Journal of army life

Preface

Although the following extracts from my private journal are confined mostly to personal details of nine years service in the Military Department of the Government, at a period when there were no conflicts excepting with the Indians, still, they may interest a few readers who are curious to learn something of Garrison life on the border; and of Oregon and Washington Territorial Indian wars from 1855 to 1858.

They may also serve to enlighten such persons as are ignorant of the privations and occasional hardships endured by military men in the intervening periods of great wars; and others, who imagine that the army, as a peace establishment, is only an expensive luxury, kept up for display.

These people do not seem to be aware that even during the most profound national quietude, the troops are divided up into small detachments and garrisons, to stand guard on our extensive frontier, with the red men of the forest on the one side, and the pioneer settlers on the other; and that through their constant vigilance many bloody strifes between these ever-conflicting classes are prevented.

In regard to the Washington and Oregon Territorial Indian wars, it will be observed that details are given of the campaign only in which I had some actual knowledge and experience; although general reference is made to many other engagements with the Indians by the regulars and volunteers.

A mere summary of the incidents of Colonel Buchanan's campaign, would probably be more interesting to the general reader than the tedious details given in my journal; but there doubtless are some persons who are desirous of knowing all the particulars of the last sanguinarystruggle that the Government has ever had, or probably ever will have, with the once warlike bands of red men of the northwest coast, who contended so fearlessly and savagely with the pioneer settlers.

Yes, the last struggle — for the Snake and Modoc Indians, who have subsequently given trouble, were not among the belligerents in the general Indian war that harassed the border settlements of Oregon and Washington Territories, from 1855 to 1858.

R. GLISAN.

Portland, Oregon, April 15, 1874.

Chapter 1. Page

Army Medical Board — Grades in Medical Corps— The examination a severe Ordeal — Depression on severing Old Ties and Associations^-Not to remain in Army for Life— Acting as Aid to General Childs — Pleasant Society at Fort McHenry and Carlisle Barracks — Comanche charge i

Chapter II

Accompanying Recruits from Carlisle to Jefterson Barracks — By Rail, Canal and Steamboat — Beauty of Scenery^Prevalence of the Cholera — St. Louis a great Army Place 1 1

Chapter III

By Steamboat to Fort Leavenworth — Military Stations being nuclei for settlements — The frequent removal of Indians by the Government, and their final Fate — Alcohol the Fire Brand of Indian Disturbances — Col. « B., of the Dragoons — Union of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers — Panic of the Recruits at the great prevalence of the Cholera — Mexican Veterans would rather face a Battery than Asiatic Cholera — Death of General Mason by this Disease 17

Chapter IV

Trip from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Smith — Thoughts on Benton, Clay, Calhoun and Webster — Hot Weather at Memphis — Tedious Journey up the Arkansas — A Row between Passengers and Captain — Numerous Doctors at Little Rock — Pat desires to be his own Heir — Rough Stage Traveling and several Accidents— Arrival at Fort Smith — The interposition of U. S. Troops often required to settle disturbances among the Cherokees, and between the latter and their Arkansas Neighbors — The Cherokees a warlike Race 25

Chapter V

Departure from Fort Smith into the Indian Country with only a stupid teamster— First effort at making Coffee— Choctaw Ball Play— Remarks concerning these Indians — A dreary Travel in the Dark — Charming

VI CONTENTS,

PAGE.

Landscape — Supper on broiled Squirrel and stony Biscuit — Knowing winks of the roguish Mules — The Teamster's Night-'inare — Left alone all Night without Weapons in a dismal Forest, and serenaded by wild Beasts — Arrival at Fort Washita — Paid a compliment to my Hostess' Cooking — Met my new Commander — Death of General Leavenworth and Massacre of Judge Martin — Hooting of an Owl — Reach Camp Arbuckle — "What! a tee-to-taler" — Hit the "Bull's Eye" — Marcy's Coon Story 36

CHAPTER VL

Living in Tents and temporary Log Cabins — Commissioned Officers mess together — Mrs. Marcy's first attempt at Cooking — Love in a Cottage, and Love in a Frontier Cabin contrasted — Proposed exchange of Wives between an Indian Chief and Marcy — Too much hard Work and not enough- military Instruction — Hunting, instead of Fatigue Parties — Several hunting Trips — Killed the first Deer — Alarmed by Indians and swim the River — Lost my way — Headed off by two wild Indians — Hunting Deer with a Hog — Kill another Deer, which was claimed by Updegraaf — Almost frozen to Death — Christmas Bill of Fare — Army and Navy Mess— Cherokees and their Negro Prisoners — Cherokees and Creeks — Burning Hay to save it. Hey ! — Genuine Prairie Fire — Rattlesnakes, Centipedes and Tarantulas — Compass Plant — Sad News from Home 51

