DRAGOONS CHAPTER ELEVEN

Fort Verde, Arizona Territory. September 1st 1879.

"Come in Colonel." General Crook said. Rick walked in, came to attention and saluted. Rick said;

"General Crook, I received a message by officer courier from Colonel Cicerone in Mexico. Here it is, sir, He handed the paper to the general. I had Captain Reynolds get the courier something to eat, water and a beer."

"That's good, Colonel. Let him rest for an hour after he eats, then bring him to me."

"Yes sir." About an hour and a half later Rick took the Mexican officer to see the general.

While he was resting, his coat was sponged off and his boots cleaned. Rick and De LA Vega reported to General Crook.

"General Crook, May I present Teniente Primero Francisco De LA Vega of the 1st. regular Cavalry of Mexico."

"I am at your orders, General." De LA Vega's English was accented but flawless.

"At ease gentlemen, please be seated. I have read your colonel's note, Lieutenant. Have you seen these renegades?"

"Yes, General it is as the note says. They are all warriors, no women or children with them."

"When and where do you think they will cross the border?

"Not more than eight hours from now. They are not moving as fast as they wish to. Many of them are on foot. They couldn't steal as many horses as they wanted." Two more questions, Lieutenant. First, why did your colonel send the note to Colonel Rodgers rather than me, second will you ride with our forces?"

"Colonel Cicerone knows Colonel Rodgers well. They have cooperated many times. Yes, I will ride with Colonel Rodgers"

"Very well. Colonel issue your orders. The cavalry swill be riding as well. Both forces under your overall command. Draw one week's rations and one hundred rounds per man. Be ready to move out in two hours. How are you armed, lieutenant?"

"My saber, and a 51' Navy Colt, General."

"Issue the lieutenant a carbine and a revolver, Colonel, On my personal order."

"Yes sir."

"Dismissed, gentlemen."

The two officers went to Rick's headquarters He began issuing his orders. As they were being written out, he ordered the trumpeter to sound officer's call. A runner was sent to the cavalry headquarters. After the officers assembled it took Rick only a couple of minutes to lay out the situation. He said;

"I am not going to issue any fixed orders at this point. The situation is too fluid. Be alert for field orders. See to your commands, gentlemen. Dismissed." He said to the adjutant:

"I am going to my quarters to change into field uniform, get my gear and inform my wife. Have my orderly get my horse ready and draw rations and ammunition for me."

As Rick walked into quarters, Kate knew, instantly that something was wrong. He said;

"A large force of renegades is headed this way, out of Mexico. The regiment is going to engage them We have to move out in an hour and a half. I have to leave a company behind, to secure the fort. I'll leave C company."

Kate shook her head. "I love you for the thought, Darling, but you can't do that. Everyone on the post knows that Bobby is your son. They would assume that it was favoritism. That's bad for Bobby and your reputation. Bobby would never live it down. It would follow him to West Point. Go bathe. I will lay out your uniform and make us a quick lunch. It will have to be sandwiches a beans and cold potatoes."

Rick bathed quickly, in cold water. Then put on clean underwear and socks, before donning his uniform. Rick went into the dining room. Just as Kate was the plates on the table. The potatoes were left over from a roast and were nicely browned. A coffee pot was always hot. They enjoyed their quick lunch, then Rick got ready to leave.

He buckled on his gun belt, checked his revolvers, got his shotgun, and started to leave. Stopped and got a brand- new Model 1876 Winchester rifle that he'd ordered. It had arrived about a week before. It was chambered for the same round as the service rifles. It held 15 rounds as opposed to the issue single-shots. He took Kate in his arms.

"I'll be back in a week, or less. That's all the rations the general ordered. Never forget that I love you."

"How could I possibly ever forget that? I love you so much. Then she got a saucy grin on her face. When you get back, Ill prove, again, how much." They kissed, a deep passionate kiss, only quitting for a lack of oxygen."

It was only five minutes over the allotted two hours, when Rick ordered:

"Brigade, By column of fours, forward at the walk, march. Right wheel, march. The cavalry squadron commander and Lieutenant De LA Vega joined rick at the head of the column. The scouts had ridden out, ten minutes before. By dusk, they hadn't made contact. Rick halted the column and ordered camp. Just enough shielded fires to heat coffee. He knew that most Indians didn't like to fight at night, so they would probably camp too.

