The following is transcribed
from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there
would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from Engage’s
Christmas in December of 2014. Photos courtesy of Rod Lassey.
Engages Christmas, Fort Union
Friday, December 5, 2014
The sun was completely down by the time my daughter Brynja and I made it to the fort. The was a good bit of snow on the ground. Inside the walls we were greeted by Dave Finders and Paul Bauer. This evening we would be residing in Paul’s tent.
I layed down the oilcloth where I would be putting our bedding. Much of the snow had been cleared, however, I’d rather not take any chances with dampness during the winter. In my usually fashion I spread out my canvas groundcloth, the blankets and then folder the other half of the ground cloth over the bedding.
I set to making a small stew in my lidded copper kettle for Brynja and myself, who was now sitting with Paul and Dave, keeping us all entertained. She asked Paul if we could have a “lunch party” tomorrow where we would make lunch for everyone. Paul said yes.
Rod popped his head in a bit later. He had secured his gear on his sledge and hiked into the site with it. He would be residing in the clerks office tonight. He’d also brought a green buffalo hide for me. I’ll need to stretch, flesh and dry it. I’ve decided I’m going to send it off to a tannery to be tanned rather than attempt to brain tan it.
Brandon arrived later on. He would be staying in the tent tonight with us as well.
The moon was so bright outside tonight with the snow on the ground that it was as bright as it is during late afternoon.
The stew was good. I made us some Mexican chocolate as well for us. On cold nights like this it is comforting to have a hot meal and something warm to drink.
With us all in the tent we spent a good deal of time in conversation and laughter passing a few bottles around that several of us had brought. Everyone approved of the shrub I’d made.
Finally it was time to turn in for the evening. Bryn and I snuggled in to the beading for the night and went to sleep.
Engages Christmas, Fort Union
Friday, December 5, 2014
I woke up during the night to find Dave trying to get the fire going in Paul’s stove.
Engages Christmas, Fort Union
Friday, December 5, 2014
The sun was completely down by the time my daughter Brynja and I made it to the fort. The was a good bit of snow on the ground. Inside the walls we were greeted by Dave Finders and Paul Bauer. This evening we would be residing in Paul’s tent.
I layed down the oilcloth where I would be putting our bedding. Much of the snow had been cleared, however, I’d rather not take any chances with dampness during the winter. In my usually fashion I spread out my canvas groundcloth, the blankets and then folder the other half of the ground cloth over the bedding.
I set to making a small stew in my lidded copper kettle for Brynja and myself, who was now sitting with Paul and Dave, keeping us all entertained. She asked Paul if we could have a “lunch party” tomorrow where we would make lunch for everyone. Paul said yes.
Rod popped his head in a bit later. He had secured his gear on his sledge and hiked into the site with it. He would be residing in the clerks office tonight. He’d also brought a green buffalo hide for me. I’ll need to stretch, flesh and dry it. I’ve decided I’m going to send it off to a tannery to be tanned rather than attempt to brain tan it.
Brandon arrived later on. He would be staying in the tent tonight with us as well.
The moon was so bright outside tonight with the snow on the ground that it was as bright as it is during late afternoon.
The stew was good. I made us some Mexican chocolate as well for us. On cold nights like this it is comforting to have a hot meal and something warm to drink.
With us all in the tent we spent a good deal of time in conversation and laughter passing a few bottles around that several of us had brought. Everyone approved of the shrub I’d made.
Finally it was time to turn in for the evening. Bryn and I snuggled in to the beading for the night and went to sleep.
Engages Christmas, Fort Union
Friday, December 5, 2014
I woke up during the night to find Dave trying to get the fire going in Paul’s stove.
When we got up for the day I started to get our breakfast going. Some bread, cheese, and because Brynja was along, bacon, who was making her way around the tent pilfering food from everyone. She really does get spoiled out here.
As the morning went on Ranger MacVaugh arrived along with Saywer and Ranger Carr.
We had a surprising number of visitors at the Fort today for all the snow and low temps we had. It is good to see people still visiting the fort in the winter.
Rod had gone on a hike around the fort. He’d found side of at least 5 moose and a number of coyotes…evidence that hadn’t been there yesterday. It’s good to see that moose are in the area.
Ben and Amanda made it out during the afternoon. They are newer members to FUMLA and are fun.
When it was time to get the clerk’s office to start warming up for the Engage’s Christmas meal we started to haul wood into the office. Sawyer and I took a couple 5 foot lengths of broken teepee poles and had Brandon load wood onto them. We and others made several trips into the office with wood.
We played cribbage in the clerk’s office while keeping watch of the fire. Cribbage is one of my favorite games. I will always think of our Muzzleloaders when I play cribbage as it was during my first winter camp at Rod’s cabin that they taught me how to play it. Though I didn’t know it at the time, that first game at my first FUMLA Winter Camp would begin to forge lasting friendships.
The meal was great as always. Some of the food included: Ham, turkey, potatoes, squash, dressing, deer heart and beef tongue. Before Kim, the kids and I left for home I played and sang the music with everyone. I tried to combine humor and history for each piece. I don’t think I heard anyone say “boo”…
Merry Christmas my fellow Engages of Fort Union. See you in the New Year.
-- Leifer
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