56TH CONGRESS, )
1st Session. \
SENATE.
DOCUMENT No. 221.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSION APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT TO
INVESTIGATE THE CONDUCT OF THE
WAR DEPARTMENT IN THE
WAR WITH SPAIN.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.
Gen. GBENVILLE M. DODGE, Iowa, President. Col. JAMES A. SEXTON, Illinois. Col. CHARLES DENBY, Indiana. Capt. EVAN P. HOWELL, Georgia. Ex-Governor URBAN A. WOODBUBY, Vermont. Brig. Gen. JOHN M. WILSON, Chief of Engineers. U. S. A.
Gen. JAMES A. BEAVER, Pennsylvania.
Maj. Gen. ALEXANDER McD. McCoOK, U. S. A.
Dr. PHINEAS S. CONNER, Ohio.
RICHARD WEIGHTMAN, Secretary.
Lieut. Col. F. B. JONES. Chief Quartermaster of
Volunteers. Dit-burtsi-ng O(fic<r. Ma,j. STEPHEN C. MILLS, Recorder.
IN EIGHT VOLUMES.
VOL. 2. APPENDICES.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT POINTING OFFICE,
19 jo.
UC v. v
CONTENTS— VOLUME II.
Appendices: ' Page.
M. Reply of the Surgeon-General 737-776
N. Reply of the Chief of Engineers 779-785
O. Reply of the Chief of Ordnance 789-850
P. Analyses of beef 853-866
Q. Correspondence— Cuba 869-1 188
R. Correspondence — Philippines 1191-1340
Correspondence — Porto Rico 1341-1483
HI
M102294
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
WAR DEPARTMENT, SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, October 6, 1898. Gen. G. M. DODGE,
President of Board to Investigate the War Department.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of correspondence relating to the operations of the Medical Department at Camp Wikoff, L. I.
I respectfully invite special attention to the following letters of instructions and to copies of telegrams dated August 17:
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 6, 1898. Col. WILLIAM H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army, Montauk Point, L. I. SIR: Your telegrams have been received. I had expected that the water must be pumped into tanks and distributed to the camps. I trust that the Quartermas ter's Department will push this work through, so there may be no complaint of insufficient supply. I expect you to act as chief surgeon for the camp and to regu late everything. In my opinion it will be best to establish a detention camp, with a capacity of 4,000 or 5,000, somewhere near the landing place, and in connection with this a tent hospital of 250 beds in addition to the 500-bed hospital already provided for. * * *
I shall send a great quantity of disinfectants, and these should be used very
freely in the sinks at the detention camp and hospital. Let us try and do this
thing in such a way that there may be no criticism of the Medical Department.
Apply to me for anything necessary and I will do my best to fill your requisition.
Very respectfully,
GEO. M. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General United States Army.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 12, 1898. Col. WILLIAM H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, L. I.
MY DEAR COLONEL: I send you inclosed a check for $1,000 to be used in any way that you think best for the benefit of the sick in hospital. This money is con tributed by the American National Red Cross Belief Committee.
Be sure that you have plenty of quinine and all other medicines likely to be required and hospital stores of all kinds for the sick arriving from Santiago. I have asked to have Heizmann ordered to report to you. You will use your own judgment about assigning him to duty in charge of the 500-bed hospital. You should have tents upon the ground and beds ready to put up another hospital of the same size on short notice. The men returning from Santiago are saturated with malaria, and the exposure to the cool climate at Montauk will, no doubt, cause a large number of relapses and develop disease in those who have not already had it. Keep always a surplus of tents and beds ready to put up at a moment's notice. Very truly, yours,
GEO. M. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General United States Army.
737
738 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 16, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Camp Wikoff,
Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:
Four hundred convalescents coming by Catania, 200 sick by Olivette. Pitch 100 more hospital tents and put l>eds in them as soon as possible. Apply for as many female nurses as you can use. Make contracts with as many male nurses as you require at $30 per month and ration. You have authority to employ cooks at $50 per month, also to make contracts with competent physicians, if more are needed. Keep sufficient medicines on hand to supply regiments in camp with most neces sary articles. You should have a million quinine pills ready for issue to returning troops. Send as many sick to New Haven hospitals as they can take care of. If necessary to make room, send sick also to New York hospitals. Acknowledge receipt.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON- GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 17, 1898. r/olonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: I advise you to send typhoid patients to New Haven hospital, as recommended in my letter of August 14. Don't fail to disinfect all excreta. Buy all the quick lime necessary.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 17, 1898. Col. W. H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: Do not fail to procure everything necessary for the comfort of the sick. Apply to me for additional female nurses, if necessary, and for money to buy delicacies when required.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
Very respectfully,
GEO. M. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General, United States Army.
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CAMP WIKOFF.
WAR DEPARTMENT, SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington. August 4, 1898. Col. W. H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.
SIR: The Surgeon-General directs me to inform yon that he has this day asked that Acting Hospital Steward Schimann, Hospital Corps, this day recommended for appointment as hospital steward, and now at Governors Island, New York Harbor, be sent to Montauk Point to report for duty to the commanding general. The Surgeon- General understands that you were authorized by him to call on the medical supply officer in New York City for supplies for the hospital at Mon tauk Point in addition to the bedsteads, bedding, and furniture already ordered. As no requisitions have been received from you, it is presumed you are acting under this authority. Information is desired as to your wants as to the Hospital Corps.
Very respectfully, yours, C. H. ALDEN,
Assistant Surgeon-General.
NEW YORK, August 4, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Wells located and hospitals staked off. Tents and lumber on the way. Wells started. Hospital Corps men should come at once with shelter tents and three days' rations.
W. H. FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 5, 1898. FORWOOD, Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:
Hospital Steward Schimann sent to you and twenty Hospital Corps men from hospital ship Missouri.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 6, 1898. Col. W. H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon- General, United States Army,
Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:.
Apply to General Young for line officer and all necessary assistance. Push the wells with all possible dispatch. Letter of instructions to-day.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General. 739
740 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
; ;;; » r MONTAUK POINT, N. Y., August 6, 1S98.
SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
« •: **;' fc"o ; c% Washington, D. C.:
Watei problem is the mps4>cUfficvult; making great efforts; impossible to drive points in this bowlder. Drift wells must be dug and water pumped to tank, which takes time. Expect rations, tents, and lumber by Sunday. One contract surgeon reported. Some of the Hospital Corps ought to get here Sunday or Monday.
W. H. FORWOOD.
SURGEON- GENERAL'S OFFICE, August 6, 189S. FORWOOD, Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Hospital Corps men ordered from New York and several recruiting stations. Clothing and equipment for them can be obtained of your quartermaster. Hos pital Steward Schimann, from Fort Columbus, and Steward Neil, from Fort Monroe, ordered to you.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 7, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Tents, lumber, rations, and water expected soon. Sick men better not be sent before Tuesday at the earliest. Have your messages about Hospital Corps.
W. H. FORWOOD.
WAR DEPARTMENT, SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington , August 6, 1898. Col. WILLIAM H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Montauk Point, L. I.
SIR: Your telegrams have been received. I had expected that the water must be pumped into tanks and distributed to the camps. I trust that the Quarter master's Department will push this work through, so there may be no complaint of insufficient supply. I expect you to act as chief surgeon for the camp and to regulate everything. In my opinion it will be best to establish a detention camp, with a capacity of 4,000 or 5,000, somewhere near the landing place, and in con nection with this a tent hospital of 250 beds, in addition to the 500-bed hospital already provided for. Troops arriving on ships that have had cases of yellow fever on board, or with suspicious cases, should go into this detention camp; all suspects being placed under observation in the hospitals.
I will try to send a yellow-fever expert for special duty at this hospital and camp. You should also have at that place every facility for the disinfection of clothing and baggage. The Marine- Hospital Service will send a steam disinfector on a barge, to be used upon the arrival of transports. I advise the construction of one or more rooms, consisting of a simple frame lined with tongued-and-grooved lumber, with every crevice closed and a door at each end which can be closed so as to prevent the escape of gas. These rooms should be about 10 feet high, 10 feet wide, and 20 feet long, and can be used for the fumigation of clothing, bag gage, etc. , either by sulphur or by formaldehyde gas. I shall send a great quan tity of disinfectants and these should be used very freely in the sinks at the deten tion camp and hospital. Lotus try and do this thing in such a way that there
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 741
may be no criticism of the Medical Department. Apply to me for anything nec essary and I will do my best to fill your requisitions.
Very respectfully,
GEO. M. STERNBERG,
Surgeon- General United States Army.
POSTSCRIPTUM.— I have submitted this letter to the honorable the Secretary of War. He approves of the instructions given, and directs that the detention camp be established in sections, well separated, each capable of providing for 1,000 men. In connection with each of these separate camps there should be a tent hospital of 50 beds, instead of one tent hospital of 250 beds, as directed above.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 7, 1898, SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Letter of instructions about isolating camp received. Good location selected, and General Young asked to have it built. Additional beds, etc., ordered from Colonel Brown. Please have the Marine Hospital barge sent here early.
FORWOOD, Colonel and Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, August 8, 1898.
Official copy respectfully furnished for the information of the Supervising Sur geon-General, Marine Hospital Service, Treasury Department, Washington, D. C.
GEO. M. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General United States Army.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, August 9, 1898. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: In case you need the services of female nurses you should apply to this office.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 7, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Letter of instructions about isolating camp received. Good location selected, and General Young asked to have it built. Additional beds, etc. , ordered from Colonel Brown. Please have the Marine Hospital barge sent here early.
FORWOOD, Colonel and Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 11, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:
How many Hospital Corps men have you? How many more do you want? Some irnmunes will be sent you.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 11, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
One steward, 1 acting, and 23 privates. Want 2 stewards and 23 more privates now and a total of about 100 members of the Hospital Corps eventually.
FORWOOD.
742 INVESTIGATION OP CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 11, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Dr. Magruder, Marine Hospital Service, is here with three assistants of his corps. I have asked him to detail one to take charge of detention hospital camp. Do you approve?
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 11, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, N. Y.: Accept services of medical officer, Marine Hospital.
STERNBERG. Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 11, 1898. General STERNBERG,
Surgeon-General United States Army, Washington, D. C.:
Number of patients increasing and camps scattered. Need two or three medical officers, one regular officer, if practicable. Want two immune nurses.
FORWOOD.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 12, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Four wards in hospital complete, and patients in bed under care of nurses. Ninety patients all told. All kinds of medical and hospital property in abundance and now under cover. National War Relief Association has agreed to employ and pay one cook, at $60 per month, and one assistant, to have a range in the regular kitchen only. Neil has reported among the stewards. No contract made for laundry.
W. H. FORWOOD.
WAR DEPARTMENT, SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, August 12, 1898. Col. WILLIAM H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point , L. I.:
MY DEAR COLONEL: I send you inclosed a check for $1,000, to be used in any way that you think best for the benefit of the sick in hospital. This money is con tributed by the American National Red Cross Relief Committee.
Be sure that you have plenty of quinine and all other medicines likely to be required, and hospital stores of all kinds for the sick arriving from Santiago. I have asked to have Heizmann ordered to report to you. You will use your own judgment about assigning him to duty in charge of the 500-bed hospital. You should have tents upon the ground and beds ready to put up another hospital of the same size on short notice. The men returning from Santiago are saturated with malaria, and the exposure to the cool climate at Montauk will no doubt cause a large number of relapses, and develop the disease in those who have not already had it. Keep always a surplus of tents and beds ready to put up at a moment's notice.
Very truly, yours, GEO. M. STERNBERG,
Surgeon-General United States Army.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 743
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 12, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y. : Letter of August 10 received and read to the Secretary of War. He says, Spare no pains or expense. Has laundry contract been closed? Push it to completion.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 12, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:
Hospital Stewards Schimann, from Governors Island, and Neil, from Monroe, sent you some days since. Which one has reported? Two acting hospital stew ards from West Point and 20 privates from Washington Barracks sent yesterday.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 13, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon- General, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: Purchase as much quicklime as you need for disinfecting sinks, etc.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 14, 1898. General STERNBERG,
Surgeon- General United States Army, Washington, D. C.:
Neither Dr. Doty nor General Young was authorized by me to recommend the transfer of typhoid cases to New York City. My views on the subject are these: That well-developed cases of typhoid among the troops coming from the South through New York City might, if practicable, be left there, because it would shorten their journey and give them well-trained nurses, and because they might overcrowd us here; and that in case the hospital accommodations here should become overcrowded with a large proportion of this class of cases it might be relieved by sending them by boat to New York. If such an emergency should arise, your instructions will be asked for, with full details of the circumstances. I have no lack of accommodations now, and I agree with you that typhoid fever does well in tent hospitals. There is some influence behind the recommendations of Dr. Doty not mentioned in his dispatch. Drs. Heizmann and Almy reported to-day some fifty sick landed from transports; no contagion; sent to General Hos pital; troops to detention camp. Everything in good shape.
FORWOOD.
WAR DEPARTMENT, SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, August 14, 1898. Col. WILLIAM H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.
SIR: Referring to the Hospital Corps detachment at your camp, the Surgeon- General hopes that the arrangements made will give you sufficient men by the time they are needed.
The recruiting officers at New York, Boston, and Albany have been instructed by the Adjutant-General to send you all recruits for the Hospital Corps enlisted by them. Hospital Stewards Schimann. from Governors Island, and Neil, from Fort Monroe, and two acting hospital stewards from West Point have been ordered to
744 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
Montauk Point. Twenty Hospital Corps privates were sent you from Washington Barracks on the llth.
Information is desired as to the names of stewards and acting stewards and the number of privates that are now present in your detachment. It is believed that ten or eleven men were sent you from the detachment belonging to the hospital ship Missouri, orders for whose return will probably be asked for before long. Very respectfully,
C. H. ALDEN, Assistant Surgeon- General, United States Army.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., August 15, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Sixty patients from St. Louis in detention hospital, 210 in general hospital. Plenty of room and supplies so far.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 15, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: Is Contract Surgeon Ira C. Brown with you? Answer soon.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 15, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: Let me know if you need more doctors or nurses or anything else.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 16, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General,
Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:
Four hundred convalescents coming by Catania, 200 sick by Olivette. Pitch 100 more hospital tents and put beds in them as soon as possible. Apply for as many female nurses as you can use. Make contracts with as many male nurses as you require at $30 per month and rations. You have authority to employ cooks at $50 per month, also to make contracts with competent physicians, if more are needed. Keep sufficient medicines on hand to supply regiments in camp with most necessary articles. You should have a million quinine pills ready for issue to returning troops. Send as many sick to New Haven hospitals as they can take care of. If necessary to make room, send sick also to New York hospitals. Acknowledge receipt.
STERNBERG, Surgeon- General.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 745
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 16, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Telegram to erect 100 more hospital tents, employ doctors and nurses, just received. No doctors here to be had. Send 10 or 12 good, active young men at once; patients coining in rapidly in General Hospital this afternoon; 325 in Deten tion Hospital; will be to-night some 200 more in the camps. Need stewards very much; only Neil and Schimann here now.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August iff, 18W. Col. W. H. FORWOOD,
United States General Hospital,
Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.
DEAR DR. FORWOOD: Some New York men have been writing to the Surgeon- General to get authorized to make sanitary analyses of the water obtained from Montauk Point.
We have been doing all that kind of work here. I have directed Dr. Mew to send you by express a box of bottles ready for filling. Please send such samples as you desire to have examined. Be sure to have the bottles marked for satisfac tory identification.
Sincerely, yours, CH. SMART,
Deputy Surgeon-General, United States Army.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., August 16, 1898. General STERNBERG,
Surgeon- General United States Army, Washington, D. C.: Have 2 trained nurses from New York and expect 8 more to-day. Men furnished by American National Relief and Red Cross enough at present, but none are immune. Want 10 more doctors and 5 hospital stewards. Heizmann in charge General Hospital and Winters Detention Hospital. One hundred and fifty sick waiting to land this morning. Have 750 beds set and at depot. Carpenters work ing hard to make tents ready. Material abundant. The one difficulty is, and has been from the start, lack of transportation. General Young is supporting me in everything, but he has difficulty in enforcing the quarantine owing to stragglers, mostly officers. One death from hemorrhage of bowels; many other very severe cases under treatment. In General Hospital this morning 240, and at Detention Hospital 62, with 150 to be added to-day. In another hospital apart under flag there will be probably two or more. Check received. More hospital tents will be accumulated and held in readiness. Tons of supplies at station that we are trying to get up. Roads bad and animals exhausted. Ambulances, 11. Dr. Heller has asked to come here. Doctor from Marine Hospital Corps can't be spared from the work on transports. No word from Dr. Nunez. Doctors reported: Heizmann, Almy, Winters, Brown, Holmes, Moore, and Jones. Two or three others who came with the troops are at camps. Dr. Newgarden sick in hospital.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 17, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: Am sending you plenty of doctors. Colonel Alden will do the best he can to supply demand for stewards.
STERNBERG, Surgeon- General.
746 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OP WAR WITH SPAIN.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 17, 1898. Dr. E. H. BRADFORD,
133 Neicbury street, Boston, Mass.:
Please send 20 competent male nurses to report to Colonel Forwood, at Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y. He will make contracts with them at $30 per month
and ration.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
AUGUST 17, 1898.
For information of Col. W. H. Forwood, Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army, chief surgeon, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 17, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon- General, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: Can send you 24 Sisters of Charity, competent nurses. Do you want them? They will provide their own tents and beds.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 17, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon- General, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: I advise you to send typhoid patients to New Haven hospital, as recommended in my letter of August 14. Don't fail to disinfect all excreta. Buy all the quick lime necessary.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 17, 1898. Col. W. H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: Do not fail to procure everything necessary for the comfort of the sick. Apply to me for additional female nurses, if necessary, and for money to buy delicacies when required.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 17, 1898. Col. WILLIAM H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.
SIR: Referring to so much of a recent letter from you as regards your need of stewards, the Surgeon-General directs me to say that orders have been requested to-day for two hospital stewards — one from Fort Delaware, Del., and one from Tybee Island, Georgia — to be sent to you.
It is desired that you confer with Major Heizmann to ascertain when either a steward or acting steward can be spared from Fort Adams. R. I.
It may be possible to send you another acting steward from the hospital at Key West.
Very respectfully, C. H. ALDEN,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 747
To SURGEON-GENERAL:
273, paid. In No. 33 W. from Camp Wikoff, Montauk, N. Y., near end of body of message, read "500 beds," etc.
PIERSON, Lieutenant in Charge.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 18, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Will be glad to send typhoid patients to New Haven. Dr. Doty telegraphed yesterday that a Red Cross yacht was prepared and at my service. Told him to send it here at once and wire me capacity. Heard nothing from him since, now thirty-six hours. I understand it will accommodate only 12 or 15 patients. Need a suitable vessel. Can you send one? Miss Quintard, with 10 female nurses, reported yesterday; 3 more female and 4 male nurses were reported at the depot last night, also 4 cooks from National War Relief. Six nurses, sent by them this week, went back to New York. Sisters would be best for work here. Have asked Dr. McGee to send 30 offered by her. Have built good quarters for them. There is great rivalry between different parties to get female nurses in here. Will need 48 females and 48 males at General Hospital, not counting stewards, cooks, and clerks. At Detention Hospital men will be best. Will wire you later to-day the exact number of doctors, nurses, and patients present. Supplies and delicacies abundant so far. Have to keep one medical officer at depot all the time struggling to get things up; also keep one at wharf to receive sick from transports. Have two line officers to push construction of hospitals every day. Transportation still short. Have enough tents, but there may be a lack of sufficient lumber. Great pressure to get into the hospital where delicacies are distributed. General Hos pital finished and work on the annex of 500 beds begun.
FORWOOD.
WAR DEPARTMENT, SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, August 18, 1898. Col. WILLIAM H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, L. I.
MY DEAR COLONEL: The Catania left for Montauk Point August 17 with con valescents. Havard telegraphs: "All bedding could be burned; cots might be saved; ship should be sent back for more patients of same class. " Byrne, chief surgeon Department of the East, telegraphs under date of August 16: " Have 350 vacant beds for convalescents at Hamilton, Wads worth, and Columbus. " I recom mend that you clear your hospital of convalescents by sending them to the posts mentioned. The quartermaster could furnish you a suitable steamboat to land them directly at these posts. You should communicate with Byrne before sending them. I have made arrangements to send you a dozen or more contract doctors within the next two or three days. If they do not come, or if you need more, let me know. The twenty- five sisters telegraphed for this morning will be sent. Do not spare your disinfectants. Your management so far has met with my entire approval and I believe that we can get through with this business without giving anyone just cause for criticism or complaint.
