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 is along with truths and enquiries about you.
Now Em I suppose that you of course expect to know what the fashions are in this ere town as a return for this information which you tendered me on this same point. Well, commencing at the head -- as you know it is easier to climb down hills than up -- hats are of sundry shapes and sizes [drawing of large and small hats] thus. I suppose you will like pictures best, as little girls generally do so I will give them to you. Hair and whiskers [drawing of a man's face with long hair and beard] thus. Collars entirely defunct. Shirts [drawing of striped shirt] boots and pants [drawing of a part of pants tucked into boots] thus. Walking sticks thus [drawing of a pick and a shovel]. Batchelors hall [drawing of men outside tent]. A dash out on the avenue [drawing of man in buggy]
But my genius is entirely exhausted so I must stop. All remarks will of course be unnecessary as a single glance will show you that they are not only unique in every point - but every thing this man of fashion could ask for - I had liked to have forgot however to mention that the above, are generally covered with a coat of dust varying from 3 feet in thickness (whew -- give me a whisk broom).
As to the ladies I believe that I have seen but one, and she was at such a distance that with out Hershals Telescope I should have hardly have been able to describe her to you
Fruit is very scarce, what there is being hardly fit to eat, consisting only of a few dry hard Pears and apples. In Em's letter she speaks of John's not

from Henry Perry letter to sister Emmeline, 1849. Transcribed by an anonymous volunteer on 07/07/2018

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Camp on Wind Creek
Novr 16, 1876
Reveille at 5.15 - broke camp 6.30
Moved to this early effort because Genl Crook gives his Indians and pack mules the very best camps if they are ahead. Early as I was however McKenzie got ahead on the road with his wagons, I (from the peculiarly mean position assigned me last night) having to make over a mile of deep sand before I struck the road. Fury came up & regulated us by putting Hdqr trains ahead. Genl. Crook passes for a Sybarite. who utterly c[?]] anything like luxury or even comfort. Yet he has the most luxurious surrounding considering the necessity for short allowance that I have ever seen taken to the field by a Gnl Officer. There is no doubt of his courage, energy & will, but I am loath to say I begin to believe he is a humbug - who hopes to make reputation by assuming qualities foreign to him. One thing is most certain. He is the very worst mannered man I have ever seen in his position. Though his ill manners seem to be the result factor of ignorance than of deliberate will. I believe him to be warm hearted - but his estimate of a man will I think be discovered to be founded not on what that man can or will do for the Service but what  

from Richard Irving Dodge diary, 1876. Transcribed by Stodds1 on 05 / 24 / 2026