The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-01-05
the proper equipment of my troops. contemplate moving into Missouri"

the proper equipment of my troops. contemplate moving into Missouri"
 Then followed a number of letters from soldiers One soldier said, in let ter to his wife: We have about forty thousand troops here, and although they are not all quite armed, ye, think that within few days we will all be ready for business" Another soldier, writing to his father, said that Hindman had at least fifty thousand soldiers, and still another made different statement, done, of course, to give to the communications the finishing touch of genuineness.
 Now" said Hindman, "the idea is to deliver these to Curtis in a manner that will make him glad of their recep- tion."
 4l think" replied an officer, that I've got a man in my command who is the very individual for such an undertaking. I'll send him up.'
 Pretty soon a tall, slim young fellow reported for duty.
 What is your nameF'
 Walter Scott"
 Well, my literary friend,' said New ton. we want you 10 start out from here with lot of mail, with a view of taking il across the Mississippi river. Federal scouts are numerous between here and there, and we want to know if the mail you start out with is not likely to fall into the possession of the enemy"
 Scott winked slyly and replied "Sure 10 be captured
 This IS dangerous undertaking.
 .les, 1 know. but they'll capture the mail. lust give me what want and l assure you that everything will work we'll"
 "Wha, do you want
 "The fastest horse in the command and pair of saddle-bags."
 " All right. Report within an hour.'
 When Scott reported a, the appointed time, swift horse and pair of saddle bags were in readiness.
 Nothing was heard of Scot, for several days. At length the following dispatch dated al Brownsville, Prairie county. Ark, was received:
 .Ndie,- Ienf,al RindD.an .-l regret to say that my saddle-bags and contents have fallen into tke hands of the enemy. and tha, barely escaped with my life l will repor, in person as soon as possi- ble"
 A few days afterwards he alrived d, headquarters. He walked in with de- leoted air, as though he would surely be 1 court-martialed on account ot failure 10 discharge his duty. Newton called him into an adjoining room. and closing the door, asked
 Well, how did the scheme work:''
 Like a charm. was riding along the road, and in turning ,hiokly wooded point, suddenly came upon ] body oi federal cavalry. wheeled. and the sev- eral we'll mounted men always in the van of d cavalry command, pursued me, iir- ing. |; seemed, al every Jump leaned forward in my flight, and my saddle-bags worked from under me until at las, they tumbled of. made frgitless effort to grab them, and looked as though l was shocked a, their loss. This practically ended the pursuit"
 The first intimation tha, the ruse had been successful was the following para graph in the Memphis Ba'Ieha
 When last heard from. Hindman. with large body of troops, was march ing toward Missouri We are credlbly informed that General Curtis will soon be upon him"
 Scots career was oi shos, duration. He was court-m ar;iaied. on 4 charge oi horse stealing. while in General Dandridge NCRae's command. and shot.