The National tribune., 1886-04-01
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
CAMPAIGNING IN 1851.
The Adventures of Some Illinois Boys in Missouri


The Adventures of Seine Illinois Boys in Missouri.
To THE EDITOR: In the Fall and Winter of
1861 the 5Gth III. was stationed at st. Joseph,
Mo-, drilling and doing guard duty. Toward
the latter part of December a report came that
in the northwest part of Andrew County lot
of disloyal persons We're making hostile dem
onstrations and disturbing the peace and
threatening the lives and property of loyal
citizens. Accordingly two companies OF the
50th Z and X were ordered TO Savannah
the County seat of Andrew-to invest gate the
affair and bring the "Johnnies" to time. We
went by railway and about noon we arrived at
Savannah, when we found that by some over
sight our commissary stores had been left
behind, and that we could not get them until
the next morning. Now il is a well-kuOwn
fact that soldiers become very hungry if they
find that the grub has gone astTay; so it was
with US. We had lunch in our haversacks-
bacon and hardtack-that sufced for dinner.
Immediately after our arrival guards were
posted around the town aud proper precautions
taken TO prevent the news of our arrival from
being carried into the country. After this our
officers hustled round and found the location Of
the hotels and made arrangements for supper
for all of us, assuring the proprietors that the
pay for the same would be all right when
Uncle Sam got round to it," Having got
our supper, guards were properly posted
around the town, and those of us not on duty
found comfortable quarters in the Court house.
Co. E being assigned quarters in the lower story
and Co. X taking the second story. Having
nothing else to do, we gave ourselves over to
mirth and iollity, singing songs and telling
stories until TAPS"
Our commissareS came up all right in the
morning, and soon as breakfast was over a
council of war" was held 10 determine what
course should be taken to surprise and capture
the rebels who were said to be some distance
north or northwest of Savannah. The plan
agreed upon was TO secure and press into service
enough horses to mount the men of the two
companies, except those who were to be left to
guard the town, and late in the afternoon,
under guidance of loyal citizens of Andrew
County, make raid into the region where
those disloyal citizens were located. The livery
stables were visited to ascertain the number Of
horses suitable for our purpose to be obtained
in the town, and the supply not being equal to
the demand, the plan adopted for making up
the deficiency was to press into service the
steedS of citizens from the country who might
happen to come to town on business. The
guards posted at all points of ingress were in
structed to pass all who came peaceably riding
or driving good horses into the town, and
detail of soldiers on the streets were to take in
charge all horses suitable for our purpose, ire
spectve of the sentiment of their owners, and
the owners of all horses so taken were assigned
quarters at the hotels, and not permitted to
leave town until our expedition should have
accomplished the mission upon which it was
sent.
1t was truly laughable to sec the looks of
amazement which overspread the countenances
of those citizens when blue coat, with mus
ket with bayOnet fixed, would walk up, assist
them in dismounting, aud then, with a polite
Excuse me, sir" lead the horses Off to the
stable. Upon inquiry what was to be done
with the horses or any remonstrance against
heir tai nf hat no
reply would be: I'VE don't like to see horses
tied up, starving all day; we're going to take
them TO the stable and feed them"
About o'clock p. M, a sufficient mount hav-
ing been obtained, the expedition set out
guided by loyal citizen, and during the night
secured some Is or 20 notedly disloyal men,
who had been giving a good deal of trouble to
peaceable people-arriving at Savannah about
noon of the next day, whence they were
taken TO st. Joseph and kept under guard until
they were willing to give bond for their good
behavior.
The boys who were On that night scout had
a long, cold, and hard ride. Those who were
left ia town, on guard, Jared somewhat better.
About u O'Clock that night the cook of Co. X,
who was asleep above stairs in the Courthouse,
was aroused by some one entering the room
and softly calling:
"Get up, cook, here's work for you"
"What's broke loose now?" said the cook, as
he arose rubbing his eyes to get them open.
'strikc light" was the reply.
Upon lighting a candle, to his amazenent he
beheld as many fat hens and roosters as the
two iOFagcrs-for such they proved to be-could
carry. Luckily we had large wash kettle in
room, which some of the boys had cap
tured," and there was a good-sized fireplace
and plenty Of dry wood. Soon we had the ket-
tie full OF scalding- hot water and before long
those fowls were being plucked by three pairs
OF hands, and the odor of burning feathers was
waited far cut upon the midnight air. The
chicken stew was reserved for dinner of the
next day. The memory of that stew will re-
main with us while we live. We would like
to know how many of the Blind Half Hun
dred still survive. Wake up comrades; speak
out; iet know where you are. The Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE we are sure viii give you o
chance. We would like to hear from any of
you, through its columns or by letter-T ].
ACBEAGE, Co. (, 50th Ill, Cameron, Mo.