Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-23
THE BUSHWHACKERS.

As the sun weLt down behind the tow
ering hills and lofty pines that stretch
themselves along the Tallapoosa river,
just west of the village of WedOwee,
regiment of cavahy made its appearance
IN the main square of the little town, halt
ed, dismounted end stacked arms. This
was on the evening Of the 18th day of
January, 1864, and the people of Wedo-
wee were soon collecting in groups and
with anxious faces discussed the meaning
OF the visit of the soldiery, and many
speculation5 were INDUCED in as to the
object in view.
The people of this section of Alabama
were about equally divided upon the
issues of the war, but those who now
made up the population of Wedowee-
principally women and children-seemed
by mutual consent to dwell together with
out reference to the terrible strife, and
those able to bear arms who had not join
ed either the Union or Confederate forces
had taken to the mountain fastnesses-
one to escape being conscripted, and thus
cut off from opportunity of defending
their homes against the ravages of the
bushwhackers, and the other for the
reason that they still loved the old flag
and refused to be ruled by the govern
ment of secession. Out OF these circum-
stances grew com plications that made the
section the most dangerous for either
party, and was cause for many bloody
tragedy.
IL was soon learned that the soldiers
had been sent into this territory for the
purpose of recruiting, TO enforce The law
of CONSUMPTION, to gather up deserters
and overawe the element that still chung
to the old flag and were opposed to dis.
union.
Up to tbs time there were what was
known as mutual men"-men who did
not favor the Yankees and yet refused to
join the confederate army.
Among the latter was brawney noun
taineer, who stood six feet three inches
In his stocking feet and was rated as the
strongest, the heetest and bravest man of
the section, but yet the most unassuming
OF them all. He was truly a man of
peace till the circumstances surrounding
him forced him to fight, and the killing
by Confederates of his daughters con-
torted him into man fl for the bloody
times, and the name of Lem Clinton be-
came holy terror.
The bushwhackers that infested this
mountain region had striven hard to en-
list Clinton into their ranks, knowing
that he was just the man for leader,
ard in persistently refusing to join them
he made secret enemies of them and he
well knew that they only wanted an OPP
portunity to kill him and wreck their
vengeance upon those who were only
safe under his watchful eye and strong
arm.
On the other hand it was insisted by
the Confederates that Clinton was liable
under the conscript law, and there were
those who made themselves diligent try
to force him into the service, thus plac-
ing him between two fires, ali of which
he stood without finching, and was al
ways found defending the weak against
the depredations of the factions.
The troops above mentioned took up
their quarters near the little town of
Wedowee and from thence would go by
squads in different directions, and woe it
was to the deserter from the Con federates
or the man liable to con-cript whom they
CHANGED to come up with. The killing of
Clinton's two young daughters was the
work of one of these parties and is a part
of the history of the war between the
states.
The Cl'etons lived in a double log house,
on wha knows as the Fork RIDGE
about equal distance between the two
poosa-and upon the night of the bloody
tragedy two young girls, the mother and
small babe were the occupants of the
house. One of the girls carded the cot,
ton into rolls while the other stood at a
spinning wheel converting the rolls into
thread. The mother sat with her eyes
upon the blazing light wood knot fire
that furnished light for the apartment,
knitting upon a sock for husband, while
one foot tipped the rocker of d cradle
and soothed the baby to rest. The rain
battered upon the boards, and the roar of
the waters of tie Iaila poosa mingled with
the zoon of the SPIN ming wheel, and save
these, there had been monotonous silence
for some time.
"Keep the coffee by the fire." said the
mother, flor the night IS rough, and
think your father will come in"
Yes, I've been thinking of him myself,
spoke the elder girl, land l most know
he'll be in to night, for the river is up and
it's rainy too, so there's no danger from
the raiders, and he can get 3 good rest
under his own roof"
As the last words were uttered, the dogs
began TO bark, and they started off in q
ruu down the pain that led to the spriRg
That's him! That's Eim!!" spoke al
in a chorus.
Hang cut the signal" spoke the
mother-for 1t was the custom in tdUse
da! 5 TO give warning signals, which had
meanings understood by the ''layer out
"he girls dropped their work, and The
mother at once busted herself heating ur
the meal that had been saved in expecta
tlon of his coming
In a moment more the tall form OF
Lem Clinton stooped as he entered hi.
own door, and holding in one hand che
ioug double barrele@ shos gun which he
carried, with the otl We each g hus
In turn, and we leave them here to visi
the camp OF the soldiers at Wenowee
and see what is being done there.
81 want twenty volunteers to follow IL
toni ht," said fac cavalry lieutenant
'and | don't want man with me bat /
willing tc be buried over there, if neces
sary TO break up that nest of what the
call 'mutuals.'"
1t was but g moment to secure the vol
unfeers and have everything ready for III
raid.
The waters of the Tailapoosa were burst
ing over every low place along the banks
and the rain was falling in torrents.
''He"l have to swim at the ford" sal,
the lieutenant.
And so they did. and this was VIII