The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1868-04-10
Communicated
JoItings from Memorv--The Death of
the Home Guard.
ASHER COOK
BY 4 SOLDIER.

rrabaLly the most bitter and rancorous hatred
engondered by the late conflict, was to be found
among the dwellers in the mountain regions Of
Tennessee and North Carolina. Kirk, Reynolds
Boone, Ellis and House, Of the Union, AMI Lewis
Mansill, Keith, Vaughn and Patterson of the Dis
u lion party, were of this region.
They were active partisan leaders, on their re-
spective sides, and-fearless and unscrupulous 30
ha,ed each other tn the death.
They each had Il band Of chosen followers, as
bold ana reckless RS themselves, and all were
somewhat irreguurly connected with the main
my representing the side of the issue they had
respectively adopted. A record of their doings
would form the darkest page in the history of the
war of the rebellion. What follows is record
from memory, and bv eyewitness of one incl
dent aud its correlatives, in the life of Captain
Dan Ellis.
A small body of Union troops were stationed at
Tayorsyille, East Tennessee. Becoming short of
ratiuns for man and beast, detachment sent
over the mountain toward Jacksonville, y. c., into
the New River Valley, for forage.
Here, while loading their wagons, gathering up
cattle, horses and mules and searching for hidden
stores, they were attacked by the North Carolina
Home Guards, aud few struggling soldiers from
the Rebel army under command Of rebel Major
Price, resident of that region, and then at home
on leave.
The attack was repuscd with somo loss to the
rebels, and after a short action, and some few of
the Union soldiers, wagon masters, teamsters and
otlers-In spite of orders to the contrary hastily
mounting the captured horses and mules, gave
chase to the flying rebels.
As two of the guides were returning, after hav-
| 1. -. -. nI,.,
prised by an old man suddenly coming into the
road from the mountain side where he had been
concealed bv the laurel bush, aud asking after the
fate OF Major Price, the commander OF the attack.
| ing party.
The guides, being citizens of the same country
knew him, took him ntn custody, and reported
him to the commanding officer of the expedition.
Tue Union forces were tneu on the march back
TO Tayol sville. Before reaching their camp, they
| were met by troop of Capt. Ellis command,
| who at once recognized the prisoner, and could
with difficulty be restrained from shooting him on
the spot:
military commission was ordered, TO deter
mine whether he should be held as a prisoner and
! sent to headquarters at the mouth Of ROanes
| Greek, or released.
That examination developed the fact, that the
| mans name was Samuel Mcqueen, that he was
considered rich, before the war commenced; that
| ne had adopted the Southern cause that he had
used all ns influence and much of his means in il
at first that he ultimately resnrted to persecution
| bloody
| who opposed him in his views that he held a
| commission or appointment as Lieutenant IN the
! Home Guards, and that in his official capacity he
J had become the scourge OF the neghborhoodi and
| had been the perpetrator OF innumerabie pereecu-
! tions of unoflending women and children, aud
! many appalling murders Of innocent men.
Add to this, that his private character was dis
! tinguishingy vicious, and you have the gist oi TN
| testimony in his case.
some of the testimony, detailed acts of consum
| mate wickedness of bitter unrelieved vicioushess
! too horrible to be repeated.
The witnesses were his former neighbors auC
one was a nephew Mcqueen offered no defence
| and only asked few unllnportant Questions U
some df the witne sses.
| IL was decided 70 hold him aud send him b
headquarters, to be dealt with as the Commindin
General of the U. 5. forces there might deter
! mine.
Here a difficulty arose. The forces at 1aylors
willie were chiefly cOlOred soldiers.
The prisoner requested that he should not b
placed Under a guard OF negro soldlers. Il
| said he preferred 10 die. The degr adatiOn Of hay
| ing thus far been guarded by them in camp, and {
| having been examined by Court composed
| part OF officers OF ngger regiment" Was a.
ready too much. lie could stand no more. ~
| OthceIS-himself OF the cOored reRiment-told III
be would be glad 10 Accommodate him with speed
death, bnt b Is authority did net extend that far
lie must go to headquarters.
At this jnncture, Capt. Dan Ellis made bis ap
pearance in the Union camp, and as he was re
turning immediately 10 headquarters at hoane
Greek, the prisoner was made acquainted wit
the fact and asked II be preferr d Ellis and b
! men an escort,
He requested TO see Ellis alone. They me
! What passed between them we never knew, b'
| the prisoner decided 10 go with Ellis, who gay
| his receipt for, and started With, the prisone
la half an hour an orderly rode back to the cam
at TaylOrsvile, with written statement signed
Capt. Ellis that the prisoner. Mcqueen, had =
3 tempted To escape, and had been SHOT. We foul
him in the road where he fell. dead.
0 There never was any inquiry made or explains
d tions demanded. In Difference To his daughteI
who now arrived at T., an ambulance was sent {
his boiy "A rude cofin was made by negro 50
! dier, aud be was quietly buried.