THE BORDER EAGLES

by Swordwriter

Richard Rodgers is a Regular Army officer serving with the U.S. Mounted Rifles, during the war with Mexico. Kate Beckett-de Duarte is an Irish-Mexican widow. They meet in Mexico city during the American occupation. Rick saves Kate and Lanie from attempted robbery and rape. They fall in love but must overcome many obstacles from her family and society. Set mostly in Mexico and early

15. Chapter 15

THE BORDER EAGLES

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE CALIFORNIANS PART THREE

Author's Note: As I've stated before, this is an AU so while it follows the general historical events some fictious events occur that did not in our universe.

New York City, 15, June 1851.

Due to events happening in the valley in general and with ranch business the trip back east was delayed by several months. Rick, Kate, Leona and the children had finally made it to New York. Kate was amazed at the size and complexity of the city and the twins were simply thrilled by all the new sights. They had just turned five, as precocious as ever. Rick claimed that they were five, going on eight with the curiosity of a bag full of cats, James was now a year and a half old, walking, talking and into everything. As precocious as his half- sisters. The twins adored their brother and often quarreled about who got to take care of him.

As soon as they arrived at the house Duncan, and Martha took charge of the children taking them to the parlor where milk and cookies were waiting for them. Rick watched them and laughed.

"Do you think we'll ever get our children back?"

Kate laughed with him.

"Only after they've had a chance to spoil them"

Jessica and her husband arrived two days later, Lieutenant Marten on leave from Fortress Monroe. Rick hadn't seen his sister in five years. She had grown into a lovely young woman with a husband of her own. Lieutenant Marten was a rather intense young man of medium height, slender with dark curly hair and large brown eyes behind wire-frame glasses., in an impeccable uniform.

Jessica ran into her brother's arms.

"Oh Rick, it's so good to see you. It's been so long." She kissed his cheek and indulged in a long hug, then stepped away and said;

"Rick, this is my husband, Calvin. Calvin, my brother, Richard."

The two men shook hands. Rick said;

"Calvin, Jessica, I'd like to present my wife, Katherine, our daughters, Beatrice and Elisa and our son, James. James was being held by Martha.

Kate embraced Jessica and shook hands with Calvin. The twins curtsied.

They all exchanged the usual greetings and pleasantries then sat to catch up on their lives. Calvin and Jessica stayed two weeks then went to spend a week with his parents in Pittsburgh.

While reading the paper, Rick saw an advertisement for the newly released Model of 1851 Navy Colt .36 caliber revolver. He went to the largest gun shop in New York City to see one for himself. Impressed with the new pistol He immediately bought a cased pair for himself with spare cylinders for each gun. After talking with the owner, he bought a third gun for Kate and had the gunsmith work it over for her, to give it a smoother action. He bought a fourth one for Luis, which exhausted the store's stock of that model.

The store had several of the model 1839 Patterson's on hand, so Rick bought three of them as presents. One for Vincente, one for Patrick and one for Sean. As Rick was about to leave the store, he saw an unusual looking rifle in a case. He said;

"Sir, what is that rifle?" The owner smiled.

"That sir, is the latest thing on the market. It is a model of 1851 Sharps rifle. Would you like to see it?"

"Yes, I would."

The man took it out of the case.

"It is a breech loader. You open the breech by lowering this lever."

He demonstrated. "You then insert a paper cartridge into the chamber. And close the breech by raising the lever. There is a blade on the breechblock that cuts off the tail of the cartridge. You then put the hammer on half-cock and put a cap on the nipple. You then fully cock the rifle and fire your shot. With practice you can get five to six shot off in a minute. You can also load with loose powder and ball, if you have to. Would you like to handle it?"

"Yes."

Ric worked the action several times then brought the rifle into firing position. He lowered the rifle and said;

"What caliber is it?"

"This one is a fifty. Are you interested?"

"Yes, I am, if I could see a firing demonstration."

"That could be arranged for tomorrow morning."

"Very well."

"Let us say ten o'clock at the New York sporting Club range."

"I will be there. If this gun performs as advertised, I will buy it."

The following morning, they met at the range They fired at one hundred yards. The demonstrator getting off six aimed shots in one minute. Then fired another three, slow fire for accuracy. The three shots forming one ragged hole in the bullseye. Rick then fired five shots.

"I'll take it." He paid the thirty dollars on the spot. They returned to the shop where he ordered five hundred already made- up cartridges. Another, five hundred bullets, nitrated paper a rolling machine, a bullet mold, five pounds of gunpowder and two thousand caps.

