The Diary of Lieutenant Francis Henry French at Fort Clark, Texas 1883 (continued, #18)

April 30, 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 18th installment, Lieut. French departs the sub-post of Meyers Spring in present day Terrell County with his little “army” of Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts and begins his journey back to Fort Clark.

Monday, April 30, 1883

Completed the transfer of property and made all preparations to start but had to wait until noon in order to get some rations from Capt. Kauffman. Started the men off and kept Luce behind with me as I lunched with Capt. K. Before starting. It was a motley crew that left camp, some of them riding in old wagons. After lunch said good-bye and started to overtake the "Army." Now that it is really time to leave Mayer's Springs, I don’t feel so anxious to go. Here I am in control and can do as I please. At Clark I shall have to obey others. But then there will b pleasant society there which will more than make up for a little brief authority. Camped near Lozier where we found water and grazing. Dr. Harmer did not come down on the train this evening, but Mr. Young did.

Tuesday, May 1, 1883

Left camp this morning at sunrise and made new camp near Langtry. Everything went along nicely. Saw Mr. Tracy at Langtry and was promised by him a pass from Spofford to San Antonio. Mr. McGeary was conductor of the train in the evening and told me that the Doctor had come down to Lozier with him but had stopped there. Said good bye to McGeary and Tracy.

Wednesday, May 2, 1883

Sent Sgt. Kibbets and four men ahead to repair the ferry at the Pecos if possible, or if not to cut the banks down so as to make a good ford. "E" Troop had sunk the boat and I was afraid we would have trouble to cross the river. Left camp at sunrise and got to the Pecos soon after twelve o'clock without any trouble. The boat was sunk near the farther shore, i.e. the eastern shore but an excellent ford was made by the Sergeant and the wagons and horses were soon crossed without difficulty. Felt much relieved when they were over as I had been anxious about this crossing all day. Camped at Seminole Caves1 and feel happy in knowing that the worst part of the whole road is past.

Thursday, May 3, 1883

Started at sunrise as before and went along without any trouble and camped the eastern side of Devil's River. Starting out of camp was much provoked by Luce's putting my saddle & bridle on his horse and turning Sgt. July's horse loose. He has been anxious for me to ride his horse all the time but I have refused. So this morning he was determined I should ride him and saddled him while I was absent. The herd had already started before I found out what he had done, or I would have made him change the saddle. Cussed him out and told him if he did it again I would make him do duty with the detachment. Got into camp early in the afternoon and spent the time in eating mulberries which grow in quantities there. Crossed the river on the railroad bridge, a fine iron structure. Scenery is beautiful. Some of the men brought a deer into camp and a great many fish were caught.

Friday, May 4, 1883

Left camp at sunrise and reached Del Rio about 10 o'clock. Did not allow any of the men to go into town nor into the Post. Went into the Post with Luce. Saw Capt. Randlett and Dr. Harmer there, the latter having come down on the freight this morning and got the mail. Then pushed on to the new camp on the Sycamore.(2)

Saturday. May 5, 1883

Sgt. July was so anxious to get into Clark that he woke the camp long before daylight and we had to wait an hour for light to travel by. Last evening told the men what I would require of them in the Post and how they might expect to be punished if they disobeyed me. Expect to have some trouble, as they will be paid soon after we get into the Post and will drink. Got into the Post before guard mounting, but tried to keep hidden until I could get cleaned up and get my beard off. Went down to see Vedder and was disgusted with the way he treated me. He seems to try to treat an officer in the same way he would a soldier. Had my beard taken off and after Charlie got my quarters cleaned up and my furniture from the storeroom, took a bath and put on clean clothes. Went out to the Seminole Camp this evening for stables. After dinner called at the General's and at some other places. Saw Marie and had quite a call at Col. Lyster's this evening. Dr. Maddox is very much taken with the young lady and like a fool I am becoming jealous again. Well, I must either give her up entirely or go on acting like a jackass. Met Capt. Farnsworth(3), Lieuts. Williams(4) & Gaston(5), 8th Cav'y. today. Knew latter at West Point. Farnsworth is a thorough gentleman. Williams reminds me of Hunter(6), but is not so conceited.

Sunday, May 6, 1883

Sgt. Kibbets reported Blanco absent from stables(7) this morning. Felt badly to punish him the first in the Detachment, but was compelled to do so. Had him confined in the Guard House and shall prefer charges against him. Rode out to the Camp in an ambulance in the morning to give orders about Blanco's rations and had to settle a fight between Sgt. Kibbets and Ward(8). Wrote a letter home today. Went to church with Marie and afterwards sat on Col. Lyster's porch talking. Dr. Maddox came up and sat there also and it seemed to me he was rather inclined to be jealous of me. Delightful state of affairs. Did not stay long but left Dr. Maddox at the house. He is to go out to Mayer's Springs soon to relieve Harmer and then perhaps I won’t be so jealous.

(1) “Seminole Caves” or Painted Caves is a natural spring and rock shelter overhang located in the upper canyon of present day Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site, about three miles east of the Pecos crossing. It was a favorite camping ground of the Scout Detachment when on campaign in the Lower Pecos.

(2) Sycamore Creek is the boundary between Val Verde and Kinney counties and about 18 miles from Fort Clark. Present day U.S. Hwy 90 and the railroad bridge cross Sycamore creek at about the site of this overnight camp.

(3) Farnsworth, Henry Joseph (1838-1888). A Civil War veteran with several brevets up to Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the 8th Cavalry for 15 years before being promoted to major in the Inspector General Corps. He died on active duty.

(4) Williams, Richard Algernon (1846-1890) USMA Class of 1870. He served 20 years in the 8th Cavalry attaining the rank of captain. He died on active duty.

(5) Gaston, Joseph Alfred (1856-1937) USMA Class of 1881. A soldier for forty years he saw service with Pershing in the Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa in 1916 and was promoted to Brigadier General the next year. He retired in 1920.

(6) Possibly Charles Hodge Hunter, (1858-1935) USMA Class of 1880, who formerly had been assigned to the 19th Infantry.

(7) “Stables” was a mandatory daily work detail for mounted troops which provided for the care and grooming of their horses and had its own distinctive bugle call.

(8) Ward, John (1848-1911) Medal of Honor recipient who rescued Bullis in the fight at the Pecos River on April 25, 1875. One of original scouts he served in the Detachment for 25 years. He is buried with honor in the Seminole Scout Cemetery.

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.