The road was longer than easter sermons at day break. But I had to continue. Pursued, hunted by the Calvary in this desert, that flipped a coin of choices. To kill, or be killed. The latter was nothing I preferred. The ladies hung heavy in my holster. Yet, it was better to have their bellies full than holding two starving children. These she devils were the sustainer of life. Mostly mine. The ride was lonely and dark like the mines of Pittsburg. But this time, the sot was permanent stuck in this area where my darkness were more of an amazement than a sign of subordination. How did I get here? I spoke almost out loud to my self, reassuring the reality of making a right decision. Now, on the run, clearing my conscious of this past that returned like the biting sand storms every night.
The confrontation still haunts me. We fled with some of our lives and hopes, still intact. Still, we were sworn to protect. This mighty 10th Calvary regiment named buffalo soldiers by the great Comanche warriors, that performed like trained vaudeville acts, blacken eunuchs for our government.
“Our government”. I said disgruntled from the lies I recalled vividly.
The snarl I heard from my voice only validated my anger and betrayal that festered in me more and more every riding step. Doing the bidding of our government was supposed to be an honor. Controlling the Indian population was supposed to be honorable. We showed respect and received it in return. The Comanche’s respected the black man and the blood we both spilled was out of more than any physical attack could justify. It was a clash of warriors. We showed them that and they did in return, but my government had this “Manifest Destiny” slogan they repeated in their daily war cry that sounded more like a freedom song than a code for genocide.
These memories and many more betrayals such as the service in the Johnson county war would give free Negros land and sincere admiration from our government. That refrain remained a bitter taste that seemed to linger for far too long. We were proud Negros and part of this country. But this country’s humanity seemed non existent as I buried the countless native American bodies on this trail of tears.
My waking thoughts kept me company as Sugarlips kept pace with my anticipation to the next town. I had to keep enough cubes available or this stubborn old girl would bite me each chance she could get She was my companion through conflict, racial violence and despair. I lost many of friends but Sugar ran me from the best of times and the worst of times. The clip clop of the hooves signified the ticking time to my death. But we rode on, for I did not intend to die this today.
Thoughts flooded back to the reason of my solitude. That mid scorching afternoon when 10th regiment saddled up with the intention to deliver the Indians to the designated reservation. But our Colonel had other plans. We eyeballed the white riders galloping towards us, eager for a rousing slaughter with or without our consent. We refused to participate in the slaughter of innocent women and children when the opportunity presented itself with the Seminoles and the Cherokees. That constant tale we constantly heard, “Nunna daul Tsuny”. Still haunts me to this day.
But again, under circumstances away from justice and empathy, it returned with willing participants. The hunger in their eyes showed me the enthusiasm for our riding companions to kill. That’s when I knew, red blood was red in all of us, and loyalty didn’t mean blindness. The white Calvary turned towards us with a vile and contemptuous boast.
“You black bastards will do as we say or yous will die all the same!!” His spit spewing wildly in the air like a rabid dogs held back only by the colts hanging from the Negros sides.
“Sir we soldiers, horse handlers, cowboys and Americans. Why is we killing innocent folks? “ Fredrick was a good soul but not a worldly soul. He saw people as the children of God, even when he was told to untie the hanging bodies from the trees. Poor Fredrick, he would be dieing momentarily.
“Shut the hell up! You Negros step aside.” “and boy, if you say another goddamn word, lead will replace the pea you call a head!” Colonel George Custer stated his point from the barrel of his Winchester. The fine Colonel was permanent in his belief of the eradication of these people and his hatred of the negro.
“Colonel, I reckon if we can’t settle this peaceful like. There’s going to be some widows wondering why?” I spoke up out of a mixture of fear and anger.
That mixture, thick like the Comanche Running rains serum for the shakes a man would get from the winter fevers one we get. Even this feeling got caught in my throat. The Comanche’s were warriors and lived their life with pride. Unlike the Black Seminoles, who cared for us and fought side by side with us. The Comanche’s defended their lands fought to the death to defend that belief. So first hand, I knew the pendulum swung to the wrong side of justice. If I was going to die, it had to be for an innocent life not some damn cause.
There was a moment where the thought of conflict seemed like a ridiculous action. But in their eyes, their cold blue eyes, A fire began to seethe. Their fingers began to fidget like an invisible piano was set to be played. And with regret rather than compromise, it began.
