A Lull.....before the Storm!!

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: 30th September 1758
: Camp at Loyalhanna

: Journal Entry;

: I must snatch a few moments before  my watch begins again.  The alert continues here at Loyalhanna, the stockade is well prepared, coehorns and cannon are in place.  The watch has increased as more and more troops pour in from south at Cumberland and east from Reastown.  What is left of our brave 77th lads are now encamped here, we Grenadiers all intact and ready for the next onslaught of French and Savages.

: When that will occur, one only knows.  Sign Talker has been in and out of camp.  He speaks little but signs all to Many Flags who then translates. His watchful eyes have seen little action, but he takes that for a bad omen.  Talker believes he has seen Red Leaf and several warriors last evening skulking nearby.  Ahh, if we get into this fight, Red Leaf's life is worth little, for many of us wish to wipe him out. Flags, Tales and Cousin Seamus lie outside our camp in a wee glade, they wishing not to be among the hub bub of camp.  We continue to have our camp laid out at the bottom of the hill where the stockade lies and our sentries are watchful, for at the first notice of action, we will pull back into the fortifications.

: We spent this morn with our cousins in their camp.  Seamus sent a message to his Nancy and although we wished not to read it, he did share with us that he has asked her to marry him.  As he spoke with us, Tales' eyes misted and finally, in a choked voice, he told us that he must soon leave for the county of Berks to be again with his wife Two Bottle and the wee bairns.  He will stay in this camp for only a fortnight and then will be on his way.  While he was speaking, Flags became very quiet and morose.  After Tales was finished, he looked at his brother and asked, "Brother Flags, will you be accompanying me back to Berks to make your bonds with the Pastor's daughter?"

: All was quiet for a few minutes, and finally Flags looked at his borther Three tales and in a strong voice answered, "Aye"!  He then asked Seamus for a piece of parchment and his quill.  He scratched a few lines, thought, then scratched some more, took a thong from his pouch and tied the parchment in a roll.  Handing it to Sign Talker, he spoke, "My friend, will you hasten to Magdalena Gutshall's place and hand her this message.  It is for her eyes only."  Tales gripped Talker by the wrist and pleaded, "Friend, go north a few miles from the Gutshall's village and visit Two Bottle, my wife.  You know the place, near where our aged parents live.  Tell her...tell her, I will arrive within a fortnight....never to leave her again."  Sign Talker immediately left our presence.

: I tell you, these colonials can sometimes be more depressing than our own Scots!.  Following this exchange, I passed my flask around, and Private Glen struck up a tune on his fiddle.  We soon had all the lads clapping and signing.  But, I tell you, all three of my cousins had that far away, love sick look in their eyes.  They are certainly besotted with the apprehension of female ways and wiles!

: I have received several messages from wee John MacKay who travels with our Uncle Angus and the army of sheep.  They head this way which also leads me to believe that an attack of savages and French will occur soon.  Uncle Angus always seems to be nearby when a battle breaks.  Wee John wishes to join up with his comrades again, the 77th Grenadiers.  Having left us months ago, rescued by Uncle Angus and now traveling with he and the sheep, I spoke with Capt. Croy about this last evening.  The Captain was not sure wee John would be welcomed back without a courtmartial proceedings.  I pleaded his case and Captain Croy suggested that we wait to see if wee John (he referred to him as "the previous Private Mackay!") would get into the thick of things if a battle occurs.  I believe Capt. Croy wishes to see if wee John can prove himself to be more than a sheepherd.  I will post a message on a tree for the lad, letting him know that he must wait, and prove his courage and his loyalty to the King, through his actions when this next battle occurs.

: It is a lull to be sure.  A lull that has us all on edge.  We have worked months to get to this point, the point at which the French and Fort Duquesne are to be conquered, and now to have all come to naught because of our own Major Grant.  We have heard nothing of his exchange.  Col. Bouquet rides between here and Reastown and we fear the battle will occur without his presence.  But, we are vigilant, we are ready, we wish to spill the blood of Frenchmen and end this war.  Davey Gunn and myself, like our colonial cousins pining for their loves, we wish for the lassies of Scotland and their soft words and caresses.  Ach, enough of that.  'Tis time to call out the next watch. There is work to be done and not time to be thinking of female flesh!! I must awaken JohnsTon, MacGregor, Glen and my brother Davey.

: God Save the King!  Death to the French!  Alba Go Bragh!  Pax Aye! May Clan Gunn perservere!!  God bless us, St. Andrew!!

: Cpl. MacWm.


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