| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - July 18 2005 : 8:58:49 PM
“King’s Pawn to King’s Pawn Three” By Sgt. Munro
Two-Miles Northwest of Fort Pitt, The Ohio Country
02 October 1764 / 0930 Hours
Colonel Bouquet had just finished writing his third letter to Colonel Bradstreet. The previous two returned to him undelivered, as Bradstreet was not at the locations according to his campaign schedule. To his aide, Bouquet fumed, “How much longer must I deal with this amateur!”
The quick-thinking lieutenant answered, “Colonel, all great men in history have succeeded, in spite of their peers, not because of them, sir.”
Bouquet finished sealing the dispatch, and said, “I have been a professional soldier my whole adult life, Herr Lieutenant. Every task I was given, no matter how daunting, I endeavored to complete in a timely and proficient manner. When I failed, I accepted responsibility, and even when my subordinate officers failed, I still accepted final responsibility.” He paused to pour a glass of Port, from his bottle-chest, “In 1756, my superiors asked, ‘Henry, you will help to create, build, train and equip a regiment for service in a place you have never been’, I smiled and answered ‘Ja, mein Herr’. In 1758, with Brigadier Forbes’ failing health, I quietly assumed command of the final part of his campaign; once again I did so without complaint.” Pausing to sip and savor the strong, fruity wine, he then continued with, “And last year, General Amherst asked, ‘Colonel, we have a small problem on the frontier, would you be so kind as to remedy it.’ And again, I was the dutiful soldier, but serving alongside of a man who constantly fails to adhere to our General’s orders, I find intolerable!”
Another officer requesting entrance to his marquis interrupted Colonel Bouquet’s justifiable tirade. Turning toward his door, Bouquet answered, “Please, do come in.”
Captain Thomas Graham of Duchray entered, and said, “Colonel sir, there are two gentlemen from the Six Nations who seek an audience with you, sir.”
Returning Captain Graham’s salute, Colonel Bouquet replied, “Yes Herr Captain, please do show them to the officer’s mess, and inform them that I will grant an audience there.”
“Aye sir, with pleasure, sir.”
The ‘officer’s mess’, for this campaign, consisted of a canvas awning covering a table and some chairs. Captain Graham led the Oneida and Onondaga headmen to the two chairs facing the long table. The two Iroquois respectfully refused the chairs, and opted to sit upon the blankets that their assistants dutifully unfolded beneath them. Once seated, the Oneida opened his tobacco bag and filled his calumet, while the Onondaga provided the fire, so that they might smoke before speaking.
Colonel Bouquet arrived, escorted by a squad of Royal Americans with fixed bayonets. As Bouquet walked toward the table, the squad fanning out around the officer’s mess secured the meeting. Without a word, Bouquet then removed his small sword, and laid it across the table, so as to form a symbolic barrier between the two kingdoms. Taking his ease, in his personal chair, he sat quietly and awaited the words of the two Iroquois.
The two delegates of the Six Nations finished their smoke; and returned calumet, tobacco bag and burning lens to the Onondaga’s shoulder bag. The Oneida opened with the usual compliments, and presented a string of white wampum, which was laid in front of the edge of Bouquet’s sword. The Colonel simply nodded, and motioned with his hand for them to continue.
The Oneida continued with, “Brother, as we still see you keep some evil intentions in your minds against them, we are come to desire that you may remove all this from the bottom of your hearts and that you will treat us civilly if any of our people should come this way and we will treat yours in the same manner.” He finished his statement with a string of black and white wampum laid next to the first string.
The Onondaga then rose, and spoke of how they were sent here on behalf |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - August 02 2005 : 9:01:02 PM
Thank you lads, keep an eye out for the next chapter in the coming weeks. Cedric, are ye coming to Bushy Run with the rest of the lads?
YMH&OS,
The Sarge |
| Pte.MacGregor |
Posted - July 31 2005 : 9:28:48 PM
good one sarge |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - July 19 2005 : 09:37:02 AM
Another good one Sarge, - keep 'em coming. |
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