The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-03
A GUERRILLA.s STORY.


 The other night. while Captain Moaart. the famous guerrilla was in the ARKAN- SAW TRasELER office, he ras asked to relate his experience of illegitimaie war ! fare. There Is not a man in the coun- try. he said. who IS more willing 10 shoulder arms for the niied States than am. Twas guerrilla during the war. more on account oi young impetuosiy than any desire 10 sustain the oonfederacy. and l would nor recount my outlaw oc- ] eesences but for the happy termination to which all my friends, or both sides, can bear witness. When the war spread oyer our land l was but boy, proposed to i join the army bu, was rejected on account : of youth. When the federal troops took possession of Arkansaw. bowed to the yoke of infiction until was forced by personal insult to knock do1a a union officer. This l regarded as unpardonable . aa the part of the government. and slip ping away. 1 organized company of sen young men. whom was pleased 10 denominate as the 'Irepressibles. Nono- ice was taken oi our organization until by a night attack we routed squadron of l1ion cavalry.
 After this foriible declaration Of cur principles. ~e were hunted as though with US lay the great cause of our na- ,;onai trouble. One night in northwest ern Arkansaw. in company with several of my men. came upon part, of suer ; rilla's despoiling home after having ser lously wounded the proprietor. old man i osborne. Indignant a; such outrage, ordered the outlaws 10 desis,. and when they refused fired on them. killed two and drove the others away. The old man could only mut:er his thanks. but his beautiful daughter May. grasped me by the hand. and while rush of grateful tears shone like dew drops in her eyes. she poured forth How of acknowledge inent more eloquent than any words I have ., CT heard from pulpi, or bar.
 assisted the old man ard his daugh- ter 10 neighborng house. where left them in care of hospi,able family. Ses- eral da, ,s afterwards, calling at the house. learned tha, the young lad> had taken :. her father north.
 My situation became more and more dangerous. Aside from the federal cav .lry which hunted and frequently found me when was really not wanted. dash ing union guerrilla had made his ap- pearance. and at the head of party of hardy fellows was making the oonieder- ate bands look ragged. He was known as Captain Dick. and Il was said that none of his men knew him by any other -aaGne--One day.-when had mustered my full gang and had starred ou, on an expedition to capture large lot of com missay stores. was suddenly confronted by Captain Dick. 4 hgh,, which in visor, when you consider numbers, could not have been exceeded by any engage men, of the war. immediately opened. Captain Dick charged on us three times, and three times he was repuised. hu, when he made the fourth dash. my men. greatly weakened. sought safety in pre- cipi;ous flight and ii was only by extreme activity. tha, escaped. This defeat caused me to mediate revenge on Cap tain Dick. One morning. with dash ms lot of fellows with me. surprised hln ias, as his men were eating break fast. but after the confusion following the charge and the first ire. his men. under the control of his wonderful power 10 command. rallied and tough: with such outer disregard of personal safety that my men were tinally beaten back and routed. Gathering wha, recruits could muster, l again soug,,t Captain Dick. One even ing nus, as the sun was sinking. our forces me, in little wood skirting one of those rounding prAiries for which Arkansaw IS famous A des.erate fight ensued, and long after the sun sank behind the Bos- ton mountains. and long after blonde t~iligh, sank into brunette night, the pop of the pistol and the bang of the carbine made the air tremulous. Again I was beaten with heavy loss. and so narrowly. did escape capture tha, was forced to dismouni and seek hiding place in a comheld- 4 week passed during which worked to recrui, my force Then l found Captain Dick and attacked him with that furious revenge which only a former defeat can inspire. The fight was long and desperate. but at last Captain Dicks men flew in confusion before my victorious men. Three times did take deliberz aim with my pistol ana fire at Captain Dick. but like Washington in the battle of Braddocks defeat, did he ride on unhur.. Two days afterwards Dick