Chapter VII

Change of Location^View of the Washita Valley — Graves of Comanches ; Habits and Customs of these Indians — Their Hostility to the Government, and Threats to drive everybody out of the Country — An Unoccupied Field for Missionaries among them — To chastise them, mounted Troops indispensable — Recruits worthless — Comanches at Home on Horseback — How they Subsist and Clothe themselves — They approach both Friend and Foe in a Run 73

Chapter VIII

Erection of Quarters — Whisky Dealers — Hospital Steward — Reflections upon the Evils of Intemperance — The Fifth Infantry to be relieved by the Seventh — Separation of Families — Vow of Celibacy whilst in the Army — Violent Storms — Rattlesnakes seek shelter in Mess Tent, and beneath my Bed — The Wild Indians threaten to combine and drive us out of the Country — Death of two Ofhcers of the Fifth Infantry — Fish, Birds and Animals — My Hunting Companion, Lieutenant Pearce — He frightens me terribly by screaming at a Rattlesnake — Our Turkey Hunt — Delaware and Shawnee Indians as Guides — The Kickapoos — First Lady in Garrison — Respect for Females by Civilized and Uncivilized People Si

CONTENTS. Vn

Chapter IX. Page

An Officer Court-martialed — Another threat by the Comanches — Rumored Massacre of Captain Marcy and party — Kickapoo War Dance — Howling of Wolves create a Stampede — Marcy reads his own Obituary— Visit to the Kickapoos — Much sickness among them — They importune my Assistance — Another Christmas — Deprivations of Army Officers — A Warning to Young Ladies — Little Dug's fall into a Duck Pond — The tribes of Redskins who visit the Post — Choctaw Law — Murder of Dr. Ward — Desertions — Trouble with the Kickapoos, Witchitaws and Wacos — Kickapoo Ball-Play — Departure of Lieutenant Garland and Wife — Rare sport at Pigeon Shooting by myself in the Mountains — The Indians must change their Habits or be Annihilated — The Soldier Jack of all Trades — More Sad News from Home 95

Chapter X

Amusing Comanche Scares at the Sawmill — Captain Simmons relieves Brevet Major Henshaw — Mirage — Deer Hunting — A party of Mormons; Nearly all sick — Their Religion — A Visit from the Comanches; The Chief is very sick, and is cured by White Man's Medicine for the first Time — Fatal Encounter between Major, Arnold and Dr. Steiner^A Murder by Indians ; and Captivity of Mrs. Wilson — A general Courtmartial — A Description of the several kinds of Courts — Execution of a Court-martial Sentence — Visit from Inspector-General — Ransom and ■ Escape of the Wilson Family from the Indians I14

Chapter XI

Murder of Col. Stem, and remarkable Fate of the Indians who committed the Act — A Visit to Caddo Village — A magnificent View from the Washita Mountains — Prairie Dogs — Climate — Our Society augmented — A surious Ceremony among the Kickapoos, and singular coincidence — Hurricane — Service of the Troops — Temporary Exchange of Posts with Dr. Stone — A Suicide — To be relieved by Dr. Williams — Become Poetical 133

Chapter XV. Page

San Francisco — Benicia Barracks — Climate — Anecdotes of Speculation — Land Titles — San Jose Lawyer and His Client — Stormy Voyage to Fort Orford 205

CHAPTER XVL

Climate, Mines, etc., of the Oregon Coast — In Command of the Post, and fire a National Salute — Conflict between Indians and Whites on " Battle Rock" — Fish and Game ^ 220

Chapter XVII

About Mining — "Drop Riffle" — Mining Excitements — Confidential Humbugs — Reticent, and Lucky Miners — "For God's sake hurry, the Lieutenant is Shot" 231

Chapter XVIII

Indian Council — A Disturbance — Two Indians and three Whites Killed —

Modes, Habits, etc., of the Indians 240

Chapter XIX

"Lagrande Speculation" — Indian Hostilities in Washington Territory — Defeat of Major Haller — Threatened Indian outbreak in Southern Oregon —Rumored Massacre of Lieutenant Kautz and Party — Repulse of Upper Rogue River Indians by U. S. Troops under Major Fitzgerald. 225

