Intro | Scurvy | Army Food | Ag Debate | Activity I | Activity II
Fort Buford Records | Private Sanford
Leighton and Jordan held the contract for post trader at Fort Buford in 1875. The traders’ books reveal the purchases of soldiers, officers, and nearby residents. On January 25, 1875, Captain Powell (entry 254) purchased one ounce of celery seed, one ounce of allspice, and one ounce of cinnamon in addition to some other items. These spices would have been used by Powell’s cook to enhance the flavor of the family’s meals. The purchase of spices suggests a well-stocked pantry for the officer’s family. On February 3, 1875, Colonel Moore (entry 264) purchased fifteen pounds of potatoes at a cost of $15. The price of these potatoes would have been beyond the ability of an enlisted soldier who made about $13 a month. In addition, an enlisted man would not have space to store potatoes. Officers had a kitchen and usually (after 1870) a pantry or cellar for storing canned goods and root vegetables such as potatoes and onions during the winter.
The post surgeon also kept records at Fort Buford. In 1868, during the period when scurvy presented a significant risk to the health of the soldiers, post surgeon James P. Kimball wrote of the soldiers’ general condition:
. . . The health of the
command was usually
excellent. During the
winter and following
spring thirty-four cases
of scurvy occurred.
These cases were all of
a mild character and
yielded readily to
treatments. Dessicated
vegetables were freely
used and pickles issued
to the entire command
twice a week. There was
but one death in the
command during the
winter. Private Thomas
Standen (?) Co E 31st
Infantry died December
1st 1867 of Consumption.(p. 3, Post Returns, Fort Buford. Records of Adjutant General’s Office. Medical History of Fort Buford, 1868 – 1895 Vol 198, 199, 201.)
Assistant Post Surgeon Kimball recorded the progress of the Post garden in his log book of 1868.
[page 81] July 3d.
The post garden
embracing five acres
of ground is looking
finely. The wet season
has thus far been very
propitious and the
vegetables are
growing rapidly. The
garden now affords
lettuce and radishes
for the entire command
in abundance. Lambs
Quarter or Mountain
Spinach (Chenopodium
album) which is
indigenous and
plentiful is much
used by the command
for greens. This
affords a fair supply
of vegetable food.
The health of the
command is excellent.
There are at present no
cases of disease at the
Post that can be traced
to dietetic causes. . . .[p. 83] July 22nd.
Grasshopper in immense
numbers made their
appearance to-day.
The potato bug has
commenced its
depredations. An
insect also has
attacked the cabbages,
turnips and beets.
Every exertion will be
made to keep these
off, since the command
depends entirely upon
the garden for fresh
vegetables and upon its
success or failure
depends materially the
health and comfort of
the troops. Green peas
are now in season and
in sufficient quantity
for the supply of the
garrison. Also cucumber
and onionSs. Cucumbers
thus far appear to
succeed better than
any other vegetables,
the yield being plentiful
and of excellent quality.July 26th. The
grasshoppers have
nearly all disappeared
since the storm and
wind of yesterday.
They have done serious
damage to the beans,
peas and spinach in
the post gardens.[p. 88] August 31st. . . . The Post garden has
afforded an abundant supply of vegetables for
the command during the month. Nearly everything
plated has produced well except the potatoes which
have failed entirely. . . .
The following spring, Assistant Post Surgeon Kimball wrote with confidence about the early status of the Post garden. The use of glass covers to protect early plantings from frost suggests deep devotion and advanced skill in gardening.
[ p. 123] May 31st [1869]. . . . There have
been occasional rains during the month that have
been of great service to the Post garden which now
presents a very promising appearance. The
vegetables, the seeds of which were planted about
the first of this month have usually a more vigorous
and _________ appearance than those planted earlier
in the season, excepting of course those plants
started under glass covers, to be transplanted.
Great credit is due in this department to the skill
and assiduity of Mr. Frederick Brandt, Quarter
Master Clerk at the Post.
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