I am so sorry Anson had to go down to Tucson, for it is
extremely hot there. I think we shall soon know where we are
going, and when. I forgot to say that Anson came up with us
Saturday and went down Monday. Our camp is about six miles from
the post, and it takes three or four hours to come, so you may
know how steep it is. We are all in tents, as the log cabin that
Anson had commenced is not yet finished. Our party consists of
Mrs. Corbusier, her five boys, Mrs. Viele and her sister (a
young lady), myself and two children and the chaplain. Across
the pretty little brook which runs through the camp are four
more tents occupied by several sergeants' families, and lower
down the creek are the soldiers, who are felling trees and
building the cabin. I forgot to say we have two cooks in our
party, very necessary adjuncts when one considers the numerous
and healthy appetites.
Your loving daughter,
NANNIE.
[Illustration: LITTLE ANSON'S COMPANY AT FORT GRANT,
CONSTANCE IN CENTER.
Anson
Constance
Willie Corbusier
]
[Illustration: COMMANDING OFFICER'S AND ADJACENT QUARTERS AT FORT
GRANT.]
CAMP ON THE MOUNTAINS,
July 22, 1888.
MY DEAR MOTHER:
We have been here a week yesterday, and notwithstanding it has
rained every day, we have had a good time. The rains do not last
long and it soon dries up. There are the greatest quantity of
beautiful flowers here. I have a large bouquet in my tent about
fifteen inches in diameter and taller than it is wide. We have
had bear meat, a young fawn and wild strawberries. The nights
are if anything too cold. We have taken several tramps, one of
them to an old hunter's camp. He comes over to see us often and
enjoys the break in his loneliness. He is alone in his camp
except for a dog, which is almost as dear to him as a child, and
two or three ponies. He is going to show us the way to the top
of the mountains. He came over to see us last night and sat by
the big log camp fire, and while we popped corn regaled us with
numerous tales, all of which I took with a grain of salt.
You would be surprised to see how comfortable we can be in camp
with a very little. I have turned a box on one side for a book
case, put another on top where I keep my writing materials,
over it all I have thrown a large towel, and with the bunch of
flowers I spoke of on top, it looks very well. I have another
box for washstand, another for clothes, and with nails driven
in the tent poles to hang clothes, medicine bag, little looking
glass, canteen, etc., things are quite shipshape.
Your loving daughter,
NANNIE.