The Diary of Lieutenant Francis Henry French at Fort Clark, Texas 1883 (continued, #16)

Returned to Mayers Springs today. Found railroad people stirred up all along the road. Thought I saw a suspicious character some distance from the road and followed the trail to find it was a Seminole who had gotten ahead. Found Col. Bernard(1) in camp, who had come out to command Randlett and myself. But he had examined the country all along the railroad and seeing no signs had telegraphed to Clark that there were no Indians and intends to return to Clark today. Told him what I had done and was pleased to find that he approved of it. All available cavalry had been ordered out from Clark, but Fechet was ordered back from Spofford. Kauffman(2) has gone out on the Nueces. Stone & Ramsey(3) from the Pecos came in. Ramsey said he had found a horse in his ranch cut on the flank and run down, and had seen moccasin tracks near a spring. Thinks Indians are over there. After consulting with Col. Bernard think I shall go over to Fielder's Ranch & up the Pecos to Ramsey's as by so doing I can be certain to strike any Indians trying to get to the Rio Grande with stock by going down the river. Our visitors left on evening train. Received a telegram from Hall this evening directing me to make a report of this last scout and saying the Seminoles would be relieved by end of month. Very pleasant news. Made preparations for an early start tomorrow. Wrote report and a letter home. Shall send couriers with mail in the morning. Harvey's back is healing splendidly. 

Was sleepy this morning as it was quite late before I retired last night. After starting the couriers, started for the Pecos with 9 men. The ride was tiresome and uninteresting, as I had been over it before. Reached Fielders and went into camp about 5 P.M. Visited the ranch and found that no stock had been lost there. He gave us a sheep if the men would kill it and dress it, an offer that was only too readily complied with. The Pecos is a muddy swift stream of some kind of mineral water. Stock fattens on it and needs no salt. It has a good effect upon the bowels. It is not suitable for irrigation to raise vegetables, although salty grass grows along the banks of the river.

Left camp before the men and went up towards Wilkins' Ranch. Was overtaken by Mr. Fielder and Mr. Bruton who had a pack of hounds and intended to hunt a panther that had been killing sheep. Joined them but could get no trail of the panther. Pushed on to Wilkins & found them shearing sheep. Saw Flint & young Wilkins, Cyrus W. and met Mr. Frank W. These young men are very active and enterprising and will make a fortune from sheep and cattle. Spent a pleasant half hour with them and then had to hurry to overtake the men. In crossing the Pecos, held too tight a rein as the horse was going out of the water and nearly pulled him backwards. Fell off and got wet up to my hips. The sun soon dried my clothes. The scenery along this part of the country is quite interesting. Along the Canyons or gulches opening into the Pecos valley, where are fresh water streams are found large groves or "motts" of live oak trees. Reached Sulphur Springs about 5 P.M. These are two deep wells filled with strong sulphur water which bubbles over the top. Drank a little of the water but did not like it much. Went about a mile farther and camped near Ramsey's house, about a mile from it up Independence Creek. Young R. was at home with a colored herder and a man belonging to Troop "L" 10th Cav'y., which had passed through last night from Stockton(4) on its way to Mayers Springs on account of that senseless Indian report. This man had been left with a broken down mule. Made enquiries about the horse and the moccasin tracks but learned nothing new except the localities where they were found. Ramsey says there is one of his horses missing, which they have missed since last Monday evening. This with the other reports begins to look something like Indians. The cut pony belongs to some ranchman up the Pecos as every time he is turned out to graze he works up that way. Concluded to wait until morning, then find the missing horse or his trail, see the pony and let the men hunt around for any signs. Shall remain in this camp tomorrow and move tomorrow evening up the Creek, so as to be nearer Mayers Springs if we find no trail. Expect to return to Mayer’s Springs day after tomorrow if no signs are found.

Went to the house this morning and after waiting there a half hour or so, young Ramsey came up driving some horses, the missing horse being one of them. So the Indians did not take him. He went with Corp'l. Perryman up the Pecos for the wounded pony and I returned to camp and sent the men out to hunt for signs. About one o'clock Corp'l. P. came in and said the pony was at the house. Went to the house, saw the pony and ate dinner there. The pony was fat and had a cut six in. long on left rump made by sharp instrument. If Indians did it, it is strange that they did not kill him & eat him or put him in some place where he would not be found. Returned to camp, and had things packed. The men came in soon afterwards and reported no signs. About 2-30 or 3 o'clock, moved camp six or seven miles up Independence Creek. Corp'l. Perryman went up the creek to where the pony had been found, hunting in the bottoms along the creek but could find no signs. Other men went out hunting but no signs were found. Feel confident that no Indians are in the country. Shall return to Mayers Springs and send out a hunting party to let them hunt for game and see if they can find any indications of Indians.

Reached Camp about 4-30 P.M. after a dull ride and was very glad to get back. Made arrangements to start out 9 men under Sgt. Gordon(5) with 5 days' rations to Independence tomorrow, and down the Pecos to Fielders & then to camp. Found two letters from home, one from Cunningham, Capt. Vance & some official mail. Was quite tired tonight and retired early.

Started the men off for Independence Creek giving the Sergeant strict orders to send a courier to me immediately if he found any signs. Feel certain he will do his best as he is a thoroughly reliable man. Started to write my report but did not copy it in the book today. It is such a long time since I have written any that I am out of the mood entirely for it. Harvey's back is healing splendidly. In two or three weeks more the hair will commence to appear on the wound. Rode over to Thurston in the afternoon with the Doctor & found McCarthy and Young there. Saw McGeary when the train came along. McCarthy telegraphed to Langtry and told me that Randlett was still there, waiting for a company to relieve him. In the evening copied the report and wrote some official letters but felt too tired to do much. Went to bed early.

Wrote a letter home this morning. The couriers came in about one o'clock bringing me a letter from Gen'l Smith saying that "E" Troop(6) would relieve the Seminoles by the end of the month. This Troop was out on the Nueces but was ordered in when the letter was written, the 18th, and ought to be out here in a week or so. Carried the letters over to the railroad, saw McCarthy, Young & Smith there, and Rodgers the conductor. In the evening read papers from home. Must commence to prepare to be relieved soon.




(1) Bernard, Reuben Frank (1832-1903). At the time he was the major of the 8th Cavalry at Fort Clark. An old soldier with antebellum enlisted service in the 1st Dragoons. He earned four brevets during the Civil War for gallant and meritorious service (Capt-Col). In 1890, he received a final brevet to Brigadier General for gallant service in the field against Indians. He retired October 14, 1896.
(2) Kauffman, Albert Bradford (1828-1916). Then in command of Troop “E”, 8th Cavalry at Fort Clark. Another antebellum and Civil War enlisted soldier. Commissioned a captain in 1863 in the 11th Missouri Cavalry. He retired as major of the 4th U.S. Cavalry on January1, 1892. The medal he is wearing is for the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a post-Civil War veteran’s organization for commissioned officers.
(3) Stone and Ramsey are ranchers on the Pecos.
(4) Fort Stockton.
(5) Isaac Gordon was a Scout for 14 years.
(6) “E” Troop 8th Cavalry, then commanded by Captain Kauffman.


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.