Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-19
ARMY CAMP IS WIPED OUT,
AND TEN SOLDIERS DEAD
Texas City Practically Destroyed by
Tidal Wave Swept In by
Hurricane.
BELL TELLS OF DISASTER
He Asks That Transport Be Loaded
with Supplies and Rushed to
stricken Section-Streets Are
Piled High With Wreckage.
BELL TELLS OF DISASTER

lSpecial to The Times -Dispatch1
W H n G r On. August 1s.-The
death of ten soldiers and the total
destruction OF the regular army camp
at Texas City. Texas. where the Second
DIVISION is located, are reported In
teiesrams from General j. Franklin
Bell, notifying the War Department to-
day of the terrific damage done by the
hurricane and floods in the Galveston
section.
General Bell recommended that a
transport be loaded in New York and
rushed to the stricken section. The
supplies. he said. could he used by the
army if not needed by the population.
Texas City. where approximately
1000 troops are encamped. is eighteen
miles from Galveston General Bell
says communication with the larger
CITY, however is cut off. but he under
stands the Twenty eighth Infantry,
camped on low ground at Galveston,
has been forced to abandon camp.
REPORTS BY WIRELESS
FROM TRANSPORT DUFORD
The reports were sent by wireless
from the army transport Buford TO
Houston and relayed there.
In his latest message to the War De-
partment. received at 6 o'clock tonight,
General Bell says he believes it will he
impossible to esta railroad con-
nections with Galveston for g. month
The property damage in the flood
area he believes is great but the loss Of
life is comparatively small
General Bell has gone to Houston to
direct relief measures for the swamped
soldiers OF the Second Division
Five messages were received from
General Bell to-day In one he re-
ported that mounted portions OF his
command scattered during the storm
to save the animals. and It is impossible
yet to account for all men and animals.
The message continues:
y few more casualties have been
authenticated among the civil popula-
ton. but it seems probable that the loss
OF life has not been very great 1t is
not possible to care for homeless fami-
lies of officers and enlisted men in
Texas City. Many officers families lost
everything. and nearly all the families
of enlisted men lost all. I am en-
deavoring TO find building big enough
TO hold all the latter. and will or
them temporarily at government cx-
pense Officers families will be pro-
vidcd for ut their expense at Houston
or elsewhere. Shall ship all families
out. Not possible to bring order out OF
chaos until all families are gotten out
Of Texas City. Ample accommoda tions
in Texas City and community to care
for homeless civilian families"
nTT U-JNT
100 MILES AN HOUR
General Belrs earlier messages re-
ported a hurricane from eiEhty-five to
100 miles an hour which demolished tho
camp. The tents were largely de-
stroyed and wooden structures went
down. The water and electric light
systems are out Of commission.
Lack Of water. he said menaced the
health Of soldiers and civilians The
forces have been put to work and
troops are securing shelter as hest they
can.
The complete list Of dead was given
In dispatch reading:
Company X. Thirty-third Infantry
Privates John J. Murphy, Charles s.
Miller. Joseph r. Sankel, Haimen Sa-
met. Paul a. Seurean.
Company NJ. Twcnty-third Infantry
Corporal William II. Moore. Privates
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