| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - December 20 2005 : 4:21:57 PM
“Hail the Conquering Hero” (Part One) By Sgt. Munro
Fort Pitt, The Ohio Country
29 November 1764 / 1530 Hours
The day before, the army’s triumphant return to Fort Pitt was marked with celebration, as well as tearful reunions with waiting family members. Those redeemed captives, who were not reunited with family either serving on the campaign or gathering at the fort, were to be transported east to Carlisle. There, hopefully other settlers would gather, in answer to the broadsides, to look for missing friends and family.
The soldiers’ work was on going; in addition to the usual post-campaign maintenance, a large portion of the army had to prepare for an immediate march eastward, so as to not be trapped by the accumulating snowfall. The 1st Battalion of the 60th Royal Americans was ordered to Philadelphia, and had departed Fort Pitt before noontime. The Virginia and Pennsylvania soldiers prepared for departure on the following day.
Reading the orders from Colonel Bouquet, Captain Thomas Graham said, “Fergus, it looks as if the whole communication, and surrounding backcountry, will be secured by our regiment alone.”
“The lads are more than up to the task, Captain.”
Finishing his tea, Graham replied, “Yes they are, but I do wonder if such a reduction in force strength is not a wee bit… premature?” He then donned his bonnet, and motioned to Lieutenant MacMillan, “Come Fergus, the lads are formed up for afternoon parade, and we must read Colonel Bouquet’s orders to them.”
The men of Graham’s Company were in formation near MacKenzie Barracks. Seeing his two officers approach, Sergeant Munro bellowed, “Take care! Officers on parade!”
The men snapped to attention, and stood ramrod straight. All of the filth and grime of active campaigning had been scrubbed away, as ‘spit and polish’ is always the order for garrison duty. Freshly shaved, groomed and clad in their full dress uniform, with all arms and accouterments clean and shined, one would find it hard to believe that these were the same men as the ‘mud larks’ who marched into the fort less than twenty-four hours earlier.
Snapping his halberd to the ‘Recover’, Sergeant Munro saluted his company commander with, “Good afternoon Sir. The company is formed and ready for parade, Sir.”
Captain Graham returned the salute and said, “Thank you Sergeant, you may assume your post.”
“Aye Sir.” Munro then brought his halberd to the ‘Advance’, and marched to his respective position in the company.
“Men,” Captain Graham started, “You have once again distinguished yourselves in this latest tasking. This campaign was made even more a success by not a shot in anger being fired. I have here a written order for the suspension of arms against our late foes, signed by Colonel Bouquet.”
The men were then given the command to ‘Order Your Firelocks’, as Captain Graham read the following:
By Henry Bouquet Esquire, Colonel of Foot & Commanding His Majesty’s Forces in the Southern District of North America.
Whereas a Suspension of Arms has been granted to the Indian Tribes of the Mingoes, Wyandots, Delawares & Shawanese, any of their People coming to our Posts are to be treated as Friends; but as no Trade can be carried on with said Indians till a definitive Treaty of Peace be concluded with them…
After finishing reading the obligatory order, Captain Graham gave the command to ‘Rest’, as his speech became more informal. “Men, as you know the 60th Royal American Regiment departed this post today, and the provincials will also be departing in the next two days. Three of the 42nd’s Battalion Companies will also march eastward to assume the posts of Fort Ligonier, Fort Bedford, Fort Loudoun and Fort Cumberland. One company each will be posted to Forts Ligonier and Bedford, and the remaining company will be halved between Forts Loudoun and Cumberland. Our company will remain with two other Battalion Companies, as well as the |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| YoungNative |
Posted - January 03 2006 : 07:30:45 AM
quote:
Originally posted by SgtMunro
or a pseudonym of their choosing.
Duncan
Hmmmm, So, you know who agreed to the pseudonym "private dingleberry" 
just kidding 
I'll have to tell my mom shes in one of your stories, i'm sure she'll wanna read it. |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - January 01 2006 : 07:37:43 AM
Happy New Year, my Nephew, and "yes" you are right on both counts. I try to pay homage to most of the people I know in the hobby; and I do this by either using their 'real' character name, or a pseudonym of their choosing.
Your Most Humble Uncle,
Duncan |
| YoungNative |
Posted - January 01 2006 : 02:37:40 AM
Excelent as usual unc.
I know you like to use reenactors as inspiration, is my mom the inspiration for janet henderson? |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - December 21 2005 : 09:54:51 AM
Thank you MG, and keep watching for the final two installments on this part, "...A Finish to This Dammned War, 1764-1765". The next will be posted before week's end, and the final part within a fortnight afterwards. Afterwards, the installments will cover the next part titled, "Frontier Constabulary, 1765-1766".
YMH&OS,
The Sarge
PS:Cedric, have ye been reading the new ones lately? When you reminded me about wanting new installments, while we were in garrison at Fort Bedford the other week, I thought you would have checked-in by now, Lad. |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - December 20 2005 : 6:09:25 PM
Very good Sarge, - but that's nothing new I'd say. Another keeper. ;) |
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