The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-03

He can grub among the roots for yuccas
or vans, but should he fail to find these
he may starve. II on the march he drops
from exhaustion, he may lie down and
die for no other soldier will stop for n.
moment to give him assistance or reliet.
Nor is it of record that a medical stan
ever went into tho field with the army.
A wounded man must succor himself.
unless he Is SO fortunate as to be shot
by one Of his officers or comrades, who
very patriotically takes this means OF
relieving the cause of an incumbrunce
The dead are never buried. unless 1t Is
tossing the body into some stream, later
to have 1t thrown up ON the bank, where
are waiting myriads Of turkey ouzzaids'
eager to devour the carcass.
AN INCIDENT OF A CAMPAIGN.
One incident. related by j. S, Highbid,
roadmasler OF the Panama Railroad, and
fully authenticated by Dr.. Randall, the
railroad company's physician, VIII serve
to illustrate the common war practices
of this army.
Ono day during the last revolution MI.
I1ighbd was travelling from Panama to
Colon. The railroad Was then In charge
OF United States marines, and all lighting
along the line was stopped on signal to
permit the passage of trains. Between
Culcbra and Panama Nh. LIighbd saw a
wounded Conservative lying wnlst-deep
in small stream by tho side OF the rail-
road track Ho had been shot through
both legs Just below the hips and was
powcrlcss from loss OF blood. About his
feet and legs young nlliEators were play
ing, while on either side Of the truck
other Conservative soldiers were con-
stantly passing and requesting.
Two days later. when returning from
Colon to Panama. Mr.. Ilighbid saw this
man lying III identically the same place
and position. During those two days ne
had not moved, nor had one OF his Eel
low-soldicrs stopped to succor him In so
little as by giving him a drink OF water.
Tho man rolled his eyes plalntively as
Mr.. Highbd's train passed, and that ster-
ling American, not entirely devoid OF hu-
manitarlan instincts. had the train stop
and back to the place where the man was
lying. With his own hands Hlghpld
helped pull the man from the stream and
transfer him 10 the baggage car. Upon
the arrival of the train III Panama, High
bid had the stricken soldier-victim Of
crosses cruel ty--transferrcd 70 hospital
but relief and attention came too late,
and the fellow died that evening.
CONDITIONS OF CAMPAIGNING.
This is not an isolated case; rather II Is
the common story, for the soldier on the
Islhmus who goes into the field must take
his life in his hands in more ways than
cnu. He may escape the bullets OF the
enemy, hut he can hardly hope to escape
the crueties and inhumanities or the
military methods which permit war TO
b3 made without commissary depart
ments or medical corps. The man who,
fIom hunger or fever falls IN his tracks
is absolutely without hope OF attention
or relief,
che army, whenever 1t goes into the
fed must expect to sleep at night on the
dnnk and swampy ground, With no tent
age for its protection save that afforded
BY the excessive vegetation and no
blankets except the close enfolding MAS
matte night mist, which drill into his
system the germs Of yellow, pernlclous,
dcrgue and enteric fcyers. and ber!-beri,
l,nGer such circumstances as these, 1t Is
MOI TO be wondered at that one hears
here well-subs tGntiated stories OF times
wher an army OF LOO men. or there
abouts, has gone into thu field for
weeks campaigning against revolutions
lists, and not move thun 30 or 800 of the
original number eyer returned to their
homes
In no place on tho lsthmus except In
tha barracks In this city IL there any
thing In the entire army's organization
ilat bears a really martial air, The bar
racks in this city are c,ean and we'll
kept and the rations, which the men
furnish for Themselves by fnesses, are
wholesome In Colon the small body
of troops stationed In that province IL
auartered In a barnlke structuye, for