Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-12-18


Seventh was returning from a scout
after hostile Indians boy Of ten who
had been hiding in dry ditch sudden
ly leaped up before the horses His
story was the familiar one. An emf
grant camp had been beset by the hos
tiles at night, a score of men, women
and children wiped out, and the boy
had escaped, he Anew not how. The
soldiers claimed the orphan as their
own, and in a way Company B adopt
ed him.
For the first year or two it was
feared that relatives might turn up or
that the colonel would send him away
to be adopted and cared for by civil
ians but these calamities did not hap
pen. The boy gave his name as Stanley
Martin, and so the chaplain wrote it
down in making record but the sol
diers called him Billy from the first
day to the last. He was a bright,
cheerful youngster by nature, and aft
er time had blunted his grief no one
laughed oftener than Billy. The pet
ting he received from the men Of the
company would have spoiled most
kids, but it made Billy none the worse.
He might have picked up profanity,
selfishness and braggadocio, but he
never did. He was encouraged to
smoke and chew, but he did not fall
into those bad habits. At the age OF
twelve he was better educated than
some of the corporals, and at fourteen
the commissary took him on as clerk.
How it was arranged does not mat
ter, but a year later Billy became
COMPANY BIS bugler He had been a
pupil until he could be taught nothing
more. His bugle calls were music to
the whole regiment, and let others
wind the horn as they might their
notes could deceive no one. And at
fifteen he was as fresh faced and hon.
est looking a lad as any father or
mother could have wished to call son.
There wasn't an officer in the regiment
who wouldn't have been glad to chip
in for purse to send the boy to some
school in the states and give him a
show to make his way in civil life but
Billy had determined on soldiers
career and begged to be permitted TO
stay with the Seventh.
Soon after his promotion the Indians,
who had somehoIy held on to them
selves for four or five years, dug up
the hatchet and took to the warpath.
News reached Fort Mcpherson after a
bit that band Of them were ra1d1ng
down Smoky valley. There were but
two companies at the fort just then,
and they held themselves in readiness
to be ordered out at any moment. 1t
was six miles from the post over to the
valley. and many a time during the
days Of peace Billy had mounted the
Indian pony given him by the quarter
master and ridden over to Wharton's
ranch. Wharton himself was jolly and
good natured, his wife was motherly
and kind hearted, and their daughter
Kate, a year younger than the bugler,
was handsome enough to set boys
heart f1uttering The soldiers caught
on after awhile and had their jokes at
Billys expense, but they did not go
too far. Even the toughest of the men
always respected the boys feelings.
He blushed and stammered when they
laughed at his love affair, but he went
just as often to Wharton's.
One day, and for the first time, he
was sent there officially. The hostiles
were taking in the whole length Of the
valley, beating back or lodging the
forces sent out, and if the WhartOns
did not seek the shelter of the fort
they were certain to fall victims with
in a day or two. Other settlers had
come in, but Wharton argued that the
marauderS would turn back before his
place was reached. The colonel OF the
Seventh had written him almost
perenlptory order to come in without
an hours delay, and Billy was the
messenger deputed to carry it. He
had fast pony, was a good rider and
had cool head, and it was argued
that he would be several hours ahead
of danger A light Winchester and
belt of cartridges were given him, and
it was only when he was on his way
that any one noticed the bugle slung to
his back. He rode at a fast pace and
IGdCAcu w udIlOu > WlLuOuL dufOuLuIc.
The message must have convinced the
ranchman of the necessity of haste for
he brought up his wagon and began
loading it with household effects. 1t
was while thus engaged that the In
dams came upon him.
Billy had left the fort at 10 o'clock
in the forenoon. 1t could be figured
out that if Wharton refused to come
the boy would be back at half past IL
at the latest. If Wharton accompanied
him lack, then it might be an hour
later. 1t came 1 o'clock, and iticame 2
and 3, and there was no sign of Billy.
Then the colonel ordered out Company
B for scout There were only seven
ty men, but it was believed they could
take care of any force likely to be met
with that far down the valley. The
orders were to ride on until they found
the boy. and the troop was no sooner
nIoor of tbn ct0ckada than the horses