Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-12-05

o~Vercoat, stepped forward and laid
them on the table. Sheridan placed
n hand upon them. but did not re-
move his gaze from Hamlin's face.
When did you leave?"
The evening Of the 9th, sir. I was
sent back with an Usage guide to
bring you this report"
And the guide?"
Fl 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 26th, and attacked at daybreak
the next morning. There were more
Indians with him than we expected to
hnd-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 and children.
There was a sharp fight, and we lost
quite a few men; I left too early to
learn how many"
And the command-ts 1t in any
danger?"
Il 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 thA innS ~ uyrJvjD, JJox.JI.
feeling his head reel giddily, reached
out silently and grasped the back of
a chair In support. Sheridan glanced
up.
General Custer reports Major ELL
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 Arapahoes, Kiowas,
~Comanches. and a few Apaches. Lit
tie Rock was in command after Black
Kettle was killed-that is of the Chey-
ennes. Little Raven, and Santanta
led the Others"
"A fiend, that last. But, Sergeant,
you are exhausted. l will talk with
you tomorrow. The officer of the day
will assign you quarters"
Hamlin, still clinging to the chair
with one hand, lifted the other in sa-
lutte.
General Sheridan" he said, striy.
ing to control his voice, General
Clusters last words to me were that
1 was to tell you who l am. I do not
know what he meant, but he said you
would have news for me-"
Indeed" In surprise. s%tiffening in
his chair.
Yes, sir-my name Is Hamlin."
"Hamlin! Hamlin!" the General
repeated tho word. 81 have no recol.
lection-why. yes. by Cad! You were
a Confederate colonel"
Fourth Texas Infantry"
That's it! l have 1t now; you
were court-martialed after the affair
at Fishers Hill, and dismissed from
the Observation-Disclosures 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 light of the sin
gle lamp Hamlin saw the short.
stocky figure of a soldier, bearded,
and Immediately clean. Even as the
fellows gloved hand came sharply up
to his cap visor. Sheridan snapped
out:
Orderly. see If you recognize this
man"
Erect, the very impersonation Of
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 II on a pivot, again bringing
his gloved hand up In salute.
"Eet a Colonel Hamlin, 1 tink ya,"
he said in strong German accent. II
know heem."
The Sergeant gripped his arm.
bringing his face about once more.
You are neutrality-suspicious.
Shultz!" he cried. What yer be-
came Of you? What Is 1t you knowf"
wait a minute. Hamlin." said
Sheridan quickly. rising to his feet.
Il can explain this much better than
that Dutchman- He can well
enough, but his tongue twists. 1t
seems Custer met you once in the