Wellington's Quest by Robert F. Clifton (best books to read now .TXT) 📕

“I hope so. I honestly hope so”,Jim replied.

When he returned to the house Jim sat on the front porch cleaning and oiling the carbine. Ethel bush came out and took a seat in a rocking chair and slowly put the chair in motion. “It is a lovely, autumn day Mister Wellington”, she said.

“Indeed it is Miss Bush. That it is, but the leaves on the trees are changing color already. That's a sign of an early frost and winter”, Jim replied.

“Oh, I forgot that you are a farmer and would know such things”.

“I was a farmer. The land is still there but the farm is gone. The house and barn burned down. My family is all dead. There's nothing there for me now”, Jim answered.

“Then what will you do?”, Ethel asked.

“Do? You mean for a living? I don't rightly know at this time. Somewhere, I have a fiance' I figure she's alive, being held against her will

wherever she is. I've got to go find her, bring her back home. After that together we'll decide the future”.

“And, if you don't find her?”

“Then, there is no future”, Jim answered ***************************************************

As the weeks of September passed the Sioux continued their raids on the white settlers both in the south central and northern parts of Minnesota. Military couriers were killed attempting to reach Pembina, North Dakota, St. Cloud Minnesota and Fort Snelling, where many of the settlers had taken refuge. Eventually, a relief column from Fort Abercrombie was able to get to Fort Snelling and escort the settler refugees to St. Cloud.

The citizens of Mankato thought of barricading the town and men with rifles continued to watch from roof tops for any sign of approaching Sioux, but none came. Finally, help arrived and the town and its people were safe.

General John Pope arrived in Minnesota with the third. Fourth, ninth and tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiments. They would soon join the sixth and seventh regiments at a place called, Woods Lake.

A six pound cannon was deployed and after some brief fighting a charge was made and the Sioux were overwhelmed and defeated. The major part of the fighting was over by the end of the day, September 23, 1862.

With the end of hostilities, Jim went into the main part of town. He noticed the change in the people. Fear and anxiety was now absent from the expression that was on their faces days ago. Citizens now went about their usual routine. Men stood and talked about the battle with the Sioux, the war with the Confederacy and the income tax they were forced to pay in 1861 to support the Union. Women went shopping, many with small children in tow. The women complained about the prices of food and clothing.

Since he was in town Jim decided to head for the Law Office of Sidney Tozer. Now that the fear of the Sioux caused by the uprising was over he wanted to know what Milford Wilcox had in mind for him to do.

Tozer greeted him with a smile and asked him to take a seat in the chair in front of the desk. After Tozer sat down he looked at Jim and said, “I've got some news for you. First of all, since this Indian thing is over Milford will be arriving as soon as the first boat from St. Paul can come down river. That should be in a day or two. He will meet with you at the house. However, he will come here first as we have a few minor legal issues to go over. Next, and of the greatest interest to you is that I have some good news for you”.

“What kind of news?”, asked Jim.

“Surrendering Sioux have released two hundred and sixty nine, white American captives to the troops of General Sibley's command. Your fiance' could be one of them”.

“Where are they? Where's his command? Are the captives alright?”, asked Jim excitedly.

“Calm down now. Just calm down. They are at a place called, Camp Release. I have no knowledge of their condition, but they're alive. Let's hope that they are unharmed. My advice to you is to wait until Milford arrives. You might need his influence to bypass army and militia regulations”.

“Why? Just to ask about Virginia?”

“Suppose she's not among those at Camp Release. Wouldn't it be beneficial to sit in on the interrogations? Wouldn't it by wise to have someone next to you that can speak Sioux and ask the question that you might have? Do you understand?

“Yes”, answered Jim.

Chapter Four

Camp Release

Near the first week of October 1862 Milford Wilcox disembarked from the river boat, Sara Dell, stepping ashore at what was the remains of the Redwood Indian Agency. He stood and looked at the burnt buildings, one of which had been his warehouse. He walked slowly to where the home and office of Thomas Galbraith had been. All that was left now was a pile of burnt logs and cinders. A slow moving breeze passed over the scorched timbers raising the black and white ashes into the air and they blew away, turning, spinning and finally settling in a different location.

Wilcox shook his head in disbelief then turned his head at the sound of a horse drawn buggy and saw Sidney Tozer approaching him.

After shaking hands Tozer placed Wilcox's carpetbag on the back of the buggy securing it with leather straps and brass buckles. Milford Wilcox took a seat and Tozer got the horse and buggy moving. “Did you see what they did to my property?”, asked Wilcox.

“Yes sir, however, I have taken no action waiting to talk to you first”, Tozer answered.

