The Diary of Lieutenant Francis Henry French at Fort Clark, Texas 1883

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.

Another year has gone and a new one takes its place. What has (it) in store for me? Now is the time for resolutions; let me see, what shall I resolve to do? One resolution is to stop smoking. I don't enjoy it, in fact it rather makes me sick, it costs money and does me no good. Therefore be it resolved, by this august body, that no more cigars, pipes or cigarettes are to be allowed. I am resolved to improve my mind by reading and writing articles for the papers; to practice on my violin daily when possible; to do my duty better; to overcome this laziness into which I am falling. These are enough to commence with, will add to them as the year grows older.

This year finds me located at Fort Clark, Tex., about 150 miles west of San Antonio. The surrounding country is rolling but covered with low vegetation. Mountains can be seen in the distance. It reminds me very much of the plains especially in the vicinity of the foothills. The Post is high, 1000 ft. above the level of the sea and the atmosphere is quite dry and bracing, such a pleasant change from the damp air of  Brown(1). Gen. Smith(2) is in command, with Hall(3)  & Vedder(4) as adjutant and quartermaster respectively. Hall relieved me last Friday, but I am to turn over the property today to him. "B", "C", "E" & "K" Cos. of the 19th are here also, "G" having been left at Brown and "D" gone to Duncan(5). Several changes in the officers of the four companies stationed have occurred since I wrote before. Read's(6) resignation was accepted & Hewitt(7) promoted to be 1st. Lt. in "C" Co. Poor Wenie(8) died of yellow fever on the 11th of October, giving Eckerson(9) the first lieutenancy of "B" Co. Geary(10) the sub from West Point joined at Fort Brown in December just after we came in from quarantine camp. He is a quiet kind of a fellow and has in his application for a transfer to the 8th Cav'y. Ives(11) talks very much about resigning now and has an excellent offer of a position in [ ] gas works. If he goes I will get another file putting me second on the list of 2nd. Lieutenants of the regiment. But he has talked so much about resigning before that I have not commenced to count on this file yet. Spent a large part of the day in turning over the regimental fund to Hall. He discovered an error in the account which will necessitate making out new returns. I was thoroughly disgusted to find this mistake, for I see that I was too careless in going over the account after it was made up. This teaches one thing and that is that I must not depend upon a clerk. About four o'clock went over to Col. Lyster's(12) and had the pleasure of escorting Marie(13) over to Capt. Vance's(14) for dinner. With Capt. and Mrs. Hall and Marie we had quite a nice dinner party. After dinner we had a good deal of sport playing "Go Bang(15)", but Marie had to leave soon to prepare for the reception in the evening. I had the honor of escorting her home and then returned to play Go Bang until time to dress for the reception. At noon all the officers in full dress went over to the General's to wish him a "Happy New Year". Here we had champagne and cigars, and like a fool I smoked one of the latter in spite of my resolution. About eight o’clock donned my full dress and with Eckerson went over to the Post Hall. The ladies, instead of receiving separately during the day, joined forces, decorated the hop room, got up some very nice refreshments and received the gentlemen after eight o'clock The room presented a very pretty appearance when we arrived. The ladies were standing in groups in different parts of the room. As each gentleman would arrive he would visit each group to pay his devoirs. Soon afterwards the regular hop commenced. Capt. Hall and his wife are not going out on account of the recent death of Mrs. Hall's sister. So I had charge of the band and had a chance to "show off". I had the happiness of serving Marie at supper time and then made an engagement to see her home after the affair was over. There was some holly or mistletoe hanging in the room and while eating I made some joking remarks about it. She replied that the place was too public for taking advantage of the mistletoe; when I made some suggestion about carrying some of it home. So after the dancing was concluded, I managed to cut off a piece and when we reached Col. Lyster's house I reminded her of what had been said during supper. We had walked home quite deliberately and as nobody was in sight, like a darling, she gave me a kiss. I begin to think now that I have been sadly mistaken in thinking that she cares for Dr. Gorgas(16). I have been terribly jealous of him and had come to the conclusion that they were engaged. I was trying very hard to overcome my love for her, but it seemed to be growing stronger all the time. She has been so well brought up that I am sure she would not have allowed me to kiss her, if there were anything between herself and Dr. Gorgas. Last July, I proposed to her and much to my sorrow she declined me. She said she liked me, but was not certain that she loved me and like a true woman that she is, would not marry me unless she was certain that she did love me. I think this is one cause of my sickness last Summer, for I honestly loved her and love her now. As I expect to go out to Mayer's Springs(17) to command the Seminoles in a day or two, I shall than have time to find out just where I am drifting.

