Heading: (Arizona)
Author: Woodbury, George
Title: Four letters from George Woodbury, stationed in Arizona, to his friend Anna, describing life on the frontier, his battles against the native inhabitants, and more
Place Published: Arizona Territory
Publisher:
Date Published: c.1881-83
Description:

Various sizes, in ink or pencil, on various types of paper.

Captivating series of letters written by a soldier in the Southwest during the latter stages of the conflict between white settlers and miners with their military protectors, and the Apache warriors who fought to expel them. The letters are written from Fort Apache (2), Fort Lowell, and U.S. Signal Camp, Calabasas, A.T. There are vivid accounts of active warfare and tactics, the killing of Native American prisoners, and more, plus descriptions of the Arizona countryside, and the standard inquiries into family matters (it is possible Anna is a family member and not a girlfriend, since he outlines plans to return home and marry a Miss Jones).

• Fort Apache, Oct. 5th, 81: "...I suppose you saw by the papers that I was unlucky enough to get wounded by the Indians the 30th of Aug. last at a place called Cificu(?) Creek well Anna it was a very close call for me... the bullet went through my left side the doctor said one inch above my heart and I had to ride 60 miles on horse back after it was done... There were five of us when we started and two of us got in the other three died on their horses they tied us on to the horses so we should not fall off if we died before we got to the Post there was over fifty killed soldiers and citizens around the Post but we gave them a good licking... It was the 19th time I have been under fire and to think I should go through the whole war and not get hit and then get it at the hands of a dirty Indian..."
• Fort Apache, Feb. 12, 82: "...your very welcome letter was over a month upon the road and it was a lucky letter to reach here at all for between the Indians and white men together they jump about every other mail... The Indians are getting ___ troublesome again on account of the prisoners they have at Camp Thomas there are over 80 there that are to be shot this month if their sentences are approved by the President... Tell Frank Newton that I was out on a hunting expedition last month and the whole party brought home 87 deers and 107 turkeys and I killed 4 deers and 17 turkeys and a Bear there are millions of wild turkeys here... A mile away from the Post the Indians ran the cattle... and killed several of them but the Indian scouts from this place went out with a detachment of troops and got them buck Indians and all they are in the guard house now the Indian scouts killed 12 of them before the white troops came up thus saving the expense of a trial the best and easiest way to try them all I tell you Anna I have got but very little love for the so called Noble Red Men they are Noble when they are dead but alive they are the most beastly inhuman brutes..."

Minor wear, very good.