master, imparting to the interior somewhat the semblance of an emigrant-vessel’s steerage; while floors having been formed of tempered clay well beaten down, the rude aspect of these domiciles was amply compensated by the reality of comfort.
Within seven weeks the quadrangle was completed in this style, including quarters for five companies, or 400 men,—guard-house, magazine, quarter-master’s and adjutant’s offices, and officers’ quarters; and, without the quadrangle, a hospital, and a commissariat store, 400 feet by 40 feet, to protect the public property. The succeeding fortnight was devoted to erecting, further down the slope, a stable capable of sheltering 250 horses and mules,—hitherto picketted on the prairie, and exposed to savage greed and ingenuity,—forming one side of a yard elsewhere enclosed by a line of pickets. Such was the willingness of the men, and the judgment wherewith their labours were directed by the officers, that about Christmas the object of such strenuous exertion was attained in the completion of Fort Belknap, as the post was named in honour of the gallant lieutenant-colonel of the corps, then unhappily expiring at the post, of disease contracted during arduous services; and the force was now almost as comfortable, and the usual military duties were as punctiliously observed, as though the scene had been New York.
Towards the close of winter the continued use of salt provisions generated scurvy, and carried off two or three whose constitution had been weakened by previous years of reckless dissipation; but the issue of fresh meat on the arrival of herds of commissariat cattle from the frontier, and the establishment of a public bakery, quickly re-established the conditions of health. Here it may be necessary to observe that the American army ration being of flour and not of bread, biscuit being issued in its stead only under exceptional circumstances, and as the greatest inconvenience and discontent would ensue were its formation into bread to devolve on the individual soldier—a special arrangement is made to effect it. The flour, drawn from the commissariat every ten days by the respective companies, being delivered at the fort bakery, an equivalent weight of bread is issued, as it is required, day by day, at the rate of 1¼ lb. per ration. But the difference between the respective weights of flour and the bread made therefrom is such, that an approximate saving of one-fifth of the flour is effected to the benefit of the establishment, which sells the flour gained by the operation in the form of bread to the officers and their families, to those hungry soldiers whom their ration does not satiate, and lastly to civilians of the vicinity, at the rate of 2d. per ration to the enlisted man, and of 4d. to all others. The bread is almost invariably excellent, and in every way preferable to that sold by professional bakers on the frontiers. The funds thence accruing,—which vary with circumstances, such as the locality, strength of the garrison, populousness of the vicinity, &c.,—after deducting the expenses, including the extra pay of the bakers (who are invariably soldiers specially selected for the duty), are partly expended on the Post library, and partly on the regimental band, whereto the State contributes only by authorising the enlistment of a certain number of musicians as privates, whose extra pay, music, instruments, &c., must be provided for by the corps. Similar economies may be and are effected by companies on their other rations, the commissariat being always ready to commute undrawn rations for money; and this fund is employed by companies, under the supervision of their immediate commanders, in extending the company library, in purchasing garden seeds, liquor for festive occasions, and other little comforts. The rations furnished by the State are so liberal, that with ordinary economy the funds of a company or regiment may be very large.
At this time a few Indians ventured occasionally to enter the post, carrying as a pretext for their presence a quarter of venison, or a couple of wild turkeys on the pommel of their saddles. These first visitors, being always kindly received, protected from insult, and furnished according to custom with a few rations, after satisfying their secret curiosity and apprehension, must, on returning to their dusky brethren of the wilderness, have spoken most eulogistically of what they had seen; for, henceforward, whatever of interest might be going on coram publico, a few slouching Indians were always among the spectators; and whatever scanty game the prairie afforded the troops were provided with by these vagrant gentry.
The only occurrence which in any respect disquieted the force during its stay at Brazos took place during this first winter, on one tempestuous night of which an entrance was effected into the corral, or stable-yard, by the removal of a ricketty picket; when about fifty horses and mules loose in the enclosure were abstracted so dexterously that, owing to the war of the elements, the loss was not discovered till the sentries were relieved an hour afterwards. The alarm being then given, the long-roll beat tumultuously, and the troops were immediately got under arms in anticipation of a possible onslaught of savages. At dawn an efficient party was organised and equipped, which, mounting in fiery haste, eager for a fray, departed in pursuit under the direction of a guide versed in all Indian wiles. But, after following the trail northward for 300 miles, as far as the Canadian river, without encountering the thievish fugitives, or other result than the recovery of a lame mule abandoned by them in their flight, the exhaustion of both horses and riders, and the lack of provisions, enforced the soldiers to return. Suspicion fell at first upon the poor Ishmaelites prowling round the post, and for some time the soldiery looked somewhat askant at them. Circumstances however subsequently exonerated them, and fixed the guilt on a band of unscrupulous knaves from the settlements. Certain disreputable villains of this description frequently on the frontier disguise themselves as Indians, for the purpose of committing the most atrocious outrages on their own people, in comparative security, and these crimes are hastily attributed to the poor children of the desert, who are far less deserving of the name of savages.
With spring arrived the long expected colonel,