Army Letters from an Officers Wife, 1871-1888

Army Letters from an Officer's
Wife, 1871-1888

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Title: Army Letters from an Officer's Wife, 1871-1888
Author: Frances M.A. Roe
Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6823] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on January 28,
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Language: English
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LETTERS FROM AN OFFICER'S WIFE ***

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ARMY LETTERS FROM AN OFFICER'S WIFE
FRANCES M. A. ROE.
PREFACE
PERHAPS it is not necessary to say that the events mentioned in the
letters are not imaginary--perhaps the letters themselves tell that! They
are truthful accounts of experiences that came into my own life with the
Army in the far West, whether they be about Indians, desperadoes, or
hunting--not one little thing has been stolen. They are of a life that has
passed--as has passed the buffalo and the antelope--yes, and the log and
adobe quarters for the Army. All flowery descriptions have been
omitted, as it seemed that a simple, concise narration of events as they
actually occurred, was more in keeping with the life, and that which
came into it. FRANCES M. A. ROE.
ARMY LETTERS FROM AN OFFICER'S WIFE
KIT CARSON, COLORADO TERRITORY, October, 1871.
IT is late, so this can be only a note--to tell you that we arrived here
safely, and will take the stage for Fort Lyon to-morrow morning at six
o'clock. I am thankful enough that our stay is short at this terrible place,
where one feels there is danger of being murdered any minute. Not one
woman have I seen here, but there are men--any number of
dreadful-looking men--each one armed with big pistols, and leather
belts full of cartridges. But the houses we saw as we came from the
station were worse even than the men. They looked, in the moonlight,
like huge cakes of clay, where spooks and creepy things might be found.
The hotel is much like the houses, and appears to have been made of

dirt, and a few drygoods boxes. Even the low roof is of dirt. The whole
place is horrible, and dismal beyond description, and just why anyone
lives here I cannot understand.
I am all upset! Faye has just been in to say that only one of my trunks
can be taken on the stage with us, and of course I had to select one that
has all sorts of things in it, and consequently leave my pretty dresses
here, to be sent for--all but the Japanese silk which happens to be in
that trunk. But imagine my mortification in having to go with Faye to
his regiment, with only two dresses. And then, to make my
shortcomings the more vexatious, Faye will be simply fine all the time,
in his brand new uniform!
Perhaps I can send a long letter soon--if I live to reach that army post
that still seems so far away.
FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY, October, 1871.
AFTER months of anticipation and days of weary travel we have at last
got to our army home! As you know, Fort Lyon is fifty miles from Kit
Carson, and we came all that distance in a funny looking stage coach
called a "jerkey," and a good name for it, too, for at times it seesawed
back and forth and then sideways, in an awful breakneck way. The day
was glorious, and the atmosphere so clear, we could see miles and
miles in every direction. But there was not one object to be seen on the
vast rolling plains--not a tree nor a house, except the wretched ranch
and stockade where we got fresh horses and a perfectly uneatable
dinner.
It was dark when we reached the post, so of course we could see
nothing that night. General and