Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-30
The COBelusloBs cf q DemOernt---Rxperi-
enee % 3. 6. Hopkins. Esa.

Democrats, who were the leaders of tn
party in that section, who controlled tn
nominations, worked side by side and slep
in the same political bed. These two mel
were Dan. P. Rhodes, now of this city
and B. F. Hopkins, Esq. The former ha
olung desperately to his political faith anC
is as fierce Democrat as Cleveland af
fordsi the other went to Missouri, saw thr
working Of the "divine institution and
having lately escaped from therebel coun
try, goes in for confscstion and annihila
tion to the bitter end against the rebels. Or
the evening of the 29th ult. he was in.
vited by the citizens Of Franklin town
ship to relate the adventures of himself
and family. He complied and spoke to an
overlooking house. He said that SO far as
ne cOuldhe would avoid all party questions
and tell plain narrative Of facts which
transpired under his own observation
He resided in southwestern Missouri when
the war commenced. His two sons were
offered commissions in the rebel army il
they would volunteer, and on their refusal
they were notified that they would all
be shot or hung. Apicket guard was i'm
mediately placed around his premises to
prevent their escape, and every kind of
indignity and taunt that demoniacal NAL
ice could invent, were heaped upon them d;
and after enduring these indignities until
the time drew near when they were noti-
fed by the spies they employed, who had
mt Inst all -aAnza nf right, that in n fA9
days they were to be all killed, the two
youngest sons started one dark, rainy
night, to escape the enemy's pickets, and,
If possible, reach Cass7ills and obtain an
escort to help them leave their dangerous
position. They safely arrived at Cassville
after great difficulty, but the officer in
command refused the request for an escort
on account Of the weakness Of the gsrri-
son, and that it would be acting without
orders from General Curtis. Mr.. Hopkins
thus relates what then befell, as reported
in the Ravenna Democrat:
q In this dilemma the younger son pro-
ceeded to Forsyth, the headquarters of
General Curtis, about one hundred miles
farther, and the elder son with q sorrow-
ing heart hastened back TO aid his father
and elder brother, who remained at home,
to defend themselves from the expected at
tack from their hellish foes. But from ex-
cessive fatigue, added to anxiety of mind
and want Of rest he was Immediately
prostrated with fever, which confined him
for two weeks and this, too at time
when his parents dare not call for a ply
sician, as none could be found but enemies.
Neither dare they let those enemies know
the weakened condition of their little gar
rison, now under close siege. Having de-
liberstely determined that in case of as
sault they would sell their lives at price
too high to suit the foe, for this contin-
gency they had provided the best of arms
and ammunition, and pack Of five watch
dogs-no mean allies in q deadly encoun-
ter for life. These dogs we're often shot at
by the prowling and stealthy foe, ever on
the watch at night to get a chance to shoot
some one of the beleaguered party. These
shots we're always replied to by the garri-
son, by firing one or more guns, to notify
them that our sentinels were always at
their posts, and ready for the attack. As
soon as their son recovered from his fever,
attended by the best of physicians, a
mother, and before his usual strength had
returned, he determined to 90 again TO
Cassville and plead for help once more
As before he left the first dark night, and
succeeded IN passing tIIe eHeIny- . IIHes uH-
detected, and arrived at Cassville early
next morning, and after some delay he was
told nothing could be done till the younger
son, who had gone to Forsyth to obtain the
order from General Curtis, should return.
"During this delay q call was made for
volunteers to 60 on scout, to intercept q
band Of guerrillas that were committing
great depredations in that vicinity; the
son Immediately volunteered in that SER
vice, in which by his Valor and courage |
he secured the unqualified appreciation Of |
the whole garrison, having in the encoun-
ter with the rebels, the same afternoon, at |
tackled and wounded their Captain, taking |
a very fine horse from him, his sword, &c. |
The horse was awarded to him by the COM
mandant, Major Black, for his valor, and |
by him presented as a present to Major |
Hubbard, as 8 token Of gratitude for the |
effort he had made to get permission to
head an escort for the relief Of the suffer- |
ing. Major H. commanded a battalion Of /
cavalry at that post. Again denied relief, |
he returned to the defense Of the dear ones
at home. During all this time, nothing |
was heard from the younger son who had
gone to Forsyth, General Curtis head
quarters) He passed the enemy's pickets
safely, and arrived home before day the 4
next morning, and remained sentinel dur
ing the day. While absent information was /
from our spies that an attack was
contemplated in a few days, and that if
escape was practicable, it must be effected |
without delay. Our noble boy resolved to
return to CassYille and urge with renewed |
for aid, to help his parents and /
elder brother to escape from doom too
frightful TO contemplate. He waited only |
for nights friendly pail TO screen him from
the vigilance Of the enemy, and started /
once more for Cassville, where, through /
the help Of his friend, Major Hubbard, and |
his own volunteering as q soldier during |
the war, consent was finally obtained that /
Major Hubbard should head an escort Of |
l25 men, with two pieces Of artillery, to
s sIarT u ETezt---o--;--r,-u--k -----A- zzn1ild Il
consent to no delay, and finally the escort
started at o'clock P. N, guided by our in
defatigable and brave son, and 'went on
their winding way to carry joy and hope |
to those who had almost despaired Of help. /
The escort arrived by q forced march over
q crooked and rugged road of so miles, be-
fore 10 o'clock Of the next morning. We
had learned through q messenger in the /
night that Mr.. Merrill, living about 10
miles from US, had been taken about sum
set, by the guerrillas from his family, who
were told that he should DO hung. for the
crime Of daring to love our Union, Consti-