Shots whizzed by us like sand flies at mid day in Wyoming. Sugar bolted one way, I the other. My ladies sang hot and steady in my hand as I dropped to the ground firing at the pale figures that commanded death on the lot of us. Sounds of screams and chaos flowed around us like a juke joint near Jackson Barracks in New Orleans. I almost laughed while keeping my head low. Cover was minimal but the shelter of the tents and utility boxes shielded the awkward firing of these squirrel hunters. The Colonel recruited the near by locals to participate in his nightly entertainment. He drunk his fill of their finest whiskey and repayment would to engage in this pageant slaughter. My spurs dug into the ground while I slithered as low as I could to avoid reckless gunfire. The Negro regiment held them at bay until they retreated back towards town.
What the hell did we just do? The thought ran through all of us like a silent prayer. Black men in this Indian/ Spanish land, fending off white men from exercising their right? That’s what the courts will say, if we ever get that far. Most likely hung from the nearest tree they could find if I don’t kiss a bullet from my own hands. Stealing land, forcing our authority on these Spaniards and Indians by force was something I was tired of seeing..
I walked by the body of Fredrick that lay riddled with bullets with a stupid expression of why, written across his bleeding face. It was inevitable his life would be taken by the very people he saw as his savior and example. Sad, that’s the only thing that crossed my mind as I walked away shaking my head like a tired mule. We had maybe a few hours to load up the Comanche’s and make our way south west. Hoping, there would be a place we could be safe. At least in our own minds.
The smell of hickory wood and charred meat brought me back to the present. Not that the present was no safer than the past, but at least I could see what was before me. With out an albatross holding me back, the wagon train would be safer with out me. And the regiment will be safe in Coahuila y Tejas. It wasn’t part of the Confederacy, so a free man could be safe. Safer than any area that would hang wanted posters of Negros across their towns. I swore that I will never become contraband of war. I resolved to move on. A Chinese rail worker once said to me, “It is a coward that lays down when the storm is around them”. Wise damn china man. Sugar rode up slowly to the camp site and I prepared myself for what may be my next struggle between life and death.
Author notes
This is not a factual story, but it is based on factual events and people. A western can be real but it also can be educational.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Soldier
Buffalo Soldiers is a nickname originally applied to the members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army by the Native American tribes they fought, which was formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The term eventually encompassed these units:
http://www.buffalosoldier.net/
Lieutenant-Colonel George Armstrong Custer's first encounter with Indians results in the killing of Chief Black Kettle and his wife. Close to 100 more women, children and elders were also killed. Custer actively campaigned to stop African-Americans from getting the vote. When he was given a commission with the Buffalo Soldiers of the Ninth U.S. Cavalry, he refused to accept it. (To their good fortune). He was not the only officer to refuse a commission. Ironically, these very same Buffalo Soldiers ended up rescuing Custer and his command when he and his men were pinned down during an engagement.
http://georgearmstrongcuster.com/
June 1868: Camp Comanche, Indian Territory (Wichita Mountains);Colonel Grierson of Civil War fame, was ordered by the new commanding General of the Department of the Missouri, General Philip Sheridan, to move his headquarters to Fort Gibson and find a suitable location for a new fort within the Kiowa and Comanche reservation. After locating such a spot (Camp at Medicine Bluff Creek ), Grierson negotiated the release of six captives held by a band of Comanches near Otter Creek.
Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined to expand from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean; it has also been used to advocate for or justify other territorial acquisitions. Advocates of Manifest Destiny believed that expansion was not only good, but that it was obvious ("manifest") and certain ("destiny"). Originally a political catch phrase of the 19th century, "Manifest Destiny" eventually became a standard historical term, often used as a synonym for the expansion of the United States across the North American continent.
The term was first used primarily by Jacksonian Democrats in the 1840s to promote the annexation of much of what is now the Western United States (the Oregon Territory, the Texas Annexation, and the Mexican Cession). It was revived in the 1890s, this time with Republican supporters, as a theoretical justification for U.S. expansion outside of North America. The term fell out of usage by U.S. policy makers early in the 20th century, but some commentators believe that aspects of Manifest Destiny, particularly the belief in an American "mission" to promote and defend democracy throughout the world, continued to have an influence on American political ideology.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_tears
http://ngeorgia.com/history/nghisttt.html
Nunna daul Tsuny – The trail where they cried
In a list
A contest entry
- "Sheriff Brazos Old Western Roundup" by ennovy.
1750 points, ended March 1, 2008, 13 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
would you want to read the rest of the story?
Comments
1 - 32 of 32
-
wow!
This is Gold for sure. Congradulations! This is an interesting bit of history for sure. I'd say ol' Custer got his just rewards in the end. Thanks for sharing.
