Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-07-03


fine looking fellow, but he curses most horribly
Governors Island, August 5th.-Have gradu
ated in the goose-step, and am assigned to the
- Infantry, in Texas, and shall start in a few
days with some sixty others. All hope of ad
vancement is lost, as shall not take part agains
the Mormons
Received letter from Uncle William to-day
in which he says that he is sorry that l chose
such an idle, vicious life; but have made my
own bed and must lie in it. This was my last
chance of getting my discharge. am very tired
of soldiers life now, when it is too late
Fort McKavett, January 1st, lS5S.-This is a
cold, dreary New Years, and somehow the
forms of the departed enter at the open doorway
of my thoughts with such persistency that can
not get rid of them.
What life this is | have less individuality
than pig. 1t is Morris this, and Morris that,
all day long, and rather suspect the first ser
geant is down on me for being what he calls ga
gentleman mishap' McKavett is not pleas
ant place-too many Mexicans and too much
QeXadzeuh. l never saw such smugglers as the
men are; believe they could carry whiskey in
sieve. Captain Doodle is very gentlemanly
man, and judged him amiable till he gave me
two days extra guard for dirty button. He is
from Delaware, and delights in calling us men
id Yankees. But what right have l to
criticize A soldier has no right even to think,
and am only "Private Morris, No. 9, Company
B, - U. S. Infantry. EAeu Jxgaces!
Menu must not take hand at draw poker
with my bunlies any more. They play too we'll.
February 18th. That big hulk of Wilkins
called me coward; SO we went down to the
banks Of the San Saba and settled 1t. | got
away with him, and was put in the guard house
afterwards for coming out to Retreat with a
black eye. Expect to have ten dollar fine,
and, perhaps, week under guard as will not
sneak and tell what caused the trouble
April 22d.-Captain Boobies quarters caught
fire last night. | burned my hands and face
badly in saving the Captains private desk. He
came to the hospital and asked me if had a
trade. told him had not, but wrote good
hand. g ust the man | want" said he. "Tell
the first sergeant to come to my quarters" |
rather think l made mistake in Classifying my
self as ''of no occupation" in my enlistment
papers. 1t pays to be useful in the army as well
as elsewhere.
July I5th.-Have just returned from scout
after some kickapoo Indians. We started on
the 4th, and caught up with the red devils about
80 miles to the east of this. There were some
I2o of them, and we had quite tough little
fight. An arrow passed through my sleeve, but
only grazed my arm. Three of our men were
killed, and one of them was poor Wilkins. |
fired at an Indian who was drawing bead on
him, but was too slow, and the two fell at the
same moment. Was mentioned in orders for
bravery.
August 3Ist.-What happy, proud man
am to-day This evening was called into the
orderly room and the Captain handed me my
warrant as corporal. wonder whether Napo-
leon felt as elated as when he received his first
warrant l hope TO be able to do my duty justly
and we'll, and must endeavor not to allow private,
dislikes to influence my official actions. The
stripes will make great improvement in my
uniform. The bottom step has been mounted;
will l ever reach the top?
April 9Th, IS59.-Gained another grade at
last, and have been appointed sergeant The
Quartermaster is going to have me detailed in
his Office as quartermaster sergeant. 1t will be
very pleasant in many respects, as shall escape
the noise and racket of the squad room, which,
after pay day, is no slight inficton to
bear. Lieutenant Slate is an intense Southerner,
and will have to be very careful not to let him
discover that am an equally strong Northern
man.
September 2Sth.-Returned to duty to-day.
Let me see; it is over three weeks since was
taken down with typhoid fever. What narrow
hol Tbo doctor SoId If a
great wonder that every man in the garrison was
not ill; as it is, there are twenty now under treat
ment. The rains here are heavier than could
believe possible, and the low swamps round the
post are reeking with malaria.
January 1st, 186o.-What wretched state
our country is in. never heard such open dis
loyalty as is shown by some of the officers, and
the few citizens who happen around. Must be
serious in the wind, for strange oflcers
from other posts are continually coming IN by
twos and threes, and holding long and serious
talks with Major Ward, our present commander.
l heard Captain Doodle say, the other day,
"Well, if the Yanks fight, l hope to be Brlga
dier General before long, To-day Lieutenant
Slate was quite jubilant, and rather outsPoken
for him. guess he had been congratulatlng
too much. Anyhow, went to his quarters with
some papers, and found him with Captain B.
and Lieutenant J. just about to take drink. AS
l was entering the front door some one shouted
out, "Heres to the New Year and the New Ma.
lion, and damnation to Sam Houston and old
Wade'' Most of the men are true enough,
however; they are ready and willing to fight tor
The Stars and Stripes, and it is funny to hear now
loyal the Irishmen are, however
much they may hate the Negro SAID one OF
them to-day: "Begorra, disloike nagur, but |
dispose trathur.''
August IIth.-Was told to-day that secret
society, called the Knights Of the Golden Circle,
is trying to gain over some of the men, but had
50 far only succeeded with two or three. Sew
eral officers of Northern birth have asked for