The times., 1899-03-12
ARMY BEEF WAGONS
REHKBD With Filth
Neat Carried in Them Filled
With Eermin.
Foul Stuff Refused By One Resi-
ment Issued to Another.
The CommisSnry Department Rough
iy Hnndied--Coionel sharpe t"
the Miles Enquir. Board.

Chicago. March 1.-THE United States
Army Commissary Department was held
up in an unenviable light today before the
Board OF Enquiry which is investigating
the charges made by General Miles that
bad beef was shipped BY Chicago packers
10 Cuba for consumption by the soldiers.
According to the evidence Of Lieut. Col
H. c. Sharpe. chief COmmissary of the
great camp at Chickamauga, the beef
shipped from Chicago TO Chickamauga was
transported from the railway depot to
the camp in wagons reekinE with NTH.
He said that in one instance complaint
was made to him that a quantity Of beef
furnished a regiment had been found to
contain yeI-min. Upon investigation, Coicnei
Sharpe told the Court OF Enquiry he had
discovered that the beef, which had been
sent from Chicago in refrigerator cars, had
been conveyed 10 the camp in Z wagon in
whirh garbage and other refuse had been
hauled, and that the vehicle had not becu
cleaned prior TO being loaded with the
meat In addition TO this. he said. the
beef had been allowed to stand seven hours
in the hot sun before delivery to the camp;
that the carts used in hauling the beef in
tended for the soldiers use were the reg
ular garbage carriers and dirt carts OF the
camp, uncovered, exposed to the sun, and
the road.
Colonel sharpe further testified that in
Porto Rico. where he had charge of the
Department of Subsistence of the First
Brigade. First Division, First Corps, under
General Brooke. a considerable quantity OF
beef which came in refrigeratcrs to San
Juan after the signing of the protocol had
been refused by the men to whom it was
issued In my opinion said he, that
meat was perfectly good. therefore or
dered il returned to the cooler and given
out again next day to another regiment.
This was done and the new men took il
without complaint. and / suppose ate it. -
He served canned roast beef during the
whole campaign and heard many COM
plants that it was unpalatable but IS it
was an army ration by regulation its use
was continued. The men complained OF
local cattle just as much.
II was brought out that in the American
army il has always been the practice to
supply troops on the march with cattle
driven along. and never before with re-
frigerated or canned roast beef. No fault
attached TO the beef contractors, so the
witness said. in this crowning horror of
Camp Thomas daily life. The regimental
commissaries were responsible for the
sickening condition of the wagons and the
shape in which the beef at last reached
the volunteers. The evidence Of Colonel
Sharpe was heard with silence and with
faces that showed surprise and consterna-
ton
According to Major Frederick A Smith,
who for nine days had charge of the beef
issued at Santiago last July, the beef came
in refrigerator ships and was of the finest
quality. II was issued with care and close
inspection. and was found absolutely free
from taint, decomposition. or the appear
ance of chemical preservation. The brigade
and division commissaries were supposed
10 transfer the meat to the camps and TO
do so without delay. Instead OF so doing.
the wagons were allowed TO stand for hours
in the heat OF Cuban day, and the witness
testified that he did not think it possible
for beef TO keep any length Of time under
such conditions.
Major Smith detailed his duties and the
places where he served, and then Colonel
Davis went over the roast beef matter.
The major was asked what he knew abou,
the travel rations issued to the troops on