“Good, don't be too hasty. There will of course be compensation from the government. I want to wait until the right time comes before I file for damages. Nonetheless, should the government's offer not meet my expectations, then, and only then will you file the necessary brief and we will sue. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir”.

“Alright now, how is Jim Wellington?”, asked Wilcox.

“Right now he is itching to get to Camp Release. He want to find his sweetheart, a girl named Virginia Martin”, Tozer answered.

“I can't say that I blame him. I would do the same. Well, I hope he finds her or eventually gives up. I have a lot of plans for this area and I need his expertise”, said Wilcox.

“Expertise? He's a poor dirt farmer. What can he tell you, particularly when it comes to business?”

“You mentioned it. He is a farmer and a damn good one too. After this Indian uprising and massacre those farmers that are left will be leaving in droves. Combine them with the one's the Sioux killed and wiped out that leaves a lot of farms that can be purchased at the right price, my price. Now, a young man like Jim Wellington who is familiar with the farms and farmers in this valley can tell me which farms grow the best corn or wheat. He can also tell me things like, how fertile is the soil? If corn and wheat won't grow, will tobacco? Let me tell you something Sidney, this Civil War has hurt the southern supply of tobacco. Europe will be screaming for it soon. Think of it Sidney, a farm conglomerate. On those farms where crops won't grow we'll raise cattle, hogs and sheep. The river is right next door and connects with the Mississippi, making shipping easy.

So now you should understand just how important Jim Wellington is to me”.

“That evening at supper Wilcox explained his entire plan to Jim. “So you see my friend you will be very instrumental in the success of my venture. Needless to say you will be well compensated. Let's say twenty five dollars a week. In addition you will continue to live here, only now as master of the house, unless I'm here of course”.

“Right now Milford all I can concentrate on is the where about's of Virginia and her conditions. I want to go to Camp release and find out what information there is. Hell, she might be waiting there for her family or me”, Jim responded.

“Patience Jim, patience. We will go there tomorrow. If there is any problem with the authorities I will contact General Sibley. Since he is the former Governor he owes me more than a few favors. Now, that that's settled, what do you think of my idea of growing tobacco here in the valley?”

“Tell me again what you know about tobacco and exactly how you intend to cultivate it”, said Jim.

“Basically, as I see it the most important thing is that we will need at least sixty five to seventy frost free nights for the plants to survive. This is the ideal place in Minnesota to grow such a crop. Temperatures here in the valley are mild. We plant the seeds indoors. When they are four to six weeks old we transplant them in the fields. Ninety to one hundred and twenty days later the plants mature and we harvest” Wilcox explained.

“You haven't mentioned labor. You'll need field hands and experienced field hands at that. Where are they going to live? Then, you'll need drying sheds, a place to cure the leaf. In addition plants need light, particularly sunlight to grow. Where will your light source come from if your seedlings are indoors?”,asked Jim.

“At first, I want to plant the seeds in clay pots and place the pots in carts. We wheel the carts out into the sunlight by day and return them to the barn at night. The ancient Roman's used this method to grow cucumbers. We might also use cold frames and if push comes to shove, greenhouses. I've seen them in New York City”, said Wilcox.

“Seems to me your tobacco venture is going to be mighty expensive Milford”.

“You let me worry about expenses. Right now I need you to tell me about the history of these local farms. Will you do it?”, asked Wilcox.

“I'll do it until I hear something about Virginia. If I hear where she is or might be I'm going after her. You have to understand my position Milford”.

“Alright, tomorrow we'll go to Camp Release, Hopefully, we'll find your fiance' there. However, don't get your hopes up”, said Wilcox.

“She's alive Milford. I can feel it.”

“For your sake I hope so my friend”, Wilcox replied.

The next day the two men traveled on horseback, following the Minnesota River to where the command of Henry Sibley camped and cared for the captives released by the Sioux.

As they rode into camp passing the sentries they saw the militia, army and civilian doctors tending to the men women and children. Some children were crying, orphaned now by the loss of both parents. Women either stood or sat in shock, a vacant look in their eyes as they tried to shut out the memories of what the Sioux had done to them. Men stood in silence wishing that they had done more to save and protect their families.

Passing by the group of survivors who were now free, Jim suddenly realized that the total of those assembled was much smaller than he had been told. Instead of two hundred and sixty nine survivors there were only one hundred and seven. A mistake had been made by someone counting one hundred and sixty two mixed races as captives.

The two men tied their horses to the hitching rail, Jim began walking towards a group of woman while Wilcox headed for Henry Sibley's tent. When Jim reached the place where the women and children sat, most wrapped in blankets he began asking for information. “Virginia Martin? Has anyone seen or know anything about Virginia Martin?”, he said over and over as he walked through the group.

Behind the women and children eight men stood silently. Jim looked at the men and saw a