1HE ARMY IN ALASKA:
(Reprinted from an articel in the "Infantry Journal",
Hay, 1923. Author Col.Wili* ?.Richardaon,U.S.A.-Ret.)
(Continued fron last Teek).
" In the summer of 1899 construction work was begun on the
post of Fort Gibbon,at the nouth of the Yanana River,and of Fort Egbert, at
Eagle City, on the Upper Yukon, near the Canadian boundary. Ihe command was
divided between Fort Gibbon and Eagle, with detachments at None, St .Michael,
f Rampart,and Circle# In addition to post construction,the duties performed
were similar to those of the preceding year# In southeastern Alaska,the two
I companies of the 14th Infantry were withdrawn,and one company of the 24th,
under Capt.Hovey, sent to Dyea, later to Skagway,with a detachment at Wrangel#
Ihe developments in the Nome district in the fall and early
winter of 1899,disclosing another rich deposit of placer gold, produced a
further "rush" to that section in the spring and summer of 1900. In this
situation, the vVar Department decided to create a new military department,
embracing the entire Territory of Alaska* 3rig*Gen.Randall was assigned
to the command# Ihe organization of the headquarters was completed at Seat*
tie dering the spring of 1900,and on June 6th,the Commanding General with
his staff and headquarter's sailed for None and St.Michael# Ihe officers
comprising the staff were Maj.W.F.Tucker, Paymaster; Maj.R.G.Ebert, Surgeon;
Capt.H.E.IUtherly,Inspector; Capt.G.S.Bingham,Quartermaster; Capt.W.B.Rich
ardson, Adjutant General; Capt.EoScWaJker,Commissary; Lt.W.A.Bethel, (now
Judge Advocate General)?Judge Advocate; and Lt.H.R.Hickok, Aide# Headquarters
were established at St.Michael. Five additional companies of the 7th Infantr
were assigned to duty in the department,-one to Valdez,(Fort Liscum); two to
Nome,(Fort Davis); and two to Fort St.Michael. Lumber for post buildings oft
a standard type was cut and shipped from Seattle,and the construction of all
three posts was practically completed before the beginning of winter. Highly
important service was performed this summer in ^reserving order in a some
what turbulent community of about 20,000 people at Nome,arbitrating disputes
and in handling and pi eventing the spread of a smallpox epidemic*
Plans for the construction of an overland telegraph line had
been previously agreed upon between Gen.Raniall and Gen.Greeley,Chief Sig
nal Officer* During the summer, and,a9 soon as funds became available,this
work was started. Capt,Frank Greene,Signal Corps,reported to the Headquarter
as Department Signal Officer in charge. Lt.Burnell was placed in charge of
the Valdez end,and Lt.Orimm at St.Michael. Junior officers and men of the
Infantry were assigned to duty along the line on the work of location,cut«
ting a right of way,and otherwise aiding in the construction oft the line#
This winter’s work was one of great severity,and the conditions which fol
lowed in the summer were in some respects even more trying,with sudden heat,
marsh and swamp undei* foot,anu the air als.ve with hungry insects. For-a time
fthe men were without the protection of head bets,and on one occasion there
(was a near mutiny with refusal*, tc work* Capt*Greene investigated,and report
ed justification on the part ci 'Jig men ir: the .fact that besides other dis
couraging conditions,they were suddenly "attacked by hordes of particularly
ferocious mosquitoes",and were without protection against them."
(To bo continued next week)*
WE BEG YOUR PARDON:
In last week's issue of the "Post” we made the statement,
laboring under misinf ormatj on, -Chat the funarak services of the late Char
les Goddard were conducted by Judge W.B.Stout,cf Haines*
We have been told since that Rev.Shoemaker,of Skagway,
was the minister in chai-ge of tShe obsequies, and read the burial service.
Therefore,we take pains to mala this correction.
/