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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 - January 12 2005 : 09:53:06 AM
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“The Go-Betweens” (Part One)
Fort Pitt, The Ohio Country
19 May 1764 / 1400 Hours
“Captain Grant will see you now.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Francis Cooper said, as he and Thomas Thacher entered the Commandant’s Office.
Rising from his desk, Captain William Grant of the 42nd Royal highland Regiment, extended his hand, “I am so glad you arrived safely, Major.”
“Thank you, Captain Grant.” Returning the handshake, Cooper continued, “Please it is Mister Cooper now; and my partner is Thomas Thacher, late of the Queen’s Royal American Rangers. Here are our orders from General Gage and Colonel Bouquet.”
Opening the sealed packet, Captain Grant briefly examined the documents, satisfied he then said, “Very good sir, this post and my command are at your disposal.”
“Thank you again, Captain. Until we receive our updated orders from the colonel, I will be meeting with a delegation of Delaware Headmen within the coming weeks. All that Mister Thacher and I need for this meeting are some trade goods to open negotiations with, and a small detachment led by a competent officer to represent the King.”
Quickly writing out orders on official stationary, Captain Grant then handed the papers to Cooper, “I have a good man in mind, take these to Captain Graham in the Provost Marshall’s Office. He will have the authority to handpick the detachment, and he knows where to gather the required gifts.”
“That will do quite well, Captain.” Francis then added, “I would also like to request that Sergeant Duncan Munro of your regiment also join the detachment. I have worked with him before, and I trust his conduct. He also is fluent in the Delaware Tongue, and he is recognized as an adopted member of the Kispokotha Shawnee. I believe that both of these traits will help add leverage to the talks.”
“Of course sir, it will be done.”
Cooper and Thacher then departed the Commandant’s Office and walked over to their meeting with Captain Graham. While crossing the parade ground, both men noticed a company of the 42nd Royal Highlanders marching into the fort. The soldiers looked tired, but hardened, and dirty from the trail.
Smiling, Cooper pointed toward them and said, “Thomas, give me more of those articles, and this war will be over before you know it.”
Cooper’s sharp knock on the Provost Office door was answered with a gruff, “Enter”. Walking inside, they found Captain Thomas Graham of Duchray busy reading dispatches arrived from headquarters. Looking up from them, Captain Graham rose to his feet and said, “I apologize, Major. I have been awash in paper since we last met. Sergeant Thacher, it is good to see you again as well.”
“Captain Graham, I require your assistance with a small matter of diplomacy. Captain Grant assures me that you may be released from your desk… If you like.”
Tossing a sheaf of papers into the fire, Graham replied, “And give up this exciting billet? What do you need, and when do we leave?”
“Excellent Captain! I knew you were the right man for the task at hand.” Cooper then handed Captain Graham his orders, and continued with “I also requested that Sergeant Duncan Munro, of your own company, accompany us on this assignment. The other men of the detachment will be of your own choosing, since you are aware of what we need.”
“Aye Major, not just good soldiers, but ‘warriors’ respected by our opponents.”
“Exactly Captain, and Captain Grant has authorized you to pull any man from this garrison, and place him on temporary assignment. We will need a force of at least a dozen soldiers, and we also need to collect some trade goods as well.”
“Aye sir, the men can be ready in less than a day. As for the trade goods, that may take a little longer to gather, but I do know a man who can get them for us.”
…Later that afternoon, at the Fort Pitt Storehouse:
“Alright you bluidy wee snake, I’ve had about enough of yer whining ‘bout regulations!” Corporal M
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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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The Go-Betweens (Part-1) - 19 May 1764
