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SgtMunro
Soldier of the King
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
September 23 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - November 20 2004 : 09:48:37 AM
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“MacMillan’s Gambit” (Part One) By Sgt. Munro
Northeast of Fort Pitt, The Ohio Country
14 May 1764 / 1310 Hours
The warmth of a late spring morning, gave way to the heat of early afternoon. Ensign MacMillan and Sergeant Munro were leading Corporal MacIntyre’s Squad on an extended patrol of the Allegheny River. MacIntyre’s cousin, Murdoch MacTear volunteered to act as scout and forager for the patrol. Following the trade path along the southern shore of the river, the patrol was on its second day out and thankfully the rain, which had plagued them since departing Fort Pitt, had finally abated. Once a suitable ford was located on the Kiskiminetas River, the men were ready to stop for midday meal.
“Alright men, just over this next rise is a hunting cabin belonging to Raymond Donley, we shall stop there for the day.” MacMillan said, pointing toward the location.
“That would be nice.” Corporal MacIntyre said to Sergeant Munro.
“Aye Ian, I look forward to removing these wet gaiters and hose.”
MacMillan motioned for the men to halt, as he noticed Murdoch MacTear moving quickly down the trail toward them. The men faced outward, forming a defensible perimeter, and waited. MacTear stopped, in front of MacMillan, and whispered, “Sir, there may be a wee bit ‘o trouble ahead.”
“Explain, Master MacTear.”
Pausing, to look back up the trail, Murdoch said, “Sir, Mister Donley is nae to be found, and his cabin… sir, you really need to see this.”
Turning to his sergeant, MacMillan ordered, “Pick three men, and go forward toward the cabin. I will take Corporal MacIntyre, and the rest of his squad, to circle around in order to secure the flank approach opposite the Allegheny.”
“Aye sir.” Munro then quietly said, “MacDonald the Elder and Younger, and MacDougal, follow me.”
Twenty minutes later, Sergeant Munro and his men arrived at the Donley Cabin. The men felt a wave of shock, wash over them, as they looked at the scene. The cabin itself was partially collapsed, due to the destruction of the doorway. Footprints marked the ground, but they were distorted from the preceding two days of heavy rain. The interior walls were spattered with blood, hair, bone fragments and flesh, so much of it, that there was not any doubt as to the fate of Mister Donley.
Crossing himself, Munro said, “God in Heaven, what happened here?”
Examining the crushed wall, Private MacDougal observed, “Looks like it took a hit of round shot, from a 9-pounder.”
“Aye, Angus.” Private MacDonald the Elder agreed, but then said, “Except that the wood is splintered outward. Someone quite literally pulled the front of the cabin off its foundation.”
“Someone, or something…” Private MacDonald the Younger noted as he tried to classify the four-toed footprint.”
“What are you saying, Joshua?” Munro asked, as he walked over toward him, “That print is all askew from the rains.”
“All I am saying Sergeant, is that whoever did this weighs over four-hundred pounds and has a forty-inch stride.”
Private MacDonald the Elder then pointed at a broken limb found within the cabin, and noted the tree from where it was removed from, “And he is over eight feet tall.”
…Meanwhile, near Fort LeBeouf:
Francis Cooper and Thomas Thacher were carrying their small canoe the last hundred yards of the corduroy portage road, which connected Fort Presque Isle and Fort LeBeouf. Approaching the burnt remains of the fort, Francis paused and nodded for Thomas to set the canoe down. “I still cannot believe that this post and Presque Isle are both gone.”
“And Fort Venango, further south sir.” Thomas added.
Shaking his head, Francis continued, “Nine posts destroyed and two very disciplined siege operations within weeks of one another, a righteous fury unleashed by the short-sighted policies of one man.”
“Yes sir.”
Both men again picked up the canoe, containing their equipment, and walked into what used to be fort’s s
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Serjeant-Major Duncan Munro
Capt. Thos. Graham's Coy.
42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foote
(The Black Sheep of the Black Watch)
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"
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MacMillan's Gambit (Part-1) - 14 May 1764
