War 1812 (16 page)

“Did he take the ah… scalp off?” Moses asked.

“No, said to leave it there where it belongs.”

“Is the same bandage still on?”

“No,” Gesslin chuckled. “They handed a bottle of brandy to Coot, who drank it down. He’d already had a nip from somebody’s jug. Soon he was snoring away. The sawbones took the opportunity to put on a clean bandage while he slept. Now he looks like he’s got a toothache or something. He’ll have a headache come tomorrow, I’m betting.”

“Of that I’m certain,” Jonah said, causing those around him to chuckle.

The rest of the trip was uneventful. They passed more deserted homes and one more deserted Indian village.

“Once the British pulled out, the red devils didn’t have anyone to protect them so they lit out as well,” Lieutenant Colonel James Johnson theorized. “They’ll pay for their hellish ways, though, of that I’m certain.”

The weather was clear for the rest of the journey, but now that it was early October, the mornings and evenings had a definite chill that seemed to last longer each day. Jonah despaired more and more over bringing the British to battle before the winter came. As the cold set in, the mood of the men changed. What once made them laugh now made them snarl and curse. They were all bone tired and saddle sore when they came to the River Rouge. Here, Johnson’s men made camp and waited for Harrison’s messenger. A full day’s rest was a balm for the men.

The next morning, a Captain Sympson arrived with the news that General Harrison’s forces were about five miles up the Detroit River at Sandwich. After a hearty breakfast the regiment saddled up and moved out to rendezvous with the general.

Riding into General Harrison’s camp was much different than on previous occasions. The mood in the camp was very somber. There was none of the good-natured jabs thrown at the mounted rifles by the infantry. There was also no hooting and hollering that usually existed at this time of day when the army was in camp.

Moses edged his horse up next to Jonah and half-whispered, “Something is going on… something serious.”

“Do you think it’s the knowledge we’ll soon come to battle with the British?” Jonah asked, knowing Moses had a feeling for such matters.

“No… I don’t think that’s it. Most of these boys would be hunting liquid courage and bragging about how many Redcoats and red devils they planned to plant.”

Recognizing a recent acquaintance, Jonah and Moses rode over to where Captain James Hampton stood under a huge old walnut tree.

“Jonah,” the captain spoke, touching his hat in greeting. “You and Moses made it through with your scalps, I see. I did hear you had a mite of trouble.”

Now, how in the hell did he know that,
Jonah wondered.

“Wasn’t much trouble,” Moses commented. “Not so much as to create notice.”

Hearing this, Captain Hampton raised his eyebrow as if to say, that’s not what I heard.

Jonah, then using Hampton’s first name, asked, “What is going on, James? It seems we’ve ridden into a sullen camp.”

“Firing squad will make things that way.”

“Was somebody shot?” Jonah inquired, not sure he’d heard Hampton correctly.

“Not yet,” the captain replied. “But will be in the morning at first light.”

“What for? What was his offense?” Jonah muttered.

“Desertion, third time in fact.”

“Damn,” Jonah swore. “That’s not good with a battle looming in the near future.”

“Well, it sends a message,” Hampton countered. “Ain’t nobody in this army that didn’t sign up on his own free will. But once you sign, you’re bound by the regulations. Sides, he was told after his second time what would happen if he ran again. Brought it on himself, I reckon.”

Jonah looked at Moses, who just shook his head and whispered, “May the Lord be with him.”

As the two started off, Hampton called after them. “Rider came in today. There’s mail and dispatches at the general’s headquarters.” He then gave directions to where the headquarters had been set up. Thanking Hampton again, Jonah and Moses rode away.

“Hopefully, we will find that headquarters has a place assigned for us,” Jonah said, still feeling low over the news from Hampton.

Thunder rolled in the east and gray clouds were building. A corporal was in front of the general’s headquarters when Jonah and Moses rode up.

“There’s a small barn out back where your horses will be safe,” the corporal volunteered. He’d been around the general’s staff enough to know Jonah was the president’s man and was to be offered every courtesy.

Thanking the corporal, the men kicked the mud and dirt off their boots and made their way to the front door of a large comfortable-looking house. A bright crack of lightning followed by a loud boom made Moses jump.

“That was close,” he swore. “Made my hair stand up.”

Jonah couldn’t help but smile at Moses’ discomfort. Then the rain began to pour… a heavy downpour.

“Might rain out the firing squad,” Jonah commented.

Shaking his head, Moses replied, “No. We’ll have a let-up tomorrow morning for a while, and then I expect it’ll be with us a few days.”

“I hope not,” Jonah replied.

“Wanna bet on it?” Moses smirked.

Jonah’s reply was just a stare.