Very sincerely, yours, GEO. M. STERNBERG,
Surgeon- General United States Army.
748 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August IS, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
• Washington, D. C.:
Sent Dr. Heizinann to inspect yacht to see that all was in order; found necessary to put on two female nurses and one doctor; for this reason he failed to get his sick off, much to my regret. Will go in morning. New Haven notified. Gen eral Hospital: 430 patients, 8 doctors, 30 female and 8 male nurses, 50 Hospital Corps, 6 cooks. Detention Hospital: 300 patients, 7 doctors, 20 Hospital Corps, 5 cooks; nurses not stated. Seventy-five carpenters on new annex hospital to-day and 25 on Detention Hospital. Had to sit around waiting for lumber owing to lack of transportation. Abundance of supplies, delicacies, and comforts for sick. Money sent will be needed largely for milk and ice. People are contributing other things from all directions. Correspondents here very well disposed; sensational criticisms do not originate with the press men here.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., August 18, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.: Red Cross yacht reported this morning. Fifteen typhoid will be sent to New
Haven to-day.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., August 19, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Yacht left this morning with 15 sick for New Haven. Went on board and saw them off. One doctor, 1 male and 2 female nurses. Every possible comfort. Arranged to make one trip every day and return at night. A good number patients sent out on furlough and to their commands. Seneca, Mobile, Comanche, inspected and found free from infection. Large number of sick. Magruder reports Mobile in very bad condition from overcrowding 500 sick. I was prepared to take 250, and I will be able to take all the rest as fast as they can be landed to-morrow. Carpenters are working hard and lumber is coining up with the new transportation received this morning. After 150 of the worst cases had been brought up it was getting late and the animals were exhausted, and General Young suspended operations until morning. They can all be put in cots at the General Hospital and annex to-morrow, but the crisis may come when the other 500 or more still in the harbor have to be landed. I have plenty of room at the Deten tion Hospital. Every patient as he landed from the ambulance to-day received hot soup and milk punch from the hands of a female nurse and was placed in bed on a hair mattress. We have plenty of supplies. Need trained stewards to take charge of different departments and control the untrained element. VanCrede and one or two others reported to-day.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 20, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: Send immediately lists of patients and deaths on ships recently arrived at Mon tauk Point, giving name, rank, company, and regiment.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 749
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 20, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General,
Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:
Keep sick on Olivette until you have ample accommodation for them on shore.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 20, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Will have five new wards up to-day and five more to-morrow. I feel confident I can take sick as fast as they come.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 21, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Olivette will proceed to Boston as you direct. Rio Grande unloaded this even ing. Placed Major Powell on board to prepare, after twenty-four hours' cleaning up; I will put about 300 convalescents on, with all that is needed, and send them to New York Harbor. About 175 sick on transports, waiting to land. Have room, but need 50 more Hospital Corps men.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 22, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
A chief surgeon for this corps could help me very much here now in organ izing the division hospitals as troops come out of detention camp and in pro viding for the needs of regimental surgeons. This would relieve pressure at the General Hospital. Surgeons of regiments want to send every man who com plains of being unable for duty to the hospital. We have had only 11 ambulances up to this time. More came yesterday and will be put in use to-day.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 22, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General,
Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Lieutenant-Colonel Senn has been ordered to report to commanding general, Camp Wikoff. He can be assigned as chief surgeon of corps.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 22, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General,
Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Byrne, chief surgeon, reports: " Have nearly 300 vacant beds under canvas and about 250 in civil hospitals."
7033 vo, 9 2 STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
750 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
SURGEON-GENERA' 's OFFICE, Washington, August 22, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff,
Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:
Surgeon, Cainp Black, wired to transfer Hospital Corps men for you. Can not you obtain some by transfer from your command? Corps commander can transfer
under General Orders 58.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 23, 1X98. FORWOOD.,
Assistant Surgeon-General,
Cam}) Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.:
You are expected to utilize the services of Major Borden and the contract doc tors, female nurses, and Hospital Corps men with him, on their arrival from Key West.
STERNBERG, Surgeon- General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 23, 1S98. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Rio Grande sailed 5 p. m. with about 330 convalescents, 6 male nurses, and 4 medical officers under Major Powell; 1,000 pounds ice, :>0 gallons milk, plenty of rations, delicacies, stimulants, and medicines, mattresses and blankets. Dr. Win ter relieved from Detention Hospital to-day by order of General Wheeler. Work on hospital progressing nicely. Will have room now for all sick coming. Have about 20 more to send New Haven to fill quota. Very few deaths; sick improving.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 24, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff,
Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y. :
Forty Hospital Corps privates sent you from Camp Black. Twenty-four will arrive on transport from Key West. Will you need more?
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 24, 1S98. STERNBERG,
Surgeon- General, Washington, D. C.: Send 25 more than already ordered.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., August 24, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Eleven hundred and twenty-nine sick in the General Hospital and annex and 336 in the Detention Hospital. Sterilizing and sending out from Detention Hos pital every day. Forty went out to-day, and Dr. Cronin in charge. Thinks he can send 50 to-morrow. The disinfecting of articles in done in a 4-foot steam cylinder and boiler obtained from Marine-Hospital Service in Philadelphia and set up at
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 751
Detention Hospital. I am taking every possible precaution, just as though no doubt had been raised about the case in the flag hospital, but some people in authority are not taking any precautions at all and are taking advantage of their rank to break down all rules.
FORWOOD
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 25, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: Nineteen privates and two acting hospital stewards sent you from Camp Black
to-day.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK, N. Y., August 26, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Major Wood failed to get a leave of absence from General Wheeler, who is not disposed to let medical officers leave their commands just now, and especially the Second Division, where there are so few present for duty. If Dr. Wood remains here, I will urge him to organize a division hospital and ask your authority to approve his requisition for supplies without waiting to send them to Washington.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 26, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Every tent at the General Hospital and at the annex stood firm and uninjured through the storm; no patients suffered. Deaths here have been almost without exception the result of conditions existing at the time of arrival. Lieutenant Osborne never regained consciousness after landing, and died before the storm. Red Cross tents near hospital were blown down and the camps were badly dam aged. Surgeons in charge get bread from the commissary, where the supply was short only on one day, when a partial supply was obtained. There was a large amount on hand when the Secretary inspected. Mud about the kitchen from the heavy rain was corrected by the engineers with a few loads of gravel. Two unfinished sinks had not been provided with screens. The Secretary was profuse in his expressions of satisfaction and gratification at the condition of the hospitals and the comfort of the patients, notwithstanding a moderate amount of congestion.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 27, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: I will direct Lieutenant-Colonel Brown to issue at once on all requisitions approved by you.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., August 26, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Major Wood, chief surgeon, First Division, Fifth Corps, is about to return to Cuba, and Dr. Bell, Seventy-first, will be mustered out, leaving the division short of medical officers and without a chief. Many regimental surgeons are sick or
752 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
absent, and there is immediate need of new assignments. Major Wood, in con sultation here, asks for eight doctors, five stewards, and a quantity of medical sup plies. I have sent Dr. Winter and two contract doctors to report to General Ames for duty with the division. There is no proper chief of corps here in the absence of Havard. Senn will not take the place, as he is about to return home soon. A chief surgeon then would straighten out many difficulties and be of great service.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 26, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point , N. Y.: No chief surgeon available at present for Fifth Corps. Will send Bushnell for duty as chief surgeon First Division. Why does Wood go back to Cuba? Let me know when you have plenty of contract doctors. Stewards and doctors coming from Key West.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, N. Y., August 27, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Another long weary day of waiting for lumber; but one load came to the Gen eral Hospital, and not until fifteen minutes of 4 o'clock. I got a positive order from General Wheeler yesterday to have twenty loads sent to the Detention Hospital early this morning. Three loads only came, the first of which was at half past 1 o'clock p. m. T wenty-five carpenters were there to use it. Long trains of lumber were seen going to other parts of the camp. In the meantime the ambulance poured in all day with sick from the transports and camps. I keep one med ical officer at the wharf to receive sick, another at departing trains to see the fur- loughed men off, and another all day at the freight depot getting out supplies and sending them up. A large amount of stuff came up to-day, as usual. Dr. Ebert is in charge of the Detention Hospital, and Dr. Powell is ordered to make inspection of camps and report. Drs. Wood, Harris, and Kilbourne are to organize division hospitals and get supplies. Suppliesin limited quantities furnished regimental sur geons on application, and hospital cases are taken in.
All ambulances except one to a regiment are called in, but many regiments have none. In that case patients are sent for. Have tables and dishes for the dining halls but they are crowded with the sick and the convalescents swarm around the kitchens to get their meals. The nurses under Mrs. Quintard have their own kitchen and mess tanks and sinks all in splendid order, and the Sisters have the same, together with a chapel and tents for priests. The Protestant chaplain has the large express and post office and reading room under his charge. There is an isolation ward for infectious cases and another for boisterous cases. I have determined to put female trained nurses at Detention Hospital and I want 25 for that purpose. The 10 telegraphed for this afternoon are to increase the force under Mrs. Quintard at the General Hospital. These nurses are invaluable. Male citizen nurses are worthless. About CO convalescents from yellow fever received into Detention Hospital to-day. Large improvements must be made there to receive those coming. Colonel Byrne telegraphs 400 beds in New York hospitals, but I have no suitable transport on which to serd any but men able to take care of themselves, and they can go on furloughs.
FORWOOD.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 753
SURGEON- GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 28, 1898. FOR WOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: The San Marcos, from Key West, will land patients in New York and then go to Montauk with doctors and nurses to bring a load of sick to New York and will remain subject to your orders as long as needed.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 29, 1898. Col. WILLIAM H. FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Montauk Point, N. Y.
MY DEAR COLONEL: Inclosed I send you a check for $700, from the special fund, and you will use the money in accordance with your best judgment for the sick soldiers at Montauk Point. I would advise that you place $200 in the hands of each chief surgeon of a division, for the purchase of necessary articles of light diet, etc.
Very truly yours, GEO. M. STERNGERG,
Surgeon-General United States Army.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, L. L, August 29, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.
Secretary telegraphs a steamer will be here at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning with cabin capacity of 400 sick. What is the name of it? Is it provided with doctors and nurses? ^Vill the ship cook for and feed the patients? Are the cabin berths provided with bedding? The quartermaster here has no tinware, mess furniture, or mattresses. I am preparing to send 150 sick to New York on the Yucatan to-morrow in care of Major Powell. Have doctors and nurses enough now, count ing those on the way. Have taken large number of sick to-day, but still have room, although crowded. I will be glad when the San Marcos arrives. When will that be? There are plenty of transports here, but they are not fit to take sick men. My telegram about lumber had the desired effect, and I have made great progress to-day in building. Many of the sick arriving from the transports are desperately ill and require the most careful nursing and handling. The three hospitals are well equipped, and at their normal capacity could provide ideal accommodation and care. Regimental surgeons coming in, and things in camp much improved.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 29, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Steamboat Shinnecock will be at Montauk Point 9 to-morrow morning; has cabin accommodations for 400, beds, linen, etc., on board. Will be at your service for transportation of sick for fifteen days. Acknowledge receipt.
STERN BERG , Surgeon- General.
754 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 30, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.
Letter from Maj. M. W. Wood, just received, says:
"Having been informed by Colonel Forwood that he has no authority as chief surgeon of this camp and that there is no one here my senior in authority as chief surgeon, I have the honor to state to the Surgeon-General that a deplorable condition of want of medical supplies exists here.
"In the division of which I am chief surgeon, and in which there are about 500 sick, there has been absolutely no medicine of any kind for distribution for five days but quinine, and that much distress and suffering has been caused thereby. *
"An assortment of medicines for malarial and other fevers, for diarrhea, dys entery, and other gastro -intestinal disorders are most needed, and urgently."
You have had from the outset instructions and unlimited authority to obtain all medicines necessary from the medical supply depot in New York. Telegraph at once for everything needed and have supplies sent by express. Acknowledge
receipt.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y. , August 30, 1898. General STERNBERG, Surgeon-General, Washington, D. C.:
Colonel Forwood has just shown me Colonel Wood's telegram to you and his reply. Colonel Wood and all the division surgeons told to-day they had no diffi culty in medicines for their respective divisions. The reason Colonel Wood did not get medicines Sunday was that he did not send for them, as directed by myself. The General and Detention hospitals are well supplied with medicines. I know this from personal investigation, and Dr. Wood can get all the supplies he needs if he will make proper effort.
WHEELER, Commanding.
MONTAUK POINT, N. Y., August 30, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Dispatch concerning Dr. Wood received. He failed to send his requisitions to me, as directed, for some days, hoping to get away on leave. Failing in this, he is disposed to make as much fuss as possible. His requisitions were approved and forwarded by me to Colonel Brown with request to send the articles without ref erence to Washington, as mentioned in one of my former telegrams to you. Since then, and in addition to this, full supply for each of the four divisions in separate lots have been ordered by telegraph to come up at once in charge of a special mes senger. This was done Sunday, and they should be here now. Dr. Wood's state ment that he could not obtain medicine from the General Hospital here is abso lutely false. He not only could, but has been repeatedly ordered to send here and get all that was needed for current use until his supplies came. The chief medical officers of each brigade and myself meet every morning at 10 o'clock at General Wheeler's headquarters, at my request, to discuss and compare notes on this sub ject and to keep them active in looking after the sick of various regiments in camp and in organizing the division hospitals. It was chiefly on account of Dr. Wood's stubbornness and indifference that these meetings were called. Dr. Wood gave as his excuse for not getting medicines from here that he had no transporta tion, and General Wheeler then ordered him to send a mounted orderly and then if necessary make several trips. But this is not all; I find now on inquiry that he
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 755
has obtained and taken away a liberal supply of medicines and stores on several occasions for the use of his command. 1 have approved all requisitions made by regimental surgeons and forwarded them to Colonel Brown for immediate issue. The chiefs of the other divisions told General Wheeler that they got medical sup plies here and that they had no difficulty. There is a standing order here, that so far as I can learn has never been disobeyed, to furnish medical supplies and med icines in limited quantities to all medical officers from the camps asking for them. In one instance I furnished twenty-four bedsteads, among other things, and 1 have sent all the medical officers and tents asked for.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 30, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Assistant Surgeon-General United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
If you have not already done so, you should appoint a medical supply officer for your camp.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK POINT, N. Y., August 30, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Invoice of field chests received. More will not be needed at present. Powell inspected the camps and brought me a list of what the regimental surgeons had. It is not perhaps understood that the regiments landed here in many cases by detachment and odds and ends and they had to remain in detention camp, so tLat it was a long time before they were got together in such shape as to organize division hospital, and during this interval they had to be supplied by me with current supplies and necessary medical attendance, and there sick were taken into hospital. This assistance continues, but the difficulties are now at an end. The health of the commands is improved. The four division hospitals are in running order, and they can have and get all they want. The meetings at General Wheeler's headquarters were for the purpose of hearing complaints and finding out what was needed and supplying the demand. I will appoint a supply officer, as you direct, but if the regimental surgeons attend to their duty he will have very little to do.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, August 31, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Requisition for quicklime for disinfecting purposes referred to me by Quarter master-General. Order all the lime necessary and the Medical Department will pay bills.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., August 31, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Dr. Aby not arrived. Check for $700 received and will be used as directed. I am informed that large sums have been turned over to each surgeon of division hospital. Yucatan and San Marcus given up, and Dr. Borden, with his assistants
756 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
and supplies, transferred 1x3 the Shinneeock, on which 200 patients were placed to-day for New York. Dr. Catlin's train here to take sick to Brooklyn to-morrow. Took in about 200 sick from transports and many from camp; have room still. Shinneeock good boat and well-equipped. Very sick men can not be sent, and this is the class we have now. Convalescents go on furlough. I wanted to send more, but it was not possible to find so many fit to make the journey. Only convalescents can go by rail without hospital train. I am glad to get this
transport.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, L. I., September 1, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
I have but three stewards and need about five or six more. Of the two on trans port San Marcos one was sick and went on furlough; the other was ordered to Fort Monroe. Please send some good ones at once.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 2, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y.: No more hospital stewards available at present. You should have now five, Reiss, Miller, Eisner, Schimann, and Neil, and six acting hospital stewards. Can not you have more acting hospital stewards detailed by corps commander under General Order 58?
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK POINT, N. Y., Septembers, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Forty-five female nurses and nine cooks will be needed for division hospital, and no more.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 2, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Please give special attention to Dr. French, of Philadelphia, who will visit Camp Wikoff on Saturday. He is secretary of the National Relief Committee.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 3, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Governor of Rhode Island telegraphs as follows: "Will you kindly permit surgeon- general of Rhode Island and secretary State board of health permission to visit and inspect Camp Wikoff, in order to report to me if it will be practicable to care for 500 or 600 sick soldiers after our two batteries are mustered out? Quonset Point, the State camp ground, is almost sanitarily perfect, has abundance of fine water, directly on Narragansett Bay, has permanent buildings, cook houses, sinks, but would require guard, medical attendance, nurses. Will you kindly
REPLY OP SURGEON-GENERAL. 757
direct surgeon in charge to assist surgeon -general, so that he can report intelli gently to me? Please wire if permission is granted." My answer was as follows: "I shall telegraph to the chief surgeon at Camp Wikoff to confer with your surgeon-general and secretary State board of health with reference to proposed plan, and to submit his recommendations to me. " Please extend every courtesy to the gentlemen referred to in Governor Dyer's telegram. Acknowledge receipt.
G-EO. M. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 3, 1898. Governor ELISHA DYER, Providence, R. I.:
I shall telegraph to the chief surgeon at Camp Wikoff to confer with your surgeon-general and secretary State board of health with reference to proposed plan, and to submit his recommendations to me.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 3, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Telegram from governor of Rhode Island received. I shall be glad to give them every facility for inspecting this camp.
W. H. FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 7, 1898. Colonel FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Give instructions for more careful and thorough disinfection of typhoid excreta. See paragraphs 91 (a), 92, and 93, Manual for the Medical Department, 1898. Acknowledge receipt.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., September 7, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Dispatch as to disinfecting in typhoid cases received, and will be complied with at once.
FORWOOD.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 9, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y. :
Colonel Greenleaf will leave from Long Island City on 9 a. m. train for Camp Wikoff to-morrow.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 9, 1898. FORWOOD,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Transfer your sick to New York and Brooklyn hospitals by the Shinnecock as rapidly as possible.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
7.")S INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 10, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
There are now over 1 ,000 vacant beds in the three hospitals. Everything is run ning smoothly. The Shinnecock will load again Sunday afternoon. Board now at work trying to select a load among those able to go. There is nothing here for me to do now, and I am very tired and would like to get home.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 11, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
The few patients remaining here temporarily under treatment will be perfectly comfortable in the altered wards now being prepared. The tents are taken off, the floor widened 2 feet, and the plate raised 2 feet. There are sliding windows and good ventilation and three medium base-burner stoves in each. Two of these are well under way. There is a large force of carpenters and plenty of lumber. Everything is ordered, and in three or four days four of these wards will be occu pied. They will accommodate 50 patients each, and four will be, I think, more than enough. The Shinnecock took about 300 to-day. The Relief will take 300 from the division hospitals and here to-morrow and the Shinnecock will be ready for 300 more at 1 o'clock p. m. on Tuesday. Ebert said this evening he had less than 100 patients left and he is directed not to receive any more from any source. The only influx of sick will be from the camps to the General Hospital, where all typhoid cases have to be sent. I inquired in many wards and was told that patients were comfortable last night during the cold otorm.
FORWOOD.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 10, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
I have been sending away the sick as fast as they were ready to go. We have more hospital room offered and more transportation offered than we can accept. Every ward was carefully searched yesterday to load the Shinnecock, taking every one able to travel, convalescents and all. To-day the board of examiners are tak ing a list, and when the steamer arrives at 1 o'clock p. m. the loading will begin and the wards will be stripped of every man able to go, and about 50 may have to be taken from the division hospitals to make up a load. The sick are constantly coming in from the camps, and will as long as the troops remain here. The neces sity for removing the troops has been urged upon General Wheeler repeatedly by every chief surgeon of division, by Colonel Senu, myself, and others. Had this been done there would have been fewer cases of fever in the early stage here now. There will be a small number of sick that must remain here for a time, and those can easily be taken care of. This was expected when the wards here were built. Three or four of the tent wards can be boarded up and a few small stoves put in. This will take little time or trouble. The carpenters are familiar with the* plan and know how to make the change.
FORWOOD.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 759
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 9, 1898. Col. CHARLES R. GREENLEAF,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Troops in the Field.
