Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-03-14

local circulation all that was obtanablc
of that disbursement, otherwise the curse
of the army might get ahead of them.
and the boys would gamble it away
among themselves or spend il for vile
whisky manufactured for their sole
benefit. Gallatin Valley was empticd of
its prominent practitioners in the game
of poker. The stream was black with
"Macknaw" boats and other craft.
There was rush for the cantonment
that rivaled the multitudes of the mining
days, but all too late.
The command was already packing III
when the first contingent arrived, ana
the commanding officer. recognizing the
fraternity at a glance, warned them out
side the limits of camp that night, de-
cllned their services as volunteers on the
impending campaign, and treated them
with such calmly courteous recognition
OF their true character that the eastern
press was speedily filled with sncering
comment on the hopelessness of ever sub
DUNG the savage tribes of the northwest
when the government intrusts the duty
to upstart officers of the regular service
whose sole conception of their functions
Is to treat with insult and contempt the
hardy frontiersman whose mere presence
with the command would be of incalcu-
liable benefit. I'VE have it from indis-
putable authority says The Miners
Light of Brandy Gap, that when our
esteemed fellow citizen Hank Mulligan
and twenty gallant shots and riders like
himself went in a body to Gen. - at
the cantonncnt and offered their services
as volunteers against the Sioux now de
vastating the hOmcsteads and settlements
of the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone
valleys, they were treated with naughty
and contemptuous refusal by that band
box cariCature of soldier and threat
cned with arrest if they did not quit
the camp. When will the United States
learn that its frontiers can never be
purgcd of the Indian scourges of our
civilization until the conduct of affairs
III he field is iutrtlsted 10 other hands
than these martincts of the drill ground:
1t is needless to remark in this connection
that the expedition led by Gen. - has
proved complete failure. and that the
Indians easily escaped his cIumsily led
forces"
The gamblers, though b2fIlod for the
time beng. of course get square" and
more too, with the unfortunate general
in this sort of warfare, but they are a dis
gusted lot a, they hang about the wagon
train as last Of all it is being hitched in
10 leave camp. Some victims, of course.
they have secured, and there are no de-
vices of commanding officers which can
protect their men against those sharks OF
the prairies when the men themselves are
bound to tempt providence and play.
There are two scowling faces in the cav
airy escort that has been left back with
the train. and Capt. Hull, the command
mg officer, has rcprimanded Sergts.
Clancy and Cover in singing terms for
their absence from the command during
The night There is little question where
ed out" What makes it worse, both
have lost money that belonged to other
men in the command, and they are in
bad odor accordingly.
The long days march has tempered the
Joviality of the entire column. 1t is near
sundown, and still they keep plodding
onward, making for grassy level on the
river bank good mile farther.
"Old Hull seems bound to leave the
sports as far behind as possible if he has
to march us until midnight" growls the
battalion adjutant to his immediate COM
mander. by thunder. one would think
he was afraid they would get in a lick at
his own pile"
How much did you say he was carry
ing:" asks Capt. Royner, checking his
horse for moment to look back over
the valley at the long, dust enveloped
column.
NEARLY three thousand dollars in one
wad."
How does he happen to have such
sum-"
"Why, Crane left his pay accounts
with him. He drew all that was due his
men who are off with Crane-twentv of
them-for they had signed the rolls be-
fore going, and were expected back to-
day. Then he has some six hundred dol
lars company fund; and the men of his
troop asked him to take care of a good
deal besides. The old man has been with
them so many years they look upon him
as a father and trust him as implicitly as
they would a savings bank"
THAT'S all very well" answers Ray
ner; but wouldn't want to carry any
such sum with me-"
Its different with Hull's men, cap
tain. They are ordered in through the
posts and settlements, They have
three weeks march ahead of them when
they get through their scout, and they
want their money on the way. 1t was
only after they had drawn it that the
ncws came Of the Indians crossing. and
of our having to jump for the warpath.
Everybody thought yesterday morning
that the campaign was about over SO far
as we are concerned. IIulloa, here comes
young Hayne. Now, what loes he
wantI'