Posted by Seamus on March 21, 2001 at 18:54:50:
In Reply to: I received your message!!! posted by Drummer Armstrong on March 21, 2001 at 07:13:45:
: 21 March, 1759
: To Many Flags,
: I received your message and I must request you refrain from sending any more in this manner! Your projectile hit the powder magazine door and set the sentry into flight, right to the Sgt. of the Guard,who in turn ordered the alarm to be sounded which nearly had you all dispatched by a hail of cannon volly!!! As luck would have it,your note was spotted...read...and cease fire was sounded! You may wish to reconsider your coming into the stockade? You see Major Campbell was called away and we are under the temporary command of Maj.Grant or as the Scouts call him Sky Blue..God Help Us All!!! It is as if we were walking on eggshells,with his lack of combat experience, at every sound outside,were called to respond, my Drummers are at the point of exhaustion,I'll drop a ration haversack behind the large tree just North of the Main Gate. I hope you get this for I've made arrangements to send it to you by lobbing it over the wall from a cannon when the retreat gun is sounded. I will inform your cousins of your situation and of my intent.
: Best of Luck to All
: Regt.Drum Major
: 77th Regt.of Foot
: Drummer Armstrong
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Drummer Armstrong, my friend!
It would appear that our request and the answer to it crossed, and it was not received by us. What has become of your return is not known as yet, however, I have asked Dink to go look for the haversack you say was placed by the large tree north of the main gate. In any event, Edward, we did not receive it. I believe you when you say it was done. I would not be surprised at all to learn that the idiot, Major Grant, had something to do with this. That worthless excuse for an officer cannot buckle his own shoes without botching the job, I surmise! After his BRILLIANT maneuvering and subsequent sacrifice of so many good men of the 77th at Du Quesne should have told the high command just how boneheaded that twerp is.
Fortunately, he had no hand in Red Bud's meltdown, or he would have botched that, too, and more gallant men of the 77th would be notches on his musket stock.
Nonetheless, we are now inside, and the warmth of the hearth in the cabin and a hearty bowl of stew has done wonders for my disposition. Now if Pvt. Gunn gets down off his high horse and returns to the world of the sane and reasonable, we can begin to tie things up here and get on towards Ft. Frederick. I swear that since he wears a skirt, he also has his "time of the month", too!
Take care, Edward. Oh, I nearly forgot! I ran into your uncle, Lt. Col. John Armstrong recently on our way here. With the re-organization of the Pennsylvania Provincials, he is assuming command of the old 1st Battalion, which has been combined with his own 2nd Battalion. They will all be wearing the green faced with green regimentals, as they wore on the Forbes Expedition. Weiser's green faced with redcoats are no more. He sends his love to you.
My regards, my friend, and thank you for looking after us.
Pax Aye!
Seamus