May 18th

Brisebois came up from Fort Kipp today. He is to remain here until further orders. The cattle which came along with the train arrived here about 3 o’clock and the train itself about 4.30 P.M. It was quite an exciting scene to see the crossing of the coulee. The large heavy wagons are tied two together and 8 yoke of oxen generally draw them – but now they put on 16 yoke, 32 oxen all pulling and straining, all the drivers on horseback [s…?ing] along the sides of the long line of cattle – cracking their whips like pistols, swearing and shouting like demons. Then all is quiet as the wagons draw up on the opposite bank.

Fort McLeod, May 17th, 1875

My dearest Lizzie

After the Col. left yesterday afternoon we all felt rather lonesome, and spent most of the time speculating as to the various causes which may have called him away, also as to the date of his probable return. After dinner Capt. Winder who is now in command asked me to walk down with him to the river. So we went down and found that it had not risen any today – it has been rather chilly today so I suppose the snow upon the mountains was checked in its melting. Then we went to where the boats were moored and took a little row in them to try the rapids and then being impressed with the calm stillness of the scene we broke into song and the dreary lonely silence was broken by the voice of harmony, the gurgling of the rapid river forming a running accompaniment.

Today we have been engaged in planting some cotton wood trees in front of our quarters. If they live and take root they will form an useful and ornamental adjunct to our quarters.

Conrad’s second wagon came in from the train today and say [?] that it will be here tomorrow as it camped to night this side of the Belly River.

May 16th

Sunday – Whitsunday – what do you think happened last night? About three o’clock in the morning I was suddenly awakened by Allen’s voice and hearing Crozier speak to me. I was so astonished I hardly knew what to say. They brought some letters and papers, and a dispatch to Col. McLeod which orders him to report immediately to Benton. So he leaves this afternoon.

I got one letter from you and one from Saida. Yours is dated April 22nd and ends on Sunday and Saida’s is dated April 20th and encloses a photograph of hers which I think is very good. Poor girl did I seem abrupt in asking about those lines? I humbly beg pardon. Do you not see how they referred to what you thought you knew? Don’t you see that you are my ‘star’ and you are that ‘something afar’ from the narrow sphere of my lonely sorrow. Of course darling I was wishing for you and somehow those lines kept running in my head. I was puzzled as to the authorship, and wanted to know. And as I write what comes into my head – so I wrote that.

Alas my early rising fit did not last very long. Now and again I do get up early but not as a rule – it is so much more pleasant to lie in bed and think.

Here is a passage in your letter which I cannot understand. You are speaking of Mannie’s advice to [?] not to get anything for the house as he did not want Robertson to have the benefit of it. Then Jack’s meeting Mr. R. and your preparation to be overwhelmed with the honour of Mr. R’s visit – which ends the first sheet. The next sheet is numbered 3 and begins “He said that as far as he was concerned it would not make the slightest difference but he did not like to on the girl’s account”. Did you leave out one sheet? If not I cannot explain it. I have put Jack, Mannie and Mr. R. successively to represent the ‘He’s’. I have made each ‘He’ read ‘Mannie’, ‘Robertson’, ‘Mannie’, and Jack Robertson ‘Jack’ but still cannot explain it.

I am much obliged for the Christina Stories. I have not yet received them. Poor old girl with your headache. I wish I could cure it by mesmerism – from where I am – but would much rather be at hand personally. I hope it was only a touch and that you were free from it in a very short time.

I beg your pardon most humbly for mistaking your meaning. I have found sheet no 2 and now I suppose ‘He’ refers to Roper Crickmore and the ‘Girl’ is Saida. Oh my Eye.

I am going to send this off by Capt. Crozier who is going in to Benton with the Colonel. They will not be very long on the road and this letter will most probably reach you sooner than any other. The answer to your letter will also be the shortest answer you have had. I do not think that any mail has gone out so quickly after the receipt of letters from Home. I have not time to write any more. The Church parade this morning took up so much time and the Col. starts so soon that I must close at once in order to get this into his packet.

And so with much love to all at home

I am as ever

Your own Barrie

May 15th

Today has been very warm indeed. After lunch Col. McLeod and I started up the River fishing. We had a very pleasant time but caught only one fish. The wind arose and blew so hard that it was impossible to fish or do anything else. The mosquitoes too were beginning to be troublesome. The place is quite lonely without Walsh, Allen and Crozier, and when the Col. and Jackson leave we will be truly quiet.

May 14th

Last night was very dull and lonely. So many have gone away. Fortunately the Col. and Capt. Jackson did not go. Probably next week they will start. A wagon Conrad had sent out to bring in a few hundred pounds of flour – from the oxtrain arrived today – bringing flour, sugar and tea. They report the train about four days from here, so probably by Wednesday next we may begin to expect them here.

I noticed in the woods today some wild strawberries in blossom. The last two days have been very warm. As the sunlight glints through the trees they have really a decided green tinge. Denny went into the river for a bath yesterday but found it very cold. I do not think that I will try that for some time to come.

May 12th, 1875

My dear Lizzie

Glen got away early this morning taking the Mail with him. The morning passed very quickly and busily. Major Walsh starts today at one o’clock and of course there are many things to get ready.

Mr. McDougall came in today with his Red River carts loaded with robes and skins. There were 28 carts and 2 large wagons. He is on his way to Benton, taking his skins to Manitobah down the Missouri River as far as Bismarck, from there to Moorehead and Garry. Formerly the road was direct across the plains from Bow River to Garry but the dangers and constant watchfulness required rendered it unpleasant and unsafe. So they are now about to try this plan.

Mr. David [?] McD. the merchant and not the Missionary – took his wife along with him. She has not been well and he thinks the change will do her good. I did not see her face, it was hidden by a big sunbonnet.

B – Troop finally started about 2 P.M. They go so far as Fort Kipp this evening – and pass on tomorrow to Whoop Up – cross the St. Mary’s River and camp to await further orders and also to wait the arrival of provisions by Conrad’s train.

May 8th

This being Saturday there was no drill - so we spent the morning making another cricket bat and after lunch we adjourned to the prairie and had a grand game. A double cricket and a scratch [?] eleven. I am sorry to say that the side on which I was was badly beaten. My underhand bowling was more effective than the swift over[…?] of young Wilson. Before the game was finished a large herd of horses was seen coming over the hill and soon Major Walsh had arrived. The horses all looked in splendid condition and as far superior to the […] of the country as a thorough bred from a hackman’s horse.

A Mail was also brought. I was disappointed o not receiving a letter – there were two papers, one from you the Can. Ill. News containing the picture of the Lancer & Evening Guard parade. The other was a Globe with the chess from Jack. I did not see Old Satan – I looked for him amongst the horses, but as they were not driven into the Fort I must have passed him over in the crowd crossing the [ ? ]. Major Walsh tells me Satan has been quite sick all winter but has lately been picking up quite fast and looks very well. I will see the old fellow tomorrow.

I must close this now. It is just one sheet and a half. So Good Night and pleasant dreams.

With much love I am
Your own Barrie.