Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-05-04
the HERO OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.

captain Mason used to be drinker
and a fighter himself, like the other
Hickory Bayou boys" said Col. Baker,
the chairman of the Carlo lIll.) Lecture
Association. Hes joined the church
now, but he always takes care of every
drunken man he sees. Soc he's putting
Whisky Bill into the wagon now"
But why does lie interest himself 30
for Whisky Bill!" asked.
well, as was saying, tho captain
used to be drinker and fighter him.
self. He was sentenced to be shot once
III tho army for fighting. He struck an
ofiicer,-eOt on drunken frolic. and"
How did the captain escape!" l
asked.
swell" said the colonel. 'Mason,
with a dozen fellows from the Hickory
Bayou enlisted in my regiment. Ho
was a splendid soldier-one of the best
men in the regiment, but he would have
his sprees. One day about three weeks
before tho battle of Mission Ridge, Ma
son brought canteen of whisky into
camp, and, always generous, went to
giving it to tho boys. (This was against
orders. SO | ordered my major to arrest
him at once and put him in the guard
jor was after him with squad of men,
lodging around behind tho tents to
keep from being arrested. But, pretty
quick, in trying to keep away from the
men, he ran square against tho major"
Here, you rascal!' said the major,
Selling him by the coat collar, without
giving him u chance to explain, "Now
you walk to the guard house! I'll fix
you. you scoundrel?"
"But in the excitement of tho mo-
ment, Mason knocked the major fiat,
and then he went and gave himself up"
"What was done abou3 it?" asked.
we'll, Mason was tried before court
martial for striking superior officer,
sentenced to DO shot, and the sentence
was sent to General JEFF. 9. Davis to be
approved. Then poor Mason was i'm
prisoned on bread and water with ball
and chain to each foot"
did General Davis approve tho sem
tcncs9'
"Yes, approved it,"
"But how did Mason escape being
shot1"
"Well, the next day, before the ap-
proved sentence arrived, came tho battle
of Mission Ridge, and our regiment was
ordered forward. Mason, Of course was
in the rear, under guard, with . ball
chained to his ankles. We heard the
rebel cannon in front all the forenoon.
We knew there was big battle on, and
wo needed all our men. SO rode oyer
to the guard house and told Mason that
We would have to leave him behind
alone with his ball and chain on till the
battle was ovSr."
Let mo 60 with the boys, colonele'
pleaded Mason, II don't want to see the
boys in a fight without me-"
"But you might escape, Mason. You
know there is q sentence hanging over
you"
by heavens, colonel! you Amt GO
ing to let the boys 60 into this fight
without met and the tears came to his
eyes.
$50. to, Mason" I said. Il can't
trust you."
"Then." continued the narrator, ''the
order came from Con. Davis for our
regiment to move up and charge rebel
redoub:, and the boys dashed forward.
Ii was an awful fight. Twice they en-
filaded us, and the rebel bullets moved
down our men by the dozen while the
rebel flag still waved ON the rodOuot.
Colonel, you must capture that 10
doubtv' was the order that Game from
General Davis.
.Our mon were now badly tired out.
and the dead and Wounded Law ali
around s rs; but / cot our men together,
and made the hnai charge. Gods! what
: charpe. nv horse was killed under
me. The men went forward in . shower
Of bullets. l thought they wavered. The
bullets dew like rain, and the advance
mon were sll shot down. There was NO
one to lead, and I Thought all was lost.
Just thcn saw man come rushing up
from the rear. He grabbed a dead sol
diem repeating rifle, pushed right
through the dad and dying, reached
the head and ru ahed up the redoubt
The bows Jaw MN, took courage and
followed. In moment l saw the brave
fellow swing his rifle around him ON the
TOP Of the rcdoubt. grasp the flagstaff
aud break II OF, while tho boys strug-