The Arizona Miner
Prescott, Arizona Territory
June 24th, 1871
Letter From Camp Date Creek, A.T. June, 1871.
Editors Arizona Miner:
Your indulgence in the columns of the Miner, permits me the
opportunity of informing the residents of Arizona, that they are
undoubtedly laboring under false impressions, when entertaining
the supposition that Camp Date Creek has been abandoned. We
arrive hastily to such conclusion from reading the communications
of, inaccurate observers. It may long since have been erased from
the pages of the Army Directory; but we can bear witness that the
A.C.S. receives occasionally from a passing train a token of
remembrance. The unexpected appearance of an attenuated mule,
loosely packed with goods labelled, “Army Supplies,” exercises a
powerful influence on the sanitary condition of the soldier.
Referring also, to the military report of the commanding officer
of the Department of Arizona, which report has been published in
the Arizona Miner, we ascertain the relative location of this
military post, and, from the same source we can determine its
importance to the rapidly increasing population of this reputed
auriferous Territory. In addition to that Report, I can
unhesitatingly assert that Camp Date Creek is garrisoned by men,
without a single exception, deserving the good opinion of
every inhabitant of this long neglected portion of the United
States.
The last importations from New Mexico, B Troop, Third Cavalry,
have not added materially to the preservation of life and
protection of property since their arrival at Camp Date Creek. I
have learned that requisitions for horses have been repeatedly
forwarded to inside officials by Captain Meinhold, commanding B
Troop, Third Cavalry; and the present state of affairs, resulting
from of inefficiency of arms and small number of horses at this
post, leads outsiders to believe that this command has outlived
the recollection of even the oldest army officers. The
requisitions for necessary arms and horses are doubtless thrown
aside, for the consideration of matters of more importance to the
citizens of Arizona- perhaps the letting of a few fat army
contracts;- this, while the crafty Indians are exercising
undisputed sway, and committing depredations almost within sight
of this post. The greater portion of B Troop have never received
horses, and are unable, on foot, to overtake and inflict upon the
sneaking Tontos such punishment as they deserve. The powers that
be, have fettered the troops, or else they would have long since
impressed the surrounding warriors, with that terror which their
presence in other localities aroused. The soldiers console
themselves with the thought that they are exonerated from the
slightest shade of cowardice: the previous reputation of the
troops sustain them in these reflections; but their is an ebb and
Letter From Camp Date Creek, A.T. Continued.
flow in the condition of armies, “as well as the affairs of
nations.” The citizens entertain the idea, and perhaps their
opinion is not erroneous, that we are endeavoring to steer clear
of the rough places, and quietly drifting away in search of an
avocation more congenial to our natures.
Since coming to this post, the members of B Troop are convinced
that they have departed far from their original course, and now
find themselves following the old beaten road, mapped out by
their predecessors.
The soil in the immediate neighborhood of this post, is inferior
to none in the production of the adobe; the climate, also, is
admirably adapted to the drying process of that same rare
production: others arriving at this exact conclusion, nearly all
the enlisted men at this post are engaged in the manufacture,
hauling and building of adobe. There must have appeared unto
them, resplendent visions of a far off country— perhaps China,
the land of the heathen- for lo, there arises, “as if by magic” a
wall, equalled alone by the works of that distant country. Idle
hands and empty heads compose an instrument of mischief in the
ranks of the U.S.A.; so labor’s incessant wheel, without the
least indication of a suspension, continues in motion, day by
day: build, build is the inscription, which can be seen far in
advance of any other post of the same age in the Territory.
I have been in this camp a number of months and must say, “that
my lines have been cast in pleasant places.” I have detected no
nationality, no creed, no partisan spirit, to mar the harmony
which necessarily should exist among those who cannot seperate.
It is true our profession is considered by the outside world one
of strife and devastation; yet our relations to one another are
courteous, and we feel kindly disposed toward all mankind-
even if the Indians would cease their depredations we could
smother our antipathy for the dusky and treacherous tribes, who
force us to undergo the social deprivations and the hardships
incident to a life on the frontier. Could the world ascertain our
inclinations, and determine our actions accordingly, their
opinion of us would be such that all other military posts within
this Department, would smother their camp-fires before the steady
and brilliant light of our united action.
Essayon’ S
No comments:
Post a Comment