These moves did not
always disturb us, however, as during most of the time Faye has been
adjutant general of the District of Baton Rouge, and this kept us at
Baton Rouge, but during the past winter we have been in New Orleans.
Several old Creole families whose acquaintance we made in the city
last winter, have charming old-style Southern homes at Pass Christian,
where we have ever been cordially welcomed. It was a common occurrence
for me to chaperon their daughters to informal dances at the different
cottages along the beach, and on moonlight sailing parties on Mr.
Payne's beautiful yacht, and then, during the entire summer, from the
time we first got there, I have been captain of one side of a croquet
team, Mr. Payne having been captain of the other. The croquet part
was, of course, the result of Major Borden's patient and exacting
teaching at Baton Rouge.
Mentioning Baton Rouge reminds me of my dear dog that was there almost
a year with the hospital steward. He is now with the company at Mount
Ver-non Barracks, Alabama, and Faye has telegraphed the sergeant to
see that he is taken to Pittsburg with the company.
We are going out now, first of all to Michaud's for some of his
delicious biscuit glace! Our city friends are all away still, so there
will be nothing for us to do but wander around, pour passer le temps
until we go to the station.
MONONGAHELA HOUSE, PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,
September, 1877.
ONCE again we have our trunks packed for the long trip to Montana, and
this time I think we will go, as the special train that is to take us
is now at the station, and baggage of the regiment is being hurriedly
loaded. Word came this morning that the regiment would start to-night,
so it seems that at last General Sherman has gained his point. For
three long weeks we have been kept here in suspense - packing and then
unpacking - one day we were to go, the next we were not to go, while
the commanding general and the division commander were playing "tug of
war" with us.
The trip will be long and very expensive, and we go from a hot climate
to a cold one at a season when the immediate purchase of warm clothing
is imperative, and with all this unexpected expense we have been
forced to pay big hotel bills for weeks, just because of a
disagreement between two generals that should have been settled in one
day. Money is very precious to the poor Army at present, too, for not
one dollar has been paid to officers or enlisted men for over three
months!
