Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-03-28
CHAPTER XXI.-CoNTINUEp.


1t was an impressive scene as the
old soldier read the sad details to the
rapidly growing group of weeping
women, for that was Emory's garri-
son now, while the official reports
were hurried on to catch the general
on his way to Cheyenne. Some one
warned the band leader. and the
musicians marched away to quarters.
Some one bore the news to town,
where the flags over the hotel and
the one newspaper Office were at
once lowered to half staff, although
that at Emory, true to official eti-
quette and tradition, remained until
further orders at the peak, despite
the fact that two of the annihilated
companies were from that very post.
Some one bore the news to Burleigh's
quarters at the depot, and, despite
assertions that the major could see
no one and must not be agitated or
disturbed, disturbed and agitated he
was beyond peradventure. Excitedly
the sick man sprang from his bed at
the tidings of the massacre and be-
gan penning a letter. Then he sum-
moned young clerk from his Office
and told him he had determined to
get up at once, as now every energy
of the government would doubtless be
put forth to bring the Sioux to terms.
1t was the young clerk who a few
weeks back had remarked to a fellow
employe how "rattled" the old man
was getting. The majors doctor was
not about. The major began dictat-
ing letters to various officials as he
rapidly dressed, and what happened
can best be told in the clerks own
words: For a man too sick to see
anyone two hours before" said he,
''the major had wonderful recupera-
tive powers, but they didn't last. He
was in the midst of a letter to the
chief quartermaster, and had got as
far as to say: The deplorable and
tragic fate of Lieut.. Dean points, of
course, to the loss of the large sum
intrusted to him., when l looked up
and said: why, Lieut.. Dean amt
dead, major; he got in all right and
he stared at me a minute as if I
had stabbed him. His face turned
yellow-white and down he went like
. log-had a fit, 1 s'pose. Then I
ran for help, and then the doctor
came and hustled everybody out"
But not till late that night did
these details reach "Old Pecksniff" at
the post. A solemn time was that
veteran having, for many of the wom-
en- were almost in Mysteries and all
were in deep distress. Two of their
number, wives of officers, were wild
owed by the catastrophe, and one lay
senseless for hours. 1t was almost
drove homeward, and his face was
lined and haggard. Pappoose nestled
fondly, silently at his side, holding
bis hand and closely scanning his
features, as though striving to read
his thoughts. Jessie, comforted now
by the knowledge that Marshall was
rapidly recovering, and the words of
praise bestowed upon him in the
colonefs letters, was nevertheless in
deep anxiety as to the future. The
assurance that the Sioux, even in
their overwhelming numbers, would
not attack a stockade, was not suf-
hcient. Marshall would be on duty
again within very few days, the
colonel said. His wounds would heal
within the week, and it was only loss
of SO much blood that had prostrated
him. Within a few days, then, her
loved brother would be in saddle and
in the field against the Indians. Who
could assure her they would not have
another pitched battle? Who could
say that the fate that befell the gar.
rison at Warrior Gap might not await
the troop when next it rode awayP
And poor Jess had other anxieties,
too, by this time. Loomis was burn
trg with eagerness for orders to lead
IT instantly to join the field column.
and importuned Col. Stevens, even in
the midst of all the grief and shock
of the early evening. Almost angrily
ths veteran colonel bade him attend
to his assigned duties and not de-
mand others. &C" troop should not
with his advice and consent be sent
north of the Platte First thing
you know, sir, after they've got all
the troops up along the Big Horn
,SsUn see the Sioux in force this side