The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-29
THE LAST REBEL.
BY Nj. QUAD.

The laSC stopping pldC6 UcAOEc uc- scending into the lowlands was at Cullman's. There was quite settle ment here, and in ravine close by was one of the largest illicit stills in the south. Soon after my arrival at the house Cullman took occasion to say:
 "We are going up to the still pretty soon, and you will meet five or six of the boys. All will be glad to see you, be disagreeable. He was in the war for about three months, and is always bragging about it. He claims to be the last rebel, and that he never sur rendered. Knowing that you are a Tank he may say something disagree able. thought would post you in advance so you would know how to take him."
 "All right" replied, and thought no more of it until 1 caught sight of him at the still. He was curious looking old fellow, about sixty years old, having long, white beard which made him look wonderfully like a Billy goat, and keeping his jaws con- stantly working on his tobacco. He was the last one to be introduced, and he looked me all over and refused to take my hand.
 q swore that I'd never shake hands with Tank until the south was on top," he explained, "and Pll spit to sputter if I go back on my word ]"
 "Just as you feel about it, old man," I replied, and he sat down on log and tried to look very savage. In about five minutes however, he jumped up, cracked his heels together, crowed like rooster and yelled out:
 "Whoop! 1 was thar! Yes, was thar in the thick of it, an you'uns got fits that day! 1"
 "Where was that?"
 "At Chickamaugl Whoopl I was right thar, an we'uns did lick you'uns fur skillets!"
 "Come, Uncle Bill, it is too late in the day for that," said Cullman.
 "No, 'tain't too late-never will be too latel Didn't we wollop the hull passle of 'em from Dan to glory2"
 "Did you kill anybody?" asked.
 "Did I! Listen to he'unl Did 1 Dan to glory, but hear him talking Why, sir, cum right at 'em with my bayonet! I walked right up to one of 'em an jabbed my bayonet right through himw
 "What part of the field was that on?"
 "In the center, jist across the creek. I kin shet my eyes an see it now. He was about your size. Oh, how he hol- leredp'
 "My friend, I am sorry to spoil your story, but I am the Tank you bayoneted that day"
 "You? You can't be. He'un was killed"
 "I am the very one. knew you in moment"
 "An' you'un wasn't killed?"
 "No. Your bayonet went through my coat and never touched the skin Then grabbed your gun and you ran away. have the gun home now, and I'll send it to you. Why didn't you stop when called to you?"
 He stood there with his mouth open for half minute, and then sat down without word. It wasn't long until he broke out again, however. He was nettled at the laughter of the men, and he sprang up and yelled:
 "Whoopl Pm the last rebel left alivei I kin lay any Yankee on airth on his back!"
 The men winked at me to tackle him, and pulled of my coat and said i:
 s'No, you can't, old mani Come out here and try it onl"
 He made rush and seized me, but he was all wind. I had him on his back in twenty seconds. He got up and went back to his log, but he had scarcely recovered his wind when he yelled:
 "I've never surrendered, and I never will Whoopl I kin outrun any Yank on top the airthl"
 Cullman placed us on line on a level spot and announced the goal, and Uncle Billy came out bad second best.
 "See here, uncle," said one of the men after we got back, "you might as well give in. The Tanks way ahead. ?
 "Give inl Give in to he'unl Lower my flag to Yank-neverl I can beat he'un all to flinders on a jump, am he'un knows it."
 I thought so, too, but when we came to try 1t beat him by ten inches. His old legs had lost their springs. When he sat down this time he had tears in his eyes, and there was . lump in his throat as he walled out:
 ADrat the durned Yanki He'un want killed at old Chickamaug He'un laid me on my backl He'uu