Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1867-01-09

fINot loug Sluce speut al eSeuiuB a'
the old Fort, and among the ex.ofhcers
there assembled was Capt Robert Ches
ter and among the stories Of adventure
told on the occasion was one told by him
which deem worthy Of being put into
print and | shall record it as he told it.
4h'U9f3 tLhaf I - tf2ii .tla
During the first week Of September,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three. while
holding ground near Bonneville, in Mis-
souri,, Gen. Brown sent me out to hunt up
a convenient and safe fording place for
artillery and supply wagons, across trib-
utary of Black River, in case we should
be called upon to form junction with a
party Of Federal troops who we're supp,s.
ed to be ON their way from Fort Scott
The only bridges that could have served
us had been destroyed, and it was not
thought worth while to construct new ones,
especially as it was not sure thing that
we should be called upon to use them -
Not appreheudiug any particular danger,
| only took with me my assistant engiu-
eer and guard Of twelve MEN under a
sergeant. My assistant was second lieu.
tenant, named James Hardy, hailiug from
St, Louis, He was young fellow. and
as true and brave as could be wished.---
We struck the creek at point about ted
miles south Of the main river. aud before
night | had found place where, by lit
tie clearing away of the wood, passage
OF artillery could be effected. But | learn
ed from one of the natives that there was
another creek. soEe six miles distant.
which we would have to cross on the pro.
posed ronte, SO | pushed on to examine
that. We found the stream and camped
for the night uTon its hank aud as soon
as our horses had been picketed some Of
the men started up fire, while others set
about further. preparations for supper
We had shot some fine, fat game Oh our
way, and when our cook finally announ-
ced that the meal was ready we sat down
to as sumptuous repast as soldier needs
to ask for al.nf i,ta.atU
After supper Hardy produced pack of
cards, and we sat down by the fire and
played few games Of euchre and at
about ten o'clock went out and took
look at the horses, and then spread my.
tlanket for nap | was tired, and fel!
asleep very quickly but | was not des.
tined to have very good nights rest. ]
had been in my blank ct not more than
an hour when ! was aroused by an unus.
ual noise, and / started up with the i'm
preston that some Of the horses had bro
ken loose: but made sad mistake for
as soon as my senses came to me discov-
cred that we were surrounded by guerril-
las. Hardy was upon his feet almost as
soon as ! was, and we drew our pistols
together. 1q.ia # 5a.o.,...u .p.
by ---- Captain, we're in for it T.
he exclaimed. as the bowling Of the dem
ons broke upon our ears and aroused. our
men. m nni,r ,Hi a. .ala- 1.aaas o'.uGr .u
..We'll do our best" ! returned. l.
IL have no fears" be said to me, as he
cooked his revolver. "We'll fight our
way out somehow" aa - ,o .tana g.
And those were the last wofds James
Hardy ever spoke. The sharp crack of .
score of rifles broke the air. and as the
bullets came whistling about my cars ]
heard one Of those awful hsngs-a soond
once heard, never to be forgotten, and
my lieutenat fell forward into my arms
| had just time. by the dim starlight, to
see that bullet had struck him directly
in the centre Of the forehead, when the
enemy rushed upon me. Il let the body
Of nj companion fall, and turned to meet
the foe; but resistance was out of the
question. Some Of my men had fallen
.eeneath the murderous volley. and to haze
shown fght under such clrcu&%ss stances
would have been simple suicide for there
we're at least score Of rascals, aud they
- :" :. heavy disadvantage any way
Half dozen men approached me with,
leveled pistols. and one Of fthem who wore
a heavy cavalry sword, asked me if 4 was
the officer in command and upon my an
swering that 1 was, he demanded my
name and ra,k, told him that my aamo
was Robert Chester, and that was cap
tain in the Federal service. then4aetine
Upon the staff as an engineer The lei
How seemed to catch At this piece Of IN q
formation with eageruess; and turning t.
Ibis companions, he told them TO bold OF
1 a, 9.Igx.I.Ltf "a sHiHup So fDi nNBliti4l fNet
their pistols. Ast aao yqop ssixa aa
| "ws may have use iors this man." 'ht
said. 80 don't harm him yet" And 'hor
turning again ito me, he asked me il