The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1898-05-25
SHOW THEIR METTLE.
Ninth Colorcd Cavalry Prove Themselves
Heroes at Tampa.

Ninth Colorcd Cavalry Prove Themselves
Heroes at Tampa.
Tampa, Fla, May l6.--Special to
the Inter Ocean, bitter senti-
mcnt that exists here against treat
ing the negro on anything like an
equality with the white man has
been shown in all it's strength in the
dealings OF the people of the state OF
Florida with the black troops Of
Uncle Sans army, notwithstanding
remonstrances from General Wade
that these men were United States
soldiers, and wore a uniform that
should entitle them to respect.
The citizens OF Tampa have gone
out Of their way to cast Sights Of all
kinds upon them. The Ninth cavalry
has come in particularly for this kind
of treatment, and members OF it's
rank and file have chafed for several
days at being releyated to "neyro
bars" "negro cars" and "negro eat
ing-houses.''
Today, however, the Ninth had
an opportunity to show that it was
entitled to better treatment than
this, and the whole regiment, work.
ing until every man was almost ready
to drop, forestalled calamity that
would have caused the destruction Of
thousands of tents and many tons Of
army stores and ammunition.
At II o'clock this morning big
clouds OF smoke were seen rolling
along the Port Tampa peninsula,
where several regiments OF cavalry,
artillery and infantry were encamped.
The dense forest and thick growth of
shrub palmettos was on fire and after
the absence OF rain for several months
it was almost as,dry as tinder. MAX
inc the easiest kind Of fuel for the
flames. Very little attention was at
WAS driving it toward the gulf and
away from the camp.
a sudden change, however, came
about and before the soldiers could
realize what had happened the whole
mass Of flame, three-quarters Of Il
mile wide, was sweeping rapidly
toward them. The Ninth wascamped
pearest the flames, and an order was
given the bu2lers to sound the fire
call. This was done and the rcyi.
ment, though totally unprcpared for
an order Of the kind, made q mag.
niticcnt showing.
Nine hundred men, with wet blan-
kets bundled on their horses necks,
were in the saddle and ready for the
command to leave inside Of two min
utes from the first call. This feat
was accomplished, too, i'll the face OF
the TACT that when the fire call was
souudei not ii single horse was with
in fifty yards Of the camp. and every
blanket was rolled and strapped i'll
side the tents. Captain Powell gave
the ''forward' command aud the reH
imcnt started out at quick trnt il
two perfect lines, though the gr'uno
over which they were passing wa*
uneven and badly broken up
AS they approached the rapidly adj
yancing flames the heat became ter
rifle, but they kept on as far as il
was possible to 90, and then, rapidly
dismounting, took out their sabre:
and began to tear up a piece .
ground a mile long and twcnt,
feet wide, clearing it rapidly of al
NCHcuuUlOll, dtlU lcdNllIS pl!A upUul II
ed sod for the fire to feed on.
The flames quickly reached tlh
place, scorching and badly bisterin!
the faces OF many Of the men, bu
neither they nor their horses retreat
ed an inch. The heat grew SO grea
that the blankets were thorough,
dried out before they had been work
ing more than few minutes, ant
half the regiment was sent back t.
camp at full speed to soak them owe
again. a quick gallop brought then
quickly to the fire lines once more
and the flames met the patch 0
earth and burned a little more slow
ly, enabling the whole 900 u beat j
out with blankets.
After working nearly an hour, witt
rthe perspiration streaming dow
their faces, and many Of them burn
ed and ia pain frum terrible heat
they sub3uld the tire, saving til
camp from what looked like certai
destruction.
The whole scene was Il wonderfu
exhibition Of pluck and steadiness
and showed to what proficiency thes
troops, black though they be, hay
been brought. The commandin
general tonight personally ohanke
the officers for the service rendered
and expressed his great appreciatlo
OF the action of the regiment
Nearly all of the men were outfit
ted with new blankets tonight by tn
quartermaster's department. most {
those used in putting out the fir
thaying been burned through.