A Hodgepodge of News

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Posted by Sgt. Malcolm A. MacWilliam on February 18, 2001 at 06:21:51:

18th February 1759
Fort Bedford on the Juniata

Journal Entry:

First Sgt. Campbell has requested that I continue writing in my Journal. Yesterday was an informative day, thanks to two very unlikely informants: Sign Talker and Colonel Bouquet.

Yesterday morning, Sign Talker, with Bristlebrush running at rampant speed, came barreling through the Fort gates. As soon as we could get him stopped and settled, he signed to us that he had "big talk", but us Scots, never having learned Sign as our cousins Flags and Tales, were confused. Sign Talker led us into one of the cabins so we could warm ourselves, and then, then we were treated to the VOICE of Sign Talker. He was so animated and excited that he had decided to "lower" himself to our speech and the story came pouring out.

We now know the story of Redbud, who is brother to the hated, yet dead Red Leaf. Since Red Leaf's death, Redbud has sworn vengeance on all the MacWilliam Clan, Flags and Tales included. As we listened to the description of the loathsome creature, we all began to laugh aloud, for he seemed not dangerous at all, he being a clumsy, fat, short Native. However, Sign Talker made further descriptions which proved to us that Redbud's clumsiness and ineptness at weaponry makes him all the more dangerous. Upon hearing of all this, Captain Croy had a quick formation, and informed all the soldiery here at this Fort, that an enemy is afoot, an enemy which is dangerous in his unpredictability. However, it is difficult to take all this too seriously, as we picture this Redbud, squat and rotund, naked and red, ranting and falling, as he attempts to avenge his evil brother's death. After formation, it being very cold, many of us sat around the fireplace in the third cabin (as we call the gathering place for many of the men), and as we talked of this Redbud, soon all of us braw Lads were giggling, slapping our sides, and guffawing, as we pictured the Redbud. I am smiling as I write this!

Last night, I received other news, which I must share with Flags and Tales. Colonel Bouquet rode in last evening toward dusk and after he and his escort were fed and the Colonel received the latest news from Capt. Croy, The Colonel joined us at the fire. Scotch and ale flowed freely and the Colonel sat beside brother Davey and myself. He began asking about our cousins Many Flags and Three Tales, wondering of their surname. When it was imparted to him, he suppressed surprise, then told us his story.

It seems that Colonel Bouquet's family is from a Swiss town of the name of Winterthur which is just south of the German border. There he enjoyed the fruits of his ancestry, his family being landowners and having a manse of some proportion. Col. Bouquet's father often told the story of a family which had given military support to the Bouquets, during the religious uprisings of the 1600s., this family by name of HagenBuch. Bouquet told us that the HagenBuch Familie had moved from the Winterthur area in about 1652 because of their Lutheran beliefs, moving north into the area called Wurttemburg which was supportive of Lutheranism, and the Bouquets had never heard of them again.

When Many Flags and Three Tales were with us at Fort Ligonier, wounded and broken after the great battle, Colonel Bouquet had overheard the word "HagenBuch" come from their lips as they lay in unconsciousness. He had pondered on this and finally thought it best to ask if this could be the same family which had aided his family 100 years ago. Davey and I know a bit about our Uncle German (Swiss??) immigrant's family history, told the Colonel that we believe it to be the same family, and it would be the German (Swiss??) immigrant's great grandfather who aided the Bouquets years ago in Switzerland. This is very interesting news, for it makes our cousins Flags and Tales of Swiss descent, instead of German. Davey and I are especially elated at this, for, although we now fight FOR German George, we fought AGAINST him during the Jacobite uprising of the '45. We no longer will look at Flags and Tales as "kin" to the Hanoverian line of King George, but instead, of Swiss descent, of relationship with our beloved Colonel Bouquet.

Be that as it may, we are still soldiers of King George II and will defend his lands here in these colonies. This Swiss news and Redbud news gave all the Grenadiers "news" to drink to, so my head is a bit confused this morning, something I must shake off quickly, before I conduct Divine Worship for the troops. We must be reminded that we are here to smite the enemy, be that Redbud or any French who still tarry in this land. I believe our text today shall be the 91st Psalm.

God Save the King!

