The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-04-13
~ NSSssz<7SV y
ASSN ABOIN.
The Finest Post in the Entire West, Under
Command Of Col. Black.

The Finest Post in the Entire " Test, Under
Command Of Col Black.
Fort Assinaboin, as seen by traveller 60
ing from Benton, first comes in sight about
six miles distant, not in full view, but only
the towers and the flag that waves over the
post. Soon even these are lost sight of as
we proceed along the bottom lands, and five
miles are passed before it is seen again. Sud
denly, as we ascend upon gentle rise Of
ground, the entire scene bursts upon US with
out warning, and in its perspective presents
an air Of grandeur from its startling contrast
with anything we see in the far west. Its
magnitude, really conspicuous, makes upon
an unprepared mind threefold impression,
which is only in small degree lessened IS
we approach closer.
The post, as laid off, is an rectangle, q
little over half mile long and perhaps one
third as wide. The massive buildings with
the high and ornamented towers add
a feature that lends peculiar charm to
the whole Within this parallelogram are
the parade ground, to be separated from it by
neat picket fences next the buildings, and
row Of trees, leaving between them pleas
ant roadway.
The road enters at the suffers store, with
the company quarters on the left; on the
right are the officers quarters, and they each
take up an entire side Of the parallelogram.
The hospital is at the end, and the whole pre-
sents handsome appearance from the beau
ty and regularity of the architecture and the
perfect neatness displayed everywhere.
The post is under the command Of Col.
Black, splendid soldier and agreeable gen
tlemen and one who has spent thirty-eight
years in the service of the government. He
is strict diciplinarian, but for all that is
| we'll liked by the command.
Col VI. Fl Brown is second in command,
but he has recently been promoted and viii
leave in short time for Texas, where he has
been assigned to the command of an impor-
tant post. Colonel Brown has a splendid
| war record, is an accomplished and . very
| agreeable gentleman, and we dislike to see
an officer of his calibre and worth taken
from this department.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Gen.
James S. Brisbin. who will be remembered
as commanding Fort Ellis so long. The
| General has probably done more that any
other military man in directing the attention
Of Eastern people to the natural resources Of
Minnesota, Dakota and Montana. Being
fluent, forcible and graceful writer, his
articles at once attract and interest the
| masses of the East. He is now writing @
series Of letters on our resources for the
New York Herald, which will appear in that
journal at an early day.
Lieut.. r. F. Bates is post adjutant, signal
and acting ordinance officer.
/ Lieut.. George S. noyt is the quartermaster
and post treasurer, and is evidently the right
| man in the right place. He has reduced the
immense business under his supervision to q
science, and appears to be thoroughly IA
miIiar with even the minutest de tail Of his
| office. He is social and pleasant to all. and
decidedly the most popular officer at the post,
| which Is certainly high compliment to
him
|, Some idea of the magnitude Of the post
| may be had from the following dimensions,
obtained through the courtesy Of Capt Hoyt:
| On the right Of the parade ground, and
nearly in the center Of the garrison, are the
| quarters Of the commandant and two field
| ohlcers-a group Of three really handsome
houses, each the exact counterpart Of the
other. They are 41x36 feet with q wing Tx
%, with one-story brick wall, capped by a
mansard roof, and nice wide yaranda en-
bellishing the whole. The interior is we'll
planned, leaving wide, roomy, stairway
| and large, pleasant, well-lighted and
thoroughly ventilated apartments, replete
with modern improvements
On either side OF the above are arranged
five double houses, built in the same style of
architecture as those already mentioned, with
the exception Of being built for two families.
They are necessarily much larger, being
49x34-6 with a wing 35x346, making large
and comfortable quarters for company off,
GERS,
There are also two large and magnificent
blocks, one at either end of the officers row.
These blocks are each 15Ox36 feet, with three
wings extending directly back, each addition