USA > New York > New York in the Spanish-American war 1898 : part of the report of the Adjutant-General of the State for 1900, v. I pt 1 > Part 9
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NUMBER OF MEN FURNISHED. :
The men recruited for the three batteries and the three regi- ments numbered 4,186, as shown in detail herewith:
122.
NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
ORGANIZATION.
tants.
masters.
Ass't Surgeons.
Chaplains.
Captains.
First lieutenants.
Second lieutenants.
Sergeant-majors.
Reg't'l q. m. serg'ts.
Chief musicians.
Principal musicians.
Hosp. stewards.
First sergeants.
Company q. m. sgts.
Veterinary sergeants.
Sergeants.
Corporals.
Farriers and black-
| Artificers and sad-
Wagoners.
Musicians.
Privates.
Total.
Aggregate.
Fourth battery ... Fifth battery . Seventh battery .... Two hundred and first regiment .... Two hundred and second regiment ... Two hundred and
1.
2
1
1
1
2
1
12
10
=
43
1
3
12
12
48
144
12
12
24
964
1,232
1,275
1
1
1
1
1
2
12
12
12
45
1
1
2
12
12
48
1144
12
12
24
987
1,255
1,300
third regioent ..
1
-
2
1
1
1
2
12
12
12
45
1
12
12
48
144
12
12
24
977
1,241
1,286
Total
3
3
6
3
3
3
6
I
39
36
37
140
2
1
3
3
39
39
3 161
459
6
45
39
00
3,168
4,046
4,186
..
1
1
1
6
9
2
3
İ
2
80 80
106
7
1
1
1
6
9
2 2
3
-
2
80
106
109
11
1
1
3
1
1
1
6
9
1
1
.
1
2
106
108 108
1
....
.
.
.
...
....
...
smiths.
dlers.
Colonels.
Lt .- colonels.
Regimental
Regimental quarter-
1
Number of Men Furnished.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
ENLISTED MEN.
.
adju·
Majors.
Surgeons.
...
--
-
3
2
Total.
.
REPORTS OF INSPECTIONS BY THE SURGEON-GENERAL, N. Y.
To His Excellency, FRANK S. BLACK, Governor of the State of New York.
Sir :- I have the honor to submit my report of a tour of inspec- tion of the various camps in the south, which included camps Alger, Va., Thomas, in Chickamauga, Ga., and Fernandina, Fla., in accordance with instructions received through the adjutant- general, immediately upon my return from Porto Rico. I pro- ceeded to Washington with no preparations for such a journey to ascertain the location of the troops of the state of New York enlisted in the volunteer service for the war with Spain. I had no specific instructions in reference to my duties other than to ascer- tain the condition of the troops, to make such suggestions as I thought wise, and to report every hour by wire, if possible, in order to convey the best understanding of the condition of the men and camps to be visited.
At the war department I ascertained that the 65th regiment was at Dunn Loring, Camp Alger, the 8th, 9th, 12th and 14th regiments at Chickamauga, the 69th and 2d provisional regiments at Fernandina, Florida.
My first visit was to Camp Alger. I called at once upon Major A. H. Briggs, surgeon of the 65th regiment. He informed me that he was the sanitary inspector of the corps and that he and his men were highly gratified over the fact that the Governor of New York had sent the surgeon-general of the state to inquire into their condition. Major Briggs gave me every attention necessary for ascertaining everything pertaining to the welfare of the troops.
The site of the camp was a most excellent one and the soil sandy, which made it possible for the construction of excellent
124
NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
sinks. The entire policing of the camp was the finest I have ever seen. I had absolutely no criticism to make. The system adopted was a guard being placed at the sinks and a shovel at each one so that dirt was constantly applied after the use of the sink, which, with the aid of a small quantity of lime, prevented the disgusting odors prevalent at such places in the various camps. Usually camps are policed three times a day. This is not sufficient for sanitary purposes. This I consider was the model camp of the entire army. I am pleased to give the credit to the state of New York for it was under the sanitary manage- ment of Major A. H. Briggs, of the 65th regiment, U. S. V., that this system was established.
The water supply of the camp was defective for drinking pur- poses. It had to be brought a distance of three-quarters of a mile to two miles.