-
-
Thank you so much
-
-
Captivating
This is a captivating story of accounts in history, your details are true and on point, the problem as I see it was that the same soliders that fought for the war against slavery did not truly see anyone as american but themselves, when in fact the native american is the true american, here before any white or black man. They let there greed for land, power and money drive them, instilling a hate them for those that had the true right to all the riches of america. I do nto agree with the comment made before mine, this is not a story of hate but a story based on the facts of our american history. You have truly wrote a wonderful story here, this is the start of a excellent novel, the kind that can ensnare all of america. I encourage you to write on, pay no attention to someone that says you are writing about hate, when in her own words she shows her prejudice by using terms of calling northerners yankees. I am also a yankee and very proud to be from one of the original 13 colonies and the thrid state of the United States of America. She should really check her prejudices before she passes judgement on a story that I think, she truly did not read, you never speak of hating white people, you just are showing what kind of hate black poeple as well as indians had to endure. Once again excellent write my friend, thank you for sharing and please keep them coming.
raingoddess
-
-
Oh my girl I am trying not to smile please do a little research on who slaughtered the native americans..
-
-
Please pay attention to the authors notes all readers...The writer made a statement:
"This is not a factual story, but it is based on factual events and people. A western can be real but it also can be educational."
Meaning this is a mixture of facts as well as their own imagery. I want the writings to be read, comment if you like or don't like. I want to remind all readers of this. We are using our imagery; mixed with facts; and a creative mind.
I never called for facts, I asked for the reads to be creative only.
To each his or her own.....I too am a half breed....
-
-
I got your note and we had opened a conversation here that was good..your a half breed so? many of us in NC are half one fourth what ever..it does not mean we ever stop talking.. you called for a contest of western poems..well I am tired as usual when people want to play games and not talk though things they just baby the players.. go for it.. I am pulling mine
see you around AP people.
-
-
-
-
I am part Cherokee part Catawba and Caucasian.. the hate you seen in this group of whites you have bunched together bothers me...it bothers me a lot.Can you show all sides of the story the multifaceted story? If not then I do not know if all parts of me can handle reading imore. Right now NC is being taken over by yankees and the drought we are literally being driven out.. small towns bought up..Paradise has been ruined. All parts of me are screaming go away yet I can do nothing. History repeats I guess.
-
-
I do respect your feelings but you must understand. That is history. Its not hate against a race its hate against certain people that felt that way. People were enslaved, native americans and African Americans. I love my caucasian friends that respect ,e and I hate the African american people that has no regards for life. So this is a drop in the pot of a grander scale of things that occured. Slavery and the moved towards the west was glamorized too much. rent a cowboy movie from the 80's back. You will see how the native americans were savages in the eyes of those who wrote the movie as well as those who lived in that time. Not all of them but those with power.
Part of my family is white Irish so should I say all caucasians feel this way? I think not. Again this is what happened and I am tired of seeing african americans as non participants of the history of this country other than slaves. So I built on again. Factual evidence. have anyone told a caucasian to write a multifaceted story that includes African american? I think not, and if they did why wasn't it done? I know Seminoles that family fought for 40+ years in Florida until they either went into hiding or were killed off. I write with a base that I know about. Not what others want me to write about.
But again I respect what you said and understand everyone wants to see themselves in a positive light. But where there's positive, there is negative. Always.
BTW - I'm a yankee from NY so I guess me wanting a better life for my family is affecting a negative change? I think if we see each other as part of a whole, maybe understanding will help us to live longer and happier. Sorry for the length. guess I needed to explain myself. Alos overall. I really appreciate your honesty. We all need to hear that everyday -
-
Bear with me here and do not get upset..I am not talking about people wanting a better life when I speak of yankees.. I am speaking of the rich buying up our lakes, beaches mountains and pushing us out..I am dylesic you will have to read around it... Have you done any research on Custer and the Civil war? You may want to do that and when you write about the cold blue eyes.. please make those yankee eyes.. no southern man fought with Custer.. one free black man did ..a good man who was from the North and had delivered the mail until it became too dangerous was described by the sioux and others as tall and strong he was a friend of the Sioux.. How ever he was hired by Custer as an interpreter as he knew the language and he entered the battle of Little Big Horn and fought with them..Custer was killed quickly.
