The National tribune., 1886-10-21

on discovering DIS Neser0lneQ RESOLUTION.
A thousand times have recalled to mind the
expression of that boyish face as he related to
me the narrowing details of the death Of his
father at the hands of the conscript officer
because he would not reveal the sons where
abouts who was then in the kitchen dressed in
his mothers clothes. The family were betrayed
by some of their neighbors, the house was sacked
and burned, and the mother and two young girls
were sent of to the Yankee lines, at Memphis,
Tenn. When they had nearly reached the
pcket-lines they were 0vertaken by the same
party and robbed Of their team and wagon,
with all their clothing and bedding, except
such rs they wore upon their person, and also
of every valuable article they possessed, when
they were permitted to pursue their journey
over the frozen ground. covered with ice and
snow to the Federal lines. The kindest treat
ment possible was extended to them, but in
vain, as few days sufficed to see them all
buried in the cemetery for paupers and refu-
gees.
The conscript officers employed by the Con-
federates in looking after recruits and desert
ers were generally composed Of the sons Of
wealthy men and other favOrites whom it was
necessary to preserve from the dangers and IA
tigues of active service in the field. The transit
tion from this service to another in their own
interests was easy, as the education received
in the conscript service Of the Confederacy was
well calculated to
LEAD TO OPEN Robbery
upon the public highway, and it was adopted
as a matter of gain by some thus engaged In
this service. Inhuman, desperate, and cruel
as officials, they as freebooters were distin-
guished for their ingenuity in refined torture,
having had abundant opportunity to practice
their hellish devices upon their neighbors and
friends unrestrained and almost unquestioned,
until the right to plumber and rob were as
-sumed as inherent and legal.
,,,l, tIa roafar ~ he tphn
outrages upon the family of our palefaced re-
cruit had embittered his life and made him
demon Of revenge. Casting aside all consider
atiOns, except those of robbery, murder and
rapne, and recruiting his forces from deserters
of both armies, this voracious brute infested
the country between the lines Of both armies,
and as his object became known he was the
subject of conference by the officials OF both.
Sparing neither age, sex nor condition, his
name became q watchword and his crimes the
subject of recrimination on both sides, until at
length he was recognized in his true capacity
and his capture at all hazards was resolved
upon. Several attempts were made in its &C
complishment, and none entered into its details
with greater zest than our palefaced recruit
Success at length crowned our efforts. and
the british desperate was forced to defend
himself in nd-t0-hand encounter at mid
night, in his own camp. The.encounter, was
desperate one. as each man fought for his own
life, which he knew was forfeit If unsuccess-
full. The nature of such a combat can be APP
preciated but not described. Shouts and yells,
mingled with the sharp reports Of firearms aud
the groans of the wounded and dying, and the
loud voice of the
GIGANTIC GUERRILLA LEADER,
as he rushed from place to place endeavoring to
urge his men to their work, were the character
istcs distinguishing this from the usual combat
by the light of day and in battle line. Here was
also displayed the advantage of the discipline
that renders men in ranks a unit all acting in
concert and easily handled and irresistible in
movement and effect, and when employed
against the rObber gangs of the character de-
scribed always successful.
The resistance was for a short time spirited
and desperate and during its continuance the
sharp report Of a repeating rifle near me on
my left attracted my attention, when / dis
covered the palefaced recruit a. Little Harry"
as we had nicknamed HIM with his piece just
coming to " recover" The burly leader tot
tered to his knees in which position he laid low
one of my men that had rushed toward him on
| hearing little Harry shrek out his hated name.
| Again rang out the pistol OF the leader and the
| rifle of the boy simultaneously. when both went
| TO the ground again. The leader had gained an
| upright position upon his knees, when bullet
crashed through his right eye and head and
closed the career of the most detestable and
dreaded wretch that ever disgraced the image
| of man.
The contest was short, but from its very
| nature was necessarily severe and its results
fatal, few being left alive who were not wounded,
and many were killed.
The death of the leader was the signal Of
defeat to the band of guerrillas, who attempted
to escape when his voice was no longer heard,
and sought the cover Of the woods where,
meeting another volley, they broke into con-
| fusion and fled from the murderous fire by
| which they were envelOped and sought the
shelter of the negro quarters near by, where
\ they were secured and
| MARCHED AS PRISONERS
into camp. Our loss was severe, as il included
the very flower of the battalion, although not
great in numbers, and none, perhaps, excited a
| greater regret than the brave little Harry, who,
though not dead. was MORALLY wounded. Care
full hands raised him from the ground and placed
| his wounded body upon the most comfortable
couch that tho surrounding would admit OF,
and he was taken back to camp, where We ar
rived on the following morning. AT his re-
quest also the burly corpse of the guerrilla
chief was placed on the same conveyance and
carried back. to attest as well the positive fact
of his death as to crafty the wish of little
Harry, whose life was sacrifice TO the victory.
| Our camp was a busy scene OF excitement
from the moment OF our arrival until the body
Of the burly guerrilla was disposed of, and as
all had known him by reputation Whlle nying,
and number were his acquaintance as well as
his victims, il was deemed proper that he should
lie in state for time that he might receive
the honors which were his due in accordance
with the ancient customs of the Egyptians. 1t
hardly need be said that these were showered
upon him in a manner that was moro vehement
than pious, and had old Charon been witness
to the ceremonies, he would have thought that,
like Othello, his occupation could be dispensed
with on the occasion.
Tho Surgeons examination OF little Harry
left US no hope; his life was surely though
slowly ebbng away by internal hemorrhage,
though every effort was made to prolong his
life by those surrounding his couch. During
the day he was the theme of conversation, and
the appreciation of his loss was more apparent
as the indications Of his certain death ap-
preached.
NO MURMUR on COMPLAINT
/ passed his pallid lips or wish to prolong his
life, but with patriotic resignation unaccount
r able to those NOT acquainted with his sad story
he bravely bore the pangs of dissolution, while
the bronzed and grizzled faces OF his compan
ions about his couch gave evidence of the sor-
D row of their hearts. As midnight approached
he requested that those about should withdraw
/ and then with last effort he related TO me and
D the Surgeon alone the wrongs which he and hi
: family had suffered at the hands of the dead
: guerrilla.
: For years before the war the latter had beer
a employed as overseer on neighboring planta
r ton, in which occupation he had proved him
{ self british desperate, feared and dreaded by
n