As Rick was paying for everything the owner said;

"You said that you are a rancher in California and are often on horseback."

"That is true."

"These also come in a military carbine in .54 caliber easier to use on horseback. I can have one here in a week. Rick grinned.

"Go ahead, but make it two. One for myself and one for my men to try. If they like them as much as I do this one, I am sure that we will order more."

The owner was true to his word and a week later two carbines arrived and were purchased. Of course, more cartridges caps and bullets were bought. .54 bullet molds they already had.

Kate was a little miffed that her husband and her father were off playing boy games as she viewed the range trip, so she and Martha went shopping.

Kate bought four of the latest fashion dresses for herself, frocks for the twins, toddler clothes for James, dress patterns and a copy of Godey's Lady's Book. She also bought several bolts of cloth. They remained another two months, before returning home with more baggage than they had left with.

As Rick had thought, everyone who tried the Sharps carbines wanted one. He couldn't afford to equip the entire militia with them. He bought twenty of them for the men of the rancho. Luis was impressed and bought another twenty for his men, returning twenty of the M1847 carbines to be held in reserve to arm any newer recruits.

Rancho Agua Dulce, 11 January. 1852

Another happy event for the Rodgers household. Duncan Malcolm Rodgers arrived in the world. Named after his paternal grandfather and great grandfather. He was to be Kate's fourth and final child. Kate would be twenty-nine that year and while not old or even middle age, in that time and place, every passing year made childbirth a more difficult and dangerous process. Besides the four children, two girls and two boys made a nicely balanced family. The twins were devoted to their brothers and in later years caused a bit of amusement when referring to them as their "little brothers." Both of them stood well over six feet tall.

San Fernando, the San Fernando Valley, 16. February 1853.

The small town, the oldest in the valley was flourishing. There were other small communities growing up around the valley. One centered around Campo de Cahuenga, another around the Leonis Adobe.

The law practice of Duarte and Rodgers was flourishing as well. The two men had gained a reputation as hardworking, honest lawyers that charged fair fees for their work and represented all segments of the community equally. They handled all the legal matters for both Rancho Agua Dulce and Rancho Chula Vista. Robert Rodgers had taken a page out his brother's book.

He'd met the oldest daughter of the owner of Rancho Cielo Hermosa while doing legal work for the rancho. She was Claudia de Carino. Like Kate a widow but with no children She was a svelte woman of twenty-seven three years younger than Robert, considered to be both quite a beauty and quite a catch and catch her, Robert did. They were married after a six-month courtship and engagement.

Robert had a small house in the town, near his office.

Lorenzo Andazola Had three daughters and one son. The son and wife had died of pneumonia and the three daughters. had married, but the eldest, Claudia, had been a young widow. As the eldest surviving child. She would inherit the rancho when Lorenzo died or now according to the laws and customs of the times, Robert would inherit with her. Until that happened, Robert would be the sole support of his wife and children solely on what he earned as an attorney.

The town of San Fernando, 04. July 1854

On the birthday of the nation, Robert and Claudia welcomed their first child into the world. Robert S. Rodgers Junior. Duncan and Martha again made the trip out to California and this time decided to stay for good they sold the house in New York City and the farm on Long Island and bought a nice hacienda in the Los Feliz area.

The capitol moved from San Jose to Sacramento in 1854

The San Fernando Valley 01, January 1855 through 01, April 1859.

Although there were rumors of unrest in Southern California due to the free versus slave states in the rest of the country nothing much came of it other than some organized southern sympathizers in southern California.

Both Agua Dulce and Chula Vista ranchos continued to prosper, branching out from just running cattle to putting some of the land to use for farming. Robert and Vincente had becom3e two of the most sought-after lawyers in the Los Angeles area, opening a second office in Los Angeles in a building facing the plaza. They hired two young lawyers to staff that office they reported to the home office twice a week/

The. twins had just turned fourteen and were attending well chaperoned dances even so Rick and Kate often showed up as additional chaperones, much to the chagrin of their daughters.

When Beatrice complained, Rick said, "You and Elisa Are only fourteen years old. That is not old enough to go to unchaperoned dances, much less have swains of your own. No young men will even be allowed to call upon you until you are at least sixteen and then only in the mornings and early afternoons and never unchaperoned. And you will not be allowed to have serious courters until you are eighteen."

"But Papa, that is not fair. There are many girls who are married as early as fourteen."

"That is true, but only in poor families where the daughters need to be married off early because their parents have too many mouths to feed as it is. Or when the parents die and there are no relatives to look after them."

"But Papa, Carolina Morales was married at fourteen to Juan Valdez."

