I am pleased you have come to your senses and will take on this venture. Your initial reticence was unexpected?—?it has always been my understanding that you were hopeful of an assignment such as this. From your letter, I now better understand your misgivings. I agree that in ways this task might be better suited to a younger man’s energy and robust health, but I have no doubt that the depth of your frontier experience, as well as your level-headed approach to leadership, outweighs any of that. In fact, I very much believe it was the brashness and laziness of our young lieutenants that has kept us from launching a successful expedition up the Wolverine until now. Frankly it is an embarrassment, even if some of our politicians fail to recognize it?—?nearly 20 years the territory has been in our possession and yet we know almost nothing of its interior.
This all said, I have had grave reservations about your plan to keep the travel party so small. You would be better served with a group of a dozen men or more, including a surgeon and a cartographer. Yet you will have it as you wish, not because I am conceding, but because we have been granted only enough funding for you and two other men.
With such, I must insist on one appointment. Normally I would trust your judgment and allow you your own selection of men. However, I am convinced Sergeant Bradley Tillman will prove invaluable. Do not pay much mind to his records of court-martial– he is rough and tumble, but I can think of no other man I would want covering my back if I were setting out as you are. If it weren’t for his poor education, quick temper, and taste for liquor, I have no doubt he would be a Colonel already. I insist on his appointment, but you will be left to choose the other member of your party.
I cannot impress upon you too strongly my desire that all of your party’s communications with the natives of this land be friendly. You have shown yourself to be even-tempered and fair in your dealings with the tribes, and I believe it could be crucial to the success of this endeavor. I am not sure how much credence to give to the Russian reports. However, if at any point you cannot proceed without provoking hostility, then you must turn back. As much as I am anxious for this expedition to be successful, we do not need another Indian War on our hands.
You know the conflicting dispatches which have been received in regard to this reconnaissance, and the difficulties the adjutant-general of the department has encountered. Despite that, the paymaster has been instructed to transfer to you $2,000 as an advance to pay yourself and the members of your detachment. I trust that you will now be with ample provisions to ensure safety, comfort, and success.
I understand from General Haywood that you are recently married. Congratulations, Colonel. I surmise that may be the root of some of your reticence in leaving on such an expedition, but you can happily retire to domestic married life upon your return.
With sincere wishes for your safe return,
JAMES KEIRN
Major-General, U.S. Army
Sophie Forrester
Vancouver Barracks
January 14, 1885
I am still not recovered from last night’s celebration. Allen is entirely correct?—?enlisted men do put on the most entertaining affairs that, in comparison, make officers’ balls seem stuffy and contrived. Fiddle, banjo, accordion. And never would I have dreamed that my staid husband could dance the polka! All the laughter and merriment. There is something truly wondrous about such a gala, with its lights and music spilling out into the dark forest.
Many toasts were made in honor of the expedition, more often than not led by the boisterous Mr Tillman, and all the night people clamored to ask Allen and his men about their plans. When it was discovered that I will go as far north as Sitka, I, too, became a subject of interest. It is a position to which I am unaccustomed, and I do not enjoy. Thank heavens for the few times Allen swept me away to dance. Too often, though, he was drawn into conversations, and I was left to fend my way through the many people.
Miss Evelyn was unusually dull, as she was distracted by all the handsomely dressed men in attendance and not particularly interested in conversing with me except to ask the name and marital status of this or that gentleman. I was of little assistance, and she quickly abandoned me. Mr Tillman proceeded to spend the rest of the evening trying to woo her, and while I am certain she has her sights set far higher than an Army sergeant, she seemed dangerously enamored. I doubt General Haywood would approve of such a match for his niece.
Perhaps the most perplexing, and troubling, part of the evening, however, was my exchange with Mr Pruitt. He is quite different than I expected?—?severe and brooding, and he managed to offend me in several instances.
Since that day at the stable, I have been eager to ask him about his camera, so when I found myself near him in the crowd, I mentioned to him my interest in photography. What could he tell me of the process?
“It is much too complicated for idle chit-chat,” he said.
Everything in his tone was dismissive and unfriendly, and I would have excused myself, but the jostling crowd would not allow an easy escape. He and I stood for some time before the silence between us became unbearably awkward.
“I understand you have known my husband for many years,” I ventured.
“I met him at Fort Bowie, ma’am. Nearly nine years ago.”
“Yes, he has told me something of his time there. He very much enjoyed becoming acquainted with you.”