Running east to west just to the south of the commanding officer's quarters was the Fort Wadsworth - Fort Ransom Military Road.  This road was approximately seventy-six miles long and ran from Fort Wadsworth via Fort Ransom to Fort Abercrombie.  The Fort Wadsworth - Fort Ransom Military Road was used to transport freight and mail to and from Fort Wadsworth and/or Fort Ransom to Fort Abercrombie and vice versa.  This branch of the Military Road joined up with the main military road just outside the stockade walls on the east side of Fort Abercrombie.

The first building to our right that we encounter on the south side of  County Road No. 4 is another officer's kitchen. Like the first officer's kitchen that we encountered on the north side of the road, this was where the officer's on the south side of the post enjoyed their meals. 

Just south of the Officer's kitchen is another set of Officer's Quarters.  Like several of the other quarters that were previously mentioned, this officer's quarters was a story-and-a-half building fifty feet long and twenty feet wide. A covered wood porch was built along the east side facing the parade grounds.  It housed two officers.  On the first floor, there were two large rooms connected by folding doors.  Each room had a fireplace and several windows.

Overnight stays of an army paymaster, Department of Dakota inspector, or other visiting officers often resulted in social gatherings.  The commanding officer was usually host for such gatherings. The officer's, married or single, entertained each other with card games, visits, and holiday festivities.  Their spouses, children, and servants enjoyed watching the ceremonial events of guard mount, parades, and retreat.  Summer picnics, balls, and theatricals were common family events.  Some officers enjoyed horseback riding, while others enjoyed hunting and fishing.

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Copyright 2005

 James V. Acker, Pres.

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