Major Abbot served during a period of legal and even armed conflict. The Corps was often in the middle of clashes involving large corporations, Native Americans, private individuals, and steamboat tourists. Loggers monopolized the St. Croix and Red Lake River channels. Railroad construction blocked the Red River. Soldiers requested to protect the headwaters dams became involved in the Army’s last Indian battle. When not occupied by legal matters, Abbot often rode his bicycle (to save the Government livery fees) down to inspect the construction of Twin City lock and dam 2.