Officers Row

Officers Row. Surgeons, Chaplains, and Captains Awash in Controversy. , Officers Row was a group of seven to ten non-descript log structures providing housing for officers and their families. They were probably a combination lumber, log, canvas, and dirt construction with one room, seldom larger than 24 by 30 feet. These were the last living quarters built at the fort. Officers were expected to ensure that their men’s quarters were complete prior to building their own quarters., In the military culture of the time officers and their families were considered of a higher social order than the enlisted men. They were expected to remain aloff from their command except during duty and never socialize with the enlisted men. Among the officers, the numerous social events included dances, picnics, teas, horse rides, and more., Fort Phil Kearny was assigned a contingent of 16 to 20 officers in ranks from lieutenant to colonel. Unfortunately, half of these men were on detached duty elsewhere. Occupations on post ranged from Company Commanders to Quartermaster and Surgeon to Chaplain. There is a record of considerable infighting among these men. The main controversy was whether to go on the attack or just defend against the Native American’s actions. Strong feelings developed, some officers supporting Carrington and other supporting Fetterman before and even after the Fetterman disaster. This division of purpose effected the men’s activities at the fort and far into their future.,