The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-12
A Cotton Buyer on a Razor backed
Mule.

Cones, in company with two or three
other buyers, had bought some cotton out
at Moscow, twelve miles from La Grange
just before cur army marched from the
latter place, and as General Quinby's di-
vision had just removed from there, they
thought the sooner they got the cotton in
TO La Grange the better, consequently
four of them, besides the drivers of the
teams, started out after il. Cones was
the only one of the four who was not ar
med and was not on horseback, he
riding in one of the teams. They sue
ceeded in getting the cotton, and hurried
back until they came in sight Of the Fed
eral piekets and then, Cones three
friends thinking the teams were out of
danger, left him, and rode on into town
Only two or three minutes after they
had left, and as the wagons went down
into hollow, ont of sight of the picket
guard, five guerrillas dashed out Of the
woods, and were alongside in an instant.
Halt Every one of the teams halted as
though they had run against stone wall,
The next instant the muzzle of cooked
revolver was at the ear of every ono of
them, Cones included, who was riding on
the cotton.
"Are your armed ?" said the guerrilla
who held his pistol at Cones head.
"No, STRIP
"Then get down and unhitch them
mules and turn 'em around id quick p
1t was done in the time specified
Guerrilla-"HRve you a match ?
want TO tonch off this cotton"
Cones-"No, sir. | am glad to say l
havn't."
Gusrrilla-"Then git onto that mule,
quick -
In an instant Cones was mounted, on
what he says was " a wonderfully sharp
brcked mule"
Guerrilla Giving the mule a terrific
slash with the wagon whip)-'Now ,d--n
you, lick them mules up Make EN-
gol Give 'em thunder p
And away they went at space, which
to Cones on his razor back mule, he
thought must split him in two before
many miles, three guerrillAs behind
lashing the mule at every jump. Five
miles or more they went at this pace, and
not another word had been spoken by
any one, when they turned out of the
main road into an old and unfrequented
road, that wound its zigzags through one
Of the densoly wooded creek bottoms.
"Halt" said the guerrilla, and he who
gave the command commenced hurriedly
to relieve himself of some Of his accOut-
rements as though he was now about to
60 to work in earnest at some devilish
deed. This place was lonely and fitting
10 such murderous intents, and Cones
says he felt cold sort of chill run down
the full length Of even his long legs.
Guerrilla drawing the cork out Of his
canteen) )-"You look like a pretty id
| good feller. Let's take drink; and for
fear you might think it's pizen, PHdrinl
first y
And suiting the action TO his words
he placed the canteen TO his lips and
turned his face up in the position Of one
making astronomical observations. AT
ter long pull he passed the cantesr
over TO Cones, who thought il "mightn
be pizen," and imbibed.
Guerrilla" Now d--n you, lick nj
them mulee give 'em thunderl Hurry
upw
And each injunction he emphasize,
on the rear Of the flying mules with hi
whip.
They bivouacked in a thioket tha
night, but early next morning began thei
journey at the same pace, and towar'
evening Of that day they galloped into
rude-looking camp, which turned out {
be the nest Of Richardson and his guer
rillo band, within q few miles Of For