WSP11775

• File Number: 8446
• Description: Cache La Poudre Platte Project
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 5/1/1975
• Title: Cache La poudre Trail Interpretive Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

34

.

The soldiers' main duties were escorting stage coaches

and U.S. Paymasters, arresting deserters, wood cutting,

.

hauling hay, and camp or guard duty.

Desertions were very frequent. The soldiers, penned

up in military posts out on the frontier, were surrounded

.

by danger. They were hundreds of miles from home and loved

ones and subject to strict military life without the

privileges to which they were accustomed. Under these

.

circumstances it is easy to understand why many tried to get

out of the service.

Apparently many tried to liberate themselves in other

.

ways.

The commander of the post ordered:

.

In consequence of soldiers from this post
returning from Laporte and that vicinity
intoxicated due notice is hereby given to
all vendors of liquor in the vicinity that
they are prohibited from selling liquor of
any kind, to any soldier or soldiers or
giving in trade to them, either personally
or through any citizen. For violation
of this order, the party or parties so
offending will without distinction of person
be arrested and their stock confiscated (30:220).

.

.

Probably the most exciting or important event at the
fort was in February 1867. The overland stage line into

Denver had been closed by the Indians. Denver was cut off

from communications with the East, trains were captured

.

and robbed. The entire area was threatened by famine.

Martial law was procalimed and Boulder, Larimer, and

Weld counties were required to raise one company of 60

.

men to open the stage lines. Captain Evans at Fort

Collins gave this address to the citizens of Fort Collins.

.