Unfortunately all of his men men were not the free black man was seen as a traitor not by the Indian chief but by the squaws.. they did unspeakable things to this man on the battle field it is recorded .. i will not describe it here. All of Custer's men who survived were taken prisoner and as recorded by the spoken words of the Indian chef's themselves they were taken up by dance the men were tied to trees tortured in many many ways.. you can find this information ..I would concentrate on the Buffalo Solider soldiers but surely you must know too that they had the Medal of Honor... These brave men were not treated right but they went in to the Army with no education not much family.. no opportunity... free slaves from the south... and how they did shine....Going back to Custer.. do you think it was just your race that devil hated... NO.. it was all of us the entire south.. read about Shenandoah valley.. waynesville Virgina.. on into the Carolin's he was a devil the thing was he graduated LAST in his class... he FOLLOWED every order Sheridan gave meticulously... he took people out of they're homes and hung them.. he did revenge killings..look into him and his low opinion of the south period.. don't candy coat history about any one the Indians..what they did.. yes they were wronged goes with out saying... did not make what they did in return any less cruel or any less violent they were my people and they were warriors
and savage in return to what was done to them and savage in instances when not provoked because they did not understand and it was they're way. Every one paints the South as evil..The North was and still is worse to me if it wasn't why is every one running from it down here..Slavery was wrong it still is..Carpet bagging was wrong.. God will call people to answer for many things. Two oficers with men were near Custer and should have helped by accounts from Cheifs they could have.. the ignored him..history does not tell us why
I suspect they dispised the bastard.
-
-
-
I loved this so-called "semi-factual" story, to me it was mostly factual, and very involved with the time-line implied. People were used, and later abused, all in the name of "Manifest Destiny", a slogan invented to defend the attempted genecide of the original Americans. Those who live now, and still follow that path, will not be vindicated in the end times, only the surviving natives will be here to take care of their land.
But, when the Earth perishes, they will perish as well. But I think they will have a special place up in the clouds...
Thanks so much for entering our contest.
Brazos
-
-
Thanks Brazos - i swear this was something that snuck up on me. It took a life of its own. I never knw what kind of western to write but this one wanted to be written. Thank you for the opportunity
-
-
Your opening line caused me to chuckle. I have sat at those "sermons", glancing impatiently at my watch. LOL
"This mighty 10th Calvary regiment named the buffalo soldiers by the warrior tribes of the Yucatan, performed like trained vaudeville acts, blacken eunuchs for our government."
A wonderful mix of information and vivid imagery here poet.
"but my government had this “Manifest Destiny” slogan they repeated in their daily war cry that sounded more like a freedom song than a code for genocide."
Some will never understand the sentiments written in that particular passage. It is as if the "government" sought ways for us to annihilate one another so their hands would not bear bloodstains. We are all brothers and sisters. The dynasty now belongs to the fairer brother. He will screw things up, just as the first did (The Egyptian Dynasty). The clever move was to allow us to kill one another and disrespect peoples of color all at the same time.
Love "Sugarlips", reminds me of my dad calling me "Sugarfoot" for most of my young days. You've made me fall in love with your horse because of the 5th stanza.
I am swelled inside out at the thought of not being able to speak my mind. God makes no mistakes, had I been born in that day and time...I would be a dead "Negro". I am grateful that I live in a time where I can just about say what I think (almost).
"Sounds of screams and chaos flowed around us like a juke joint near Jackson Barracks in New Orleans."
Perplexed by these sounds but you make me hear them. I guess when filled with liquid spirits the sound of banshees can be heard.
"Not that the present was no safer than the past"
Take out the word [no] here. The double-negative takes away from the message.
I love the use of "albatross" in the same stanza!
A wonderful visual story is written here. There is legacy, legend, history, and lore.
EXQUISITE! You are a storyteller!
Thank you for the info in the author's notes as well. This is one story that is bookmarked for it is etched in my memory. ~Sigh~
This story should garner GOLD!
Much Love Always ♥
Renee
-
-
Thank U from the bottom of my heart. My effort was to bring realism and metaphors floating all through here. But still showing everyone history, brutality and where in your mind would you be. You jumped write im my friend. And I think I would be a dead negro as well. If you notice I didn't need to put in the dreaded "N" word because it really didn't take away from the emotional hatred, courage, pride or anything.
I had to put in what every one would see as real imagery of the complexity of racism and courage. Thank you for you kind words and if possible, look for chapter 2
-
-
Great story that shines a spotlight on history ... wonderfully told
-
-
Thank you very much
-
-
This is an amazing story sad and moving. It has really opened my eyes to tradgies that where suffered at that time. It has really made me think. You have done a fantastic job with this Lovable, told the story very well. Will you continue this?