"Yes, because Angelo Morales is a greedy fool and more or less sold Carolina. Stop arguing with me, I am not going to change my mind!"

Sacramento, 25, July 1859.

Fearing that results of the upcoming contentious elections of 1860. Whatever the results, would cause turmoil, even attempted secession in southern California, the governor decided to raise four regiments of state troops. Two of cavalry and two of infantry. They would operate on a militia basis, drilling once a month, but be ready to be called to active duty on short notice

Rick and Patrick were called to Sacramento. Rick was offered the colonelcy of one of the cavalry regiments with Patrick as his executive officer. They accepted. The existing militias would form the cadre around which the regiment was built. The state supplied the arms and uniforms.

The uniforms were the same as the Federals except for state of California buttons and belt plates The prescribed uniforms for officers and men of the cavalry were dark blue frock coats and light blue trousers with Hardee hats for full dress and shell jackets with slouch hats or kepis in the field. The Infantry wore frock coats and Hardee hats for dress and sack coats and kepis in the field.

Rick and his staff were very careful in the selection process for his regiment. He was going to make damn sure that no southern sympathizers or activists made it into the ranks. They also had a fortunate find. In July, Patrick had run into an old friend from the Mounted Rifles. Jack Coleman had been a first sergeant and just retired from the regular army after twenty years. Patrick took him to the rancho to meet Rick. After a long talk, Jack agreed to enlist as the regimental sergeant major. Rick wanted him to serve full time and agreed to pay him twenty-five dollars a month plus his uniforms and food. Regular Army sergeants major made twenty-one. The pay coming from Rick's own pocket. Rick, Patrick, Jack and Sean developed the training plan.

Sean was appointed captain commanding A troop, which served as the headquarters troop as well as a line troop. The troop coming entirely from the militia. The headquarters itself consisted of Rick, Patrick. Jack, Captain Roberts, the operations officer, Captain Townsend the adjutant, Quartermaster Sergeant Givens and Sergeant Warner the regimental bugler.

It took to end of summer to form the regiment Then the hard training began. Weekly not monthly drills, they did only the minimum drill and ceremonies concentrating on field tactics, marksmanship .and horsemanship. Rick was armed as his men were, A Sharps carbine, an 1851 Colt revolver and an M1840 heavy cavalry saber. In addition, Rick carried a pair of M1848 Dragoon revolvers in pommel holsters. In September, Rick received brochures on the new M1860 Army revolver A .44 with a round barrel and camming loading lever, lighter in weight than the Dragoons but throwing the same caliber bullet. He ordered three with extra cylinders. They were delivered in December. He replaced the dragoons with the1860's and passed them down to Patrick and Sean. He wore the third in a belt holster and left the 1851's with Kate.

Sacramento, 14, April 1861.

The governor received a telegram that the president had called for seventy-five thousand troops. The governor called the state troops to active duty. The two infantry regiments and a newly formed Dragoon regiment moved east.

California, 01 August 1861

Despite his earned distaste for war Rick was not immune to feelings of devotion to his country and its cause. The Confederacy was defending an evil ideology based on slavery and the obscene profit made from it and even worse trying to pull west coast states into the confederacy Rick had enough on his plate to keep him busy at all hours.

Nonetheless, his regiment, supported by a battery of horse artillery was called into Federal service. He would have two months to bring the regiment to full strength and depart for the east.

Rick Bought one of the new M860 Cavalry Officer's sabers, much lighter than the M1840, nicknamed "Old wrist breaker" Other than that he carried the same arms he had in the militia, which raised more than a few eyebrows to see a colonel so heavily armed, including a carbine, the same as his men. When the regiment was finally ready to move, it was, unusual for a volunteer unit it was at the full regulation strength of one thousand men and officers organized into ten one-hundred-man companies plus a regimental staff of twelve.

The artillery battery trained with old six pounders but would be reequipped when they reached the east.

Rancho Agua Dulce, 15, October 1861

The family was gathered in the great room. Rick, Patrick and Sean in uniform with their bags packed, ready to travel. Rick said;

"I will be as careful as I can be. Girls, you help your mother with your brothers. James, you are almost twelve. That's old enough to take on some of the men's work around here. You do whatever chore your mother asks you to do. Duncan, you are ten. You have your share of chores to do and help your brother. Sweetheart, I love you more than I can say. Take care of yourself. I will come home to you."

He took Kate in his arms and they shared a long kiss and hug. He then kissed the twins and hugged his sons.

Don Luis and Elenora also hugged Rick.

"Go with God, you are like a son to us. Come home safely."

