The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-07-02

nmrnt Nor. 20 ana "a Fourteenth street
ON THE PLAINS In IS.
am Ordered on Hazardous Expedi.
tion-A RIJe All Night Through the
Indian Country-How u Drunken Cap
tain Received us.
BY SERGEANT HOLIDAY.

tain Received us.
BY SERGEANT HOLIDAY.
16.
Entered according to the act OF Congress In III
LiDnrlAn's ONCE u Washington, D. G., by the al
thor, George II. Holiday, Of 1tontoD, Ohio, In th
year l4SS.
There was no help for ii. We must &c
l fully believed then that the Commando
at Laramie was drunk, or he would no
have ordered me to undertake such a haz
ardous march by night through such
country. Then could not see why W,
were needed at La Bonita more than a
Horse Shoe. We well knew that at tn
former place were a full company Of in
tantry and large portion OF the secont
California cavalry.
But, as Finn remarked, "orders is orders
and must be obeyed, and we'll follow tn,
thrail of the Sergeant" 1t was dark whe1
we left the post-pitch dark, and l had de
ferred our start until after night, belieyin,
thatif he Indians were still in the neigh.
borhood OF this post, We should not likel,
be observed and would slip away and leave
thom behind.
I cannot take time to fully describe tina
long and dangerous night march nor could
l fully realize for long time sitter that II
was indeed reality and not strange
dream or a nightmare.
After bidding the boys at the blockhouse
farewell and receiving many tokens o.
theirgood wishes and sympathy, We safely
crossed the creek and came out through
the timber on the opposite bank. Here We
decided 10 divide our ranks and keep of
the road and well out on the grass on either
side to prevent il possible the sound OF our
horses hoofs from attracting attention.
With cooked reyolvers in hand we dashed
along all night long, never Stacking our
speed except when on top OF some high
bluff where we would halt for moment to
listen, and take what observation we could
in the darkness.
Midnight came, and We knew that We
must be in the neighborhood Of La Bonita.
We reached road where two roads forked,
and down before us we could see a long
dark line Of timber and We knew we were
a stream. After some DELHI
Grafton we took the right hand road and
soon came down upon wide bottom-a
place for trains. We had taken
the wrong trail. After some searching we
fiually found ford and following a narrow
trail, We came out on the broad road again.
This proved to be the most lucky mistake
we had ever made for We learned the next
day, that at the ford Of that creek two
miles from where We crossed, there were
concealed in the brush a hundred painted
painted warriors evidently expecting US,
aud prepared for q general slaughter.
We had ridden all night in silence, not a
word had been spoken above whisper,
and now We suddenly halted upon the
skirt Of timber OF La Bonita. Just across
the stream stands the low, dark, gloomy
blockhouse surrounded by stockade. No
sign sf life was visible-all darkness and
silent. We crossed the creek and are just
emerging from the wood, when clear and
distinct comes tho command:
'Halt! Who comes there?"
1t was like voice from the dead. The
first audible sound we had heard through
all that night.
ave are d detachment OF the 9Th West
Virginia Cavalry, from Laramie, ordered to
report to Col. Stagg, at La Bonta-is this
La Bonta?" Ireplied.
ayes. Stand iaat for moment, and
send a man forward to the gate"
I.-complied with his command and we
were soon taken inside the enclosure. l
at once asked for Stagg, and his quarters
were pointed out. Stagg was not IN COM
mand here, but IVES on his way to Salt
Lake, gathering up his scattered regiment
as he went west.
The Post was in command OF q Captain
Of the Regular Army-3rd U. s. Infantry,
He had held an Office in the Rebel army,
and we had heard Of him as a high toned
red taper, and as a result none OF the SOL
dieFs along the route cared to be placed I'M.
der his harsh rules.
Ipaused for moment ut tho door, and
could see the glimmer Of a light through itu
cracks and hear the low murmur OF voices
within. 1t was 8 o'clock in the morning,
and what on earth could be going on at
that untimely hour.
"Come in" eamn In response to my
knock, l pulled the latch string and enter
ed, leaving the door ajar while my hand
rested upon the latch within. Around a
rude table sgt three officers. They were
deeply engaged In > gage Of poker, which
bad been In progress all night Money
was piled up all around on the table, show.
ing that a big game wag in progress. All
looked up when l entered, and l became ct
once somewhat embarrassed, but only for
u moment, for anger soon drove all thought
OF bashiulneas from my mind.
"Who eleVil are you, and what do you
want here" said the grutf Captain full oi
whisky.
81 nm Sergeant Holiday, in command
Of detachment Of the Bixth West Yir.
ginia Cavalry, from Laramie, ordered to re,
port to Col. Stagg. Is that officer here2
answered as coolly as possible.
"Were you ever disciplined, " sir, said
the angry captain, as he arose from his
us Col. slsgg here9" I asked directing
my enquiries to the two officers at the
table.
~ say young man, where did You get
your manners, who drilled you, sir" and
the captain caved around like Gagged
lion.
l knew ct once what had made him
mad. and was in a humor for Cancellation,
and very ambitiously replied:
"a graduate Of West Point drilled me,
sir-the present Judge Advocate oil the
Department Of the North Platte, a man
WHO knows more discipline, tactics and
military law In one minute that you ever
will know"
The enraged Captain looked dumb,
founded, He could not speak but looked
at me and then ct the other officers.
"When l entered your quarters, sir, ]
neglected to remove my hat, my only e&.
cuse Is my embarrassment" said /, land
out Of respect for these other officers, will
do 50 now"
'shut the door," yelled the Captain, az
with clinched hsts he started toward me
l gave the door slam, aud heard the
men who had gathered on the outside
laugh.
table wink at each other and give me what
thought 10 be anapproyipg look.
IIT thaIi rhnnrk unr m vnur Hunfofn nj