Good luck with the contest
~sweetness~
-
-
Thanks Sweetness - when I get the feeling I like to educate and inform. I'm glad you felt what I was trying to do. I have a half of chapter I started but I'm still debating. I think everyone seems to want this to go on. I may continue to expand into a book but I may not have enough to do so. Thanks again Sweetness ~ see ya
-
-
I'm getting used to these
Western stories, I think you did a wonderful job with the historian imagery here my friend. Excellent, I must say...I see you've done a bit of research that reflects what you say here. Good luck and thanks for sharing your talent.
K♥
-
-
Thanks so much for your time. I'm proud of this one.
-
-
Enjoyable read. Well done. Write on.
Dez
-
-
thank U.
-
-
Dynamic & Defined Moments of the Old West
Thank you for sharing your story, you have done an excellent job on this with all the research. I know it's not a factual story, but it is based on factual events and people. "A western can be real but it also can be educational." Amen to this statement. Plus this fits well with this black history month, I find this one full of vivid metaphors. Thank you for entering this informative read based on factual encounters........................aqueneNovy
-
-
Thanks mom!! I couldn't do anything simple or regular. Got to make mommie Proud!!! I wanted to add in some historic points as well as the black history month perspective. Also many people don't know what tragedies went on with the native Americans. Made me think
-
-
Excellent write her
great piece of work it hel me throguh the entire write and you have captured this very well .
-
-
thank U so much. My Ap Mom challenged me. I had to do it.
-
-
I started to cry part way through this, Nunna daul Tsuny, yes I saw and felt this trail ,both for the black men press ganged to do or die and for the red skinned race who were rounded up and victims of genocide.Manifest Destiny is new phraseology to myself but how it has disaffected so many just touches my soul. The write is poignant and well written and has made me feel so, so sad. I appreciate the author states this is a fictional account of facts but the fiction doesn't detract from the brutal acts and yes, in rely to the question, would read more. I should like to bookmark this and click back to the links when am able too. Kudos.
-
-
Thank U so much Yvette. This was something I really didn't plan but I felt like I had to create from real life events but something with my feel and style of imagery. Harsh times this was but people did step up. Even at the cost of their life. I really thank you for feeling what I really tried to bring across. ~ Michael
-
-
interesting story to say/write the least AND your vocabulasry seems to mingle the erudition of the past slightly with the modern 'lingo' we employ today interesting vignette about FREDRICK question:warrior tribe of the YUCATAN? am i ignorant or did you transpose the MAYA/TOLTECS/OLMECS of the MEXICAN YUCATAN to the desert sw of estados unidos? yes/no? parts of this are very well written/gripping in some minor parts you have to watch your tenses ALTOGETHER an enjoyable read/history primer thanks for sharing regards zaj [the photo added to this and instead of stating george armstrong custer was a 'racist' give examples of his supposed bigotry by of necessary actions invented/real where he was before general of union cavalry durin the war of the southern secession and recepient of the table that grant/lee used at appomattox court house as a 'trophy'] ideas how to improve - there is not much 'colour', tactile view of SW, or smell or impression of heat best again zaj
-
-
First thank you for your great feel of history and your detail assessment of my writing. You are absolutely correct with the Yucatan reference. Being over zealous with trying to incorporate the Texan Mexican territory. I extended it to far ( must correct).
Yes, reading it again. My tenses are off here and there. thanks for that. I was so overjoyed by you catching the colonel not General reference. I left the assumptions to the historians but wanted to give the reader a little familiarity to the name.
While writing this, I found a longer story so as the rider goes on. the desert and landscape will appear. This was something I have never done so I really, really enjoyed it. Thanks again for your great words.
Mykeee -
-
CUSTER was appointed a brevet Colonel to the US 7th Cavalry after his 'adventurs' during the 'WAR OF THE SOUTHERN STATES SECESSION' as his brothers were given lesser commissions as officers also. Although you criticize the concept of 'MANIFEST DESTINY' in your addendum - i have always wondered just what the UNITED STATES would/would not look-like/be without what we consider now thast 'wrong-headed' policy/conviction??? Regards form a reader.zaj
-
-
-
very interesting
you have researched well..and knowing that this is based on actual facts..those kind of stories fascinate me..this is amazing..well written and well researched..great ending..wise china man..excellent...thanx so much for sharing and best of luck in the contest..blessings
-
-
Thank you so much. It was a great challenge. I hoped I would step up and perform.
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 32 of 32