Chapter XX

Return of Kautz — His Encounter with Indians — Battle of "Hungry Hill" — General Harney defeats the Sioux — A Storm — Whales in the Harbor — Christmas — Indian Troubles near Puget Sound — Lieutenant Slaughter Killed — Steamer ' 'California" catching fire, and subsequently experiencing a Terrific Gale — Four Indians Killed for Stealing — Two Whites Waylayed and Killed by Indians — Slight Skirmish by Volunteers — The Upper Rogue River Indians trying to incite the Coast Indians to War — Col. Kelly's repulse of the Indians in Eastern Oregon — Upper Rogue River Indians surrounded but escape — Good Shots — Killed Dr. Myers at 300 yards — An effort to separate the Coast from Hostile Indians — Rock Oysters and Sea Otter 261

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter XXI. ' Page

Uprising of Coast Indians — Terrible Massacre of Whites — Coast Settlers take refuge in temporary Fortifications- -Narrov/ Escape of Dr. White, Messrs. Foster and Smith — Ten men sent in a row-boat with Provisions for besieged Whites, are Drowned — The Hunter Roland — Strengthening our Fortifications — A Detachment from Fort Miner's nearly cut to pieces — An Exchange of Prisoners— Military Relief for Fort Miner 282

Chapter XXII

Troops move in three divisions against the Indians — A Skirmish at the mouth of the Illinois — The Regulars relieve a besieged Company of Volunteers, and subsequently the Citizens, at Fort Miner — Skirmish at the mouth of Rogue River — Another at Macanuteeny Village — Narrow escape of two Expressmen — Captain Smith encounters the Indians near the mouth of the Illinois — An Expressman decoyed by a Spur — Skirmish with the enemy by the commands of Majors Latshaw and Bruce — Pack Train captured by the Rogue River Indians — Also the Horses of Captain George's Company of Volunteers — Captain Keyes defeats the enemy at Muckle Chute Prairie — "/ a;« Kanaskct, and I hate you" — Massacre at the Cascades 293

Chapter XXIII

In the hold of a Schooner with the Hatches battened down, during a Storm — Bled:3>je waylays and kills a number of Indians— Names of the Hostile Tribes — Causes of the War — Some of the Coast Indians desire Peace — General Wool and the Governors of Oregon and Washington Territories at cross purposes — Indians desiring to Interview an Enemy, first send an old Squaw — A Brush with the Indians at Chetcoe — An Indian lynched at Port Orford 313

Chapter XXIV

Colonel Buchanan's command march up on each side of Rogue River with the Olive Branch in one hand, and the Sword in the other — Colonel Cornelius' Volunteers lose their horses— General Lamerick comes across the enemy at the Big Meadows — Views as to the kind of Troops necessary for Indian Service — More Peace Talk — Old George's Band — Superintendent of Indians goes to the Front — Colonel Wright's Talk with Kimiakin unsatisfactory — San Francisco Vigilance Committee — Old John's Treachery, and a bloody battle — Stampede at Port Orford — Wreck of a Vessel — Was Morrison a Knave or a Fool ? — More concerning the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco — A Skirmish with the Indians four miles above the mouth of the Illinois — A Fight with the Enemy five miles below the junction of the Illinois and Rogue Rivers — The Troops victorious , 324

X CONTENTS.

Chapter XXV. Fage

An Indian scheme to attack Fort Orford — Further indications of the Enemy growing tired of the War — More talk of Treachery and Capture of Fort Orford — George and Limpy's Bands surrender — Chief John has a Cry — Arrival of Troops and many Indians — Treachery prevented by the confinement of twelve Chiefs — Departure of a portion of the Indians for the Coast Reservation — Old John promises to come in — Captain Ord arrives with Old John's Band, and other Indians — On the Fourth of July Col. Buchanan announces the close of the Rogue River War — Remaining Indians sent overland to the Reservation — Colonel Wright unable to make Peace with the Enemy east of the Cascade Mountains — A dangerous Sea Trip in a Canoe — San Francisco still under the control of the Vigilance Committee — United States Dragoons and Kansas Riots 342