San Francisco, 20 October 1861.

Since it was necessary to reach the east as quickly as possible the regiment did not march overland. They embarked on chartered passenger ships and took the San Francisco to Panama to New York route. In New York the regiment was sworn into Federal service as the First Regiment of California Cavalry, United States Volunteers.

The government supplied the horses and tack for the enlisted men, the officers bought theirs although remounts were available if an officer's horse was killed or injured. The artillery battery was equipped with six of the Model 1857 Gun-Howitzer, "Napoleon" a light twelve pounder along with the caissons and ammunition wagon.

The regiment was then put on trains and sent to join the Army of the Potomac.

Army of the Potomac 05 December 1862 through 15 March 1863

The regiment served with the cavalry corps of the army, fighting in several battles and skirmishes serving so well that in March, it was brigaded with two other volunteer cavalry regiments, the Seventh New York and the Fourth Massachusetts. Rick was promoted brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers and Patrick to colonel, commanding the regiment.

Even with all his duties, Rick managed to write o Kate at least four times a week, even if it was just a short note. Kate, of course, wrote back and constantly worried about Rick, praying for him every morning and night, as did the children and the rest of the family. Patrick and Sean were included in those prayers.

Brandy Station Virginia, 10, June 1863.

In the biggest cavalry battle of the war and the biggest ever on American soil, Pleasanton's Federal cavalry corps clashed with Stuart's Confederate cavalry. Rick's brigade was on the right flank, dismounted and fighting as infantry when the signal came from division, to remount and charge. Rick thought it was a damn fool order, but obeyed it anyway. He and Patrick were stirrup to stirrup. Leading from the front, when an artillery shell exploded. Whether it was a confederate shell or a misdirected union shell didn't matter. The blast sent shrapnel flying, killing both horses instantly and mortally wounding Patrick. Rick received minor wounds from small pieces of shrapnel, but was pinned under his horse with a broken femur. The active part of the war in the field was over for him. Patrick died in the same field hospital where the surgeons were setting Rick's femur and dressing his cuts.

From the field hospital, Rick was transferred to a regular hospital in Washington DC, where another team of doctors checked him over.

After a few days when the laudanum doses had been reduced enough that his head was clear, Rick had to write the hardest letter of his life, telling Consuelo that she was in a widow with a son, Patrick Junior and a daughter named after her friend and patroness, Katherine No matter that Patrick was gone, Consuelo and her children would always have a home on the rancho. It took six months to get Rick back on his feet and walking normally, albeit with a limp. At that point, he was released from the hospital and assigned to the General Staff Corps/ He scored a house suitable for his rank and sent for Kate and the kids. Luis, Raoul, Robert and Vincente would take care of the ranchos. While in Washington the twins met two young artillery officers, ironically also twins. By the end of the war, the two couples were engaged.

The young men were from an influential family and with Rick's help a few strings were pulled and the brothers were assigned to the same unit at Fort Point, San Francisco.

Post Chapel, the Presidio, San Francisco, 06. January 1866.

It was an unusual event. A double wedding for two sets of twins. Rick, in full dress uniform walked down the aisle with a bride on each arm. Beatrice and Elisa Rodgers had grown to be as beautiful as their mother. Both visions in white. They were marrying David and Samuel Rhys, Both handsome young men, Tall and slender, with brown hair and green eyes. Both first lieutenants. Senator Rhys had a rather large family. A wife, four sons and three daughters, one of whom had become fascinated with the sixteen-year-old brother of the twins.

James, at sixteen was as tall as his father and when he reached his full growth he would be as large. He was in looks, a blend of his parents His father's piercing blue eyes and sandy hair but with finer features from his mother's side. He was a very handsome young man, but thanks to his upbringing, without the vanity many handsome young men possess. He was highly intelligent, witty and generally good humored but did possess a fiery temper when provoked. Malcom, fourteen, was also going to tall but with a slender figure would never be as large as his father or brother.

Inheriting the family genes, he too was a handsome lad, already attracting the eyes of the girls.

Rancho Agua Dulce, 17, December 1867.

Despite his mother's vigorous protests, James had decided to follow in his father's footsteps and attend West Point. He'd had t6his in mind since he was twelve years old and once, he'd decided on it, couldn't be swayed. Now, just three days after his eighteenth birthday he'd received his acceptance letter.

Malcolm, also a decisive young man had decided that he would follow the career path of his uncle Robert and his pseudo uncle Vincente and study law.

Rancho Agua Dulce and San Francisco, 17 January 1868.