Rick was up, well before dawn quietly ordering the troops to be awakened. Once again, coffee was the only hot part of breakfast. The rest as hardtack and salt beef. At first light Rick ordered the troops mounted and checked that the Gatling guns were limbered up and ready to move. The scouts had moved out, half an hour ago. They had been on the trail for about an hour, when the chief of scouts came riding in.

"We've seen them, Colonel. They about ten miles out. They've stopped, for now. They wiped out a small ranch and they just finished with their torture. Nothing we could do. They're not in one big group. Looks like two, sir."

"I bet they think that I'm as stupid as Custer was. Well, I'm not. I'm not going to split my command and chase them. I'm going to get ahead of them. They need to travel fast, so they'll hold to low ground as much as possible. They'll need water, and in this area means the Verde or Oak Creek They'll hit pinch points here and here. We'll have the high ground along the edges of Oak Creek canyon. I doubt that they'll try to go around and enter the canyon Near Flagstaff.

For those of you who were with me at Canyon De Rosa, I intend to use a similar plan, I'll need volunteers. I want one troop to act as bait. Pretend to be a lone unit out on patrol. Let the hostiles see you, then ride like hell for the canyon.

Major Greer, assign one troop to stay in contact with the hostiles, observation, only. Major Greenlee, move the regiment to Oak Creek. Deploy on foot. I want the main body blocking the canyon. Major Greer, deploy on the flanks One Gatling gun with your men on each detachment. I am going forward to observe." He mounted and rode out, trailed by one troop of the 6th.

Concealed behind a large manzanita, Rick focused his field glasses. Either a lot of Indians had dropped out, or Colonel Cereno had been way off on his estimate. There were no more than five hundred in this group, which was a hell of a lot of Indians, for Apaches.

"Keep them in sight, Captain, but keep out of sight. Use your field glasses. The Apaches are some of the best fighting men in the world, but they are just men. They can't fight what they don't see. Do not skirmish with them. If you are sighted, high tail it out of there.

Rick turned his horse and rode back to his command. I took most of the day to reach Oak Creek canyon. Sentries were posted and the regiment moved about a mile into the canyon, to where the trail turned sharply and the men camped out of sight from the mouth of the canyon. Fires were lit and the men had a hot meal.

Just after first light, B troop the scouting troop rode in. Captain Carlson dismounted and reported to Rick.

"Sir, the hostiles are about three hours out. We brought four settler families in with us. They'll likely be burned out but at least they're alive."

"Very good, Captain. Major Greer, when we deploy, put half your men along that ridge on the right flank, the other half on the hill on the left. Dismount your men and get the horses into the canyon. Place Captain Carlson's company in reserve. Company E of the 19th will also be in reserve. Both reserve units will be mounted, as initial pursuit if the hostile break and flee. Major Greenlee, deploy the regiment across the main body of the canyon, making sure that the men have cover and as much concealment as possible. One Gatling gun on each flank. Company and troop commanders, make sure that your men get a hot breakfast. hot breakfast. You have one hour. Breakfast wasn't great, just coffee, bacon and hardtack fried in the bacon grease but at least it was hot and filling. With breakfast over, Major Greer called for volunteers for the "bait troop". Almost every hand in the squadron went up. It came down to the troop commanders to drawing lots. D troop won.

"Prepare to move your troop out, Captain Patterson, but no further out than two miles. The colonel wants to lure the hostiles in, but doesn't want to lose any men, doing it." Major Greer said. "Yes sir. Captain Patterson saluted. D troop, prepare to mount, Mount. Column of twos, forward at the walk, March.

Some of the soldiers found positions behind trees, fallen logs and boulders, Others dug trenches and piled rocks in front of them, Rick found a position where fallen trees landed on top of a triangular formation of rocks, Large enough to form a strong point.

"Get the women and children inside, plus ten men to defend the position, if necessary."

Rick took a seat on a large, flat rock, screened by a cottonwood. He checked the loads on both his revolvers and the Winchester. Chewed on a piece of jerky and waited.

One of the scouts rode up to Captain Patterson.

"Apaches, sir."