Chapter XXVI

Packers Robbed and Killed by Indian Stragglers — Five bad Indians shot by a Party of Whites — Colonel Shaw routs the Enemy near Grande Ronde — Skirmish of Colonel Layton — My trip from Fort Orford to Fort Yamhill— Fort Vancouver — Hudson Bay Company — Ben. Wright — The Cascades — The Willamette Falls — Steamboat "Hoosier" — Yamhill Valley — Fort Yamhill 356

Chapter XXVII

Visit to the Coast — An Indian Attack upon Governor Steven's Escort — Splendid Mountain Scenery from a point near Fort Yamhill — Two Murders in Garrison — A Government Train perishes in the Snow — A Hard Trip through Deep Snow — The Indian Department and the Indians lose much Stock — The Indians threaten to return to Rogue River — Whites Stampeded— In order to stay the hand of Death, the Indians resolve to kill their Doctors — My Horse falls and rolls down a Hill — Captain Stevenson's Skirmish with the Indians in Florida — The Mormons — A Fourth of July Accident prevented by Lieutenant Sheridan — Welcker's Wedding Festivities — Mormon Troubles — Synopsis of the Weather 372

Chapter XXVIII

Loss of the Steamer "Central America" — Financial Crisis — Trouble among the Reservation Indians — Utah Expedition — An Expressman Drowned — Brigham Young more Conciliatory — Indians Moody — Chief John and Son Shackled and sent to Presidio, near San Francisco — Frazer River Mining Excitement — Rumored Fight with the Indians by the Troops under Colonel Steptoe 390

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter XXIX. Page

Steptoe's Defeat — Chief John and Son raise a row on board ship and get wounded — 30,000 persons gone to Frazer River Mines — A party of ninety Miners under Robertson driven back by the Indians east of the Cascade Mountains — Financially Ruined — The Mormon Troubles ended — A Campaign to be made against Confederate Indians in Eastern Washington and Oregon — Rumored fight with the Indians by the Troops under Colonel Wright 402

Chapter XXX

Submarine Telegraph — Total Defeat of the Indians by Colonel Wright's Command — The Indian War east of the Cascade Range at an end — Five hundred Passengers lost by the burning of the Steamship Austria — Two Children carried up in a Balloon — Chamberlain crossing the Plains alone with a Wheelbarrow — Nearly a Fight with Old Sam's Band, whom the Troops disarm — "Tom, keep your Gun, and let us shake hands in Friendship" 415

A Comparative View of the Climate, Resources and Diseases of the Southwest, embracing the Indian Territory and Western Texas, and of the Northwest Coast, including Washington Territory and Oregon 474

JOURNAL OF ARMY LIFE.

Chapter I. Commencement Of Army Life

Army Medical Board — Grades in Medical Corps — The Examination a Severe Ordeal — Depression on severing Old Ties and Associations — Not to remain in Army for Life — Acting as Aid to General Childs- -Pleasant Society at Fort McHenry and Carlisle Barracks — Comanche Charge.

Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, July 2d, 1850.

HAVING received a diploma as M. D., from the University of Maryland on the 20th of March, A. D., 1849, ^ shortly afterward opened an office in Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland, where I practiced medicine until the second of May in the following year, when I received a commission of Assistant Surgeon in the United States Army — having passed the necessary examination before a Board of Army Surgeons, convened in Philadelphia on the 15th of October, 1849.

There are three grades in the medical corps — Surgeon General, Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon; the first hsls the rank of Colonel, the second of Major, and the third of First Lieutenant, during the first five years of service, afterward of Captain until promotion to the grade of Surgeon. This rank is not merely assimulative, but real ; and avails its possessor in the selection of quarters, in the matter of precedence where serving on mixed Boards, Councils of Administration, Courts Martial ; and in everything except commanding troops when a line officer is present.

The duties of Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons are essentially the same. When acting together, which is rarely the case, owing to the numerous garrisons and detachments into which our army is distributed, the former, of course, rank the latter. So does seniority in either grade give precedence over juniors.

During* the Revolutionary war, and for many subsequent years, the medical corps had a very different, and far less efficient organization than at present. The Surgeons, and Surgeons' Mates, as the Assistant Surgeons were then designated, were attached to posts or regiments permanently ; now medical officers belong to the general staff, and are liable for duty in any arm or branch of service.

