The Diary of Lieutenant Francis Henry French at Fort Clark, Texas 1883 (continued, #39)

In this 39th installment, after many sad goodbyes Lieut. French departs Fort Wayne and begins his return trip to Fort Clark. After a brief stopover in  St Louis and meeting with an old classmate, he continues on to San Antonio steadily running out of money. In San Antonio  he stays at the post and meets a dozen more new officers including three “youngsters’ newly assigned to Fort Clark. He must  borrow a dollar to make it home.

Monday, Sept. 24, 1883 

Today is Sue's 24th birthday. Gave her a fan for a present. Hope she will live to enjoy many more happy birthdays. Went down to the factory this morning. Grandmother came over and took dinner and spent the afternoon. Was obliged to go down to the factory for a short time after dinner. Grandmother gave me a decorated cup and saucer today. After she went home Mrs. Hedekin & daughter called. Then Sue & I went up to say good-bye at Mrs. Allen Hamilton's and at Holman Hamilton's, as they have been very kind to me at both of those places. Before supper was finished Mrs. Rupert come in but did not stay long. After she was gone Mother and I called on Mrs. Sam Henderson & then at Mrs. Hoffman's saying good-bye. Returned home to find Higgins, J.R Cary & Will Ruthrauff here and Howard & Mr. McDonald had called while we were away. Potter came in later. Wanted to make some more calls tonight but we were unable. Will Tigerson and Gusta Stapleford were up this morning.

Was rather surprised to find Henry in bed when I woke up this morning. He came over about 11 o'clock after I had gone to bed. After breakfast packed my trunk and valise. Then with Sue called on Mrs. J. Miller & Mrs. Laubach to say good-bye, Mrs. Miller cried. Saw Dr. L. & said good-bye to him also. Got my new shoes, went to several places down town to say good-bye and then out to Grandmother's. Mrs. Pfeiffer from Buffalo was there. Ate dinner with Aunt Julia. Soon after dinner said good-bye. Poor Grandmother feels that she will not live to see me again and cried very hard. This made me give way and I had to leave the house in a hurry to hide my tears. Stopped at some places on my way home, including Uncle Fred's. Lula, Sue, Mattie & I went down as soon as I got home and had a photograph taken in a group. Then Lula helped me to select a hat, as the one that I had bought earlier in the day was not satisfactory. Said good-bye at two other places on the way home. Potter took supper with us. Bade Mrs. McDonald goodbye before supper and kissed her. She is soon to become a mother. Mother feels low spirited and cried during supper. Henry & Kate came while we were eating. About eight o'clock we all walked up to the Wabash R.R. where we had to wait about 1/2 an hour for the train. Bought my ticket to San Antonio for $26.00 & had my trunk checked through. Met Chas. Dobleirski, who used to live in Ft. Wayne, while waiting for the train. About 9:30 P.M. said good-bye and started for Clark. I wonder who will meet me the next time I come home. This has been the saddest leave taking since I have been away from home. It was easy to see that Father felt it more this time than before and Mother cried quite hard. For their sakes I wish I could stay at home in some business. The sleepers were full, but before we had gone far from Fort Wayne the conductor came to tell me that he had a berth which I could have. Was very glad to get one upper berth in the stateroom.

Had an excellent breakfast for 75 cents in the dining car before getting to St. Louis. In conversation learned that the occupants of the berth below me were a sheriff and a prisoner whom he captured in Boston and is taking back to Fort Elliott, Tex. Found that we would travel together to Fort Worth. Nobody met me at the station in St. Louis where we arrived about 9 A.M., so rode in hack up to Meyer Bros. Drug Store. Had to pay $9.00 for the ride. Theodore & Mr. Meyer met me in the office. Theodore was at the station when the 1st section of our train came in, but not seeing me and knowing nothing about the 2nd section concluded that I had not left Fort Wayne as per my letter. After writing a postal home, he took me to 404 Market St. to see Abbot.1 Learned that Abbot is superintending work about 20 miles down the river. Then secured a lower berth for the M.P. for San Antonio and then went around to see the articles of vertu in the different stores. They are making extensive preparations for the illumination of the streets during the parade of the veiled Prophets next Tuesday evening. Dined with Theodore & his father at a restaurant. After dinner saw Gus & Will Meyer at the store and had a long talk with them & Mr. Meyer. Theodore took me over the store and gave me some preparation for protecting the skin. Went around town to see the sights and was shaved. Met a clerk from the U.S. Engineers Office who said that Abbot would soon be in town. Went back to the store to say good-bye to Mr. Meyer but he was out. Theodore took me to Abbot's office & then said good-bye as he has an engagement this evening. He looks fatter than he was before, but is more subdued. I guess he feels the death of his wife very much. Waited about half an hour when Abbot came in as effusive as ever and with a black mustache & beards; appearance much improved thereby. Went up to his room & had a long talk about old times. Dined with him at his mess & after another talk rode down to the station on the street cars. Sat in the car and talked for a long time & then the train left & we had to say good-bye. The sheriff occupies the berth over me & his prisoner is across the aisle. The other occupants are not interesting. Great contrast between the trip up and this one. Retired early feeling tired.

