The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-25
WITH THE BOYS
AT EAGLE PASS
Corporal Edwards Writes About the Big
Storm Which Struck Camp the
Night Of Aug. 10 and
Made Great Havoc.

Made Great Havoc.
Eagle Pass, Tex, Aug, 20, 1915
Editor OF Timesi
Dear sir;-I again take my pen in
hand 10 let You know what is taking
place in Eagle Pass Last night we ex.
perieneed ono of the worst storms since
we have been here. The natives say it
was the worst in five years The first
part of the night was cool and nj 9;35 il
started 10 rain. At 1890 the wind blew
a hurricane, driving the rain in a sheet,
striking the canvas tents and making
sleep impossible. The swapping Of the
canvas, the rattle of the rain and the
bowling of the wind would do Justice to
boiler factory or a machine gun pla-
toon in action. We had to shout at the
pitch of our voices 10 make ourselves
heard. At 1895 the ropes OF my tent
gave way, allowing the tent to fall.
We had 10 dive out into the terrific
downpour and beat hasty retreat TO
the v NJ. c, A. building, which was 50
generously opened by Mr.. Brown, who
has charge of the building. | happened
to be one of the first out in the streets
and II was great sight. some clad in
blankets and Others clad only in their
undertaking, all making their way to
the shelter. Many or most Of the streets
had their tents fiat upon the ground
The hospital was blown down and the
medical corps new mess hall was de.
stroyed The paper roofing upon the
canteen and the Y. NJ. c. A. buildings
was blown off Officers quarters were
hattened Many papers and other prop
erty were lost and all our equipment |
was deluged. The mud was from six to |
nine inches deep, and over ones shoes |
Everything was all mud and water but |
no one was hurt
The Kansas troops were in the same
fix, also the Kansas battery They had |
TO take refuge in the different camps |
around them The Maryland medical
corps took refuge in our camp others in
the L. S artillery. We had no regular
breakfast as the mess hall was flooded
and also the kitchen. We had sand
witches which we made the night before
they were 10 have been used as we were
TO have gone on the march, All the pa.
pers and magazines were spoiled in the
\. NJ. c. A. building as the whole place
was sea of water and mud The rain
Gid not stop until 2:30 o'clock the 10th.
Many pictures were taken by the officers
md ] may be able 10 get some Of these
alter on. After the storm each corporal
lad to take an inventory of the equip
nent and send in a shortage list at
o'clock that night We worked all the
ha kaa w, /
Washed all our clothes, and our shoes
ook like balls Of mud at this writing.
We have Strengthened the poles Of our
ents this morning so as to let the sun
Try out the floors. Some of the boys
re putting wooden floors in their tents
which they have to pay for out of their
'wn pockets. A floor l6 by l6 feet
osts SO.
If anyone SAYS that our life here is
asy in any way. their report il false. [
We have done everything from shoveling
ravel to making roads, clearing land of [
rush and carpenter work But we are
ot kicking as we came here to take I
that was coming | see that the other
roops are not coming down here. | do
OF see why they should. as there are ]
nough troops here for all the trouble r
e have. We got our July pay the 18th
August, after long wait. There is T
0 Sunday in the army, for we work this
ay as hard as on any other. Well, will |
raw this to close | remain as ever.
Sincerely yours,
Corporal A. G. Edwards, q
Co II, lst VI. Inf
Eagle Pass, Tex.