Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-02-05
Orieiuol Nupellette.
-- Written for the Clarksuiih Chronielel
IDA HOLMES,
.r. OR THE
Belle of the Fort.
BY II. w. THOMAS,
Author Of the "Young Colonel" the Refugees, )
'Liny Dale" the "COnvent Prisoner"
"Jane Maston, % the "Bride of
an Hour" &c, &c.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER L.
Ara period when the Indians, on the
south western frontier, we're far more for
nidable in numbers, and daring in their
attacks upon the advancing white settle
ment, than now, "The Fort as the sold
iers called it, by way of distinguishing it
from the smaller and less defensble Block
houses along the line of frontier-was well
manned and provided with abundant ma
tcrial for offensive and defensive warfare.
1t stood upon commanding emincnce,
protected, on the North, by deep and
rapidriver which made a semi circle around
the base of the hill and, to the South, was
spread out a prairie about FIVE miles in
width, and of much greater length.
The Importance of this fort on account
of the protection it could afford to long
line Of frontier, gave to it somewhat the
appearance of a village in an agricultural
district. The soil was cultivated, to a
considerable extent, by the soldiers and
the servants of the officers and the wives
and daughters of the latter, encouraged
by the security of the fort and stimulated
by the love of change and adventure, took
up their abode within its walls, giving to
it an air of quiet .village-life, except dur
ing the hours of drill.
The Commander, Gen. Holmes, was a
rigid disciplnarian, and his active, rest
less temper chaifed under the quictude
which he owed to his own fame as war
rior, and the strength of the post he held.
To break the monotony of life, so tame
as the defence of a fort when no enemy
Immediately threatened it, he headed scout
ing parties that secured the country for
miles around and, at other times drew
out his whole force upon the prairie, and
dividing it into two equal divisions, fought
sham battles, bringing to bear the most
approved tactics upon every conceivable
attitude Of opposing forces.
The latter occasions were sometimes made
the source of much merriment by the wild
freaks of the Generals daughter Ida
Holmes, who, mounted upon her beauti
full and mcttlesomc black steed, her closely
Gtting riding habit set off by crimson
scarf and her mass of brown curls sur
mounted by cap and plume, would claim
command of the division opposed to hel
father. The idol of officers and soldiers
and the pet of the stern commander, al
her whms were laws and familiar, b,
sound, With the words of command, sh'
issued her orders with the utmost grayit,
and earncstness, as she gallopcd from poin
% point, displaying all the grace andtkil
# an accomplished cquestrionne. An'
IS her commands were implicitly obeyed
lughable scenes of confusion would some
tunes follow; though her father declared
ia eshe was good instructor, becaus
III hfs science and ingenuity were cale
into play to counteract the novel move
suents she set on foot
Though at home in the fort, Ida ha
aoen reared in New Orleans, amid luxur
md afiucnoc, and had enjoyed the ad
vantages of liberal oducation-proGtin
.hctsby ia no ordinary degree, Possess
ing rare beauty, and familiar with tn
language of fartcry, in all its seductiy
phazes, she was yet free from vanity
and in her bright blue eyes, whcthC
Fuarkling with mirth, or swimming in tcaI
Of sympathy, could be read choract'
contlc, afIsetionatc, Benevolent and firm
rec from affection, she laughed whc
merry, and sighed when sad and with 1
intention to do Siolcnco to the forms
q, hionablc conycntionalites, she he
hersef amenable to none of the laws 81
acod by over hstidousnoss to govern Il
drrortment of females in supor-rofned S
e...y. Let us not be charged with Il
Of attempting to portray pcre