Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-01-24

THE conduct OF the detachment under my
command was excellent; every man was IN
his place at the end Of the thirty dve-mile
march, Very respectfully,
your obedient servant
ID. G.. FENroN,
Capt --th Infantry. Commanding"
Such was the official report which
had followed Rhett's command bacl, to
Ransom and brought CLEAN Of sun
shine through all the gloom. The
death of Capt Manning, an officer Of
oterling worth, and that of so many
good men and true, three of whom had
families at the post, could not but
weigh heavily on the spirits cf one and
all. The homecoming Of the wounded,
however, called for the active services
OF many hands as well as the liveliest
ly-lpathy of every heart, for the jour
ney by field and rail had been trying
c. aeal in the fierce heat which for
sven days after Winthrop's fight had
leemed to hard-bake the broad valley
of the Ska even to the westward
mountains. Then the grief aroused
by the casualties in the main
engagement had been supplemented
by keen anxiety as to the fate Of
Perry Thornton and his party. Rhett
was cool-headed fellow and had done
about the right thing; even Edwards
nnd other cavalry cranks were ready to
ndmit that. Aroused soon after mid
night by his officer of the day and the
demoralized deputy he had little time
to think. Orders required him with
his battalion to march back to Pawnee
as escort for the wounded. Communi-
cation with department headquarters
In the dead of night would have in
volved hours Of delay. The deputy
might be lying, yet the chances were
In favor of the truth of his stories
Rhett knew the bulk of the Indians
must have scampered for home IN order
to show up at the muster sure to be
made, SO as to convince the agency Of
ficials at least of their presence, and
that they therefore could have no part
in the recent outrages. The general
had taken the field, going cross coun-
try after Winthrop, and was now far
beyond Geographic reach. II tho
Sioux had surrounded Thornton near
Slaughter cove the sooner help was
sent the better. Fenton, always ready
for anything, and keenly relishing the
idea of footmen marching to the relief
of cavalry, was promptly told to take
his own company and Company + and
"get there" The cooks were up, coffee
boiling and bacon sizzling before the
order was fairly out Of the majors
mouth, and the command marched
away towards the gap in the far blue
Hills under the twinkling pole-star
within the hour.
"God speed you, old mani Send us
word quick as you can" said Rhett, as
the dusky little column went swinging
avvav out of camp. "Give 'cm lick
for me. Mickey" called Private Toofey
n chum in luckier company than
his own. And that was the last heard
Of them for twenty-nine hours. Ihen
two Of the lately-besieged troopers
Fritz and Reuter-, came trottlng III
among the travels just as the convoy
broke camp at the mouth OF Pawnee
oorce. twenty miles nearer nome.
Leaving the cove at dark the previous
evening, they had ridden all nign'
with the news of the rescue, had rouO-
ad ont the telegraph operator at SKA
Bridge and sent away certain dispa'1ne =
With which they were charged hao
harmed that the major and his COM
mand had passed on about nine g. L.