The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-09-25
ysha Browns Capture, q Tsld by . South.
ern Writer.

COIOuol Is. u. A60 0oVIuS oIIiVouS
took command of the place, and posting
his force of marines near the engine
house which stood, and still stands just
within tho gate opening on the grounds,
prepared to attack the raiders in their
improvised fort. Owing to the natural
confusion and the absence Of thorough
organization the militia, who had has
tened in from the neighboring counties,
had not made . regular assault. 1t was
about night when Brown took refuge
in the engine house, and while tho Of
fcers of the militia were consulting up
on tho best means of attacking the place,
Col. Lee, with the United States troops,
made his appearance and assumed the
direction Of everything. About sunrise
takes place at this season Of
tho year . little after six o'clock-the
marines were ready to stack the engine
house but Colonel Lee first, in accord
ance with his orders, sent Brown
summons to surrender. This summons
was carried by Lieutenant ]. E. b. Stu
art who thus made his appearance a.
prominent actor in what may be called
tho first scene of the first act of the
civil war, where he filled SO great a
space in the public eye as commander OF
General Lees cavalry. Stuart walked
toward the engine house waving white
handkerchief, and when he reached the
door called out that he wished to speak
with "Captain Smith" This was the
name assumed by Brown when he
reached the farm house IN Maryland as
q rendezvous for his party, and the only
name by which he was known up to
this moment. In response to Stuarts
call one of the folding doors Of the
engine house was partially opened, and
Browns face and part of his figure ap-
peared in the opening. He held car
bine in one hand, and q fierce bulldog
pushed his muzzle through the open
space and growled at the intruder.
Across tho doors within was stretched
. strong rope, NO doubt intended to
protect the doors from being battered in
"A better protection than an ordinary
bar, as it would yield, but would not
give way.
As soon as Stuart saw Brown he rec
,gnized him. They had either been &C.
luainted or Stuart had seen him in tho
he west, whore be was known as "Os-
Brown" from the resolute
Itand he had made at that place about
.hree years before this time against
ien. Lane-repulsing . largely superb
Or force and effecting his retreat IN safe.
y. Finding that "Captaln Smith" was
he famous freesoil fighter in person,
Stuart's first words we're:
"You are OssawattOmie Brown, OF
Kansas"
Brown looked at him keenly tor an
instant from under bis shaggy, gray
eyebrows, and then said coolly, address
ing Stuart by the title which his uni.
form indicated
"Well, they do call me that some
times, Lieutenant"
81 thought l remembered meeting
you in Kansas" Stuart said. "This is
bad business You are engaged in, Cap
tain. The United States troops have
arrived and am sent to demand your
"Upon what TERMS" asked Brown,
without any exhibition of emotion, and
speaking in q matter of-fact tone, as If
be were engaged in the transaction OF
IN ordinary piece Of business tone
which Gen. Stuart informed me he pre-
served during their entire interview.
"The terms are" Stuart replied, "that
you shall surrender to the officer COM
the troops, and no will pro-
oct you and your men from tho crowd
md guarantee you fair trial by the
,ivil authorities
Brown shook his head, and the bull
log, whose muzzle protruded beneath
close to Stusrt's knee-uttered q
force growl, as if no better pleased
han his master.
81 can't surrender on such TERMS"
Brown replied. "You must allow me
his engine house with my comrades
md the prisoners and march across to
he Maryla land side. Then l will release
he prisoners: and, as soon as this is
lone, you and your troops may fire on
Is and pursue u.s."
81 have no authority to agree IL such
IN arrangement" Stuart said. "My or
lers are to demand your surrender on
he terms have stated"
"Wcll, Lieutenant" Brown returned,
Is quietly ms before, 81 see We can't
gree. Yen have the numbers on me,
tut you know we soldiers are not
'frald of death. would as leave die
y bullet as on the gallows"
"Is that your final answer, Captain"
stuart said.
"Yes," replied Brown.
And this closed the interview, which
have given n nearly, if not quito the
xAct words Of Gen. Stuart. The ex-
,ressions used by Brown have been,
hink, recorded with precise accuracy.
'ome of these impressed the as partic-
llarly characteristic OF the man; among
'thers, the words 1--WE soldiers" and 81
would as leave die BY bullet as on the
allows" The former seemed to indi- 1
ate that he associated Stuart and him.
elf together, in his own mind, as mill
AIRY men, who were not apt to be
frightened At the prospect Of approach
ng death, and the latter phrase showed
hat he realized what his tste would be
{ he surrendered unconditionalIy-be-
ween . bullet and the gailows there
vas little, il any, choice.
Stuart having retained to Colonel
go and reported Browns reply to the
ummons, orders were gwen to prepare
Or an attack on the engine house,