When we came here last
summer, I was afraid that the old hounds would pounce upon Hal, but
instead of that they were most friendly and seemed to know he was one
of them - a wanderer returned.
ST. CHARLES HOTEL, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA,
September, 1877.
LIFE in the Army is certainly full of surprises! At Pass Christian
yesterday morning, Faye and I were sitting on the veranda reading the
papers in an indifferent sort of way, when suddenly Faye jumped up and
said, "The Third has been ordered to Montana Territory!" At first I
could not believe him - it seemed so improbable that troops would be
sent to such a cold climate at this season of the year, and besides,
most of the regiment is at Pittsburg just now because of the great
coal strike. But there in the Picayune was the little paragraph of
half a dozen lines that was to affect our lives for years to come, and
which had the immediate power to change our condition of indolent
content, into one of the greatest activity and excitement!
Faye went at once to the telegraph office and by wire gave up the
remainder of his leave, and also asked the regimental adjutant if
transportation was being provided for officers' families. The distance
is so great, and the Indians have been so hostile in Montana during
the past two years, that we thought families possibly would not be
permitted to go.
After luncheon we packed the trunks, carefully separating things so
there would be no necessity for repacking if I could not go, and I can
assure you that many an article was folded down damp with hot
tears - the very uncertainty was so trying. In the evening we went
around to say "good-by" to a few of the friends who have been so
cordial and hospitable during the summer. Early this morning we came
from Pass Christian, and soon after we got here telegrams came for
Faye, one ordering him to proceed to Pittsburg and report for duty,
and another saying that officers' families may accompany the regiment.
This was glorious news to me. The fear and dread of having to be left
behind had made me really ill - and what would have become of me if it
had actually come to pass I cannot imagine. I can go - that is all
sufficient for the present, and we expect to leave for Pittsburg this
evening at nine o'clock.
The late start gives us a long day here with nothing to do. After a
while, when it is not quite so hot outside, we are going out to take a
farewell look at some of our old haunts.
