Elizabeth Johnstone Burt

The papers of Elizabeth Burt (1839-1926) consist mainly of a typescript of Burt's autobiographical account, "An Army Wife's Forty Years in the Service, 1862-1902," and letters to her daughter, Edith Burt, discussing family matters and describing the routines of military post life at Fort Bidwell, California; Forts Bridger, Laramie, D. A. Russell, Sanders, and Washakie, Wyoming; Forts Missoula and C. F. Smith, Montana; Forts Omaha and Robinson, Nebraska, and elsewhere.

Elizabeth Reynolds married Captain Andrew Sheridan Burt of the 6th Ohio Volunteers in September 1862. She had her first experience in army camp life during the winter of 1864-1865 when she spent three months at headquarters near South Mountain, Maryland, where her husband was stationed. After the Civil War she accompanied her husband to various military posts until his retirement as brigadier general in 1902.

Subjects in the collection include relations with native Americans, particularly Shoshone Chief Washakie, and social events and meetings with Mark Twain and Owen Wister. The papers also contain correspondence, diaries, and other items relatingto Burt family members, including her husband, Andrew Burt, and father-in-law Andrew Gano Burt

Some material consists of photocopies. The collection is arranged by name of family member.

The book was "later edited by Merrill J. Mattes as “Indians, Infants, and Infantry”. Andrew was stationed at Fort Laramie twice—1874 when their youngest child (Reynolds Johnston Burt) was just two months old then again in 1887-1888. The quarters they lived in at Fort Laramie is still in existence and decorated as it was when the Burt’s lived there." Ft. Laramie FB page