Parrett, Hugh d. 1898

PARRETT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/10/2005 at 07:21:43

The Newton Record Thursday, September 1, 1898
Private Parrett, of Newton, Dead

Parrett, Hugh

The New York World of Aug. 29th, tells the awful death of Private Hugh Parrett of Co. D, Eighth Regular Infantry, who died at Camp Wikoff.

He arrived with the others of his regiment on transport Mobile and was sick with the fever. The surgeons refused to admit him to the hospital, on account of it being overcrowded, and he died in his tent. The World says: And so Hugh Parrett, private soldier, died - died “with his boots on,” by the side of three comrades who were ill; died unnursed, lying on a straw tick in a stuffy little tent and without a physician’s attendance for hours, died at a camp “for recuperation” within three hours time of the greatest and richest city on the Western Hemisphere.”

Mr. Parrett was a well-known resident of this vicinity. He owned a farm five miles north of this city, and left to join the regular army about a year and a half ago. As a member of his brave regiment he fought bravely in the fierce charge at Caney.

His death with those of scores of other brave boys seems the result of the most ignorant and criminal mismanagement on the part of someone. The affairs of Camp Wikoff and Santiago should be sifted to the bottom, the prevailing bad conditions corrected at once and those responsible severely punished.

Submitted on Fri Sep 20 19:29:53 2002

The following articles show that this situation did, indeed, create an investigation.

New York Times, Monday September 5, 1898, page 2

"The result of a regimental inquiry which investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Hugh Parrett in the Eighth United States Infantry was announced to-day. The court of inquiry was held owing to a story in a sensational paper to the effect that the man had been kept in his tent by Dr. Gaber, the regiment surgeon, although he had begged to be sent to the hospital, and that as a result of this had died. The court of inquiry exonorated the doctor from all blame, as it was proved that he had tried to get the man to the hospital, but had not succeeded, as the hospital was crowded and could not take another man at the time."

The Constitution: Atlanta, GA. Tuesday, September 6, 1898, page 2.
ALGER ORDERS INVESTIGATION
Death of Private Parrett Causes Some Sentational Rumors
Washington, September 5.-Secretary Alger sent the following order to Montauk today:
"Commanding General, Montauk, N.Y.--The New York World of about the 28th ultimo published a statement of the death of Private Hugh Parrett, of the Eighth regulars, in which it is charged that when he begged Dr. _____ to take him to the hospital, the doctor notified him that the hospital was for sick men, and it is reported that Parrett died that night.

"This account is sent to me by Representative Grosvenor, of Ohio, who says there is great indignation in his community over the case, and if it is as reported, it should be. I wish in inquiry to be immediately instituted and be reported to me. I understand one Sergeant Rice, of same company of the regiment, is under arrest for having complained of this matter.

"I have heard much of the neglect of men, much of which is fictitious, but if there is any foundation for this statement, or if there are any men ill of the regulars in their tents that are not provided for, I wish to know why and at once, also the names of the officers in command of the regiment and company in each case. R. A. Alger, Secretary of War."

Report in the New York Times, Sunday, October 2, 1898. The article is in picture file and might take awhile to open as it is a very large file. Essentially it tells how the investigation was to proceed.

The Sandusky Star (Sandusky, Ohio), October 11, 1898
Made No Recommendations
Washington, Oct. 11 -- The board of inquiry appointed to investigate the charges of Contract Surgeon Tabor, growing out of the death at Camp Wikoff of Private Hugh Parrett of the Eighth infantry (regulars), has submitted its report to Secretary Alger. The board presents simply the testemony taken in the course of the investigation, making no recommendations.

Researched by Barbara Hug