SIR: Upon your arrival at Montauk under the orders from the Major-General Commanding the Army you will proceed to transfer the sick from the General Hospital at that place to New York City, hospital ships being placed at your dis posal for that purpose. In the selection of cases you will take those that are likely to require treatment for a considerable length of time, being careful to leave in the hospital those who are too ill or who would be likely to be injured in the jour ney. Patients who are convalescent will not be sent until all the very sick have been provided for. The medical officers must, if practicable, prepare transfer slips in all cases; or, if these can not be made, a properly prepared list must accom pany the sick on each ship.
Timely notice of the departure cf a hospital ship for New York will be tele graphed to Col. C. C. Byrne, chief surgeon; New York Harbor, stating the name of the ship, the number of patients, and the time of departure from Montauk Point. A duplicate of this dispatch will be transmitted by wire to the Surgeon- General. You will confer with Dr. Doty, of New York, regarding the use of buildings at Fire Island as a camp for convalescents, proceeding to that place for the purpose of inspecting it if deemed necessary. Should it, in your opinion, be a suitable place, and the persons in charge will agree to take complete care of the convales cents, furnishing food, bedding, and everything necessary except doctors and medicines, you are authorized to secure the place at a rate not exceeding $10 per week per man. notifying this office by telegraph before completing the arrangement. Very respectfully,
GEO. M. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General United States Army.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 10, 1898. GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon
(Care of Colonel Forwood, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.): Snowden reports four cases of yellow fever and one death at Ponce. Give me the names of immune acting assistant surgeons at Camp Wikoff who can be ordered there.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 10, 1898. STERNBERG, Washington, D. C.:
Drs. Nunez, Moore, Lauranson, Fonde, Camp, Laurene, and Hamilton Jones are immune and can be spared.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 10, 1898. GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon
(Care of Colonel Forwood, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.): As soon as they can be spared, send the Sisters of Charity from annex hospital to report to Lieutenant-Colonel O'Reilly at Huntsville. Let me know when they can start.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
7fiO INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 10, 1S9S. Col. CHARLES R. GREENLEAF,
Assistant Surgeon-General, United States Army,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, N. Y.
MY DEAR COLONEL: I received a, telegram from Forwood to-day begging to be relieved, and I asked for orders sending him back to his proper station. The Relief will sail for Montauk Point to-morrow afternoon, and you should be ready to load her on Monday morning. I wish her sent to Boston, where 300 beds are at our disposal in the different hospitals. Telegraph me acknowledging receipt of this letter, also when the Relief will be ready to sail and how many patients she has on board, so that I may notify Dr. Bradford, who will take charge of distrib uting them. As you may wish to communicate with Dr. Bradford, I give you his address: Dr. E. H. Bradford, 133 Newbury street, Boston. Please let me know, also, when you send sick to New York by the Shinnecock and how many. I am sure you will agree with me that it is a great pity to vacate our beautiful tent hospitals, but they will be useful for a time yet in providing accommodations for convalescents. We will have to take good care of our convalescents and do every thing possible to make them fit for service, and it seems to me we could not find a better place for this purpose than Camp Wikoff.
Very sincerely, yours, GEO. M. STERNBERG,
Surgeon-General United States Army.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 10, 1S9S. GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon
(Care of Colonel Forwood, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.): Have declined Fire Island. When sick are removed from Camp Wikoff, the General Hospital can be used for convalescents. See that there are plenty of blankets for all the sick. The nights are cold.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 11, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Board up some of your tent wards and put in stoves, so that men too sick to be moved may be properly cared for. See that these boards are so braced as to be secure against the expected equinoctial storms.
STERNBERU, Surgeon- General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 11, 1898. STERNBERG, Washington, D. C.:
General commanding did not like to detain Missouri against order of Secretary, and she was sent away before your telegram was received. Shinnecock will be loaded this afternoon. Patients carefully selected by a board composed of Senn, Nancrede, and Thomason. Only 100 left in Detention Hospital. Ambulance train is carefully handled. Forwood has ordered sufficient number of wards securely loaded and provided with stoves to protect from exposure to possible storms all sick that must remain; removal of well should be expedited by water as well as land transportation before storms begin.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 761
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 11, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.: Shinnecock sails this evening for New York with 275 patients.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 11, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk, N. Y.: Give me the names of two good acting assistant surgeons for duty at Willets
Point, N. Y.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., September 11, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C. :
Acting Asst. Surgs. H. W. Elliot and R. C. Halcomb are recommended for Wil lets Point.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk, N. Y., September 12, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Can contract nurses Whitmore and Johnson employed from New Orleans be ordered back there for duty? Is there any authority for thirty-day leaves of absence to nurses? If so, who gives them consent? Requests made by those returning from Cuba.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 12, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N, Y.:
Contract nurses named not required for duty in New Orleans. If services of contract nurses are not required, annul contract to include ten days from date of leaving and give them transportation home.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 12, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Have ordered hospital train to New London to take convalescent regular soldiers to Plattsburg Barracks. You can send them to New London by the Shinnecock. Richard will report his arrival to you by telegraph.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 12, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.: How many convalescents will the train to New London take?
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
162 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 12, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: I suppose the train will take two hundred.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 12, 1898. 'GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: Do you want the Missouri to take a load of patients to New York?
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 13, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Please order the Missouri here that I may load her with convalescents. Wire me when she will arrive.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 13, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: Have ordered Missouri to report to you as soon as possible.
STERNBERG, Surgeon- General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 13, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Shinnecock will leave here this evening with 200 regulars for New London and await there the arrival of your hospital train. Borden will make them comforta ble an! delays will be avoided.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON- GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 12, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk, N. Y.:
The President directs that the sick and convalescents from division hospitals and regimental hospitals as well as those from general hospitals be sent away as rapidly as possible. Send only regulars to Plattsburg.
STERNBERG, Surgeon- General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 13, 1898. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General, Washington, D. C.:
Have anticipated here to unload division and regimental hospitals and will con tinue the work.
GREEN LEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 13, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Shall I continue to send the sick to New York?
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 763
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 13, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Do not send sick to New York beyond capacity of hospitals as reported by Colonel Byrne, who has charge of their distribution.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 13, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Relief is ordered to return to Montauk and take a load of sick to Philadelphia.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 14, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
The number of patients to be transferred is now so much reduced that I shall not require the services of the Missouri. Please instruct me as to orders for her in case she reports.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 14, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. I".: Have countermanded orders for Missouri to go to Montauk.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 14, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk, N. Y.:
Please see that each regular regiment at Camp Wikoff has two medical officers. Select acting assistant surgeons now on duty at general hospitals to supply defi ciencies.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 14, 1898. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General, Washington, D. C.:
Copies of telegrams regarding shipments of sick and convalescent from here are received. Your telegram September 12 referring to shipment of regulars to Plattsburg was construed as meaning the shipments of regulars only to that point, and did not exclude the shipment of regulars to other points. Also, there are practically no more volunteers here, ioid if Plattsburg is the sole destination of regulars, shipment to other places must cease. I telegraphed yesterday that Shinnecock left last night for New London, where she now is. Have had no mes sage of any kind from Richard, and do not know where train now is. Relief sails to-day with 250 for Philadelphia, mostly regulars.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.-
764 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 14, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Richard left Jersey City for New London at 1.30 p. m. yesterday. Of course you will send sick regulars and volunteers to city hospitals and only convalescent
regulars to Plattsburg.
STERN BERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 15, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Borden advises that Richard take his train to Jersey City instead of New London for next load. Train carries 180. Shinnecock carries 300. She could load train at Jersey City, sending her remaining sick to city hospitals New York. Richard is at Plattsburg with train waiting orders. Shinnecock sails for New York this evening with 300.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 15, 1898. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General, Washington, D. C.:
Please have Richard give me timely notice of the expected arrival of his train at New London, so that I may time loading and departure of Shinnecock from here. His first dispatch did not reach me until half a day after she left.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 15, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp irikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Richard ordered to Jersey City as requested. Do not fail to notify By me of expected arrival of Shinnecock.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 1C>, 1898. CHIEF SURGEON, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Secretary of War desires a full report of sanitary condition of troops at Camp Wikoff since its occupation, with statement as to provisions for care of the sick. etc.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 16, 1898. CHIEF SURGEON, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Secretary of War desires full report on General, Annex, and Detention hospi tals, showing capacity, sick treated, results, number of medical officers of Hospital Corps, of female nurses, condition as to supplies of all kinds, provision for special diet, etc.
STERNBERG, Surgeon- General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September ir>, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Shall report on sanitary condition of troops at Camp Wikoff desired by Secretary of War be sent by telegraph or mail?
GREENLEAF, Surgeon.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 765
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 16, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.: Report on sanitary condition of troops at Camp Wikoff to be sent by mail.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 15, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
How many sick and how many convalescents have you yet to send away? Snowden asks for more doctors for Porto Rico. Send names of contract doctors at Camp Wikoff who wish to go.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. F., September 16, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Can not spare any more contract doctors. Have made contract to-day with Dr. S. W. Perry, discharged soldier, for duty in Porto Rico. Drs. Nunez, Lauranson, Fonde,and Laurene,immunes, reported in my telegram of the 10th, are still await ing orders. Will report number of convalescents as soon as I hear from the field hospitals. Prevailing storm puts a stop to all transfer of sick. For some unknown reason could not get any replies from Byrne until yesterday to numer ous telegrams. Had to communicate direct with Appel.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 16, 1898. STERNBERG, Surgeon-General, Washington, D. C.:
There are now 513 sick in hospital. About 300 of these will probably have to stay here from three to four weeks. There are now about 425 convalescents in hospital and camps to be sent away. Add to this the 200 prospective convalescents in hospital gives a total of about 625 convalescents who could go away within ten days. Could spare two or three doctors, not irnmunes, willing to go to Porto Rico.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 17, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Richard is at Jersey City with orders to take first load of sick from Shinnecock to Philadelphia hospitals and second load to Fort Myer General Hospital, Give Borden necessary instructions and send your sick and convalescents away as rap idly as possible, placing those not taken by Richard in New York and Brooklyn hospitals.
STERNBERG, Surgeon- General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 17, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Telegram received. Am loading Shinnecock from division hospitals for Platts- burg as previously ordered, transfer slips having been made accordingly. Will change destination to Philadelphia, as ordered, but some necessary delay will 7833— VOL. 2 3
766 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
result in altering transfer slips. Have already ordered those whom Richard can not take to be placed in New York and Brooklyn hospitals. It is impossible to send sick and convalescents more rapidly than is now being done and give proper consideration to their personal safety.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 17, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon. Camp Wikoff. Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Have all surplus medical supplies at Camp Wikoff packed and stored ready for shipment to any point which may hereafter be decided upon. Major Brown could be placed in charge of these stores. Have complete inventories and packers' lists made.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
MONTAUK POINT, N. Y., September 19, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Referring to telegram of 17th instant, ordering storage here of all medical and hospital supplies, I recommend that authority be given for the cavalry division hospital to be transferred with the division to its new station in Alabama. This hospital is completely equipped as to personnel, except hospital stewards and mate rial; has plenty of supplies and ambulances, tentage, etc. Will only need replen ishing of a few days after reaching Alabama.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September, 17, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
There is an urgent call for Hospital Corps men for Porto Rico. How many can you spare to go by boat Tuesday or Wednesday?
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 18, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Ctm not spare any hospital men yet, but may have some ready to leave by Tues day. Have discharged 90 nurses under your telegram of the 12th and sent away 42 Sisters.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 17, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Send any reliable female nurses you can spare to Major Jarvis, Army Building, New York City, for transportation to Porto Rico on ship sailing Wednesday. Eighteen have applied for such transfer. Report names.
STERNBERG, Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 17, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.: By whom shall the employees of the disinfecting plant be paid?
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 767
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 18, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y. : Pay employees disinfecting plant from medical and hospital appropriation on
usual vouchers.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon- General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 19, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Shinnecock leaves here to-night with 190 for Fort Myer, Va. ; hospital train and about 75 for New York City hospitals.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 19, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
The following-named contract doctors are recommended for Porto Rico: E. F. McClendon, Charles E. McDonald, W. M. Carson, William C. Le Compte, John J. Gilhouley, Elmer S. Tenney, E. C. Shattuck, W. O. Cutliffe.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 19, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
There are no funds belonging to the medical and hospital .appropriation in this camp. Ireland has been notified that funds were requested, but they have not reached here.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 19, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Five thousand dollars with assistant treasurer at New York to credit of Assist ant Surgeon Ireland. Money can not be placed in his possession. Checks should be drawn on assistant treasurer at New York, who will furnish check book on application.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 19, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Did you wish the names of any more doctors than those already reported for Porto Rico? I can now spare several. Will notify you regarding nurses some time to-day.
GREENLEAF, Chiif Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 19, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Report names of additional doctors you can send to Porto Rico, so that orders can be requested. Vessel sails Wednesday noon. Have them all ready to go. Answer immediately.
ALDEN, Assistant Surgeon- General, Acting Surgeon-General.
768 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 19, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff. Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Referring to telegram of to-day, report number of Hospital Corps men for Porto Rico, so orders can be applied for. Transport sails at noon Wednesday.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 20, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Do not know what time Shinnecock will reach New York, probably early Thursday morning. She is expected to reach here to-morrow afternoon, and after loading will leave about 5 o'clock for New York.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 20, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C. :
Will the doctors already nominated for Porto Rico be ordered for Wednesday's steamers? Some of them wish to get away from here if their services are not needed here.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 20, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon , Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Telegraphic orders sent yesterday by Adjutant-General to commanding general, Camp Wikoff, for the eight contract doctors reported by you to proceed to New York and take steamer sailing on Wednesday for Porto Rico.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon- General.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 20, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Your telegram of September 19 as to cavalry division hospital is received and approved.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 20, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Maj. R. D. Fry, brigade surgeon, United States Volunteers, and Contract Dr. H. E. Sears are available for Porto Rico. Do you wish to send them?
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 20, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Brigade Surgeon Fry and Contract Surg. H. E. Sears may be wanted later.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon- General.
REPLY OF SURGEON-GENERAL. 769
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 21, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Contract female nurses Cooper and Richards ordered to Bedloes Island; Gibson and Surnby to Lexington, Ky. Do you wish to send my contract male nurses away?
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 21, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Send contract male nurses that you can spare to Lieutenant-Colonel Maus, Jacksonville, Fla. Report number and names.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 21, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Steamer Seguranca here, with one case of yellow fever and several suspicious cases; also some troops. We have no disinfecting plant, and I do not wish to unload the ship at this camp. Have asked if health officer of New York will take charge of her. Similar dispatch to superintendent Marine-Hospital Service in New York. Please notify Wyman; he should have a representative here at once. In anticipation of refusal of quarantine people to take the ship, have ordered the reestablishment of detention camp and hospital isolation ward and necessary personnel.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 21, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon. Camp Wikoff. Montauk Point, N. Y.:
Dr. Wyman advises that Seguranca be sent to Dr. Doty, quarantine station, Staten Island. I think this best plan.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon- General.
SURGEON- GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, September 22, 1898. GREENLEAF,
Chief Surgeon, Camp Wikoff. Montauk Point, N. Y. :
Steamship Manteo left Santiago September 14. Will no doubt go to New York City.
ALDEN, Acting Surgeon-General.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 21, 1898. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Health officer of New York agrees to take Seguranca, with all her people at quarantine. There has been no communication between her and the shore. I regard this camp as quite safe. Can you inform me how many more ships are coming from Santiago?
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
770 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 21, 1S98. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Shinnecock leaves this evening for New York with about 80 convalescents. She will not be required here again. Borden has been instructed to report from New York to you for orders. No telegrams from Richard, but his train is no longer required.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 22, 1S9S. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
Telegram received this morning from Richard, reporting his arrival at Jersey City. SJiinnecock sailed last night, as previously reported. Have no further use for the hospital train.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
CAMP WIKOFF, Montauk Point, N. Y., September 22, 1S98. SURGEON-GENERAL, Washington, D. C.:
My work here being accomplished, I leave to-day for Boston to inspect the hos pital. Will be in Washington Saturday night. Major Heizmann is in charge here.
GREENLEAF, Chief Surgeon.
REPORT OF THE BOARD TO INQUIRE INTO THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE CAMPS,
771
REPORT OF SANITATION BOARD.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Camp George H. Thomas, Ga., August — , 1898. The ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,
Headquarters Camp George H. Thomas, Ga.
SIR: The board appointed by paragraph 16, Special Orders, No. 67, current series, August 6, 1898, to investigate and report on the sanitary condition of all the camps of this command, has the honor to submit the following report:
The board visited and inspected all the camps in the park and the division hos pitals, and submitted to each division, brigade, and regimental commander, and to all the medical officers in charge of hospitals, a list of interrogatories, copies of which are appended to the record as well as the replies thereto. From these paj)ers and from its personal observation the board finds that the spring water brought from without the limits of the camp, while unpolluted, is not safe for use without boiling ; that boiled water has not been generally used up to August 1, because sufficient kettles for boiling had not been furnished except in a few cases, and then at private expense, and because a sufficient supply of barrels for storing and cooling the water after boiling had not been furnished.
We believe that all the water in the park is unsafe for use unless boiled; that in some instances small bath houses have been constructed by regiments at their own expense, but that in a majority of the regiments there are no facilities for bathing.
POLICE OF CAMPS.
The police of camps is under charge of regimental officers of the day, and in some instances under special police inspectors, and is generally good, sinks excepted. Garbage and refuse have in some cases been dumped, and in others burned, and are now generally burned. Men's and kitchen sinks are in front of the regimental camps at a safe distance from the men's quarters. The sinks are generally open, because no lumber has been furnished. The camps of nearly all the regiments are now in open field and are well drained, but prior to August 1 nearly all were in the woods.
TENTAGE.
Average number of men in each tent, six to eight. Many regiments have tents which are unfit for use. Not more than four men should occupy a wall tent, and not more than ten men a conical tent, in this climate at this season of the year.
HOSPITALS.
The report of the board as to the condition and needs of the division hospitals has been already submitted, and is appended to this report.
From such facts as the board has been able to gather it would seem that the typhoid fever was brought here early in the season by incoming regiments, and has also resulted from the unsanitary state of the camps, to which its rapid increase within the past two weeks is mainly attributable, and greatly enhanced by the damp weather. We find that the sanitary condition of all camps, with but few exceptions, is bad, and that malarial and typhoid fever are alarmingly on the increase; that the nature of camp sites is such that it is impossible to dig proper sinks on account of rock prevalent everywhere, or to keep the sinks in good sani tary condition from want of lime and other disinfectants, which have been applied
773
774 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
for. lx>th through the medical and quartermaster's departments, but without results prior to August 1 ; that in many of the camps sinks fill with water which the soil does not absorb.
It is the opinion of the board that much sickness would have been avoided if the tents had been floored and the men raised from the ground, but this has not been practicable generally, as no lumber has been furnished for flooring the tents, except by the men themselves; that camping the troops in the woods out of reach of the sun has rendered the camp grounds unsanitary; that the water supply and soil of the park generally are so polluted as to be dangerous to the health even of the regiments now encamped or to be encamped in the open fields, and that the typhoid fever has now become epidemic.
We mention these causes of the present condition of the camps and the health of the troops in order to negative an inference, to which some publicity has been given, that the prevalence of typhoid fever is wholly the result of the negligence of the men and of the officers in immediate command of them. Doubtless there has l>een some carelessness resulting from inexperience, but we are of the opinion that there has l)een also some neglect on the part of the officers largely responsible for the administration of Camp Thomas prior to August 1.
In further explanation of the situation the board believes that had the regi mental hospitals retained the organization they had on arriving here, in place of being reduced to dispensaries in order to provide for the division hospitals, or had the latter been established on a suitable basis and made independent of the regi ments for medical officers, nurses, attendants, etc., the sick would have been more effectively cared for in the early stages of disease than they have been, the num ber of sick would probably have been largely reduced, and the general sanitary condition of the regiments under far better and closer supervision. It has been difficult if not impossible for the one medical officer and hospital steward on duty with each regiment to properly examine the men at sick call, to care for the sick in quarters, and to look after the sanitation of the camps. As a result, the sick in quarters have been increased beyond expectation, and in many of the regiments the regimental dispensaries have expanded into hospitals with, in some instances, nearly a hundred inmates, with volunteer nurses and attendants and one medi cal officer. The truth is that neither the regimental dispensaries nor the division hospitals are equal to the present emergency, and the system appears to have broken down in a vain experiment. No one familiar with the organization of modern armies and their administration will question the importance of the divi sion hospitals as a provision for the sick and wounded, but in no army are they maintained at the expense of the necessary regimental organizations, and we believe that in attempting to do so here we have added largely to the difficulties and obstacles in the way of proper sanitation.
