In the darkness not far ahead of these northbound helicopters were the scattered platoon fighting positions of the Idaho National Guard. The Guardsmen defending the eastern edge of the mesa overlooking Deadman’s Flats who could do so had taken shelter against the storm long before the first raindrop fell. Those left with the task of manning outposts or standing watch in the commander’s hatch of their vehicle had little to do but wrap themselves in layers of clothing and suffer in quiet misery. During this lonely vigil many reflected upon their plight and the future that was, at that moment, as cold and foreboding as the night itself.

For ten days they had done all that had been expected of them. They achieved far more than many had thought themselves capable of. They had put up a brave front. United, they had stared down Washington’s political elite. Now, with the Regular Army preparing to call their bluff, most felt it was time to do the only thing that made sense. Even the most radical Guardsman standing watch expected their governor to declare victory, make peace with the Federal government, and send them home.

Few of the sons and daughters of Idaho manning the line that night were aware they were about to be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. Even fewer appreciated that this gesture was not being made at the behest of the people they had elected to lead them. None of them were fools. Like so many other forlorn souls caught between two clashing ideologies, the members of the Idaho National Guard were out there doing their duties because they had made a commitment, trusted their political leaders, and believed that they were doing what was right. Whether this dedication was based upon a strong personal conviction to a particular code of ethics or beliefs, or simply because they didn’t want to look bad in the eyes of their fellow Guardsmen was unimportant. What did matter was that this small band of citizen soldiers were out there ignoring the elements, Federal authority, and some would say common sense.