The Republican 6-21-1889

Connecting with History

The Bugle Notes from the Fort column was written by soldiers living at Fort Niobrara along what is now the Niobrara National Scenic River in the 1880's and 1890's in "The Republican" newspaper published in Valentine, Nebraska. Fort Niobrara became a National Wildlife Refuge in 1912 when troops were moved elsewhere in the United States. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge protects and conserves the wildlife, plants, and habitats of the Nebraska Sandhills and Niobrara River Valley. Visitors can explore the land that the soldiers trod many years ago now protected as the Niobrara National Scenic River and the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge.

Microfilm of The Republican 6-21-1889, Bugle Notes from the Fort Column.

City of Valentine, Public Library.

The Republican 6-21-1889
Valentine, NE

Bugle Notes from the Fort
Editor The Republican

The record shooting is almost over and now our sharpshooters and marksmen of former years have graciously dwindled down till, like the hairs o the highlandman’s bald head “they will be ferry seldom,’ we believe.

The decision regarding Sunday inspection has been heard at last. It has been modified, some think multiplied. There will be inspection on Sundays without arms, and the parade and inspection which took place on Sundays will be carried on Saturdays.

Ft. Niobrara was well represented at the circus in Valentine on Monday. Dick Cruikshank, a gentleman of the Canine tribe who accompanied some of his friends to the show, got left in Valentine and did not turn up in the post till Wednesday. He evidently missed the buggy when it started home, observing an empty buggy in town similar to his master’s, the faithful dog took his post there and could not be coaxed to leave it until the gentleman who took him to town, went down and brought him home.

A sad accident took place here on Sunday. Private Hans of troop A 9^th cavalry, while fooling with a loaded carbine, forgetting that it was loaded, took aim at Bugler Carter of the same troop, and killed him instantly, the bullet striking him in the back and going through his heart. Deceased was buried with military honors on Monday. Shortly after 11 a.m. the mournful strains of the band told that the funeral precession was slowly making is way to the graveyard. All the men off duty attended in undress uniform and side-arms. The coffin was covered with the national colors, a wreath and the dead soldier’s helmet, and was borne in front of the procession on an ambulance wagon; soldiers in full dress marched on both sides. A firing party composed of soldiers of troop A attended in full dress with their carbines reversed. The cavalry officers and Lieut. Lynch 8^th Inft., were followed by cavalry troops A and G the infantry companies coming behind. Perhaps the most impressive thing there was the riderless horse draped in black, following his master to the grave. It carried his sword and bugle; and his boots were in the stirrups with heels, and spurs reversed. The sergt-major formed the men in line on the east side of the graveyard., and troop A soldiers uncovered, while Lieut. McIllain read the funeral service. Three volleys were fired over the grave, “taps” was sounded sadly over the departed soldier, and we left him to his last long sleep. Kind nature will soon have him in a covering of green, and his rest will be silent and undisturbed.

TAM O’SHANTER.

Textual Note:

"Bugle Notes from the Fort" articles were transcribed to reflect the original text in grammar, spelling, and formatting. Errors are true to the original text and reflect the historic context of their authorship.