Major Darcy Lafayette Hays, United States Dragoons, retired, stood by the wagon which would carry him and a few other travelers from Fort Laramie up to the landing on the river where a boat would begin the long journey that would take them back to civilization.
His retirement had been given an administrative postponement by the departmental commanding general when Colonel Isaac Cowler’s official report on the Whiskey Campaign was forwarded to Headquarters, Department of Dakota.
The rousing success of the mission, which included the destruction of an entire whiskey-smuggling ring and the capture of a corrupt riverboat captain, made anybody even remotely connected with it look good. The steamer’s skipper, in trying for a reduced sentence, identified the main liquor supplier in St. Louis who would be charged and tried by federal officials in that city.
After the smoke cleared and everyone concerned settled down to congratulate themselves, letters of commendation went to Colonel Cowler, Lieutenant Tim Stephans, and Captain Darcy Hays. A few days later, the latter was promoted to major, prior to being put on the
retired list. This was a double blessing, in that it meant his pension would be larger.
The Sioux warrior Eagle Talons, although eligible for some sort of reward, did not tarry at the garrison. Rather than remain in the white men’s crazy fort, he made a quick return to his people. There, with his grandfather, Owl-That-Cries, he steamed away the fatigue and strain of his adventure in the relaxing atmosphere of a sweat lodge.
Meanwhile, several parties honoring Major Hays took place at Fort Laramie prior to his departure for civilian, life. The official function, held at post headquarters with the officers’ wives present, was really a formal ball. The regimental band played, and all the celebrants, in full dress uniforms for men and evening gowns for the ladies, danced into the wee hours of the morning. Tim Stephans, feted and congratulated, had a couple of dances with Miss Loralie Campbell, but found the close contact too much to bear after her refusal of his proposal of marriage. He wandered off after a bit and ended up at Major Hays’ quarters, drunk and miserable.
Another affair, this time all male, was held in the back room of the sutler’s store. It was a wild, drunken bash in which furniture was smashed, bottles were broken, a lot of intoxicated dragoon officers yelled, and Lieutenant Tim Stephans vomited on someone’s shoes again—this time those of his harried regimental commander, Colonel Cowler.
Now, subdued and hung-over, everyone was at the front gate so that Major Darcy Hays and a few other passengers could board the wagon for the trip down to the place on the river where they could be picked up by the steamer—under the command of its new captain.
Hays kissed Margaret Cowler on the cheek. “You will always be in my heart, Margaret. Your kindness and consideration will not be forgotten.”
Margaret smiled, but said, “You have whiskey on your breath, Darcy.”
He grinned back. “Nor will I forget your bluntness at getting to the truth of things.” He turned to the colonel. “Goodbye, Isaac, old friend.”
“Goodbye, Darcy,” Cowler said. He started to say more, but the emotions began to catch up with him. The colonel patted his old friend on the shoulder.
Margaret said, “You don’t know how happy I am about you being able to return to your home in North Carolina.”
“Yes,” Hays said. “It was an unexpected boon to my retirement.”
Further conversation was interrupted when Company “L”, under the command of Lieutenant Tim Stephans, marched up to make its goodbyes to the departing company commander.
Major Darcy Hays left his two friends to give each man a personal farewell. He began with First Sergeant George Aldridge, then went to Sergeant Sean O’Murphy and Corporal John Grady, continuing down the ranks until he had shaken the hand of the lowest ranking private of the organization. When that was done, Hays marched to the front of the company and took the final salute. Smiling proudly, he said, “The United States Regiments of Dragoons are more than uniforms, guidons, and bugles. They are people—the finest on God’s green earth—and I am proud to have been numbered in the ranks of this proud branch of our nation’s Army. As I stand here now, I realize that I regret nothing of my service and will treasure every memory of thirty years. We knew hardships such as cold, hunger, and danger, so one might conclude that not all the recollections are happy or glorious ones. But they are all filled with immeasurable pride. It is with that thought in mind that I bid you goodbye.”
A dragoon shouted, “Three cheers for the major!”
“Hip, hip, hoorah!” came the first.
“Hip, hip, hoorah!” they shouted the second.
“Hip, hip, HOORAH!” the dragoons yelled out the third and final cheer.
Hays came to attention and rendered as snappy a salute as he had ever done since his days on the plain at West Point. Then, the emotions churning through his entire being, he turned and walked back to the crowd. When he got there, much to everyone’s surprise, he took Loralie Campbell by the arm and took her off to one side where they could speak in private.
The young woman was puzzled. “What may I do for you, Major Hays?”
“I just want to tell you something, Miss Campbell,” Hays said. “Do you see Lieutenant Tim Stephans standing over there in front of that company of dragoons?” She turned her eyes toward Tim. “Yes, of course.”
“Take a good look at him, Miss Campbell,” Hays said. “Because no matter how long you live or how many suitors you have, none of them will ever love or cherish you as much as he does. I want you to realize that.” Loralie lowered her gaze to the ground. “I imagine you know of his proposal of marriage to me.”
“Of course I do,” Hays said. “Your refusal broke his heart.”
“I cannot marry him, Major Hays, out of consideration and the love I have for him,” Loralie said, close to weeping. “After being with the Indians, I am not—”
“Tim knows, and in his heart, you are pure and worthy,” Hays said. “Which is exactly what you are. Why don’t you give that some thought?”
The major abruptly left her and walked toward the wagon, shouting, “Isn’t there a riverboat to catch? Let’s get this show on the road!”