Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1864-1865, 1865-02-02
Correspondence Of the Journal.
DICK DAVIS, TIE GUERRILLA.
By T. ". b.

Ii is an old maxim, that occasions
make men, and taking it to be true,
what an opportunity this war has al
forded TO almost every man to write
his name in the worlds history p
But comparatively few have
snatched the golden moment and
yet it has been prolific i'll the devel-
opment of the various traits of hu-
man character. 1t has become 4
stupendous tragedy, in which every
caste and type of actor may have his
role, and play his part 1t has made
its Alexanders, who have fought but
to conquer; its heroes, who, like The
mistoclcs, have risen from obscurlty
to renown; and it has had its mar
tyrs, who, like Marco Bozarris, have
sacrificed their lives freely and will
ingly upon the altar OF their country,
to secure the nations triumph, and
liberty TO its people.
This giant political convulsion has
not only brought general and states
man to the surface, but it has exhib-
tied another phase of human nature,
which, although daring and advcntur-
Gus. will perhaps seldom find its place
in the history of these times. | refer
to class of Banditti, who, taking
advantage of the universal chaos
into which society has been thrown
by this war, are now committing
crimes of robbery and bloodshcd
all over the South Vest. They take
"Dick Turpin " rs their model, pos
sessing his courage to do wrong,
but none of his eccentric msgnanim-
ity. Possessing none OF that high
toned chivalric feeling that desires
"foemen worthy OF their steel, they
wage warfare upon the unwary and
the dcfenccless. Stimulated by no
feeling of honor, they fight for no
flag, no nationality, but solely for
booty. They seek no open battle
field upon which. on equal terms, to
break 4 lance with thci. foe, like the
ancient knights Errant, but hide
themselves in ambush and cntrap
their victims like savages. In times
of peace they are generally bullies,
thieves and loaters, and in war, not
having sufficient manhood TO espouse
either side of the quarrel, they take
advantage of the circumstances, and
turn highwaymen and frecbooters.
Notwithstanding all this, the lives of
these men are always more or less
exciting and romantic. Frequently
they pass through dangers that would
try the courage of the strongest
nerve and stoutest heart. OF the
Guerrilla Chiefs who have spread
CONSERVATION and alarm in Western
Tennessee, none have acted SO con
spicuous a part az he, u sketch OF
whose life ] propose 10 give.
DICK DAVIS
Was horn in the city of Maysville.
Ky, should Judge about n quarter
of century ago. His baptismal
name was John T. Bollinger, but his
father diving lille he was yet child,
and his mother marrying 4 man by
the name of Davis. he subsequently
was given or assumed the name OF
his step father, and went by the cog
nomen of Dick Davis 1t is said
that his step-father, mother and a
sister reside ut this time in the city
of Cincinnati. At the breaking out
Of this rebellion be was resident OF
Mason county, Ky, and engaged in
buying and selling stock. in which
business he was accumulating some
property. Naturally of a wayward,
unsettled and nervous disposition,
he was not slow in gratifying bis de
sire for adventure by engaging in the
war. He joined Confederate cav
airy regiment in Kentucky, under
command of that chivalric raider anC
horse. thief, John Morgan. BY hi
reckless daring and unscrupuloui
cunning, he soon secured the conf
dence of that partisan chieftain. III
participated in most Of Morgan
raids in Kentc -.Sy, accompanied hin
v in his maCeap tour through Indian
and Ohio. in the summer OF ls6;
!, and Was one Of the few Of that CON
mand that managed to escape an