My 26th birthday was spent in the cars passing through part of Missouri, Kansas & Indian Territory. Wrote a postal & mailed it at Fort Scott, Kans. The car is a hotel car and meals are served aboard it. Prices for eatables are so high that I ate only twice a day. Was informed that we would reach San Antonio about 8 o'clock tomorrow evening instead of 3 in the afternoon as Mr. Sweet told me at home. Will have to spend tomorrow night and Saturday in San Antonio. Hope Shunk will meet me for my funds are running low. The sheriff entertained me with glowing accounts of the prospects of his country in the panhandle & promised to write me about some good property to buy. He knows Ed Eckerson whom I met in '80 at Garland. Today's ride has been very tiresome. Read "Mount Royal" by Mrs. Braddon and part of "Light of Asia" by Arnold. Before retiring had a long talk with some intelligent Scotchmen who are traveling through this country.

Was awakened about 5 o'clock A.M. by the preparations of the Sheriff & others who left the train at Fort Worth. The ride today was about as tiresome as yesterday. Got acquainted with a Mr. Gillingham and a young lady with whom he was traveling. Thought they were married as they slept together last night, but learned afterwards they were unmarried. She is very pretty. Read and talked most of the day. About 9 o'clock ran into San Antonio and found Shunk, Gaston and wife waiting for me. Mrs. G. was formerly May Vernon and they have been married about 2 1/2 months. Am afraid theirs will be an unhappy life, although they seem devoted now. Rode out in the street cars to the Post2 and had lemonade at Gaston's. After chatting went to Shunk's room, where I saw Lester,3 Hickey & Williams of the 8th Cav'y. Shunk is living in one room in the house used for the mess. Retired early, he sleeping on the floor and giving me the bed. Same old Shunk that he used to be. Had a talk about old times and was surprised to find how well we agreed about certain people of '79, as Huse,4 Gale5 &c. 

At breakfast met Capt. Farnsworth, 8th Cav'y., & Cushman6 16th Inf'y. Farnsworth was stationed at Clark when I went home & Cushman was at Garland in '79 with us. Afterward met Maj. Vance7 16th  Inf'y. whom I knew at Garland. Godwin R.Q.M. 8th Cav'y., Col. Otis8 8th Cav'y., Capt. Foote9 who married Potter's cousin, Capt. Lancaster,. 10 Lieuts Harrold11 and Bartlett,12 3rd Art'y. Registered at office of A.G. Dept. where met Flynn,13 Duff14 & Steele,15 youngsters of the 8th,16 the first & last going to Clark & Duff to Randlett at Del Rio, on the train tonight. As they have sent word, did not telegraph for ambulance. Called on Col. Terrell,17 Chief Paymaster & met Maj's. Bash & Muhlenberg whom I knew before. Called on Gen. Vincent,18 A.G. & met Dr. Smith19 Medical Director. Was informed that no change of troops in this Department was contemplated now. Found I would have to take half pay for 12 days. After lunch undressed and tried to keep cool until 3:00 o'clock, when Shunk & I went over to Gaston's for dinner. Had a nice meal but had to hurry to catch the train. Shunk walked to the Sunset station with me. Found my trunk there & had to pay 40 cts. for surplus baggage up to Spofford. Borrowed $1 from Shunk as it took my last cent to pay for the car fare. Said good-bye to Cushman and Shunk and with Flynn, Steele & Duff started for Spofford. Was very much pleased to find McGary for the conductor. Talked & slept all the ride up. Reached Spofford about 11:30 P.M. & found Guard, Kendall & Cunningham waiting with ambulances. Said good-bye to Duff.

