The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-02-06
,oe1e0T is,e ~ A.c.rrclueo & ca

from the stirrups, and ran forward,
calling to the guard. They met him,
n he stood straight before them, CIV
cry nerve taut-a soldier.
I bring dispatches from Custer
ne said slowly. holding himself firm.
Take me to General Sheridan"
The corporal walked beside him,
down the trampled road, questioning
eagerly as they passed the line OF
shacks toward the double log house
where the commander was quartered.
Hamlin heard, and answered briefly,
yet was conscious only Of an effort to
retain his strength. Once within, he
saw only the short, sturdy figure sit
ting behind q table, the shaggy gray
beard. the stern, questioning eyes
which surveyed him. He stood there
straight, motionless, his uniform pow.
dered with snow, his teeth clinched
SO as not to betray weakness, his
lace r%oughened by exposure, grimy
with dirt, and disfigured by a weeks
growth Of beard. Sheridan stared at
him. shading his eyes from the glow
vi tAC ldmD.
you are from Custer?"
Yes, sir"
he drew the papers rrom within his
overcoat, stepped forward aud laid
them on the table. Sheridan placed
one hand upon them, but did not re-
move his gaze from Hamlin's face.
When did you leave1"
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 26th, and attacked at day break
the next morning. There were more
Indians with him than we expected tc
nnd-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 q few men; I left too early to
learn how many"
And the commands it in n
dAnger?"
Il think not, sir. General Custer
wna confident No co,,ld .o%,-. oe,.
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
q 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 a few Apaches. Lit
tie Rock was in command after Black
Kettle was killed-that. Is OF the Chey.
ennes. Little Raven. and Santanta
Ted the others"
"A flend, 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 n 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
I was to tell you who l am. do not
know what he meant. but he said you
would have news for me-"
indeed" In surprise, stinening in
his chair.
Eyes. sir-my name IL Hamlin."
"Hamlin! Hamlin!" the General
repeated the word. Il have no recol.
lection-why. yes. by Cad! You were
. Confederate colonel"
Fourth Texas Infantry"
That's It! I have Il now: ron
were court-martialed after the affair
at Fishers Hill, and dismissed from
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF orders.
OF something like that. Wait q 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