Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-12-04
Marmaauke's Capture.

Marmaduke's Capture.
Z Detroit Free Press.
The "Battle OF the Usage" was fougl
in the latter part Of October, 1854. The1
were two engagements, one in the morn
ing, and one in the afternoon.
During the morning fight, the preseu
governor Of Missouri, General Marma
duke, was taken prisoner. I was a pa1
ticipator in the charge made by tn
union forces, and an eye witness Of hi
capture, although his identity was no
known for half-hour afterwards. Tn
country, for miles in the Osege region
is unbroken prairie; the bills and hollow
seeming to run parallel. 1t was, there
fore, model battle ground, and, in read
ing the accounts of the English cam
paign in the Soadan, I was reminded
wildly of our pursuit Of the confederatee
through Missouri.
just after c,oseing the bridge of the
Usage river we heard skirmishing, and
soon came in sight Of the enemy, formed
in line of battle and waiting for Us.
was captain of company d, Tenth Mis-
souri, Cavalry; Colonel Bentine, COM
mander, and General Pleasanton, brigade
commander. My position was on the
left, as we drew up in line. During my
four years service, I had seen wonder
full sights, and had been in some very
close quarters. But never had I seen
5000 horsemen drawn up in battle array,
and the sight was certainly thrilling
one. believe I am safe in saying that
since the battle of the Pyramids, in
Egypt, modern warfare had not seen the
like. The enemy we1e well supported
by their artillery, and as looked across
the intervening space, 1 could see the
mouths Of the cannon. While we sat on
our horses, waiting for orders, Generals
Pleasanton and Curtis came riding down
between the lines. As they passed me,
l heard Pleasanton say, I'VE must come
together, now" The words, and the
ominous looks of the cannon, assured
me that serious moment was at hand.
I had $500 about me, and I put it into
an official envelope. then directed it
to my sister, and gave it to our surgeon,
with tho request to forward it in case Of
my death, or, as the boys were in the
habit of saying, in case I did not 'come
out"
At last, the bugle sounded the charge.
The long lines surged in and out, but no
advance was made.
Again the bugle rang out on the still
air, and again the lines wavered.
Then suddenly a rider on white
horse burst through the ranks and rode
at the foe. Like an avalanche we fol-
lowed. In the excitement, every fear
vanished, and we rode through the enc
my's ranks, dispensing them right and
left. They had fired one volley, and had
no time to reload.
Their right wing was completely cut
off from the main body and surrounded.
Having no other alternative, they sur
rendered, and we were soon busy dis
mounting them and hurrying them to
the rear. On my way back with crowd
of prisoners, we met General James Lane
going to the front. He stopped, and
pushing his way through the crowd of
guards and prisoners. walked up to a
tall, fine looking confederate, held out
his hand, and said: allow do you do
General Marmaduke?'' The man shook
his hand warmly, and after few words,
General Lane walked away, taking Gen.
eral Marmaduke with him. When ia
ken, General Marmaduke had on his hat
q star and crecent. At the time no one
knew him, and Colonel Bentiue noticing
the ornaments, cut them from the hat as
trophies of war. The star, when last
heard from, was in museum In Chicago.
General MarmaduBe had no insignia of
Office from which he could be distin-
guished from the corumon eoldiers, hav-
ing simple gray uniform and large
SLOUGH hat. I have never learned who
the rider on the white horse was that led
the charge, other than he was staff off,
Ger.
The confederates made q stand again
in the afternoon, forming in squares, but
could not stand before onslaught, and
again retreated. That night, horses and
men lay down together. So utterly
worn out were we that no one thought of
eating; going to sleep was 80 much
easier. DEAN MoNAHAN.
THE man on the white horse was eamuel ].
Crawford colonel of the 20 Kansas Colored In
fantry and at the time on the staff of General
Curtis.
Michael Strogon.
Mr.. G.. @. Stsley, while playing the
leading part in Michael SFogof." at
Oakland, Cal, b, anne 80 hoarse from
severe cold that he despaired OF being
able to continue his part. Two bottles