Cunningham, Guard & Kendall were drinking & took the youngsters in for liquor the first thing. Fortunately only one of them drank anything, the others having courage to say no. Had a hard time to the get trunks loaded on the ambulances and to start. Got to the Post about 2 o'clock and spent the rest of the night at Guard's. After shaving went to Capt. Vance's to say "How" & got a cup of tea. Got a magazine for mail. After inspection had breakfast at Capt. Vance's and concluded to take the upper room in his house for quarters.20 Moved trunk & valise in and will get rest of furniture in a short time. Take this room now so as to keep anybody from moving out Capt. Vance & as it will be convenient for me. After breakfast called on Gen'l. Smith at his office. He was very kind as he has always been to me. In afternoon tried to write a letter home but could not finish it. Met Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Vernon, Mrs. Morris & Mrs. Kauffman and Mrs. Hammond in the evening out walking. A great many changes since last June. Farnsworth's Troop with Gaston & Williams have left. Jake Smith & Vernon, Bill Williams & Cunningham have come, Maj. Morris and Hammond are out with L Troop at Mayers Spring. Lyster, Remington, Witherill and Hewitt & Ring of the 8th Cav'y. are absent on leave, Ives and Geary are absent with Livermore's surveying expedition. When these officers return the Post will be very crowded. Col. Bliss lives where Dr. Heger used to live,21 Dr. H. in Col, Lyster's house; Eckerson in Hewitt's, Williams in Williams', Maj. Morris in Payne's house (the latter being on recruiting detail.) Vernon in Farnsworth's, Dr. Harmer above Towle, Hammond in Gaston's, Kendall in Geary's, Dr. Buffington & wife in Dr. Harmer's, Cunningham in mine, Maj. Smith in Kendall's.22 It seems lonely without Miss Marie and the band stand is deserted. Callers prevented getting out after dinner. Garrison seems quite pleasant but young ladies are needed.23

