| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - March 26 2006 : 8:40:56 PM
'The King's Peace' (Part Two) By Sgt. Munro
Fort Bedford, Pennsylvania Colony
21 February 1765 / 1600 Hours
Captain Thomas Graham of Duchray was attending a staff meeting at the post commandant's office, along with Lieutenant Fergus MacMillan and Lieutenant Alexander Fraser. Lieutenant Nathaniel McCulloch, now commanding Fort Bedford, called the meeting at the behest of George Croghan.
"Gentlemen," Lieutenant McCulloch started, "The Deputy Superintendent for Indian Affairs, Mister George Croghan, wished to address a matter of a most urgent nature."
"Thank you, Lieutenant." Croghan replied, and then he turned to speak to all present, "Gentlemen, as you may be aware, I currently have a convoy traveling westward to Fort Pitt. These are the first trade goods delivered to the Ohio County, since the late unpleasantness of eighteen months ago."
"Yes Sir, we are all quite aware of this news." Captain Graham noted.
Drawing his breath, Croghan continued with, "Aye Captain, but you are not aware of the threats I have received against this convoy. Particularly, those from a gang of brigands led by one James Smith, a somewhat nefarious character in these parts."
"Begging your pardon, Sir." Lieutenant MacMillan said, "But, if this is the same Captain James Smith of the Conocoheague Rangers, who provided a great deal of honorable service to the army during the Muskingum Campaign, then I would believe that he would have his reasons for such..."
"He is a scoundrel and a blackguard!" Croghan interrupted, "He even tried to have the magistrate in Carlisle inspect my convoy. I simply showed him my Crown Commission, and told him to piss-off!"
Captain Graham then asked, "Mister Croghan, since our arrival to Fort Bedford, I have read some of the broadsides posted by these 'brigands', and all that they are demanding, is also currently Crown policy; that being the embargo of alcohol and gunpowder to the Native Nations. Until Sir William Johnson and General Gage change that policy, I do not believe that they will interfere with any trade convoys. Besides, I have read the official manifest of trade goods contained in the Kings Convoy, and no such illicit items are present."
"I too have read the manifest, and agree with Captain Graham's assessment." Lieutenant McCulloch added, "Why then did you object to a magistrate looking over some of the items? I do believe that it would have eased the colonial's fears, and prevented any further trouble."
Croghan replied, "With respects to both of you, they have no business looking over any of my goods."
Captain Graham then said, "With respects to you, Mister Croghan, those goods belong to the King."
Rising from his chair, Croghan finished with, "I depart for Fort Pitt tomorrow, and you are to insure that the convoy arrives there safely." Then, producing his well-worn commission, "As Deputy-Superintendent of Indian Affairs, I order it so."
Watching Croghan leave the office, Lieutenant McCulloch said, "What a cretin."
"Yes Nathaniel," Graham agreed, "But he is a commissioned Indian agent, and such people are sometimes less than savory."
"Very well, Thomas," McCulloch continued, "Where do you propose to meet and escort the convoy?"
Graham answered, "I shall have a detachment march from here, within the coming days, and then they can meet the convoy, west of Fort Loudon, so as to relieve the escort from that post. Once the convoy is here, the rest of the company shall join it on the march to Fort Pitt."
McCulloch looked out the window, at the gray overcast sky, and said, "Hopefully, Mister Croghan's worries will be for not."
Meanwhile, at Fort Bedford's Main Gate:
Privates MacGregor and MacDougal, of Graham's Company, were standing guard, watching the empty Forbes Road. The two men passed time, as soldiers always have since the days of the Roman Legions, by engaging in small talk.
"What do ye think will be for dinner, Angus?" |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Highlander |
Posted - March 27 2006 : 6:15:25 PM
Always a good read. |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - March 27 2006 : 09:11:03 AM
Thank you for the accolades, MG. As I noted before, I apologize for falling remiss in my duties, but occasionally these things happen. I shall endeavor to make sure that you do not 'hang-on' too long between parts. Stay tuned for the next installment, from the 'Bard of Fort Pitt'...
YMH&OS,
The Sarge |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - March 27 2006 : 08:10:09 AM
It goes without saying Sarge, - excellent, thanks. |
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