Sgt. Malcolm A. MacWilliam

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: 18th February 1759
: Fort Bedford on the Juniata

: Journal Entry:

: First Sgt. Campbell has requested that I continue writing in my Journal. Yesterday was an informative day, thanks to two very unlikely informants: Sign Talker and Colonel Bouquet.

: Yesterday morning, Sign Talker, with Bristlebrush running at rampant speed, came barreling through the Fort gates. As soon as we could get him stopped and settled, he signed to us that he had "big talk", but us Scots, never having learned Sign as our cousins Flags and Tales, were confused. Sign Talker led us into one of the cabins so we could warm ourselves, and then, then we were treated to the VOICE of Sign Talker. He was so animated and excited that he had decided to "lower" himself to our speech and the story came pouring out.

: We now know the story of Redbud, who is brother to the hated, yet dead Red Leaf. Since Red Leaf's death, Redbud has sworn vengeance on all the MacWilliam Clan, Flags and Tales included. As we listened to the description of the loathsome creature, we all began to laugh aloud, for he seemed not dangerous at all, he being a clumsy, fat, short Native. However, Sign Talker made further descriptions which proved to us that Redbud's clumsiness and ineptness at weaponry makes him all the more dangerous. Upon hearing of all this, Captain Croy had a quick formation, and informed all the soldiery here at this Fort, that an enemy is afoot, an enemy which is dangerous in his unpredictability. However, it is difficult to take all this too seriously, as we picture this Redbud, squat and rotund, naked and red, ranting and falling, as he attempts to avenge his evil brother's death. After formation, it being very cold, many of us sat around the fireplace in the third cabin (as we call the gathering place for many of the men), and as we talked of this Redbud, soon all of us braw Lads were giggling, slapping our sides, and guffawing, as we pictured the Redbud. I am smiling as I write this!

: Last night, I received other news, which I must share with Flags and Tales. Colonel Bouquet rode in last evening toward dusk and after he and his escort were fed and the Colonel received the latest news from Capt. Croy, The Colonel joined us at the fire. Scotch and ale flowed freely and the Colonel sat beside brother Davey and myself. He began asking about our cousins Many Flags and Three Tales, wondering of their surname. When it was imparted to him, he suppressed surprise, then told us his story.

: It seems that Colonel Bouquet's family is from a Swiss town of the name of Winterthur which is just south of the German border. There he enjoyed the fruits of his ancestry, his family being landowners and having a manse of some proportion. Col. Bouquet's father often told the story of a family which had given military support to the Bouquets, during the religious uprisings of the 1600s., this family by name of HagenBuch. Bouquet told us that the HagenBuch Familie had moved from the Winterthur area in about 1652 because of their Lutheran beliefs, moving north into the area called Wurttemburg which was supportive of Lutheranism, and the Bouquets had never heard of them again.

: When Many Flags and Three Tales were with us at Fort Ligonier, wounded and broken after the great battle, Colonel Bouquet had overheard the word "HagenBuch" come from their lips as they lay in unconsciousness. He had pondered on this and finally thought it best to ask if this could be the same family which had aided his family 100 years ago. Davey and I know a bit about our Uncle German (Swiss??) immigrant's family history, told the Colonel that we believe it to be the same family, and it would be the German (Swiss??) immigrant's great grandfather who aided the Bouquets years ago in Switzerland. This is very interesting news, for it makes our cousins Flags and Tales of Swiss descent, instead of German. Davey and I are especially elated at this, for, although we now fight FOR German George, we fought AGAINST him during the Jacobite uprising of the '45. We no longer will look at Flags and Tales as "kin" to the Hanoverian line of King George, but instead, of Swiss descent, of relationship with our beloved Colonel Bouquet.

: Be that as it may, we are still soldiers of King George II and will defend his lands here in these colonies. This Swiss news and Redbud news gave all the Grenadiers "news" to drink to, so my head is a bit confused this morning, something I must shake off quickly, before I conduct Divine Worship for the troops. We must be reminded that we are here to smite the enemy, be that Redbud or any French who still tarry in this land. I believe our text today shall be the 91st Psalm.

: God Save the King!

: Sgt. Malcolm A. MacWilliam

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