In conclusion, the board is of opinion that it is too late to remedy the present conditions by processes which should have been resorted to when malarial and typhoid fever first appeared and before they became at all prevalent. The typhoid fever is now epidemic and the board is constrained to recommend, as the only effective remedy in view of the facts, that the troops be removed, for the present, at least, from Chickamauga Park to localities where proper sanitary measures can be inaugurated and carried on.
Very respectfully, your obedient servants,
J. P. SANGER, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
CHARLES P. MATTOCKS, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
CHAS. F. ROE, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
JACOB C. R. PEABODY, Captain, Eighth Mtutftachusetts Infantry Volunteers,
U. S. Volunteers, Recorder.
REPORT OF SANITATION BOARD. 775
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, FIRST ARMY CORPS,
Camp George H. Thomas, Ga., August 15, 1898. The ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,
Headquarters Camp George H. Thomas, Ga.
SIR: The sanitary board convened by paragraph 16, special order 67, current series, headquarters Camp George H. Thomas, invite attention to the needs of the hospitals of the Second and Third Divisions, First Army Corps, and the First and Second Divisions, Third Army Corps, and respectfully suggest that they be remedied at once.
It appears from the records of these hospitals that repeated efforts have been made to remedy existing defects, and while some relief has been obtained, there is great necessity for immediate action. The state of these hospitals, as found by the board yesterday, is as follows:
SECOND DIVISION, FIRST ARMY CORPS.
There are in this hospital about 200 patients, 17 of whom are without beds. The hospital is very much crowded and badly in need of cots and tent floors. It also needs more nurses and attendants; 23 men were without pillows; 6 men, who had been brought into the hospital in the morning, had not, up to 3.30 p. m., been bathed or their clothes removed, owing to the lack of attendants.
All the water of this hospital has to be hauled, and there are but 20 water barrels. The pipe line runs within 1 ,000 yards of the hospital, with which it should be connected. The hospital was established in its present locality June 15, and should be removed, although the surgeon in charge considers the site an excellent one. If it is to be retained where it is, the grounds should be drained according to the suggestions of the surgeon.
Twelve of the hospital attendants are now doing guard duty; they should be relieved and a guard supplied from the division at once.
• THIRD DIVISION, FIRST ARMY CORPS.
There are about 280 patients in this hospital, 200 of which have typhoid fever. This hospital is well supplied with everything, excepting that there are 5 tents in the convalescent ward and 7 in the regular wards without floors. None of the flies are floored, as the patients are only placed under them during the daytime in good weather.
FIRST DIVISION, THIRD ARMY CORPS.
There are in this hospital 278 patients, 47 of which have typhoid fever. It is badly crowded and in need of more tentage and tent floors. Ten measles patients were found in one Sibley conical wall tent, without conveniences, nurses, pillow sheets, floors, etc.
There are no suitable boilers or other means of washing the bedclothing of the typhoid-fever patients. The hospital is much in need of at least 23 more bath tubs, bath towels, sponges, sheets, pillows, and pillowcases. The water supply is obtained from the pipe line, but is totally inadequate. There are only 6 wagons on hand; 18 are needed. The number of drivers is insufficient; civilians were asked for, but the requisition was refused. There is no guard provided for this hospital; one was applied for, but refused. It should be provided at once, in order that the public property may be taken care of and the escape of measles or other patients prevented. The hospital is situated in a very open wood: the site is very poor, without air, and in the opinion of the board should be moved at once.
77() INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
SECOND DIVISION, THIRD ARMY CORPS.
There are in this hospital 470 patients, of which 60 are typhoid cases. There are Ho suitable boilers or other means of washing the bedclothmg of the typhoid- fever patients, and as a result there was at the time of inspection a large defi ciency in bedclothmg.
There are only 500 pillowcases, 500 sheets, and 500 blankets on hand, though repeated requisitions have been made and approved, but not filled. For the pres ent number of patients there should be at least 1,000 ot these articles. It is reported that some requisitions have been held at headquarters for over twenty days, and then not filled. There is not one available pillowcase, blanket, or sheet in the store, and 78 fever patients are now lying on blankets. There is an insuf ficient supply of pajamas and nightshirts. Many of the tents are not floored; 143 cots are on the ground. Two patients with mumps brought in this morning were lying on a board floor, with nothing but a blanket under them. The hospital is badly in need of towels and sponges. In the measles ward there are 12 tents and 17 flies, all full of patients. Both tents and flies are totally without floors, sheets, pillows, pillowcases, pajamas, or nightgowns. Slippers should be provided for this entire hospital. The water supply is very poor. Up to within a short time the only water they have had was from the pipe line from Chickamauga Creek, which is very muddy and full of foreign matter, but recently they have been hauling some water from Blue Springs.
There are no sufficient means provided for boiling the water or heating it for baths for the patients, and only four bath tubs are provided for the hospital.
The filters furnished are useless in a few days, owing to the immense amount of foreign substance in the water. Up to yesterday the hospital had only 3 wagons. Four more came yesterday, but they are entitled to 17. The supply of horses foi orderlies is inadequate, and those that are supplied are many of them in such con dition that they can not be saddled. A guard should be furnished for this hospi tal from the division, as a number of measles patients have already escaped and there is no adequate protection to public property.
Three boilers of 150 gallons each should be provided for' each hospital for the purpose of boiling disinfected clothing.
It is respectfully recommended that all requisitions from hospitals take preced ence over all others, and that if the stores are not 011 hand, that they be purchased at once in open market. Covered sinks should be provided in all cases with proper and a bucket or barrel of lime placed by each one for disinfecting. Very respectfully, your obedient servants,
J. P. SANGER, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
CHAS. P. MATTOCKS, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
CHAS. H. ROE, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
JACOB C. R. PEABODY, Captain, Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry,
U. S. Volunteers, Recorder.
OPERATIONS OF THE ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, U, S, A,
777
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, September 27, 1898. Maj. Gen. G. M. DODGE,
President Commission Appointed by the President to Examine into the
Operations of the War Department during the War with Spain. GENERAL: In compliance with request of your commission, I have the honor to submit the following brief outline of the operations of the Engineer Department in connection with the war with Spain up to August 31, 1898:
GUN AND MORTAR BATTERIES.
At the outbreak of hostilities with Spain the condition of the modern defenses of the country is shown by the table following:
12-inch. 10-inch. 8-inch.
«|pid-
Armament in place 10 44
Ready for armament 5 32 22 72 5
Under construction 9 6 4
Total 24 82 33 232
Under allotments from the appropriation for national defense, act of March 9, 1898, and with funds derived from the regular fortification act approved May 7, 1898, and the deficiency act of July 7, 1898, permanent emplacements for modern guns and mortars have been commenced as follows:
12-inch. 56
10-inch 35
8-inch.. _ 31
12-inch mortars 1 80
Rapid-fire. 70
The condition of the permanent modern seacoast defenses on August 31, 1898, is given by the following table:
12-inch. 10-inch. 8-inch.
Armament in place 16 73 40 144 35
Ready for armament 33 28 10 68 13
Under construction 31 16 14 100 31
Total 80 117 64 312 79
Comparing the last table with the first table given, showing conditions of the modern seacoast defenses at the outbreak of the war, the results actually accom plished during the war up to August 31, 1898, appear as follows:
Armament placed in position
Additional platforms made ready for armament
Additional emplacements under construction
12-inch. 10-inch. 8-inch.
779
780 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
The permanent emplacements referred to above were under construction at 25 harbors, working with double shifts at most places.
Under the deficiency act of July 7, 1898, the construction of parapets and mag azines for the dynamite battery at San Francisco has been commenced; also the installation of 200 depression range finders.
In addition to the permanent batteries temporary emplacements for 27 high- power B. L. rifles on 15-inch S. B. carriages and on modern barbette carriages have been constructed at 15 different localities. Of these emplacements 6 have their armament in place and the remainder are ready to receive their armament.
Fifty-two temporary emplacements for old-type armament and for modern siege guns were constructed at 13 localities. These emplacements have all been completed and with few exceptions have their armament in place. The existing old-type armament in old permanent forts has been overhauled and put in condi tion for service at 10 localities.
The approximate total of expenditures on account of gun and mortar batteries, both permanent and temporary, during the period of the war aggregates about $4,821,500.
TORPEDOES FOR HARBOR DEFENSE.
Purchase of material. — At the outbreak of hostilities there were on hand stored at various harbors about 3,500 mine cases, but no search lights, cable, explosives, electrical apparatus, or any of the multitude of minor articles essential to the successful maintenance and operation of submarine mines. The nature of the articles immediately required was of such a character that little or none was to be found in any quantity in the stocks of manufacturers and dealers. Cable especially was most difficult to obtain, and nearly every manufacturer was called upon to work night and day and to deliver his complete output for the torpedo service. Only the more important items of purchase can be here mentioned. They comprise nearly 400 miles of single and multiple cable, 150 tons of high explosives, 1,650 new torpedo cases, 1,500 new compound plugs, 4,500 new circuit closers and regulators, 17 sets of casemate operating apparatus, and 44 search lights. All of the above material, except the explosive, with a vast assortment of minor articles, was purchased and distributed through the engineer depot at Willets Point, N. Y. With funds appropriated by the deficiency act approved July 7, 1898, 300 miles additional of single and multiple cable and 1,200 new tor pedo cases have been contracted for, and delivery has commenced.
Planting and maintaining minefields. — Submarine mines to the number of 1,535 were planted in 28 different harbors, together with all their cable, anchors, junc tion boxes, and electrical apparatus. A large number of additional mines with all accessory material were held in readiness to replace mines lost by accident or design, and to extend the mined areas if necessary. In this work there were required a large corps of skilled electricians, instrument men, sailors, and laborers, in addition to small detachments of engineer troops sent to each locality from Willets Point, with a fleet of tugs, lighters, and rowboats for planting the mines, repairing damages, and patrolling the mined areas.
The approximate aggregate of expenditures on account of torpedoes for harbor defense to August 1, 18U8, amounts to about $1,661,000.
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 781
EQUIPMENT OF ENGINEER TROOPS.
Ponton equipage. — The ponton equipage, including the small amount on hand April 1, 1898, which has been made ready for active service since the declaration of war, is as follows:
|
Reserve train. |
Advance train. |
|
|
Sent with army to Cuba |
Feet. 370 |
Feet. 310 |
|
Sent with army to Porto Rico .. |
305 |
|
|
Available for service July 31 at engineer depot at Willeta Point N Y |
305 |
648 |
|
Total |
980 |
958 |
In addition to the above, one more reserve division of 225 feet complete was ordered in July.
Instruments, intrenching tools, siege materials, etc. — Instruments for field recon- noissances were purchased and sent to the chief engineers of army corps. A large amount of intrenching tools and siege materials of every character, sufficient for an army of 30,000 men, was purchased and stored for an emergency at Willets Point, N. Y. ; this was in addition to an enormous amount of similar material purchased under direction of the Major-General Commanding from appropriations under his control for the expeditionary force to Cuba.
Twenty-four wagon loads of engineer material were transferred to the First Regiment of Volunteer Engineers for use in Porto Rico. This consisted of railroad tools, carpenters', blacksmiths', wheelwrights', miners', and electric linemen's tools, surveyors' instruments, general supplies of all kinds, rope, blocks, and intrenching tools of every character.
For the Philippines an allotment of $35,000 was made, and the army took with it a complete outfit of engineer instruments, intrenching tools, siege materials, etc.
The approximate aggregate expenditure for equipment of engineers troops was $165,000.
Until the first allotment was made, March 17, 1898, from the appropriation for national defense, act of March 9, 1898, the balances of funds at the disposal of the Chief of Engineers for purposes of seacost defense, including submarine min ing, and for' engineer equipment of troops, were as follows:
Gun and mortar batteries $122,796.38
Torpedoes for harbor defense 3, 855. 38
Engineer equipment of troops - 0. 00
The funds since placed at the disposal of the Chief of Engineers for the above purposes from the appropriations for national defense, act of March 9, 1898; the deficiency acts of May 4, June 8, and July 7, 1898; the fortification appropriation act of May 7, 1898, and the Army appropriation act of March 15, 1898, have been as follows:
Gun and mortar batteries $9, 786, 000
Torpedoes for harbor defense 3, 566, 000
Engineer equipment of troops 218, 000
Should your commission desire a more detailed report it will be promptly furnished.
Very respectfully,
JOHN M. WILSON, Brigadier-General, Chief of Engineers, United States Army.
7833— VOL. 2 4
782 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
[Copy of letter sect to certain officers of the Corps of Engineers in rharge of harbor defense.]
[Confidential.]
Subject: Torpedo defense.
HEADQUARTERS, CORPS OF ENGINEERS,
UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, April 3, 1898.
SIR: The emergency which has been anticipated appears to be almost upon us.
I received yesterday an allotment of funds for torpedo service and at once ordered by telegraph the purchase of materials: it will probably take three months to obtain what will be needed for one-fourth of our coast line.
In the meantime you must make the best possible torpedo defense for the har bors in your charge, with the materials in hand and such temporary expedients as you can devise.
You can telegraph Major Knight asking when he can furnish what is abso lutely necessary to complete the system so far as the mines you have available are concerned, and if his reply does not indicate that you can get them in a week or ten days then you are authorized to purchase whatever is absolutely necessary in open market wherever you can obtain it, reporting purchase and cost to this office.
You are requested to commence on receipt of this letter preparations for plant ing mines and to go as far as is possible in your work without interfering imme diately with main channels; you are authorized to employ all necessary help, to adopt temporary expedients of any kind deemed proper by you, and to understand that all necessary power and responsibility so far as law and regulations will admit are now committed to you.
Be as economical as possible, and remember that there are numerous harbors besides those in your charge in regard to which similar orders will be sent.
It is not the fault of the Corps of Engineers that we are not fully prepared, but it will be its fault and that of each district officer in case we do not at once take advantage of the limited means now at our command.
I requested yesterday that orders be sent to Willets Point to send to you non commissioned officer— and privates to aid you in your torpedo work; I would
gladly send more, but already over one-third of the battalion has been named for these details.
Use every effort in this emergency ; arrange for boats ; set up operating apparatus in casemates; arrange mooring anchors; lay your cables and junction boxes; pre pare your compound plugs; get your mines ready; purchase what is absolutely necessary for the mines you now have that you can not procure at once from Major Knight; extemporize temporary mines; employ all the help you want, but go ahead and show what the Corps of Engineers can do when an emergency arises for which our country is unprepared. Very respectfully,
JOHN M. WILSON, Brigadier-General, Chief of Engineers, United States Army.
[Copy of a letter sent to a number of officers of the Corps of Engineers in charge of submarine mine
defenses at various harbors.]
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS,
UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, March 28, 1898.
Corps of Engineers,
SIR: I have the honor to request that you will endeavor to organize a corps of about 120, more or less, patriotic citizens, who, without promise of pay, will be
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 783
ready to give yon their services in case of a sndden emergency nnder which immediate action may be demanded.
These citizens should consist of expert electricians, civil engineers, machinists, telegraph and telephone experts, steam fitters, cable men, in fact, men who are willing to aid in an emergency, and whose youth, brains, and mechanical inge nuity will be of great help to you in a crisis.
This corps should be organized into convenient divisions, according to the class of work to be performed, such as land telegraph or telephone work, submarine mine work, expert electrical work, etc.
The divisions should be further organized into convenient squads with regard to further classification of work.
The divisions and squads should be assigned to the charge of the most expert and capable men as commanders.
A scheme of this kind already put in operation covers four divisions of four squads each, classified according to the nature of the work, and embracing all branches of electrical and steam engineering work and of signal work.
You are also requested to endeavor to have this organization at its own expense equip itself with tools ready for an emergency, everything boxed for a sudden movement, and you are also requested to find out just where you can place your hands upon all materials necessary for equipping and working the mines now under your control and assisting in the defense of the various harbors in the engineering district under your charge.
Arrangements of this character have been made for one or two of the most important districts, and it is hoped that you may be able to accomplish something of the same character.
Far more is now expected of the Corps of Engineers than ever before, and even with the very limited funds and materials at its command I am satisfied that it will be able to accomplish important results when the crisis comes.
Upon receipt of a telegram from me to go ahead, you will be authorized to make purchases of materials required and to employ such persons as are neces sary, and I will endeavor to get an allotment for payments.
Your rolls should fully cover the name, character of employment, rate of pay, and time of all persons who may aid you when called upon. Very respectfully,
JOHN M. WILSON, Brigadier-General, Chief of Engineers, United States Army.
784 INVESTIGATION OP CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
INFORMATION DESIRED FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY, IN ADDITION TO THAT GIVEN IN HIS KEPORT OF SEPTEMBER 27, 1898.
1. Question. What was the organization of the Corps of Engineers April 1, 1898? Answer. One brigadier-general, 6 colonels, 12 lieutenant-colonels, 24 majors,
30 captains, 26 first lieutenants, 10 second lieutenants, and 8 additional second lieutenants.
2. Question. What duties devolved upon the Corps of Engineers on April 1 , 1898, and thereafter during the war with Spain?
Answer. The location, plans, and construction of permanent and temporary works for the defense of the seacoast; the defense of rivers and harbors by sub marine mines; the survey and improvement of rivers and harbors; the construc tion of breakwaters and canals; the charge of public buildings and grounds in the District of Columbia; the superintendency of the United States Military Academy; the Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia; the construc tion, care, and repair of light-houses throughout the United States; the survey and publication of charts of the Great Lakes; the purchase and supply of instru ments and equipment for engineer troops operating in the field; the charge of the engineer school and depot at Willets Point, N. Y., and the disbursement of all funds appropriated by Congress for the purposes mentioned.
3. Question. What, if any, additions were made to the Corps of Engineers dur ing the war?
Answer. Seven additional second lieutenants were attached to the corps early in April, 1898, from the graduating class of the Military Academy. On July 5, 1898, Congress authorized by law the gradual increase of the corps from 109 to 127 members, and on September 30 it consists of 121 officers.
4. Question. What was the organization of the Battalion of Engineers and its approximate enlisted strength April 1, 1898?
Answer. On April 1, 1898, the Battalion of Engineers consisted of 4 organized companies and 1 skeleton company, the maximum enlisted strength being 500 men.
5. Question. What additions were made to the battalion between April 1 and August 31?
Answer. Between April 1 and August 31 the maximum enlisted strength was increased to 750 men in 5 organized companies, but this maximum was never actually reached during the war.
6. Question. Where were the different companies of the battalion on duty dur ing the war, and upon what work were they engaged?
Answer. Company A accompanied the army sent to the Philippines, and was engaged in that campaign. Companies C and E accompanied the army to Cuba, and were engaged in the Santiago campaign. Company D, with a detail from company B (in all 153 men) , was detached on submarine-mine work at 26 harbors on the seacoast of the United States. Company B was on duty at Willets Point at the Engineer Depot, in charge of receiving, storing, and distributing the large amount of submarine-mine material, instruments, intrenching tools, engineer equipments, etc., purchased for the use of harbors and of troops in the field, and in the submarine-mine defense of the eastern entrance to New York Harbor.
7. Question. Under what authority did the Chief of Engineers erect temporary batteries for the defense of harbors where the land was not the property of the United States.
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 785
Answer. At the request of the Chief of Engineers, approved by the Secretary of War, dated March 26, 1898, Congress, by joint resolution dated April 11, 1898, authorized the suspension of the requirements of section 355 of the Revised Stat utes in cases of emergency, when, in the opinion of the President, the immediate erection of temporary fortifications was necessary, upon the written consent of the owner of the land upon which the work was to be placed.
8. Question. At whose request was pontoon equipage sent by the Chief of Engineers for the army which was to operate in Cuba; when was the request received, and how long before the materials were started from the engineer depot?
Answer. About noon on April 29 verbal instructions were received by the Chief of Engineers from the Major-General Commanding, through one of his staff offi cers, to send pontoon equipage to Tampa, Fla., for use of the troops to operate in Cuba. By 8 that evening 455 running feet of reserve and advance train, together with two tool wagons filled with miscellaneous tools, were shipped from West Point, N. Y., and from Willets Point, New York Harbor.
9. Question. At whose request was pontoon equipage sent to Tampa at a later date, for use of troops to take part in the Porto Rico expedition, and how soon after the receipt of the request was the material sent from the depot?
