The times., 1897-06-18
RAIN FELL IN TORRENTS
The Elements Unkind to Soldiers
at Camp Washington.
SEVERAL TENTS BLOWN DOWN
Tour of Inspection by the District
Com missioners- Well Pleased
With the Camp-Many Rumors
About the Field Maneuvers for
roday-Soidiers Return Tomorrow.


fortunate in their selection of a day to
visit and inspect Camp Washington. The
rain fell in torrents for the greater part
of their stay, and their tour of inspection
was necessarily superficial.
Capts. Riggs aud Davidge Of Gen. ord
ways staff went to Washing gton at noon
yestcrGay on the steam launch Bar
thfi1." They there net and took aboard
Z, s,tDhssioners Black, Wight and Ross,
Major GeorgeSaI HarIies and DR.. j. 8.
Jones The party reached Fort Wash
fngton wharf at 3:45 o'clock, and they
took fouI-hoTse bus for camp
Sergeant Major Freedman, Gen ord
ways orderly, had been ordered TO con-
duct the party to camp, ard as they
passed the exterior and provost guard
tents the guards were turned out, formed
and presented arms. On their arrival at
camp, the visitors Were driven iInInedi-
ately 10 Gen Ordway's tent, where they
were received by the general, Col. Theo-
dore Mosher and Capt Constantine Chase
AS they drove past the colors at head
quarters thepretty little two FOUNDER Hotcll-
kiss gun belched forth "a governors salute
OF seventeen guns at fifteen seconds inter
val. The sergeant and two men detailed
for this duty did their work nobly, and
as though the day We're the most beauti-
full Oh record, Notwithstanding the rain
was falling in almost solid sheets.
For more than an hour from that time
the downpour continued, and it was accom-
panied by high gale OF wind. Tents
shivered and flapped in the gale and tent
pins were ierked loose, for they could not
stand the heavy strain. The smaller tents
stood the test splendidly, but the big mess
tents, with their large area of canvas, Were
more exposed TO the blast.
The mess tent of the regiment officers
of the Second Battalion was the first to
go down It fell with crash, enyeloping Z
the tables in it's folds. and knocking
crockery right and left. Shortly after
ward the mess tent of the First Battalion
also went down. The main pole stood,
however, and the tent was easily gotten
together in shape after the storm ceased
The hospital mess tent of the ambulance
corps also went by the board, but as this
tent Was not so large as the Others it
was erected again without much trouble
All over the camp men huddled close to
each other, in their efforts to escape the
raindroI,s, which trickled down. Govern
Inent canvas was not proof against the
downpour. More disgusted and miserable
warriors would he hard to find than those
who began to emerge from their uncom-
Portable tents when the rain began to
cease, shortly after o'clock.
AS soon as the worst of the rain was
over, the Commissioners prepared for their
tour of the camp. They started out in
the big bus under the direction of Major
George Harries, of the staff, and accom-
panied by Capt. Davidge, Judge advocate
general, and the newspaper men.
The first point visited was the quarters
of the Engineer Battalion. Major Thomp.
son, of the battalion, met the visitors at
the door of his tent, and after introduo-
tions he proceeded to explain the work
being done by his men. OF course Engineer
Commissioner Black was perfectly familiar
with the technical features Of the work.
lie asked many questions and apparently
took a keen interest in everything.
Commissioner Black was especially any,
ious to see the bridge, which was finished
yesterday by the engineer battalion. He
asked where it was located, and after a
lew lNfnuteS spent III inspecting TIE sig
nal tower the party went over to the
rayine which the bridge crosses. Capt.
Black examined the structure critically
before giving his opinion. He complimented
Major Thompson highly upon the skill
shown in its construction and upon its
manifest strength.
The First Separate battalion tcolored,
was the next camp visited by the party.
Major Harries said to the ComIniss !oners
before entering the camp that it was one
which needed no apology at any time.
His words were fully justified by the neat,
orderly appearance of the tents. The men
were drawn up in each company street, and
as the party passed they gave the regular
military salute.
Commissioner Ross complimented the ap-
pearance of the company camp in high
terIns to Capt Brooks, the acting major
Mr. Ross received SO many salutes from
the soldiers, whom lie met at nearly every
step, that he said he was ashamed of
not being able to give the salute accord
ing to the new drill regulations So Ma jor
Harries volunteered TO give him small
amount of drilling. and Nr Ross was
able to give very fair salute to the next
sol lier he encountered.
From the colored soldiers camp the party
proceeded through the camp OF the Second