The National tribune., 1889-10-17
A KEG OF BRANDY,
And Other Incidents of Trip Through the Il

Ana Uther incidents OF irlp EnTOusu Ihs Enc
my's Country.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: If you will
allow space for another breeze from the swamps
of Arkansas j will give the readers of our be-
loved TRIBUNE another glimpse of our life
among the lagoons, canebraltes and guerrillas.
As stated in my previous article, Gen. Clay
ton commanded our forces, with Pine Bluh as
headquarters. We secuted all over the south
ern part of the State and our main fighting
was with bushwhackers and guerrillas. The
Johnnics always kept spies lounging around
headquarters, who managed to obtain inf0rma-
tion as to intended movements. and precede us.
so that great many times the enemy was
aware Of our plans, and fell upon us in unex-
pected places.
Maj. Norris, of Co. M, who was shrewd
officer, and rs brave a man as ever went to
battle, determined TO evade the spies, and ac-
cordingly secretly obtained permission from
Gen. Clayton TO mako scout Mt his own
pleasure and sally out at any favorable time.
On a certain afternoon, about the time for
sending out pckets, the Major picked party
of 1l6 men from the 18th ILL., Cav. to 20 on an
expedition We rode out on the Monticello
road about five miles and halted for supper in
q heavy forest. About shutdown we mounted
and started for Monticello, about GO miles dis
tant. The next morning nj sunrise We rode
into town in three columns at the same time
by as many different roads. Ii was a complete
surprise To the inhabitants, rs no Union troops
had ever been there before. We captured ten
prisoners.
We remained in town about two hours, then
took mp line of march to the northeast. we
were getting very hungry by this time, and so
sleepy that we resembled gang of topers I'M
able 10 balance themselves by reason of lavish
indulgence. Some of the boys went to sleep
and were awakened by suddenly coming III
contact with the ground. We halted in barn
lot for breakfa fast about ton o'clock. There
were a number of bee hives near, and the boys
were not slow in finding the honey. was
rather behind, and the bees took revenge on
me after the other boys got the honey. They
came at me in swarms aud soon made sieve
OF my epidermis. / was very tired, and 80
sleepy that, despite the agony of my late en-
counter, lay down and was soon fast asleep
was awakened by the report of carbines, and
jumping to my feet all was darkness before
me. Both my eyes were swelled shut. be-
gan to scratch and claw, aud soon succeeded in
getting one eye open, aud saw the boys falling
into line BY the time got into line my other
eye was open, and i saw % rebels passing down
the road. Our horses were unsaddled, so we
could not give them chase, and they got away.
Alter break fast we resumed our march, and
had not gone very FAR when two men came up
TO our line and gave themselves mp. They
We're Unionists. They informed us that about
four miles from the main road there was keg
of brandy and four Johnuies, and volunteered
their services as guides.
Sixteen of us, under Serg't Walter Walon,
OF Co H. were detailed to capture the rebs and
the brandy. We soon came in sight of the place,
where we found two houscs, one on the north
side of a large bayou and the other on the south
side. We were on the south side, and could
not cross on our horses, SO our party divided.
] One division crossed the bayou on a foot-log
and went to the house OH the north side, the
other searching the house on the south side. /
| was in the party that went TO the house on the
| south side, and when we approached man
| came out and started to run away We ordered
| him 10 halt, but he ran on, and we halted him
with three carbine- balls. / entered the house.
expecting to find other rebels, but instead there
was a woman crying and screaming piteously.
| told her supposed we had killed her hus-
! band, and instantly her grief turned to rage,
and she swore she would blow my brains out,
/ at the same time taking a rifle from rack
| over the door. | wrested 10 from her, but she
! turned, ran across the room aud took down
another handed the gun had 10 one OF
| the boys just in time 10 get the other and save
| my life. She exhibited as much courage and
| bravery as would have admirably graeed q
warrior OF the opposite sex. By this time the
/ Sergeant and four or five others had crossed
| the bayou and reached the other house They
/ entered the west room, where they found an
] Olu ulaN, Win MS nEad uGDDplHH iOWt blbAinH
silently and alone. On asking where tho keg
of brandy was, the old man told them il was
| in another room, under the bed. Tho boys
went in and found the keg, aud 10 behind IL,
cFonched as small rs large man could be- was
rebel lieutenant. The Sergeant ordered
| him out, and he eTawled slowly out prisoner
4 Of war.
Securing the prize they camo back 10 the
south side, where our officer formed us into
| line and gave each of us rs much OF tho OK.
/ tract "a he thought was safe. lie then filled
| two or three canteens, knocked tho head out
| of the keg and destroyed the rest Of the liquor
/ The Lieutenant was put In my charge, and wa
| started on OUT way 10 join the main command.
! We came up with them shout snndown where
| they had gone into camp. What became Of the
brandy in the sergeanfs possession / do not
! know. suppose Maj. John Norris aud Capt.
James Grain could tell.
] WAS placed on picket duty in tho rear that
night, aud as we expected to be- attacked |
| went well armed, having two reyolyers. saber.
| carbine, aud one OF the rifles ! captured that
| day. lay down behind a largo log near d
/ wide open space. | bad not been there very
long before heard the tread Of hoofs like an
army Of cavalry marching. l prepared for
| battle by placing my guns on the log aud lying
| as close 70 the ground as / could. IL was
| fearful suspense, waiting while the heavy sound
came nearer aud ! could feel my hair rising
ana pushing my hat oil. Inc sound came
close 20 the edge of the opening. ! would soon
give them load from both guns aud inform
my sleeping comrades Of the approach Of the
! rebel army. Now they darl1en the light place
| Fire No, hold What Is it, Horngl
Nothing of note happened further on this
scout, aud VIC reached Pine Bluff and delivered
our prisoners, TO the ehagrin OF the spies.
Now, II any Of the boys OF the 18th read this
! want 10 hear from them, either through THE
TRIBUNE or by mail. Boys, come forward
and tell US how Maj. Norris broke up Capt
Kidd's camp. supposed Maj. Norris wal
dead, but ] saw his name in the grand old
| NATIONAL TRIBUNE recently; and /, with him
favor the admission of our Southern brethren
TO the Grand Army Of tho Republic McCAdEI
LAKEY, Go. L. 18th Ill. Cav, Waterloo, Kan.
Many initiate "Tansill's Punch &c. Cigar.