The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-31

nished for the women TO ride in Arriv-
ing in camp, the days journey over. the
women OF the command waited patiently
or impatiently according to disposition.
courage and fortitude for their tents TO
be pitched. My portion Of the camp was
typical of the rest. At the close OF the
march and the camp site having been
selected by tho commanding officer 1
stuck my sword in the ground for the
front pole of my tent. The sergeant in
charge of the fatigue detail comes to
that point With his squad and in iiffy
has the canvas IN position. We have
two wall tents 10 be pitched, and they
are so erected as to face each other.
Across the open space between the two
Is fastened a fly which gives us a
veranda.
One tent is for the wife and baby and
the other for sister who is travelling
with US. She sleeps in it at night, and
during the day We use IL for dining
room and parlor. Three or four yards
away in the rear are two "A' tents. one
of which is used as kitchen and the
other as sleeping quarters for our black
nurse, Maggie. who we persuaded 10
take the trip to care for the youngster.
Maggie bossed the outfit, but she al
ways stood IN awe of Indians, and in
this way l exercised some little control
over her. She thought 1 could summon
Indians at Will AT each camp she would
watch her opportunity to whisper to
me:
Say, Majah' q was brevet major) lis
dey Iniuns roun' heah?''
81 am not certain. Maggie. I thought
I saw few over the hill
Fob de Lawd sakes, is dey goIn' ter
skulp US dis heah night; dis heah wool
OBJ mine is jes a-kinkin and a-kinkin'."
1 succeeded in quieting her finally,
and in this way was able to have her
do what l wanted.
Fixing Up House"
The sergeant having pitched the tents,
the household goods are brought from
the wagons, which have been unloaded
| in the meantime. A tent fly is stretched
on the ground for carpet in our one
| night stand The bed roll is brought
| in, unstrapped, with the articles in use
| In our camp bedroom. Maggie and the
| ladies make up the bed and put the
room te rights for the night. The
bedstead "a couple OF horses support
| ing the bed slats) stands in the upper
right-hand corner of the tent. at the
| foot is the washstand, tripod with a
basin of water, bucket Of water, and q
tin cup. Besides these. two folding
chairs and rope stretched across to
hold tho clothes.
After everything is Strengthened out
tones wash-up and something to eat
the latter consisting of bacon, bareback.
and coffee. But had one little luxury
not in the other messes. Just before
| starting out ! purchased half a dozen
| hens and a rooster, which ! strapped
/ in a coop on the rear of the wagon.
| These hens used to furnish US with an
| occasional egg. OF course, the hens had
! to be watched. as they We're released
upon arriving in camp. One day my
| little son gave us quite surprise. The
| family were having q siesta, dreaming
of the good things to eat at the close
| of the march, when the little tot rushed
nae with his baby prattle: Papa, papa,
tum quick! Re old rooster been here
| left egg"
got up and upon investigation found
| that one OF the hens had taken the
center of Mrs. Burt's bed as q nesting
place and had there deposited her daily
Offering These little Incidents make O
pleasant diversion in the days marches
cannot close this paper, however,
without calling attention to q notable
fact. With all the hardships and all the
| loss OF sleep I never had to say to Mrs.
| Burt once in the morning, Lizzie, the
command Is waiting for you" She was
always ready when the general sounded.
and we were OF and away whenever the
! TX. O." gave the order to march.