"Gregg, Halvorsen, Go with Cobb and let yourselves be seen then hightail it back this way."

The three men topped the ridge and saw the lead Apache's about a quarter=mile away. Two Indians saw them at the same time. Young and impetuous, they whooped and fired their carbines. Smoothbores, captured from Mexican cavalry, they were wildly inaccurate beyond 75 yards.

Acting surprised, the three turned and galloped back the way they came. The young ones whooped and charged after the cavalry, which led to the main body following them, in pursuit. Following the plan, the trumpeter sounded retreat Geronimo sensing that something was off, fell back to the middle. Most of the band were too eager to kill to be any kind of wary. Also, most were not familiar enough with firearms to realize that hitting anything from a moving horse, except at point blank range is highly unlikely. A lot of powder burned and bullets wasted. The fact that the troops stayed in a tight column should have alerted them that something was off.

The column passed through the lines, turned and halted. The two cavalry troops remained mounted. The Indians were at about two hundred yards when Rick stepped out from behind the tree and ordered:

"Commence firing! Reload and fire at will." He fired the first round from his rifle. All the riflemen and the Gatlings opened fire. The savages were met with a storm of lead. More than one hundred Indians were killed or mortally wounded in the first volley. Falling men and horses caused others to stumble or fall. Rick had snapped off four shots, three of his four going down. Two of them were wearing Mexican officer's jackets.

The Apache's, while courageous, fierce fighters, were not disciplined ones. They couldn't stand up to that kind of fire, or losses. Those that could, turned their horses and ran. Rick commanded; "A, B and C companies, pick individual targets and keep firing. F and G companies cease firing, mount and prepare to pursue." E company along with the two cavalry troops remained mounted. Following the pre-battle orders, the cavalry squadron mounted and formed up. Rick mounted." All companies cease fire. B and C, secure any prisoners and minor wounds. Finish the mortally wounded off. Remain here, in camp. A company, mount. Prepare to pursue. Forward at the lope4, march. Canter, march." Many of the savages scattered, the cavalry was close enough that they could use their carbines and revolvers effective. Often not hitting the Indiana, but hitting the horses. Most of the dismounted immediately surrendered. They were savage, not stupid.

Geronimo kept about ten of his followers with him and tried to escape. However, they had come a long way and their horses were tired. The rested army mounts soon ran them down. Geronimo and his men surrendered

Rick ordered recall. The trumpeter sounded it. The prisoners were disarmed and marched back to Oak Creek canyon, carrying their wounded. The dead, left where they lay. Back at the canyon, the wounded were treated, the firearms collected, bows, arrows and lances burned. The dead carried out into the desert and given rudimentary burials.

The troops had no killed, a few wounded and several injured in falls and the like.

Six days after leaving the post, the troops returned. Seeing the Indians under guard Kate knew better than to run to Rick. He immediately turned his horse over to one of his orderlies and re [ported to General Crook, Lieutenant De LA Vega accompanying him. After completing his verbal report, Rick said;

"Sir, I must say that Lieutenant De LA Vega's help contributed greatly to the success of our mission."

"Very well, Colonel I will write a letter of commendation to Colonel Cereno. Lieutenant De LA Vega, I am presenting you with the revolver and the carbine as tokens of my appreciation. Colonel, see that he gets one hundred rounds of each type."

"Muchas Gracias, Mi General."

"You're very welcome, Lieutenant. Safe journey. Dismissed, Gentlemen."

Rick went back to his headquarters. Colonel Waters was waiting for him.

Rick didn't even sit down. "Bill, as soon as the men have taken care of their horses and equipment, dismiss them to quarters. They've earned a special supper. Make sure that they get one. Post a full company to guard the Apaches. Rifles loaded and orders to shoot to kill at any disturbance. I am going to my quarters. Lieutenant, De LA Vega, would you care to join my lady and I for supper?"

"With great gratitude, Si, Mi Coronel."

Rick went to his quarters. He was barely able to set his gear down, when Kate through herself into his arms, kissing him, passionately. Coming up for air she said;

"You're home safe, my Darling. No wounds, no bruises, breaks or sprains?"

"No. sweetheart, I'm fine, just a little tired."

"Not too tired to make me happy?

"Never that tired."

