The Montana Doctor's Bride (New Brides of Montana) by Susan Leigh Carlton Read Free Book Online

Captain?” Carter asked.
     
    “Fort Smith on the Powder River, sir.  It is expected to begin in August.  Our mission is to protect the Bozeman Trail.  Red Cloud has been active in the area recently.”
     
    Very well, Captain.  I will consider it.  My decision will be based on the needs of my patients at the time.”
     
    “Yessir, I will inform the Colonel.  Sir, the Colonel directed me to inform you, he has the authority for conscription.”
     
    “Captain, both the Colonel and I know, there is currently no law of conscription. However, as a doctor, I will make my services available, based on the needs of my patients at the time.”
     
    “I shall so inform him, sir.  By your leave, sir?” the captain said, requesting permission to leave,
     
    “Thank you Captain.  Just give me one week’s notice,”
     
    Powder River, Wyoming…
     
    Red Cloud, Chief of the Oglala Sioux, and his braves were competing with the emigrants for the diminishing resources near the Bozeman Trail.  After numerous Indian raids against the miners and travelers on the trail, the Army came in to protect the emigrants from the Indians. 
     
    When Red Cloud discovered the presence of the army, he began lightning quick raids against the three army forts along the Powder River and the soldiers and civilians at the three forts in the Powder River area, wearing down those garrisons. The largest action of the war, the Fetterman Fight (with 81 men killed on the U.S. side), was the worst military defeat suffered by the U.S. on the Great Plains until the Battle of the Little Bighorn ten years later.  It was here the army needed and wanted the doctor.
     
    The Sioux had joined with the Arapahoe in the fight against the settlers.  The Sioux in particular, were vicious fighters, showing no quarter to their opponents.  The Indians outnumbered the soldiers in most fights, but had significantly fewer guns and little ammunition for the guns.  They avoided skirmishes against an entrenched army unit, preferring hit and run attacks where their bows and arrows were effective.
     
    In his role as doctor for the Cavalry, Carter saw wounds vastly different from those he saw in the war.  Instead of Minie ball wounds, he saw wounds caused by arrows.  Brought in to treat the wounded after a skirmish, he found few survivors, the Indians had slain most of their opponents.  Anyone off their horse was easy prey, and the Indians were skilled in setting traps for the soldiers.  Once again, he had to confront the horrors of war.  So ineffective were the tactics of the soldiers, there was little choice except to sue for peace.  In 1868, a treaty was signed, Red Cloud’s War was over.  He had won. 
     
    Following the treaty, Carter returned to Helena, vowing he would never again go to war.  Before he left, he had arranged with Jack and Letty Owens to look after his home and office.  He returned to find it in excellent condition.
     
    While he was away, he had little opportunity to write Elizabeth, managing a letter only on occasion.  When he did write, he explained the reasons for his lack of communications, and was surprised to find a small stack of uncollected letters at the post office.  He arranged them in chronological order before beginning to read.
     
    Dear Carter,
    Knowing how you hated war, I was distraught to learn you were once again involved in conflict.  It is my hope you survive to write again.  I worry about your old friend, Doctor Gilbride.  He has no help, and turns no one down.  I fear it is affecting his health.  I saw him on the street recently and he appears to have aged beyond his years.
     
    The couple that rent your home is delightful and are good neighbors.  The house is kept in good repair.  They are blessed with a young son, and he brightens my day when I have the chance to see him.  How I wish I was so blessed.
     
    Please write when the opportunity presents itself.  I do enjoy your letters.
    Your obedient