Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-10-20
COPYRIGHT. 1897. 81 E. TtNnYsoN httH.

wisps-through the chinks and loop
holes Of that old log hut, and when
morning came the ground was stamped
with fresh impress of half dozen sets
of hoof tracks-shod horses, not Indian
ponies, this time.
It must have meant "bad medicine"
for the Sioux, for when morning came
all the bands that had been SO confident
ly raiding the trails through the settle
ments found themselves compelled to
seek the shelter of their reservations
From Laramie to Sidney the stalwart
infantry came marching to the scene,
and from east, north and west the cav
airy came trotting, troop after troop, to
hem in and head them off. The very
band that ventured south of the Platte
and killed in cold blood those helpless
teamsters and then sought the destruc.
tion of Gaines and his men, fleeing now
before Wallace's troops, were met and
soundly thrashed by our friends Of Com
pany B, with Captain Charlton and
Lieutenant Blunt in the lead, and by
Monday night the broad valley was
clear of savage foes, the cavalry were
resting by their bivouac fires, and then,
from the lips of Captain Wallace, Charl-
ton heard the story of Fred Waller's ex-
plot and of the long gallop that brought
about the rescue of Colonel Gaines.
Our captain could hardly wait for morn
ing to come, but in two days more he
was standing by the bedside of his old
sergeant at Sidney barracks, and Trump
eter Fred was there too.
One week later, in the big, sunshiny
assembly room of the old barrack, an
impressive scene took place, and long
remembered though very brief trial was
brought to an abrupt close. A court
martial was in session at Sidney, the
general wh commanded the depart
ment had himself arrived to look into
the condition of affairs about the Indian
reservation, and with Captain Charlton
had had long consultation, at the close
of which the bearded, kindly faced
brigadier had gone to the hospital with
the troop commander, and bending over
old Waller as he lay upon the narrow
cot took his hand and talked with him
about Fike Forks and Appomattox and
then promised him that his wish should
be respected. 1t was a singular wish
a strange thing for father to ask.
Old Sergeant Waller had insisted that
his boy should be brought to trial be-
fore the court martial then in session
and convicted or acquitted of the double
charge Of theft and desertion that had
been lodged against him. In vain Charl-
ton represented to him that it was not
necessary. Nobody believed the stories
now. The veteran was firm and posi-
tive in the stand he made.
Everywhere in this department, sir,
my boys name has been held up to
shame as a thief and deserter. There
is only one way to clear him. Let him
stand trial and prove his innocence, and
let us fix the guilt where it belongs. !"
And Waller was right.
VINO UQdG WAS III Iue COul 1ioolu ohoo
hot August morning, when the south
wind blew the dust cloud into the post
and burned the very skin from the
bronzed faces around the whitewashed
wall, will ever forget the closing incl
dents Of that trial? At the long wooden
table sat the nine officers who composed
the court, with their gray haired presi-
dent at the head, all dressed in their
full uniforms, all grave and silent. At
the lower end of the table was the keen,
shrewd face of the young judge advocate
who conducted the entire proceedings.
On one side of him, quiet, self possessed
and patient, sat little Fred, neat and
trim as new pin in his faultless IA