Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-12
THE CATAHOUI,A VENDETTA

Times of the Sth, purports to give eth
full particulars of the last act in tn
tragedy" To the Confederate Army o
Tennessee, Gen. LiddelI was we'll known
While Gen. Bragg occupied Tullahomi
and Shelbyyille, Gen Liddell was in com
mand under Gen. Bragg at Wartrace:
A eontempory having given some par
tculars of the Black river vendetta. anC
the escape of the younger Jones, aftei
Nfthe murder of his father and brother,
duty TO the public compels us to furnish
information, which has been in the office
of the Times since Saturday, and up 10
this time, for obvious reasons, has been
suppressed. The gentleman alluded to, q
youth of nineteen, reached this city at a
late hour Friday night or early Saturday
morning, on board the steamer MsyfoWer,
after one of the most extraordinary es-
capes that perhaps has ever been recorded
in either romance or history.
Immediately upon his arrival, he sought
a refuge in the Third District, but shortly
afterward he was removed to another
portion of the city, where he has since
remained under strong police guard.
From those who have cOnversed with
him freely, we learn the following details
of one of the most horrible outrages that
has ever blackened the criminal record of
Louisiana:
The story of Sunday evening, Feb. 81,
has already been partially told. While in
the custody of Sheriff Ballard, and In the
company of Mr.. Elijah B. Cotton and
several ladies, tine house they three then
occupied, near Harrisonburg, was COM
pletely surrounded by an armed mob, who,
knocking at the door, first demanded TO
see the sheriff.
Mr.. Ballard, making his appearance, he
was informed in a manner far from viO-
lent, but at the same time with the utmost
firmness, that it was necessary for him
and every other inmate, excepting the
three Joneses, TO at once leave the prem
Uses. Upon his making some demur, the
order was repeated more peremptorily and
in his closing remarks the leader stated
the house would be burned in the course
of a few minutes. There seemed no
other alternative, and all the inmates,
excepting the three victims, quietly left.
The house is two-story building, with
stairs leading from the rear to the second
floor. Col. Jones and his. sons were on
the ground floor, and after the departure
of the other inmates, the doors were
securely fastened.
When.the contest commenced, 1.-The three
were in front room. The father, stand
ing near bedstead, rested his wounded
left arm on if, and in his right hand held
4 revolver pointed at the portal. The
second son stood Immediately in rear,
with two revolvers pointed in the same
direction. The third son (the one who is
now in the city, was still further back
armed with one revolver. In the brief
parley the younger brother had urged the
unhappy little garrison TO take station
upstairs, but the other two insisted that
if fire was used that course would only
lead to certain destruction, and that as
death was apparently inevitable all had
best meet it boldly. The youth however
did not seem disposed TO give up all hope,
and before the assault had been fairly
commenced, he retreated through a rear
room, in the direction of the staircase.
About the time he had placed his foot on
the first step, there came a terrific bang.
ing at the door, apparently with an axe.
Hurrying up, he was startled with 8
crash: the door had fallen, and the hor
ror which followed rivaled terrOrs OF
hell itself. A dozen shots in quick sue
cession, fiendish yell, the groan of 1
dying man, and the tramp Of heavy foot
steps. Men, like wild beasts, maddeneC
r IN, oil lirap
TONS The older son, desperately wound
ed, totteTed out 10 the garden in the rear
only TO have the remnant of life shot on
of him by wretch, (revolver in hand,
who stood over him as he lay gaspiDg OIL
the ground. Ell.
The work Of carnage was of short du
ration; ten minutes completed the butch
cry below, and then the rush was mad
for the upper story for the one more vic
tim, u beardless boy, who remained 10
their angry bullets. TO leap to the grOunt
and certain death, or present his breast t
the now ascending assassins, was Tn
thought of an instant. While the assail
ants were yet on the stairs, he conclude
to do neither and sprang through from
window where, grasping ledge forme,
under the sill, he swung himself out an
hung uspended-bloOd below, blood
thirsty enemies above. How long he re
manned there is better told by his hand
covered with blisters, and so bruised an
strained that even now they are nearl
useless. The room was speedily file,
with men.
Torches were thrust out almost over hi
head, but thanks to their binding glare
the victim hung unseen. They evidentl
believed he had escaped. Parties WEI
even sent 10 the river, but after a stay G
perhaps fifteen minutes, the scene G
horror was deserted.
The danger for the moment over, th
youth swung himself back into the room
and for a time lay completely overcOn
by exhaustion. Then came the sad OffiC
of viewing the bloody corpses of the on
two he claimed akin within thousands {
miles. Col Jones lay where he hS
I stood, pierced by four bullets. He hl
J evidently died instantly, receiving evel
wound from the front. The son lay
the garden, also quite dead.
Remaining perhaps an hour on the ira
ic ground, the boy creeping softly TO I
river procured a pirogue, and slow
floated down stream TO a lower landin
Sinking on board the steamer Maytlowt
he found himself in the midst of his Ell
mics. fifteen Of them armed with sh'
guns.
While standing in bcwildermcnt, o
man, worthy of the name, we wish
dared give it, touched him, and the t
walked toward the engine room. He W
quickly directed TO the hold, couple
bales of cotton were carelessly rolled o.
the hatch, and the escape was acco
plished. The party left the boat in squ'
of three and four on the way down
river. Il Is not certain that all left /
not certain that some are not here no
that two of them did not, on Saturt
night, drive TO his refuge in carria
He is surrounded, however, by a Gil
fercer than Greek fire. Should they pc
traie IL, twill be at the risk of life.
A VENERABLE clergyman has just
in England, the Rev. Charles Townse
who achieved in his lime two good {
grams. One was directed at WordswC
and his friends:
ssThey dwell at tho Lakes, an appropriate qua
For poems diluted with plenty Of water"
The other was called forth by visi
thieves 10 the authors rectory:
ssThey came and prisg'd my stockings, my
and my store;
But they couldn't p ig my sermons, for they
priggd before"
IT is asserted That there never W
]. - Al