New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-16
EXCITING SCENE IN CAMP.
SOLDIERS FIGHT PALMETTO Bhoeh
FIRE AT TAMPA WITH SPIRIT.

FIRE AT TAMPA WITH SPIRIT
Tampa. Fla. May Is (SpeciaD.-1n hght
against a palmetto brush fire the 9th cavalry,
negro regiment today behaved with gallantry
that won the praise OF General WADE l"e
incident WAS the most exciting that has taken
Mace since the camp WAS formed here, and the
skill and bravery OF the men showed them TO he
soldiers OF the best calibre Several officers and
a number Of men were burned.
Brush fires are OF common occurrence about
Tampa The palmetto grows to a height OF one
or two feet dries up. and with the grasses Forms
a fierce fame when once a fire Is started There
has been very little rain for a long time. The
OH Cavalry, Company Of the Engineer Corps
and all the artillery. Ave batteries are In camp
nea- Port Tampa City. This morning at IL
O'clock a brisk southwest wind was blowing.
The brush in some way caught fire.
The breeze carried the flames directly on the
cavalry camp Most OF the men had their first
warning of the danger when the fire call was
given by bugie Instantly each man started for
his horse He united 1t and mounted. ana was
off toward the advancing line Of smoke and yell
low flames. The colonel was away. so Captain
Powell assumed command.
The first step taken was to remove the pal
metto for a broad space. sabres were used for
The plants were dug up and tossed along the
line Of fire. When a space had thus been partly
cleared the order given TO wet blankets ana
10 fight the flames hand to hand.
At full galiop the troopers dashed to the
watering troughs. soaked their blankets and
then rushed back. The blankets were used as
whips to lash out the flames. The very horses
rose to the spirit OF the occasion. and instead OF
running away allowed themselves TO he driven
into the burning area 1t was an exhibition or
horsemanship, the Cheers said. such as could
be surpassed by no cavalry on earth. IT was not
many minutes before the blankets were dry and
burned In spots.
Then the order was given for half the com
mand something four hundred men, to
take their blankets and those OF the rest
and wet them over again The blankets were
gathered In jffy, and there was another mad
race for the troughs and tanks. Meanwhile the
remaining men were again cutting the palmetto
when the blankets were brought back. There
was another onslaught on the flames. The rid
hung over their horses necks and whipped
and crushed and smothered the burning clumps
OF tnderlike growth.
BY this time the line OF fire had spread to a
length Of three-quarters OF mile, but 1t did not
the cleared space. Half an hour after the
second wetting Of the blankets there were only
smoulderlng heaps. In the excitement one
had thought Of personal injury. but II was found
that several OF the officers and a number OF men
had been burned about the hands and face No
one was seriously injured. number Of horses
also suffered to some extent
Had the flames not been checked they would
have destroyed all the tents and camp equpage
OF the 9th Cavalry and the batteries Of artillery
as well. and lot OF ammunition would have
exploded. involving perhaps loss Of life. The
affair was reported to General Wade, who COM
plmented the officers and men for their con-
duct. The regiment will get new supply OF
blankets
CROWDS WATCH MAINE SOLDIERS DRILL.
Augusta. Me. May 15.-The 2d Regiment except
Ing two companies has been sent home. The two
companies will form the heavy battery which has
been ordered TO Mobile when ready for duty.
The equlppng OF the lst Maine Volunteers will be
rapidly completed. and they will probably leave for
Thursday. Fully Ave thousand people |
witnessed the dress parade and the grand review
this afternoon. The Governor and his wife were |
present.