Their particular optimistic nature and you will love of society enabled their to exist within new world one depicted a harsh change from her comfy Pewee Area house
They became engaged in September, 1881, only half a year just after the earliest conference, if you are Mamie is checking out family family members John and you can Ida Wilcox on Fort Clark, Colorado, in which Henry was then offering. The latest happy chaperone, who had recognized Henry for decades, advertised back to Mamie’s mother with effusive praise getting their particular coming this new young man-in-legislation. ..their child becomes a leading spouse and also you a son-in-law from who you may be to begin with proud. Nevertheless bundle changed in the slip out of 1881 whenever Mamie blogged so you can Lawton to come to Pewee Area the moment you are able to as the their unique younger aunt, Alice, was actually given serious attention ill.
Fearing death, Alice wanted to be present when Mamie and you can Lawton were partnered together with asked that date for the wedding end up being moved right up. Lawton expected an escape out-of absence to own internet explorer and you may Henry Lawton was indeed hitched at Edgewood toward twelfth away from December, 1881. The latest service is actually a fast, hushed, and you may bittersweet knowledge at Alice’s bedside in one of the highest-ceilinged upstairs bedrooms. Minister S. E. Bass-Lawton’s previous leader away from their Civil Battle routine, this new 30th Indiana-held the brand new ceremony. Annie Craig supported since the witnesses, and Alice’s doctor and husband was indeed together with present. Alice passed away a day later. Immediately after, Mamie packed her some thing and you may, almost certainly after the a great tearful farewell at the Pewee Valley’s illustrate depot, boarded a subway in order to Louisville along with her husband en route so you’re able to a new lifestyle due to the fact a military partner regarding West.
Mamie as the an army Wife regarding the Western 1912 postcard see away from Foot. Huachuca, in which the Lawtons stayed when you are Henry was chasing Geronimo
Louis the day immediately following conference Mamie, with regards to the page the guy later wrote so you can his pal, nonetheless they stored in reach
?Immediately after their matrimony, Mamie accompanied Henry so you’re able to a succession of military listings along side southwest. They proceeded earliest on the head office of Army Area out-of New Mexico inside the Albuquerque, The fresh new Mexico Territory, where Lawton offered since the Pretending Professional of January, 1882 so you’re able to Oct, 1883. They afterwards moved to Fort Stanton, The new Mexico Region, where Lawton demanded troops up to Get, 1884. Ultimately, duty got them to Fort Huachuca, Arizona Area, hence became their house up until ie’s sister, Merton Craig, years later advised a journalist you to “my personal sister’s commitment in order to their spouse is actually admirable. She constantly wanted to feel that have your, and you can she felt that she could fearless any danger that he you’ll . . . As he manage get requests commit anyplace Mrs. Lawton carry out instantly beginning to clean up while having ready to compliment your.” Such as for instance commitment was included with sacrifice. Existence into the an army article try crude even Islanti sana vaimoon for brand new toughest soldiers, just who are not complained regarding high heat, dirty standards, bad food, and pervading situation. Henry’s works tend to got him off the fort for days, weeks, if not weeks at the same time, making Mamie to look after the household alone.
Departing Pewee, Mamie exchanged groomed lanes that veined gentle hills for dirt roads that scored dusty grassland. She swapped dignified trees that blotted shade across civilized lawns for starving oaks that twisted toward white-hot sky. Fortunately, Mamie’s optimistic bent and eye for the beauty around her found plenty to enjoy in the dramatic western expanse. If Annie Fellows Johnson’s descriptions of fort life in her Little Colonel books are, indeed, based on comments Mamie shared with her, they recount a world in which rugged nature offered freedom and joy. Henry understood his wife’s pleasure in noticing the beauty of her surroundings and helped feed her interest. While away from Fort Huachuca on campaign, he once wrote to her about the interesting birds, bugs and plants he encountered, including “a great variety of doves” and another bird “that makes a noise just like a kitten mewing, not like a cat but a little kitten, and if you did not know it was not you would be certain a kitten was about.” He even planned to send her specimens of an interesting red bug, expecting that “you could color your lemonade and make strawberry ice cream without strawberries.”