Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-27

r,,,,,ad Confeds,, who whipped us right
locally in the Red River campaign,
fhnt large portion of our force formed
!, post at bend Of the Mississippi and
therc built fort
As figure in no heroic light in this
story use of the personal pronoun cam
hot be ascribed to vanity.
Being Provost Marshal Of the col
umn, [ went where pleased; my Office
MAS the gathering point for all enter
kup or lines. and L quickly became
kacnuainted with the few inhabitants Of
he section.
\ Mrs Blank, with her two pretty
daughters. was a frequent visitor. She
lived about two miles from the post.
During daytime our pickets We're sta
kioned in front of her door; at night
kLev were drawn in" and the Confed-
lrates advanced to the same spot, SO
he good lady was between two fires.
She was respected by both parties.
hi her former abundance there re-
mainel only a barren plantation, an
old colored woman servant, and single
poor mule. Even tho house was in bad
condition, only few rooms in front
being habitable.
The rebs., poor fellows, could give
the family nothing but their company
and good wishes. I supplied them
from the destitute rations," supple
pented with Injuries from the sutler
stores. Miss Josephine, the youngest
laughter, was sharp and smart as she
vas pretty; the telegraphic outfit in
my Office claimed her close attention,
and soon initiated her into the mys.
.eries of dots, dashes, keys, and
sonnder.
Another very steady visitor was old
Sharpie, Il planter living seven miles
Town the bayou road. He wanted 8
permit to bring goods from New Or.
leans. lie was always accompanied by
a large flask of rare, old, pure, de
slclous Louisiana rum. Invariably he
a invited me to his home, promising that
when | came | should carry away will
rne a Jug Of the seductive tipple.
Well one day, after long-continued
rain-s storm. l concluded to pay Mr.. S
i: a 7isit. l rode not my own trusty
mare, but @ big black United States
horse, good in style, but nearly worn
out | stopped for few minutes al
tirs. Blanks, for, truth to tell, 1 fiat
tered myself that there was an electric
current between Miss Josie and my
e self. not due entirely to the telegraph.
battery.
/. The good lady and both girls begged
me not to venture so far within the
lines OF the enemy. but needed then
not, and started ahead through thu
: mud.
). My welcome at Sharpie's was of til,
g hilhdest. Dinner was justly ready, and
= after the meal we discussed genera
matters, pipes, and beverages unit
rundown. Then I asked for my horse
and ne was brought in front Of thu
nlouse. gallon demijohn of "th'
y louisiana" being tied to the front o
ny saddle.
! was just saying "good-by" to IN,
NJ nost, when little black chap cam,
nm!lb,llng around the corner of til,
Il building.
al "Mass'r Yankee, de rebs s a-bustin
oa.er de cane back dar; dey's arte
l. yo, sho!"
vas mounted in moment; dow,
j. lhe long lawn 1 went, ten or twelv
= fray jackets not hundred yards be
;e nlhd me. The black boy was at tn
gaze OF the fence first; he held it opel
lnr me to pass through, then swung i
!l- PluS right against the pursuing party
" Dflhglng their horses to halt, all in
heap.
Ihls gave me more start, but sool
u Ihey We're splashing after mo in full
'h pnase' occasionally sending shot I'm
" commonly near.
lhe OLD horse did nobly and put il
liS pest PAGES for several miles. onl
"o OF the enemy seemed to gain o.
:" Le., We reached portion of the roa
re uat was overhnng, on both sides, b.
n, ieat trees, their limbs thickly fes
0onea with long, hanging moss. Her