The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-04-11
BAXTER SPRINGS.

The Massacre OF Bl0aht's BOdyguard by Quantreil.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: On sunny
day in the latter part Of September, 1863 Gen.
BlOunt, with his STAFF and headquarters band,
accompanied By detachments OF the Sd Wis
Cav. and 18th kan. Cav, as escort, arrived at
Baxter Springs on their way to Fort Scott
When they approached near TO Baxter Springs
they saw a body Of mounted men formed in
line on the prairie, which they took for Union
troops stationed at that place, and who had
formed to receive Gen. Blount on his arrival
The sight OF this line caused no alarm, and the
command moved on in the usual manner of
march. Gen. Blount, Maj. Curtis and one or
two others Of the staff were riding in an ambu-
lance and the cavalry we're riding along care
lessly, with their carbines strapped 10 their
saddles, unsuspiciOHs OF danger; but as the
head Of column came within 200 or 300 yards
OF the strange troops the whole scene was sud
denly changed, for 1t was no other than Guam
trell with couple Of hundred Of his gnerrillas
waiting for Biount's coming. The guerrillas
followed their usual tactics, and charged with
3 wild yell. and like the rush of the cyclone
QUantreli al the head Of his terrible fighters
dashed on the surprised Union troops. So un-
expected and sudden was the attack there was
but little chance for defense, and the scene that
ensued was heartrending and terrible. The
ranks Of the surprised cavalry were broken,
and the Inen sought safety in flight. Gen.
BlOunt mounted swift horse and escaped, but
several Of his staff officers were killed. The
headquarters band, composed Of German musi-
clans. were shot dead in their band-wagon, in
which they were riding, and the prairie was
left streNn with the dead bodies Of the cavalry
men who were slain in their fight.
It is impossible for a mounted force TO stand
8 charge and when a column is thus taken at
4 disadvantage il is easily broken and the men
demOralized. A member Of the 14th Kan. Cav.
told me since that his company lost % men
killed. Among the slain that day was that
brilliant young man and gallant soldier-H. @.
Curtis, son OF Maj.-Gen. Curtis, who was then
serving on Gen. BOunt's staff The only per-
son left alive who witnessed the death of Mai
Curtis was his eolored servant. While at Aus
TN, Tex, with my regiment in the Winter OF
100, 66, net young coioTed mana barber
who told me the story Of the massacre al
Baxter Springs and the death of Mai. Curtis
This yoGng cOlOred man was q native of st
Louis, from which city he went with Mai Cur
It's as a servant. He was with him when he
was killed. and was 2 witness to that wautor
murder. Maj. Curtis had got out Of the ambu-
lance, and had surrendered, when guerrills
rode up behind him and shot him in the head
and before he fell the guerrilla shot him the
second time. One Of the guerriIlas claimed
the Majors servant, and he sent him to Aus
tin, and held him as Z slave until the war wa.
over. This guerrilla who murdered Mai Cur
tbs was afterwards seen on the streets of Aus
TIN by this young col0red man, who informed
the military authorities, when the murderel
was arrested for the crime, and he was confined
IA prison at Austin when cur regiment lef
that place ia February, Is66,-JANEs NJ. Rus
SELL Captain, lst Iowa Cav, Connellsville, Pa