| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - July 29 2004 : 6:47:30 PM
“Friends, Old & New” By Sgt. Munro
Fort Bedford, Pennsylvania Colony
08 March 1764 / 0900 Hours
Ensign MacMillan led the company through the main gate of Fort Bedford, while Private MacIntosh and Drummer Stewart played ‘Hill of Perth’. Recognizing the unofficial march of Graham’s Company, Captain Thomas Stirling, commander of the 42nd's Light Infantry Company, exited his office and went over to greet the officers and men. The Captain walked toward Ensign MacMillan, and returning the Ensign’s salute, said “Good to see that you have arrived safely Mister MacMillan. Where is Captain Graham?”
“Thank you sir.” Ensign MacMillan replied, “Captain Graham will be delayed a day or two, for personal reasons.”
“Very good Mister MacMillan, you will have him report to me once he arrives.” Captain Stirling said.
“Yes sir.” Answered MacMillan, “Sir, is adequate barracks space available for the men?”
“Of course, they will be billeted at Stephen Barracks, over there.” Stirling said, pointing to the clapboard two-story building, near the covered gallery leading to the Juniata River. “Also, your replacement soldiers arrived yesterday. I had taken the liberty of getting them billeted in the same barracks.”
“Thank you sir, after a couple of weeks under canvas, the men will appreciate four walls that do not shift with the wind.” Ensign MacMillan then saluted, and said, “With your leave sir, I would like to get the company squared away and inspect our new recruits.”
Returning the Ensign’s salute, Captain Stirling replied, “Of course Mister MacMillan; if you need anything, contact the duty officer Ensign Hutchins of the Royal Americans.” Captain Stirling then departed to return to his office.
Turning to his warrant men, Ensign MacMillan said, “Corporal MacLean, have the men first unload the packhorses, and release the teamsters, before taking the men to the barracks. Corporal MacIntyre, you will go to the barracks at once and have our ‘strangers’ fall-out in full kit immediately. Sergeant Munro, go with MacIntyre, and ready the men for inspection.”
The three non-commissioned officers saluted and replied, “Aye sir.”
The eight private soldiers were startled when the barracks door slammed open, and a giant of a corporal bellowed, “Stand to Arms! Move lads, what are ye waiting for, a bluidy invitation! Full kit, on the parade, now!”
The private soldiers were scrambling to don their weapons and field gear. As they started running for the door, Corporal MacIntyre yelled after them, “Dinna ye worry about fighting, my lads, at this pace the enemy will be dead of old age!”
As the soldiers exited the building at a full run, Sergeant Munro was there to greet them with, “Alright you lot! Form a line abreast! Eyes right! Dress your line!” Once the men were assembled, Sergeant Munro then ordered, “Take care, officer on parade.”
That was Ensign MacMillan’s cue; he then marched up and returned the salute that Sergeant Munro greeted him with. Turning to address the new soldiers, he said, “Good day, I am Ensign Fergus MacMillan and I am the company adjutant and operations officer. You men already have shown you are a cut above the rest by being allowed to enlist in His Majesty’s 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. We will make you even better. This phase of your training will not be easy, then again nothing worthwhile ever is. Here in Captain Graham’s Company, we are not Campbells, MacLeods, MacDonalds, Frasers, Munroes, or any other one clan. As of this moment, you shall forget any clan loyalties or blood feuds. As of this moment, all of that is secondary to the company, and this company is now your new clan. Men, you are about to become family to what I believe is the finest company in the finest regiment of His Majesty’s Service. That is of course, if you pass muster.”
Ensign MacMillan then addressed Sergeant Munro, “Sergeant, I leave this men in your care, instruct them well and se |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - July 31 2004 : 02:20:34 AM
You're absolutely right, Fitz. I forgot to mention the French origin of the word, as well as the fact that it depended on how the word was used. Excellent point!
Your Most Humble Servant,
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| Fitz Williams |
Posted - July 30 2004 : 11:52:21 PM
The French refered to Indians by the term "sauvage", but it does not carry the same meaning as the English "savage". Since any educated Englishman of the period could speak French, it is possible that they used the two terms interchangeably. To an American, or a commoner, there was probably a distinct difference. The meaning of words change over time, and it gets very hard to actually determine what a work meant to a particular person. In the words of Fred Flintstone, "have a gay old time". |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - July 30 2004 : 10:44:12 PM
Thank you for the kind words Bookworm, and I might be able to help answer some of your questions. First, yes there were times when certain clan members had to be separated by company. This was not something that was widely advertised, and most 'blood feuds' were kept in check by watchful officers and warrant men (NCO's). There was also a great deal of animosity between Highland and other regiments of the British Army. The funny thing was that there was a greater animosity between Highland and Lowland regiments, than between Highland and other English regiments. Either way, I used it in the story more as a commentary on the importance of unit intergrity.
To answer your second question, there was never any "official" sanction against the use of the word 'savage', why even Colonel Bouquet refers to Indians as 'savages' in his correspondence (The Papers of Henry Bouquet). The reason I included it in the story, was to explain the affinity felt between Native and Highland Scot. This was documented, at least as far as the 42nd is concerned, since 1756 in the Mohawk Valley.
Once again, thank you for enjoying my stories, and more are forthcoming...
Your Most Humble Servant,
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| Bookworm |
Posted - July 30 2004 : 6:47:13 PM
Thank you for another excellent episode, Sergeant! This one has very interesting things to say about relationships between the peoples involved in this conflict. Were there occasions when clan affiliations actually led to conflict within the Highland regiments? And was there really an injunction against the use of the term "savages"? |
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