The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-04-04

Gil DluHS. Inc OllcerS were, the most
of them, fond of a social glass. and adj
dicted to card-playing, and they con-
sidered man who abstained entirely
from like indulgences as wanting in the
proper spirit. Capt. Scott never drank
a glass of liquor, and never played a
game of cards, and, while he was very
liberal in his intercourse with his
brother officers, he was exceedingly
parsimonious in his own personal ex-
penses. The officers around him took
umbrage at this, and gradually with
drew from all intercourse with him,
until he was absolutely put into coven-
try by all save three of his associates
in arms. He submitted for Il long
time to the insults and prosecutions,
and then held a council of war with his
three friends to determine what was
best to be done. They told him that
only two alternatives were left him
one was to throw up his commission,
and the other was to challenge the first
| man that should insult him. He read
lily chose the latter course, and his de-
termination became known throughout
the post. His skill as marksman
and his undoubted nerve protected him
for good while, no one caring to need
lessly risk an encounter with him.
At length, however, an officer from
a neighboring post, who was 4 cele-
brated shot, and had brought down his
man in about half-a-dOzen ducls, was
sent for. He took the first opportunity
to insult Capt. Scott. The insult was
given at mess-table, and Il challenge
Immediately followed. In telling of
the duel afterward, Capt. Scott
said that he went to the ground
considerably agitated. Being utterly
opposed to dueling, he had determined
to throw away his fire. just about
that time he accidentally overheard his
antagonist say that he had a very disa-
grecable job on hand that morning.
viz: the ''shooting OF Il cursed Yam
kee." This raised Capt. SCOTS indig-
nation, and he determined from that
moment to punish his opponent. When
the word was given the men fired to-
gether. Capt. Scott received slight
flesh wound, and sent a ball whizzing
through his opponents lungs. 1t is
mentioned as Il curious fact that this
shot saved the mans life. He had the
/
covered afterward. hesitate, how
ever, to recommend this as an inevita-
BILE cure for the consumption. 1t is a
remedy. however, that is apt to either
cure or kill.
| Capt. Scott came very near having
another duel on the most ridiculous
grounds. He was great sportsman,
and a perfect stickler for all the tech
nicalities of sporting lore. He would
get into passion at hearing anyone
call line of geese "a ilock' of geese,
or bevy Of quails "a BROOD of
guails. On one occasion he organized
a grand hunt. The game was jackass-
rabbits. A great many visiting officers
were present and Capt. Scott had taken
great pride in having the hunt conduct
ed on the strictest principles. He had
instructed the home officers that when
a rabbit ran from cover they should all
give the view halloo, "Tally-hor
Among the officers was Capt. Il III,
who was an inveterate practical joker.
The hounds were unlOosened and taken
into the woods, and soon opened must.
cally. Every man was at his post in
tiptoe anxiety to catch the first glimpse
of the expected game. Suddenly, near
the stand of Capt. B-n, out bounded
an enormous mule with twenty dogs in
full cry at her heels. In this critical
moment Capt. B-n roared at the top
of his voice, ''Saily, whoa! Sally, whoa!
Sally, whoar' The ridiculous cry was
taken up, and the whole field burst into
uncomfortable laughter. Capt. Scott
was violently enraged, and it took all
that the friends of the parties could &c
to prevent his calling the practical
joker out. Capt. Scott was afterward
killed while leading his command for
ward in Il most desperate battle of the
Mexican Philadelphia Times.