Answer. On Sunday evening, June 12, a telegram was received in Washington, sent from Tampa by direction of the Major General Commanding the Army, call ing for pontoon equipage for use of troops to take part in the Porto Rico expedition. Telegraphic orders were at once sent Maj. J. G. D. Knight, Corps of Engineers, commanding at Willets Point, to send 300 feet of reserve train with two tool wagons filled with miscellaneous tools, and these were loaded in barges the next day in four hours, and turned over to the Quartermaster's Department for ship ment by rail to Tampa.
10. Question. When was request received at Washington for equipment with engineer materials of the First Regiment of Volunteer Engineers, and when was delivery completed?
Answer. An approved requisition for a complete equipment of engineer tools and materials, consisting of 24 wagon loads of miscellaneous articles, valued at about $12,000, for the use of the First Regiment of Volunteer Engineers, about to start for Porto Rico, was received by the Chief of Engineers on the evening of July 28, 1898. This was sent at once by mail to the engineer depot at Willets Point, N. Y., reaching there on the morning of July 30. The entire delivery of the materials, including in all 250 different kinds of articles, was completed on August 2, 1898.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, U, S, A,, IN REPLY TO INQUIRIES OF THE COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION,
787
REPORT OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE IN REPLY TO IN QUIRIES OF THE COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, September 21 , 1898. The CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
SIR: The Acting Secretary of War directs that you submit to this office answers to the queries herewith, for the information of the commission appointed by the President to investigate the conduct of the War Department in the war with Spain. In the submission of this report you are authorized to furnish such rec ords, explanatory or bearing in any way upon the answers to these inquiries, as you may desire to have considered by the commission.
The information asked for should be furnished at your earliest convenience.
Very respectfully,
H. C. CORBIN, Adjutant-General.
[First indorsement.]
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE,
Washington, November 3, 1898.
Respectfully returned to the honorable Secretary of War (through the Adjutant- General, United States Army), with report called for, accompanied by letter of transmittal.
D. W. FLAGLER, Brigadier- General, Chief of Ordnance.
[Second indorsement.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, November 5, 1898.
Respectfully referred to the commission appointed by the President to investi gate the conduct of the War Department in the war with Spain. By order of the Secretary of War:
WM. H. CARTER, Assistant Adjutant-General.
INFORMATION DESIRED FROM ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.
1. What was the organization of the Department on April 1, 1898?
2. How many arsenals were there where ordnance materials were being manu factured, and what was their daily capacity?
3. On April 1, 1898. what were the conditions in reference to the following: How many modern, high-power, heavy breech-loading rifle guns were available,
and what were their calibers?
How many gun carriages of each class were available? How many 12-inch B. L. rifled mortars were available? How many 12-inch B. L. rifled mortar carriages were available? How many rapid-fire guns, and of what caliber, together with their mounts, were
available?
789
790 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
How much black powder for heavy and rapid-fire guns was available?
How much smokeless powder for heavy and rapid-fire guns was available?
How many projectiles for each class of H. P. guns, rilled mortars, and rapid-fire guns were available?
How many rifled siege guns, howitzers and mortars, and of what caliber, with their carriages, were available, and what ammunition was ready for them? Was the powder black or smokeless?
How many rifled field guns, and of what caliber, with their carriages, necessary harness, etc., were available, and what ammunition was ready for them? Was the powder black or smokeless?
How many machine guns, with their mounts, were available, and what ammuni tion was ready for them? Was the powder black or smokeless?
How many rifles, and of whatcalibers, were ready for issue to troops, and what amount of ammunition was ready? Was the powder black or smokeless?
How many carbines, how many pistols, and how many sabers, with belts, etc., were ready for issue, and what amount of ammunition for the carbines and pistols was ready? Was the powder black or smokeless?
How many sets of horse equipments for cavalry and light artillery were ready?
How many knapsacks, haversacks, meat cans, tin cups, knives, forks, and spoons were ready?
An army of what size was the Ordnance Department prepared to completely equip in every respect ready for field service, with necessary artillery, small arms, ammunition, and all articles furnished by that Department, on April 1, 1898?
4. By August 31, what of the articles mentioned, in addition to those on hand April 1, had been obtained, how obtained, and how much had been issued?
5. What, if any, complaints in writing have been received by the Chief of Ord nance in reference to the prompt compliance with proper requisitions, or com plaints of any character in reference to the operations of the Ordnance Depart ment in connection with furnishing necessary armament for permanent defenses, or siege and field artillery, rifles, equipments for infantry, artillery, and cavalry, and ammunition of all kinds?
6. What funds were under the control of the Department April 1, 1898, and what additional funds were available by August 31, under general or special legislation?
The amount and kind of camp and garrison equipage and other supplies that were on hand at the beginning of the war, the amount subsequently purchased, when and where purchased, when and where delivered to your Department, and when and where actually issued to the troops.
Similar information in regard to furnishing the troops with arms and accouter- ments.
Such information relative to the conditions and operations of the Ordnance and Engineering departments as will be of value to us in our investigations.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, November 3, 1898. The Honorable the SECRETARY OF WAR
(Through the Adjutant-General, U.S.A.).
SIR: In reply to letter of September 27, 1898, I have the honor to inclose here with answers to the queries submitted by the commission appointed by the Presi dent to investigate the conduct of the War Department in the war with Spain.
The questions of the commission have been answered herewith categorically, as far as practicable, but as they do not exhibit fully the operations of the Depart ment, there is added to the report the following appendixes, viz:
Appendix A. Statement of ordnance and ordnance stores issued, manufactured,
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. 791
prepared, and received from contractors at Watervliet Arsenal from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix B. Statement of articles manufactured, altered in construction, etc., at Watertown Arsenal, from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix C. Statement of stores issued at Watertown Arsenal from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix D. Statement of issues made at Springfield Armory to ordnance depots, Columbia and Benicia arsenals, from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix E. Statement showing articles received from contractors for issue to Army at Springfield Armory, from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix F. Statement of arms, components of arms, etc. , fabricated, altered, and repaired at Springfield Armory from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix G. Statement of stores procured and issued at Frankford Arsenal from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix H. Principal manufactures at Rock Island Arsenal, deliveries from contractors, and issues to the Army from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix I. Statement of all issues made at New York Arsenal from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Appendix J. Statement of articles manufactured and received from contractors at New York Arsenal from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
Which exhibit the operations of the department more fully, as it is supposed the commission will desire to have this additional information, although it is not called for.
If it should be practicable later, it is desired that the appendixes may be returned to the Ordnance Office, War Department.
Very respectfully, D. W. FLAGLER,
Brigadier-General, Chief of Ordnance.
1. Question. What was the organization of the department on April 1, 1898? Answer. One Chief of Ordnance, with rank of brigadier-general, 3 colonels, 4
lieutenant-colonels, 10 majors, 22 captains, 14 first lieutenants, 1 ordnance store keeper with rank of major, 1 ordnance storekeeper with rank of captain, 104 ordnance sergeants, and 488 enlisted men of ordnance.
2. Question. How many arsenals were there where ordnance materials were being manufactured, and what was their daily capacity?
Answer. Five, and their capacity was as follows:
Watervliet Arsenal. — The estimated capacity of the large gun shop, working one shift, is 16 10-inch guns, 16 12-inch guns, and 14 12-inch mortars per annum; working two shifts, it is 22 10-inch guns, 22 12-inch guns, and 40 12-inch mortars. The capacity of the small gun shop is 450 field guns, 20 5-inch siege guns, 20 7-inch howitzers, and 20 7-inch mortars. This output contemplates no deficiency in sup ply of forgings.
Watertown Arsenal. — Watertown Arsenal is essentially the seacoast gun carriage factory for this department, but in addition to carriages there are manufactured cast-iron shot and shell for guns of all calibers; implements and equipments for seacoast fortifications, including gun lifts, siege and garrison gins, artillery tar gets, platforms for mortars; all blocking, skidding, etc., for mechanical maneuvers and the mounting of the new armament; rammers, sponges, etc. The daily capacity of such an arsenal is difficult to state. Its annual capacity, working at the rate of eight hours per day, is approximately 30 seacoast carriages for guns of 8, 10, and 12 inch caliber; or, working twenty-four hours per day, a capacity of about 75 carriages per year.
792 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
I append a report of manufactures at Watertown Arsenal for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896, and published in my report for that year, which gives a very good idea of the capacity of the arsenal and the character of the work carried on there:
Statement of manufacture* at Watertown Arsenal for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1896. CARRIAGES.
Barbette carriages, F. P., hydraulic cylinders, 15-inch S. B. gun 6
Barbette carriages for 10-inch B. L. rifle 4
Barbette carriage for 12-inch B. L. rifle. - _ 1
Disappearing carriages for 8-inch B. L. rifle . . 5
Disappearing carriage for 10-inch B. L. rifle 1
Gun-lift carriages for 12-inch B. L. rifle 2
IMPLEMENTS, ETC.
Elevating bars for 15-inch barbette carriage 6
Gunner's sleeves, pairs 7
Maneuvering handspikes for 15-inch barbette carriage 12
Pinch bars for 15-inch barbette carriage 6
Muzzle covers and straps for 8-inch converted rifle. 6
Pass boxes for 8-inch converted rifle , 4
Pinch bars, steel, for 12-inch spring-return carriage 160
Rammers and staves for 8-inch converted rifle 11
Rammer and staff for 8-inch B. L. rifle. - 1
Rammers and staves for 8-inch B. L. rifles on disappearing carriage 5
Rammer and staff for 10-inch B. L. rifle. 1
Rammer and staff for 12-inch B. L. rifle 1
Rammers and staves for 12-inch B. L. mortar 6
Sponges and staves for 12-inch B. L. mortar 7
PROJECTILES.
Shell, 3.2 inch, banded 1,200
Shell, 7-inch mortar, banded... . 634
Shell, 8-inch, cast iron, without sabots, for experiments with high explosives. 50
Shell, 12-inch B. L. mortar, banded, 800 pounds 256
Shell, 12-inch B. L. mortar, banded, 1,000 pounds 57
Shot, 10-inch, banded, 575 pounds. 56
Shot, 12-inch, banded, 1,000 pounds 440
Shell, 1.65-inch, for rapid-fire gun _ 1,000
ARTICLES FOR MECHANICAL MANEUVERS, ETC.
Blocks 12 by 1 by 44 inches 51
Blocks 12 by 2 by 44 inches 40
Blocks 12 by 4 by 44 inches 22
Blocks 12 by 6 by 44 inches. _. 10
Blocks 1 2 by 12 by 44 inches 54
Blocks 12byl by 46 inches 10
Blocks 12 by 2 by 46 inches 10
Blocks 12 by 2 by 48 inches.. 14
Blocks 12 by 4 by 48 inches 6
Blocks 12 by 12 by 48 inches 92
Blocks 8 by 1 by 20 inches.. 10
Blocks 8 by 2 by 20 inches 104
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. 793 Statement of manufactures at Watertown Arsenal, etc. — Continued.
ARTICLES FOR MECHANICAL MANEUVERS, ETC. — Continued.
Blocks 8 by 4 by 20 inches 86
Blocks 8 by 8 by 20 inches. _ 86
Pulley blocks for garrison gin ...set .. 1
Capstan bars, with iron bands and rings. .._ 4
Handcarts - - - 4
Gun chocks, large 18
Loading cranes for 1 5-inch barbette carriage 6
Cradle for 8-inch B. L. rifle carriage 1
Gin falls, garrison 5
Gin fall, siege 1
Gin sling, siege .. 1
Gin handspikes 17
Handspikes with rings 12
Handspikes, maneuvering. 84-inch 48
Model of 8-inch disappearing carriage, one- tenth size 1
Shifting planks T 27
Way planks 38
Platform for 4^-inch siege gun . _ _ 1
Platform for 10-inch siege mortar ._ . 1
Platform, segmented , for mounting 8 and 10 inch disappearing carriage 1
Dummy projectiles for 3.2-inch rifle 2
Dummy projectiles for 8-inch converted rifle 8
Roller chocks 20
Hand rollers 6
Iron rollers _ 4
Long rollers _. 10
Short rollers . . ... 27
Securing stakes 148
Shears for Laidley gun lift pair. . 1
Skids 8 by 8 by 72 inches 44
Skids 8 by 8 by 192 inches 12
Skids 12 by 12 by 192 inches ... 8
Sling chains 4
Sling chains, large, for gun lift 2
Sling chains, small, for gun lift. . . 2
Trace ropes ... _ 2
Trestles for mortar 15
Wheel chocks 40
PARTS OF CARRIAGES, ETC.
Breech plates, bronze castings, for 8-inch B. L. rifle, model 1888, Mu 15
Trays, bronze castings, for 8-inch B. L. rifle, model 1888, Mn 15
Bar hooks, for 12-inch spring-return mortar carriages 320
Bolts and nuts for rear guides, Rodman gun, top carriages 4
Bolster, wooden, for 10-inch siege-mortar bed 1
Caliper and leveling tools for 8-inch disappearing carriage 2
Caliper and leveling tools for 10-inch disappearing carriage 7
Cast-iron pintle plate for 12-inch proof carriage 1
Counterweights, lead, for 8-inch disappearing carriage. . 2
Elevating circle, brass, for 12-inch spring-return mortar carriage. 1
Keys and chains, with washers, for axle of 8- inch rifle top carriage 4
Keys for drum for 8-inch converted rifle carriage 2
794 INVESTIGATION OP CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
Statement of manufactures at Watertoum Arsenal, etc.- -Continued.
PARTS OF CARRIAGES, ETC.— Continued.
Keys for wheel for 8-inch converted rifle carriage 2
Name plates, bronze, marked B. I. C sets . 4
Na:ne plates, bronze, marked K. M.C do... 10
Name plates, bronze, marked P. M. T. C _ _ .. do. . . 8
Name plates, bronze, marked W. C. & S. Co. do... 8
Counterweight bottom plate, 8-inch disappearing carriage 1
Parts required for changes in 12-inch gun-lift carriage sets. . 3
Parts required in making changes in 12-inch barbette carriage sets. . 3
Pintle keys, 12-inch gun carriage - 2
Rear eccentric sockets, brass, for 8-inch casemate carriage .. 4
Rear guide hooks, 15-inch barbette carriage 8
Retraction drums for 8-inch converted rifle carriage 2
Retraction ropes for 8-inch converted rifle carriage 18
Retraction ropes, steel wire, for 15-inch barbette carriage 9
Sight holders and brackets for 8-inch disappearing carriage 2
Stiffening bars, with bolts and pins, for 10-inch disappearing carriage 3
Templet for base plate, 8-inch disappearing carriage _ • 1
Templet for traverse circle, 8-inch disappearing carriage 1
Templets for base plates, 10-inch disappearing carriage 7
Templets for traverse circle, 10-inch disappearing carriage 7
Traversing and elevating direction plates, 10-inch disappearing carriage 24
Trunnion brackets, 15-inch barbette carriage ... ... 2
Wrought-iron hood and journal (for crane pulley block) for barbette car riage for 12-inch B. L. rifle .1
MISCELLANEOUS.
Sponge heads, spring leaf, for 8-inch converted rifle 8
Keys and chains, with screw bolts, for gin braces 8
Ratchet-wheel pawls for gin windlass . _ . 4
Ratchet-wheel pawls, with spiral springs, for gin windlass 2
Shoes for garrison gin 6
INSPECTING INSTRUMENTS.
Exterior rests for star gauge 2
Punches for use with micrometer, for exterior lengths 2
TOOLS AND UTENSILS.
Flatters 5
Hammers 7
Holdfasts, iron 42
Mauls... 21
Maul handles 12
Measuring rod, 12 feet long 1
Wrenches, single, 1 inch, If inches across flat 6
Wrenches, single, 2.9 inches, 4| inches across flat 6
Wrenches, double, -| and £ inch, 1$ and 1T7^ inches across flat. 6
Wrenches, double, 1± and 1£ inches, 2 and 2| inches across flat. 6
Springfield Armory. — The daily capacity of Springfield Armory on April 1 was
120 rifles or carbines, caliber ..'30, with necessary appendages and spare parts; 200
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. 795
bayonet scabbards, caliber .30; 8.850 bayonet scabbards, caliber .45, with clips; also the production of the necessary tools and arm chests required for fabrication. The increased output for the war reached 363 per day, with two shifts of men.
Frank/ ord Arsenal. — The daily capacity of the arsenal on April 1, 1898, was as follows: About 50,000 small-arm cartridges of all kinds and about 120 shrapnel. The arsenal also manufactured many miscellaneous stores, such as fuses, primers, quadrants, sights, inspecting instruments, etc. The increased output for the war was 180,000 cartridges per day, with a double shift of workmen and increased plant, and 300 shrapnel.
Rock Island Arsenal. — The manufactures at this arsenal are so varied in char acter, comprising field and siege carriages, implements and equipments, target material, all leather and canvas work, infantry, cavalry, and horse equipments, etc., that it is difficult to state the " daily capacity" for all these articles. More over, the plant at this arsenal, owing to lack of appropriations, was not fully util ized before the war. The output from April 1 to September 1 is as given in sub sequent table, which indicates in general the manufacture during the war.
The daily capacity of the arsenal for the first quarter of the present year was as
follows:
Sets.
Infantry equipments 70
Cavalry equipments 70
Horse equipments _ - 70
This was increased so that there were turned out per day during the war 3,000 sets infantry equipments complete, and 3,000 additional sets of what is called " mess outfits," consisting of knives, forks, spoons, etc.; of cavalry equipments about 350 sets complete, and a large additional number of certain parts; of horse equipments, about 40 sets complete, and a large additional number of spare parts.
The animal output of artillery harness at the beginning of the war was 113 sets of wheel and 226 sets of lead. This output was increased so that the daily capacity was about 20 sets of lead and 56 sets of wheel.
The annual output of field-gun carriages was about 40 per annum; of caissons, about 60 per annum: of battery wagons and forges, about 9 per annum; of siege- gun carriages, about 14 per annum, and of siege-howitzer carriages the same. This output was increased to an annual rate of 90 field-gun carriages, 90 caissons, 15 battery wagons, 20 siege-gun carriages, and 20 siege howitzers.
"How many modern, high-power, heavy, breech-loading, rifled guns were avail able, and what were their calibers? How many 12-inch B. L. rifled mortars were available? How many were available August 31?"
(These questions, although asked separately, can more conveniently and clearly be answered together. )
Answer. There were on hand 88 8-inch, 81 10-inch, and 46 12-inch B. L. rifles, steel, and 144 12-inch B. L. mortars, of which number there were mounted by April 1 in the fortifications 44 8-inch, 74 10-inch, and 15 12-inch B. L. rifles and 144 12-inch B. L. mortars.
From April 1 to August 31 there were completed, in addition, 10 10-inch and 4 12-inch B. L. rifles and 38 12-inch B. L. mortars, and the additional number mounted in the fortifications was 30 8-inch, 10 10-inch, 'and 5 12-inch B. L. rifles and 38 12-inch B. L. mortars, making the total number mounted by August 31 74 8-inch, 81 10-inch, and 20 12- inch B. L. rifles and 182 12-inch B. L. mortars.
"On April 1, 1898, what were the conditions in reference to the following: How many gun carriages of each class were available, and how many 12-inch B. L. rifled mortar carriages were available?
"By August 31, 1898, what of the articles mentioned, in addition to those on hand April 1, 1898, had been obtained, how obtained, and how much issued?"
796 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
(These questions, although propounded separately, can more clearly be answered by considering them together. )
Answer. At the outbreak of hostilities the department had issued to the service 336 seacoast carriages of all calibers, including mortar carriages. It had under construction, under contracts previously made, 46 carriages. Seventeen of these carriages were being built at Watertown Arsenal and the remainder by private manufacturers. The orders for these carriages had been placed in time of peace under conditions which would secure to the service a reasonable rate of delivery at economical prices. From the beginning of the war it was imperative, not only that the delivery of these carriages should be hastened as much as possible, but that orders for additional carriages should be placed at the earliest moment, and that the deliveries should be such as could be attained by increasing the existing plants, if necessary, and by carrying on the work night and day without ces sation. With this in view, instructions were given to increase the force at Watertown Arsenal, and proposals were invited from private manufacturers for the construction of carriages, with the understanding that deliveries were to begin as soon as possible and continue at the highest rate consistent with their facilities. The prices obtained, while somewhat higher than those of previous contracts, were, considering the emergency and the greatly decreased times of delivery, very satisfactory, and orders were at once placed for the following carriages, to be con structed out of moneys allotted from the appropriation 4i National defense," viz:
Thirty-four 4.7-inch rapid-fire gun carriages, with guns; 25 5-inch rapid-fire car riages, navy mounts, with guns; 24 5-inch barbette carriages on pillar mounts; 8 6-inch rapid-fire gun carriages, with guns; 25 6-inch rapid-fire gun carriages, navy mounts, with guns; 15 6-inch disappearing carriages, for rapid-fire guns; 4 4-inch rapid-fire gun carriages, with guns; 5 10-inch barbette carriages; 18 12-inch barbette carriages; 16 8-inch disappearing carriages, L. F. model of 1896; 22 10-inch disappearing carriages, L. F. model of 1896; 17 12-inch disappearing carriages, L. F. model of 1896; 3 12-inch disappearing carriages, L. F. model of 1897, or a total of 216 carriages.
