Reaching Fort R---- in a few hours and reporting to Mackenzie the
prisoners were "turned over"--and I was just seeking a shave, a hot
bath--some good grub and a rest from the dreadful "wear and tear" of one
of the most wearing and completely exhaustive duties I had ever
performed, either during the Civil War or later, when Mackenzie sent for
me-- I was still in a very dirty and bedraggled suit of citizen
clothes-- I needed complete relaxation and rest from my week's gruelling
trip--during which, with the exception of two nights, I had slept, or
tried to sleep--"out in the open" in this howling icy "Norther"--and
with much responsibility pressing upon me. "Ask the General to please
excuse me until I shave, wash, and change my clothes"-- Word came back
at once-- "Tell him that Gen. Hardie is here and wishes to see him
particularly. Never mind his personal appearance--come now just as he
is"! It was virtually an order-- So I went but in a condition of wilted
militarism. Mackenzie opened up with a most cordial introduction to Gen.
H---- and the remark: "Gen. Hardie, I want you to see what my officers
of _Civil War record_" (I inwardly grew profane) "can accomplish when
they are sent out in weather like this to get results under merely
'_verbal instructions_', and acting alone under their own initiative,
good judgment and discretion-- He has done far more than I expected of
him and I am extremely gratified". He continued with profuse
congratulations, thanks and personal commendations.
"Congratulations"--"Thanks"--"Special Commendations," Etc.--A Soothing
Balm (?)
Gen. James A. Hardie, then an Assistant Inspector General U. S.
Army--the one time friend and confidential Military Adviser of Abraham
Lincoln, whom he selected to send on that delicate mission to Frederick
City, Md., to relieve Gen. Hooker from command of the Army of the
Potomac just prior to the Battle of Gettysburg--appointing Gen. Meade to
succeed him--happened to be at Fort R---- on his annual tour of
inspection of the frontier posts. After such an introduction from
Mackenzie--Gen. Hardie was very informal-- He was a very handsome man,
then about 48 years of age-- He was very courteous and had an
exceedingly attractive personality-- With the disparity in our ages, he
seemed, at that period, to be a very "old man". He had served in the
Mexican War, and died as a Brevet Maj. General, Dec. 14, 1876-- Placing
both hands on my shoulders he said: "Young man, I am proud of you--
General Mackenzie ought to be proud of having such an officer in his
regiment." "I want to personally congratulate and warmly thank you for
the fine work you have done-- It was a duty of very great
responsibility, and you should be commended not only by the Department,
but by the entire Army. I believe it is a record that you should be very
proud of." In rehearsing my adventures to them, I came to the incident
at Hardin's ranch, and my encounter with the two "Jezabels"-- Mackenzie
flared up-- "Didn't I particularly impress upon you in my '_verbal
instructions_' that you must not '_violate the Civil Law_' in any
way--I----" Without waiting for him to finish his sentence, I replied:
"Well, Sir! I have violated no Civil Law. I have hung nobody as yet,
only made a huge bluff. You will see those carbines here to-morrow
morning". The "old man" who was going to "lick me out of my
boots"--promptly at 10 o'clock--rolled into Fort R---- _with all of the
carbines_. I happened to be at the Adjutant's office-- "Is the Gineral
in"? "He is"!-- "I've brought in them guns"!-- After making a statement
more or less satisfactory of how they happened to come into his
possession, and after Mackenzie had "hauled him over the coals" for a
"send off"--the rancher departed--"a sadder but a wiser" man. I never
got any _sweet looks_ from the "ladies" after that when duty called me
past that ranch.
Lawton came in a day or two later. He certainly was "out of luck"-- The
deserters had not headed his way. He had gone farther than the writer--
Way up into the Indian Nation (now Oklahoma), and not only had not
succeeded in "bagging" anybody, but, most unfortunately, one of the best
men in his detachment deserted, taking his horse, arms and entire
equipment with him. After ascertaining what had come my way, he seemed
to be much crest fallen.
A few days afterwards Mackenzie, upon hearing that another man of Troop
"F" was known to be a deserter, and had been located rather vaguely as
being in the "Keechi Valley"--sent for me, and, after smilingly giving
me as well as he was able, the location of the ranch--and announcing
that as I had been proved the "_champeen_" catcher of deserters, he was
going to send me out after him-- He trusted that I would not belie my
"reputation"-- After a day's trip in fine weather I was able to
definitely place him, and after watching the ranch all day--surrounded
it, and, without any trouble, captured him as he came in from his work
in the field-- My record now was: 11 deserters and 3 citizens, two of
them Constables--with all the arms carried away from the post. Corporal
Charlton had proved himself a very invaluable man. As a soldier he was
wonderfully resourceful and active; in action he was intense, energetic
and decisive. With his intelligence and good, horse sense, he would,
even without the complete education which some men have _without
sense_--have made a good all round commissioned officer--a credit to the
regiment and to the Army-- It is a pity that we did not have more of his
type with which to build up the army with practical men of his
caliber--instead of having so much over educated material.
I had gained much valuable experience in the methods of unearthing
rascality, and in accomplishing results, under dreadful exposure and
hardships; many trials and difficulties.
Shortly after this the writer received a letter of thanks from the
Department. As it is the only one that he ever received, and as he never
expects to receive another--it is esteemed as a rare curiosity--and it
is modestly added to complete the record and round out the story.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS,
Office of Ass't Adjutant General,
_San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 4, 1872_.
Second Lieutenant ROBERT G. CARTER, 4th Cavalry,
(Through Headquarters, Fort Richardson, Texas)--