Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-29
FIT. RANDALL.
observations Z Newspaper Man About
this Important Military Post.
Snacial Correennndoncn

FoRr RANDALL, D. T., Dec. 20. ~.
Our debut at Randall was made on
Christmas day, and everybody was intent
upon doing honor to the day, aud deriving
al! the enjoyment and good cheer that was
attainable; it was a holiday; the austerity
of every day military discipline was relax
ed, and the " boys" we're enjoying them.
selves and having as good a time as was
possible under the circumstances. The
weather was lowering and a dense fog how
cred around and hid from view the bluffs
which bound on the north and east the pla-
teau upon which the posts located; the
mud epidemic extended to all the grounds in
and surrounding the fort, and altogether it
was not a good day for a modest Bohemian
to make his first visit. But we are we'll
Pleased with our experience at the Fort.
After q sholt stop at the traders store,
and making the acquaintance of the genial
employees of that establishment, we called
upon aud paid our respects to Col. Lugen.
beel, the veteran and genial commander Of
the post, at whose residence we also met
and made the acquaintance of Msj. Otf1ey,
the second officer in command, who, like
the colonel, is a brave soldier, an accom-
plished officer, and agood democrat. After
a pleasant visit and chat with these gentle
men, We visited, 10 company with Mr.. Ed
ward H. Of1ey, the different places of in
terest about the fort, in which we passed a
couple of hours very pleasantly. We also,
during our stay, called on Lieut.. Pierce.
reeimental quartermaster. from whom we
received much valuable information in re.
gard to the fort.
The present garrison at Randall consists
of four companies Of the 1st. infantry regi-
ment. The other companies of the regi-
inert are stationed at different points on the
river-two companies being at Brule, two
at Standing Rock and two at Sully. The
officers at Randall are Colonel Lugenbeel,
Captains Of1ey and Walker, aud Lieuten.
ants Callinan, Heincr, Pierce, (regimental
quartermsster,)1 Smith, (rcgimental adm.
tant,) O'Connell, Wilkelmi, and D.. CT
rard, post surgeon.
The regiment came 10 Dakota in July
1874. relieving the 22l, which is now sta
TONED at Sauit Ste. Marie, Michiean. Since
they have been here the officers and men of
the First have made improvements at the
fort which are substantial and imposing,
and reflect The hish"s' credit upon the en-
fcrprisa snh mechanical skill Of the men.
The most noticeable and handsome i'm.
provemepts are the church. library and Odd
Fellows hall. These buildings are made upof
chalk rock, extensive qrarries Of which are
foumi in the bluff. contiguous to the fort.
The foundations are IF hard rock, one
thousand wagon loads Of which were
used in the foundation Of the church. The
chalk rock was all sawed into uniform
blocks, which are tastefllly LAID up giving
the buildings a pleasant but massive appear
ance. The interior of the church ia fur
nished in the most substantial and hand
some manner The pews, altar and railing
are made of black walnut, highly finished.
and the numbers Of the pews carved in
roman numerals. The choir gallery is in
keeping with balance of the building, and
in it is an organ Of the greatest power and
purity Of tone. Adjoining the church is the
Odd Fellows hall, handsome and symmetri-
cal, and furnished in a style far superior to
any other public hall in the territory. This
lodge was the second instituted in the ter.
ritory, and has a membership of upwards Of
seventy. The soldier Odd Fellows of Ran
dali are proud OF their order and of their
lodge rooms, and their pride is a commend.
able one. The post library adjoins the hall,
and is a large and cosy room. 1t is well
furnished with book cases, tables and chairs,
and is we'll supplied with choice literary,
scientific and religious books, and many Of
the leading magazines and Of
the country. These buildings were all
erected and furnished by company funds
that is, money derived from the excess Of
%rations and other allowances of the men
and all the. work done by SOL
diers, under the direction of Regimental
Quartermaster Pierce. These buildings are
an ornament to the Fort, and while thew
stand will be monuments to the credit of the
First regiment.
The garrison has under cultivation a farm
of 30 acres, upon which was raised last sea-
son 5000 bushels of potatoes and cores
ponding quantities of all other kinds of
vegetables common to this climate.
The men comprising the companies sta
TONED at Randall are as intelligent and
gentlemanly a body Of men as can be found
at any military establishment in the CONN.,
try. They are proud of their officers. the
officers are proud of their men, and all are
proud of their post, and the neatness and
good order which prevails in every depart
ment, attest the ~strictest adherence to thor.
oush and intelligent discipline.
At Randall we met Mr.. NJ. T. Post. FORM
erly of Yankton, but who now reside. At
Hot Spring island, 45 miles up the river
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