Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-06-20


Captain Smart made NO effort n pur.ne
tho enemy, bat coutented himself 70 reupain
behind tho fence with his forces for an hour
or two after they had disappeared. Tho
attacking force was evidently sbout eoual
TO his own, and failing TO mako . complete
SURPRISE or even take advantage Of the
partial surprise, they had deemed It best 70
retreat.
Sleep was . stranger to the ewes Of the
new soldiers the remainder of that night
When morning came not sign of An enemv
could b found. It was the general belief
that the opposing force would renew tho
oattie 1t daylight, but when it came they
were many miles away, and only the bullet
shattered oaks and fences renamed to tall
that conflict had ragged there but q few
hours before.
The recruits, elated at their victory.
seemed to have suddenly developed into
veterans. In their enthusiasm they wanted
70 DO led at once against Lexington, which
Price was supposed to be investing with .
force variously estimated at from twenty to
one hundred thousand men.
The recruits were again in turmoil for
the lack Of leader. Two days were spent
IN trying to devise some general mode Of
action. Luke, disguised with q military
organization which seemed no stronger
than q rope Of sand. was half inclined to
desert and seek the service Of his country
elsewhere.
They were constantly threatening to
break up and 60 OF in different directions,
each company to itself. Nothing but the
knowledge that providing bands of Confed.
crates swarmed everywhere held them to-
gether at Sagget. On tho evening Of tho
third day man mounted on Q jaded horse
rode into camp with the startling intelli-
gence that Lexington had fallen on the Goth
Of September, the day before.
All hope Of reaching Lexington was
abandoned, and without any leader the
army was in deplorable condition. Sur
rounded by the enemy, cut OF from friends
and convulsed with internal strife, their
condition was somewhat precarious.
Some wanted to 60 to st. Louis, others to
Springfield. and another day was spent at
Sagget arguing which course they should
take, when messenger came with orders
from somewhere for them to move to Cairo.
That, Of course, settled their destination,
but there were many minor details to b
in regard to the march. Captain
Smart still had nominal command Of the
forces, but his authority was liable to DO
usurped at any time.
BY pressing into service such teams -
could be found, they managed to organize .
small baggage train and prepared for the
march. Luke's voluntary suggestions to .
great extent helped to pour oil on tho
waters, and brought him into the
favorable notice Of his superiors.
At last the march was begun, and to
Luke's establishment, as well as delight, he
found that their course took them down tho
road which led past Mr.. Nefrs farm-h house.
The whole country was wild with alarm.
and they frequently found farm houses de-
serted. Those deserted homes were plum
aered by the recruits, who seemed 70 have
no ideas Of war above that Of pillage. Cap
tain Smart and many others did all they
could to prevent plumber and insults, but .
sad lack Of military discipline rendered
Them powerless.
''Captain Smart" Luke said, as they were
down the great turnpike which
led past the farm of Mr.. Neff, twill you not
let me have a small detail. and go forward
10 guard farmhouse about five miles in
Dur advance!"
"Why dye want to do thatr' the Captain
asked.
"Those people are my friends"
fare they rebels!'
"Some may be-some are not; but have
sworn that the young girl and that helpless
Did man shall not suffer insults which I
have seen heaped upon the inoffensive and
weak by these soldiers"
mn CO.rrunvn1