The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-05-24
THE CAMP FIRE.
A FAMOUS GUERRILLA TELLS OF A
THRILLING RIDE.
Pensions Collection Of informs Incl
dents Of the war-ftems for
OLD soldiers, Etc, Etc.


Colonel John =. MOsby. late OF the
Confederate army. known as partisan
ranger, but called "A guerrilla all the
same, talked thus:
I'm April 1868. General j. +. b.
Stewart. the dashing Prince Rupert OF
the Confederacy. recommended that
be promoted TO the rank Of major. which
promptly received the indorsemen. ef
the Secretary OF War. j. A. Seldom.
In order TO signalize my advancement
proposed to go or rather a big raid
and bag small army Of Union cavalry.
The army were camped about fl
teen miles below. and / did not think
II possible that they could hear OF my
presence before morning. We fed and
picketed our horses inside the barn
yard, which was surrounded by strong
fence. Sentincls were stationed rs a
guard over the horses and 10 arouse as
in the event OF alarm. Many OF the
men went to bed in the hay-loft, while
others, including myself lay down on
the floor in the front room OF the dwell
ing house before big log fire.
There were Union camps across
the river. but had no fear OF them
that night. When / woke up next
morning, one OF my men came in and
said the enemy were making signals
across the river. / went 10 the back
yard 20 reconnoitre. when | saw one
of my men, Dick Morgan. running
across the field waving his hat and
calling out that the Yankees are
coming Not third OF our horses
were then bridled and saddled. had
buckled on my arms coming out OF the
house. AS soon as got to the enclos-
ure where our horses were | saw the
enemy coming through gate about
200 yards off. 1t was too late 10 re-
treat, and so ordered my men TO get
ready 10 fight.
They saddled and mounted and re-
served their fire. ! did not have time
10 saddle my horse and had 10 lead the
charge on foot. Captain Flint was so
sure OF bagging us that he ordered the
gate shut after passing through in
order 20 prevent us from escaping
Another squadron was IN the open
field, moving in our rear. II looked
blue for me- and the many shining
sabres flashing in the hands Of the
cavalrymen as they dashed toward lis
made me think that at last my Water
loo had arrived We were cooped up
in the angle OF two streams and sur
rounded by over four times our num-
Der, with half of my men unprepared
for a fight. Captain Flint, By dividing
his command. increased my chances Of
escape Mt least fifty per cent.
lin previous engagements ] had
learned the superiority of the pistol
over tho sabre, and ordered my men
20 use these weapons. When Captain
Flint arrived within fifty yards OF the
barnyard gate | advanced pistol in
hand, opened the gate and ordered
my men that had mounted 10 charge.
With wild yells they dashed into the
ranks OF the Union cavalrymcn, and
tell you IL was conflict thar meant
life or death 10 us all. When ] got
through the gate Harry Hatcher n
brave and valiant soldier. dismounted
and gave me his horse which
mounted quickly and rode into the
fray.
Our tactics completely surprised
Captain Flint. who evidently thought
we would remain on the defensive. In
"a few seconds the captain was shot
dead, and before his men hardly knew
il we were among them with the death
dealing revolver. Their swords were
no more effective than wooden weapons
and In few minutes they began 70 re-
treat pell-mell. When they reached
tho closed gate they could not open il
and many persisted before it was
pushed down.
'All my men performed wonders,
but | wish to speak Of young artillery
officer, Samuel f. Chapman. who quit
the study OF divinity. and. like the
Roundheads OF old went into battle
singing psalms. He was with me 20
go on that special raid and when saw
the Union soldiers closing In upon us
that bright April morning | thought
that young Sam would never sing
again except in heavenly choir.
Armed with two revolvers and a sabre
he dashed into the ranks OF the enemy
like a wrathiul Achilles. a pistol ia
each hand. and every time be fired.
either 20 the right or left, saddle was
emptied
Before the enemy had got back 10
the gate, retreating. Sam had emptied
both OF his revolvers and was using his
sabre. He got right in front OF me-
indeed in front Of us ll--and. rising
in his stirrups, swung his sabre from
left TO right Strengthening in whole