This isn't my work... it's from another AMer who asked me to post it.
THE FAMED H TROOP
I heard about the Indians terrorizing families on the plain.
Thinking some of the stories of those attacks seemed insane.
I had heard how they tortured and killed settlers with little defense.
That the Indians needed to be wiped out to me made good sense.
I decided to join the Army and get stationed in a fort out west.
Then contribute my part to put Indian uprisings to rest.
I saw myself as being part of that savior group.
Being a proud rider in the well known H Troop.
They were famous defenders of settlers who needed help to survive.
And thanks to H Troop many families had been kept alive.
I was going to be a hero and they would write of me too.
About how I had a hand in pulling the settlers through.
It wasn't long until with H troop I made my first ride.
There was talk of attacks in Dale Valley, then they'd run and hide.
We were on a seek and destroy mission which could save the day.
Our job was to give these poor settlers a safe place to stay.
We rode for a couple of days in search of their trail.
Although on my first mission I was sure we would not fail.
Later on that day our scout returned to report what he had found.
The Indian camp was right ahead and we made plans to surround.
The captain gave our orders and we got ready to attack.
I looked around and wondered who might not come back.
We all moved to surround the camp in perfect precision.
In a very short time our troop was all set and in position.
The captain gave the signal and my first raid was under way.
I was about to reach my goal on this bright sunny day.
We caught the Indian camp by total surprise as we rode in.
The Indians didn't even have a chance to try and begin.
H troop was riding and shooting every Indian in sight.
But I started noticing that something was just not right.
Just a few were braves and women and children made up the rest.
As I noticed what we were doing, I began to feel very distressed.
I had shot three or four in the excitement of my first raid.
Then suddenly realized that some signs of surrender were being made.
But still the slaughter continued as I stopped and stared.
I was shocked beyond belief at how little H Troop cared.
We were then told to dismount and check the woods for some who had fled.
The orders were take no prisoners to make sure that all were dead.
I came upon a squaw and her child nestled next to a tree.
I thought they may be murdered too but it won't be my me.
As I watched the squaw cover her child, I could see the fear.
All I could think was I had to help them away from here.
So I started to lead them away and escape all this gore.
To murder was not what I had joined the famous H Troop for.
We didn't get very far when I heard a shot from behind.
It was the Captain and he yelled "Private do as you are assigned."
With him was another trooper who said shoot the animals or I will.
But I already knew that I had way more than my fill
So I stood in front of the pair and said it has to stop here.
From that point exactly what happened was never quite clear.
The squaw and child I know were shot and so was I
Then the captain said arrest him and I guess I knew why.
I recovered from my wound and would now face a trial.
They made a list of charges that would cover a mile.
I told my story but they made it all out to be a lie.
They just testified that I had ran and didn't even try.
The trial soon ended and I was sentenced to hang.
I would go knowing H Troop wasn't a troop but just a gang.
I also knew that my story would never leave this fort.
As they had covered the senseless slaughter with a mad up report.
