The Diary of Lieutenant Francis Henry French at Fort Clark, Texas 1883 (continued, #11)

Did not get started until ten o'clock this morning. It is evident that I must attend to all packing myself if I want it done in time as these Seminoles can linger more over a little job than anybody I ever saw. Dr. seems rather blue. Camped at Eagle's Nest,1 making a march of nearly 40 miles today. It was drizzling almost all day and being rather cool the animals made the march without any injury. Blanco is with me. He is a pretty smart old man. Morell Hall2 was arguing on some question in the Bible this evening and said "only forgotten son" instead of begotten. How true it is that He is forgotten. Mailed a letter to Father with check for $125 to be kept until I go home next Summer.

Rained quite hard last night and the water made my bed wet, so that I was rather damp this morning. Spent a long time in drying the clothes etc., so as to make a lighter load for the mule. Blanco does not attend to me as well as Luce, but he is a better cook. Went up to the station at Eagle's Nest and saw Mr. Tracy who is roadmaster for about 100 miles from Sanderson down past the Pecos. He comes from Arcola Ind. Shall write home about him. Crossing the Pecos met couriers with mail, and was pleased to find a letter from home among it. Made almost as long a march today as yesterday camping at Yellow Banks Arroyo. Reached camp in time to spread the bedding on the grass and let the sun dry it.

Reached Del Rio this afternoon and after changing my clothes went up to Capt. Randlett's, who insisted on my remaining at his house. Called on Mr. and Mrs. Fountain in the evening. Mrs. F.3 is an invalid and I am afraid is not long for this world. Dr. McLain4 came in from the Post and reports Mrs. Smith5 very sick with pneumonia, a report I was very sorry to hear. Capt. R. wanted me to ride down town with him, but I was too tired.

Thursday, March 15, 1883

Had hard work to get started this morning as the men had been drinking last night and were very tired, Blanco especially so. Finally got off after a cup of coffee with Capt. R. He is an excellent company commander and has his troop and horses in fine condition. About five miles from Clark Harvey became frightened at a burnt log in the road and succeeded in running a short distance before I could stop him. As we had traveled about 125 miles in four days most of the time at a trot, this showed very well for his endurance. Rode into the Post about two o'clock and met Eckerson at the house. He is looking well & hearty notwithstanding his recent love affair. I guess it is all up between Miss Florence and him. Capt. Fechèt6 called before I could change my clothes and stayed a long time. Took a bath and went to Q.M. & store to settle some business, and then to Capt. Vance's. Straightened out accounts with him. I am under great obligations to Capt. Vance and I hope I shall never forget them. Saw Guest & told him I had the Clothing Book and he could get it to make any corrections he wished. He seems inclined to be distant, but had better make these changes if he wants to avoid trouble. Took dinner as usual with Capt. Vance. He is growing grayer all the time, but I notice more change during the short time I have been at Mayer's Springs than before. After dark called at Gen'l. Smith's and was happy to learn that Mrs. Smith was improving rapidly. Saw the General, Miss Johnson and Mrs. Hall there. After a short call went into Col. Lyster's to spend the rest of the evening and had a very pleasant call there, spent in talking and playing cribbage with Miss Marie. She seems the same as ever. The man who marries her will get a true woman, one that will be faithful to him. Left about ten o'clock, rather early for me to leave Col. Lyster's but I felt rather tired after the ride.

Sat on Col. Lyster's porch with Marie this morning to witness guard mounting.7 Afterwards attended to some business at the office8 and then got an ambulance and rode out to the Seminole Camp and paid out the money to the women that their husbands had sent in. Then went to the store and paid Mr. Friedlander money owed him by Sgt. Kibbets and Sgt. July and for several checks and deposited some money for Bill Williams.9 Then went to town and deposited some money for Luce Cassas. After this returned to Post and got a detail of men and began to make an inventory of property in the Post for which I am responsible. In the evening called upon Capt. Fechèt, Dr. Heger and at several other places, but not at Col. Lyster's.

St. Patrick's Day. Spent all day making inventory of property. Sat on Col. Lyster's porch at guard mounting this morning. Wanted to finish with my property so as to be able to start Monday morning but it was impossible. Took dinner with Guard today, just a family dinner but very pleasant. Mrs. G. invited me to dine with her tomorrow. After dinner she played and sang for me. Called in the evening at a number of places but not at Col. Lyster's, as it was too late.

Palm Sunday. Took a bath and wrote a letter home today. Walked out to the Seminole Camp with Dickerson this morning to change the day of departure to Tuesday. Had a very enjoyable dinner at Mrs. Guard's. In the evening escorted Mrs. Hall to church and afterwards went over to Col. Lyster's. It was a beautiful moonlight night and Marie and I took a walk. She then asked me to release her from her engagement. She said what I have to acknowledge that ever since we were engaged we have not been as friendly with each other as before. I wish now that I had controlled myself, and had striven to be a true friend to her instead of a lover. We are now on the same terms we were while at Leavenworth and it shall be my duty to see that she never has cause to regret our friendship. We sat on the band stand and had a long talk there. She told me candidly that she did not ask for a release on account of loving any other man, which satisfied my jealousy. What a fool a jealous man is, anyhow.



1 Langtry.
2 Halls, Morell (1842-1929). He was a Scout for four years and is interred in the Seminole Scout Cemetery, Kinney County, Texas
3 Fountain, Emily Kaufman, wife of Lieut. Samuel W. Fountain, 8th Cavalry, died two years later in September 1885.
4 McLain, John Speed (1848-1907). Citizen contract physician.
5 Smith, Mary Richards Livermore (1835-1897). Wife of Colonel (Bvt Maj Gen’l) Charles H. Smith, post commander of Fort Clark.
6 Fechèt, Edmond Gustave (1844-1910). Civil War veteran of enlisted and then commissioned service. Then commanding Troop “G,” 8th Cavalry at Fort Clark. Best known for his role in the death of Sitting Bull at the Standing Rock Agency, South Dakota on December 15, 1890. He retired as a Major on July 9, 1898.  
7 Guard Mount was the daily formal ceremony on the parade ground transferring the guard detail responsibility from one unit to another.
8 Lieut. French makes frequent reference in his diary to “the office.” The “office” is the Post Headquarters building, now listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
9 Williams, Bill (1851-1914). He was a Scout for 26 years and is interred in the Seminole Scout Cemetery, Kinney County, Texas.

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