The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-07-05

bad condition, and will have TO resrganize
and be filed with recruits, but this can not
be done now. and for the present you will be
placed in command of it Muster your men
as soon as you can and report to me how
many answer to roll CALL
Luke had each company call its roll, and
made out his reports, which he forwarded
promptly to headquarters.
Que evening he was again summoned to
brigade Headquarters. Generals Grant,
Smith. Wallace and McClernand were there
awaiting him. He was informed that on
the 21st of the present month February.
1852 they designed moving on Clarkville,
and seven days later to Nashville, unless
orders to the contrary were received.
"What we want. Captain Mason,is for you
to make a reconnaissance along the roads
leading to these two cities" said General
McClernand. The country is said to be
overrun with bands of Confederates, and
we want you with sufficient force to start
tonight and go out at least a dozen miles
and report to US tomorrow, or just as early
as you can. Will you do itl''
Il will try" he unhssitatingly answered.
That's all any man could ask" said the
conqueror of Donelson. "How many men
do you wanti'
Fifty light horse will be amply SUM-
cient"
take your pick from the army"
After selecting the cavalrymen suited to
his service he chose in addition his four
tried and trusty friends-Arkansaw Tom,
Max. Snow and Cotton-and securing the
best horses to be found, with negro guide,
started at once upon their perilous expedi-
ton.
g. a.,
be seen. and as Luke rode at the side of
the guide he held cooked pistol in his
right hand.
SIS it woods all the way to Clarkvillei"
he asked the guide.
Yes. boss, bout all de way, I reckin',"
the negro answered. "Dar am some
fields
"Are the people about here loyalf'
"No, boss; dey's ali secesh."
"Theu we can expect no favors from
them"
"Deyd cut our heads OF Z dey could"
81 heah bosses feet comm down tn road,
Cap'u," said old Arkansaw Tom, who was
just behind Luke.
"How many do you think they are"
asked Luke, checking his horse.
"A hull passed."
"Dey am not friens," said the guide.
Luke determined to give them q wide
berth. and ordered the guide to take them
to some safe spot at the roadside, where
they halted and waited for the horsemen to
go by. The heavy splashIng Of horses feet
could be heard by the Union cavalry.
From the length Of time it took the horse
men to pass Luke knew there must be at
least twenty-five Of them. His strange
guide declared there were thirty. This
guides voice seemed strangely familiar 70
Luke. He had not seen his features, as he
had never met him by daylight. or even by
the light of torch, or he would have recog
nized him. 1t was not until he said:
"Come on, now, Massa Lukei" that he
recognized him.
Blackhawkl" he gasped.
ayes, massa"
why are you herei Where have you
been'r
"Tryin' ter help save dis Union, Massa
Luke. n sot my chillun free. knows cherry
foot o. dis country, kase useter live heah;
but dey's gone now, massa, an We kin 60
on"
They had not gone more than three
miles when they came 70 . large, old-fash-
toned Southern planters house, standing on
the top Of . commanding eminence. From
the windows there flashed brilliant lights,
and an unusual excitement seemed TO per-
wade the building from attic to cellar.
Lights from gilded chandeliers shining
through the broad, deep windows fell across
delightful lawn, and showed a number Of
horses hitched to the fence.
Mason halted his command and called
Captain Lawrence. of the cavalry, to his
side. and asked Blackhawk who lived in the
house.
Colonel Lucas, sah," the guide an
swered.
as he Confederate"
Yes. sab. dey am secesh, an specks dey
am now gittin' ready to go OF ter Nash
vile"
Captain Lawrence at this moment came
up TO where Luke sat at the head of the
command, and Captain Mason said:
Captain Lawrence, believe there are
several officers in that house, and it's our
duty to arrest thernF'
- am with you," the Captain answered.
more than likely there are also women
and children in the hou Sc, so caution your
men not to injure them, il possible"
The troops were divided into two parties,
Captain Lawrence having command of one
and Captain Mason Of the other.
1t was arranged for Luke to attack from
from the east, completely fianking the
building. and they hoped to prevent any
from escaping.
Dismounting a short distance from tho
fence on the south, Luke left the horses in
charge of small guard, and, followed by
Arkansaw Tom and others, he crept up the