Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-18

ing and the fall was with great force.
The Ruin Wrought.
For an hour the destruction of Camp
Washington was threatened. AS 1t was,
considerable damage resulted. The large
mess tents of the LIST and 9Th Battalions
suffered total collapse. Nearly all the
tents Of the LIST Separate Battalion, pitch
ed on down grade hollow, we're flooded.
1t was only by the greatest exertion that
scores of other tents were maintained In
an upright position. The heavy rain caused
the guy ropes of the tents to shrink, and
in shrinking they pulled the pegs from the
soft earth. With the rope supports lack
ing, the force of the rain was sufficient
in great many instances to almost beat
down the tents.
In order to save their shelter from col
lapse many of the guardsmen went outside
to work On the ropes, and were drenched
to the skin in an instant. Heavy over
were insufficient against the penetrating
downpour. At brigade headquarters the
situation was serious. and might have
proved decidedly unpleasant had It not
been for Trumpeter Sergeant Friedman,
who performed yeoman service outside
without the slightest protection.
The headquarters mess tent almost went
under. The rain forced a way through the
smallest of arertures about the tent flaps,
and the bedding and belongings of the occu-
pants were in several cases water soaked.
A large lake formed in front of headquar-
tiers office, and smaller pools were in order
AT all other portions Of the camp grounds.
Finally the rainfall decreased somewhat in
force, and later the storm changed to a
drizzle. Then 1t was that rather crest
fallen countenances protruded from the
tents to ascertain the extent Of the dam
age. Next, the Drawer ones ventured forth,
and before long the District Guard was
moving around, almost up to it's ankles In
water, endeavoring to straighten up things.
Pegs were driven, and the tents made as
secure as possible.
Gun Played Its Engagement.
In the midst Of the storm the little
Hotc hkiss gun, located in front of head
quarters, kept booming away steadily until
seventeen reports had been sounded. 1t
was the governors salute fired in honor of
.he Commissioners. The artillerymen dis
played great fortitude in Drawing the ele-
ments in order to perform their duty.
When the rain ceased the Commissioners
expressed desire to inspect the camp, and
Major Harries suggested that the steam
launch might be pressed into service for
that purpose, remarking that the grounds
were sufficiently flooded to float the boat.
The motion was overruled, and bus sum-
moned to provide the transportation. The
Commissioners, with DR.. ]. E. Jones, who
accompanied them from Washington;
Major Harres, Major Davidge, Captain
for circuit of the camp.
The Engineer Corps was first visited.
Commissioner Black, who was attired in
his uniform as captain of engineers, ap-
peared to be particularly interested in all
that he saw. He examined the profile for a
one-gun battery and the signal tower with
great care. and talked shop with Major
Gilbert Thompson. The party proceeded to
the bridge, built by Company B Of the En-
gineer Battalion. The structure was close
ly examined and the company highly
praised. Commissioner Black, speaking
from the standpoint of an expert, declared
the bridge to be most scientifically con-
structed and a creditable work In every
respect.
The camp Of the LIST Separate Battalion
was the next attraction. Capt. Arthur
the party and showed them through. Cap
tain Brooks was inclined to apologize for
the condition of things, as his men had
been driven bodily. with bag and baggage.
from their canvas homes by the flood.
The I'd Regiment was next on the list
Col. Clay extending cordial welcome to
the visitors. Every man stood at attention
in front of his tent as the party passed
through, the discipline being perfect The
list Regiment was next on the list, and
finally the ambulance corps and post hos
pital.
Drill Of Ambulance Corps.
By direction Of Maj. Henderson, surgeon
general. Liert. Fales put the Ambulance
Corps through a drill, concluding with an
order to search the field for wounded Two
members of the organization were found
lying on the wet grass near by, apparently
critically injured. AS one of them was be-
ing placed on a stretcher Capt. Chase, who
had Joined the party, asked:
What Is the complaint of this man?''
Hes half shot," promptly replied non.
| corn -1lssioned officer in charge Of the litter
work, with the gravest Of expressions on
| his face. general laugh followed, Mr.