The Diary of Lieutenant Francis Henry French at Fort Clark, Texas 1883 (continued #30)

In this 30th installment, Lieut. French enters the third week of his leave visiting his family in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Only the relative excitement of a picnic ruined by a rain storm changes his routine of visits to the dentist and socializing with family and old friends.


Monday, July 23, 1883
Was rather surprised when I went to the dentist's this morning to find the day given to somebody else, and rather glad too, although I want to get through. Made an engagement for Wednesday morning. Went around town and up to see Potter at the shops. In the afternoon, Lula, Sue, Mary, Kate, Maria, Emma & Mecca Hoagland, Chapman, Potter, the two Cary's, Will Fleming, Howard McCullough & I went up the river for a little picnic. Had a good time till a shower came, which wet us and the supper thoroughly. We had to come home. Potter came after changing his clothes and spent the rest of the evening here. Mecca Hoagland is not much changed from what she was when she & I were sweethearts, only is more womanly. She will make a true wife to the man that wins her.

Tuesday, July 24, 1883
Received a letter from Marie and one from Miss Williamson, a young lady friend of Marie's in Cincinnati. The latter is very anxious for me to marry the former, but I think this will never occur. Went down town in the morning. Read and slept in the hammock in the afternoon. In the evening called with Lula on Mrs. McKinnie & her daughter who leave tomorrow for the East, and on Emma & Mecca Hoagland. Lizzie T. & Ralph are here to keep house while the girls are away.

Wednesday, July 25, 1883
Spent the morning in the dentist's chair and almost completed my work with him. Slept & read in the afternoon. In the evening Sue & I went up to the railroad to say good-bye to Emma & Mecca. Lizzie was the only other person. The train was over an hour late and we had a very pleasant talk. I admire Mecca very much indeed, & think highly of Em, too, but the former is more mature and more settled. They are to be absent until the 1st of September and probably I shall not see them again. Mr. Braden of Indianapolis, Chapman, Potter, Howard McCullough called this evening. Mr. B. invited me to call while am at the Encampment next month.

Thursday, July 26, 1883
Finished up the dental work and now nothing remains but to pay the bill, $75. Stayed at home in the afternoon. In the evening called on Mrs. Ruthrauff with Mother. Potter spent the evening here. On account of engagement to call with Mother, had to decline a ride in Henry Meyer's dog cart.

Friday, July 27, 1883
Went down town with Mother & to the factory. Bought a pair of new shoes. In the afternoon went to the factory & talked with Father about his law suit against the canal owners. Aunt Mary's houses are being rapidly put up. In the evening took a long ride with Henry Freeman. McQuiston and other callers were here in the evening. Potter came later.

Saturday, July 28, 1883
Went down to the factory and up town in the morning. In the afternoon went go see a game of ball with Lula & Sue & others & had quite a pleasant time. In the evening called with Lula on Mrs. William  Meyer. My first evening dress suit, (civilian's) came home this evening,1 but as it does not fit well will have to be returned for alteration. Potter came in the evening to take Sue out for a ride and then called afterwards. He & Sue seem to be "sparking"; it may lead to an engagement. He is a very pleasant young man and I guess is able to support a wife.

Sunday, July 29, 1883
Went to the English Lutheran Church in the morning and heard an excellent sermon on the subjects of Sympathy & Generosity. Uncle French called in the afternoon & prevented me from finishing my usual letter to Marie. Had to excuse myself to go with Henry to dine with Lizzie at Mr. Hoagland's. John came down from Chicago last night and with Mr. H. & Ralph completed the party. Had a good dinner and afterwards had a real pleasant time talking. After dinner Henry & I came up home & found Chapman & Potter here, and then went out to Grandmother's to spend the night. Spent the evening talking and singing. Was reminded of old times when Henry & I were boys and used to spend the nights frequently with each other.

1 The Victorian dress code called for gentlemen’s evening dress of the 1880s to be fairly similar to modern formal wear: black tail coat; white formal shirt with stand up or wing tip collar; vest (ideally with lapels and scooped-front); bow tie which can be either white or black; trousers could be gray, even plaid; white gloves for ballroom wear; and flexible soled shoes such as high top black oxfords suitable for dancing.

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. 

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.