Chapter Eighteen

C
aptain Charles Todd, General
Harrison’s aide, met Jonah and Moses as they entered the headquarters. “Mr. Lee, Moses. It is good to see you.”

“Captain,” Jonah and Moses replied in greeting.

“The general is talking with Governor Shelby, Commodore Perry, General Cass, and General Clay. They are expecting Colonel Johnson at any time. Mr. Lee, General Harrison has left word that you are welcome to join them, sir.”

Humm!
Jonah thought for a second, and then asked, “Is this a social gathering, Captain, or are they meeting to discuss battle plans to engage the British?”

“I wouldn’t know for certain, sir,” Todd replied, then looked about to see if anyone was watching or within hearing distance. Seeing no one, Todd leaned forward and spoke; his voice barely above a whisper. “With the amount of food and strong spirits that has been ordered, sir, I can hardly see any battle plans being set in place. Might be hard enough to reset a cork.”

This brought a smile from both Jonah and Moses. “I’ll think on it, Captain. Moses and I need to find quarters first and Captain Hampton informed me there was mail and dispatches waiting.”

“Yes sir, they are.” Then, leaning toward Jonah, Todd lowered his voice again, “It appears there are letters from Washington, sir. From both the secretary of war and the president.” A smile crept across Todd’s face as he continued, “The general was about to bust a gut with curiosity when he learned about the letters.”

“Learned from whom, Captain?” Jonah asked, with firmness in his voice.

“I dunno, Mr. Lee. That’s the God’s honest truth. Whoever told him had left when I came in.”

Jonah softened a bit, seeing how nervous his question had made Todd. “Well, Captain, if you will be so kind, would you go fetch my mail? Moses and I still have to find quarters and this rain doesn’t appear to be letting up.”

“Yes sir. Oh, Mr. Lee, behind the main house is a small building that was used by the servants when Colonel Baby occupied this… ah, dwelling.”

“I see. We’ll look at it. Now for my mail.”

“Yes sir.”

When Todd returned with a courier pouch with the Presidential Seal emblazoned on it, Jonah couldn’t help but muse.
No wonder Harrison was about to bust a gut.
Todd handed him several other letters as well. One of which he recognized right off as being from his mother.

Handing the mail to Jonah, Todd led him and Moses down a hall and out a rear door onto a covered back porch. The rain was still pouring down; the water gushing off the roof like Niagara Falls. The backyard was already like a lake.

“Wet shoes for sure,” Moses muttered. “Not that it’ll matter, as we’ll likely drown getting to the little cottage.”

Todd bid the two a good afternoon but stopped when Jonah laid his hand on his shoulder.

“Am I to understand, Captain, the place is ready to be used? Beds, blankets, candles, a stove or fireplace, and wood?”

“Well, sir, I was told it was.”

Gazing at the sky and pouring rain, Jonah said, “I’ll not be happy if I get soaked running to yonder quarters and find it to be in need.”

Swallowing hard, the captain said, “I’ll be right back, sir.”

When he returned, he had his slicker on, and a rolled up blanket. A candle could be seen protruding from one end of the blanket. As Todd dashed off the porch, Moses turned to go back inside.

“Where are you going?” Jonah inquired.

“We passed a kitchen. I’m going to see what is to be had. No use going out again in this, unless we have to.” Moses returned with a heavy sack that clinked.

“I see you’ve found beverage as well.”

“Man should not eat bread alone,” Moses replied.

Out in the cabin, a dim light was visible through one of the windows. The door opened spilling more light into the yard. Todd, with his cloak up over his head, paused in the doorway momentarily. Seeing no let up in the downpour, he gathered up his nerve and made a dash for the back porch where Jonah and Moses stood. As Todd neared the porch, a cat that had been under the porch floor must have smelled the food in Moses’ sack. The cat meowed and jumped to the steps just as Todd’s boot hit the bottom plank. Frightened, the cat let out a startled screech. The screech caused Todd to try to stop but his boot slid on the wet step causing him to fall backwards. With nothing to grab on to he landed with a splat. The deluge off the roof poured on to the prostrate man’s midsection.

“Damn that cat,” he sputtered as Jonah rushed to his aid.

“Are you all right, Captain?”

Slowly, Todd rose up. “Right enough to kill that cat, Mr. Lee.”

Looking toward the porch the cat could not be seen. “Jumped off the porch,” Moses volunteered.

Helping Todd back on the porch, Jonah pulled at his soggy clothing.

“I’m sorry you got wet, sir,” Todd apologized, still looking the worse from his spill. “If you have no further need of me, I will go change my uniform.” Pools of water were gathering at the captain’s feet from the soaked uniform.