The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-05-31


to this neighborhood, especially from 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
puzzled open, and q voice whispered:
"Massa, Massa Luke''
Blackhawk, is 1t you!" he asked.
"Yes, massa; de berry dcbii am to paw
Secesh come TO hang yer. Come wild me,
an, by golly, III show We how to git away
from 'em.'
There was no time for hesitation, even for
thought. He followed the negro out into
the hall, where Blaclihawk thrust a horse
pistol in his hand.
BLOW um ter de debil eff UNI cone,n said
the negro in a whisper.
Where did you get this!"
"Nebber mind. massa-can't tell yer now,
come on. Eff 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
ROBBED figure suddenly ran down the hall
and, throwing her arms about him, said:
"Ohl Luke, Luke: go fly for your life"
One kiss on her beautiful forehead, one
whispered goodbye" and he was out fol-
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.
~ got 'em ready fur We. massa,'' said
Blackhawk. a ;ole Tom ter do it,
Where shall 20 10 escape the mob!n
wall, yes Union, amt ye, NASSAU"
"Yes"
81 know whar dar's camp O. Unloners,
an, golly. Til jest take ye thar in no time
fo' mawnin'.''
There was no time to parley. for the mob
of Southerners were determined to make
an example of a Yankee who dared to
come TO their neighborhood Their spies
had evidently noted his arrival, and were
quick 20 discern his sentiment.
1t was a long, dark ride. Part of the
time they had road and part of the time
none, plunging through thichets, and cross
ing creeks and ravines. all the time sur
rounded by dense forest. Day had begun
to dawn when they cane in sight of a camp
on a hillside, IN a woods pasture. The stars
and stripes were floating from pole stuck
up near a wagon.
Blackhawk refused - so any further. and
Luke, dismountlnS, walked into camp. A
guard halted him and demanded TO know
what Re wanted Luke informed him that
he wanted 10 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 hre-locks, 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 l
want three more men here low, and III en-
roll he and sw'ar We right m"
1t was sudden change, but sudden
changes were common, and in few min
ute bake Mason was enlisted as recruit
An cid white-haired man, dressed half in
buckskin AMI half jeans, came to him and
invited MIN to his mess, as they just lacked
one more. The old fellow was known as
Arkansaw Tom, was brave as lion, with a
heart tender as woman's.
Luke found this beginning of soldier life
ar 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 narraung re-
markabie adventures, of which the narrator
was always the hero.
Captain Smart was man of pluck and
common sense, which in a measure made
amends Tor his lack of military skill. He
had a UnItod 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
pany upon green spot devoid of trees,
TO instruct them IN the manual of arms.
After an hour spent in these exercises |
they gathered up ali camp equipase and |