Two momentous occasions occurred on the same day. Malcolm received his letter of acceptance to Harvard and David and Beatrice presented Rick and Kate with their first grandchild, Gerald Richard Rhys. Four months later, Elisa gave birth to Katherine Grace Rhys.

West Point New York, 13 May 1872.

Second Lieutenant James Rodgers, Corps of Engineers, stood proudly in front of his parents, dressed in his brand- new Army blue uniform, heartily glad to be rid of cadet gray. He'd graduated in the top ten per cent of hi9s class. Thus, he was commissioned second lieutenant without the brevet in front of it.

With their responsibiliti9es as wives and mothers the twins couldn't travel to New York, but they had sent congratulatory letters and gifts. Malcolm had come up from Harvard. Rick was wearing his full-dress uniform of Brigadier General; Kate was in her new, bought for the occasion day dress of lavende4r silk. Rick smiled as he said;

"We are so very proud of you, son. Graduating in the top ten per cent of your class. Do you know where you are posted yet?"

"Yes, sir. I am posted to your first post, Fort Leavenworth. I have a month's leave. So, I'll be coming home. I have a week's travel time after my leave. I will take the train to Saint Louis and then the stage to the fort."

Kate said;

"It will be wonderful to have you home, even for just a little while. We have missed you so much."

"I will be glad to be home, Mother."

Rick said;

"We have some presents to start off your career."

He first handed him a M1860 Staff and Field sword and then a cased pair of Colt-Richards .44 cartridge revolvers with holsters and a Winchester M1866 rifle.

"These are absolutely beautiful, Father. Thank you."

"You are welcome, son. Let us hope that you never have to use them in anger."

Rick had replaced his 1860 Army revolvers with a pair of the Colt-Richards as they fired the same round as his own Winchester 1866.

Malcolm's term was over for the year so, he rode home with James and his parents. James had a wonderful leave meeting up with old friends, talking about his life at West Point, Going hunting in the hills with his father, brother, Don Luis and Vincente. Of course, the second night home, there was a huge party with lots of good food, wine and dancing.

James danced with several of the local girls, but didn't choose any of them for a walk in the moonlight. It wouldn't be fair to either party.

His uncle Robert tried to convince him that he should have gone for Judge Advocate Corps but James laughed and said that two lawyers in the family were enough.

Fort Leavenworth Kansas, 30, July 1875

After three years at the fort, James was promoted first lieutenant. Slow by wartime standards but actually rapid by peacetime standards in the frontier army. He was assistant post engineer, actually handling most of the engineer's duties, as the post engineer, an overage captain laid most of them on James. James didn't mind. The post commander didn't miss much and his reports detailing that were good for James' career.

Last year, a new executive officer, Colonel Giles Garnet had been assigned to the post. His wife and daughter had, of course, come with him. The daughter, Melinda was a willowy, green-eyed blonde. A beautiful, intelligent, strong willed young woman. Unusual, for the time, unmarried at twenty-two.

James and Melinda had met at the post's Fourth of July celebration. They had hit if off from the start. She was surprised that her willingness to speak her mind freely didn't put him off, as it had most of her suitors. He was intrigued by her sharp wit and knowledge of national and army politics.

After knowing each other for about two months, Melinda made it plain that she wasn't interested in the attentions of the other young officers on the post. At the six- month point, James asked the colonel for his daughter's hand in marriage and it was granted. Of course, James had asked her first, knowing that she would have been angry if he hadn't.

Fort Leavenworth Kansas, 02 October 1875.

It was a fine autumn day in Fort Leavenworth as the guests gathered at the post chapel. All the officers in dress uniforms, the ladies in bright day dresses and the civilian men in frock coats,

James, in full dress stood at the altar, his brother in formal clothes beside him. The entire family had traveled to the fort for the wedding, Rick was again in dress uniform, although this is the last time, he would wear it as a serving officer, except for his retirement parade Although he had left the army after the war, he no sooner got home than he was appointed commanding general of California State troops as Brevet Major General. He had already submitted his resignation, effective January first 1876.

The Chapel doors opened to the opening bars of the classic wedding march. Melinda was a vision in white, as she seemed to glide down the aisle on her father's arm. They reached the altar and Colonel Garnet placed Melinda's hand in James'

The standard ceremony was performed and the formal announcement made: "I now present Lieutenant and Lady James Rodgers."

James smiled as he was dancing with his mother. He had just married the woman who would be the love of his life. His family members were all alive and in good health. His career was on a good path. Yes, the future looked very bright.

TBC.

Author's note: I had intended this to be the final chapter but it ran away with me. A short epilogue will follow.

Swordwriter