The Taney County republican., 1913-09-04

face roughened by exposure, grimy
with dirt, and dishgured by weeks
growth Of beard. Sheridan stared at
him, shading his eyes from the glow
of the lamp.
"You arc from Custer"
"Yes, SIR"
He drew the papers from within his
overcoat, stepped forward and laid
them on the table. Sheridan placed
one hand upon them, but cid not re.
move his gaze from Hamlin's face.
when did you leave?"
THE evening of the 9th, sir. | was
sent back with an Usage guide to
bring you this report"
And the guide?"
HE gave out on the Cimarron and
| came on alone"
And Custer? Did he strike Black
Kettle?"
I'VE found his camp on the evening
OF the 2Gth, and attacked at daybreak
the next morning. There we're more
Indians with him than we expected to
find-between two and three thou.
sand warriors from all the southern
tribes. Their tepees were set up for
ten miles along the Washita. We cap
tUred Black Kettles village, and de-
stroyed it; took his pony herd, and
released a number of white prisoners.
including some women and children.
There was a sharp fight, and we lost
quite few men; l left too early to
learn how many"
"And the command--is It In any
dangor?"
II think not, sir. General Custer
was confident he could retire safely.
The Indians were thoroughly whipped,
and apparently had no chief under
whom they could rally"
The General opened the single sheet
of paper, and ran his eyes slowly
down the lines OF writing. Hamlin,
feeling his head reel giddily, reached
out silently and grasped the back OF
a chair in support. Sheridan glanced
up.
General Custer reports Major Eli.
oft as missing and several officers
badly wounded"
"Yes, SIR"
what Indians were engaged, and
under what chiefs?"
Mostly Cheyennes, although there
were bands OF Arapahces, Kiowas,
Comanches, and a few Apaches. Lit
tie Rock IVES in command after Black
Kettle was killed-that is OF the Chey.
ennes. Little Raven, and Santanta
led the others"
"a fend, that last. But, Sergeant,
you are exhausted. | will talk with
you tomorrow. The officer OF the day
will assign you quarters"
Hamlin, still clinglng to the chair
with one hand, lifted the other in ia
Lutte.
General Sheridan" he said, sl.!v
ing to control his voice, General
Clusters last words to me were that
was to tell you who I am. do not
know what he meant, but he said you
would have news for me-"
Indeed" in surprise. stifrening In
his chair.
"Yes, sir-my name is Hamlln."
"TIamlinl Hamlin!" the General
repeated the word. 81 have no recoi.
lection--why. yes. by Cad! You were
a Confederate colonel"
Fourth Texas Infantry"
That's It! I have II now: you
were court-martialed after the affair
at Fishers Hill, and dismissed from
the service--dsobedie OF orders
or something like that. Wait a min.
ute"
He raped sharply on the table. and
the door behind, leading into the other
room, instantly opened to admit the
orderly. In the dim ligh' " tho sin.
6le lamp HRmlin say .ue short
stocky figure Of So j., bearded
and Immediately clean. Even as the
fellows gloved hand came sharply uT
to his cap visor, Sheridan snapped
out:
Orderly, see If you recognize this
man"
Erect, the very impersonatIon oi
military discipline, the soldier crossed
the room, and stared into the unshav
en- face OF the Sergeant. Suddenly
his eyes frightened, and he wheeled
about as If on a pivot, again bringing
HIS gloved hand up In salute.
"Eet vas Colonel Hamlin, | tink va,
he said in strong German accent. 81
know heem."
The Sergeant gripped his arm
bringing his face about once more.
You are Shultz-Sergeant- Major
Shult2!" he cried. What ever be
came Of you? What Is 1t you known
wait a minute, Hamlin," said
Sheridan quickly, rising to his feet
Il can explain this much better than
that Dutchman. He means well
enough, but his tongue twists. II
seems Custer met you once in the
Shenandoah. and later heard Of y
dismissal from the service. One
he spoke about the affair in my quar-
ters. Shultz was present on duty and
overheard. He spoke up like a little
man; said he was there when you got