Bent County register., 1888-04-21
A Desperate Struggle.


'.Haltl Who goes there = shouted long,
lank Confederate soldier, sitting upon \
sorrel horse, toying with double bafreled
shotgun, the favorite weapon oil the west
ern bushwhacker in the early war time.
lie was the pickle. guarding the camp OF
Dick McCann, one of the most daring OF
the confederate cavalryInen. 1he biyouac
rested in the security OF his vigilance in u
piece OF woods a mile or so lett of the
turnpike leading from Gallatin, to Nash
vile, Tenn. The picket stood where the
country road which leads past the Me
Cams camp, made its junction with
the turnpike. He evidently challenged
The cavalry approaching from the direction
of Gailitin rs u matter of form, for Us the
officer approached him in reponse to his
command, Advance and give the counter
sign his shotgun lay upon his lap, across
the pofnmel OF his saddle, while he was
paying more attention 20 his eonraGe who
was coming up the wagon road with two
chickens in one hand, the plumber of an
unofficial forage, and an unruly horse IN
the other, than he did to the officer respond
ing TO his challenge. The Federal soldier
got within q few feet of him before he
seemed 10 recognize the possibility OF an
enemy being nearer than Nashville. The
dress irst attracted his attention, for he saw
that it was no. that of a confederate, and
LIS SAoN " bNNA VIZ
the officer he commanded:
''Halt! What regiment do You belong to 2
10 the Fourth Michigan cavalry, re-
piled the officer.
Covering he officer with his shotgun as
he passed around to surrender himself, the
Confederate again commanded Give me
Jour arms y
The officer, who wore heavy overcoat
with long cape, dropped the reins upon
overcoat to unbuckle his sabfe and comply
with the demand.
The Federal soldiers horse being thus
left at liberty crowded against that of the
confederate, and, believing his g'.mo was
already in hand, he laid his shotgun down
across his saddle TO receive the arms OF his
captive Hardly had he done this before
the Federal soldier saw his opportunity,
and, throwing his left hand quickly under
the cover OF his cape, struck the muzzle
of the shotgun and knocked 1t to the
ground and with the same movement
caught the Confederate by his long, flowing
hair pulled his head upon his breast, whip
ped his revolver from its pouch, placed it
against his body ard fired. The hammer
of the revolver caught in the fold of the
long cape which hung from the Conieder-
ate's shoulders and did not explode. He
drew it back, raised the hammer again, ard
made another attempt te secure the Con-
federate. This time it got between his
body and arm, and although it did not
miss fire, the Confederate was uninjured
and in the tussle escaped. All this was
the work of minute, for the officer shout
ed to his command, "Forward!' the mo-
ment he had grappled with one of McCann's
private soldiers. But by the time it had
arrived the soldier was going down the
road at a break-neck speed, while his COM
r..de with the two chickens for the morn
ing's break fast had mounted his horse and
vas following him hurriedly. The little
command passed on to Nashville as rapidly
as possible, without stopping to do more
than to pick up the soldier S shotgun to
send home as 4 souvenir OF the escapade.-
Pal Press