The marked amount of sickness present was mainly due to two causes: malarial influence, more particularly preva- lent at this season of the year, and typhoid fever, which had been brought into camp and which is still developing to some extent.
To ascertain the causes of the disease prevailing, to suggest measures of arresting them and to report the result of my inspection to Your Excellency in order that you might send all of the relief desired seemed to be the summary of my duties.
The vital question at issue, the cause of typhoid fever, has been considered as carefully as time would permit. It was my privilege to be at the first meeting of the board, suggested by Surgeon-General Sternberg, composed of Majors Shakespere, Vaughn and Reed. Major Briggs was the witness on that occa- sion. Water, milk, the sources of the same, location of camps, and the use of various fruits were considered. Nothing definite was arrived at as to the causation of the typhoid fever and diar- rhoea so prevalent.
The division hospital was over crowded, as in most cases, and Major Briggs retained soldiers just coming down with fever in
VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SURGEON-GEN'LS REPORTS. 125
quarters for two or three days, giving them the proper remedies and treatment for diagnostic purposes. In that time the fever would either disappear or else its continued form would clear the diagnosis as to its typhoid character.
The army regulations do not provide for regimental hospitals and, therefore, this method of painstaking diagnosis is prohibited and I have evidence of its being censurable.
The requisition which I gave to the surgeon-general, in Wash- ington, after my visit to this camp (Dunn Loring, Camp Alger), was for remedies used in this sort of way. There was manifest fear upon the part of some of the surgeons in making requisitions for some of the equipments necessary for the temporary regimen- tal hospital, knowing it was not allowed. Many remedies needed .
on this occasion had been ordered for three weeks in succession without their being obtained. In asking the question of the sur- geon-general why it was that the government did not have a supply on hand he seemed vexed, surprised and irritated in regard to the matter and desired my list. Besides the remedies on the list, tents were needed. Fearing that they would not be forthcoming for the purposes intended I wired Your Excellency for them. Surgeon-General Sternberg subsequently wired me, after I had sent him a telegram asking him if the order had been filled, the following day:
"Supplies have been ordered. You have no further responsi- bility in the matter."
The red tape feature, so-called, involved in procuring articles in such emergencies and the arbitrariness of orders in Wash- ington in preventing the surgeon taking charge of the men in his regiment temporarily led me to act as I have described.
The surgeon-general has written me since my return showing he has thoroughly investigated my complaints. as he inclosed various reports. As I supposed, the men showed fear when the list given me was shown and discrepancies exist therefor. Men are brave before bullets, but fear the penalty of using their brains outside of orders, even though they know such orders are against the welfare of the sick soldier. It has been done right
126
NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
along in many instances and I shall certainly take up the case and show up any high official who will dare prosecute any of our humane surgeons who have given their personal attention to any of the regimental organizations by detention and treatment for a few days in regimental hospitals, should it be the pleasure of Your Excellency to allow it to be done.
I am fully convinced of the good intentions of the surgeon- general of the army, and that he wrote out precautions in the form of circulars for the prevention of fevers and gave sanitary instructions early in the late war.
After the meeting of the board appointed by Surgeon-General Sternberg I requested Major Briggs to show me the previous camps occupied by the troops and to show me the source of infection if possible. I visited with him Fairfax Manor. The house was built one hundred and sixty-three years ago and is located, perhaps, at a distance of fifty feet and at an elevation of six feet higher than a box reservoir constructed about two feet square, said to be a spring, but judging from the odor con- stantly given off from it, a drain, although the water was com- paratively clear. In juxtaposition to this small reservoir was one constructed twice its size from which the soldiers obtained the water for drinking purposes as they could get no other water, when they first located on Camp Alger.
The sickness in the 65th regiment and in the Vermont regiment began in this camp. A chemical analysis later may determine the character of this poisonous water.
It should be stated in defense of Surgeon-General Sternberg that he stated to me on the evening of August 20th, when I saw him at his house, that he had not been consulted in reference to the location of the camp.
THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMP.
On August 22d, I arrived at Chattanooga. My first inspection was that of the Sth regiment, N. Y. V. They were located in that part of Chickamauga Park known as Hunt's Field. This organization belonged to the third brigade, first division, third
.
.
127
VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SURGEON-GEN'LS REPORTS.
army corps. Lieutenant-Colonel Jarvis was in charge, Colonel Chauncey having gone home ill.
