White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1867-12-05


Platte. You doubtless remember that Sher-
man did some pretty good fighting down s S'uth,
and holds some rank now, by brevet, in the U
s. Amy. At present he is engaged III saying
soft words to Lo. hope he enjoys SAYING soft
words to Lo. have seen great many people
Who did. Sherman disnsxnfed from the cars,
and walked to the hotel, and sat down quietly
near the head Of the table, and ale his break
fast just like any body. The plate be eat on
vas common diuing plate. white. His knife
had black gutta- -perehs bandle, ike those
ne" ones at the City Hotel. He tsel four.
tined fork, silver.piated, on white metal, with
the owners name on the handle. was sorry
to notice he held it in his left hand, and used bis
knife a great deal the most. regretted to see
this !; for what can We expect of eur soldiers,
when their officers set them such base exam
pies Whatever they are, they shonld be po-
lite. What pinned me more than anything
else, though, was, he wore slight psnts''-very
tight. His lower limbs are not particularly
large, not to any alarming extent, not dropsi-
cal any way; and the resemblance bis legs
bore to billiard cues, was very striking.
Fort Sedgwick is on the opposite side of
the river from Julesburg, and is large miiiti-
~ post. Gen. Potter is in command. l,on't
know the exact number of t:cops stationed
here. Here we took the stage for Fort Nor
gan, aoout 100 miles distant, and midway be-
tween Sedgwick and Denver. And at Port
Morgan is where we are now, and intend to re
main the coming Winter.
This Platte route is entirely deserted; the
ranchmen have all left-their deserted build
ings, marks Of railroad enterprise-for this is
what has ruined their business. and has caused
the total depopulation Of this 200 miles of
country between Sedgwick and Detref When
the stage company leave, and abandon their
stations, nsthing will be left but this Fort and
the other telegraph Offices, at each of which
guard of soldiers will be stationed. We will
receive mail once q week from Sedgwick by
ambulance. This Fort is garrisoned by part
Of the 4th Infantry, companies cavalry, a
park of artillery, all regulars, and under com
msnd of Maj. Powell, of the 4th. who appears
to be very fine man.
1t is built on high bluff; in front of it, at
the foot Of the bluff, is the Platte River; to the
right is the Platte bottom, varying in width
from one to three miles; back of this is q kind
Of table land, elevated above the Platte, and
which is nothing but dry, arid, sandy plain,
supporting no vegetation but wild sage, prick
Iv. ks1drad placto
hard and level a. floor, stretching out as far
as the eye can reach, and forming part of the
"great plains;" the whole surrounded by great
bluffs Of sand, in some places as rugged as the
mountains.
Toward Denver, beyond Denver, $50 miles
away, but appearing to be but 25 or 30, the
mountains, Pixies Peak, Longs Peak. The
Snowy Range, now white with snow to their
base. lift their bright forms snto the sky, a
grand, noble sight, that fills your soul with
admiration and reverence for that great Power
that formed these mountains, and controls the
universe. 1t is well worth trip to Denver, to
get one good view of the Snowy Range. A
grand place this is for extensive views; and il
IS quiet place. always had passion for
extensiqe views, and quiet places.
l think pleasant Winter can be passed
even here; not as in White Cloud, of course,
but passably so. Any way, we are bound to
make the trial. A good many of the officers
have their families with them, enough to form
quite pleasant little society, and think we
will succeed in having quite jolly time. In
the spring, this telegraph liue will be moved.
the forts and military posts will be abandoned
and this country will return to its ratural wild
ness, be again Inhabited by families of Loes,
and again form what it should always form, a
part of the "Great American Desert" Then
| expect to visit White Cloud again, and see
various friends | hope to iI there.
The battery is exhausted. will close.
WIRE.