With a view of utilizing the 8-inch rifles which still remained in excess of the carriages provided, the department altered 21 15-inch S. B. barbette carriages to enable them to mount the 8-inch rifles, in accordance with drawings which had been previously prepared. An order for the necessary sets of parts for this con version was placed April 27, 1898, and by July 29 all of the parts had been deliv ered. It may be added that while the carriages thus converted were of an old pattern and the maneuvering to be expected was slower than with carriages of the new armament, yet the action of the mounts as a whole is very satisfactory. This conversion was rapidly made at a trifling expense of about $1,000 per carriage, and the chief advantage gained, besides the cheapness, was the rapidity with which these high-power guns could be installed, as they could be placed on plat forms already prepared by the engineers for the 15-inch S. B. guns without further alteration.
As a result of the efforts thus made by the department, there were delivered to the service between April 1, 1898, and August 31, 1898, 102 seacoast carriages of all calibers, and the remai ning carriages are being delivered at frequent intervals. At about the beginning of Jhis year the question of proper caliber and mount for rapid-fire guns had been determined, after an exhaustive study of the subject and the trial of a number of guns and mounts obtained in this country and abroad for that purpose. The manufacture of these mounts had not been undertaken in this country, however, and as the emergency demanded immediate deliveries, the department was able to secure abroad 42 of these guns and mounts, all of which were promptly received, and all but two were installed before August 31.
The number of carriages available April 1, 1898, and the number secured and
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
797
issued to the service between April 1 and August 31, 1898, have b«en arranged according to the calibers of the guns in the following table:
Designation of carriages.
N?™i^*o£ | Number of ; seacoast i carriages issued to the i service be- | tween Apr. ! 1, 1898, and
i, io»o, anu Allrr qi laqa Aug. 3i, 1898. ; Aug. 31,1898.
|
4-inch Driggs-Schroeder carriages with pedestal mounts |
4 |
4 |
|
|
4.7-inch rapid-fire carriages (Armstrong pattern), ped- |
34 |
34 |
|
|
1 |
|||
|
6-inch rapid-fire (Vickers, Son & Maxim), pedestal |
8 |
6 |
|
|
8 |
|||
|
21 |
21 |
||
|
8-inch disappearing carriages, L. F., model of 1894 |
24 |
1 |
1 |
|
8-inch disappearing carriages L F model of 18P6 |
12 |
8 |
6 |
|
5 |
|||
|
34 |
|||
|
a5 |
13 |
11 |
|
|
8 |
|||
|
2 |
|||
|
3 |
|||
|
2 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
85 |
|||
|
12-inch mortar carriages model of 1896 |
117 |
15 |
15 |
|
Total |
336 |
109 |
102 |
"How many rapid-fire guns, and of what caliber, together with their mounts, were available April 1, and how many were available August 31?"
There were available 3 6-pounder guns and 3 4.7-inch rapid-fire guns, with their mounts, from some experimental types of guns which the Department had pro cured for test, with a very limited supply of ammunition. One of the 3 4.7-inch guns was issued to the fortifications.
Orders were given abroad at once for the immediate delivery of 34 4.7-inch guns, and for early delivery of 8 6-inch guns, and an order for 4 4-inch guns for immediate delivery was placed in this country. These guns were received during the summer and sent to the fortifications.
The department placed contracts for an additional supply of these guns as fol lows: Twenty 6-pounders, 57 5-inch, 40 6-inch guns, and 80 15-pounders.
" How much black powder for heavy and rapid-fire guns was available, and how much smokeless powder for heavy and rapid-fire guns was available April 1, and how much was available August 31? "
On April 1 there was available for heavy cannon about 466 rounds of brown powder for 8-inch B. L. rifles, 254 rounds of brown powder for 10-inch B. L. rifles, 80 rounds of brown powder for 12-inch B. L. rifles, 700 rounds of black and 630 rounds of brown powder for the 12-inch B. L. mortars, which was sent to the fortifications.
By August 31 there were procured, in addition, 264 rounds of brown powder for the 8-inch B. L. rifles, 902 rounds of brown powder and 681 rounds of smoke less for 10-inch B. L. rifles, 1,300 rounds of black, 3,500 rounds of brown, and 700 rounds of smokeless for the 12-inch B. L. mortars, all of which was sent to the fortifications excepting the 700 rounds of smokeless powder for 12-inch B. L. mortars, which was stored at the powder depot.
The Department had on hand in the old armament of the fortifications a large
number of 15-inch and 10-inch smoothbore guns, 11-inch and 8-inch M. L. rifles,
converted, 100-pounder Parrott rifles, and some 10-inch smoothbore mortars,
with a large quantity of projectiles for the same. In order to make this arma-
7833— VOL. 2 5
798 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
ment available for emergencies, contracts were placed for some additional supplies of powder, which was received during the summer. There was on hand some 96.000 pounds of powder for the 15-inch guns, 30,000 pounds for the 11-inch M. L. rifles, 80,000 pounds for the 8-inch M. L. rifles, 44.000 pounds for the 10-inch smoothbore and 100-pounder Parrott guns, and 31,500 pounds for the 10-inch smoothbore mortars. An additional supply of 25,000 pounds for the 10-inch smoothbore mortars and 25,000 pounds for the 10-inch smoothbore and 100- pounder Parrott guns was procured prior to August 31. It was not found neces sary to issue any of this powder.
For filling the A. P. and D. P. steel shell it was the intention at first to use smokeless or black powder, but subsequently it was decided to use gun cotton for this purpose, and an order was placed abroad for 186,000 pounds of compressed wet gun cotton in zinc cases, fitted to the cavity of the projectiles. About one- half of this was received during the period of hostilities. A part was sent to the fortifications and the remainder stored at the powder depot. Contracts for an addi tional supply of gun cotton have since been placed with home manufacturers.
For the rapid-fire guns there were procured with the guns sent to the fortifica- cations 300 rounds per gun for each 4.7-inch and 6-inch gun. and 60 rounds with the 4-inch guns. For the guns to be completed under contract from 200 to 300 rounds of ammunition per gun was provided by contract, none of which has yet been delivered. The ammunition for the rapid-fire guns included the powder charge, cartridge case, and projectile, the projectiles being common cast-iron shell, steel shell, and shrapnel. About 200 rounds per gun for each 4-inch gun was subsequently ordered.
" How many projectiles for each class of H. P. guns, rifled mortars, and rapid- fire guns were available April 1, and how many August 31?"
The total number of projectiles on hand April 1, 1898, was 1,253 projectiles for 8-inch B. L. rifles, 2,320 projectiles for 10-inch B. L. rifles, 1,518 projectiles for 12-inch B. L. rifles, 2,641 projectiles for 12-inch B. L. mortars, of which number the following had been issued to the fortifications: 500 for 8-inch B. L. rifles, 1,480 for 10-inch B. L. rifles, 220 for 12-inch B. L. rifles, 1,500 for 12-inch B. L. mortars, making about 12 rounds per gun for the 8-inch guns, 20 rounds per gun for the 10-inch guns, 15 rounds per gun for the 12-inch guns, 10 rounds per gun for the 12-inch mortars, mounted in the works at that time. The remainder were stored at the arsenals.
Contracts were placed for additional supplies of steel and cast-iron projectiles as follows: 3,831 for 8-inch B. L. rifles, 4.976 for 10-inch B. L. rifles, 1,827 for 12- inch B. L. rifles, 7,211 for 12-inch B. L. mortars, a total of 17,845 projectiles.
Of these there were delivered prior to August 31 the following projectiles: 825 for 8-inch B. L. rifles, 1,162 for 10-inch B. L. rifles, 3,334 for 12-inch B. L. mortars, and there was issued to the fortifications an additional number sufficient to make, for the guns mounted by August 31, 15 rounds per gun for 8-inch B. L. rifles, 41 rounds per gun for 10-inch B. L. rifles, 15 rounds per gun for 12-inch B. L. rifles, 24 rounds per gun for 12-inch B. L. mortars.
The remaining projectiles on hand were stored at the arsenals for issue to such points as the projectiles might be most urgently needed. Of these projectiles about two- thirds are steel armor-piercing projectiles and one-third cast iron. The total number issued to fortifications was 1,106 for 8-inch B. L. rifles, 3,321 for 10-inch B. L. rifles, 299 for 12-inch B. L. rifles. 4,312 for 12-inch B. L. mortars.
The projectiles for the rapid-fire guns are included in the foregoing items on number of rapid-fire guns.
"How many rifled siege guns, howitzers, and mortars, and of what calibers, with their carriages, were available, and what ammunition was ready for them on April 1? Was the powder black or smokeless?
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. 799
"By August 31, in addition to those on hand April 1, what guns had been obtained, how were they obtained, and how many have been issued?"
Of such cannon, with carriages, platforms, etc., there were on hand and avail able for issue at the outbreak of hostilities 21 5-inch B. L. guns, 20 7-inch howitzers, and 6 7-inch mortars.
Of these, 16 5- inch guns were sent to Tampa for service at Santiago. Two of these guns were subsequently sent to Porto Rico; 2 were also sent to accompany the expedition to Manila. Twenty 7-inch howitzers and 6 7-inch mortars were also sent to Tampa for service to Cuba.
During the period from April 1 to August 31 there were manufactured or repaired at the Army Gun Factory, in addition to the above, 12 5-inch B. L. guns, 12 7-inch B. L. howitzers, and 20 7-inch B. L. mortars, which became available for issue during that period. Carriages and pi atf orms were also provided for these mortars.
Ammunition on hand April 1 for siege guns of all calibers was about 6,000 rounds. The powder for these was principally charcoal, but a portion of it was smokeless, and only smokeless powder was manufactured for these guns during the war. A portion of this smokeless powder was available and was issued as early as practi cable after the outbreak of hostilities. There were procured from April 1 to August 31 11,000 rounds for the siege cannon, of which 5,000 rounds were issued.
" How many rifled field guns, and of what calibers, with their carriages, neces sary harness, etc., were available, and what ammunition was ready for them? Was the powder black or smokeless? "
Including guns in possession of regular troops 40
Those issued for instruction purposes to schools and colleges, which were
called in after the outbreak of hostilities _ 38
Those on hand at arsenals available for issue 27
Also those which had previously been issued to States, but which were turned
over by the States to the volunteer organizations raised in them 23
Those in service or issuable April 1 amounted to 128
There were others on hand, not issued, as, for instance, those at military posts 29
Those retained by the governors of States, for use by their national guard. 20 And some which had been altered. 3
Amounting to _ 52
There were, therefore, on hand 180
3.2-inch rifles, of which 128 were issued or available for issue. These were pro vided with carriages and caissons. There were 80 3.2-inch guns under construc tion at the Watervliet Arsenal, of which about 30 were nearly completed.
The harness for these guns was not equivalent in amount to the guns on hand, for the reason that the organization of the regular batteries in time of peace was 4 guns, while they require in time of war 6 guns. The additional guns were immediately issued, and harness for them, but some delay was occasioned in the issuance of harness to the volunteer batteries. Those under the first call, 16, with 4 guns and caissons each, were finally fully equipped. The four new regu lar batteries belonging to the Sixth and Seventh regiments were equipped with the guns which at the outbreak of hostilities were in process of construction at Watervliet Arsenal, and the harness and other equipment and material was sent to them, but did not reach them until late in April.
Fifty guns, in addition to those on hand, were available for issue August 31, but were not issued. Twenty-one thousand rounds of ammunition were on hand at the outbreak of the war for these gnns, principally charcoal powder, but smoke less powder was being manufactured, and very soon after the outbreak of hostili-
800
INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
ties was issued exclusively to field batteries. Between April 1 and August 31 there were obtained 1)0,000 rounds of ammunition for 3.2-inch guns, including powder, of which 28,413 rounds were issued.
There were on hand April 1, available for issue, 22 3.6-inch rifles and 20 3.6-inch mortars. These guns use the same shell and shrapnel. There was available for the guns 3,600 rounds, and for the mortars 3,000 rounds. There was procured for guns of both kinds from April 1 to August 31, 1898, 28,000 rounds, of which 5,900 rounds were issued.
• • How many machine guns, with their mounts, were available, and what ammu nition was ready f or them? Was the powder black or smokeless? "
Twelve Hotchkiss revolving guns were available for issue, and a portion of them was issued. Four thousand rounds of charges of charcoal powder were on hand, most of which was issued. No additional ammunition was procured. There were 30 caliber .30 Gatling guns on hand, and 31 were manufactured and completed between April 1 and August 31. The ammunition for these guns is the same as for the caliber .30 rifle, and is of smokeless powder. Twenty-six short-barreled Gatling guns, caliber .45, and 117 long- barreled Gatling guns, caliber .45, were on hand. No more were procured. The ammunition for these guns is the same as for the caliber .45 rifle, and was of charcoal powder. Later during the war smokeless powder was obtained for the caliber .45 rifle, but none was issued for the Gatling guns.
" How many rifles, and of what calibers, were ready for issue to troops, and what amount of ammunition was ready? Was the powder black or smokeless?
" How many carbines, how many pistols, and how many sabers with belts, etc., were ready for issue, and what amount of ammunition for the carbines and pistols was ready? Was the powder black or smokeless?
" How many sets of horse equipments for cavalry and light artillery were ready?
"How many knapsacks, haversacks, meat cans, tin cups, knives, forks, and spoons were ready?
" What was the amount of the small arms, ammunition, infantry, cavalry, and horse equipments obtained from April 1 to August 31; how was it obtained; and what was the amount issued and the amount remaining on hand? "
The following tables give the answers:
|
Articles. |
On hand Apr. 1. |
Received Apr.l to Sept. 1. |
How received. |
Issued Apr. 1 to Sept. 1. |
On hand Sept. 1. |
|
|
Manufac tured. |
From contract ors. |
|||||
|
SMALL, ARMS. Rifles, caliber .30 . . |
53,508 365,81)5 14, 875 7 983 |
36,728 3,536 1,140 |
26,728 3,52ti 1,140 |
53,571 84,391 11,715 3,276 9, 515 13, :»$3 8,045 20,234 |
27,665 185,030 4,300 4,705 852 4,582 38,259 66,021 3,000 5, 999, 000 9,5*3,848 :{.3ii;.s9i 3. :».'.'. 3SO 3,534,972 |
|
|
Rifles, caliber .45 |
||||||
|
Carbines, calilier .30 |
||||||
|
Carbines, calil>er. 45 |
||||||
|
Revolvers caliber 38 |
4,517 1,046 46,304 |
5,850 16,300 |
150 16,300 |
5,700 |
||
|
Revolvers, caliber .45 ... |
||||||
|
Sabers |
||||||
|
Bayonet scabbards, caliber .80. Winchester repeating rifles, caliber .30 |
86,255 3,000 |
86,255 |
||||
|
3,000 7.573,000 42,702,000 105,000 2,949,000 1,170,000 2,000,000 500,000 |
||||||
|
AMMUNITION. Rifle and carbine cartridges, caliber .30 |
4,509,568 4,569,668 «. 1*0.012 l. i-.n.or.i 2984608 |
18,a58,000 44,US3.n7ii 106,000 3,35t;..-,no 1,170, (KM) 2,000,000 500,000 |
11,285,000 1,381,070 |
17,428,568 39,414,168 2,977,118 1,4«8,1H1 569,537 2,000,000 500,000 |
||
|
Rifle cartridges, caliber .45 Carbine cartridges, caliber .45 . Revolver cartridges, caliber. 38 Revolver cartridges, calicer.45 Remington cartridges, caliber |
||||||
|
407,500 |
||||||
|
Mauser cartridges, 7 mm... |
REPLY OP CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
801
|
Articles. |
On hand Apr. 1. |
Received Apr. 1 to Sept. 1. |
How received. |
Issued Apr. 1 to Sept. 1, |
On hand Sept. 1. |
|
|
Manufac tured. |
From contract ors. |
|||||
|
INFANTRY EQUIPMENT. Blanket bags |
15, 918 |
171,894 201, 771 202,842 217, 597 286, 519 249, 664 177,030 12,630 21,223 1,542 16,000 4,626 9,841 21,575 20,880 16,129 4,037 37,513 319,383 63,444 242,441 281, 831 246,599 260, 248 257, 975 239, 143 287,923 17, 172 7,047 18, 377 1,576 4,546 26,354 33,138 20,573 |
77, 190 129,654 128,604 217,597 246, 856 130, 138 76, 276 9,566 3,013 1,542 2,681 4,626 9,841 12,204 3,668 1,108 2,265 323 12,187 50,444 114, 771 184,089 212, 393 232,039 1,979 1,715 986 8,071 7,047 6,394 1,576 4,546 4,898 11,822 4,245 |
94, 704 72, 117 74,238 ~"39,~663" 119,526 100, 754 3,064 18,210 |
140,668 143, a50 145, 670 128, 761 213, 488 234,082 182,468 14,554 15,628 2,505 4,620 3,279 9,520 33,304 14,399 4,836 13, 491 20,550 132, 712 54,449 216, 448 244, 417 176, 053 202, 619 238,657 272, 522 218, 725 21, 712 9,491 13, 159 20,927 19, 786 16, 858 6,767 12,990 95 18,631 18, 957 471 19,206 |
47,144 73,961 70,177 88, 836 76,321 44,783 17,050 1,983 29,404 492 15,278 7,354 321 3,223 14,660 14,873 550 22,833 98,435 8, 995 46,463 53, a52 82,662 80, 473 46,257 35,958 97,644 3,887 5,180 6,506 187 9,107 19, 401 33,935 8,282 359 20,219 13, 939 1,014 3,647 |
|
Blanket -bag shoulder straps, pairs |
15,540 13,005 |
|||||
|
Blanket-bag coat straps, pairs. Bayonet scabbard, caliber .45. Canteens |
||||||
|
3,290 39,201 22,488 3,907 23,809 1,455 3,898 6,007 |
||||||
|
Canteen straps |
||||||
|
Gun slings.... |
||||||
|
Waist belts |
||||||
|
Waist-belt plates |
||||||
|
Non com missioned o ffi c e r s ' waist belts |
||||||
|
CAVALRY EQUIPMENT. Carbine slings |
13,319 |
|||||
|
Carbine-sling swivels |
||||||
|
Pistol-cartridge boxes, caliber |
9,371 17,212 15,021 1,772 37,190 307, 196 13, 000 127,670 97, 742 34,206 28,209 255,996 237,428 287,937 9,101 |
|||||
|
Pistol holsters, calibers .38 and .45 .. |
14,952 7,979 3,580 10,004 5,870 22,946 |
|||||
|
Saber belts |
||||||
|
Saber attachments |
||||||
|
Saber knots |
||||||
|
Canteen straps, short - |
||||||
|
INFANTRY AND CAVALRY EQUIPMENT. Cartridge belts, calibers .45 and .30 |
||||||
|
Cartridge-belt plates |
||||||
|
Haversacks |
20,470 15,938 12, 116 22, 844 26, 939 33,379 28,446 8,427 7,624 1,288 19,538 24,347 9,905 7,564 699 454 7,933 4,874 1,485 |
|||||
|
Haversack straps |
||||||
|
Meat cans |
||||||
|
Tin cups |
||||||
|
Knives |
||||||
|
Forks |
||||||
|
Spoons .. |
||||||
|
HORSE EQUIPMENT. Saddles |
||||||
|
Cai'bine boots |
||||||
|
Saber straps |
11,983 |
|||||
|
Curb bridles |
||||||
|
Curb bits |
||||||
|
Halter headstalls |
21,456 21,316 16,328 |
|||||
|
Halter straps Carbine scabbards |
||||||
|
Cruppers |
||||||
|
Currycombs - |
30, 917 28,022 |
11, 113 6,382 |
19,804 21,640 |
|||
|
Horse brushes |
||||||
|
Horse covers, cotton duck |
||||||
|
Lariats |
7,627 |
15,228 32,449 5,648 22,852 29,735 37,342 28,273 2,854 |
15,228 9,811 5,648 3,238 29,735 |
|||
|
Lariat straps |
22,638 |
|||||
|
Links |
15,031 7,427 9,281 2.346 5,435 3,148 34,910 26,460 |
8,687 21,510 17,804 36, 795 23,183 5,122 22,826 6,463 49, 757 45,551 16, 815 |
11,992 8,769 21.212 2,893 10,525 880 12,884 19,997 7,713 10,015 18,489 |
|||
|
Nosebags |
19, 614 |
|||||
|
Picket pins |
||||||
|
Saddle blankets, cavalry Saddlebags, black leather Sidelines |
37,342 24,847 |
|||||
|
3,426 2,854 |
||||||
|
Stirrups with hood (pairs)... Surcingles |
||||||
|
Spurs, pairs |
5,663 2,242 7,303 |
51,807 53,324 28,001 |
30, 190 53,324 2,020 |
21,617 |
||
|
Spur straps, pairs |
||||||
|
Watering bridles |
25,981 |
|||||
' 'An army of what size was the Ordnance Department prepared to completely equip in every respect, ready for field service, with necessary artillery, small arms, ammunition, and all articles furnished by that department, on April 1, 1898?"
