The Diary of Lieutenant Francis Henry French at Fort Clark, Texas 1883 (continued, #5)

January 27, 2026

by Fort Clark Heritage Council, Bill Haenn, FCHC Senior Historian

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.

In this 5th installment, French is commanding the Seminole Scouts at Meyers Spring [Terrell County] close to the line of the newly completed Southern Pacific Railroad. On a brief return to Ft Clark he rides the first through train from San Francisco to San Antonio, February 1, 1883, commenting, “Took supper at a place called Langtry now; the former name of Eagle’s Nest was much preferable in my opinion.” While briefly back at Fort Clark French renews his pursuit of Marie and the “society” of the fort. His courting of Marie takes may twists and turns resulting in a great deal of time spent sitting in the bandstand and being frustrated by his competition for her affection as, “The Medical Corps seems to be honored with a great deal of my jealousy.”

Monday, January 29, 1883

Boil kept me confined to Camp today. Read most of the day. Am reading "Mosses from an Old Manse"(1) and enjoying it thoroughly. It seems that Hawthorne could take the most commonplace subjects and invest them with a great deal of interest. What pleases me so particularly is his clear beautiful style of writing. This evening, a scout who had been in the Post returned by rail and said Dr. Harmer was at Thurston but wanted wagon to go after him in the morning. Was very glad to hear this and shall send for him early.

Tuesday, January 30, 1883

Doctor returned today. Enjoyed trip very much. Was very glad to see him. Brought an unsigned order for me to go to Post. This gives me a mileage trip and above everything else an opportunity to see Marie. Doctor worked at my hand today and relieved me a great deal. Hope it will be entirely well before I start for the Post.

Wednesday, January 31, 1883

Hand was better today. Rode over to railroad but saw nobody except the Chinamen who gave me some of their preserves. These tasted like leaves with a thick, rich juice over them. Perhaps my taste is not sufficiently developed, but I did not like them. Practiced this evening. Almost forgot it. Expect to leave tomorrow by rail.

Thursday, February 1, 1883

Rather warm today. My hand was better but not entirely healed yet. Spent the most of the day packing, changing clothes and preparing to leave. Took off my beard which has been growing since I left Clark. About 3 o'clock with Dr. Harmer rode over to Thurston in the wagon and after waiting there a short time the first regular through train from San Francisco came along and I boarded with many anticipations of a pleasant time at the end of my trip.(2) I wonder how the reality will be. Dr. Harmer introduced me to the conductor, Mr. McGeary whom I found to be very pleasant. Took supper at a place called Langtry now; the former name of Eagle's Nest was much preferable in my opinion.(3) About 30 minutes after supper the train was stopped by the derailing of a freight train just ahead of us. Here we were detained about seven hours.(4) I caught cold in my hand by going in and out the train to see the workmen put the train back on the track and my hand commenced to swell, but without much pain.

Friday, February 2, 1883

Reached Spofford Junction, the station for Clark, about 7 A.M. when we ought to have been there at 2 A.M. Found no conveyance there and no opportunity to telegraph for an ambulance. Finally got a ride in a wagon going to the Post, which place I reached about 11 o'clock about as dusty and dirty as could be. Drove to the store and saw Miss Johnson in an ambulance there, who was soon joined by Mrs. Hall. Found that Eckerson and I had been moved out by Hammond(5) and wife, but went to Eckerson's room and intend to remain with him. Dr. Heger came along and looked at my hand and then told me to go to the hospital with him to have the hand fixed up. While washing Eckerson came in. After changing my clothes went to hospital and let the Doctor bandage my hand properly. Returning, Miss Johnson invited me to lunch at Gen'l Smith's, which I accepted and went in. While at lunch the General came in and seemed pleased to see me. The General, Mrs. Smith and Miss Johnson were very kind to me inviting me to stay with them. But I had arranged to room with Eckerson and mess as before with Capt. Vance. After lunch went to Col. Lyster's and met Mrs. L and Marie out on the porch and went into the house for a while. Of course, I enjoyed this, but was disappointed on not finding Marie alone. She seems the same as ever. Called on Capt. Vance and met some others. Found everybody preparing for a german(6) next Monday evening. Asked Mrs. Guard to dance with me, but did not settle the matter definitely. Saw dress parade from the porch at Col. Lyster's and enjoyed it very much. About seven o'clock went to the hop room to practice for the german. Ives is to lead with Miss Marie, but as he was busy instructing, he asked me to dance that evening with her, which I did with pleasure. After the practice went to Col. Lyster's and was very glad to find nobody there but Marie. Wanted her to take a walk, but she refused. We went into Dr. Heger's and ate some cake there. Wonder if she has changed in her opinion of me. Like a fool I am beginning to be jealous of Dr. Maddox(7). The Medical Corps seems to be honored with a great deal of my jealousy. Before leaving Mayer's Springs, I anticipated such a pleasant evening today with Marie and felt rather disappointed with the reality.

