บท 56: It's Wild Here in Kentucky
Boonesborough, Kentucky Territory (disputed)
November 12th, 1776
Colonel Salem Poor, commanding officer of the 2nd Marine Regiment (along with the 1st Cavalry Battalion and the 1st Recon Battalion), slowly approached the small town of Boonesborough, which was two hundred miles northeast to the closest American fort. His unit was sent to Kentucky to help protect the few American colonists in the area and attempt to end the violent conflict between the settlers and Shawnees in the north. Thankfully, the Cherokees had kept to their words, and only a few rebellious Cherokee tribesmen threatened the American colonists in the region. However, the Shawnees were overtly aggressive against the United States, and any attempt to conduct diplomacy with them was met with hostility. The border war between the American settlers in Kentucky and the Shawnees intensified after the Iroquois and Cherokees decided against fighting the Americans. Colonel Poor was sent with his men to limit the amount of damage on both sides. He also had an important message to deliver to the settlers of the Kentucky Territory.
A small group of armed settlers greeted the columns of soldiers within Boonesborough, who all looked enthusiastic at the sight of American soldiers. One of them was dressed in a modest military uniform, while the others were all dressed like frontiersmen. A man in his early thirties, which Colonel Poor reasoned was the leader of the group, shook Colonel Knowlton's and Colonel Silliman's hands and pointedly ignored Colonel Poor, "Welcome, sirs. It's good to see that Congress is finally sending some troops here. Those accursed Indians have been raiding our settlements for months!"
Colonel Poor was not a stranger to racism. Even with the better treatment he received nowadays, thanks to General Kim and his men, plenty of Americans were skeptical of his abilities and rank. While he wasn't personally offended, the colonist's indifference towards him left a poor taste in his mouth.
The leader of the Marine Battalion looked uneased as he glanced over to Colonel Poor, "Actually, he is the leader of this unit."
"The Negro?" The man looked stunned as he turned to the well-dressed African American marine.
"Colonel Poor, commanding officer of the 2nd Marine Regiment and the leader of this expedition," Colonel Poor replied cooly, "May I ask who you are?"
"Daniel Boone, the leader of this settlement," Boone looked visibly embarrassed at his mishap and quickly moved to shake the man's hand, "I apologize for that, but there aren't a lot of Negros in Traynslvania, and the ones that are here are..."
The marine officer didn't wait for the man to finish and smiled forcibly, "General Kim sends his regards, Mr. Boone. My unit will be assisting the defense of your settlements for the time being. However, I have brought with me a list of conditions that you and the other settlers of Kentucky will follow if you wish to continue your livelihood here."
Boone nodded his head hesitantly and listened to the colonel's words, "First of all, the Transylvania Purchase is now null and void, due to a new agreement that the United States has made with the Cherokees."
"That is outrageous!" Boone exploded, "My men and I have shed blood for this land, land that is rightfully ours I say! If you are here to force us out, then we will not be removed willingly."
At this moment, several of the men in Boone's group drew their firearms, which provoked a reaction from the marines. Colonel Poor stood his ground while over a thousand marines stared down the settlers with their rifled muskets. Realizing his mistake, Boone ordered his men to stand down, but the marines maintained their positions in front of the settlers.
"I have not yet finished, Mr. Boone," Colonel Poor stated as he pulled out a parchment which contained all the conditions in which the settlers in Kentucky were expected to follow, "That is only the first part. Now if you are willing to listen, then perhaps you will not be as enraged as before."
"Go on."
"A new treaty has been negotiated, which has been officialized just several weeks ago. You are aware of the location of the Green River, correct?"
"The large river just fifty miles south of here?"
"Yes. That is the final and official border between the Cherokees and the "Kentucky Territory. Settlers will not be permitted to establish any settlements south of that river. However, anything north of that can be legally settled, provided that you receive permission from the state government of Virginia."
"And on whose authority was this treaty negotiated?"
Colonel Poor frowned, "By the authority of the Continental Congress of the United States, Commander in Chief George Washington, Lieutenant General Samuel Kim, and Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia. If you wish to dispute this matter, then I suggest you petition to them to settle the matter."
Boone turned pale but kept silent as the colonel continued, "Furthermore, any raids or violent acts against the people of the Cherokees, the Creeks, or any of the tribes south of this settlement will be dealt harshly. However, both Congress and Governor Henry have recognized that the Shawnees have refused to negotiate a peaceful settlement on the matters of colonists in this region. Therefore, I have been authorized to protect your town and ensure that any incursions from the Shawnees are met with force, or negotiations whenever possible."
"Just to make things clear, we are not being removed from Transylvania."
"No."
"You are here to protect us from those savages that raid us from the north, but we are to make peace with those in the south?"
"That is correct."
"And how can you be trusted to handle this matter fairly when you have Indians in your own regiment!" Boone pointed at the Iroquois cavalry unit (nicknamed the Spirit Walkers).
Colonel Poor offered a small smile, "Because they are not Shawnees, Mr. Boone. They are from the Iroquois Confederacy, who are not friendly with the Shawnees either."
The frontiersmen looked disgruntled but kept his opinions to himself.
"Oh, and one more thing Mr. Boone, if any slaves are within your town's jurisdiction, then they are to be freed immediately."
Boone escorted the marines into the small town with frustration in his eyes and the men were given a tour of the settlement. Afterward, the soldier with the frontiersmen, a young Virginian militia captain named George Rogers Clark, gave them a rundown of the current stock of weapons and ammunition, "We've been hit hard lately, but we still have a sizeable amount of weapons and ammunition in case we're attacked again."
Colonel Poor nodded approvingly, "My men and I have brought supplies needed for the town, including some food and weapons. And if the Shawnees come around again to raid the settlements around here... then we'll meet them on the battlefield."
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