The citizen., 1913-11-07
AS.1 SOryNIofI I9l2 eY A.c.McLuRo Co

U.nvercoat, stepped forward and laid
on neHl on the table. Sheridan placed
one hand upon them. but did not re-.
w '.W,, MS gaze from Hamlin's face.
..,, Mhen did you leave?"
ne evening of the 9th, sir. was
S Sen' back with an Usage guide to
'iins you this report"
And the guide?"
he gave out on the Cimarron and
l came on alone"
Kettle?" ' me ''''''A n
we found his camp on the evening
Vi the 18th, and attacked at davbreal K
tne next morning. There were moro
Indians with him than we expectad r.
'lhu-between two and three thou.
SAND warriors from all the southern
trlDes. Their tepees were set IN for
ten miles along the Washita. We can.
lured Black Kettles village and do.
stroyed it; took his pony herd. and
released a number of white prisoners.
including some women and children
lhere was a sharp fight. and we lost
quite a few men: left too early to
learn how many"
And the command-is il in anv
danger?"
Il think not, sir. General Custer
was confident he could retire safely
Inc 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 Arapahoes. Kiowas
Comanches, and few Apaches Lit
tie Rock was in command after Black
Kettle was killed-that is of the Chev
ennes. Little Raven. and Santanta
led the others"
"a fiend, that last. But. Sergeant
you are exhausted I will talk with
you tomorrow. The officer of the day
will assign you quarters"
Hamlin. still clinging to the chail
with one hand, lifted the other in sa
Lutte
General Sheridan he said, striv
ing to control his voice, Genera
Clusters last words to me were tha
was to tell you who I am. do no
know what he meant, but he said yol
would have news for me-"
Indeed" in surprise. stiffening ii
his chair.
Yes, sir--my name is Hamlln"
"Hamlin! Hamlin!" the Genera
repeated the word. Il have no recol
lection-why, yes, by Cad, You were
a Confederate colonel"
Fourth Texas Infantry"
That's it! | have it now: you
we're 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 Hamln saw the short
stocky figure of a soldier. bearded
and Immediately clean. Even as thf
fellows gloved hand came sharply VI
to his cap visor, Sheridan snapped
out
Orderly, see if you recognize this
man"
Erect, the very impersonation oI
military discipline. the soldier crossec
the room, and stared into the unshav
en- face of the Sergeant. Suddenly
his eyes frightened. and he wheeled
about as il on a pivot, again bringing
his gloved hand up in salute.
"Eet vas Colonel Hamlin, tink ya.'
he said in strong German accent. y
know heem."
The Sergeant gripped his arm
bringing his face about once more.
''You are Shultz-Sergeant-MaJoi
Shultz!" he cried What ever De
came of you? What is it you know
"Wait a minute. Hamlin," said
Sheridan quickly. rising to his feet
81 can explain this much better tnau
that Dutchman. He means Wen
enough. but his tongue twists II
seems Custer met you once in tbs