| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - March 31 2004 : 07:32:13 AM
“Helping Hands” By Sgt. Munro
Fort Pitt, The Ohio Country
21 January 1764 / 0800 Hours
Colonel Bouquet was preparing to depart this day for Philadelphia. Major Campbell was going to travel with him as far as Fort Bedford, and his new assignment. A farewell breakfast was being enjoyed at the Officer’s Mess, by all of those gentlemen who had shared so much over the last year.
“I am very pleased that we were able to stop the flow of munitions from this post to the enemy.” Major Campbell said to Colonel Bouquet.
“Yes Major, and a great deal of the gratitude belongs to Captain Graham.” Bouquet replied, while looking around the dinning room, “Were is the good captain?”
“He is on assignment sir,” Major Campbell answered, “He is leading his company down the Ohio River, to check on the Delawares at Logstown. Intelligence brought by Iroquois Scouts reports the village as abandoned, I just wanted to be sure.”
“Good idea major, have you briefed your replacement?” Bouquet asked.
“Yes sir,” Campbell continued, “Captain Grant is aware of the situation, and he has worked well with Captain Graham in the past.”
“Of course major,” The colonel said was raising his glass, “As it was last August.”
Returning the colonel’s salute, Major Campbell replied, “Yes sir, as it was then.”
Captain-Lieutenant John Graham then asked, “What of Captain Ecuyer?”
“What of that dishonorable wretch?” Colonel Bouquet answered in a huff, “He was due to be cashiered for his dereliction of this post recently, not to mention the inquires into his ‘expense account’. He is going with me to Philadelphia, and once he is cashiered out of my regiment, he may find some unfinished business with General Gage.”
“Hear, hear colonel. Good show sir!” Captain Hay said with his glass raised, “Gentlemen, a toast to Colonel Henry Bouquet of the Royal Americans and Commandant of Fort Pitt!”
The assembled officers came to their feet, and with glasses raised shouted, “Huzzah! And God save King George!”
…Later that morning, on the trade path to Thawegila Town, near the Hocking River:
Shemeneto, known to the whites as ‘The Black Snake’, Second War Chief of the Shawnee Nation led the precession of three. Welethetowaco; known as ‘Pretty Ears’ to the whites, was Shemeneto’s closest confidant and most capable war leader, walked at the side of his war chief. Chief Pucksinwah, Primary War Chief of the Shawnee and chief of the Kispokotha Sept, walked on the other side of Welethetowaco. The three men were very somber, and spoke little during their trek so far.
“Welethetowaco, I do not totally agree with your stand on the war,” Pucksinwah paused, and then continued, “But it is my respect for you that caused my support for your desire to address the Grand Council.”
“Thank you Chief Pucksinwah, and for your support I shall always be in your debt.” Welethetowaco answered.
“It is I who is in your debt,” Pucksinwah said with a smile, “For you have saved my life several times, old friend.”
“Danger!” Shemeneto whispered, as he and the others rushed to the cover of nearby trees.
Several shots rang out and ricocheted harmlessly against the surrounding foliage. The three Shawnees readied their fusils, while scanning for targets. Pucksinwah looked to the other two men and asked, “Do either of you have any idea who is shooting at us?”
“Judging from their poor marksmanship,” Welethetowaco said, “I would guess they are Illinois Confederacy or one of the Mississippi Nations.”
Shemeneto chuckled, “I am really getting too old for these games.”
Noticing one of their antagonists moving to another location, Pucksinwah aimed and fired, killing the enemy warrior. Welethetowaco fired at a second one who popped his head up from behind a fallen tree; the man’s head disappeared in a red mist. A third one tried to sneak up and rush Shemeneto from behind, he was quickly dispatched when ‘The Black Snake’ quickly turned and s |
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