This question can not be answered categorically. In addition to the limited Army and the National Guard already armed and equipped, the Ordnance Depart-
802 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
ment was prepared to arm and equip 11 light batteries, 4 guns each, and was prepared to furnish the amount of siege artillery stated above, and was prepared to arm about 300,000 new infantry troops and 23,000 new cavalry troops. It has not been the policy of the department to keep on hand the infantry equipments, horse equipments, cavalry equipments, and artillery equipments required to equip new armies in case of war, for the following reasons:
(1) Frequent renewals of such equipments that would be required in conse quence of their rapid deterioration, and in consequence of changes due to improve ments and changes of the requirements of the service, will make such a plan impolitic in consequence of the great cost. To carry in stock the equipments for 600.000 infantry and 50,000 cavalry (omitting for the present the complement of artillery) would cost, for care and preservation and for renewals once in seven years (for the reasons stated above) , about $1,500,000 per annum.
(2) Even if it were good policy to carry such an amount of equipments in store, it is certain that the necessary appropriations therefore could not be obtained. Therefore it is deemed impossible.
It has been the plan of the department, therefore, to carry in store only such limited supply of these equipments as might be necessary for immediate issue in case of sudden emergency (and this supply has been limited and restricted by the appropriations that could be obtained therefor) , and then to be prepared to pro vide by manufacture, both at the arsenals and by contractors, equipments as fast as troops could be raised, organized, instructed, and disciplined sufficiently to pre pare them for the receipt of arms and equipments. It was an element of this plan that about six weeks' warning could be counted on for providing these equipments before troops would be ready for them. In this particular case there was practi cally no warning and no time for preparation. It has been the plan of the present Chief of Ordnance to provide for supplying these equipments at the Rock island Arsenal. In consequence of failure to obtain appropriations, appliances necessary for the work were not installed. This resulted in undue and injurious haste in meeting requirements.
Small arms. — The reasons for not carrying these in store are less strong than those stated, which applied to equipments, and as these can not be supplied as fast as equipments, it has been the policy to carry in store enough to arm the first troops called out, and thereby leave more time for arming larger armies later.
*' What, if any, complaints in writing have been received by the Chief of Ord nance in reference to the prompt compliance with proper requisitions, or com plaints of any character in reference to the operation of the Ordnance Depart ment in connection with furnishing necessary armament for permanent defense, or siege and field artillery, rifles, equipments for infantry, artillery, and cavalry, and ammunition of all kinds? "
No formal complaints charging culpable negligence or inefficiency against the Ordnance Department were received. Of course, many telegrams and letters were sent stating that stores had not been received or that unexpected delays had occurred. Many of these were uncalled for, as time had not been allowed for fill ing the requisitions, while others were entirely proper, since it is acknowledged that equipments that had to be manufactured could not be supplied as rapidly as they were needed. On the whole, however, very few complaints of any descrip tion were received. The troops recognized the enormity of the task that devolved upon the department, and waited patiently until the stores could be provided. It should be noted that the supply of arms and equipments was so arranged that the troops taking part in expeditions could always be provided for. It is believed that no organization ever sailed for foreign service without being thoroughly equipped in all essential features.
The following are copies of the only documents on the files of this office that are considered to be complaints within the meaning of the investigation commission.
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. 803
Others were made verbally to the Secretary of War and referred verbally to the Chief of Ordnance. Of these there is no record. A memorandum relating to these complaints follows the complaints themselves.
CHICKAMAUGA PARK, GA., June 11, 1898. ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C. :
On May 31 the ordnance stores due on requisition that was issued to the First Pennsylvania, Second Missouri, and Thirty-first Michigan Volunteers, Infantry, were received here, but had to be used to equip regiments ordered to Tampa. Columbia Arsenal was notified June 1 of the stores taken from each, and asked to make them good immediately, but up to this date none have been supplied. There are due First Pennsylvania 237 Springfield rifles, 750 cartridge belts and plates, 308 canteens and straps, 277 tin cups, 257 knives, 240 forks, 347 spoons. There are due Second Missouri GOO Springfield rifles, 990 meat cans, 402 blanket bags and straps, 427 cartridge belts and plates, 450 bayonet scabbards, 560 canteens and straps, 650 haversacks^ 140 tin cups, 114 knives, 91 forks, 179 spoons. There are due Thirty- first Michigan 823 Springfield rifles, 220 bayonets, 220 bayonet scabbards, 220 gun slings, 600 cartridge belts and plates, 295 blanket bags and straps. From the number of Springfield rifles understood to be available for issue it would seem that there should be no delay in furnishing these stores. No rifle that is at ail damaged should be kept in the hands of the troops here, as there are no spare parts furnished with which to repair them. It would seem that the requisitions for these regiments have been lost sight of, inasmuch as they have been "n the hands of the Ordnance Department for near]y a month. I urgently reruest that necessary action be taken to supply this ordnance without any further delay.
JOHN R. BROOKE, Major-General Commanding.
CHICKAMAUGA NATIONAL PARK, GA., June 11, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C. :
Attention is invited to orders of Secretary of War to equip Ohio cavalry with same equipment as the regulars, with which we are ordered to be brigaded. Already canteens absolutely useless to mounted troops have been received, and yesterday cartridge belts were received unfit for issue to either infantry or cavalry, in addition to being intended for infantry, and without loops for pistol cartridges. On account of the large daily expense attending our delay in camp and the loss of horses due to lack of halters, the uselessness of the few saddles sent, with largest-sized girths, and lack of saddlery tools and supplies for cutting and short ening the cinchas, I request that all ordnance supplies be sent by express, which will effect a great saving of expense to the Government. Our recruits will all be here within eight days, and should find all their equipments awaiting them in order that they may be immediately transported to Florida, to comply with orders from the War Department. Already long delay has been caused by the nonar- rival of necessary articles of ordnance and ordnance stores. This regiment has made requisitions for 837 sets of equipments. You state that you have ordered equipment for 800. This will still leave us unequipped. Please increase your order to the amount actually needed, We need 804 carbines and 837 of every thing else — meat cans, haversacks, etc. Officers are entitled to purchase under Army Regulations from these supplies, being unable to purchase these articles elsewhere, and it is of as much importance to have my officers equipped as the enlisted men.
DAY, Lieutenant-Colonel.
804 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
TAMPA, FLA., June 13, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Elevating arcs or gearing supplied with the 7-inch howitzers of the siege train all found never to have been fitted in the shops to the howitzers and carriages, and thus far none will go on. It appears in some instances skilled mechanics with appropriate tools might make the parts fit. Referring to telegram of 9th instant, the use of a handspike or other means improvised to maintain the howitzer at a given elevation is not applicable to this carriage, of which the trunnion carriage moves on a slide. Without knowledge of the defect, four of these howitzers have been sent into the field, where they will be entirely useless, and unless you send here proper mechanics and tools it will be necessary to turn all the howitzers in as unserviceably mounted. Information as to your action in this matter is desired.
JOHN I. RODGERS, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Chief of Artillery.
WINDSOR HOTEL, JACKSONVILLE, FLA., June 28, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Not one haversack, blanket bag, or web belt sent for a month to troops here. Can not you kindly say a personal word to those responsible and forward express? Headquarters' equipment urgently needed also. Thanks for prompt attention of
blank cartridges.
GUILD,
Acting Chief of Ordnance, Seventh Corps.
CHICKAMAUGA NATIONAL PARK, GA., July 1, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C. :
Your telegram of nearly a month ago stated that you had ordered cartridge belts of uniform pattern for this regiment, as had been directed by the Secretary of War. Under instructions of the President, on June 25 you stated that they would be sent to us as soon as they could possibly be obtained.
In reference to a telegram of mine to Manufacturer Orndorff , I am informed that no orders have been received by him to furnish belts for the Ohio cavalry. As the belts you have furnished this regiment are absolutely worthless on account of their flimsy character, poorness of sewing, and lack of room for the cartridges, I have to request that you either order the belts at once or notify me that you will not, in order that I may take such steps as may be necessary to obtain them.
DAY, Lieutenant-Colonel.
CHICKAMAUGA NATIONAL PARK, GA., July 3, 1898. ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
I deem it my duty to say that there has not been one single regiment fully equipped under the present system of supplying the ordnance equipment of the soldiers. This equipment has come here in driblets, no regiment having had the full amount of its requisition sent here at any one time. This system of filling requisitions is wrong. The service is not benefited and the soldier is deprived of that which he has a right to expect to be supplied with without delay. I have come
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. 805
to the conclusion that the system of supplying is wrong, and if it should ever be my duty to command a camp of organization again, I should insist upon having a well-equipped ordnance warehouse for the supply of everything necessary for the number of troops expected to be organized. I now see that it was a mistake on my part not to have an ordnance depot here. I could not foresee that the setting aside of the Columbia Arsenal would result in having no source of supply in the way of depot. I deem it my duty to ask that this matter be laid before the Secretary of War that the remedy may be applied.
JOHN R. BROOKE, Major- General, Commanding.
CHICK AM AUGA NATIONAL PARK, G-A., July 6, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
On June 11 you state you have ordered sent to First Ohio Cavalry, by express, 804 regulation cavalry cartridge belts, caliber .30, in exchange for those furnished this regiment. This telegram was sent in answer to one from me inviting your attention to the fact that the Secretary of War had directed that this regiment be equipped in the same manner as the regulars, with whom we were brigaded. You have thus far failed to do so, and in place of the regulation belt have sent belts which evidently had been made for sale and not for use. They are absolutely unserviceable and are not in any manner suited for either wearing or for carry ing cartridges. The manufacture of these belts is so poor that they will not carry cartridges ten days without tearing open, allowing the cartridges to drop out. In response to inquiry from me the manufacturer of the regulation belts stated that you had not ordered any from him for this regiment. This morning, in riding through brush, three cartridge belts were lost off troopers and can not be found. The responsibility for this loss rests with the Ordnance Department. Having these belts, we are worse off than without them, in that we are considered equipped. No answer has been received from you to any of my telegrams of recent date con taining substantially these same facts. I renew my request that you state whether or not you intend to carry out the orders of the Secretary of War.
DAY, Lieutenant-Colonel.
WINDSOR HOTEL, JACKSONVILLE, FLA., July 7, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Why do shipping depots fail to ship with ordnance oil and waste requisitioned for this corps? Have not received any and equipments suffer in consequence. Please forward immediately a shipment by express and a larger amount by freight.
RUSSELL B. HARRISON, Chief of Ordnance, Seventh Corps.
WINDSOR HOTEL. JACKSONVILLE. FLA., July 9, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Not a single bayonet scabbard, cartridge belt, canteen, haversack, meat can, knives and forks, spoons, blanket bags, and no oil or cleaning material has been received by this corps at this station, notwithstanding requisition and repeated letters and telegrams. Such supplies are being issued elsewhere. I would
806 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
respectfully request an order from y6u in this matter, in order that this corps may be quickly ami efficiently equipped.
RUSSELL B. HARRISON, Major, and Chief of Ordnance, Seventh Corps.
CHICK AMAUOA NATIONAL PARK, G-A., July 11, 189S. ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
I have understood that delivery of ordnance supplies for my corps would receive precedence and would be expedited. For some days past this has been found not to be the case. I would ask again that the requisitions for the regiments in the First, Second and Third divisions be given precedence and sent by express. They are not large, and if pushed forward certainly two days' output of Rock Island would easily fill them. The system followed is exceedingly unsatisfactory. If the requisitions be added up and sent in bulk to Captain Rockwell, the corps will be equipped in two days. Yon know the regiments of the corps. It is not neces sary to repeat them. Please give this your attention and advise me what I may
expect.
JOHN R. BROOKE,
Major-Genera I Commanding.
WINDSOR HOTEL, JACKSONVILLE. FLA., July 11, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
This corps has never received any meat cans, knapsacks, knives and forks, blanket bags, or haversacks with the appropriate straps. Many of the recruits of the original men are without proper means of eating their food and taking care of themselves. Necessity of shipment of 5,000 equipments is most urgent, and I appeal to you to make it immediately. Requisitions do not appear to have the proper attention at the depots and arsenals, and, besides, recruits are reaching us daily, for which it takes time to prepare requisitions.
RUSSELL B. HARRISON, Major, and Chief of Ordnance, SeventJt, Corps.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. , July 17, 1S98. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
This corps is greatly deficient in mess ordnance stores. Men are eating off paper and boards without knives or forks, and without tin cups in which to receive coffee. This condition of affairs causes much adverse criticism here. Please rush the mess equipments.
RUSSELL B. HARRISON, Major and Chief of Ordnance.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA., July IS, 1898. CHIEF OF ORDNANCE UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
Can not you authorize emergency purchases of tin cups, plates, knives, and forks for this corps? The men are suffering for means of properly eating and drinking their rations.
RUSSELL B. HARRISON, Major and Chief of Ordnance Seventh Army Corps.
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE. 807
MEMORANDA IN REGARD TO COMPLAINTS.
1. The transfer of the ordnance stores issued to the First Pennsylvania, Second Missouri, and Thirty-first Michigan Volunteers to other regiments created much confusion. Although Columbia Arsenal was apparently notified June 1, the Ord nance Office did not receive intelligence of the exchange until June 11. Columbia Arsenal was unable to make good the deficiencies thus created, as the stores were not on hand there. As soon as information of the exchange was received at this office stores were sent, but on account of the delay in informing this office and time taken for the transportation of the stores some three weeks elapsed before the regiments referred to were again supplied.
2. The First Ohio Cavalry was equipped with cartridge belts no less than three times. The first issue, although considered strong enough, were, as stated by Colonel Day, not regulation, and the loops were too close together. The second issue were perfectly good belts, except that they did not have the loops for carry ing 24 pistol cartridges. The third issue was the regulation Orndorff belt, which it had been impossible to procure at first. At the beginning of the war only one concern in the United States— Orndorff, of Worcester — had the facilities for manu facturing the web belts, and, although they largely increased their plant, it was impossible for them to supply the requirements of the service. The canvas belts with the thimbles sewed on were, therefore, purchased as a makeshift, and it was intended to replace them as soon as the others could be obtained. Only 800 sets of cavalry equipments were ordered issued to the regiment, because that was the number of enlisted men. The commissioned officers are expected to provide their own equipments. The additional 3? sets asked for were, however, sent to Colonel Day upon his urgent request.
3. The difficulty referred to in regard to the elevating arcs of the 7-inch howit zers was found to have been exaggerated. A mechanic at the Tampa ordnance depot readily put them in order.
4. The haversacks, blanket bags, and cartridge belts were the most difficult parts of the equipment to procure, and the troops going on expeditions were first supplied. As soon as these were provided for a large supply was sent to Jackson ville and a depot established.
5. See remarks in regard to complaint No. 2.
6. The blanket bags, haversacks, and cartridge belts were the last articles of the equipment of which the department obtained an adequate supply. The blanket bag was not considered essential, as a large part of the Army used by preference the blanket roll. The department desired, at the beginning of the war, to estab lish ah ordnance depot at Chickamauga Park for the supply of troops that were known to be about to rendezvous there, but this course was objected to by the commanding general of the camp, and no depot was established until after his departure for Porto Rico. In this telegram he admits that it was a mistake not to have established a depot there.
7. See remarks in regard to complaint No. 2.
8. Oil and waste are not ordinarily issued with arms unless specially asked for. A supply was sent in response to this request.
9. See remarks in regard to complaint No. 4.
10. In accordance with the instructions of the Secretary of War, regiments about to leave the country were given precedence, and also camps from which it was expected that other troops would be taken for foreign service. About the time of the date of this telegram it was decided to send the First Corps to Porto Rico, and arrangements were immediately made for expediting its equipment. In about four days after the receipt of this intelligence stores to complete the equipment of the corps were put en route, and no further complaint was received from this camp.
808 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
11. See remarks in regard to complaint No. 4.
12. See remarks in regard to complaint No. 4.
13. See remarks in regard to complaint No. 4.
In regard to this telegram, a large supply of tin cups, meat cans, knives, forks, and spoons was sent by express to Jacksonville.
'• What funds were under the control of the department April 1, 1898, and what additional funds were available by August 31, under general or special legisla tion? " Amount of funds under control of the Ordnance Department,
United States Army, on April 1, 1898.. $7,837,446.59
Additional funds available by August 31, 1898, viz:
From " national-defense '' act, approved March 9, 1898. 5, 693, 800. 00
From army act, approved March 15, 1898 1, 150, 000. 00
From deficiency act, approved May 4, 1898 4, 342, 800. 00
From fortification act, approved May 7, 1898 .. 5, 667, 494. 00
From sundry civil act, approved July 1, 1898 288, 225. 00
From deficiency act, approved July 7, 1898 ... 12, 887, 513. 00
Total ... 37,867,278.59
Respectfully submitted.
D. W. FLAGLER, Brigadier- General, Chief of Ordnance, United States Army.
APPENDIX A.
