Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-10-27

not be buried. There was no chaplain at
any of tho western forts. but funeral SER
vices were held in our quarters, by the
ladies and gentlemen of the fort. Mrs.
Gen. Crlttenden read the burial service
and the little coffin was placed in the
powder magazine to await the coming of
spring, as the ground wa too deeply frozen
to admit of a grave being dug. AS this
weighed upon my spirits, Gen. Crittenden
decided that a grave should be dug. A
fire was made in the cemetery, and relays
of men took turns in digging, as the graves
had to be dug very deep to prevent the
famished wolves from d%esecrating them.
When the grave was ready the little
wooden coffin vas encased in a strong tin
box, and all the officers with my husband
went no to bury it. l was not permitted
to go. Col. Don0ven and Lieut.. Chance
carried the little coffin by turns. The
weather was freezing cold. Lieut.. Hum
berts eyelids were frozen on the way, and
the fingers of the men who were detailed to
assist were frost-bitten. A wagon con-
tanning several barrels of water had been
taken along, and when the little grave was
closely filled up, the water was slowly
poured upon it, and this freezing as it fell,
formed an impervious coating of ice, which
e~tfectually protected the grave from the
claims of theifamished wolves. At night
as in sympathy with the motive, the wind
arose and tossed the snow about and
heaped it above and around the little grave
in heavy drifts that lay there undisturbed
through all the long cold winter.
In the following March, a beautiful sill
yer cup engraved with my baby's name,
and presented by officers of the 18th In
fantry," was brought to me by Mrs. Gen.
Crittenden and Mrs. Lieut.. Humbert. The
order had been given in December. but
owing to delays in the mail it had Just
been received.
The following letter accompanied it.:
Fort RICE, D. r. March 3rd 1872.
DR.. and Mrs. b. +. Slaughter:
The officers OF the post, upon learning
that kind Heaven had blessed you with a
son, Orderd as a tOkeny of their respect and
esteem, the accompanying silver cup to be
presented to the little stranger as q Christ
mas Offering.
1Ic phlu1ll uCWS VI Illc, IculOVal OIL your
dear child did not reach us until after the
order had left the post.
Knowing full we'll, that the Good Shep.
herd who careth for his tOled, has taken
the gentle lamb into His W flock, we
send You the cup which was intended for
your little babe who is now in q
brighter and happier cline.
The Offering is not a valuable one. it is true
but friendly feelings and the earnest good
wishes OF the donors accompany it.
Very truly yours,
JAMES NJ. BURNS, U S. A.
For THE DONORS.
TO this we made the following reply:
FORT RICE. y. T., March 8, 1872.
Lieut.. j. NJ. Burns, us. A.:
Permit us through you to express to Oul
kind friends, the "Gfficers of the 18th In
fantry," our grateful appreciation of the
beautiful present intended for the little
baby boy whose hands will never NOR
clasp anything earthly. We nave no fit
ting words in which to thank them for F;
gift which valuable in itself as a token O.
good will and kind regard possesses for us
ing.
May God bless you, dear friends. Bles!
you for the kindly hands that prepared fol
us this sweet, sad pleasure, and the kihde
hearts that prompted it. Until our owl
pulses are stilled in deaths mystery, W,
shall treasure among OCr most cherished
possessions, this little bright m0mento .
our home at Fort Rice, with the officers O
the 18th Infantry. Sincerely yours,
b. FRANK SLAUGHTER, U. S. A.
LINDA SLAUGHTER.
ITO be Continual