Too cruel to contemplate

In a Letter to the Daily Astorian, a Mr. Souza suggests a bicentennial rebuild of Fort Clatsop. He includes this interesting suggestion:

If possible, it would be interesting to have the re-enactors spend the entire time in similar conditions and eat the same foods available. The tragedy of losing the fort could be turned around and made into a fortuitous opportunity to document how the fort was built and create community involvement as well as a spectacle for visitors to the site.

Similar conditions, even to include food? Here's a sample, all from the period in question:

I had not been long on my mats before I was attacked most violently by the flees and they kept up a close Siege dureing the night

one man with Tumers, one with a Strained Knee, one Sick with Disentary & Serjt. Pryor unwell from haveing his Sholder out of place

The flees so bad last night that, I made but a broken nights rest we can't get them out of our robes & Skins, which we are obliged to make use of for bedding

we would have Spent this day the nativity of Christ in feasting, had we any thing either to raise our Sperits or even gratify our appetites, our Diner concisted of pore Elk, So much Spoiled that we eate it thro' mear necessity, Some Spoiled pounded fish and a fiew roots.

Some rain at different tmes last night

rained and blew hard last night

rained last night as usial and the greater part of this day

rained as usial, a great part of the last night, and this morning rained and the wind blew hard

rained last night as usial

Hard wind and Some rain last night

Count me out!

Comments

[cyfir]

And that's why I can't think of my deployments "trials." What could I possibly have to complain about?

The generator broke again today, no electricity for my laptop. Bah.

Over 95 at night again, had to sleep outside on my flea-free cot.

Chow NCO made a mistake in inventory... we have to eat BBQ pork with corn, mashed potatoes, and gatorade twice a day for the next three weeks!