| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - September 06 2004 : 3:34:58 PM
“To Those With Us, And Those Gone Before” By Sgt. Munro
Fort Bedford, Pennsylvania Colony
26 March 1764 / 1600 Hours
Captain Schloss and his men led the wagon bearing Dobson’s body toward the post cemetery, followed by Captain Lem’s Company. Lieutenant Piper and a detachment of his Pennsylvania Light Horse flanked the formation of Pennsylvania Foote. Lining the road to the cemetery was men of the 42nd and 60th Regiments, with bayonets fixed at ‘present arms’. Once the procession was graveside, the regulars assembled behind the provincials.
The ceremony was a brief one, but long on substance. Before the coffin was lowered into its final resting place, Captain Schloss opened the lid and laid the handkerchief containing Dobson’s scalp on his dead friend’s chest. Placing his hand over Dobson’s, Captain Schloss quietly said, “You have been avenged, rest well knowing your sister’s family will be looked after.”
Corporal Dammer directed the pallbearers to start lowering the coffin into the grave, as Private MacIntosh started playing ‘The Dark Island’ on his bagpipes. After a squad of Pennsylvania soldiers fired a salute, Captain Schloss gave the order ‘Morn Arms’ followed by a moment of silence.
Once the soldiers were dismissed, Captain Schloss walked over to Mistress Holmes and her son, who were being comforted by Reverend Cameron. Removing his hat, he bowed his head, and said, “I am sorry for your loss of your brother, Mistress. George was a good man, and a loyal subject of this colony.” Then Captain Schloss handed a pension warrant to her, adding, “Pennsylvania does not forget her brave sons, and neither do I. This is what the family of a soldier, who dies in the service of the colony, is entitled to. It is not much, but it will help you raise your son.”
“Thank you, Captain,” The Reverend answered, for the still sobbing Mistress Holmes.
Young Robert came to attention and saluted Captain Schloss. Returning the boy’s salute, Captain Schloss replied, “Now Robert, you must see after your mother, she will need your strength to help her regain her own.”
“Yes sir.”
Captain Schloss then departed and walked back toward the fort. Once out of view, he allowed a few tears to form at the corners of his eyes.
…Later that evening, at Stephen Barracks:
The men of Graham’s Company were now able to have their celebration, welcoming the new soldiers as full brothers of their company. Each former recruit was now battle-tested, and some even bloodied, in the crucible of combat which bonds such men together for life. After a meal of bear, courtesy of Ensign MacMillan who had departed earlier that day for a hunt, the men cleared the floor of the barracks for an evening of music, singing and dancing.
In celebration of their two recent victories, the men started the evening with a victory dance. Privates MacDonald the Younger and McKendrick, each took turns dancing over the war club used to murder George Dobson while Private MacIntosh played ‘Heilan Whisky’ on his bagpipes. While the two privates were dancing, the rest of the company was clapping their hands in time with their steps.
Lady Wallace-Munro and Mistress Octavie were watching from near the fireplace. Turning to her friend, Octavie asked, “What are the lads doing?”
Eliza answered, “It is a tradition, from our homeland, that when an enemy is defeated on the field of battle, our warriors would dance on the shields of the defeated. It is a post battle celebration, part of our heritage.”
After the victory dance was over, Drummer Stewart retrieved his bodhran from the company baggage and was joined by Sergeant-Major Glenn who brought his fiddle. The two of them started playing a set of reels; Sergeant Munro then walked over to Eliza and said, “Would such a lovely young maiden, give me the pleasure of a dance?”
Giggling while taking her husband’s hand, Eliza answered, “Why yes, sir. How could I r |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| YoungNative |
Posted - September 16 2004 : 11:01:48 AM
I thought Ouisaw Kitehi was the hero :-)
-mark |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - September 14 2004 : 10:35:43 PM
BlueOtter,
I'm glad that you were able to access the stories, and if you read back you will see that the Sarge is just a normal guy, surrounded by larger-than-life figures. There is even a courts martial, where the Sarge is the "guest of honor"...
Your Most Humble Servant,
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| blueotter |
Posted - September 14 2004 : 10:08:55 PM
Sgt Munro:
I was able to access this story using Netscape instead of Explorer. I couldn't easily read it before because all punctuation was replaced with some odd character...., but I am learning that Netscape is more Mac-Friendly. Just takes some getting used to! I enjoyed the story alot, and hope to go back and read previous chapters. But before I do, tell me something: Is Sgt Munro always the hero? (wink) |
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