Posted by Cpl. Malcolm A. MacWilliam on January 24, 2001 at 09:59:13:
24 January 1759
Fort Bedford at Reastown
To Cousins Many Flags, Mistress Flags, Three Tales, Mistress Two Bottle Tales:
It seems an eternity since we have been together and congratulations are due to Many Flags on his recent marriage. Brother Gunn, myself and the whole of the 77th Grenadiers send their hearty felicitations.
It has been very quiet here at Bedford since our winter quartering began. The townsfolk continue to keep us well fed and we return this with excursions to the forest for firewood, the folk tell me they have never been so warm in a winter as this one, since the Highlanders have arrived to split wood. In fact, the young ladies seem very warm and jovial, especially when we split wood, for the cry goes out far and wide from the young lassies, "Highlanders splitting wood; Highlanders splitting wood!" Then, we find the young things standing behind us giggling, cheeks all aglow, until their mothers drag them off!
We have spent the days in military drill and in repairing out kit. Capt. Croy and 1st Sgt. Campbell have been right good about requisitioning materials and supplies for us to mend and clean our uniforms. There is a local cobbler who has been repairing our shoes, replacing hobnails and so on. It has been a pleasant respite from the hardships we endured the last six months.
But, our quiet was shattered a few hours ago as we heard shouts and curses coming fast toward the stockade. The sentinals began laughing and slapping their sides, for they had spotted Sign Talker chasing after his small bushy-haired pony Bristlebrush, tacking in from the south, then the east, then back from the north, the animal never taking a straight trail toward its destination. As they came moving like a fired musketball through the gate of the stockade, and we ran up to stop this strange sight, an even stranger sight came into view. For on the travois, which was attached to the back of Bristlebrush, lay a young man, hanging on to the travois for dear life, cluching a leather pouch with one hand and holding his tricorn on with the other.
The bushy pony came to an abrupt stop in front of the row of cabins, Sign Talker melting into an exhausted heap beside him, and us gathering Highlanders laughing and shouting Hallos to our Indian friend. At that, the young man staggered from the travois and introduced himself. Well, cousins, it is your friend, Andrew Kuntz, the young artist whom you sent to give us a message.
Andrew's eyes were wide with excitement and after introducing himself he exclaimed, "Never have I traveled so fast in my life. Do you realize I left Many Flags' cabin only three days ago! We as much as flew to this place, never stopping, and this Indian never once stopping for sustenance along the way. And I'm famished, gentlemen!"
We quickly got food and drink for Sign Talker and Mr. Kuntz while the story poured from the young lad's lips. As you know, he left your cabin on the 21st, and had only traveled west a few miles when he came upon Sign Talker. He had met Sign Talker at the hog butchering several days before, so Andrew stopped to talk with him. Our Indian friend would not use words, Andrew could not understand his signs, but when Andrew mentioned he was being sent to us here at Bedford with a message, Sign Talker threw him on the travois and Bristlebrush took off, his hooves hardly touching the ground. For three days, they flew through the forests of this colony, always tacking like a sailing vessel, always with Sign Talker hanging on for dear life cursing and shouting, with young Mr. Kuntz clutching the travois and his tricorn. Three days and they arrived. This bushy animal is amazing and Calsious Shattoe, our master of horse and pack animals, who stood and listened to this story, has already claimed Bristlebrush for stud service. I heard him speaking with the Captain, something about breeding a strain of horse which could do 75 or so miles a day, with enough stamina not to halt for several days. A novel idea for horseflesh!
After feeding and "watering" young Andrew and Sign Talker (rum and grog seemed to appear like magic!), your message was delivered. This "redbud" which you speak of has tones of evil, for we also, here in the west of this colony, have come across this word in certain situations. It is a curiosity, something that seems to follow all of us MacWilliam cousins. As Andrew Kuntz gave us the message in quiet tones, as we sat before a warm fire in the cabin I share with Davey Gunn, JohnsTon, MacGregor, and others of our Grenadiers, Sign Talker became more and more animated, and knowing a wee bit of sign, I could make out the words - EVIL RED MAN BROTHER WITH DEAD EVIL MAN DANGER. At that, we heard Bristlebrush whinny outside, Sign Talker rushed out, and, well, you guessed it.....the bushy pony took off like lightning with Sign Talker in tow. It's been several hours since then and I am feared they are off on another fast trip!
But, Andrew Kuntz stays with us. As he drew likenesses of us on his parchments with charcoal sticks from the fire, we talked of this "redbud" and we have concluded that the mystery has a relationship with someone who is trying to wipe out us MacWilliams. Finally, brother Gunn looked at us all and said these words in solemnity, "Has the dead, yet hated, Red Leaf crossed yer minds lately?" It seemed that a shiver was felt by all present at that statement. It's then that the group of us broke up, some walking outside "for some air", others moving off to pull their cloaks tighter around their shoulders. I took up parchment to quill this message to you, my cousins.
And so you have it. I will send this message off with Andrew Kuntz to deliver to you upon his return. I believe he will stay with us for a few days, but them be off, back to your cabin in Berks County. Keep close watch on your hair, my cousins, for a vision is forming in my mind of what this "redbud" may be about....and it is evil indeed!!
God Save the King! Pax Aye!!
Malcolm A. MacWilliam, Corporal of the 77th Grenadiers