Few persons out of the medical profession have a just appreciation of the severe ordeal through which medical officers of the army have to pass before obtaining their commissions. Until July 7th, 1832, political influence alone was sufficient to enable one to enter the medical corps of the army, at which time Lewis Cass, Secretary of War, issued an order reiterating a clause of the army regulations for 1825, prohibiting appointments into this corps until after an examination by a properly authorized Medical Board.

Prior to the Secretary's order this regulation had never been carried out on account of the difficulty of

AJiMV LIFE. 3

detailing medical officers to constitute the Board ; but ever since then it has been strictly enforced. The Board has generally been convened about once a year, either at New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore — these cities being the great centers of medical education. Due notice of the meeting of the Board has always been given in the public press several months before its session ; likewise an invitation to all persons desirous of being candidates for appointment into the medical staff, to appear before the Board.

The only preliminary step required is to obtain a permit from the Secretary of War — this being readily granted to all applicants of good, moral, and social standing within the prescribed ages, from twenty-one to twenty-eight.

The examination is always critical and severe, and but a small proportion of the applicants successfully pass the ordeal. Having determined to stand my chances either before the Army or Naval Board, I devoted my whole leisure time, after graduating, to the study of my profession, and such collateral branches as appertain to a liberal medical education. Not wishing to lose what practice I had in Baltimore, by too long an absence, I wrote to the President of the Board to know about what time it would be ready to examine me. Having received a satisfactory reply^ I reported in person at the designated time, and was told to be ready on the following day.

The Board was composed of Surgeons Thomas G. Mower, Richard S. Satterlee, and Assistant Surgeon Robert Southgate, and held its session at Jones' Hotel, Philadelphia.

The members were entire strangers to me, but being convinced of the impartiality of their examination, I felt no fears on that score. The only letters that I presented related mostly to my moral and social standing, as I well knew that the Board would prefer to ascertain, by an examination, my scientific and scholastic acquirements.

It was well for me, perhaps, that I was fortified with testimony as to character, for, as ill-luck would have it, I received a severe bruise on the cheek by accidentally striking my face against the bedstead the night previous to my examination. The Board was somewhat shocked at my appearance, but seemed satisfied with my explanation. My examination lasted three days.

On the first day the questions were of a general character, having as much reference to educational as scientific attainments. The Board, being satisfied on these points, handed me a subject for a thesis, scorbutus or scurvy, and placed me in an adjoining room to write it. I was prohibited from referring to any books for information. This being a very rare disease in the Atlantic cities, I had never seen a case of it, or heard a lecture upon this subject. Nevertheless, I was familiar with the history and theory of the disease from medical books, and consequently wrote what the examining board considered a good thesis.

On the second and third days I underwent a very searching examination in the various branches of medicine. As I had satisfactorily answered nearly all of the questions propounded, I felt sanguine of success, but did not, of course, make any inquiries in relation thereto, as I knew that the Board could not divulge any part of its proceedings until making a report to the Surgeon General, at Washington City.

In due course of time I received a letter from the War Department informing me that having passed a successful examination, I should be commissioned as soon as a vacancy occurred. There were six other successful candidates, I being the only one from Maryland, although there were quite a number of candidates from this State. I subsequently ascertained, at the Surgeon General's office, that the Board made an unusually complimentary report as to the qualifications of the successful candidates. Very few of my friends knew that I had appeared before the Board until I had been officially informed of my success — not even my relations.

The first impressions of delight on the reception of my commission being over, I began to look forward to my new career with feelings a little tinctured with regret at having to sever old ties and associations in a city that I loved so well, to enter upon a field of duty so different from anything in civil life. The gilt button, which is all the rage since the Mexican war, had no charms for me. Still I looked upon my new position as one of honor — and knew whilst it afforded me a sure livelihood, I should also have facilities of acquiring much useful information, both professional and otherwise, not to be obtained in civil practice. Yet, however m.uch I may like army-life, it is not my intention to remain in it for life.

My first assignment to duty was at Fort McHenry, near Baltimore — which was then garrisoned by two companies of light artillery — Brevet-majors Hays and

Sedgwick's — and commanded by Brigadier General Thomas Childs. I was stationed there temporarily during the absence of Surgeon Robert C. Wood at West Point, where he had gone as a member of a Board for the physical examination of Cadets.

