Posted by Many Flags on July 24, 2001 at 07:08:47:
My dearest Magdalena,
The post rider expects to get this letter to you in less than a week, if the weather holds and the roads stay dry. He has express orders from Colonel Bouquet to deliver dispatches to the Assembly in Philadelphia, and I have paid him well to travel a bit north of his route to give this message to you.
We are all well....all of us, after this Battle at a point named Bushy Run. 'Twas a two day battle, and very fierce at times, and I expect you will hear news of it before you receive this letter. That is why I write in haste, to give you mostly good news. Malcolm took a bit of lead in his left thigh just a few inches above his kilt, but it took no bone or muscle with it, so he will heal, although hobbling a bit. Cpl. MacGregor is surlier than ever for he took a shot in the fleshy area of his rump, but he will heal also. The Lieut. Daniel Campbell has been wounded bad, and his kinsman, Silas Campbell, once 1st Sgt., has been promoted by Capt. Croy to act as Brevet Lieutenant. But, Brother Tales, Cousin Semaus, Cousin Gunn, and myself have come through unscathed from this battle. The story of this Battle will be told, but not by me here. Malcolm has told me that he will be writing a complete report in his Journal, that will suffice.
I know that Three Tales and I have told you and Two Bottle this before, and really, meine Liebchen, we expected this to be our last battle. But last evening, we had an unsettling visit with an old Native, a sighting which I did not want to mention to you, but I will.
You know that before we were married I had a sighting, in our marriage cabin, I wrote of it and placed the parchment in our Bible, and was never to mention it to you. But, I know you have read it, it has been moved many times as a marker in the Bible, possibly it was your sign to me that you read and understood. That Mohican Indian, whom I sighted before, now has come to me in life....last evening as we stood round the campfire. I do not think it an apparition, I believe he was real, for all of us cousins will relate that they saw him also.
It has been two days since this Battle, and last evening all others of the company had gone to bed except for myself, Brother Tales, Seamus, Malcolm and Davey. Quasi was off in the bushes someplace with a young lass and we knew that Uncle Angus had bedded down the sheep and was standing near. Suddenly, another person was among us, although we did not quicken in surprise. It was as if we all expected this Mohican to join us, and it was as if we all had seen him before. Perhaps I am not the only one of the MacWilliam clan to have seen him previously!
We greeted him, then all was quiet. In a whispering voice, the Mohican stated, "You are all bonded together by blood, adventure, and beliefs. But soon, that will end!"
Not one of us moved, but I knew that all of us comrades were agitated for all were silent, and I could not only hear my own heart beating loud, but I could hear the hearts of my relation beating loud, also; and I knew from the woods noises that had been evident, the baaing of Uncle Angus's sheep and the "hee, hees" of Uncle Quasi, which had now become silent, that my Uncles were also listening intently.
After a few moments which seemed an eternity, Seamus looked up at the Mohican, and in a small, gruff voice, as though choking a bit, asked, "What to you mean by these words, Grandfather? Nothing could break the bond that we MacWilliams share in blood, adventure, and...beliefs." And, my dear Frau, I heard the hesitation when he said the word "beliefs".
The old Mohican took his walking stick, a gnarled old piece of beechwood, raised it in the air, and as he did so, the fire grew higher and we all looked around at each other. "You are all bonded with blood and adventure. But, you all know that the beliefs are changing. This is not your last Battle together, for your beliefs will tear you apart. And, heed my words. If your blood and adventures are strong, the beliefs will be as leaves in the wind. For men allow beliefs to destroy their souls and slash the bonds of comradeship. Only your strength of heart which the Manitou gives you, will resist anger and hatred which grows from differing beliefs." And with that he was gone.
The fire died to a glow and again, a silence enveloped us; and as I looked around not only were the faces of my brother Tales, Seamus, Malcolm, and Davey grim and grey, but standing among us now were our two dear Uncles, also with grim and grey countenances. Finally, Uncle Angus, the most silent one, yet the most wisest, mumbled something in Gaelic. Uncle Quasi, always the lighthearted, smiled a bit, and whispered, "There is hope, kinsmen. My brother says that your hearts are true, your love for each other is as rich and strong as your blood bonds. My brother says that he sees into the coming mists and knows that there are more battles ahead for his five nephews, he hears angry words between you, and he sees his nephews' children embroiled in this anger."
At this Three Tales stood, and emphatically yet quietly asked, "And what does Uncle Angus see through the mists as the end? For God's sake, our children must not suffer through this!"
We all nodded, for all of us have Kinder, viele schoene Kleinchens; and our thoughts are first of them. Uncle Angus again spoke in Gaelic, and Uncle Quasi interpretted. "Angus cannot see to the end. It is too dark before the end of your story. But he counsels to you, that we all must follow our heart's beliefs, but...not to forget.... our hearts flow with the shared blood of ancestors. He will say nothing else!"
My dear wife, there was nothing else to say. Angus and Quasi melted into the woods, the same as Grandfather Mohican. Wise men, saddened by what they knew would come. And us five, we arose, and with no words, but as men, embraced, going off in the dark to our blankets.
As the sun rose this morning and we gathered with the other troops for breakfast, and the troops were raucous and joyful for their battle was over, we five were silent for we knew our new battles, more fierce than anything we have been through together, were soon to begin.
I am most sorry that I missed the second birthday of our dear Katerina. And I will most likely not be home for son Andreas's 4th birthday. But, soon after, I will be at our little cabin in Allemangel. Kisses for my Andreas and my dear Katerina, and much love to you, dearest Frau Magdalena. Brother Tales and I know that we must fly home quickly so we have time before the next storm breaks. For, we all believe the words of the three wise men who have spoken with us of the growing troubles. And, Tales, Seamus and I know in our hearts what these unspoken troubles between King and Colonies will bring.
Gott schutzen Sie alles!
Many Flags, Mann von Magdalena Gutshall Hagenbuchin