OCR Text |
Show TO FORT SEDGWICK. 21 makes both a neat and comfortable residence in a dry climate. Near Julesburg the great overland emigrant route divides. One branch of it crosses the river, and going by way of Fort Laramie, through the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, continues on to the Pacific ; while the other follows the South Platte to Denver, and thence by a northerly course enters Bridger's Pass, and unites again with the former about 40 miles east of Fort Bridger. The Denver route is the one taken by the overland mail coaches. Where this division occurs, Fort Sedgwick is located. This is considered as a post of even more importance than Fort McPherson, and has been more recently established. After the destruction of Julesburg by the Indians in ' 64, the Government sent troops to this point for greater security to emigration, as well as for the protection of the mail route. These troops erected temporary quarters for the winter on a site, not selected with a view to its permanency as a military post. But as Boston was built along its cow- paths for conven ience, so these temporary quarters were added to and enlarged, and finally the new garrison of Fort Sedgwick is being built there. The officer who first camped on this spot, probably had no more idea of its being the nucleus of a large and important post, than had the early settlers along the cow - paths of that locality becoming the " Hub of the Universe." Fort Sedgwick is built upon a slightly elevated piece of land, and will present a very pretty appearance, after the completion of the quarters, and the removal of several unsightly structures which can then be dispensed with. This is one of the most expensive military stations on the plains. For example, the Government paid for all the wood used there last winter, ( and soldiers and officers used their full allowance, for it is a cold and bleak situation), one hundred and fourteen dollars a cord ; and a necessity occurred for the Commissary to buy potatoes on the spot, for which he paid about $ 9 a bushel. |