The Placer herald., 1873-11-08
FROM OPHIR.
OpHIR, October 20, 1878.

ED. HERALD:-
Allow me to send you the details of the cap
ture of Fort Pillow by officer Harsh, on the
night of the 22d inst:
Fort Pillow" was dangerous place to at
tack, considering the small force sent to take it.
Fort Pillow is ntrenched by North Ravine on
the east, by Greene's mine on the north, by
Mrs. Gilmore and "Curlys" saloons on the
west, and by "Scraggly Point" on the south
'Scragsy Poirt' is ragged peak looming uI
toward heaven &c, 900 feet above the level of the
sea, at the base of which is cave called the
Devils Cave" This cave was occupied by
Old King Coal 10000 years ago Officer
| Harsh was sent to take this fort, and started by
way of North Ravine He found the fort guard
ed by Mrs. Pillow and one of Scotland S braves
After four hours hard fighting, he was COM
polled to retreat, which he did in good order.
He then called to his aid the famous guide,
Jimmy Miller. He again attacked the fort
from the west side, by way of Mrs. Gilmore S.
| This time he obtained entrance to the fort, and
attempted the capture of Mrs. Pillow, but by
the timely aid of>the brave Scotty, who says,
"Begone! This woman l have sworn to pro-
tect," officer Harsh then forced to retreat
again with the loss of both his coat sleeves, and
his reliable guide, Jimmy Miller. He went to
Multner's store in Ophir, and asked for a gun,
and said "I'll take that fort this very night or
die in the attempt"
Multner gave him the gun,
And then stepped back to see the fun.
| Officer Harsh again left for Fort Pillow, crying
out in the dark "Come out We hounds and help
me fight, and Immediately there came from
some dark corner officer Thompson and citizen
Perkins, saying, "How brave we are we Il fight
| together till we die" Harsh then led this gal
liant little force to attack the fort by way OF
Scraggly Point After six hours of hard climb
ing, they at length arrived at the summit OF
Scraggy Peak. In the meantime Mrs. Pillow
had hosted the black flag, and mounting twelve
soda bottles around the fort as a means of de-
fense. She and her beautiful captive, Jimmy
| proceeded to drink and be jovia. Officer
Thompson and Perkins led the attack-theil
watchword being Woman" Arriving at the
fort, they found everything quiet. They began
scaling the walls in their fancied security when
all at once the soda bottles shot forth deadly
| fire. Citizen Perkins cries out, "Woman! and
to save their lives they broke and run. Down
Scraggly Point they descended with gigantic
strides to the Devils Cave, where they went to
hide. Officer Harsh then sent up the sky-rocket
of distress from Scraggly Peak. The Home
Guard of Ophir now hastened to his relief
They then attacked the fort from the north by
way of Greene s mine. Officer Harsh sent out
as scouts Nose Choate and Frank Carney, dis.
guised Nodes. Headed by these Modoe
braves, the little band this time met with sue.
cess, capturing the fort and all within it. They
captured one breech-oading gun, two dozen So
da bottles, and three empty beer kegs Harsh
then proceeded to Ophir with his prisoners, and
brought them before His Majesty, Chief Justice
Leahy, who, after commencing officer Harsh for
his fearless bravery, dismissed the prisoners
with slight reprimand and everything is now
peaceful in and around Fort Pillow. A sub
scription is now being taken up for the purpose
of presenting officer Thompson and citizen
Perkins with leather medals for their valuable
services rendered in the capture of the fort.
Yours truly,