Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-06-06


The following letter has been re
ceived by Colonel Tucker of the Viz
ginia Military Institute, from A. Nor
emo, native of Central America. VIII,
graduated from the V. M. /. in 1899
Derby" referred to in the letter il
Cadet-Captain Ct. A. Derbyshire, OF
Richmond, who graduated i'm tn,
same class with Mr.. Moreno.
Both of these gentlemen were ap
pointed End lieutenants on Januar,
10th last, and their rapid promo
ton to be 1st Lieutenants is com
plimentary alike to them and to their
alma mater. The detail of Lieuten-
ant Moreno as assistant to the Chief
Quartermaster, on the mission refer
red to, has great Significance of the
ability of the V. NJ. |. graduate
when it is remembered that regular
U. S. Army men, West Point gradu-
ates, were available for this impor-
tant duty.
Posi- OF SAN JUAN, Porto RICO.
May %, 1902.
COLONEL N. B. TUCKER,
Lexington, Va
Dear Colonel: | know YOU will be
greatly surprised to hear from me,
but knowing the interest you take i'm
geological matters, | thought |
would send you some of the volcanic
dust picked up in st. Pierre.
Two days after the terrible explo-
sion in Martinique, ] sailed from San
Juan with the army relief supplies,
having been detailed rs assistant to
the Chief Quartermaster for this
special occasion Words can't express
the horrible state of affairs we found
in the northern part of the island
where Mount Pelee is situated. st.
Pierre and Prechend, n small village
north of the above city, were com
plete mass of ruins, and all the sur
rounding country was covered with
volcanic dust. Weproceeded to Fort
de France, where we anchored, re-
in the harbor about a week.
! was present at the eruptions that
took place last Monday and Tuesday.
and dou't think shall ever forget
what occurred on Tuesday morning.
For while, thought | was doomed
to perish like the poor inhabitants of
st. Pierre.
! shall briefly relate what occurred |
on that morning. We all slept on
deck on account of the accommoda- |
tons being so bad on board of the |
collier, Sterling" At about half
past five in the morning, we were sur
rounded by cold wave. | wrapped |
myself in blanket, but | still felt
very cold Shortly after this we saw
4 volcanic cloud rising from the
and which was coming to-
wards Fort de France, which is
about twelve miles from the crater.
This volcanic cloud was rolling slow
y and it looked like mass of fire,
owing to the sunrise. When this
loud was right over our heads, the
leat was very intense, and we detect
I'd very strong oder of gases. At
er its passage we were wrapped in
/ shower of volcanic pebbles and
lust, which of course made it very
uncomfortable. When the people of
he city saw this cloud, they just
vent wild, running around the
treets and trying TO board some of
he largest vessels in the harbor,
From description given he by one
# the survivors of the steamer Ror-
mia this cloud was identically the
anne as the one that destroyed st.
Pierre.
From the position of the bodies, !
anne to the conclusion that all were
sphyxiated by some gas, as good
lany people had handkerchiefs to
heir noses, which were not even
corched. In II few words, it was the
Iost horrible sight have ever wit
essed.
Both Derby and | are very we'll
leased with our station. We are
9th at headquarters and have re-
eived promotions as LIST Lieutenants. I
will not take any more of your val
able time. | will close with regards
} General Shipp and all the faculty,
l which AIN joined by Derby.
Yours very truly,