Saturday, February 3, 1883

Cold Norther commenced today. Spent most of the day in trying to straighten out accounts and in calling. After dark called on Mrs. Hall with Marie. Hewitt came in and made some of his usual remarks. How much fun he takes in teasing. On the way back to Col. Lyster's, asked Marie to kiss me and was refused much to my disappointment. Found Ives and Maddox at Col. Lyster's and left Maddox there when I went home. Young man, I guess you are in for an experience similar to the one you had last summer.

Sunday, February 4, 1883

Quite cold today. Spent most of the day writing letter home as Guest and Geary were in the room during a large portion of the time. After retreat, attended services at the chapel with Mrs. Hall. Saw Marie there, but only to bow to her. After chapel called on Mrs. Guard,(8) but she had retired; then called at Dr. Heger's on the Misses Ffoulkes whom I met before going to Mayer's Springs. Made a fool of myself by not going to Col Lyster's, but thought I would hurt Marie's feelings. If she doesn't care for me, this is exactly what she wants.

1 Mosses from an Old Manse is a short story collection by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published in 1846. French seems to favor Hawthorne as an author.

2 Steam passenger trains in the 1880s travelled about 20-30 miles per hour with frequent stops to fill the engine’s boiler with water. The journey from Meyers Spring to Spofford took approximately 8-10 hours (compared to five days on horseback).

3 The town began as a railroad grading camp, Eagle Nest, in 1882. Southern Pacific Railroad officials named it after George Langtry, an engineer and foreman for the railroad. Judge Roy Bean, the famous saloon owner and justice of the peace, was obsessed with the English actress Lillie Langtry and claimed to have named the town for her. While Bean popularized the story and named his saloon "The Jersey Lilly," Lillie Langtry was not related to George Langtry, and she didn't visit the town until after Bean's death. When the sub-post at Meyers Spring was abandoned in 1884, the Army moved its camp to Langtry.

4 It is curious Lieut. French makes no mention of the spectacular country the train is passing through. The sixty-three miles between Del Rio and Shumla were the most difficult part of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad (GH&SA) to build and operate. The original line had to dip down into the canyon of the Rio Grande on a shelf blasted out of limestone, required two tunnels (the only tunnels in Texas at the time), and crossed the Pecos River at its confluence with the Rio Grande.

5 Hammond, Andrew Goodrich (1857-1906) – USMA Class of 1881. 2nd Lieut of Troop L, 8th Cavalry at Fort Clark. Later Captain and Major 3rd Cavalry and Lieut Colonel 1st Connecticut Infantry in the Spanish American War.

6 The German dance popular in Victorian times, often just called "A German" or the German Dance, was a general term for lively, triple-time dances like the revolutionary and scandalous Waltz, its peasant precursor the Ländler, and energetic dances like the Galop or Schottische, all characterized by close holds and spinning that shocked earlier generations but became staples of Victorian balls, with the Waltz being the most iconic.

7 Maddox, Thomas John Claggett (1852-1885) – Assistant Surgeon. He was killed in Action by Apaches near White House, NM

8 Guard, Independence “Inda” Palmer (1853-1923) – Inda Guard was the wife of Alexander McCook Guard (USMA 1871), 1st Lieutenant of “E” Company, 19th Infantry. As a good army wife she saw to it that Lieut. French, the junior bachelor officer of the company, behaved himself, had an occasional hearty meal, and fully participated in the “society” of the regiment.

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 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