The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-03-22

even then outnumbered four to one as they
were. those stubborn Engllshmen not only held
their own, but after two hours fighting forced
the 1000 Americans to retreat with loss of ID
killed. 129 wounded and IS missing, as compared
to the British loss OF II killed, 40 wounded and
four missing.
In thus Indicating that the Battle OF La Collie
Mill was an ignominious defeat for the Ameri-
can arms let 1t not be supposed that our SOL
diers were less brave than the British. Through
out the battle both officers and men displayed
a gallantry and desperate valor worthy Of the
best traditions of the American fighting man.
But again 1t was case of a laundering COM
mander whose incompetence set at nought their
heroic efforts. He was Gen. James Wilkinson,
who allowed himself to be "outsmarted" by the
commander of the enemy and was the victim Of
a stratagem as old as the history OF warfare
In the midst of the assault on the stone mill,
which gave the battle Its name, there came from
the woods nearby the sound of bugle BY some
strange process OF reasoning the American COM
mander decided that he was about to be cut of
by superior force of the enemy and he Inn
medately ordered a retreat. SO one blast OF a
bugle the clever stratagem Of quick-witted
British officer. turned what might easily have
been an American victory into disgraceful de-
feat-disgraceful not to the American troops
but to their leader.
Losing, In bis gosspy. rambling Pictorial
Field Book OF the War of 1872" devotes two
pages to this engagement and ends his account
thus: with the dIscredtabe affair at La Collie
Mill, the military career of General Wilkinson
was closed" And In that sentence lies the I'M
portance Of what later historian has called
4the insignificant little battle at La Cole MIL"
For, no matter how insignificant 1t may have
been as a military engagement, the fact that 1t
wrote aFinis" to the opportunity for mischief
making by one OF the most amazing characters
In American history makes 1T an outstanding
event In the annals of our nation
OF this man John Randolph OF Roanoke, who
hated him and who. incidentally, was one OF the
best haters OF all time. once said wilkinson Is
the most finished scoundre that ever lived;
ream OF paper would not contain the proofs"
Even though the waspish Randolph didn't believe
that the proof could be contained In ream of
paper a modern blographer has proved that 1t
can be done pretty well In 30O-page book and,
taking Randolph's Characterization for his title,
he proceeds to do It, He Is Royal Ornan Shreve
and the book is 1.-The Finished Scoundrel." pub
lshed recently by the Bobbs Merrill company.
Indicative Of what the book contains is the
subtitle: General James Wilkinson. sometime
Commandern-C Chief of the Army OF the United
States. who made intrigue a trade and treason
profession" and In the first chapter you Meet
General Wilkinson" and there begin reading +'the
story OF an amazing career. of one Of the most
weird and impossible characters that ever strut
ted his little hour on the stage OF nation; OF
man who was without doubt the most clever and
persistent II not the most dangerous. of that
small company for whom history reserves the In