Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-08
THE BUSHWHACKER.


along the Tallapoosa river, just west of tine
village of Wedowee, regiment of cavalry
made its appearance in the main square of
the little town, halted dismounted and
stacked arms. ThisSwas On the evening of
the 18th day Of January, 1864, and the people
of Wedowee were soon collecting in groups
and with anxious faces discussed the mean
ing of the visit OF tho soldiery, and many
speculations were INDUCED In as to the object
they had 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 popula-
ton of Wedowee-priucipally women and
Children seemed by mutual consent to dwell
together without reference to the terrible
strife, and those able TO bear arms who had
not Joined either the Union or the Confeder-
ate forces had taken to the mountain fast
nesses-one to escape being conscripted, and
thus cut off from opportunity of defending
their homes against the ravages of the BUSH
whackers, and the other for the reason that
they still loved the old flag and refused to be
ruled by the government of secession. Out
of these circumstances grew complications
that made the section the most dangerous for
either party, and was cause for many O
bloody tragedy.
1t was soon learned that the soldiers had
beer, sent into this territory fer the purpose
of recruiting, TO enforce the law of conscrip-
ton, to gather up deserters and overawe the
element that still chung to the old flag and
were opposed to disunion.
Up to this time there were what was known
as mutual menn-men who did not favor
the Yankees and yet refused to join the Con-
tederate army.
Among the latter was a brawny noun
taineer, who stood six feet three inches in
bis stocking feet, and was rated as the strong
est, the feetest and the 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 contorted him into man fit
for the bloody times, and the name of Len
Clinton became holy terror.
The bushwhacllers that infested this noun
tain region had stliyen hard to enlist Clinton
into their ranks, knowing that be was just
the man for leader, and in persistently re-
fusing to join them he made secret enemies
of them and he well knew that they only
wanted an opportunity to kill him and wrealr
their vengeance upon those who were only
safe under his watchful eye and strong arm
Confederates that Clinton was liable under
the conscript law, and there were those
who made Themselves diligent in trying TO
force him into the service, thus placing him
between two fires, all of which he stood
without finching, end was always found de-
Tending 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 90 by squads in differ
reDt directions, and woe il was TO the deserter
ifron the ConfederateS or the man liable to
the conscript whom they CHANGED to come up
twith The killing of CliDton'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 Ciintons lived in double log house, on
what is known as the Cork RIDGE about
equal distance between the two TaIIapoosas-
sthe Little and the Big Taiiapoosa-and upon
the night of the bloe3ly tragedy two young
&rirls, the mother and small babe were
the occupants of the house. One of the
girls carded the cotton into rolls while the
other stood at spinning wheel converting
the rolls into thread The mother sat with
her eyes upon the blazing lghtwood-knot fire
that furnished light for the apartment, knit
ting upon q sock for her husband, while one
foot tipped the rocker of a cradle and
Soothed the baby to rest. The rain battered
upon the boards, and the roar of the waters
of the TallGpoosa mingled with the zoon of
the spinning wheel, and save these, there had
been monotonous silence for some time.
keep the coffee pot by the fire. said the
mother, ''for the night is rough, and | think
your father viii come in"
Eyes, I've been thinking of him myself"
smoke the elder girl, land most know he'll
be in tonight, for the river is up and it's
rainy too so there's no danger from the
raiders, and he can get good rest under his
OWE roof"
As the last words were uttered, the dogs
began to bark, and they started off in a run
down the path that led TO the spring.
That's him That's him!m spoke all in
chorus.
Hang out the signal" spoke the mother
for it was the custom in those days to give
warning signals, which had meanings under
stood by the layers out"
The girls dropped their work, and the
mother at once busted herself heating up the
meal that had been saved in expectation of
his coming.
In . moment more the tall form of Lem
Clinton stopped as he entered his own door,
and holding in one sand the long double
barreled gun which he carried, with the other
be gave each o hug in turn, and we leave
them here TO visit the camp of the soldiers at
Wedowee and see what is being done there.
Il want twenty volunteers to follow me
tonight said a fine cavalry lieutenant, as
he buckled on his sword and walked among
the men.
II am going to raid the ford this night,
continued the lieutenant, "and don't want a
man with me but is willing TO be buried over
there, If necessary, TO break up that nest OF
what they cali 'mutuals' "
1t was but moment TO secure the volun-
.eers and have everything ready for the raid.
The waters OF the Tallapoosa were bursting
over every low place along its banks, and the
tain was falling in torrents.
'We'll have TO swim at the ford" said the
lieutenant.
And so they did, and this was why Clinton
had ventured TO visit his home upon that fatal
hight He rested at the little home, feeling
perfect security, and even the dogs that gath
ered around the blazing hearth. and were
looking gladly Il j their master when the
sharp click of the guns of the soldiers came
simultaneously with the command of the cav
airy lieutenant.
Surrender and open your doors OF well
break them down."
The command was refused by the elder
daughter, who threw herself a Sainst the door
and at the same time Clinton had made him
self ready To sell his life As dearly as possible
The door was broken down, and instantane
GUS with that guns were presented at Clinton