By KAREN MADORIN
Following the Civil War, many officers born and raised in the East continued serving their country on the Kansas frontier. That legion included Captain Albert Barnitz, born in Pennsylvania in 1835 and reared in Ohio. He studied first at Kenyon College and later continued his education at Cleveland Law College. While there, he published a book of poetry titled Mystic Delvings. This hinted at writing tendencies modern readers continue to enjoy.
Barnitz’s path to Kansas began after the death of his first wife who died in childbirth in 1860. Still grieving, he joined the 13th Ohio Infantry as a three-month volunteer in 1861. Following that service, he enlisted in the 2nd Ohio Cavalry as a sergeant. By 1863, Barnitz achieved senior captain rank.
Following his recovery from severe injuries, Barnitz returned to serve under the command of George A. Custer in the Shenandoah Valley and fought his last battle at Appomattox. He returned briefly to civilian life, but received a captain’s commission in the U.S. Army in 1866. The following year he married his second wife Jennie Platt, and they began their Great Plains adventure that included the two writing and saving a series of letters and journals that reflect the military and social life of the period.
During his military career, Barnitz served at several frontier forts, including Leavenworth, Riley, and Harker. His wife Jennie joined him at several of these postings. When they weren’t together, they wrote one another regularly. Albert also kept a journal of his experiences over decades. Fortunately for posterity, they saved these documents.
Through these letters and journals, readers can time travel to the years 1866 – 1869 on the Plains. Robert Utley collected and edited them into a book titled Life in Custer’s 7th Cavalry. Barnitz and Jennie write about military experiences, life on the prairie, Hancock’s failed expedition, a battle with Indians at Fort Wallace, Camp Alfred Gibbs (just west of Ellis, Kansas), and Jennie surviving a flash flood at the first site of Fort Hays.
Piquing the interest of history buffs, Albert and Jennie’s letters reveal personal information about the Custers, Colonel Alfred Gibbs, Major Joel Elliott, Miles Keogh, and other famous colleagues. Through this couple’s running commentary, readers see historical personages as real people complete with strengths and frailties. In addition, they see Barnitz’s attitudes about these individuals evolve, showing how his and Jennie’s opinions changed continually. This couple’s correspondence would’ve enthralled historian Robert Utley as he studied their decades of communication.
Their letters reveal Albert and Jennie’s love story, his desire to be a good officer, and his disgust with fellow officers who drank too much or abused their troops. Interested in nature, he provides excellent accounts of regional wildlife, plants, and weather as well.
Because Barnitz had the observational and writing skills of a poet, his records of military life during one of the frontier’s most active periods provide a time machine-like glimpse into a vanished era. Life in Custer’s Cavalry offers more than communication between a man and woman. It’s an invitation to visit their world, one we occupy today.