La Posta January 2002 59
nd
Fort Klamath, Ogn. Feb 11, ’79. hard field service and as we 2 Lieuts have to
do all the work, or most of it anyway I think it is
[postmarked Linkville, Oregon Feb. 12]
about time that there was some one “retired.”
Tell Grace that Gen. Howard is a Brigadier
Dear Mother:
th General and commands the Dept of the Colum-
Yours of 27 are rec’d. I have just returned
bia which embraces Wash Ter, Ogn & part of
from Ashland 101 miles from here from a chase
Idaho. He was a Maj Gen of Volunteers during
after a deserter, who used to be my cook and
the war. He graduated in 1854. I had the honor
“striker” in the field. After an about constant ride
of commanding his escort last summer for abut
(horseback & on buckboard) for nearly two days
a day and messed with the Gen & his staff.
and one night I overhauled him near Ashland. I
I received the Denver and St. Peter Tribunes
made a complete surprise. The first intimation, I
the other day. I cannot find anything more to write
think, that he had of being followed was when I
about and so will close.
told him that he was my prisoner and he turned
Your Son,
and looked at the muzzle of my revolver. I took
Will
him to Ashland and locked him up in the cala-
I know how soon I will get a “bar” promotion
boose and the ingenious wretch cut through the
is rather unsettled just now. Wish I could be
floor with a pocket knife which he had concealed
present at the Silver Wedding.
and made his escape.
I have circulated telegrams and posters freely
th
Fort Klamath, Oregon. April 14 , 1879.and have some hopes of catching him again. I
rode on the buckboard yesterday from about 4
[postmarked Linkville, Oregon. April 14]
A.M. till 11:30 P.M. and have ridden 37 miles to-
day in the saddle. Consequently as I have plenty
Dear Mother & Sister Grace:
to do excuse this short letter from rd th
Yours of the 23 and 28 March were received
Will.
during my absence at Bidwell. It took me five
P.S. My Stylographic Pen came through all
days to ride over and five back and then I stayed
right and will be a splendid thing in the field where
then one day. The first march (from here to
carrying an ink bottle is very inconvenient if not
Yainax) runs 46 miles over a very bad trail. The
altogether impracticable. (This is the kind of
balance of the road was fair with the exception
writing that it does) – the writing would look
of mud, snow, rain & bedbugs. I had quite a
better perhaps if a more skillful hand guided the
pleasant out-trip. I saw thousands of ducks &
pen that that of
geese on the road and captured a goose nest with
W.C.B. [ed. – the “P.S.” is in a blue pen while
6 eggs. I found or had accounted for, all the In-
the main letter is in black].
dians that I went after. The stopping places on
the road weren’t quite so good as the Sturtevant
Fort Klamath, Oregon. Feb 27th, 1879.
in New York but we managed to worry through
[postmarked Linkville, Oregon Feb. 28]
our meals.
Col Whipple has gone to Portland on a Gen-
eral Court Martial and it is said that he is indeedDear Father:
th
to appear before a Retiring Board, so if he isYours of the 16 rec’d today. Glad to see that
retired we will get another Captain. The bars onbusiness is improving. I hear this evening that
my shoulders however haven’t commenced tothe Senate passed the Army Appropriation Bill
sprout just yet. Col W’s. retired pay will amountbut have left for the next session the Reorgani-
to $1,900.00 per year and he can go where hezation Bill which was tacked on to the Appro-
pleases in the U.S. and engage in any businesspriation Bill.
that he chooses since he is now in better healthI wish they would hurry up and do something
than Pa is. The only thing the matter with him iswith us and then let us alone. The Army is just
that he is nearly 60 yrs old & cannot endure afull of old Majors, Capts & Lts that are carried
hard campaign. While I was on my way backon as being for duty but who are totally unfit for
from Bidwell, stopping at one of the dirtiest
places on the road I happened to see a piece in
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