Spent the day in making preparations for the trip to Mayer's Springs. In the evening called at Gen'l Smith's to ask him if I should start tomorrow morning. To my great satisfaction he told me not to hurry but to wait until Thursday when Dr. McLain would accompany me as far as Del Rio. So going to Col. Lyster's, I induced Marie to go over to Capt. Vance's to play Go Bang, and enjoyed a very pleasant evening there. Returning to Col. Lyster's, the dear girl gave me another kiss, and then I went into the house and stayed there quite late. Poor Mrs. Lyster sat up with us and must have been quite tired out.

Today is Lula's birthday. Wrote my usual letter home and congratulated her. Spent most of the day in completing arrangements for starting tomorrow. Somehow as the time for departure draws near I feel more and more disinclined to go. But as I asked for the detail, I cannot back down now. I applied for it last month just after we arrived at Clark when I thought that Marie was engaged to Dr. Gorgas, and when I was about as jealous as a person can be. Now that I feel that she cares for me, I would like to stay here. But as I must go there is no use in repining. Took Mrs. Lyster to the promenade concert this evening. Wanted to escort Marie but Hewitt asked her before I did. He did this intentionally, just because he thought I would like to go with her. Before going to the concert, I went around and said good-bye to everybody. Only a very few persons were present at the concert, almost all being tired out by the hop on New Year's. But I enjoyed the evening very much. After taking Mrs. Lyster home went into Dr. Heger's(18) for a moment to bid them good-bye and then returned to Col. Lyster's. It did seem as if Hewitt never would go. After his departure, Marie and I went out for a stroll and then the dear, dear girl told me something that made me exceedingly happy. I shall always retain a great liking for the music stand on the parade at Fort Clark. It was about midnight when we returned to the house, but the time had passed all too rapidly. As it was my last night for a while, I felt that I had a right to be with Marie much later than usual. What a fool I have been to be so jealous of Dr. Gorgas.

This morning went over to the Adjutant's Office to say good-bye when I was handed a letter from San Antonio to Gen'l Smith pointing out some errors I had made in previous accounts of the Post Fund at Brown. It is needless to say that I was terribly chagrined, especially when I had to go to see the General about the matter. But he was very kind to me in speaking about the matter. This is the result of depending too much upon the Sergeant Major. The next time I am placed in any position where I have to render accounts, I shall attend to them myself. About 11 o'clock this morning started in an ambulance with Dr. McLain, who goes as far as Del Rio. By reference to my diary of Dec. 12, 1880, I find that I met Dr. McLain then when I was on the court that tried Leeper(19). He is quite a pleasant gentleman but unfortunately drinks too much for his own good. I think he has been disappointed in some way or other. After a ride of about five hours we reached Del Rio, where we were entertained by Capt. Randlett(20) 8th Cav'y, who is stationed there with his company. Fountain(21), his 1st lieutenant called in the evening. They are both pleasant gentlemen. But I did not like the way Capt. Randlett spoke about officers marrying. Rode downtown with him after supper and met Capt. Ayers(22) who used to be captain of "E" Co., 19th, but was consolidated out 1870. Wanted to write to Marie this evening, but felt too sleepy and Randlett and McLain talked too much.

