Chapter 21: War and Peace

It was only three days before the Major returned with an entire Battalion and both an artillery battery of four cannons and three of the new gatling guns to protect the cannons. I asked why the Major was in charge and why a Colonel or General had not been sent. COL McBride said it was probably one of two reasons. The first and most likely reason was the Major had someone with clout ensuring he be given this opportunity to earn a promotion. The second was to insult him by sending a lower ranking officer to accept his surrender.

The Battalion had 150 soldiers; the Major and a First Sergeant in command of three companies which had 32 soldiers in each. A Captain, Platoon Sergeant, two Lieutenant, two Sergeants, two Corporals, and 24 soldiers in each company.

The artillery battery consisted of a lieutenant, sergeant, four corporals, 12 soldiers: a corporal and three soldiers per cannon 18 total.

The gatling gun crew consisted of a lieutenant, sergeant, three corporals, and six soldiers: a corporal and two soldiers per gun 11 total.

All seven guns were pulled by a wagon that was pulled by six mules. These carried equipment and a small amount of ammunition. Each cannon also had an ammunition wagon pulled by four mules.

The medical staff numbered 16 and cook staff numbered 12. They were not with the main force; they had set up several miles behind the Battalion.

We had seen them coming a long way off and had enough time to set up a special welcome.

COL, LTC, CSM, and I all agreed as to where the Major would set up his artillery and the gatling guns. We would feign attacks from both flanks at the same time, only to turn and retreat before being engaged by the soldiers. This hopefully would distract all of them enough for our little surprise to successfully borrow all four cannons and the gatling guns.

The plan was to attack before the artillery and gatling guns were unhitched from their wagons, once arriving at the location they were to set up at. We had Indians hidden and waiting for the signal to spring the surprise. It almost worked perfectly, the only reason I say it did not work perfectly was seven of our Indians were wounded, two were serious wounds, but all would survive.

One of the gatling guns flipped breaking a wheel off and was seriously damaged so it was abandoned. All seven wagons were successfully borrowed and brought to our camp. There were several soldiers that were killed trying to borrow them back unsuccessfully.

Our three cannons and gatling guns stopped the attempt to get their cannons and gatling guns back. Once our group had passed a predetermined spot our cannons and the gatling guns were able to fire very effectively. This also put a fast stop to the company’s charge. Once they realized we had cannons and gatling guns they knew they would be cut to ribbons.

This did not stop the stupid Major from giving the order to charge! Shouting even louder to attack!

I had finally had enough of this stupid Major and pulled up my large Sharps 45-100, I had managed to attach a simple 6X32 scope that was more than enough magnification for this rifle. Sighting in on the Major I fired aiming at the center of his chest. It was impressive to watch as he literally did a complete 360 flipping out of his saddle backwards, because his boots caught in the stirrups his feet pulled out of them leaving him barefoot as his legs rotated up and back over his head. The force of the bullet made his arms move forward causing him to clap his hands together. His head hit the back end of his horse as his legs continued moving further backward and downward as gravity pulled his body toward the ground. The momentum continued turning him to the point that he landed on his ass with his legs still trying to rotate around once again. This caused him to fall forcefully onto his back and his feet kicked the ground above his head as his arms flew away from his body to lay outstretched to his sides. He stopped moving in this position which made me laugh as his ass was pointing skyward.

All of the soldiers had stopped right were they were as they all witnessed this crazy flip the Major was making as he died.

At this point the First Sergeant called to the Captains to regroup well to the rear out of range of our cannons.

They had a short conference and then the First Sergeant and one Captain rode toward us waving a white flag of truce.

I would not let White Eagle ride to meet them saying that I did not trust them.

My wives turned this statement against me and did not allow me to ride out either.

Golden Hawk and White Hawk decided to send Wilma to act as a translator and have her make a big deal introducing all the different representative of the different tribes.

The First Sergeant and Captain both became very concerned when they counted the dozen Indians that were riding out to meet them.

Wilma introduced herself saying that she was the proud wife of Two Names and was there to translate for them. She did a perfect job of stressing the name of the tribe each individual was representing.

Big River of the Comanche,

Red Shirt of the Sioux,

Bear Claw of the Pawnee,

Eagle Eye of the Chippewa,

White Horse of the Cheyenne,

Big Moose of the (Northern)Blackfeet,

Fire Bird of the (Western)Blackfeet,

Black Bear of the Arapaho,

Ahiga of the Apache,

Otter of the Cherokee,

and White Wolf of the Kiowa.

This was to show every tribe in our group. At the same time, it would not give away how many we actually numbered. I was hoping that this would work in our favor but did consider that it might make things worse if they considered us to be a serious threat.

The Captain was quick to ask why Wilma was still with the Indians and had not fled or escaped.

It took a moment for Wilma to stop laughing and regain her composure then apologized for laughing but stated again that she was one of my wives and that I was a very powerful warrior and wise shaman among all the tribes.

Then she asked what they wanted to talk about since they initiated the flag of truce.

The Captain quickly answered that they were there under orders from the government to secure all the firearms and gather the traitors to be taken back to stand trial.

Wilma shook her head but before she could answer the First Sergeant spoke up saying that the captain was telling the truth, but he understood the fact that we were not going to give up any weapons, even more obvious the soldiers were not going to surrender to them, and if we continue to press the issue most likely will be killed to the last man.

The captain started to yell at the first sergeant but Wilma interrupted him saying the instructions she had been given were for all the soldiers to leave everything except for a pistol, canteen, saddle, horse and their clothes including their boots and ride away as soon as possible. Otherwise, and she paused to let them both clearly understand what she was about to say.

You are very correct first sergeant, we will kill every man who holds a weapon.

The captain snapped out loudly that this was ridiculous, absurd, crazy and they would not even consider it. The first sergeant backhanded the captain telling him to shut up. They rode back to the rest of the men and let them know what the choices were and allowed the men to make their decision to follow the Major and most likely die or leave with the first sergeant.