1 Abbot, Frederic Vaughan (1858-1928) USMA Class of 1879. A classmate of Lieut. French. Abbot graduated first in his class and had a long and distinguished career in the Corps of Engineers retiring in 1920 as a Brigadier General.
2 Fort Sam Houston
3 Lester, Charles Harris (1842-1899) USMA Class of 1863. Civil War veteran of the 2nd Cavalry. He was promoted to Captain 8th Cavalry in 1866 and resigned his commission 3 years later in 1869. After four years he returned to the Army and was re-commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. He retired with a disability in 1891 with the rank of captain.
4 Huse, Guy Evans (1855-1893) USMA Class of 1879. Classmate of Lieut. French. A Lieutenant of the 4th Cavalry he resigned in 1886.
5 Gale, George Henry Goodwin (1858-1920) USMA Class of 1879. Classmate of Lieut. French. Frontier service with the 4th Cavalry and service in the Philippine Insurrection. He retired as a Colonel in 1914.
6 Cushman, Eugene (1853-1906). 2LT, 16th Infantry Dec 1872; 1LT, Mar 1883; resigned, Oct 1888.
7 Vance, Duncan McArthur (1842-1887). At the time, Vance was a brevet Major for gallant and meritorious service in the battle of Gettysburg.
8 Otis, Elmer (1830-1897) USMA Class of 1853. Antebellum officer who had served at Fort Clark in 1854 with the 1st Infantry. He saw hard cavalry service during the Civil War earning two brevets. He has the distinction of being appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Cavalry when Custer was killed at the Little Big Horn. He retired as a Colonel in 1891.
9 Foote, George Franklin (1839-1925). Civil War veteran with both enlisted and commissioned service and 2 brevets for gallant and meritorious service. Retired April 1886.
10 Lancaster, James Madison (1840-1900) USMA Class of 1862. Civil War veteran of the 3rd Artillery, he served 34 years in the regiment and was appointed its Lieutenant Colonel shortly before his death.
11 Harrold, Christopher Whittendale (1832-1916). Civil War enlisted and commissioned service. Retired from the 3rd Artillery as a captain in July 1892.
12 Bartlett, George True (1856-1949) USMA Class of 1881. Frontier service with the 3rd Artillery. Professor of Military Science and Tactics. Service in the War with Sprain 1898 and in the World War. Retired as a brig. gen’l in 1918.
13 Flynn, William Francis (1858-1941) USMA Class of 1883. Frontier duty, USMA professor, service in Cuba and the Philippines, retired as a major in 1912. He returned to active duty for the World War, 1917-19.
14 Duff, Robert John (1861-1911) USMA Class of 1883. Frontier duty, service in Cuba and the Philippines, retired as a major in 1909.
15 Steele, Matthew Forney (1861-1953) USMA Class of 1883. Frontier service, the War with Spain where he was awarded a Silver Star, and the Philippine Insurrection. He retired as a major in 1912 and returned to active duty during the World War. Author of American Campaigns.
16 By “youngsters” French is noting that all three are newly graduated cadets from the Class of 1883.
17 Terrell, Charles Milton (1832-1904). Additional Paymaster of Volunteers in the Civil War, he remained with the Paymaster Department and advanced to Colonel, Asst. Paymaster General. He retired in February 1896.
18 Vincent, Thomas McCurdy (1832-1909) USMA Class of 1853. Civil War veteran with three brevets including to brig. gen’l. At the time he was the Adjutant General of the Dept. of Texas. He retired in 1896 after 43 years of service.
19 Smith, Joseph Rowe (1831-1911) Appointed Assistant Surgeon in 1854, Civil War service, retired as a Colonel in 1895.
20 Captain Vance occupied Quarters No. 22.
21 Quarters No. 28, next to the Quarters of the Commanding Officer.
22 The highly complicated and detested practice of “turning out.” A senior officer, even by brevet rank, could force an officer junior to himself to relinquish a set of quarters simply on demand. The junior moved out, the senior moved in and the junior then looked for someone he outranked so he could continue the process. The ladies referred to the ordeal as "falling bricks," as it could at times cause wholesale moves, affecting an entire garrison, as was this case at Fort Clark.
23 A timeless lament of an Army bachelor.

Francis Henry French was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 27, 1857. Deeply impressed from his youth by the stirring deeds and stories told by veterans of the Civil War, he realized his ambition for a military career by entering the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York where he graduated twelfth from the class of 1879. He was assigned as 2nd Lieutenant of “E” Company, 19th Infantry and came west. Following service at Fort Garland, Colorado Territory, and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the regiment moved to Fort Brown at Brownsville, Texas where Lieutenant French was detailed as the Regimental Adjutant. In December 1882 the 19th Infantry was posted to Fort Clark. At Fort Clark, on January 1, 1883, Lieutenant French began diaries, which he faithfully maintained for the next thirty years. The Fort Clark period of these diaries from 1883-1888 and his letters home are an intriguing window to late 19th century Army life at Fort Clark and to the American experience of the Victorian era. Lieutenant French’s command of the famed Seminole- Negro Indian Scouts is particularly noteworthy as the young officer developed a lifelong respect for the scouts as soldiers and men. Lieutenant French is a caring and sensitive man with opinions on people and politics. He is a bachelor immersed in the “society” of the regiment and Fort Clark. However, always in the background is his profession of being a soldier and an officer, which he takes quite seriously. The fascination of any diary is of course the private thoughts and observations of another human being, revealed, and in this case the direct link to local history. What the diary truly brings to light is the complex society of a regiment at a frontier post amid the tedium of garrison routine and soldiering, all of which serve to season the young officer. The reader can’t help but become engrossed in the almost soap opera like situations and personalities observed and commented upon on a daily basis by the very perceptive Lieutenant. French falls in and out of love and debt, and is the consummate social butterfly as he takes full advantage of his bachelor status. 

Submitted by Fort Clark Heritage Council - Bill Haenn, FCHC Senior Historian. Fort Clark Heritage Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, established in 2023, to advocate for the preservation and protection of the architecture and other historic resources in the Fort Clark National Register Historic District… committed to endorsing and promulgating the rich history of Fort Clark by expanding upon related educational and research efforts.