Read Online Chasing Pancho Villa by R. L. Tecklenburg - Free Book Online Page A

after the Washington people were taken to the train, to relax in Columbus. They had earned it. But your brother declined, stating that he had some business to take care of. We arranged to meet because I needed to talk with him. That’s when I found him.”
    â€œDo you know what kind of business he had, major?”
    â€œI don’t know exactly. I assumed he was taking care of personal correspondence. We found his fountain pen on the floor, but no papers, notes or anything else on his desk.”
    â€œCurious,” Harrison said, thinking about it. “Sir, may I review those investigation transcripts?” he asked. “It’s important that I know how my brother answered those questions.”
    â€œNot at present, Mr. James. Not until after the court martial is concluded.” The major was absolute. “All interviews are material evidence.”
    â€œWho gave the order to fire?”
    â€œI beg your pardon, sir?”
    â€œWho gave the order to fire on the Negro troops?”
    â€œI gave the order, sir. They were mutineers…. They had to be stopped.”
    â€œWhat happened then, major?”
    â€œIt was mutiny. The damned Coloreds went marching through town to the police station.” Major Snow’s lower lip trembled. “We should have fired on them immediately…to disperse them. It would have saved trouble, saved lives, and a lot of grief. Mr. James, your brother’s refusal to follow my order was a serious breach of his military responsibility. I believed it was a problem your brother and I needed to settle between ourselves. He refused my direct order to stop them, sir.”
    Harrison noted the anger.
    â€œWe needed to talk further about it,” the battalion commander said, then paused. “Sir, I want you to know…this was a highly respected unit. They distinguished themselves in Mexico. However, like any other unit, it had its bad apples. Trouble makers, stirring up the others. With Coloreds, I’ve come to understand, more discipline is required rather than less. Race troubles being what they are in Houston…well, sir, I feared something bad was bound to happen.”
    Harrison listened without interrupting.
    â€œYour brother refused to open fire. I told him it was a direct order from his commanding officer. Still he chose to disobey it.”
    Harrison watched the Major grow more agitated.
    â€œHe treated me with contempt, sir. He spoke of our disagreement openly with other officers. This has seriously affected morale. Captain James was my subordinate.” The soldier turned to stare out the tent opening, making an effort to master himself.
    â€œI wanted to settle the whole matter so that the unit could overcome this, this terrible event. As soldiers in the United States Army, Mr. James, we both understood what was expected of us,” he said, turning back to the civilian. “And, sir, I want to tell you that I never charged Captain James with disobeying a lawful order, nor did I convey my own feelings to the Board of Inquiry.”
    Harrison studied the officer for a moment. “Did you tell anyone else you were meeting with my brother?” he asked calmly.
    â€œNo, I did not.”
    â€œWas the reason you went to his tent that night to discuss my brother’s shortcomings?”
    â€œTo discuss how we could better work together to improve things, Mr. James, not to discipline him. I was not angry, only disappointed. I had hoped we could resolve our differences as two officers in the United States Army.” The major gave James a straight look.
    â€œI did not like your brother, Mr. James. That is well known. However, the captain was a gentleman and an honorable officer. I would be the first to admit that I respected him.”
    â€œWhat else can you tell me about my brother?” Harrison asked, noting the officer’s anger whenever he spoke of Bart.
    â€œThat’s all that I can tell you,