"Good. Get out of that filthy uniform, the bath is waiting for you. And so am I. Impatiently."

She was impatient enough, that she didn't wait, quietly. She helped him bathe. After removing her clothes, of course. Then her husband made her very happy. That is, they made each other happy. Laughing, Rick said;

"After that, we're both going to have to bathe again. I've invited Lieutenant De LA Vega to dine with us. I hope that meets with your approval."

"Well, I really wanted you all to myself, this evening, but I suppose I can sacrifice two hours or so."

Lieutenant De LA Vega might be only a first lieutenant, but he came from a good, family and had been schooled in the social graces. He had his uniform cleaned as much as possible. Went to the sutler's store bought new underclothes, a white shirt and a bottle of wine. Bathed, shaved, with his hair and moustache oiled, he presented quite a dashing figure.

Arriving at the quarters, precisely on time, he presented the wine to Rick. "

"Welcome to our home, Lieutenant. May I present my Lady, Mrs. Katherine Rodgers. Katherine, may I present First Lieutenant Francisco De LA Vega, of the First Regular Cavalry of Mexico."

Kate offered her hand. "I am pleased to meet you lieutenant."

De LA Vega bowed and kissed Kate's hand.

"I am deeply honored to meet such a beautiful lady. Especially one who is wife to such a gallant officer." Kate blushed.

"If you gentlemen would excuse me, I must see that our supper is prepared."

De LA Vega bowed again.

"Would you care for a drink before dinner?"

"Si, Mi Coronel, that would be very pleasant."

"Wine, brandy or whisky, Lieutenant?"

"Whisky, please, Mi Coronel." Rick poured both of them a double shot of Scotch.

"To your health, Lieutenant."

"And to yours, Mi Coronel."

The maid came into the study. "Gentlemen, supper is ready." Kate was waiting, Rick took her arm, escorted her into the dining room and seated her."

"Will you please say the grace, Richard." He did. De LA Vega was surprised.

"You are Catholics, Mi Coronel?

"Yes, we are."

"Do you find that surprising Lieutenant?" Kate asked.

"Si, Senora, I was told that there is much prejudice against Catholics in the United States."

"There is not as much as there once was, but there still is, Unfair and unfounded. Especially

against Irish Catholics. My grandfather and grandmother were Irish. But it really doesn't matter my husband and I still go to mass as often as we can."

Rick laughed. "That's true but Father Bertram would say that I don't spend enough time in church."

De LA Vega laughed, also. Padre Manuel said that I was the worst altar boy in the parish."

The supper passed quickly, with much laughter. De LA Vega turned out to be both charming and a good conversationalist. His English was fluent as was Rick's Spanish.

"Muchas gracias, Mi Coronel, Dona Katerina, I have not enjoyed an evening. So much, in a very long time. Buenos noches."

De LA Vega left for Mexico, the next morning, with a corporal and four privates as an escort.

A week later, the wounded Apaches were well enough to travel to the reservation. Unarmed and on foot. Geronimo and his men were released on his promise to stay on the reservation. Of course, he lied. Two months later he escaped again and started his old habits.

Fort Verde, Arizona Territory, August 1st. 1880.

Two letters arrived at Fort Verde that week, a few days apart. When he received the first one, He called Both Bobby and Kate into his office. For the first time in years, he was able to show affection to his son. He said;

"At ease, Private Rodgers. Then he stood, grinned and walked around his desk. He put an arm around Bobby's shoulder. I've got good news for you Bobby. Your reappointment to West Point just came through. The bad news is that you're going to have to be on the train, tomorrow. So, you'll have to turn in your gear and pack. Tonight, your grandfather is taking your cadet uniforms to New York, for you. As soon as you're packed, come to the house for supper."

The next morning, Rick, Kate and bobby went to Prescot in a carriage with Private Groener driving. Kate was over emotional, as was to be expected. Rick hugged Bobby and said;

"You'll do it this time, son. You'll make your mother and I proud." Groener hugged Bobby. "I bet they turn you into another verdamdt Prussian and you'll forget old Groener"

"Never happen. When I get my first command, I'll drag you in."

General Crook called Rick and Waters into his office.

