Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-07-18

to this neighborhood, especially from o free
soil State like Ohio. He was at loss what
to do. as he was wholly unarmed and in
capable of making any defense. There came
rapid steps along the hall. the door was
pulled open. and q voice whispered:
"Massa, Massa Luke
Blackhawk, is 1t you" he asked.
"Yes, massa; do berry debil am to pay.
Secesh come to hang yer. Come wild inc,
an, by golly, I'll show ye how to git away
from 'em."
There was no time for hesitation, even for
thought. He followed the negro out into
the hall, where Blackhawk thrust horse
pistol in his hand.
'Blow um ter de debil eff um come" said
the negro in a whisper.
'!Where did you get this!''
"Nebber mind, massa-can't tell yer now,
come on. Ell yer gwine ter help free my
wife an little baby I'll help yer"
He led him down the stairs and they were
fastening out the rear way when white
robed figure suddenly ran down the hall
and, throwing her arms about him, said:
"Oh! Luke, Luke: go fly for your life"
One kiss on her beautiful forehead, one
whispered " goodbye" and he was out fol-
lowing Blackhawk, who was urging him on
as rapidly as he could. Across the garden,
the house lot, and to the rear of the stable
where two horses, already saddled and bri-
died, held by Tom, waited.
"I got 'em ready fur We, massa,'' said
Blaclshaws II tole Tom ter do it,
"Whcre shall go to escape the mobr'
"Wall, yes Union, amt ye, nassau
eyes,
81 know whar dar's camp O. Unioners,
an. golly, I'll jest take We thar in no time
fo' mawnin','
time To ha mr.
OF Sou:herners were determined to make
an example of n Yankee who dared to
come to their neighborhood. Their spies
had evidently noted his arrival, and were
quick to discern his sentiment.
1t was long, dark ride. Part of the
time they had a road and part of the time
none, punging through thclets, and cross
ing creeks and ravines, all the time sur
rounded by "A dense forest. Day had begun
to do Hn when they came in sight of a camp
on a hillside, in a woods pasture. The stars
and stripes were floating from pole stuck
up near 4 wagon.
Blackhawk refused t. go any further. and
Luke, diSmountlng. walked into camp. A
guard halted him and demanded to know
what he wanted. Luke informed him that
he wanted TO see the Captain. and was con-
Quoted to a wagon, which was the chief Off
GERS headquarters. There were almost
hundred men in the camp, and very little
discipline was shown. The arms were
chiefly the ordinary fire-locl,s, shot guns
and rifles, and they were wholly without
uniforms.
When Luke had told his story to Captain
Smart the latter said:
"If it's yer intention to fight fur the
Union, We needn't go any further, fur
want three more men here row, and I'll en-
roll he and sw'ar We right an"
1t was sudden change. but sudden
changes were common, and in few min
utes Luke Mason was enlisted rs q recruit.
An old white haired man. dressed half in
buckskin and half jeans, came to him and
invited hin, TO his mess, as they just lacked
one more. The old fellow was known as
Arkansaw Tom, was brave rs a lion, with a
heart tender as woman's.
Luke found this beginning of soldier life
far from agreeable. The coffee was black,
tie meat burnt and the bread hard and dry.
The newly made soldiers were lying about
upon the grass, some already complaining
Of the hardships and others narrating re-
markable adventures, of which the narrator
was always the hero.
Captain Smart was a man of pluck and
amends for his lack of military skill. He
had United States drill book and Hardee's
tactics, over which he had been pouring
every idle moment for three days. Immedi-
ately after breakfast he brought his COM
many upon a green spot, devoid of trees,
70 instruct them IN the manual OF arms.
After an hour spent in these exercises
they gathered up all camp eQuipage and