Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-08-07
AN INCIDENT OF THE PLAINS.
The Reward. of Faithful Service and
How IL Ended-A Little Corporal's
Scheme TO Check Horse Thieves.

SNASh.e 10 Sneck nor 90 u HASsSss
Sunday Star.
Some years ago il was the writer's
lot to be quartered for short time
with portion of Clusters famous
Seventh Cavalry at Fort Larned,
Kansas. The main body of the regl-
ment had been ordered to Fort Dodge
to check the incursions of hostile In
dams upon settler trans en- route for
New Mexico. At that time there was
no railway further west than Fort
Hayes, and Dodge City had not yet
been built. Fort Larned was cons
Portable post enough, with acconmo-
dation for about 400 troops, but owing
to frequent desertions and scarcity of
recruits TO supply their places, the
force did not consist of more than 100
officers and men. As it was, 1t need
ed the utmost energy OF the officers to
prevent assertions, the cause OF which
was ascribed to the enormous abuses
of the sutler system and to the mining
fever in Colorado.
Desperadoes and gamblers enlisted
in the large cities for the sake of
transportation, with no more intention
of serving their term of enlistment
than they bad of becoming president.
The gamblers preyed on the older soils
diers, and cleaned them out at short
notice. 1t was common thing to see
soldiers playing poker with a dollar
ante; men whose pay did not exceed
SIG month. In fact, gambling was
was so openly gractised by officers
and men that no attempt was made to
check it, and officers were frequently
kaown to borrow money from men in
their companies who had been lucky
at cards. The psymaster was suppos
ed to pay off the troops every two
months, but more often three, four,
and sometimes six months would in>
teryene before he put in an appear
ance. Both officers and privates who
were lucky at play had no difficulty
in borrowing from the sutler, who
would advance them from $40 to $50
at time at usurious interest. Mill
tary discipline was almost dead let
ter, and more. demoralized condition
of affairs could scarcely be imagined.
A short time before the opening of
the incident about to be described
news had been received that more
than half a company of cavalry had
deserted from Fort Hays taking with
them horses, accoutrements, grain
and even the company ratious. The
news created an intense sensation,
and a general order was issued by the
dis!ric Commander, that no quarter"
was TO be shown to any ,deserter in
future. In fact two were shot few
weeks after, near Hays City, by Off =
GERS of the SeveL tn Cavalry.
The time of year was midsummer,
during the dry season. The heat was
something frightful at this period of
the year. Over forty men out of the
100 we're on the sick list. The abode
quarters were scarcely less hot than
the tents. Anti-scorputics in the
shape of canned vegetables were hard
to get, and such fresh meat as could
be obtained was scarcely less distaste-
full than the salt pork. Fresh bread
and pemmican was about the only
diet the men could eat. But whiskey
was plentiful. Dysentry began to
make its appearance and taken alto
gether the prospect was far from en-
couraging. Even the whisky, bad as
it was, was regarded as better thar
nothing, and brought as much as a
dollar pint. 1t was colored with
tobacco juice, and as snake produc
ing" beverage it seldom failed.
The demoraliZing effect of the news
of the deSertions soon began to be
felt among the small remnant of the
able bodied troops that remained. The
paymaster had made his appearance
and had paid four monthe pay. He
was escorted by a picked full company
of cavalry for protection and propos-
ed to remain at the post seven days,
to rest and straighten out his affairs.
Two or three days past, when half a
dozen horses, worth $175 apiece, were
reported missing from the picket line.
The sentries had also disappeared.
Twenty men under command of a
first and second lieutenant were sent
out with one days rations in pursuit
But the thieves had escaped.
One evening a little corporal, an
Englishmau named Bagg, knocked at
his Captains tent and desired to speak
with him.
"What is it, corporali" asked Cap
tain Angel, who was PLAYING a game
of casino with the Post Quartermas>
ter,
BEG pardon, sir; but hid like ter
speak ter yer IN private"
The earnest look of appeal oa the
corporars face indicated that he had
news of more than ordinary inpor-
lance.
'I'll see you directly, corporal, and
the Quartermaste retired for a few
moments.
'Now what is it you have got to
say9"
I'm detailed for picket line duty
to-morrer night, Capting. and one of
the transfers belonging to the pay
masters wagon train as offered me
'uudred dollars eff I'll put two 'orses
as he has picked out at one end of the
line so that he can light out with
them"
whats his name7"
81 hain't sure, but l can show i'm to
yer"
Major Douglas, the post com
mander, ought to kaow this. Come
with me, corporal, and tell your story
to him"
Major Douglas was seen and con-
suited.
You're quite sure there's no mis-
teke, corporate
Not bit, Major"
"Well, then, you can point him out
to the Captain tomorrow morning so
as to place his identity beyond ques-
ton. If you'll leave us a few mo-
ments l will call you in directly and
tell you what to do"
The Major and Captain discussed
the situation and in about ten minutes
the corporal was recalled.
"You haven't said word about this
to anybody, corporal2" inquired the
Captain.
Hi hain't hopened my mouth, sir,
to heuybody bul you"
That's right. In the morning after
breakfast you'll show me that team
ster so that I she'll know him. You'll
60 on guard in the evening, and tie
up the two horses just as he told you,
and corporal, tade all the money he
gives you, and when there's vacancy
I'll promote you sergeant and give
you a furlough for your faithful
ness"
But is e to git away, Capting?"
tfYaS let him on. TIL he reSnonsiblp