The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-09-25

he territory, and the latter were soon
ordered to return and to bring with
them, as prisoners to be confined at Al
catraz, the leaders Of the outbreak, who
would be turned over to them by the
-th. To hear Noel tell Of these fierce
captives afterward was somewhat con-
fusing, a., from his account, Il would
appear that they had been taken In hand
to-hand conflict by himself and q small
detachment Of his own troop; but these
were stories told only to over credulous
friends.
The Eleventh came eastward across
the Rockies in time to participate in the
great campaign against the Sioux in 70.
and was on the Yellowstone when Custer
and his fGvoTite companies were being
wiped out Of existence on the Little Horn.
The news Of that tragedy made many q
heart sick, and Mr.. Noel was so much
affected that when his comrades started
10 make a night ride to the front to join
what was left Of the Seventh, he was left
behind, ostensibly to sleep of q violent
headache. He promised to ride after and
catch them next day, but, through some
error, got aboard Gen. Terry's steamer,
the Far West, and made himself 90 use
full looking after the wounded that the
surgeon in charge was grateful, and.
knowing nothing Of his antecedents, gave
him certificate on which he based an ap-
plication for leave on account Of sickness,
and went to Bismarck with the wound
ed, and thence to the distant east, where
he thrilled clubs and dinner tables with
graphic accounts Of the Custer battle
and how we got up just in time to save
the remnant Of the Seventh.
The Eleventh fought all through the
campaign Of 70 and the chase after Chief
Joseph in IT; but Noel was again on
temporary duty at the war department,
and there he stayed until '7s, by which
time various officials had become &C.
quainted with some Of the facts In the
case. The Eleventh "cold shouldered"
him for o while after he got back; but
they happened to be now in q region
where there were no "hostiles," and
where hops, germans, theatricals, tab
leaux and entertainments Of all kinds
were the rage. No other man could be
half so useful to the ladies as Gordon
Noel He had just come from Washing
ton and knew everything; and when
they took him up and made much Of
him twas no use Cor the men to stand
aloof; they had to take him up too.
Lane was adjutant Of the regiment at
this time; and he, having seen every re-
port and letter with reference to Mr..
Noel that had been fled in the Office,
would hardly speak to him at all except
when on duty, and. this feeling was in
tensifed when, year or so later, they
were suddenly hurried to Arizona on ac-
count Of wild dash Of the ChiricahuGs.
and as the different companies took the
field and hastened in the pursuit Mr..
Noel was afflicted with q rheumatic
fever Of such alarming character that the
youthful contract" surgeon who had NC
companied his troop held him back at
the railway and speedily sent him east
on a three months sick leave, which
family influence soon made six. And this
was about the record and reputation that
Mr.. Noel had succeeded In making when
Capt. Rawlins was ready to bet Capt
Greene that, despite it all, the regimental
Adonis would get the recruiting detail,
vice Lane, for everybody knew Fred
Lane 50 well as to prophesy that he would
apply to be relieved and ordered to re-
join his regiment, and everybody was
eager to see him take hold Of poor old
CuTran's troop, for II anybody could
''straighten 1t out" Lane could.
The news that Noel was named by the
colonel caused q sensation at regimental
headquarters which the Eleventh will
probably not soon forget. "Old Riggs"
had become the commander Of the regi-
ment after It seemed that the Indian
wars were over and done with, and,
thanks to our peculiar system Of promo
ton, was now at the head Of an orRaui-
zation with which he had never served
rs subaltern, captain or junior field off,
Ger. Discipline forbade saying anything
TO his face-for which the colonel was
devoutly thankful-but everybody sid
to everybody else that It was all M-s.
Riggs doing, 4 fact which the colonel
very well knew.
So did Noel, though he rushed into the
club room apparently overwhelmed with
amAZement and delight;
II supposed Of course It would be Fol-
lansbee. never dreamed he would give
It to me. Come up. crowdi come mp
everybody It's champagne today" he
jovially shouted; and there were mpn
who could not bear to nub him open ,.
Nothing had really ever been pror-d
against him; why should they judge
himl But there were several who de-
clined, alleging one excuse or another,
and even those who drank with him did
so while applauding Wharton's toast;
We'll, Noel, here's to you'll It ought
to have been Follanshee; but wish you
tha ioV of IL"