I shall not object to remaining a short time, if I can be of service in this important matter, although I came here wholly unprepared to stay any length of time. In the first place we left Gibson expecting to be away not more than four weeks, or five at most, and most our our personal property is there, then in coming from Arbuckle we arranged to be away but ten days, and left there our trunks and everything but bedding and a light mess chest. Mrs. Alvord is with me, our horses and ambulance, we have one wall tent, and manage to get along altho' the nights are rapidly becoming decidedly cold.
If I am instructed to remain here for a time I suppose Woodward will be notified as soon as I am. In that case, I trust that when I am relieved * shall be ordered to make the 4th Quarters inspection of this station and Arbuckle, in returning, so I shall not be obliged to come out here again soon. I feel as if I should be ready to remain quiet a while by the time I reach Gibson again.
General Hazen goes to Arbuckle, starting tomorrow, to open there on the 15th, the proposals for Fresh Beef Corn Meal and Corn, and will return here next week. He will require over one million pounds of beef and about ten thousand bushels of Corn or Corn Meal.