The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-02-23
o1IArTREI,I,s aUERILLAs.

tributes 10 tnaI paper oketcnes VI SuaHeroitS
Men," and gives the following account of the
fight between the Yankee General Blount's escort
and the guerillas under Quantrell
Towards the middle of September the guerrillss
reunited at Blackwater, and were ready in few
hours to leave the rendezvous for their march
South. Cold nights and occasional frost had
warned them to leave Missouri, and like poor
houseless birds of passage beaten by the pitiless
storm, they sought more genial CLINE. where the
grass green and Federas less numerous
Small parties of Feds were occasionally aud
bagged ssthey approached the border of the Cher
okee country. But nothing occurred Of any partic-
ular interest until they had penetrated the Indian
country to some distance.
On the 10th of October, without guide or COM
pass, without the slightest knowledge of the coun-
try, but marching in good order-for the ":sign"
was getting fresh-they suddenly came upon a
longing to the exiled Ridge party A dozen or
more unsuspeetirg Pins and negroes, with few
Feds, came up to the advance guard of the gueril
las, but the larger portion, not liking the clay
OUT, and seeming the danger, fed towards the
FORT which Col Quantrell had not yet discovered.
About sixty of Todd's men, under the leadership
of Lieut. Taylor, gave chase TO the flying Federals,
while the rest, under "Old QUAINT " and Todd
were Gispatehing the miscreants who remained
shot down, the others, mure fortunate, slevelled'
themselves to reach place of safety; and, all at
once, Taylor game in full view of strong fort,
surrounded with breastworks and bitches This
was new feature in the case; and it was very
evident that something novel and mysterious was
actuating the Feds movements, for they were ran
ming to and fro, some gazing eagerly at tie ad-
vancing force Of Taylor, without an attempt at
preparation for resistance; while others still seemed
IL -. II.
stricken Yankees, whe had so madly rushed in.
Flags were flying as if on a gala occasion, music
heard within the fort, and the officer appeared
in full uniform, as if for dress parade. They were
not long in state of suspense--for it takes us
longer to tell it than it took Lieut. Taylor TO form
his men and dash like a thupderbolt upon the
breastworks. The boys rushed on screaming like
demons-and amid the horrid din the amazed Feds
heard the shout sfor "Old QUAINT" That charge
magnifcently ferocious aud superbly desperate.
But for the inauspicious yell for Quautre every
man might have entered the fort and carried it by
storm. But perfect shower of lead greeted the
storming party, and only Eve succeeded in leaping
the rope that stretched over the breastworks.
The names of those immortal heroes are Lieut.
Taylor, Sergt Berry, - Hultz, George Shep-
herd, and Peyton Long. Each man broug hit down
one OF the enemy as he leaped in; but it was i'm
possible to stay and contend against 800, who
every angle of the fort.
just at this juncture our boys retreaed to the
spot where the command had been LETT; but here
was something also, Taylor found the whole
in line of battle, motionless as statues,
with Quantrell at their head on bis war-horse,
looking grim as the Sphinx of Egypt at bril-
liant cavalcade of horsemen forming beautifully
about three hundred yards in front The whisper
ran through the line, cit is old Blount, and he
L.
reception - It was true. There rode Gen Bount
and staff, glittering in blue cloth and gold lace,
and about 200 of his body guard. Just then the
cavaicade moved, and the band commenced playing
Yankee Doodle. Quantrell moved also but the
quick eye of Blount discovered something wrone,
and called halt. But the guerrillas by this time
were under full galiop and down they swept up
on the brilliant cortege like an avalanche and
hurled them to the earth The struggle was short
and fierce, the shock terrific guerrilla rode
both horse and his rider and dashed out the brains
of the latter as be passed. Again and again they
turned fired, charged and re-chargcd, until the
ground was strewn with the dead, ambulances
overturned, and horses flying mady in every d.
rection. Here occurred one of those thrilling in
cidents, Of those marvellous episodes that
cause whole nations sometimes to pause with
breathless wonder, and whole armies TO halt and
gaze with anlazement and admiration.
Leul Nol JULIUS, AOJutduI OCneIai UcucIdl
Blounts staff, rode magnificent horse, richly ca
aud was himself dressed in the richest
uniform of his rank. He was remarkably hand
sotne man, fair and rosy, eyes blue those of the
fairest blonde of his CLINE; pale, fair, tall,
slender fgure-with features as beautiful those
of woman. He was well armed with pistol and
sabre, and used them CALAMITY He that his
force is defeated, and determines to escape But
as he turns his horses head he encounters the
fierce eye Of young guerilla as handsome, brave
and well armed as himself bearing right down up
on him. He observes the Adjt General endeavor-
ing to escape; calls to him to stop and fight. He
does turn to meet the guerrilla now swoopng down
upon him like an eagle on its prey. The Yankee
fires long range gun-but misses his ana; he
draws his six-shooter and rapidly, tervously dis
charges the contents at bis adversary who all this
time is gaining on him and dashiug straight at him
AS an eagle swoops down his prey, gracefully
and grandly ferocous beautiful even in the act of
destruction, SO does Peyton Long, the young hero,
gallantly bear down on the ''cute" Yankee he re-
serves every shot, while Curtis is wasting his he
dashes upon him-soth pause for an instant, if
In mutual admiratiou-but only for moment
Peyton Long watches his antagonist, and sways
his body to the left to escape the sabre cut of the
Yankee the next instant the inevitable sixsbouter
of the guerilla is pointed to the head Of the spen-
did-looking fellow it is the work of instant
Peyton stkes like an eagle, and all is over! A
shout OF triumph !rom the throng Of gueril-
las, who had ceased the fight to watch the encout-
ter between this well:matched couple.
or fnn la,,- ,l,, ~