The Goodhue volunteer., 1864-05-18

for Intelligence. or the bodies Of tho dead.
while I, with the cavalry, started down
twenty five miles and struck across the
country to the Tensas river, the haunts Of
the guerillas.
| I will give all the particular. of their
capture and fate, as far as could ascertain
them.
The first intelligence C.thca:t had was
pounding at his door by the Villains, telling
him-'Get up, and open tho door. God
damn you.' Not being speedily enough for
chem, they broke it open, and presented
their weapons at him. They askod-'Who
are you p He informed them. what are
Yon doing here, God damn you P 'Planting.'
who gave you authority to work this plan
tation P He stated that he bad govern
msnt lease. They then said-'well. como
along with US, and we will show you north
ern meh how to grow cotton. God damn
you.' He commenced to pack his carpet
bag, but they informed hin-'you won't
have any need Of clothing long,
However. it seems that they let him take
his carpet bag with i'm, for he had it
with him when he mounted his horse.
"Wednesday, rumors came in that they
had both been shot. Thursdayand Friday
the air was full Of painful runors, princi
pally traced to negro testimony. Hope
struggled against despair. You cannot
conceive the agony Of these days. I visit.
cd the plantation daily, but there was such
panic, even with the whites, that it was
deemed imprudert. But was determined
to spare no effort 10 learn their fate, and if
possible to render some assistance.
Saturday started force down the riv.
er, and across the country, while little
force Of faithful negroes went out 10 exam
inc in that direction.
After going about eight miles, they found
the body of Dr.. Fahnestoch, abont 100
yards from the road. His left .ar had been
cut off before killing, and his person strip .
ped Of all clothing except shi,t and draw.
ers aud socks, and then shot through the
head, the ball passing in At the eye.
This man was an aged, gray headed man
performing his duties as a physician in the
Government service. He was ono of tho
k'ndest and most benevolent Of men. Fl,
had been at the hospital but few weeks
ad was universally beloved by all who
knew him, consequently there could hav,
beon no personal enmity against him.
The party continued their search abou,
mile farther into the swamp, and found
the body OF poor Cathcart, abou flfty yards
from The road at the foot Of "a largo Gum
tree. lie was stripped Of every thing save
shirts and drawers, Even his stockings
were taken. He was shot through the
head, the ball passing through the temple
lie was lying on his face, with both hand,
convulslve:y clasped to his eyes,.
AS none but the murderers were lrs1ent
| have not been able to escer,ain any of the
incidents of those las sal moments of our
dear friends, hut can only in imagination
consider the terrible anxiety Of Il at sad pe
Rod.
Thus perished nay dear friend, who. by
constant association and united interest
had for the period Of our acquaintance been
most closely connected, and but for q won
der'ui 'n'er2oslton OF divine providence in
my behalf, we both would have perished
and IN the same manner. had learned to
love rim dearly l had found him brave.
generous and faithful. He had not a p.r-
sonsi enemy in this region. ALWAYS cour-
teo"' and generous in his b.aring-all lov
ed him.
Guerillas, are those denominated who
perpstrated the act. but it is we'll that tn 9
truth should be known. am sparing NJ,
pains to bring the murdsrers to punish ment.
and in food time hope to accomplish il
The result OF my investigations leads me to
be satisfied that the greater part of. those
I
who were engaged in the act were men
with Federal protection papers 10 their
pockets, and several Of whom had taken
the benefit of that greatest of President
Lincoln's specifies for ending the war-the
amnesty oath. -a,--.. ..s7@ III
The remains Of Mr.. Cattcart had become
somewhat decosnposed before I got them in
to metallic case, and will no. bear inspce-
tioa. The m .rderers stole the ring from
his finger BY severing the finger. " r
It has been . sad blow to me, and to
write you, . painful task. The evening be.
fore his death he wrote to his sister.
found the letter ia the room tbs nex,
morning. and forwarded il TO Col. Marshall
II was the la-t he ever wrote.
Our negrnes Ioved him, and mours hi,
| loss With SORROW. .
@. Truly yours,