| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - August 03 2004 : 07:55:15 AM
“Crucible” By Sgt. Munro
HMS Iroquois, Lake Erie: 42° 10' N/81° 50' W
16 March 1764 / 0710 Hours
On this day HMS Iroquois was tacking westward toward her destination, Kelley’s Island. Ship’s Master Fischer was concerned about the reddish hue that the rising sun to the east was bathed in, because it could herald bad weather ahead. He thought to himself while scanning the horizon with his spyglass, “Red in the morning, sailor takes warning… Red at night, sailor’s delight.” His morning silence was interrupted by a new arrival to the sloop’s quarterdeck.
“Good Morning Commander Fischer”, the man dressed in longhunter attire said, offering a cup of coffee.
Surprised at his change of ‘uniform’, Fischer replied, “Good morning Major Cooper sir.” Taking the offered cup, Master Fischer continued, “How are your men adjusting?”
“They are doing just fine, Commander.” Major Cooper said while pointing to the deck below, where Ranger Sergeants Metz and Thacher were leading the men in physical exercise.
“Good morning gentlemen, what news?” Captain Patarcity said as he climbed the steps onto the quarterdeck.
“The good news, Captain, is that I estimate arrival at the insertion point to be just after midnight.” Master Fischer paused, and then added, “The bad news is that we may have some rough weather before long.”
“Nothing we haven’t handled before, sir.” Patarcity said, “I’ll have the men check our canoes and other gear after morning drill.”
Major Cooper nodded with approval, and said, “Excellent Stephen, I have also ordered a double issue of rum at six bells, afternoon watch; so as to help the men get some sleep before our departure.”
Master Fischer then said to Chief Boatswain O’Leary, “Chief, I want the Master-at-Arms to issue firearms to all officers and crewmen on watch duty. Notify Chief Gunner MacWilliam to ready his 6-Pounders and Swivels with grapeshot, and to have gun crews on standby. Also, all deck crew will wear cutlasses starting with the afternoon watch, until further ordered.”
“Aye-aye, sir.” O’Leary answered with a salute, and departed for the arms locker.
Fischer then explained to Cooper and Patarcity, “The Royal Navy does not like unpleasant surprises, gentlemen.” Then returning to his spyglass, he added, “It looks bad in the newspapers, and upsets civilians at their breakfast tables.”
…Meanwhile at Fort Bedford, preparations are underway for the upcoming campaign:
A council of the officers present at the fort was being held at the post commandant’s headquarters. Captain Lewis Ourry, of the 60th Royal Americans and commander of Fort Bedford, started with, “Gentlemen, a dispatch from Fort Pitt has arrived this morning. Captain Grant of the Royal Highlanders relates an unfortunate incident that occurred on the evening of the 23rd of February. He reports…‘that a small party of Indians had lately appeared near that Post, and renewed hostilities by killing one man of the garrison, and wounding another’… Captain Grant apparently made several unsuccessful attempts to locate the six Indians which had attacked the wood party of seven soldiers.”
“A probing action, perhaps?” Captain Graham said.
“Possibly Thomas, they could also be a party of young men looking for trophies.” Captain Stirling answered.
“Either way gentlemen, it does not bode well for the Colony.” Captain Schloss added, “The weather is warmer, and with that the raids will start… As they always do.”
“Captain Schloss is correct.” Ourry said, “With Pennsylvania Colony being threatened again, it could effect food procurement for the army.”
“That would cause further delays in our offensive.” Captain Stirling noted, “We need fresh flour to augment our supplies of Munition Bread.”
“Speaking of the offensive, what is the status of our men?” Captain Ourry asked, “Could we increase our operational tempo for area patrols?”
Captain Graham was the first to answer, “My men ar |
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