Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-05
WAR RELIC.
A Pistol and Holster Returned to
General Neal Dow by hon. J.
G. B. Simms,
OF ChicOt County, ATk.--1 Bit Of
History Never Before Pub
lished.
Little Rock Democrat. ]

During the campaign OF 1000 ueu
eral Neal Dow, OF / ortland, Maine,
was stationed With his command At
Port Hudson, Louisiana. He had
received a wound in the leg during an |
engagement and was making his head
quarters at the residence OF Mrs Gage, |
who lived about three-quariers. OF
mile within the picket lines and about
four hundred yards from the brigade
encampment. Although a BIiga-
dier General he felt secV-e in his new
quarters and did not require body
guard to keep watch either day OF
night.
peant on the Confederate side and was
scouting near the Federal lines, hay>
ing five men under his command.
ABOUT FIVE miles ifom Port Hudson
the young Sergeant met With 3 Mrs;
Brown who was q near neiehbor OF
Mrs. Cage and knew Of General DOWs
condition.
Mrs. Brown also knew Of secret
way to pass the Federal picket lines
by whicn means she passed in and out
at will. She agreed to pilot the Con-
federate soldiers to within fifty yards
Of the Generals headquarters during
the following night. After this ar
rangement was made with MRS
Brown, she was sent within the lines
10 visit Mrs. Gage and arrange with her
for the capture other host. Soon after
dark Mrs. Brown met Mr.. Simms and
his FIVE men at point that had been
agreed upon, and informed them that
Mrs. Gaze Joined heartily in the plot,
and wou d nave the General engaged
in a game Of cards on their arrival.
She then conducted the Confederatess
through the picket lines safely and
continued with them within sight Of
Mrs. Cages dwelling, when she lett
them aud went to her own home so as
not to be captured If the Mot
should fail. The moon shone brig lily
and Simms and bis party had no oith'
Guilty in reaching the house, but after
surroundingit and enteringthey found
the General gone. Mrs. Cage explain
ed that after ner agreement with Mrs.
Brown the General had received an
invitation to visit neighboring dwell
ing and dine with two Of his adjutsnts.
She added, ut will be no trouble for
YOU to capture al three" She direct
ed the Marty 10 the house where the
officers we're, which stood within two
hundred yards Of the white tents oc-
cupied BY the Federal brigade. Simms
was in the lead and when they
reached a little lane that led up
to the house, they saw one man sit
ting on a horse. Simms dashed IN
to the rider and said. Surrender.
1t was General Dow who looked
around and SAW who confronted
him and answered: II surrender.
Simms then took f'om the
Generals saddle the holsters
which contained but one pistol. His
sword WIS also taken and the two ad
jutants captured. The capturers with
their prisoners then galloped out at
the point thev entered the lines, and
by the time tle sun arose they were
fifteen miles away. The iollowirg
night they Stopped at a residence
where number Of wounded Conied
crate soldiers we're quartered, among
whom was Governor j. II. Berry
The next day the six captors divided
the Taluables belonging to General
Dow and his adjutants into six lots
aud cast lots for them. The pistol and
holsters fell to Mr.. Simns. General
DoE was delivered 70 General John
son and remained a prisoner until ex-
changed.
Several weeks 40 Mr.. Simms wrote
TO General Dow and asked him II he
remembered the moonshine ride Of
1853. The General Immediately am
sWsrsd 10 the Affirmative and to day
Mr.. Siuns sent the pistol and holsters
back 70 their former owner b. ex-
press.