"Take seats, Gentlemen your wives will be here in a few minutes. Kate and Faith entered the office. I have received official letters from the war department today, although I've known that it was coming for a couple of weeks. General Sheridan will be here in two hours, Have the regiment assembled on the parade ground for a special ceremony.

Sheridan liked a little theater. When the regiment was assembled with Rick, Bill and their ladies on the reviewing there was Sheridan and Crook's personal flags on the stand, Confusingly, there was a second one stared red flag on the stand. Sheridan said; Attention to orders:

Having great faith in the abilities and loyalty of Colonel Richard Alexander Rodgers with the advice and consent of the senate, Colonel Rodgers is promoted Brigadier General, to rank from the first day of August, 1880. You're out of uniform, General. Sheridan gestured and a man brought out a frock coat with the double row of eight buttons set in pairs and one- star shoulder straps. He was handed a new hat with the embroidered wreathed U.S and golden hat cords.

We will pause the ceremony until the general changes into proper uniform. Since the platform was in front of headquarters it only took Rick minutes to change not only the coat, but the trousers as well. From the sky blue of the line to the dark blue of the staff. And adding a buff sash under his sword belt. As Rick stepped back onto the stand General Sheridan said;

"Now that you're in proper uniform, General Rodgers I think it only proper that you read the promotion orders for your officers. Actually, before we do that, we will read out your further orders. Brigadier General Richard A. Rodgers is hereby relieved of command of the 19th. United States Infantry Regiment and assigned to the General Staff Corps, Washington DC You are to report not later than September 1st. 1880. Subject officer is authorized transport of household goods at government expense.

Still somewhat shocked, Rick looked at the papers and insignias handed to him. Waters was promoted Colonel, regimental commander. Greenlee to lieutenant colonel, executive officer. Other promotions filtered on down. Esposito got the sergeant major's slot as Devlin was going with Rick, retaining his sergeant major's rank as senior staff NCO on Rick's staff.

The promotion party, did get a little wild that night. Rick was a popular officer and his men didn't want to see him go, but at the same time they were proud of him. Packing and moving cross country is never easy but within the month, it was done.

They were assigned temporary quarters at Fort Monroe.

Delighted to find that they were quartered at Fort Monroe, Kate asked Rick to have his card sent to Colonel O'Leary to arrange a visit. Less than an hour after the card was sent, a note arrived from the Colonel O'Leary, inviting them for dinner, the next day.

As soon as they were through the front door, all protocol flew out the window. Annabelle embraced Kate like a long- lost sister, the men, shaking hands and slapping each other on the back. "Those stars surely look good on your shoulders, Rick. Well earned, and long overdue."

"Thank you, Dennis and I hear that your Eagles are on the way."

"Yes, I've been alerted that it my orders are due in next week."

"You're in the adjutant general corps, any idea of my assignment?"

"No, apparently it's being held close."

"Oh well, I report in on Monday. I'll know for sure then.

"Well then, let the ladies chat and we'll have a drink. I don't have any of that medicine you prefer, but I do have a good bourbon."

"As long as it's good whiskey I'll drink it."

O'Leary laughed. "So will I." He poured "three fingers" of whiskey into each glass.

"Here's to your new assignment, whatever that may be." They touched glasses and drank.

After a thoroughly enjoyable dinner, spent laughing and catching up, Annabelle said;

"Dear Kate, I am so thankful to you. My husband has missed his old friend so. You brought him back. I do have a favor to ask. Will please go to church with us tomorrow? There are so few of us among the officers here."

Kite looked at Rick. "Richard, I want to go. Will you?"

"Of course, I will."

The War Department, Washington DC September 1st. 1880

Rick sat in a chair across from the desk the assistant adjutant general.

"Welcome to Washington General Rodgers. You have arrived, unfortunately, before this damnable weather has cooled off. Let's get right to business. You are temporarily assigned here, on the general staff. Your further assignment is still under discussion. I am not at liberty to divulge it at this time, but I believe that you will find it both interesting and advantageous to your career. He paused, then he handed Rick an envelope. You do recall Vicomte Villiers I presume.

""Yes Sir."

He is in Washington and is holding a grand ball in two weeks from Saturday. That is your invitation. He has said that he especially wants you and your lady to attend. Refusal is not an option."

"We will be there, sir."

"Very well, General. You are dismissed."

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