A Frontier Doctor Page: 9
xv, 260 p. : ill., ports. ; 22 cm.View a full description of this book.
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MARKING THE BOUNDARY
We arrived there about the first of May, 1873, with the
mercury over Ioo in the shade. There was great activity
in every direction, and, after unloading the steamer and
drawing all kinds of supplies from the Post, our camp
sprang up as if by magic. Until our military escort ar-
rived, we civilians were obliged to stand guard at night,
my shift being from 2 to 4 A.M.
Nothing very exciting happened the first night until
about 3 A.M., when a bunch of hungry hogs from a near-by
half-breed's ranch made a raid on the commissary tents.
The sentry there took them for thieves and opened up
strong with a Sharp's carbine, and in a moment the entire
camp was in an uproar. Everybody turned out and con-
tributed his share. The result was that we were rationed
with fresh pork for several days thereafter.
The military escorts soon began to roll in, accompanied
with extensive mule trains, six mules to a wagon, driven
by a 'mule skinner,' who rode the nigh wheeler, and
steered his team with a single rein fastened to the bit of
the nigh leader. A steady pull was the signal for a left
turn, and several quick jerks meant that a turn to the
right was desired. The rein was carried in the left hand,
and its efficiency was reinforced by a whip, the handle of
which was about two feet long and the lash about thirty,
carried in the right hand of the 'skinner.'
When the expedition had assembled, the wagons were
loaded to the limit with all kinds of supplies, and off we
started. The column was divided into three divisions,
Astronomical, Line, and Topographical. I was assigned
to the first mentioned, and my friend Paist to the Line.
The Astronomical Division was in charge of Captain
Gregory, U.S.A., and the Line Division in charge of
Lieutenant Greene, U.S.A. I have forgotten who com-
manded the Topographical Division.
The Astronomical party would take reckonings both
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Hoyt, Henry Franklin. A Frontier Doctor, book, 1929; Boston, Massachusetts. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth143532/m1/31/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas Health Science Center Libraries.