Captain Anderson got up early today, at the crack of dawn and dressed in his best uniform, today was the big day, the cavalry detachement should be here soon and the fort will be named and the flag raised, Jacob was tingling in excitement, he never had such a command before. He walked over to the flagstaff in the center of the fort and proudly looked at it, he then walked over to the gate and stared longly for the telltale dust cloud that signifies a cavalry group. After staring for a while he frowned and headed back to his office, the stagecoach was due any time now and he must get the letters ready, this stagecoach was coming from Los Angeles and going to Austin then St Louis. The town's first mail should arrive today.
As Jacob was sealing the letters, he heard the familiar clatter of horse hooves and ran outside and stared into the distance, a dust cloud was visible, but it was from the West, it was the stagecoach. Jacob sighed, he rushed back to the office to gather his personal letters and official letters and packed them into the bag, assigned to him by the stage line. Jacob stood near the route and threw the bag up to the shotgunner, all without even slowing down. The stage wont stop unless it has too, and it already stopped in Whitethorn to get fresh horses.
He never understood why the stage didn't just drop the mail at the town, until his superior officers told him, "The mail is too important to drop in lawless towns, they must be dropped in forts nearby." He shook his head, he didn't think Whitethorn was that bad, but nonetheless he took the bag to his office and sat it down in the corner, he still had to wait for his troopers to arrive first. Several hours later, he heard another familiar clatter of horse hooves and rushed out, this time the dust cloud was from the north, the direction of Austin, and his heart went faster, then deflated again, it was just the stage again. He headed back to the route and waited for more mail to drop, but instead the coach came to a screeching halt and the driver jumped off, he walked to the door and opened it, and out came a young boy and his mother. Jacob bowed to the woman and spoke, "Welcome to Fort Rio ma'am. May I be of service?"
"This boy is to stay here at the fort at the wishes of General Sherman. I shall leave him in your care."
"But why?"
"This letter comes direct from General Sherman, it should answer your questions."
"Yes, ma'am." With that the woman entered the coach and the coach raced off, without even leaving mail behind.
Jacob looked at the boy and then the letter in his hand, he opened the letter and started to read it. When he finished the letter, he looked back at the boy again and sighed. "Well boy, I guess we got to find you a room." With that horses were heard again, this time Jacob ignored it, he led the boy to a small room in the back of the Post HQ and gave him some bedding supplies. Jacob left the room and headed back to the parade ground, already horses and men were lining up inside the fort, Jacob smiled, the troopers had finally arrived. He walked over to the sergeant in charge and ordered the men to dismount. Jacob gave the men a short speech and brought out the flag, he chose two men from the group to unravel it and hoist the colors up high, the band who showed up from the town played 'Star Spangled Banner'. With the flag ceremony done, Jacob turned to his men and said, "Welcome to Fort Rio. The newest fort in Texas and the United States." The men cheered. Captain Anderson turned to the sergeant and said, "Muster 10 men, including yourself for a trip to town. I must pay the mayor and sheriff a visit."
The sergeant stood at attention and saluted. Within minutes the group was ready and the Captain jumped on his own horse brought in by the troopers and headed to town.
, actually, as role-player: I love it!)