Major Lewis K. Neff, surgeon of the regiment, gave me the facts wired to Your Excellency at Albany in regard to the needs of. the regiment, which were corroborated by Colonel "Jarvis. He stated that there were 101 sick in the division hospital, three in Sternberg hospital, four in Fort McPherson, one in insane asylum, Washington, and three in Leiter hospital; that there were also 194 in quarters not able to be received in hospitals and that he considered about forty per cent. were ill with typhoid fever. There had been five deaths since they came to Chickamauga Park. To impress me with the sad condition of the regiment a special sick call was made before the colonel's tent. I shall never forget the scene, as the soldiers came from every street slowly, some being assisted, until they formed a double line. I certainly did not count them, as too much pain, sorrow and weak- ness was presented to my view to allow them to remain any length of time. After a hasty examination along the line I had them dismissed as rapidly as possible fully convinced of the sad condition of the eighth regiment.
I examined the sinks and found them badly kept. The excuse given was that the shovels had been taken away with details of men outside of the regiment for work elsewhere and that, therefore, they could not keep the sinks in a proper condition. 1
Upon an examination of the tents, it was found that the men were sleeping on the ground with only a rubber blanket under them. The only cots in the possession of the soldiers were those given by the state of New York, now used for hospital purposes, and those were about worn out. The hospital tent in use was borrowed from the Anheuser Brewing Company. Major Neff and Colonel Jarvis stated that the tents were not large enough to admit of the cots necessary for the men; that they needed 182 wall tents, three hospital tents and 1.250 cots, 75 shovels and 12 axes, besides the list of remedies wired, whichi could not be pro- cured. It was said that an order had been issued for an out-
128
NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
march of sixty miles of ten days duration for Wednesday. As it was now Monday, I knew that vigorous action would be necessary - in order to prevent such an outrage upon these poor sick and forlorn men. I therefore wired Your Excellency requesting that what seemed an unnecessary hardship should be prevented. I also saw General Breckenridge in regard to the matter and stated that if such an out-march were taken it would be a barbarous act in view of the number of sick in the eighth regiment and that they would be obliged to be left in quarters on account of being unable to be admitted in the division hospital. The order was rescinded before 12 o'clock the following day.
The water procured by this regiment was from Blue Spring, two miles distant. It was said to be good water. Major Neff stated that it was his opinion that ninety-nine out of every one hundred wished to go home at once. All of those whom I met in this organization seemed grateful to Your Excellency for send- ing the surgeon-general of the state of New York to look after their welfare. The reasons given for their desire to go home was the amount of sickness, lack of accommodations and care, the overwork and calls upon them for outside service and the lack of consideration shown them in their pitiable condition.
THE FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.
The next call I made was upon Colonel Wilder of the fourteenth regiment. Fortunately this regiment had means to purchase a distilling apparatus, costing $300 and which produced from one thousand to fifteen hundred gallons of water per day, quite equal to the demands of a regiment for drinking and cooking purposes.
Colonel Wilder and the assistant surgeon accompanied me while I made an inspection of the camp. The sinks were poorly policed. In one of them I found a piece of meat, weighing about fifty pounds, in process of decomposition and covered with flies. This was floating in the contents of the sink. When I criticised this condition remarking that it furnished an excellent source for the propagation of typhoid fever germs a young surgeon
VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SURGEON-GEN'LS REPORTS. 129
replied that typhoid fever was not spread in that way. On the suggestion then being made that flies were excellent carriers of poison the discussion ceased. It is difficult to understand, in view of the generally well known ability of the fly to commu- nicate diseases, why sinks should not be cared for properly. When I say " cared for properly " I refer to policing such as was carried out only at Camp Alger under the sanitary inspector, Major A. H. Briggs of the sixty-fifth New York volunteers. It was the constant attention to these sinks, keeping all sorts of ele- ments of decay under the cover of earth by use of spades, the same being placed at each sink and a guard on duty to see that it was done, which made Camp Alger a model in this respect.