Statements of ordnance and ordnance stores issued, manufactured, repaired, and received from contractors at Watervliet Arsenal, from April 1 to August 31, 1898.
|
Articles. |
Issued. |
Manu fac tured, repaired, and received from contract ors. |
|
3-inch B. L. rifle, solid forging, with Dashiell breech mechanism |
1 |
|
|
1 |
||
|
3.~'-inch B. L. rifles, steel, 'model 1885, W. P. F . |
5 |
7 |
|
3.2-inch B. L. rifles, steel, model 18H8 |
10 |
10 |
|
3.2-inch B. L. rifles, steel, model 1890, M1 |
20 |
56 |
|
3.2 inch B. L. rifles, steel, model 1890. |
26 |
1 |
|
3.2-inch B. L. rifles, steel, model 1897 |
24 |
24 |
|
3.6-inch B. L. rifles, steel, model 1891 . . |
20 |
1 |
|
3.6-inch B. L. mortars, steel, with elevating arc attached |
5 |
|
|
5-inch B. L. siege rifles, steel, model 1890 |
13 |
12 |
|
7-inch B. L. siege howitzers, steel, model 1890 |
12 |
12 |
|
7-inch B. L. siege mortars, steel, model 1892 |
20 |
|
|
12-inch B. L. mortars, stoel, model 1890, M1 |
25 |
22 |
|
3.tj-inch Held mortar carriages |
5 |
|
|
Carriages and limbers for light 12-pounder gun |
19 |
19 |
|
Limbers for 4.j-inch siege gun carriages |
2 |
|
|
Metallic carriages for 3.2 inch rifle, with limbers |
8 |
14 |
|
Combined forges and battery wagons |
9 |
|
|
Traveling forge "A," with limber |
1 |
|
|
Portable forges for mountain service modified for army use |
11 |
|
|
Forge chests, '* Empire " |
2 |
|
|
For siege guns and mortars: Wrenches |
416 |
83 |
|
Extractors for stop in carrier ring |
52 |
|
|
For siege and sea coast cannon: Bar screw-drivers |
986 |
1 365 |
|
Tools for unscrewing housing of crank catch |
94 |
113 |
|
Extension pipe handles |
94 |
la^ |
|
Hooks for lifting obturator ... |
183 |
295 |
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
809
Statements of ordnance and ordnance stores issued, manufactured, etc. —Continued.
|
Articles. |
Issued. |
Manu fac tured, repaired, and received from contract ors. |
|
For siege and sea coast cannon — Continued. |
178 184 44 230 233 178 179 94 269 236 249 236 184 236 236 179 107 131 8 8 8 8 25 8 16 16 a5 17 52 17 8 16 34 35 16 19 36 216 5 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 5 5 12 92 92 24 23 4 4 2 2 89 18 8 1 10 52 52 104 |
286 304 65 253 285 263 295 143 314 308 319 |
|
Obturator nut wrenches -- |
||
|
Obturator nut washer |
||
|
Primer keys . |
||
|
Pin punches - - |
||
|
Pressure plug wrenches - . |
||
|
Rings for lifting breech plate |
||
|
Gunner's punches . . |
||
|
Gunner's gimlets -- ..-. - |
||
|
Gunner's pouches |
||
|
295 268 301 318 23 515 |
||
|
Gunner's lanyards . ... |
||
|
Metal scrapers |
||
|
Sponge and rammer props for seacoast guns |
||
|
For 3.2-inch B. L. rifles, steel : |
||
|
Breech sight pouches |
||
|
Combined tompions and muzzle covers |
||
|
Front sight covers .. - |
||
|
30 |
||
|
Gunner's reamers . . -. |
||
|
Gunner's haversacks |
||
|
Priming wires |
30 |
|
|
Prolongs (section of picket rope) |
||
|
Rammers and sponges, short, combined, for chamber -. |
||
|
Sponges and rammers jointed for bore |
||
|
Sponge covers tor bore sponges . |
||
|
Sponge covers for chamber sponges |
||
|
Paulins, 12 by 12 inches, dyed duck |
||
|
Vent punches - . . ... |
30 |
|
|
Lanyards new pattern |
||
|
Obturator spindle nut wrenches _. . .. |
24 |
|
|
Fuse punches |
||
|
Fuse-punch pins .. . .. |
||
|
For 3.6-inch B. L. mortar, steel: Cartridge pouches or gunner's haversacks |
||
|
Sponges and rammers combined . |
||
|
Gunner's gimlets - - . . - ... |
||
|
Gunner's reamers |
||
|
Lanyards .. . - .- |
||
|
Primer pouches |
||
|
Priming wires - -- |
||
|
Pointing scales |
||
|
Recoil check ropes, 3} inches circumference, 20 feet long |
||
|
Paulins, 6 by 8 inches, dyed duck ... - |
||
|
Vent punches |
||
|
TTanrj^pikps, for platform ~r,- .. .. - ............ ... . T,,. . |
||
|
For 3.2-inch B. L. rifles: Breech or rear sights |
||
|
Front sights, bronze ..... - ....... |
||
|
For 3.6-inch B. L. rifles: Breech or rear sights |
||
|
Front sights, bronze |
||
|
For 5-inch B. L. siege rifles: Breech or rear sights . |
||
|
Front sights |
||
|
For 7-inch B. L. siege howitzers: |
||
|
Front sights |
||
|
Gunner's quadrants, model 1892, modified - - |
|
|
|
Buckets, water, galvanized iron |
||
|
Buckets watering canvas folding |
||
|
Buckets, tar, iron |
||
|
Budge barrels |
||
|
For 5- inch rifles and 7-inch howitzers: Breech covers . .. . ... |
||
|
Tompions and muzzle covers |
||
|
Sponere heads, with SDoneres... |
810 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN. Statements of ordnance and ordnance stores issued, manufactured, etc. — Continued.
Articles.
Issued
Manu fac tured, repaired,
and received
from contract-
For 5-inch rifles and 7-inch howitzers— Continued.
Sponge covers 104
Rainuier heads, bronze , 52
Sponge and rammer staves.- -- 53
Guard nuts for sponge and rammer staves 156
Lanterns, brass, tubular - - 18
Fuse wrenches, for F. A. base percussion fuses, "A" 2
Tit wrenches, A P. and D. P. shell
Tit wrenches, 5 and 7 inch steel shell 3
Gunner's levels, for 7-iiich mortar.. 8
For 8-inch M. L. converted rifle:
Worms and staves- - -
Gunner's pinchers 1
Vent covers 3
3.3-inch B. L. rifle shell (13* pounds), L. H. thread
8.6-inch B. L. rifle and mortar shell ( 20 pounds ),L.H. thread
5-inch B. L. siege rifle shell (45 pounds), L. H. thread "...
7-inch B. L. howitzer shell (105 pounds), L. H. thread
7-inch B. L. mortar shell (125 pounds ),L. H. thread
5-inch B.L. siege rifle shell (45 pounds ),R. H. thread 735
7-iuch B. L. siege howitzer shell (106 pounds), R. H. thread 735
5-inch B. L. siege rifle shell, steel (45 pounds), L. H. thread
8-inch B. L. rifle armor-piercing shell, steel, for gun-cotton charge, Peirce de tonating fuse 53
8.inch B. L. rifle armor-piercing shell, steel, for F. A. base percussion fuse and
charge of small-arm smokeless powder 45
3-inch rifleshot, Butler 30
10-inch B. L. rifle solid shot, cast iron, 575 pounds 531
10-inch B. L. rifle armor-piercing shot, steel 7
13-inch B. L. mortar deck- piercing shell, steel, 800 pounds 358
Shell, cast iron, filled and fused, for 3.2-inch B. L. rifle (13.} pounds), UB" fuse
L. H. thread (Dungan plunger). 1,397
Shell, cast iron, tilled and fused, for 3.6-inch B. L. rifle (13£ pounds), " C " fuse
L. H. thread. 5,338
Shell, cast iron, filled and fused, for 3.3-inch B. L. rifle (.16! pounds), "C" fuse
L. H. thread 4,000
Shell, cast iron, filled and fused, for 3.6-inch B. L. rifle, " C " fuse, L. H. thread 1, 838
Shell, cast iron, filled and plugged, for 3.6-inch B. L. mortar, L. H. thread 3,410
Shell, cast iron, filled and plugged, for5-inch B. L. siege rifle, R. H. thread 1,888
Shell, cast iron, filled and plugged, for 5-inch B. L. siege rifle, L. H. thread. 136
Shell, steel, filled and plugged, for 5-inch B. L. siege rifle, L. H. thread 300
Shell, cast iron, filled and plugged, for 7-inch B. L. howitzer, R. H. thread 83
Shell, cast iron, filled and plugged, for 7-inch B. L. howitzer, L. H. thread 1,643
Cartridges, smokeless powder, for 3.6-inch mortar 3,730
Cartridges, smokeless powder, for 3.3-inch rifle, model 1885-1890 800
Cartridges, smokeless powder, for 3.2-inch rifle, model 1897. 4,000
Cartridges, sphero-hexagonal powder, U. F. , for 3.2-inch rifle (3.J- pounds) 3, 618
Cartridges, I. K. powder (4f pounds), for 3.6-inch rifle 1,278
F. A. base percussion fuses, k'M,v model 1894 1,910
F. A. base percussion fuses, "A," model 1894 4,098
F. A. base percussion fuses, "A. A.'1 3,461
Friction primers, axial. .... 16,964
Shell powder, black pounds.. 11,850
Smokeless powder do
For 3.6-inch B. L. mortars, steel:
Platform 5
Platform stakes " 40
Anchor stakes _• 5
Rope slings 5
For 3.2-inch B. L. rifles, model 1885, 1888, 1890, 1890— M. IM and 1897:
Carrier latch pins 63
Carrier latch-pin springs 128
Gas check pads 120
Steel split rings 48
Gas-check cups '.'.'.'.'.'. 6
Copper vent oushings 4
Lever-handle pins and screws 6
Breech mechanism, complete, for 3.2-inch B.L. rifle, model 1890 1
Breech mechanism, complete, for 5-inch B. L. siege rifle, model 1890. . . 1
Gas-check pads, for8and 10 inch B.L. rifles 7
For 8-inch B L. rifles:
Rotating crank catch 1
Secu r i n glatches 4
Catch for tray 1
Catch screws 2
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
811
Statements of ordnance and ordnance stores issued, manufactured, etc. — Continued.
Articles.
Issued.
Manu fac tured, repaired,
and received
from contract-
For 10- inch B.L. rifle:
Rotating crank catch
Spring for spring lock, for tray latch, for translating roller 1
Lock ' ng bolts with wing nuts ..
Gas-check pads for 12-inch B. L. mortars. 35
Bracket for Scott sight
Translating roller-crank handle for 12-inch mortar 1
Spare parts for 3.6-inch B. L. mortars and rifles :
Cap screws - 36
Copper vent plugs 36
Conical pins. 36
Latches 12
Stops -.-. 12
Latch springs 72
Hinge pins 12
Hinge-pin screws 72
Spline screws for obturator 36
Obturator springs.
Vent covers 12
Vent-cover screws.. 12
Stop screws 6
Lever-pin screws 18
Gas-check pads .. 12
Spare parts for 5-inch B. L. siege rifles :
Cap screws 18
Copper vent plugs 22
Conical pins 22
Latches 8
Stops 6
Latch springs - 44
Stop screws 6
Lever-pin screws 24
Hinge pins 8
Hinge-pin screws 40
Spline screws for obturator 24
Gas-check pads 16
Obturator springs 10
Vent covers 8
Vent-cover screws 10
Spare parts for 7 inch B. L. howitzers, steel:
Cap screws , 18
Copper vent plugs 20
Conical pins 20
Latches. . 7
Stops 6
Latch springs 40
Stop screws 6
Lever-pin screws 21
Hinge pins - 7
Hinge-pin screws „ 38
Spline scre\v s for obturator 21
Gas-check pads 14
Obturator springs . 8
Vent covers, complete 7
Vent-cover screws '. 8
Operating latches 7
Operating springs 22
Operating screws 8
Spare parts for 7-inch B. L. mortars, steel:
Cap screws 6
Copper vent bushings 6
Conical pins 6
Latches 2
Stops 2
Latch springs 12
Stop screws 3
Hinge pins. 2
Hinge-pin screws 12
Spdne screws for obturator . 6
Gas-check pads 4
Obturator springs 2
Vent covers 2
Vent-cover screws 4
Wheels for mortar wagon 2
Neck yokes 26
Singletrees 48
812
INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
Statements of ordnance and ordnance, stores issued, manufactured, etc. — Continued.
Articles.
Doubletrees
Lunette props, battery wagon
Bow spring recoil brakes for 3.2-inch carriages, pairs 17
Shoes for caisson brakes
Ammunition, chest bolts, and nuts.. 36
Pintle keys and chains
Lid props
Lid-prop plate pivots - 36
Turnbtifkles for ammunition chests.- 10
Nuts for assembling bolts for lazy tongs 18
For 3.2-inch rifle carriage:
Linch pins. 54
Linch washers - - - 36
Gear wheel for ''Empire " forge.
Spring steel for 10-inch carriage 1
Buckles, iron roller, ^-inch 36
Buckles, iron roller, J -inch 36
Buckles, iron roller, -{-inch 163
Buckles, iron roller, 1-inch 36
Buckles, iron roller, 1] inch 18
Buckle latches 18
Buckle springs - 54
Back straps 108
Back-strap connections. - - 72
Breech straps. 4
Breech-strap eye washers 36
Breast straps 54
Bridles and bits, artillery, N. P.. 54
Bolts and nuts for top connections 41
Bolts and nuts for bottom of collar 34
Bolts and nuts for extension 26
Bolts and nuts for trace plates 24
Collars, steel 38
Collar wrenches 18
Draft springs 21
Girths, hair, artillery, N. P . 72
Halter straps . 450
Halters, artillery, N. P 54
Martingales with cincha straps 54
Nuts for top connection bolts 8
Nuts for pad bolts 18
Nuts for extension bolts 27
Nuts for bottom bolts 8
Nuts for trace-plate bolts ,. 22
Neck-yoke pads 18
Pad hooks 10
Pad bolts and nuts 18
Pole pads 8
Rammer heads for jointed sponge and rammer, 3.2-inch . 9
Sponge heads and sponges for jointed sponge and rammer. 3.2-inch 18
Sponge heads for short rammers and sponges, combined, 3.2-inch 18
Surcingles 90
Traces, lead, artillery, N. P 36
Traces, wheel, artillery, N. P. 36
Trace plates 18
Woolen sponges for 3.6-inch B L. mortar, steel 2
Whips, artillery 36
Buckles, iron roller, 15 inch 36
Zinc plugs for 8.6-inch shell
Zinc plugs for 5 and 7 inch shells 1,200
Fuse plugs, wood, for 10-inch mortar shells .........".... 200
Cartridge bags, for smokeless powder, model 1897
Cartridge bags, for smokeless powder, model 1885-90
Deck plank (yellow pine), 9-foot by 5-inch by 3.5-inch, for 10 inch siege-mortar
platform. 126
Wheels for wooden sling cart, large .....II! 2
Cord, sash, braided . pounds 121i
Silk wipers, 1H by 18 inch 2,891
Twine, assorted pounds 504|
Thread, patent. No. 35 do 18
Thread, shoe. No. 10 do... 45
Copper wire, No. 12 do... 356
Copper wire, No. ItJ do... 356
Horseshoes number.. 1,188
Horseshoe nails pounds.. 450
Nails, iron ...do... 90
Issued.
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
813
Statement of ordnance and ordnance stores issued, manufactured, etc. — Continued.
Articles.
Issued.
Manu fac tured, repaired,
and received
from contract ors.
Padlocks and keys, brass 50
Screws, wood gross.. 9
Tacks, copper papers . . 18
Tacks, iron do.... 27
Rivets and burrs, copper. pounds.. 19
Bridle leather (216 pounds) sides.. 18
Harness leather (18 sides) pounds.. 360
Black wax do 27
Harness soap do 162
Emery cloth, No. 00 quires.. 284
Rotten stone pounds.. 18
Sandpaper, No. 00 quires . . 214
Tripoli papers.. 216
Wagon sponges pounds.. I78f-
Beeswax do 18
Vaseline do.... 1,856
Oil, coal (kerosene) gallons. . 27
Sperm oil do.... 196W
Oil, ueatsfoot do.... 36
For 3.2 -inch rifle:
Paint, first coat pounds.. 3
Paint, second coat. do 3
Armament chests for 5-inch B.L. rifle 27
Armament chests for 7-inch B.L. howitzer 25
Armament chests for 8-inch B.L. rifle 44
Armament chests for 10-inch B.L. rifle 25
Armament chests for 12-inch B.L. rifle 25
Armament chests for 12-inch B.L. mortar, steel 80
Armament chests for 12-inch B.L. mortar, cast-iron, steel-hooped 4
Implement chests for 3. 6- inch B.L. mortars 5
Cans for axle grease (1 gallon) * 46
Cans, tin, f or neatsf oot oil (2 gallons) 18
Grease, axle (26 gallons) pounds.. 260
Grease, wheel do 474
Boxes, forge and battery wagon 5
For 3.2-incn B. L. rifles:
Inside micrometers, with case 2
Extra rods for inside micrometer— set 1
Chamber gauge 1
Thickness gauge 1
Cylinder gauge 1
Calipers 2
Gauge for gas-check seat 1
Vernier beam calipers, 48-inch 2
For 3.6-inch B. L. rifles:
Ring gauges.
Profile gauges
For 5 and 7 inch shell:
Eccentricity calipers , 2
Eccentricity gauges
Profile gauges
Ring gauges
Gauges, distance
For 10-inch solid shot:
Profile gauge 1
Templet gauge— set 1
Axe helves 18
Buckets, water, indurated fiber 651
Bucket, water, wood 1
Bronze drifts 104
Brushes, vaseline (1-inch Fitch tool) 251
Boilermakers1 hammers (3 pounds) 188
Copper hammers (3 pounds head) 186
Chisels 59
Cutting pliers 23y
Files,.... 723
Grease knives 52
Hammers 57
Hand mallets, No. 5, lignum-vitse 239
Long-handled mallets .. 178
Mauls 10
Needles, saddlers1 495
Oilers, steel, No. 2 246
Oilers, sperm, rectangular, brass
Oil cans of different patterns and sizes ... 479
Pickaxe handles 18
7833 — VOL. 2 6
INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN.
Statement of ordnance and ordinance stores issued, manufactured, etc.— Continued.
Articles.
Issued.
Tool chests for 3. 6-inch B. L. mortars
Thimbles
Small steel punches
Iron nut wrenches * \Yhrt-l grease cans
Wheel grease can knives
Saddlers' tools:
Oilstones
Aprons, leather, smiths'
Anvils (100 pounds) for battery wagon
Chisels, handled, for cutting hot iron
Chisels, handled, for cutting cold iron 11
Creasers, wood
Chisels, hand, cold
Clinching irons
Calipers, smiths', pairs
Fore punches and creasers
Fullers
Saddlers' tool chests, handled -
Claw tools
Compasses, 6-inch.-
Cutting nippers, 10-inch
Draw gauges.......-.--
Driving punches, JNo. o -
Knives, round
Pliers, large, 6-inch 7
Rivet sets (two holes)
Revolving punches, four tubes, Nos. 4, 5, 6, and 7
Rules (2-foot), No. 18, two-fold
Stitching horses, complete -
Awls, stitching, handled, assorted 54
Small canvas bags for small stores
Edge tools, No. 2
Shears, 6-inch blade
Knives, shoe..
Carpenters and wheelwrights' tools:
Carpenters and wheelwrights' tool chests, handled
Awls, scribing-.
Auger bits, i-inch, |-inch, }-inch, U-inch, and H-inch 54
Braces with 12 bits, assorted
Bradawls, assorted, with and contained in handle
Chisels, framing, f-inch, 1-inch, H inch, and 2-inch
Compasses, 10-inch wing
Drawing knives, 12-inch .-
Files, saw, assorted, 4 and 6-inch - 108
Files, wood, 10-inch
File handles, iron, 4-inch flat and 4-inch round
Gouges, framing, j-inch, 1-inch, and H-inch
Gauges
Handsaws, 20-inch
Hand axes, No. 7
Hammers, claw
Linen tape line, Chesterman, Sheffield
Oilstones, 8-inch
Oilers, brass
Planes, jack
Planes, smoothing
Pinchers, small 9
Patent augur handles 9
Ripsaws, 20 inch 9
Rules, (2- foot), No. 72, 4-fold, Stanley 9
Rasps, wood, 10-inch
Spoke shaves
Squares, trying, 9-inch
Small canvas bags for small stores _ 18
Table vises
Blacksmiths' tools:
Files, flat, bastard, 12-inch 10
File handles, iron, 6-inch
Fire rakes 9
Oilers, brass...
Pair tongs for holding i-inch iron
Pair tongs for holding ^-inch iron 9
Pair tongs, 11-inch, smiths' 9
Rules (2-foot), 4-fold, wood, No. 72, Stanley
Small canvas bags for nails and small stores
Manu fac tured, repaired.
and received
from contract-
REPLY OF CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
815
Statements of ordnance and ordnance stores issued, manufactured, etc. — Continued.
|
Articles. |
Issued. |
Manu fac tured, repaired, and received from contract ors. |
|
Blacksmiths' tools— Continued. |
9 |
|
|
9 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
19 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
jNaii ciaws ..... |
1 |
|
|
1 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
11 |
||
|
11 |
||
|
18 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
21 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
10 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
1 |
||
|
For battery wagon and forge: |
9 |
|
|
9 |
||
|
18 |
||
A. MOBDECAI,
Colonel, Ordnance Department, United States Army, Commanding.
WATERVLIET ARSENAL, October 12,
APPENDIX B.
Statement of articles manufactured, altered in construction, etc., at Watertown Arsenal, Mass., from April 1 to August 31, 1898, inclusive.
CLASS 2.
Barbette carriage, model 1896, on balance pillar mounting, for 5-inch R. F. gun - 1
10-inch disappearing carriages, L. F. model 1896 4
12-inch disappearing carriages, L. F. model 1896. .
10-inch disappearing carriage, L. F. model 1894, rebuilt.. 1
10-inch barbette carriages, model 1893, alterations in construction. 3
8-inch barbette carriages, model 1892, alterations and additions 5
12-inch gun-lift carriages, alterations in design
12-inch spring-return mortar carriages, model 1896, alterations and addi tions - 16
Chests with implements and tools for 8-inch barbette carriages
Chest with implements and tools for 10-inch barbette carriage 1
Chest with implements and tools for 12-inch barbette carriage 1
816 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF WAR WITH SPAIN,
Statement of articles manufactured, altered in construction, etc. — Continued.
CLASS 3.
Chocks, iron, right and left 124
Fuse blocks - 2
Handspikes, maneuvering, for 3. 6-inch B. L. mortar
Loading or carrying bars for 8-inch converted rifle 24
Pass boxes for 8-inch converted rifle 60
Pinch bars, large. 12
Rammers and staves for 8-inch converted rifle 42
Rammers and staves for 8-inch B. L. rifle on disappearing carriage