, 1878-06-07
FORT LEAyENWORTH, KANSAS.

From a private letter, received by n
gentleman OF this city. from y ,nlg Mly
now residing at Fort Leavenworh, we
have been ktndly permitted the following
extracts:
SIN the course OF your travels did You
ever visit this pOst9 Ii not then Won have
a treat botore you; for have never in all
my experience seen more lovely place.
10 be sure have not, like you. taken
trip to Alaska, and seen that wonderful
scenery of which you once gave me so elo-
guent u description, but even If had
passed by those high mountains aad glori-
ous glaciers, still | should enjoy as much.
perhaps even more, the peaceful park-like
beauty of Fort Leaven worth and its sur
rounding country. Were my powers of
description equal to the task, yht paint
in glowing language this charming spot,
but while acknOw wledging my deficiency
in word painting, | will endeavor to give
you some idea, however faint, of this post:
TEE FORT.
Fort LeavenwOrth is situated in the
northwestern part OF Kansas upon the Mis-
souri, river. The land upon which it is
built, rises rather abruptly from the river
to the height of hundred feet or more.
The fort, or more correctly speaking the
post, is the largest in the United Sta ties
and covers al area OF q mile square at
least, not including the Government res
ervation or farm which comprises about
seven thousand aCres more. The post i,
divided into four parts, the arsenal, gar
rison, west-end and the prison.
THE DWELLINGS.
General Pope. who is the Commander
Of the Department of the Missouri reside-
in IN elegant villa in the arsenal. Near
him dwell in tasty cottages with chlrming
pleasure grounds, the different officers OF
his staff. just beyond his dwelling, are
some large brick store houses. an engine
house, some offices. and several littl vine
clad cottages. the homes OF some of the
Government employees.
TIE GARRISON.
After leaving the Generals house and
walking along neat plank walk which
leads past the beautiful grounds of the
QnarternaSter's place, you come 10 the
Garrison. which. to begin with, consists
of Il large parade ground, at this season
carpete,l with the richest green grass.
which, being kept in very fine orier pre-
SeDts the appearance Of velvet. A mum
her OF large trees throw u heavy shade
upon the green sward. On pleasant after
moons it Is a charming sight indeed, when
the band is discOursing strains OF sweet
music on the parade, to see groups OF lit
lie children-l need hardly inform you
that this post is well supplied with thar
cosnodity- accompanied by their friends.
m:ngling their gay young voices and
their lltppy little faces and bright dresses.
with the music and uniform color of tn
parade ground.
THE BARRACKS.
Ga the west side of the parade are the
soldiers barracks. pleasant two-storied
white-washed buildings. with a don bic
row of piazzas extending along their
front. These are kept with scrupuIouS
which even a New England
|Iousekeeper - pardon my partiality -
might envy.
THE OFFICERS QUARTERS.
On the south side Of the parade. are
houses for the officers; some OF these are
nearly fifty years Old, while Others of
more modern date, are furnished with al
the late improvements. Facing the
soldiers barracks OH the east slle ot the
parade. are some more officers dwellings
and also the Department Headquarters, IN
which last named building, are the officer,
of General Pope and his staff. and delight
ful offices they are indeed, being elegantly
fitted up. as the old song says, - Nit car
pets on de floor" The north side of the |
parade is left open, displaying charming
veiw OF green rolling country and the
town or city of Leavenworth three miles
distant.
THE WEST END.
Following plank walk from the
soldiers barracks for an eighth of Il mi e.,
you come to the West End, first passing.
however. OH your way the Guard-House--
the BETE MORE of the Second Lieutenants |
here. as they have to take turns In sitting
no all night when they are officers of the
glard-then the Post Hospital. The
West End is composed Of six double
houses, and they Are occupied by eleven
officers and their families. They all have
pii.zzas in front, and as most of
them have flowers upon them and birds of
various kinds, such as Ganaries, mocking
birds and parrots, hanging about in cages,
the effect as you drive past is very invit-
Ing and great temptation to you to stop
and make calls.
THE VIEW.
The view from the West End is the
most extensive one OH the post. lmmedi-
ately in front Of the officers quarters is a
large parade ground; beyond, on one side.
there is a lovely glimpse of the Missouri
river, which looks like lake of silver rs
its waters sparkle in the rays of the sun.
10 the right, the country Is broken In low
rolling hills, covered with the beautiful
green grass and clover, for which this
place Is famous, and diversified here aud
there by groves of native trees. Herds of
cattle grazing on the lnxuriouS heritage.
add very much to the picturesqueness of
she scenery and several immense ricks Of
l,o, ;,, ForarrnIinf nlsn iTnnrnvn fhn