| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - December 16 2005 : 11:04:46 PM
“The Conference Bower” (Part Three) By Sgt. Munro
Camp Upon The Muskingum, The Ohio Country
15 November 1764 / 1630 Hours
On this day, the Shawnee War Chief Keightughqua delivered the last group of white prisoners. The number of redeemed captives now exceeded two hundred, and a noticeable strain was placed upon foodstuffs. Colonel Bouquet knew that he had to conclude the talks, and start his march back to Fort Pitt before the oncoming winter weather closed the newly constructed military road. Shuddering from the autumn breeze fluttering through the door of his tent, Colonel Bouquet started his report to General Gage:
Sir,
I had the honor to write to your Excellency the 21st of October; We arrived at this Camp the 25th being in the Center of the Delaware Towns, and near Wakatawmika the most considerable of the Shawanese Settlements.
The 4th instant I received your letters of the 15th and 21st October with their inclosures: The last came to my hands very timely: I had managed matters with the Savages in such a manner as to remain master of the conditions I had to prescribe to them, by insisting upon their delivering first all their prisoners, before I would explain myself, but at the same time I was sensible of the impossibility of obtaining the delivery of the Authors of the War, to be put to death, unless I had seized upon them myself, which would have been no satisfaction, and that violence would have put it out of my power to bring afterwards the Savages to submit on any terms; They would have dispersed themselves, and necessity would have forced them to fall upon our Frontiers, which must have remained exposed to their depredations at least for another year, as I had neither troops nor provisions, to take post in their country, the surest method to reduce them. But by means of the latitude you have been pleased to give me, I have now the satisfaction to inform you that the Mingoes, The Delawares, The Shawanese, and some broken tribes of Mohikons & Wyandots are intirely reduced, and have submitted on the following terms:
1. To deliver all their Prisoners without Exception.
2. To give Fourteen Hostages to remain in our hands as a Security that the first Article Shall be fully executed, and that they shall commit no Hostilities against the persons or property of His Majesty’s Subjects.
3. To send Deputies from each Nation, properly authorized to make peace with Sir William Johnson; Engaging to ratify and execute punctually all the conditions to be stipulated in that Treaty.
In consequence, the Mingoes, and the Delawares have already delivered all their Prisoners, and even their own children born from white Women, as I have insisted upon it; which considering their attachmt. To their Children is a convincing proof of their Sincerity and humiliation…
Upon completing his report, Colonel Bouquet leaned back and stretched his arms. Exhaling loudly as he stood, he then walked outside of his tent. The sun had dipped below the trees, and darkness started to shroud his camp. In the shadows, he watched the approach of a man, holding a small ember in his left hand. As the figure drew closer, Colonel Bouquet recognized him as one of his senior staff members, Lieutenant-Colonel John Reid of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment.
“Good evening, John.”
“Good evening, Colonel Sir.”
“John” Bouquet started, “Why are you smoking a piece of slow match?”
Colonel Reid laughed, and said, “No Sir, this is a cigarillo.”
“A what?”
“A cigarillo, Sir.” Reid then explained, “They are comprised of dried tobacco, which is then pulverized in a mortar, then tightly wrapped in a piece of dried corn husk. I was introduced to them during the Havana Expedition, and now I can not seem to give the damn things up.”
“Ah, yet another lingering ailment of that expedition.” Bouquet paused to savor the crisp air, “Malaria, Tropical Fevers, drunkenness, and not to mention complication |
| 2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - December 20 2005 : 09:04:25 AM
Thank you, MG, and I shall keep them coming. The next two installments will be out before Christmas, since they are somewhat 'time sensitive'. Look for them in the coming days, and their titles are:
"Hail the Conquering Hero" (Part-1)
-And
"Christmastyme of 1764"
YMH&OS,
The Sarge
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| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - December 17 2005 : 08:46:52 AM
Another excellent piece Sarge, - well done indeed. Keep them coming, ... |
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![The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]](images/wwwboard.gif "The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]")