The health of the fourteenth regiment was exceptionally good as only 82 cases were reported to me, 16 of which were of typhoid and those, I was informed, were the product of three days of neglect in reference to the use of boiled and distilled water. *
If the head of the medical department in the various camps depend upon reports entirely instead of visiting places of importance to see if his sanitary instructions are fully carried out, whether through his subordinates or by circular, it is quite possible and fairly probable that there will be broken links in the chain by incompetent officers which will interrupt the cur- rent of completion which has to do with the welfare and the lives of the men. The head medical officer, therefore, may receive beautiful reports, satisfactory in every detail, calculated to convince him that all sanitary measures have been properly car- ried. out. The conditions may be as erroneous as the opinion held by the colonel in reference to the desire of his men to remain in service.
THE TWELFTH REGIMENT.
The twelfth regiment was next visited and it was found that they were just sending home 100 men and had 108 in the hospi- tals. They were obtaining water from Blue Spring in barrels,
130
NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
which was then boiled and filtered for use. They were going soon to Lexington, Kentucky. Their camp was found to be in excel- lent condition, but the sinks were not taken care of as they should be, although much better than some others which were seen.
A few pipes attached to the water mains furnished baths for the men. There was also an incinerator built of rock for the purpose of disposing of garbage.
The ninth and twelfth regiments were making many improve- ments for the comfort of the men, which reflects great credit upon their commanding officers, Colonels Green and Leonard.
THE NINTH REGIMENT.
The ninth regiment camp was in excellent condition and better than others in many respects. They were using 1,500 gallons of water brought each day from Blue Lake. This required three teams constantly occupied.
A bath house had been constructed for the men and officers at a cost of $360. Money was obtained by each man paying twenty- five cents and each officer two dollars. This gave the men forty shower baths and the officers six and two tubs. Seventy-five thousand feet of lumber had been purchased out of the regimental canteen fund for the purpose of flooring the tents. The water used in this camp was carefully boiled and filtered. These vari- ous comforts are the result of the kindly attention and painstak- · ing interest of Colonel Green, who ever has under consideration the welfare of his men. The sinks I am obliged to state were not policed as they should be.
1
CHICKAMAUGA CREEK.
Chickamauga, or "River of Death," was well named by the Indians, for the death-dealing potion of its creek is still more contaminated by polluted streams of surface water. It is diffi- cult, indeed, to understand in the selection of a camp why the question of water should not be considered of the greatest importance of all, for it is through it that the germs of typhoid
131
VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SURGEON-GEN'LS REPORTS.
fever, that direful disease of camp life, is usually introduced and propagated among the soldiers. It is too apparent in looking at this water that it is unfit for use; no one should think of using it for drinking purposes, or even for preparing food, as the water is so impregnated with vegetable matter and the chemical prod- ucts of the soil. It is absolutely yellow in color.
The question most important to be considered, however, aside from the disagreeable features of the water itself, is the source of its pollution. Chickamauga creek is a stream of water which received, until August 8, 1898, surface water from one-half of Chickamauga Park at the intake. I was in Camp Chickamauga on August 22d, and although this had been a camp for our soldiers for a long time, a polluted stream, which emptied into Chicka- mauga creek, Led only just been cut off by a dam of earth hardly fifteen feet in width. Strange to say it was scarcely fifty feet away from here that the water was pumped into pipes for the purpose of supplying the soldiers in the park with water and this water was used at the division hospital for various purposes. It is true that much of the water was being boiled and filtered. It is also true that where the boiled and filtered water was used at one of the division hospitals I saw the dishes were being washed in polluted water. If flies can communicate disease by their deli- cate footsteps alighting on food, surely dishes washed in polluted water will be sufficiently contaminated to infect food and, there- fore, take away any advantage there might be in drinking pure water.
Much credit is due to Colonel John V. R. Hoff for the complete- ness of the Sternberg hospital, of which he is the originator. This is the finest and best equipped.tent hospital we have in the field. Everything was new, the arrangement of the tents systematic, a large corps of trained nurses were in attendance, wooden pavilions were being erected for additional wards, operating rooms and for office work. They have also a large plant for distilling and filtering water. In fact, but little, if anything, is wanted to make this an ideal camp hospital.
1
132
NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
LEITER HOSPITAL.
Leiter hospital is a hospital converted from a summer hotel about three and a half miles out from Sternberg hospital. It answers the purpose very nicely, having a capacity of about two hundred and seventy-five beds. It is under the care of Dr. Carter. It is well managed, having electric lights, electric fans and other features of the modern hospital. 1
CAMP FERNANDINA.
