Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-10-13
THE CAPTAINS CHARGE.

vpoM DISTRICT ORDERS,
ExTRAu,, ,.pITzRURG, May ~, 1873.
rI,,cott Ninety-foarth regiment,
"Cape himself without delay 10 Maj.
vii TEN on,ef paymastcr, in order TO receive
lanles e hat will be conveyed to him by
that officer 49,. ,o.aoo;po 7 presented
.u :, at the head office OF tne army pay De
,'.stnent and requested 70 DC SHOWN 70 maj
haniey ! ' av sir, | said, on being adj
w 81 am directed to report myself to
/ nitted. = u" 49,
you ,,r,.,.. answered the ever CHEEKY
,to had always kindly words OF adj
che', w. encouragement to offer those who
VICE ~ '..dar his orders. 81 am about to de-
sel'e' sor difficult and somewhat danger
tai Wv Money must be conveyed to New
oS ~ r. the payment Of supplies, as the
css'S rafuse to receive our paper; and even
bosis isasts were accepted there is not sufh-
~, - sneeie in the small up country banks 70
e'eAs iii the demands that would be made
me- Them. So want 10 send you up with
s epoacO in gold, to be handed over to Mr..
. $3.50, now in eommissariat charge at New
aa. .ho will account to me direct for all
not to have the usual escort detailed
!. .hs treasury instructionsP l asked.
Az. there's the pinch. Our losses were SO
~, Jsapdblwana that we have not a sin
go n snare All clerks and employed
w. must take their turn Of duty. Besides,
nm;sh 10 avoid an escort, as it would only
80 tbe effect of unnecessarily advertising
~ matter. In the present state OF the coun-
49, With shoals OF doubtful characters about,
III, vonh be injudicious and almost invite
....ob So the general has fallen in with my
.s,,,oation as to the manner of conveyance,
,ssioc the responsibility Of its safe delivery.
~ listen and he pr3 ,,e ! d to unfold his
plan ..,;. $780,
,osss on the ed of January, and while wait
;ng for re-enforcements, there were barely
enough men to enable US to hold our own in
40 Of descent upon the colony by Cete-
.syo. Pietermaritzburg had been put in a
state Of defense by erecting loop holed barri-
cades in the streets The court house was
fortified and laagers formed at various STRAIT
.oie points. to which all the inhabitants were
10 repair upon a given signal, the firing Of
three guns in quick succession from Fort
Napier. All the outlying posts and towns
were also strongly fortified. This prohibited
the withdrawal of any men employed in the
duties Of defense.
Ordinarily guard of one officer and
twenty-five men is provided for the escort
Of treasure; but, as has been explained, the
present circumstances were unfavorable to
this course, and prompt payment for sup
plies being imperative, the following was
decided on:
The money was to be packed in empty am
munition boxes, with the usual descriptive
label Of contents remaining on them. Then
it was to be loaded in an ordinary Cape cart
"a marvel Of lightness and strength and
placed under charged of an officer, who, he
was pleased to say, should be man of conr-
age and resource; passing it on to the front,
as was frequently done at the time, as am
munition. There was great scarcity OF
stores Of all kinds after our losses at Isandhl-
wana where immense quantities Of supplies
had to be abandoned.
"Now,n he went on to say, "the greatest
risk you will run is from the swarm of men
who, under the guise of somebody's horse.
or somebody else's rangers ct hoe genus
omne, are spread over the country at the
present time. don't allude to the gallant
men under tried leaders who have done such
good and loyal service, but to those smaller
bands under unknown men. to which are at.
uaeted the usual lawless spirits that always
crop up under pressure Of times like the pres
ent- Should you come across any of these
they would make nothing OF taking your life
Il they got an inkling of what you have il
Charge
This was true enough
NOW, Capt, Ellicott, do you feel equal tt
herlski' continued Maj Manley. My spirit.
rose at the prospect. The task was, no doubt
adliicult one, but reflected that this was {
chance that might never come in my wa,
again and felt not an objectionable prid,
u He nope OF obtaining a little distinction
sAouOa successfully carry out the duty nov
intrusted to me
lam your man, major" replied. "Wher
am | to startm
4v dOod,' he said, grasping my hand
tow ready acceptance of what, to b.
pam with you. is a hazardous undertaking
su~i hoe 60 unrepresented in the prope
III order to throw the loafer element of
NC scent paragraph was inserted in Tn
~ IN. "ilneSs stating that Capt Ellicott, o
N,uety fourth regiment, was in orders {,
.a ',e headquarters of his corps, and TAX
,h Nv nih supply Of reserve ammunition
re transport department being directed L
pu'iae conveyance.
Altar . sa.e oi leaving was given as some day
coDsas sua' intended for my actual departure
f 49, should be well on the way be
was known that had started.
.ho~ uays alter the interview meutione
'he cart containing my valuable cor
milaa ~ wound slowly upward along til
H.. H. VI steep hill leading to Howick. TIL
tbo el'o' driver grumbled now and then a
"a bs sas a'oi the ammunition, saying it ougb
cart IN vi an OK wagon instead of mul
bolS on. vas AFRAID the springs would nc
ocoau eu@ soothed him, however. with a
uhiaa Ouai draught of Boer brandy. wit
Som Aa l had provided myself-that far
Who's y ing. n,shiy priced by his class, upo
slightest ti,'u IL appeared to make not Il
some ~. u, IMPRESSION. After long and wear
cOmnars a~l upward We reached at length Il
Al ths a ha.y level road which terminate
find hs,s sagreeaoly surprised on arrival
in pume S a BODY of volunteers, about fort
peared to ~ composed principally, as it Al
the d.. :. 'ne' OF that dubious class known ,
some narts loafer," product peculiar /
the SD as Of South Africa. They were md,
Named NJ; sup OF smooth tongued individu
at Piessrnearrton whom had frequently M
VERY ,'siimnar1tzbnrg, and who was said 80
radv W 'h eonnected-a reckless ramhls
ilg th ~ Wv 'a' on anything or everything ha,
utIsrlS Ss additional reputation Of ha;nn "'.
INSCRIPTIONS scoundrel " '''s
euarrpsooaa' ~ ~ command was a drunken
had been so. ruilian named Mondrnm. vii