Free The Peacemaker by Chelley Kitzmiller

Apache situation has worsened since you took command of Camp Bowie. Desertions are higher than ever before and the morale of the entire camp is at an all-time low. As much as I hate to say it, sir, your by-the-book methods and tactics are unsuitable for the frontier and for Apache warfare."
    Indy stared at the items on her list but didn't see them. Pulling a breath and holding it, she waited for her father's reply.
    "Is that all, Captain? Aren't you going to say something about my incompetency or my inability to command my men?"
    "No, sir." Nolan handed him a piece of paper. "I've been asked to give you this. It's a petition to the War Department asking that you be removed from command here. Nearly every man has signed it."
    The colonel took the proffered petition and read it over, then looked up, his face a stone mask. "I didn't come here to win friends, Captain. I came because the War Department made a mistake. I was supposed to have been assigned to the President in Washington."
    “I'm sorry, sir.”
    The colonel leaned his head back and glared at the man across from him. "Yes, I'm sure you are. You think this command should have been given to you, Captain?"
    "No, sir," came the quick reply. "But I do think the command should have been given to someone with experience in dealing with Indians."
    In a level voice the colonel said, "You risk a great deal talking to me in this manner, Captain. I could take offense and have you charged with insubordination. It could be the end of your career."
    "Yes, sir. I'm aware of the risk but am willing to do whatever it takes to save lives."
    Indy dared a sideways glance. They were glaring at each other like two warring bulls. The friction between them could have ignited a fire.
    "You're a brave man, Captain Nolan," the colonel said at length. "Few men would dare say the things you've just said to me."
    "There's a lot at stake, sir. Not just Bowie, but the future of the Arizona Territory."
    There was a long pause. The colonel gazed out the window, seemingly lost in thought. But Indy knew better. He never lost himself in thought. A minute later he said, "Suppose you tell me what I should do to make sure that petition never finds its way to the War Department."
    Nolan looked uncomfortable with his role as mediator. "Throw your rule book away. The only way to control the Apaches is to fight them on their ground, and to do that you have to think and act as they do." At the colonel's quizzing look, he went on to explain. "They rely on concealment and surprise. The other day was the first time in four years I've seen them before they attacked. And I'm sure I saw them because they wanted me to, though I don't know why. You need to employ an Apache scout to—"
    "A scout?" Colonel Taylor shook his head vehemently. "That would be putting every man, woman, and child at Bowie at risk. You can't trust a man who would go against his own."
    "Begging your pardon, sir, but I was about to say that you should employ an Apache scout to train a select group of our own soldiers to travel, attack, and fight like Apaches. Once trained and properly outfitted, it would be like having a whole company of qualified scouts. They would know Apache tactics, desert survival skills, tracking, and a hundred other things that are a warrior's way of life. Those skills combined with Army discipline, arms, and ammunition would give us the advantage for once. Do you see what I'm getting at, sir?"
    Indy pressed her lips together. How could her father not see? It was all so logical and reasonable. Never in her life had she wanted so badly to speak up, but she had promised her father that she would not interfere.
    "I'm not blind, Captain. I admit I do see some merit in what you are saying, but I can't say I wholeheartedly agree with you. There's a lot more to solving the Apache situation than what you've outlined. A lot more."
    The captain leaned back against his chair. He looked tired, pained, and, Indy thought, defeated. She