Letters During the War
Chapter 10
(Author's note: After the excitement of the last chapter, we need some time for Buck and Maggie to get their lives organized. Once they get to Wyoming Territory they should start getting mail from the rest of the gang again. I really appreciate all the kind comments I've received.)
Maggie
enroute to Fort Kearny
I won the coin toss, so Buck will have to wait to write. We finally were far enough away to stop for the night. The feeling of being watched was gone. We gave Mr. Banks and Miss Ellis some time alone. We needed to talk as well.
And we did talk, eventually. I will admit that some kissing happened first. "Maggie " Buck began, "I'm really glad I got there in time. I'm not sure what would have happened to you."
"I'm really glad you came too. If you hadn't shown up I would have had to force the other two to start walking with me. With only what they could carry-including food and water. That would not have been fun."
"I can see how that would have been trying." Then Buck got real quiet. "What do you want to do next?"
I didn't have to think very long about my answer. "Buck, a very wise woman said something long ago. She said what my heart is saying. 'Wherever you go, I will go. Your people shall be my people.'" I didn't get to finish the quote because we were kissing again.
Late the next day we reached an army post. There were a lot of refugees from the Dakota attacks there. We didn't even see the post commander, we gave our report to his assistant. We were close enough to civilization that they had telegraph lines. All of us had telegraphs to send. My first one was to my family. "Buck rescued us. Enroute home. Planning a wedding. love, Maggie." I also sent a request that my mail be forwarded, first to Rock Creek, then to Wyoming Territory.
Mr. Banks sent one to his family, than we worked on the one to send to the Quaker School headquarters. We ended up with, "Regretfully, Headmaster killed in Indian attack. Forced to evacuate. Will send details soon. Mr. Banks."
Over dinner the four of us talked about our plans. The two of them had indeed come to an understanding. Mr. Banks would escort Miss Ellis home, where he hoped to have a successful discussion with her father. Following that, he would travel to the school headquarters where he would make a final report for us. I promised to send my letter of resignation.
As for Buck and I, first we have to go to Fort Kearney. We're keeping the wagon, but we do have another horse to make it all the way to the ranch. We should be able to buy another. And then on to Rock Creek where I want a quiet wedding very soon. And then we head west!
Buck
traveling to Rock Creek
The commander at Fort Kearney was very glad to get our report as to what had happened at the school and elsewhere. Maggie's report was a bit of balance for him. He said that, in his opinion, Indians didn't do anything violent without a cause. The government corruption regarding the supplies was a old story. He told us that he had already sent the rest of the horses on, so we might as well keep the one we had borrowed. We could make it up next time. That was a bit of good news for us.
But to back up a bit, the trip to Fort Kearney took several days. The first night I slept under the wagon and Maggie was in the wagon. The second day Maggie surprised me by telling me that she was tired of us acting "properly" according to white ways. She wanted to be married to me and she didn't want to wait for a white piece of paper. Just as long as I promised to give her father the horses.
I was surprised, but I had no objections. We had waited long enough. We stopped a little early that first night, but we wanted the right place. Secluded, close to water and hopefully, trees, and a view of the sky. Once we stopped I took care of the horses and set up our, now joint, bedding. Maggie cooked a simple meal. We didn't talk much while we ate. Just enjoying the beauty of the moment.
Eventually our little fire died down. While Maggie did the last of the evening chores, I checked our perimeter, like I did every night. Then we retired to our first bed as a couple. It felt so very good to hold her in my arms. But we did not stop there. She truly became my wife. As they say, we have become one.
It was amazing to wake up next to my beloved. Even in sleep she is beautiful. It was not easy to get up that morning, but I promised myself that we would have many more nights together.
Once we reached Fort Kearney it was back to separate sleeping arrangements, but that was just overnight. Then a few more days and we will be back in Rock Creek.
Maggie
Rock Creek
What a whirlwind! We arrived back in Rock Creek 4 days ago and I feel like my feet haven't hit the ground yet! Buck was going to stay at the hotel, which was going to cost us money, but William Tompkins, the general store owner gave him a room, to our amazement. Tompkins said that as badly as he had treated Buck, he owed it to him.
My family was happy to see me. Very happy, in fact. Father knew about the Indian troubles, as he called it, and so was more than happy to finance a wedding for me, as long as it meant I wasn't teaching in such a dangerous place again. My mother was happy that her eldest was safe, and was getting married. She wasn't so happy about my moving to Wyoming Territory. She asked me several times if I wouldn't rather stay locally?
Somehow I did get my mother redirected and my wedding is set to happen tomorrow. It will be small, just people from church and folks we both know. The people we really want to be there can't be. My sister will be my maid of honor. My father has agreed, once he walks me down the aisle, to stand up for Buck. Buck feels very honored that my father will do so.
Buck has ordered the supplies the ranch needs. With any luck, the day after the wedding, after a family breakfast, we can leave. But for now I have a few minutes free, so I am writing letters.
September 1862
Rock Creek, Nebraska
To Cody, Jimmie, Kid, Lou, Rachel, and Teaspoon,
Buck is busy getting our stuff together, so I told him I would get this letter written for us. The good news: the two of us are now in Rock Creek. The better news: we are getting married tomorrow! If we could have our way, all of you would be here with us. But since neither of us are inclined to wait, you will be there in our hearts.
I don't know if all of you heard about it, but there was an Indian uprising on the reservation I was teaching at. It was bad. The headmaster at our school was killed, but we managed (with the help of our students who intervened) to arrange a reasonable transfer of the schools food and such to the local Indians. And to arrange the saving of our own lives. Buck managed to show up at the exact right moment with horses to help us escape. If it hadn't been so terrifying and nerve wracking, it would have made a good story for one of those dime novels. Except the cause of the uprising was the greed and hatred of the whites who were supposed to be helping them.
We plan to leave for our ranch in Wyoming territory very soon. Please write to us there!
much love from,
Buck and Maggie
September 1862
Pennsylvania Quaker Indian Mission
Supervisor
Dear Sir,
I apologize for the delay in sending this. This letter is my official resignation from your organization. I appreciate your hiring me and I am very grateful for the chance I had to teach under your leadership.
The tragedy of what happened on the Upper Minnesota River reservation is not the main reason why I am leaving your employ. As you may have known, I am engaged to Mr. R. Buck Cross. He went west to start a horse ranch. He was at Fort Kearney when the news of the uprising reached there and immediately came north to find us. His arrival probably saved my life and the lives of the other two teacher still there.
Mr. Cross made it very clear to me that he does not want me to work apart from him any longer. And I find that I very much want to be the wife of a horse rancher out in Wyoming Territory.
Once again, I thank you for the opportunity to teach for your organization. Mr. Banks told me that he was going to make a report in person once he made sure that Miss Ellis was safely escorted home. Please let me know, at the address below, if there is any more information that you need about the tragedy.
sincerely yours,
Margaret Ray