As Captain Anderson and his troopers entered Whitethorn, the first thing they saw was the stagecoach from the west changing horses, after a brief discussion with the driver about indian troubles Captain Anderson continued on. His next stop ended in front of the Mayor's office, after telling his men to dismount and wait, Anderson went inside.
"Good afternoon Mr. Mayor. I am Captain Jacob Anderson, Commandant of Fort Rio."
"Good afternoon Captain, may I ask what you are doing in town?"
"Just wanted to come by and take a look at the town and inform you that the US Cavalry is here to assist your sheriff if needed."
"And I am thankful that you would consider helping us, but can I be assured that your men will stay out of the town unless needed? We do not need Union cavalrymen stirring up trouble with the ex Confederates here."
"Understood, we will be on our way soon. Also one last thing, the wagon train is scheduled to arrive at the fort tomorrow, I will be sending the goods for the town down with a wagon early the next day."
"Thank you captain."
Captain Anderson stood up and shook hands with the mayor before putting his hat back on and walking outside. Once outside he saw several drunk men threatening the troopers, but the troopers stayed firm and never budged, Captain Anderson gave the order to mount and the cavalry rode out of town.
Once back at the fort Jacob went straight to the Post HQ and began scheduling patrols.
Patrols done every 4 hours:
50 men will patrol the northern section, be aware of Bandits.
50 men will patrol the Eastern section, be aware of Bandits and Ex-Confederate units.
50 men will patrol the southern section, be aware of Banditos and Indians, as well as the occasional angry Mexican.
100 men will patrol the Western section, be aware of Bandits, Indians, Banditos, and Mexicans. Please see your sergeant for your duty station.
Upon posting that on the board in the parade grounds, he heard the familiar rumble of speeding horses. "The stagecoach is here!" shouted the fort watch. The doors opened and the 6 brown horses raced into the fort followed by a red coach. The coach was littered with holes and the shotgunner appeared to have been shot, seemingly dead already. Jacob immediatly knew what had happened, and began issuing orders to moblize, the fort came alive as troopers ran here and there. Jacob went up to speak with the driver, "Where did you run into trouble?"
"A few miles East of here. At the river." Jacob knew the place he was speaking of, bandits rarely struck that far, they must know about the gold. "Fools, they should have waited until tomorrow." Jacob thought to himself.
"Any passengers?"
"Yes, 2 women, a child and 2 men." Jacob walked to the door and opened it, inside the woman were white with fear and the child sobbing, but the men seemed careless. Jacob did not like how those men looked, but in the West that means nothing, for any man could look like them.
He turned to the women and said, "You are safe now in Fort Rio, accomodations have been made available for your stay. The coach will not be leaving until it is repaired by our wagon repair specialist, would you like to stay in the fort, or the the town hotel can be made ready?"
The women both said they wanted to stay in the fort, the child no doubt stays with them. The men on the other hand chose to continue on to the city. They even bought horses from Jacob and rode off.
Jacob ignored the pressing issue that those men were up to no good and mounted his horse. With 100 men he raced off towards the east, to handle the bandits. After a short time, the troopers were back, they did not meet any bandits and Jacob went to the driver to speak with him, "The gold did not come today did it?"
"What gold?" asked the driver.
"Very well." Jacob knew better than to press the issue. He may or may not have the gold, it may be better if he did not know at all. With the day winding down and the stage coach still being worked on, the fort continued to provide a constant reminder that the law will be obeyed in the West. Tomorrow, Jacob and 50 men will moniter the trail to the east and capture those bandits, before the stage coach came through.