The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-12

ment, splendid body of Thoroughly trained
soldiers, efficiently officered, we'll provided,
and as comfortably situated as men ban =.
ished to the confines of civilization could
expect to be. Some of the officers had,
their wives with them. A few went SO
far as to indulge the luxury of whole
family circle. Among the latter was our
paymaster; but then his family was a
very small one-only one daughter who
might have been fifteen. I don't know
why it was, but Lucy Golding took me
into her confidence almost from the dayI
reported for duty; and, being soon after
detailed to her fathers department, was
brought into constant association with her.
1t was thus came to know that between
herself and Austen Winslow there sub
sisted a childish affection, which she
cherished very faithfully indeed, and firmly
believed would one day end as all true
love should do.
Two years passed away unconsciously
in the monotonous routine of frontier mill
tary life. The Indians were friendly and
gave us neither trouble or excitement.
The ordering of some of our officers to
other posts and supplying their places with
officers from elsewhere were the only
changes we ever knew, and these occurred
but seldom. One day, however-it was
the 10th of July, 1s6O-a detachment of
recruits, some thirty in number, and all
fresh from the East, rode into camp and
created quite stir. They were in charge
of two officers, one captain of some
cor-ioo on6 tho Nfhor q noU1v
pointed lieutenant. / thought, in the tall
form and dark, handsome face Of the lat
ter, there was something that l knew
Presently he spoke-shouting out to
former acquaintance in cxulting, ringing
tones that was sure l had heard before:
"We came across whole cloud of red
skins, Upshur. l couldn't resist the temp
tation and gave them a charge, just to
see what they were made Of reckon
we dropped about dozen of them"
"What is this hear, sir? Capt. Ed
monds tells me you have attacked the In
dians without provocation or orders from
him. Am I correctly informed?'
The question came from the grey-head-
ed veteran in command of the post, who
had approached while the new conner was
glorying in his achievement, and now
looked unpleasantly grim as he waited tor
an answer.
81 thought you killed Il redskin when
ever you had a chance" the Lieutenant
pleaded in reply.
"You are mistaken, sir" said our Col
onel. 'Be good enough to consider your
self under arrest, Lieut.. Catlett."
%Io
It was the same George Catlett who had
had the quarrel with Austen WinslOw.
Contrary to general expectation the
Indians made no effort at revenge, but
sent in deputation to the fort, with whom
the matter was, to all appearance, amica-
bly, arranged-though we were not sorry
to hear two full companies were on the
way to still further reinforce us. Lieut..
Catlett was soon after released from ar
rest with a reprimand and some whole
some advice.
1t was clear to the least interested OBJ
server that from the first moment George
Catlett beheld Lucy Golding, he was mad
ly in love with her. She was seventeen
now, and had grown to be very beautiful.
think she admired him; for he was a
fine-looking, dashing fellow, with that oc-
casional air of melancholy abstraction
about him which is so attractive to wo-
men. His affair with Winslow l had very
naturally mentioned to her. l do not
know whether her feelings toward him
were at all affected by it; but she seemed
to me to avoid him and to always treat
lin coldly when they were together.
One beautiful summer morning, about
fortnight after Catlett's arrival, the pay
masters breakfast was kept waiting long
after the usual hour, until he began to
grow fretful, then anxious, then frightened.
Lucy Golding had gone out for an early
ride, and Ter continued absence was
strange and unaccountable. At half past
eight I heard OF it, and felt uneasy At
nine it came to Catletts ears, and he was
terribly disturbed. At half past nine the
paymaster, distracted with his fears, went
to the Colonel, who said:
"Only girlish frolic of hers, Golding,
I'll be bound. y" But he turned quickly to
his Adjutant, and, in an undertone, ex-
claimed: ssIndians! To horse with tour
companies and scour the country till you
find her."
Ih3 company UeiOhSeu W was one OF
those ordered out. Catlett's was another.
We dispersed in several directions and rode
hard for near two hours. What befel the
others never cared to inquire but some
twenty miles from camp we were brought
to a halt within furlong of great cloud
of dust. Then came the order to charge,
and, like lightning we were in the cloud
to find ourselves surrounded by two
hundred blue;jacketed comrades, more
tired and sand-choked than we-but tri-
umphantly escorting some twenty Indian
prisoners, and, in earnest conversation
with young officer, Lucy Golding herself.
was by her side directly; With a kind
smile she took my hand, and said "lfelt
certain you would be the first one to dis