Wrote a note to Marie and then started in the ambulance for Mayer's Springs. This trip occupied until the 8th of the month and was rather uninteresting. What pleased me most was to watch the progress of the railroad. At Lozier(23), I found that trains would be running through from San Antonio to San Francisco in a very short time, so that we can get daily mails. Thurston is a station on the road and is only 3 1/2 miles from Mayer's Springs. Perhaps when I return to Clark, I can go by rail.

(1) Fort Brown, at Brownsville, Texas.
(2) Smith, Charles Henry (1827-1902) – Brevet Major General and Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. Retired 1891, died 1902.
(3) Hall, Charles Badger (1844-1914) – Civil War and Spanish American War veteran. Retired in 1908 as a Major General.
(4) Vedder, Simon Campbell (1841-1892) – Civil War veteran, retired with the rank of Captain Feb 20, 1891, died December 5, 1892
(5) Fort Duncan, at Eagle Pass, Texas.
(6) Read, George Beale (1850-1922) – Resigned June 15, 1882.
(7) Hewitt, Christian Cyrus(1849-1905) –USMA Class of 1874. Retired with the rank of Major on Feb. 2, 1901.
(8) Wenie, Thomas M (unk-1882) – Civil War veteran serving as 1st Lieutenant of Co B, 19th Infantry.
(9) Eckerson, Theodore Henry (1831-1941) – USMA Class of 1874. Retired as a Captain on January 3, 1895.
(10) Geary, Woodbridge (1857-1899) – USMA Class of 1882. Died of wounds received in action in the Philippines on October 11, 1899.
(11) Ives, Edward Bernard (1855-1903) – USMA Class of 1878. Resigned December 3, 1889. Volunteer service in the Spanish-American War.
(12) Lyster, William John (1833-1897) – Brevet Lieutenant Colonel for gallant and meritorious service in the Civil War. Then commanding Co B, 19th Infantry at Fort Clark. Retired as Colonel of the 9th Infantry in June 1897 and died later that same year.
(13) Marie Cook Doughty (1862-1929) – Sister of Mrs. Lyster who was later to marry Doctor Gorgas.
(14) Vance, Richard (unk-1902) – Civil War veteran. Lieut French’s company commander.
(15) The Victorian game "Go Bang" is an English name for the Japanese game Gomoku (or Gomoku Narabe), an abstract strategy board game where the objective is to be the first to get five pieces in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. It is a precursor to modern games like Connect 4.
(16) Gorgas, William Crawford (1854-1920) – Assistant Post Surgeon who would not only marry Marie but go on to become U.S. Army Surgeon General in the World War.
(17) Meyers Spring in present day Terrell County was a sub-post of Fort Clark established in 1881 and abandoned in 1884. For most of its existence it was garrisoned by the Seminole Negro Indian Scout Detachment.
(18) Heger, Anthony (1828-1908) – Surgeon (Major), Post Surgeon. Retired 1892 as a Colonel.
(19) Leeper, Matthew – 1st Lieutenant, 4th Cavalry, resigned May 5, 1880.
(20) Randlett, James Franklin (1832-1915) – 8th Cavalry, retired as a Lieutenant Colonel December 8, 1896.
(21) Fountain, Samuel Warren (1846-1930) – Civil War and Spanish-American War veteran. USMA Class of 1870. Retired as a Brigadier General.
(22) Ayers, Robert – A Civil War veteran of the 19th Infantry, he was honorably mustered out of the service on Jan 1, 1871.
(23) Lozier Canyon is a wide shallow canyon bordered by distinctive rounded hills located between Langtry and Dryden, which empties into the Rio Grande.




Submitted by 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 for the benefit  of the visiting public and future generations, providing for the advancement and strengthening of heritage tourism initiatives by growing recognition of and visitation to the Fort Clark Historic District and being committed to endorsing and promulgating the rich history of Fort Clark by expanding upon related educational and research efforts. Find this article and more online at  KinneyCountyPost.com