Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-02-27
4 REMINIscENcE.
(COnesposdence Of the Bescon.)
BArrrnoRK. Fsp. q. 1879.

i Nt0EAko h0AAAtN(A0A 0AAS Aet% ASAs0S - -
of the Chickasaws 10 their reservation.
in which very honorable mention j.
made Of well known gentlemsn, now
residing here, who lived and was vel
and fayorabIy known in your county.
Major John NJ. Willard. Il Is 10 be re-
GREETED. that the sutkor Of the paper.
felt bound 10 give dsy and date for bis
weII-written seEapsof history. which
runs away back 70 the year 1888. The
only excuse thai can be urged in bis
behalf Is. that be is in all probability ig-
norsnt of The fact, that the Major has
never yet been married, and il win be
a very great surprise TO the fair ones
here. who know him, TO learn that be
was in charge Of an important exPedi-
ton. more than forty long years ago !!
To see him, hale and hearty as be is,
one would scarcely believe that. he had
an existence even, much less. a impor-
tant command, 50 long ago. but il,
Messrs. Eds., yon could see him some
fine day. eseorting some pretty girl
along one OF our fashionable thorough
fares, and witness, as has your cores
pondent, the soul-stirring joy that radi-
ates from his enviable countenance,
when he succeeds IN getting glimpse
of her fascinating little foot, you would
just be willing TO swear, that forty years
ago, be must, ID born at all, have been
IN small clothes, such as are common TO
either sex, in the FIRST few months OF
baby existence. If your county paper,
had an extensive circulation in this city,
the writer OF this, would not send you
the extract above mentioned at all, for
an obvious reason; but he can't see that
the Majors matrimonial prospects will
be seriously jeopardized and the COM
plimentaTy mention OF him is so deserv-
ed, and will be SO gratifying TO his num-
bcrless friends, that the desire to spread
it abroad among them, overrides all
other considerations. II will be no mat
Ter of establishment TO those Of the Ma
ior's intimate associates, to hear how
CALAMITY he bore himself, when nerve
and frrnncss were requisite, but many
who enjoy only casual acquaintance,
would scarcely expect to learn from this
logic oil events, that while he possesses
one OF the kindest of hearts, and is SC
genial and aGable, he was never known
to blanch at the approach of the most
formidable foeman. Long may he wave,
aud may his shadow never grow less.
Your friend and bis,
Rus IN URBE.
When we left camp al what was known
as the Chickasaw Old Fields, Mississip-
pi, on the 9th of October, 1888, our
party was composed Of over 5000 In
dams, and about 100 wagons drawn
by oxen, horses and mules. Most oil
the Indians were on horseback. Major
John Millard, oil Washington city, was
in command; Capt. Phillips, of the old
gallant Seventh, was disbursing officer.
aud was attached as commIssary Of
subsistence. The major belonged to an
old Catholic Maryland family; his sister
was the wife of Major Frank Arm
strong, and mother of the present gen.
eraI OF that name; and is now, IL mis-
take not, lady superior in the convent
OF the Sacred Heart, near Georgetown,
d. C. Inever knew a man better cal
culated TO control Indians-Major VIII
liam Armstrong always excepted-than
Major Willard.
We reached Memphis in due time, il
remember right'it was the Goth of Oc-
tober. Ittook many days tocrossthe Mis-
sippi, during which time bad weather
set in, with rain nearly every day. By
the time we were ready to take Up the
line of march from the west bank, the
roads through the swamp were IN fear
iul condition, frequently nearly every
wagon OF the command was stalled at the
same time, consequently our progress
was very slow. Captain Philips re-
turned from white River, cold weather
came, the prairies between White Riv-
err and litile Rock were covered with
water, which would freeze during the
night and make il difficult for the hor-
ses and oxen TO break through. Oppo-
site Little Rock large quantities Of sup
plies were stored which we were anx-
ious TO reach. Duringth marchthrough
swamps and The ice-covered prairies,
the Indians became so scattered that 1t
was almost impossible at times TO issue
them rations. Major Willard was de-.
termined as soon as we could reach Lit.
tie Rock, TO remain there until all stray
glers were brought to camp. Major
Sim. Buckner had the contract for trans
porting the Chickasaw's by water, but
when they reached Memphis few of
our party were inclined 10 take that
mode of conveyance, and il was after
great persuasion We could induce any
number to 20 on board the steamers.
The sufferings they endured reaching
Little Rock induced US TO believe that
il steamers were there waiting they
would willingly 90 on board. Capt.
Collins, also Of the Seventh. was then
stationed there as general disbursing Of
ficer OF the Indian Department, and su-
vn.~.~ar - varns~pafson xrnrd Swa. sAsFFsf