note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

(2)
Lieut. E. S. Thompson, spent 6th, with 23 men clearing away woodwork at entrance to North Ordnance magazine and searching the ruins for bodies, recovering about 50. Dec 7th, engaged on similar work.

Lieut. G.B. Isnor spent the first 36 hours after the explosion driving his car, assisting in the search for places to house the homeless, conveying nurses and doctors from the Terminals to the Hospitals, and helping with the distribution of emergency blankets clothing, etc.

Lieut. L.G. Esther, on the 6th, ordered to assist in putting up tents on the Common. Relieved at midnight and reported to Headquarters. 7th, at Richmond recovering bodies.

Lieut. W. E. Forsyth, returned off long leave on the 7th, and immediately reported to the Citadel; assisted in boarding up windows of Union Jack Club building.

Lieut. O. R. Crowell, reported to Headquarters at noon on the 6th, and was instructed to proceed to Richmond and collect all soldiers met on the way. Recovered about 50 bodies and sent them to morgue. Spent evening till 10.00.p.m. conveying oil to tents on Common. On the 7th, assisted in boarding up Union Jack Club building for shelter.

Lieut. R.M. Fielding,- Reported to Citadel by 2nd. Duty Boat on the 6th, and spent the day in search work at Richmond assisting Lieut. Crowell. Reported for duty on the 7th at Fort Charlotte.

Lieut. E.A. Bell, left Connaught Battery at 11.00.a.m. on the 6th in his car and spent the day conveying sick and wounded to the Hospitals etc, and recovering bodies from the ruins. Returned to Connaught on the 7th.

While the above Officers were engaged in Relief work the others were carrying on Fort duties. Transfers were made from time to time, other Officers being called in to duty, but the work in general was of the same nature as on the 6th & 7th, and included street patrol. About one week after the explosion we turned our attention to organized relief of the families of the N.C.O's and men of our Regiment. Capt. Strachan was placed in charge of the tabulating of losses sustained, and he was assisted by Lieuts' Carmichael, J.E. Rutledge, R.M. Fielding, E.A. Bell and others who personally visited the damaged houses and ascertained the needs in the way of glass, sashes, doors, etc. Arrangements were made with Lieut.-Col. Low of the Reconstruction Committee and authority obtained for the necessary material. Working parties were formed consisting of glaziers and carpenter[s] in the Regiment, who were placed in charge of Lieut. G.W. Carmichael and the families of our N.C.O's and men were made comfortable as rapidly as possible.
All the Officers (& men), whether doing extra duty in the Forts or relief work in the City, did everything possible to help in the emergency. We ordered about 50 N.C.O's and men from the out-forts who formed patrol and searching parties. They did splendid work recovering bodies as well as many in an unconscious state, thereby saving their lives. Some were recovered alive as late as the following day.

______________________ Lieut.-Col.
Commanding, 1st. Regiment. C.G.A.

AWD/AS.

top of page MGI vol 2124 number 254a