The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-12-10
Weekly Leader,
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wings over the scene, and tn
worn out troops sought rest, afte
subduing the foe, under the broas
folds of the flag that floats owe
the russell grounds of Fort Rus
sell. The worn out accoutrements
pierced by the bullets of a malig
nant foe, were replaced by others
and rent garments were restored
The brown houses were thrice
welcome. The drab parade was
indeed a home, and the quarters
had a repose that was more than
dear to the men that had suffered
from the unrelenting Utes, and
here the wounded men were cared
for.
Between Fort Russell and
Cheyenne city is what is known
as Cheyenne Depot, whence have
been sent more munitions OF
war than from any other place
in the far west. Ordnance and
ordnance stores, quartermasters'
stores, subsistence stores, and all
else have been forwarded with
the most .commendable prompt
ness by CARING, Moore, Gilliss and
Major Lord, ofthe quartermaster's
department, the latter being the
embodiment of energy itself.
From this place too went young
Lieut.. Weir, who was killed by
the Utes in Colorado, on the Goth
of October, 1879. The pack trains
organized at this place have been
of the greatest service to the de-
partment commander in his oper-
atoms against the Indians, and
have enabled him to cross noun
tains and thread ravines with am
munition and rations enough to
last for months.
Fort Russell was built originally
for six companies of cavalry and
six of infantry. One set of bar
racks for the soldiers was burned
down, and one cold winters night
a fire started in the western row
of officers quarters and swept
them off like paper, the only won
der is that a single house was
saved. In this fire one, if not'two
soldiers lost their lives. The post
commanders have been Stevenson,
Vessels, Bradley, King, Bomford,
Reynolds, Merritt and Bracket,
all of whom have served their
country faithfully for years.
AT times the post is very pleas
ant, when the trees are in full leaf,
the parade ground green, and the
roadway filed with carriages.
Then the band sends forth its
strains of mellow music and all is
as peaceful and fair as an Area
dian valley. Our French national
visitors, who came here in No
vember last, met with q kind
reception from the officers of the
post, who took pains to show every
attention to them in order that
they might carry away kindly
feelings. From Yorktown to Fort
Russell they were met with the
most cordial good will, and ex-
pressed themselves as highly graf
fled with the American people.
The fort was built originally to
protect the people at work on the
Union Pacific railroad, and after
ward to insure the road itself
against Indian attacks. The In
dams sometimes made forays far
south of this place and committed
sad havoc wherever they went.
Even as late as 1875 the Sioux
sweptdown on the Laramie plains,
west of here, and drove off several
herds of horses. A strong fort
like Russell, of course gave secur-
ity to this portion of the country,
and was instrumental in building
up the territory. There is no
disgusting the fact that a few fed
eral soldiers are of great use at
times, and those of Fort Russell
have always behaved themselves
in such a way asto merit the good
will of the citizens. In fact the
social feeling between the town
and fort is perfectly friendly, as it
should be. The people from Chey-
enne joining in the hops at the
fort and vice versa. The road be-
tween the two places is good, and
as before remarked, it is q favorite
drive, especially in the afternoon
when the band is about to play at
the fort. Indeed, all strangers are
expected to visit the fort as ono
of the lions of Cheyenne. AS we
have seen, it has a history that is
both interesting and instructive.
For years to come it will be gar
risoned by soldiers who have been
engaged in summer campaigns, as
it is centrally located, and it is an
easy matter to throw troops thence
to any portion of the west threat
ened by the savages.