CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1898-07-21
AT FORT GRANT.
Life in the Army as Experienced
by One of Canon's Vol
unteers.

C. W. Hardy, general secretary Of
the Y. M. c. A., is in receipt of a very
interesting letter from Private Leon
ard Lambuth, of the Seventh United
States Cavalry, which is now stationed
at Fort Grant, Arizona. We take
pleasure in presenting the following
extract from the letter, which will,
no doubt, be read with interest by his
many Canon friends:
"The mountains and scenery are
about the same as in Colorado, but
the trees, etc. are very different.
The soapweed attains an enormous
growth, reaching the height of 20 and
30 feet, and is very productive in
which is made by the Mexicans
and Apache Indians. Fort Grant is
situated at the foot of the Graham
mountains, 27 miles from the near
est railroad station Wilcox-a town
of about LOCO inhabitants.
1T is a characteristic saying that
in Arizona you climb the mountains
for water and dig for wood, as the
mesquite tree is nearly all under
ground, in the shape of roots.
The fort itself is very pretty
place with grass covered parade and
drill ground surrounded by large cot
tonwoods. The post has all the mod
ern improvements of city, leaving
aside the street cars and possibly a
few other things. The Apache reser-
walton lies about SO miles to the north
of us, but the fort has its regular
quota of Indian scouts and hangersor
with their families, which make up
quite an Indian village near the post
where you can see the Indian in his
primeval state.
At present there are four troops Of
cavalry and two companies of infantry
stationed here with Col. Cooney ir
command. The Seventh is Clusters
old command, and the only reason ad-
vanced for them not being at the
front is that General Miles harbors al
enmity for them over the Custer mas
sacre; but it is thought that we shall
yet get to the front, providing the
present war lasts much longer.
The days are begun for us by the
reveille gun at 5:45 a. m. At
O'Clock, roll call; 6:30 breakfast; I
sick, or hospital, call; 7:30 to S:3C
dismounted drill with carbine, saber
and pistol. At 9 o'clock guard mount
which is quite ceremony, in which
the band (which is fine one) figures
prominently. From 10 to ii dis
mounted drill repeated, then rest till
noon. From 1:15 to 3 p. m. mounted
drill with carbine, sabre and pistol
out on the flats, then a rest till stables,
which is from 4:45 to $50; supper at
6, then retreat and the evening gun
at $50, when the band plays "The
Star Spangled Banner" and the Stars
and Stripes are lowered for the night.
AT 8 p. m. tattoo, or lights OUT"
at IL taps, or everyone in their
hunks, for check to prevent the possi-
bility of desertion, of which we have
had two. This is the regular routine,
with the exception of Saturday and
Sunday, when there is no drill, but a
policing, or cleaning of the quarters
by the troops, with church on Sunday
evening.
Our menu consists of coffee, pork
and beans and bread for breakfast,
bread, coffee and pork and beans for
dinner, and pork and beans, bread and
coffee for supper. Quite variety,
you see. Of course we have a few
extras. So you see, any donation to
our larder is thankfully received.
viii close by remarking that | am
well and growing fat even on this al
lowance.