Besides my duties at the post, I had to visit the recruiting rendezvous, in Baltimore, daily, to examine recruits. Medical officers of the army, although to a certain extent under the control of commanding^ officers of posts, or of commanders of departments, or divisions, or of an army in the field, have their duties so well defined by the "regulations," that it is very rare indeed for them to receive orders except from the head of their own department. They belong, however, to the general staff, and are consequently liable in an emergency to almost any kind of duty required of staff officers. For instance, at the first "general inspection and muster" at Fort McHenry, that occurred after my arrival, I was required to act as aide-de-camp to the general, Mr. Rhett being ill. These "reviews" are generally attended by a great many spectators.

Owing to the beauty of the day, and a special invitation from General Childs to his city friends, there were present on this occasion an unusually large number of o-entlemen and ladies from Baltimore. After having reviewed and inspected the troops, we dismounted, and turning our horses over to an orderly to hold, joined the lady spectators to witness the drill. Whilst I was proceeding faire I'ahnable to a very charming demoiselle, the General turned to me and said, "give my compliments to Major Sedgwick — he will cease firing. " Not fully appreciating all the duties of an aid-de-camp, I was at first a little disconcerted, but, remounting my horse, I delivered the General's order, which was, of course, promptly obeyed by the Major. The review being over, we joined the invited guests, and partook of refreshments at the General's residence.

A happy combination of circumstances rendered the six weeks of my sojourn at Fort McHenry a delightful recreation. It was in the lovely months of May and June, when the rural scenery of Maryland presents its most enchantinof view. The season when the overworked denizens of largfe and crowded towns should bid adieu, for a time, to the heat, smoke and unhealthy miasma of a city atmosphere, and hie to the country.

Fort McHenry is about a mile from the suburbs of Baltimore, and being situated in a somewhat triangular neck of land (a peninsula), with one of its sides washed by the river Patapsco, and the other by the basin or harbor of Baltimore, it affords a very agreeable, quiet country-like retreat, where the exhausted and weary student, or professional man, can inhale the invigorating sea and country air, and enjoy a comparative freedom from the cares of busy life.

I did not, however, lead the life of a sluggard. My professional duties were promptly attended to, and the most of my leisure hours devoted to mental culture. Still the stream of my life had begun to run in a channel so quiet and smooth, in comparison to the neverceasing toil of my student life, that I began to think, after all, the lot of an army medical officer was quite as good as a young man with moderate aspirations could desire.

The society of the garrison, consisting of the officers and their famihes, was congenial and agreeable, and nothing occurred during my short stay to render me discontented; still, for some reason or other, when orders came for my departure to a rougher and more distant field of duty, I felt delighted. Curiosity and desire to experience the various vicissitudes of army life, had doubtless much to do in rendering me so willing to cut loose from the many pleasant reminiscences of old Fort McHenry.

On the 28th of June, 1850, I received orders from the War Department to proceed to Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and accompany thence a detachment of recruits to Jefferson Barracks^ Missouri ; thence to go to Fort Smith, in Arkansas, and report myself for duty to the commanding officer of Military Department No. 7, to be sent by him to a new post about being established on the Canadian river.

Nothing of peculiar interest occurred on my trip from Fort McHenry to York — whither I went by railroad — excepting being somewhat annoyed by the frequent clouds of embers from the engine. At York I took the stage. It being a delightfully cool evening, and having a beautiful range of country to pass through, I was most agreeably disappointed as to the unpleasantness of this mode of travel. Arriving at Carlisle at 7 p. M., I took lodgings at the Mansion House. On the following morning I came to the Barracks, which are only a mile from town. Here I found the officers engaged in the muster and inspection of troops, which is required by the army regulations every two months. Besides these there are, of course, monthly and other minor inspections.

AJ?MY LIFE.

The beauty of everything in this region, at this season of the year, and of the barracks themselves, together with the brotherly kindness with which I was received by the officers of the garrison, caused me to feel perfectly at home. This post is a depot and school of practice for recruits, to fit them for the dragoon service,. and is at present commanded by Brevet-lieutenant Colonel P. St. George Cooke. The regimental band at this place is a very excellent one ; and being the only one in this part of the country, is much sought after by various parties and celebrations.

There are but few, I imagine, who could not appreciate the comforts of a garrison like this. The barracks are located in the heart of a beautiful valley, equidistant from two ranges of mountains, which form parts of the great Apalachian Range. They are built in a rectangular form, with neat and comfortable quarters for men and officers, and constitute the greatest attraction in the neiehborhood.