away. He did not use his issue of it.
Frequently the meat made the men sick
as soon as they ate it. Two-thirds of the
men were sick in Cuba. and they attrib-
uted their condition TO the beef. After en-
ttr1nS Santiago, where refTigera ted beef
was issued. the men continued sick were
nauseated ard suffering from bowel trou-
bles.
He said the cans were not convenient to
carry in a mans haveTsack. They spoiled
50 rapidly after opening that the men di-
Vided into tWOs and threes and used a can
at a time in order TO make the total issue
last the required time. He thought it a
poor thing to- issue. Full rations were not
issued, and during the siege the ration was
short in hard bread, bacon, coffee and
sugar, This in quantity amounted to one
half the ration and he thought the subsist-
ence department to blame
The wi ness submitted to Judge Advocate
Davis his memorandum book containing a
record showing shortage in Cuba of bread
meat, coffee, sugar. salt, pepper. vinegar
and candles. At this time one-half the
men were sick. The book also showed that
the bareback was Water-soaked and the
men who captured San Juan hill fought on
empty StOmachs.
This statement elected 4 smile of salts
faction from Maj Lee
The sergeant said II at the refrigerated
beef was not spoiled, but, nevertheless it
taste The notebook was not made from
day to day, but was copied from the quar-
termaster serScants records, some time
after entering Santiago
1t was observed that during this witness
examination Gen. Wade the president
asked two questions. the only ones pro-
pounded by him since the inquiry began
First Experience With Canned Roast
Beef.
Sergeant Buckage of the 9th Infantry
followed in the chair. He said that on the
voyage from Tampa many complaints
against the canned roast beef were made
The men declared its taste was bad that
ii was dry and stringy and that it sickened
them.
1t was served two days after, the other
eight days being given to canned corned
| beef Before tn surrender of Santiago
about half the meat ration was canned
roast beef. and the complaints continued
Nc st of the men could not keep it on their
ste machs. Nothing that was done 20 the
beef in the way of cooking seemed to have
much effect upon it for better or worse No
instructions Were given to how to serve
II. Now and then can was spoiled.
The witness said there was little or no
complaint as 20 the refrigerated beef while
| In Santiago. When camped outside the
| city, about fourth of it spoiled in trans-