Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-29
UTTERLY DEMOLISHED.
Camp Cecil Clay Leveled b. the Big
storm.

storm.
Correspondence of The Evening Star.
CAMP CECIL CLAY,
HARPER'S FERRY. August %, 1893.
Ominous clouds were gathering over the
camps when the slumbering soldiers were
reused at reveille this morning. The fierce
rays Of yesterdays sun were hid behind a
thick canopy. and made the morning and
the greater part Of the afternoon very
pleasant as compared with yesterday. The
boys scattered about, some went fishing
and hunting, while others visited the var
ious points Of historic interest around and
about Harpers Ferry.
This evening at 1880 violent storm ac-
companied by binding rain struck Camp
Cecil Clay from the east and the camp lies
level with the ground. With the exception
of two tents 1t is totally demolished. One
Is occupied by Private DePew, and the 9TH
er by Corporal Cook and Private Bah
cock. These brave boys are still holding on
to their tents, though in the face Of the ire
mendous wind and rain guttering the
grounds almost knee-deep. Capt. Smoot is
commanding camp today. Lieut. Test, is Of
dcer Of the day. and Lieut. Estey is officer
OF the guard. The guard tent was the first
to fall, followed by the hospital tent. the
tents Of Lieuts. Esty. Ortiz. Test. Atkisson.
Russell Surgeon Woodman. Capt. smoot.
and Capt Salmon. Lieut.. Mess tent Is
partially up, but the floor OF this grim
ruin Is a channel over which a stream Of
water is rushing down upon the postrate
tents and drenched apparel Of the unfOr-
tunate men below.
The creaking Of the ropes and the groan-
Ing OF the canvas seemed to utter defiance
to the elements for a time, but the storm
came up along the Potomac valley through
the Blue Ridge Gap with such sudden force
that In its irresistible path these brave lit
tie tents were as SO many stacks of cards.
In less time than 1t takes to tell II all
were drenched to the skin, and grabbing
anything they could CLEAN in the confusion
and darkness they beat a precipitous re-
treat to the hotel for shelter. No enemy,
however stalwart, could have so completely
demolished and put to rout a well organized
military camp. At midnight the furious
southeaster and inky darkness are the only
guards over the fallen tents, and the wind
mournfully means. Twelve o'clock, and all
Is not well with Camp Cecil Clay. and gov
eminent property"
On account Of their more elevated posi-
ton. the officers quarters received the
brunt Of the onset. 1t was impossible to
maintain discipline. but the boys did well
In the face Of tremendous Odds Among
those who deserve special mention for their
conspicuous work in the storm are Corporal
Wood. Private Costello. Private Graft. and
Private Groom.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lightner the proprietors of
the summit House. have kindly given up
the chapel in the hotel for the occupancy
or the homeless soldiers tonight. At this
hour the chapel is novel sight. and one
that would bring the briny moisture to the
eyes OF any veteran Of the war. The light
of lonely lamp sheds it's feeble glare on
wet clothes scattered broadcast ever the
floor; rubber and wooden blankets. cots,
straw mats. helmets caps. and arms are
prorniscuously COMPOUNDED in heaps. The
proprietors Of this paraphernalia are Just as
Enthusiastically arranged in sleep; some on the
benches, some under the benches, some on
the rostrum, some on the steps. Others
have taken possession Of the aisles the
chairs and the tables. and some are curled
up on the window stills apparently well sat
isfled. If snoring Is a sign Of contentment
But while the storm Is ruthless, the guests
are very kind to us indeed. Many of them
doubled up" and some have trebled
Capt. Salmon is sharing Professor Fava 8
bed tonight. The professor has distributed
clothing to the weather-beaten boys.
Capt. Smoot has lost his shoes in the
shuttle. Quarter Master Sergt Speer Sergt
Pless. Corporal bennett. and Corporal L.
Dean Gray took a trip to Antietam. They
were caught in the storm. Lieut.. Test head
ed number Of boys for John Brown
cave this morning. Capt. Smoot went fish
Ing. LEE