The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-10-12
IN THE BIG STORM.
How the Tents Of the Second
Regiment Were Torn Away.
BATTLE WITH THEELEMENTS
A Soldier of a Neighboring Regi-
ment Killed. Camp Quickly
z---Slt in Shape Again. Other
General Notes.
General Notes.

General Notes.
The correspondent of the Columbia
State writing from Camp Cuba Libre.
Fla, under date of October ,. says:
ENeryone has heard of the equinox and
the gales that come about then, but
everyone has not experienced one of
> hose gales while in military camp.
Some time during last night storm
broke on US and our tents began to rock
10 the sighing of the tall pines, under
which those Of the Second South Caro-
lima are pitched. Due warning of the
storm was given and it was consequent
Iy no surprise. Yesterday afternoon a
telegram was received stating that a
terrific storm was approaching. The
axe and hammer were then heard or
every hand, making ready for the dis
|,inguished guest whose arrival was her
aided by telegraph at the government 5
expense. But nc one, at that time,
had any idea how severe he was. This
was not found out until this morning.
As consequence of the bad weather
breakfast was delayed, and, in some
companies, Indefinitely postponed.
During breakfast there was lull for 8
short while. During the lull the wind
shifted towards the northwest, and
then renewed its vigor. Gust upon
gust was hurled against the camp and
it was with great deal of difficulty
that any of the tents were kept in
place.
There were some who had intended
taking advantage of the weather and
resting up for the Gay. Maj Eaves
was among that number. He had tax
en- to his cot to rest, when a heavy gust
came and left him without shelter.
He got himself out of bed and scamper-
led of to nearby tent until his clothes
could be brought to him.
By this time the whole camp was in
state of excitement. Men were seen
in every direction out holding the guy
ropes Of their tents to assist the tent
pins in holding their own. In some
cases this worked admirably, but in
Others all the reward the inmates got
for their trouble was good soaking
and the job Of putting their tent in
place again.
Your correspondent did not have his
tent blown down, but had to vacate for
fear of a pine tree standing justin front
| of his tent When he went ont he saw
Capt. Moss struggling with his tent
all that the captain lost was his fly.
I hadn't been out long when my at
|tention was called to the Y. NJ. c. 4.
tentr The wind went in at the rear
entrance and tore the tent in half. 1t
is complete wreck. Standing next to
it was photographers tent, which
stood few moments longer than the
Y. NJ. G. A. tent. but which finally left
its occupant in the act of putting his
coat on.
The men on guard crowded into the
two tents erected for their acccmmoda-
ton, for protection, but soon they were
both 'leveled to the ground, and the
men had to seek shelter elsewhere.
Lieut.. Quartermaster Sullivan's tent
was laid low, as also was the chaplain's S.
The commissary tent Of a majority Of
the companies were blown down and the
hard tack spoiled.
The shelter over the dining tables OF
Co. was blown down. 1t was not
quite complete.
While the men were struggling with
their own tents, the tents il which rheil
less fortunate comrades were quartered
were suffering heavily. The winds
played havoc in the Third Division
hospital. One of the wards was blown
down and the rain blew through all the
others. The tent in which the dead
are laid out was also blown down.
Quite a number of trees were also
blown down. When the storm was at
its worst Maj. Wagner, who. although
he is on the sick report, went over tc
the hospital to render what assistance
he lconld. By himself he could dc
nothing, but with the help he soon re
eeived the hospital was saved. The
Second South Carolina and the One
Hundred and Sixty-frst Indiana regl
lnents turned out in body and all the
other commands furnished their quots
towards stalking down the tents. Al
the trees which were in position K
fall on the tens were roped and cu'
down. The men all worked like bea
we're to keep the tents in place. NJ
one thought of himself, but Of his sick
comrades. The lady nurses were mos
of them drenched to the skin. but wen
on with their heroic efforts to give re
lief to the suffering. The tents Of tn
doctors, nurses and attendants suffered
most. They blew down yisthe score.
There were several persons injured
during the morning. The sergeant ma
jor of the Sixteenth Indiana regimen
was killed by falling flag pole. Th,
pole struck him in the back breakin!
the spinal column. Private Geo. \
Bristow, of Company l, while on tol
of a hospital tent pulling rope il
place was hurled to the ground and hi
right arm sprained. There were n
other serious injuries.
In company with the News and Cou
rier correspondent the writer visite!
the camp Of the Fourth Illinois regi
Rat. The Fourth is in Jacksonville
on provost guard, and their tents her
are complete wrecks. There seems t
have been 4 battle between the tent
and the wind and the wind came OF
victorious. Where the tents once stocc
will be seen occasionally white "a
waving from tent pole as flag o
truce begging the wind to cease its de
vastation and destruction.
The Sixth Missouri suffered very lit
tie.
The rain has about stopped but tn
wind is still high. 1t appears tha
there will be lull about night.