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Page 9
Without the whole of these buildings stood a strong
stockade, about twelve feet high, loop-holed for musquetry,
with a bastion at each angle, facing the four principal
points of the compass, on each of which was placed a
small gun, that the men had been trained to work. The
entrance to the fort was from the westward, and in the
direction of the agency house, which two of these bastions
immediately flanked.
The guard consisted of a non-commissioned officer and
nine men--three sentries being furnished for the necessary
duties--one for the stores already described--another
for the commanding officer's quarters--the mess-room and
the surgery, and the third for the, southern bastion,
upon which floated the glorious stars and stripes of the
Union. A fourth sentry at the gate had been dispensed
with, in consequence of the proximity to it of the
guard-house. This, was a small building immediately in
front of the hospital, which, with the gate, came
particularly under the surveillance of the non-commissioned
officer of the guard.
With the character for strict attention to discipline,
which has been ascribed to Captain Headley, it will be
easily understood that every man on duty was expected to
be as correct in the execution of its details, as though
he had been at the Head Quarters of his regiment, or at
the Seat of Government itself. The utmost regard to dress,
and to the efficiency of arms was moreover enjoined, and
so far did their commander feel indisposed to trust the
inspection of them to the non-commissioned officer of
the guard, that, although there were in the Fort, but
two regimental officers besides himself, he had, from
the moment of assuming the command, required them
alternately to perform the necessary duties; superintending
the relief of guards, and parading all men off duty and
out of hospital, in full dress, at least once in the
twenty-four hours.
At the outset, this had been a source of much discontent
with the men, who conceiving that, in that remote region,
the rigor of the service might be dispensed with, almost
openly expressed their desire that there might be sent
to command them, some officer less severe in his exactions.
This had been reported to Captain Headley by his senior
subaltern, from whose manner, while communicating the
information, it was apparent that he did not wholly
disapprove of a remonstrance against measures which
involved the sacrifice of his own comfort. His superior
was not slow to remark this, he, however, quietly observed
that he was not, at his years, and in his responsible
position, to be told the duty required to be performed
by the troops under his command; and that, if he perceived
any symptoms of insubordination, he would take the proper
means to suppress it. The lieutenant made no reply, but
bit his lip, and withdrew. This was the first manifestation
of any thing approaching to disunion, between these two
officers.
Lieutenant Elmsley, although by no means a negligent
officer, was no disciplinarian. He could not but look
upon formal guard mountings and parades, in that isolated
quarter, as unnecessary--serving only to create discontent
amongst the men, and to induce them--the unmarried
especially--to desert, whenever an opportunity presented
itself; while, bringing the subject more immediately home
to himself, he deemed it to be a needlessly severe tax
upon the only two subalterns of the garrison. This, he
thought might, situated as they were, have been dispensed
with, without the slightest inconvenience to the service;
and the duty left to the superintendence of the non-
commissioned part of the force. Hence his annoyance with
his superior.
But Captain Headley was of a different opinion. He thought
that the very remoteness of his post, rendered it the
more necessary that no appearance of carelessness should
be remarked by the tribes of Indians, who were in the
vicinity, and who, however amicable their relations THEN
with the United States, might later, from caprice or
events yet unforeseen, take advantage of the slightest
negligence, to attempt the destruction of all.
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