The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-02-09


events; talked knowingly about the Big
Hatchie, Chewalla, lnka and the "Bigbee
(Tombigbee river, plainly spy, "What
YOU going TO do about ity" Need not refer
TO catching u Tartar" Was not "inside
our lines" / was OutSide them! That
night, distant voices, not all very diStdat;
dogs barking; exchanging whistles; that
intangible, inexplicsble something In
the air. which Is menace of danger. Com
sci1us of the weakness of my garrison
and defences, caS alarmed; enjoined the
greatest vigilance upon all, but especially
upon Charlie Clark, and the more intelli.
gent ones besides of all the GONZALES
cents. In case of threatened capture, |
will determine whether To capitulate or to
resist Absolute and prompt obedience TO
my orders in any event Examined the
"seven shooter" [ wore at my belt very mi.
nutely. viii defend my position 10 the
last, If IL comes 10 that! (Bombastes
very formidable when danger is distant,
always) Established system of signals
and calls with Mr.. Shaw, chief of the regi-
mental band, to be used only in extremity,
himself to be reckoned as one of my staff
CD and ready promptly TO sound orders at
all times.
Next day, early increasing signs of
activity all around the region. Attending
10 duties in camp, all "style," being en-
cum berng. was put aside. Unnecessary
TO display insignia Of rank when about
camp business, But thought 1t best to
show the Majors straps now, ready duly TO
meet whatever exigence Early in the
forenoon company of about twenty well
mounted hOrsemen rode boldly into my
camp, dismounted and hilched their hors-
es, near by being a collection of commits
sary stores Ignoring formalities and all else
they began a rapid exploration of them
and an inspection of the camp generally.
"What do you wish, gentlemen?" | said.
Come to see If we'uns couldn't buy some
of this -four o youuus Seems you gota
heap out lying round loose, here"
"This is all army stores here, None to
sell Not carrying on provision and fam
lily supply store"
Didn't know bu. you wss, and might
make a rap WI you'uns for some ont.
Flolr mighty skurce in these diggins,
Kurnel, and we got to have some, some
howw
Have fully set out the case to you. 1t
is not 10 be he'd, and you might as well
leave, and without further ceremony. We
are all very busy"
Wa-a-l, neouw, Kurnal, sposln' we'uns
was to come'n gobble it, any heouw.
Wouldn't II be best to git suthin' fort?
What could you'uns DO TO hender't, wi
your little squad o. cripples hereY"
" Gentlemen, | must ask you again TO
depart. Twice you have been answered.
Now you begin TO threaten | warn you
that any movement towards violence would
result seriously"
Flquntingly-" What could yer dew,
KurneI" Iaying hand upon handle OF
my revolver" Seven sure shots here, and
nj your first movement, one at least would
fall. Most probably five or six more" "a
signal sounded and the couvalescents began
to emerge from the tents and take arms)
Might be thought this was a rash attitude
for situation 50 defenseless But the men
showed no arms. Evidently m irregular
band of robbers. They did not know my
actual condition, nor resources of defence.
Only surmised it, Very often "a show of
force will divert battle" If had eXhib'
tied the least Of the alarm | felt, 1t would
have revealed woefuly my detenceless
condition; my stores would have been TAX
en-, and my whole company captured
Such was the intention. As ii was, they
rode rapidly away, leaving us further I'M
disturbed What followed, such is the
length of this, must defer relating for a
week or two WM. w. WEIGH.
Gale9burgh, ILL.,, Feb. 4th, 1850.