Bad day at Camp C. F. Smith (lol)

[Mescalero]

Excerpted from The Deadliest Indian War in the West by Michno. Maybe not the most respected historical work, but it made coffee shoot out of my nose this morning...

"The winter was little better at Camp C. F. Smith. To curb drunkenness among his 23rd Infantrymen, post commander Captain Walker issued orders that no liquor be kept for sale or use within the encampment. The sutler, having a full barrel and unwilling to destroy it, half buried it, while the drifting snow concealed it completely. A mail rider on the Chico route somehow stumbled across it, let a few soldiers in on the secret, and they dug up the treasure and emptied it into several kettles, which they took back to their quarters. About February 12, they spent the entire evening indulging in "an immense drunk." The corporal of the guard discovered them. He did not want the men to get into serious trouble, but he insisted that the remaining liquor be disposed of, and got the brilliant idea to pour it onto the hot embers in the fireplace. When the spirits hit the coals, flames shot out and ignited the wooden barracks. The soldiers tried in vain to extinguish the fire, but barely escaped "without being roasted alive. The floors and roofs of several tenements were soon consumed, besides blankets, clothing, arms, ammunition, provisions, etc..." The mail rider and a number of soldiers went to the guardhouse. In the confusion, two soldiers stole two horses, the private property of Captain Myers, and deserted".