Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-10-02
WILL TRAIN new mem STORM FLOODS CAMP
Heavy Shower Puts Newly Pitched
Tents OF the Light ln!antrymen
Under Two Feet of Water.

Camp Mcclellan, Admission, Ala.
| Sept 27.--lt took just one good Ala
bama shower to pat the camp or
the Alexandria Light Infantry under
two feet of water this afternoon
and it is still raining. Your CORES
( pondent rescued the cumpany's little
! folding typewriter from a watery
! grave just in the nick Of time, and
he is writing this with the machine
! on his knees. perched Turk fashion
| on top of pile Of boxes in the center
o. the tent.
Tables. boxes. chairs and cots have
been Communicated 10 hold clear OF
! the fast encroaching tide few per-
ishahles-rifles, blankets. cigarettes,
and a pair Of dry breecheS for in
Sperton after the rainbow.
Most Of the men are wadiIg about
like ducks out in the company street,
enjoying the water "a much as they
would plunge off the wharf. The
Texas Border veterans among them
went through experiences last sum-
mer that taught them not to take
hurricanes and cyclones too serious
". and little things like being flooded
out of their tents are not apt to worry
them now.
The company found its kitchen and
dining hall built when it got here;
ard it's camp site laid out. as were
those for all the other companies IN
the First Virginia regiment. of which
the Alexandria Light infantry is
drir The company street runs level
across the center of little valley for
bart of its length, and then shoots
W. the side of hill that wouldn't be
safe to sleep on the side of.
The squads that had to pitch their
tents on the hill side thought at first
that having to dig level tent floor
into the side of the hill was hard
ship. but when they saw the rain
water running around their little
shelf-like homes and on down to
where it literally flooded out the
tents pitched in the bottoms. they
turned over and laughed. Only about
five tents were actually made unhabl-
table and the men in these squads
have pitched their cots temporarily
in the mess hall until drainage
bitches big enough to take off the
water can be completed.
Very little property was damaged,
even by the water, as the men for
the most part have their duffle E9nl
locker trunks, which they managed
&c keep clear of the flood. Two of
tie Lynchburg Musketeers' tents
and some along other company streets
that aijoin Company G'S. collapsed
when the ground go too s'ggy to hold
the pegs firm, but those of the Light
Ir Irrantrymen all stood the strain
The weaterbeaten condition Of the
camp site has delayed for few days
the regular schedule Of drill ana
work that is ahead OF the First regl-
ment, but regimental inspection
announced for Saturday Is expected t'
Wind IN the recovery from the storm.
Next week vii! undoubtedly see the
puardsmcn steadied down t. eight
hours of regular work day. Inns
will include drill, bayonet exercise.
and soldiers school. for the present.
T. will be followed later probably by
battle tactics and trench digging.
The Light lnfantrymen's trip
south seemed to he thoroughly en-
joyed by all the men. and the pres
cnts from homefo ks they brought
awav with them formed 40 small part
of the enjoyment. The big lunch
boxes. which filled two double sleep
ing car seats when piled in one end
] or the car. were given out for supper
on Monday. the day the company left,
and lasted practically until arrival at
Admission. At least they helped out
considerably the travelling rations is
s7.ed on the train.
All the men are anxious that their
thanks he forwarded to the Alexan-
dria organizations that furnished the
| lunches and the little sewing kits.
There has not been much time yet
for TRYING out their skill at needle
and threat. but when waist buttons
do commence bursting under the
strain of Christmas and Thanksgiving
dinners. the kits will come IN very
hardily.
Grand Opening.