station were worse even than the men. They looked, in the moonlight,
like huge cakes of clay, where spooks and creepy things might be
found. The hotel is much like the houses, and appears to have been
made of dirt, and a few drygoods boxes. Even the low roof is of dirt.
The whole place is horrible, and dismal beyond description, and just
why anyone lives here I cannot understand.

I am all upset! Faye has just been in to say that only one of my
trunks can be taken on the stage with us, and of course I had to
select one that has all sorts of things in it, and consequently leave
my pretty dresses here, to be sent for--all but the Japanese silk
which happens to be in that trunk. But imagine my mortification in
having to go with Faye to his regiment, with only two dresses. And
then, to make my shortcomings the more vexatious, Faye will be simply
fine all the time, in his brand new uniform!

Perhaps I can send a long letter soon--if I live to reach that army
post that still seems so far away.

FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY,
October, 1871.

AFTER months of anticipation and days of weary travel we have at last
got to our army home! As you know, Fort Lyon is fifty miles from Kit
Carson, and we came all that distance in a funny looking stage coach
called a "jerkey," and a good name for it, too, for at times it
seesawed back and forth and then sideways, in an awful breakneck way.
The day was glorious, and the atmosphere so clear, we could see miles
and miles in every direction. But there was not one object to be seen
on the vast rolling plains--not a tree nor a house, except the