, 1878-11-07
FORT LEAVENWORTH CORRESPOND.
ENCE,

FORT LEAyENWORTH CORRESPOND.
ENCE.
The following letter from our lady cor
respondent, which has been unavoidably
delayed, will interest our readers; partiru-
ar ly those who are Conyersant with life in
military post.
Fl. LEAyENwoRTn, Kansas,
September, %, 1873, !
EDITOR ARGUS II should like exceed
ingly to give you glowing account ofthe
" tete champetre," which was half prom
ised to us by Mrs. Gen. Davis and tell you
how we danced all night by the bright
moonlight and came home with the boys
in the morning" But | shall have to
disappoint you in this respect and substi-
tute in place of a romantic "al tresco
party" one, which by comparison, may
be termed prosaic lunch party, COM
posed entirely of the fair sex, or, as
heard some one here sacriligiously de-
nominate II, a " hen party" However,
as the gentlemen themselves style their
club dinners, composed entirely OF "men
folks" as "gender goes" it seems little
more complimentary to style our assem-.
blage AS resembling collection Of anoth-
er branch Of the feafhered tribe, rather
than to have called us flock of geese.
The invitations were sent around the day
previous and were worded as follows
........... ........ ..... .........
Mrs. D--s, compliments, and
would be happy to have you lunch
with her Tomorrow afternoon, Sept.
: 25th, at O'Clock, to meet Mrs. b. ::
Please answer.
Quite flutter went around amongst the
ladies of the garrison at the prospect OF Il
full dress lunch, and Immediately upon
the receipt of the above notes, skilltul fiji
gers were at work finishing up or making
alterations in the toilets to be worn the
next day, Tor, although we were aware
that 10 gentlemen were to be invited, we
still felt that for that very reason perhaps.
we should want to present particularly
fine appearance. Our arlor, however,
was considerably dampened the morning
of the Goth, by the announcement that
companies ID. aud G.. were ordered to Fort
Wallace, Kansas, to join the other two
companies which had been sent from here
two weeks previous, leaving in this large
garrison but one company with three Of
ticers, to amllse and protect the girls /
left behind me-"
The order was first communicated by
Gen. Davis, who was to take command in
person of all the troops assembled at Fort
Wallace, to the officers in the adjutant's
Office, and after informing them of their
speedy departure, the General said
"Please, gentlemen, don't tell my wife rs
it will spoil her pleasure in her lunch
party"
Mrs. G., my sister and myself,
reached Gen. Davis house 4 few minutes
after the appointed time, and after takir. g
or our hats and sllawls, and seeing thai
our crimps especially and dresses general,
were "comme II iaut," We proceeded tC
the drawing room where we found mos
of the company already assembled. Sool
after our arrival, the Generals lady gave
the signal and we walked by twos into
tile back paror, where little tables to lht
number of five, with plates for tour per
sons ut each table, were set around I'll,
room, looking most inviting with theil
snowy covers, and each with a beautifn
arrangement Of fruits and flowers in theil
midst. In the centre OF the apartment n
large extension table was also profusel,
decorated with fruits anG flowers. I'll,
room was darkened. and Illuminated witt
artificial lights. At our table were three
young ladies and one very attractive
young married woman. The latter wa:
most becomingly attired in silk dress o.
rich garnet hue, with Il beautiful little col
larette OF monogram dimes (Which are al
the rage here now suspended from sill
YER chain fastened round her throat. Two
of lis young ladies were attired IN black
silks with black velvet trains and trimmings
| think some OF that silver wich the Hal
dah Indians Of Queen Charlotte Islands
make such as bracelets, finger-rings and
ear ornaments, which have seen in Vic.
toria and Port Townsend, would have
been highly appreciated by all the com.