The location of the Fernandina camp, occupied by the sixty- ninth regiment, I consider an excellent one, but warm, of course, as one might expect. The water supply is obtained from wells 700 feet below the surface. It is drawn through rock strata by pumping. It is clear, does not decompose rapidly, is impreg- nated with free sulphureted hydrogen which disappears, however, after a few hours and aeration causes it to disappear moie rapidly.
The sixty-ninth regiment had 21 men in the hospital and 15 in quarters. Reported on sick list were 77 under treatment. Of the total number only 14 were typhoids, malarial 10, dysentery 2, diarrhea 4, other conditions 7.
The sinks were not properly policed, although the soil was favorable to keeping them in excellent sanitary condition. Colonel Duffy was very much interested in the method of policing described at Camp Alger and assured me he would institute the same system.
The camp is located about a mile and a quarter from a beau- tiful beach. One of the methods of caring for the sick was to place them in ambulances and drive them along the beach which was perfectly smooth and was also quite an extended one, thus giving the soldiers the benefit of refreshing sea air. Another method for keeping up the spirits of the men and improving their health was a march ending up at the beach after which the troops broke ranks and then were at liberty for any sport or rest.
VOLUNTEERS (ARMY)-SURGEON-GEN'LS REPORTS. 133
My official duties ending. here in the south, I took a train for Jacksonville, thinking it necessary to catch a fast train for Wash- ington. The few hours I was in Jacksonville, I decided to inspect General Lee's camp. Colonel Maus, his chief surgeon, showed me the first and second division camps. General Lee had given him entire charge of the medical department so that he was able to make changes for the betterment of the service. When he found men occupying places unfitted for them he had been able to arrange the medical service in places adapted for the men.
I am convinced that the confidence imposed in Colonel Maus, the chief surgeon, was not misplaced and that General Lee showed an unusual amount of wisdom in placing the medical department in the hands of Colonel Maus, holding him responsi- ble for the work in question.
The location of the Jacksonville camp was on a sandy soil, among pine trees. Colonel Maus arranged his division hos- pital in a unique manner. It was in the form of a wheel, the wards representing the spokes, the hub the court and two of the spokes the dispensary and the medical officers' tent, from which place he had a view, through the different aisles, of the wards of his division hospital. The tents were artistically connected, the branches of the pine trees forming an arbor or fly.
There was under process of construction, a number of tents. each to contain four patients only, especially for severe typhoid cases. The sinks could not be policed owing to certain regula- tions in Jacksonville. Tubs were placed within wooden shelters and carted away three times a day. Quantities of disinfectants, such as carbolic acid and lime were used. Flies in abundance massing in these quarters made me feel ill at ease in regard to their contaminating influence over the kitchen service.
The per cent. of sick was very light, however, which might be credited to the good fortune of not having previous contamina- tion as was the case in many instances. I have only words of praise, however, for Colonel Maus for the great amount of pains he was taking in ascertaining the condition of the troops and
1
-
£
1
134
NEW YORK IN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
for the watchfulness and interest manifested in his important department.
*
* *
RECOMMENDATIONS.
In view of the condition of the troops and that the stimulant of war has been removed, leaving them in service, in most instances without heart, but with an intense desire for home, I most respectfully recommend that the same be returned and mustered out if possible rather than to send them to any camp. All of which is respectfully submitted.
M. O. TERRY,
Surgeon-General, S. N. Y.
Dated UTICA, N. Y., September 1, 1898.
.General C. WHITNEY TILLINGHAST, 2d, Adjutant-General, S. N. Y.
Sir :- I have the honor to report the following in regard to Camp Black :
This camp has excellent surface drains and is well taken care of by a system of flushing. This is done half an hour after the various uses of water in the morning. The drains, in some instances, have chloride of lime sprinkled all along them. This is an excellent system in addition to flushing as the water is received in cesspools or reservoirs in a disinfected condition. A second reservoir is dug beyond the first one and the drain switched off into it in order to allow the first one to absorb its contents through the porous earth. The reservoirs are in sizes varying from 38 x 27 and 24 x30 feet. Colonel W. E. Spencer instituted this sanitary drain. These cesspools, with relief pro- vided, have their sides scaled and chloride of lime again applied when the absorbing surface fails to take up the kitchen and washing sewage.
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