The National tribune., 1889-07-04
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
Scouting In Southeast Missouri.

Scouting In Southeast Missouri.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Towards the
close of 1862 being well-acquainted with the
topography of southeast Missouri and north
east Arkansas, / engaged as a scout for an out
post commanded by Maj. Mcconnell, quartered
at Patterson, Wayne Co., Mo. In May, 1863,
the Major, in command of part of the Sd No.
5. NJ, ordered me to proceed south as far as
possible and learn all could as to the move
ments and designs of Gen. Marmaduke, who
was quartered in northeast Arkansas, at Bates
vile and Pocahontas. 1t is hardly necessary
for me TO say that had undertaken jobs of a
more pleasant character than this one, for the
country was literally alive with rebel jay
hswkers, whose glory was TO steal all they
could and kill any man who favored the Union
cause, whether he was actually engaged against
them or not
However must go. and did go. ! went
mostly through the woods, calling upon no
one except such as / knew to be friendly to
the Federal cause. ] had penetrated the enc
my's country something over 90 miles, picking
up a little unreliable intelligence, and fearing
that if learned anything worth knowing |
should be compelled TO go into the rebel lines,
when came upon large farm and q very re-
spectacle residence. lt was nearly sunset, and
my horse, as we'll as myself, was tired and
hungry. i determined TO go TO the house.
Having two splendid revolvers and pair OF
gate and made the familiar Southern call /:
"Hallo!n Instead of five or six wel-armed
Johnnies coming out, as l expected, very re-
notwithstanding lady came to the door. in
quired the distance to Pocahontas She an
sWered: " About three miles" Knowing that
i had no time for foOlshness / at once inform
ed her that j was connected with Col. kitch-
enss command la rebel Colonel); that / had
been sent out to learn all ] could of Gen. Mar
lnl- flnI vvnc "
ious TO join in the good work of redeeming
Missouri from Yankee rule; that had been
bafiled good deal by the Yanks, and should
at that moment be in my own quarters; that
if she could give me the desired information it
would be most thankfully received. She
walked slowly from the door TO the gate look
ing me over as she came. She said If
knew you 10 be what you claim could tell you
just what you want to know" i told her /
was Southern man, born in the South and
raised in the South. This was no lie.) She
asked me to describe Col. Kitchens. As good
fortune would have il / knew that gentleman
well, and gave her a good description of him. Ii
was enough. She drew nearer and in a low
voice she told me that her husband returned
10 his company that morning; that he was a
Captain of a company in Marmaduke's CON-
mand; that he told her they were then under
marching orders; that ST. Louis and Jefferson
City were the grand objective points; that
they hoped TO be able 20 take Pilot Knob tier
minus at that time of st. l.. & !. M. r. r.,
capture the ears, etc, and go on TO st. Louis
by rail; that he told her he should see her no
more until Missouri should be ruled by the
Stars and Bars" ! was feeling mighty good
over this beautiful story, but my joy was
brought to q sudden close. j looked down the
lane, and about 400 yards away ] saw about a
dozen Jehnnios, seemingly we'll mounted.
raised my cap thanked the lady, and said good
evening. Then the picnic began. They seemed
not 10 have seen me until was turning away.
They fired several shots before got out of the
lane, which seemed 10 be the longest lane
was ever in, thalf mile suppose.l When ]
got out of the lane aud made q turn in the
road, did as the little boy did who was sent
after the calves. He told his mother, who
scolded him because he did not get the calves,
that when he got to the upper end Of the lane
and could not see the calves, he scattered,
but could not find them anywhere. ! scat
tered e., took TO the woods and swamps.
As the gods would have il. il was clear that
night. j took the North Star for my guide and,
as Gen. Sherman said in the North American
Reriear i made for Gods Country ! sup
pose some Of my friends stopped long enough
with the lady 10 learn that had obtained i'm
pOrtant news: for they logged after me for
more than 40 miles. They were often before
me, and when / would strike q road and find
their trail or learn, as often did, that they
were inquiTinR for man and horse that favor
ed as. / took TO the brush. On the evening OF
the 18th II think Of May got into quarters
/ never mounted that noble horse again. On
the 18th, or two days later. Marmaduke attack.
ed us about 300 with 5000 troops and artillery
He got my lame and jaded horse, and killed
about 40 Of our brave little band; but we gave
him - while he was at IL. for they acknOwl-
edged loss of men greater than ours But
they did not take st. Louis nor Jefferson City.
They moved OF 10 the east when they got
through with us stole whatever they could
carry away. challenged Cape Girardeau, got
Gen. John Mcneil after them. and ran like
scared hounds back into the swamps Of dear
old Arkansas.-H. c. DAVIDSON, Hendrickson,
BIO.