The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-10-16

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| Colonel David Ray, at the battle of Mon
mouth, U. H., came near losing his head II
his anxiety to acquire, by right Of conquest
the property of another. The story, As re
/ lated by himself to friend, was nearly il
4 manner as follows: The gallant Colone
| was in command Of body Of artillerists
and wns accommodating the enemy from the
southern extremity Of a rise of ground, or
which was posted regiment Of continents
/ infantry, opposed to a regiment of the enc
my's cavalry, which fankei a regiment Of
grenadlers. The Colonel was mounted upon
a noble bay horse, but the heat of tn,
! weather, the exertion OF The morning-it wa,
an exceedingly hot day--and various othe,
/ circumstances combined, had served to ust
him up; and he was on an unsafe animal Il
ride on such occasions that, being giver
TO shyng, and various other tricks, in the
presence Of m enemy. The Colonel had
concluded TO replace him by one taken from
the enemy, should opportunity allow.
White standing somewhat in front OF his
regiment, waiting for the action to recon
mence, he saw stalwart dragoon leave the
ranks, single him out, and start in pursuit,
probably with the idea OF making capture.
Ray, observing that he was mounted upon a
/ handsome, thorough bred horse, thought thi.
a good opportunity to replace the animal he
strobe, md being capital shot, he felt sure
of his game, albeit the trooper felt quite az
sure Of him. lie was powerfully built fel.
low of some six feet in height, and the horse
on which he was mounted was proportion
! ately stout and strong.
The Colonel did not have long to wait be-
foA his antagonist was within pistol shot,
aud, taxing deliberate aim at the dragoon,
he fred. To his surprise and establishment,
Ms the smoke cleared away, he saw that he
had missed his opponent, who was rapidly
iessening the distance between them. Quick
as thought, he drew the other pistol from
the bolster, and fired that, but With no better
effect. With n curse upon his ill-fortune, he
now attempted to draw his sword, but before
he could place his hand upon the hilt, his
antagonist, who was rushing forward with
/ rapid strides, his blade uplifted, and prepar-
red with vengeful arm TO strike blow which
should put an end TO the Colonel's aspira-
tions and his life together, was so close upon
! him that flight was his only alternative.
Dashing his spurs into the TANKS Of his
already jaded steed, and giving him the rein,
he left his tracks but u second before the
trooper passed over them. Refining short
around, he passed in the rear Of the trooper,
and before the latter could pull up and
wheel, he had gained some half dozen
strides the start. He did not think now Of
drawing his sword, bur only how TO escape,
for be had been near enough to his opponent
10 see that he was in earnest.
There were only three prominent objects
10 the field or neighborhood enemy, the
militia regiment, and large barn, with
cows shed and barn yard attached. To the
latter he directed his steed, hoping to find
some opportunity to give his enemy the slip,
should he follow him. He was not long in
doubt on the latter point, for turning around
he saw him almost at his heels, and raising
in his stirrups preparatory to cutting him
down. The barn. door stood open just as it
had been left the previous day by the hus-
bandmsn when surprised by the advance Of
the British troops. In went the Colonel
with his hair and coat skirts flying; and in
went the dragoon after him. Out of the
other door went parsuer and pursued--ronnd
the w-shed-through the barn-yard--into
the barn again--out OF the door-and SO
around and over the same ground again and
again, until the race became decidedly in
,eresting and the Coionel's horse showed
some signs Of giving out.
tWtct tuc OOt- essu}eu W uIhW ut8 SWORD
to defend himself, but - often something
prey ented him doing so; and be reflected II
he were 10 do SO, before he could wheel his
horse his antagonist would be upon him, and
overthrow him by his very impsIus, and 50
gave up the attempt. But Il became him
now to adopt some new sxpedient, for, with
all his urging he could only keep his animal
just far enough in advance 20 be out Of reach
~ ~ ata faIs inn
nifty as he passed the bars 10 nis round, he
dalted through them aud made for the mill
tia regiment, hoping that his antagonist
would not venture TO follow him there. In
this, however, he was mistaken, for he seem
ed determined 20 overtake his man II ali haz-
ards, regardless Of personal exposure
Along the whole OF the extended line OF reg
imeut hey passed, within few feet OF the
muzxles Of the soldiers guns, many Of which
were discharged at the audacious trooper,
but with az little effect as the Col0nel's pis
tolls had been.
Many Of the men were 80 full OF mirth at
the unexpected, and certainly ludicrous pre-
dicament OF The hapless Colonel, that they
could not aim with sufficient accuracy to hit;
and IN their anxiety, too, to avoid him, they
fired vide Of the mark aud out Of one hun
bred shots and upward which were aimed at
him, the Dragon was unframed by any! Af-
ter pursuing the Colonel d,~n the whole
line, and having driven him to take refuge
in the rear, the intrepid fellow gave up the
chase, wheeled his horse and made for his
own corps, and was seen quietly TO take his
place IN the ranks.
The Colonel never forgot the stirring event
q his dying day, although it afforded him
and his fellow officers a source OF mirth for
many days after. .'Confonnd him." said
the Colonel, as he wiped the perspira,ion
from his brow, after the trooper had taken
his departure, II neyer saw such daring
ieiow IN all my lite, he wouidn't even give
me time TO draw and defend myself
Mas. Anna Cora RircHig.--An article has
been recently gong the rounds OF the papers
which states that Mrs. Richie, formerly
-.