Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-01-04
GENERAL CRAFTS ESCAPE.

HOW the Guerriilns Tried 10 Ni innp
Ealn Whiie Besies ing NicAsbnTas.
Every one knows more or less about
the famous Western highwaymen, the
Jameses and Youngers. Before the war
they were conspicuously engaged in the
Kansas border difficulties, and were
members of the notorious Quantrell troop
of guerrilas. AT the breaking out OF the
war, the "Quantrell command we're not
recognized rs belonging to either army,
but looked upon us free lances OF the
worst sort, for they fought for plunder
alone. The st. Louis Eceai1g Post is
responsible for the story that Governor
Allen Of Louisiana, employed for scout
ing purposes, several Of the Qaautrell
mon, under the command Of Joe Lee,
and among these we're the Jameses and
YoGngers. That journal, in what tcalls
IAN Unwritten Leaf" gives the follow
ing story Of one of the adventures Of that
famous band
There could be much said fthe daring
exploits of Joe Lee and his band of free
hooters, but one adventure deserves espe-
cial mention, since it is not known how
near it came to affecting the destiny OF
the nation. 1t appears that after Vicks-
burg had been invested, and the South
threatened at other points, Governor Al
len, of Louis ana, conceived the desperate
iden OF capturing the person OF General
Grant, He believed that Grant was the
evil genius of the Conlrdeacy, and that
il he could be killed or taken prisoner,
the siege Of Wick, burg could be raised
and tie Federal army driven back. He
sent for Joe Lee, and impaired to him his
thoughts, and asked him il he could de
wise IL plan. 1t was readily taken to by
/ Lee, who Immediately proposed to execute
the daring enterprise. At that time
/ that is, in the spring OF lo6i-Grart and
/ his army were eucamped at MilIigan's
Bend, near Young's Point, on the Mis-
si-sippi, some eighteen miles above
Wick burg. General Grants headqual
ters were in the dwelling house that
belonged to magnificent plantation,
much of which can be seen from the deck
OF passing steamer. Joe Lee proposed
to go to that house and bring away the
body OF General Grant, dead or alive.
He chose five of his most trusty men,
They We're jhe two James brothers, two
of the Younger brothers and John Jar
rett. These, with himself, made six
/ There never was six better men for such
an expedition. They We're young, strong
and brave rs the bravest. They had
already seen what there is in war. They
had been tried in the most trying places
had suffered ul manners Of 'haIdships
did not care much whether they lived or
died were the quickest and best shots IN
the world, and rode the Geetest horses in
the hand. Ii was just before the Federal
army set out on that surprising march
down the west side of the river. The
country was all full Of marshes, bayous
and morrasses, so that the natural advan-
tuges Of the execution of the plot were
/ good. The plan was foI Joe Lee and his
/ five trusty followers to dress up in Federal
uniform, rido on horseback to MIligan's
/ Bend, 90 direct to the house where Grant
was stopping, rush in and secure his per-
| son, put him on a spare horse and then
escape to the swamps, which was near
by. On one Saturday evening late, The
party set out for Dickson's house, near
Delhi, and rode towards the Mississippi.
/ There was not soul on earth besides
Themselves that knew Of their desperate
mission.
1t was something over twenty-five
miles they had to 60, and the night was Il
dark one, but long before day they we're
at the edge Of the woods that bordered on
the plantation, on which Grant was
quartered. There was no enemy to at
tack from the west side, and there was
no particular precaution about guards
The pickets were passed before sun up,
and while the General was yet asleep, the
gueriIas rode boldly up through tie
open field towards the house. There they
were-six men, seven horses-the empty
saddle for the commander of the hundred
! thousand men, who were camped about
in every direction. They approached
within almost a stones throw Of the
/ house, when they met a negro. They
we're discovered. 1t was an old man
whom these very men had run away
from Delhi not ten days before. He
/ knew them all, and Immediately gave the
alarm. In moment there was a great
tumut, and the six gueuillas had nothing
| to do but save their lives. They broke
through the field, and in the twinkling of
an eye, were back in the woods, but not
until hundred shots had been fred after
them. Before the sun went down, they
were safe at their rendezvous. Thus was
frustrated one o! the most daring plots OF
the war. II is not probable that General
Grant took any particular notice Of the
affair and it is not at all probable that he
has ever reaIized tho valuable service OF
the old colored man.
---ss ~ls---
LAsryear a Chicago merchant failed,
among hisassets being 5000 worth Of ice.
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