The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-05-10
THE CAMP FIRE.
WHAT OUR VETERANS HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT THEIR OLD CAMPAIGNS.
Crossing Bridge I'm the Face Of the En-
emy-Otber War Incidents Interest
ingty Reconnted.



ment OF Geo. Banks Red River cam
paign, about April 10, 1885, four Of Us
~. A. Gilmore, Hazen Barnar, and
member OF the Wisconsin Cav. and my
self--were very suddenly placed in q
peculiar aud dangerous situation about
tive miles east OF that town. Like NIL
troops we became uneasy and restless
from our inactivity. So we took
scout on our own account; as / was tho
best mounted, i was chosen leader.
We had strict orders not TO go beyond
the picket-line. as that part OF the
country was infested with guerrillas.
who took no prisoners, but shot men
down without remorse. To accomplish
our intent we evaded the pickets and
went north toward Red River until we
struck "a corduroy ROAD which ran
parallel with the river, crossing
swamp and bayon.
When we reached this road we OBJ
served that large force Of cavalry had
recently passed over II. going east.
The tracks were fresh 1t is very
natural to shrink from mysterious
danger, hence we concluded 10 turn
back GO west, cross the swamp and re-
turn by another road, since we knew
that no horses tracks ia that vicinity
could have been made by the horses OF
our bows.
We rode up TO within 200 yards OF the
bridge. when we saw fourmounted rebs
on picket at the farther end. They had
not seen us, and as we were not in search
OF either gore or glory, we concluded
10 retrace our steps TO camp.
But just as we had come back 10 the
edge OF the swamp. we saw approach
ing, at some distance, large force OF
either rebel cavalry or guerrillas, who
saw us at the same time. Then came
the rub. We were between two mill
stones, but happily one stone was
smaller than the other: yet they were
both stones, and were rapidly coming
together TO crush Us. To say the least,
we were in sorry plight. Water and
swamp On each side OF us, guerrillas
and rebel cavalry at each end OF MS.
while action on our part must he inn
mediate and certain. As held the COM
mand, Of course the boys looked 10 me
for direction.
"Of two evils, choose the least.
This flashed across my mind. Four rebel
cavalry were less than over 800 guer-
rillas, so we wheeled around again, put
spurs to our horses and dashed forward
cts at the other end of the bridge. The
chances were desperate, but when men
become desperate, chances soon yield 10
the superior force.
On we went with the momentum OF a
whole regiment! The pickets at the
end OF the bridge saw US coming, and
also saw us followed by the 800 other
horsemen, whom they naturally con-
cluded were our allies. judging from
the bold front which we presented. We
took advantage OF this and felt. indeed,
that fortune favors the brave.
We dashed forward. revolvers in
hand ready for use. with yell that
echoed far up and down the cypress
swamp. The terror we inspired by the
npidity OF our motion and the fierce de-
termination which we carried with us
needed no additional elements 10 con
vince the pickets that we were just
exactly what we appeared 20 be four
desperate men supported by nearly 300
OF the enemy.
The pickets were fierce looking fell
lows, however they may have felt. and
they seemed TO have no idea pf being
intimidated: so Immediately upon dis
covering us, which occurred when we
were within about 200 yards OF them,
they formed in lines TO resist our pro-
gross. and suddenly presented four OF
the ugliest double barreled shot-guns
that ever saw.
After this achievement any prefe ence
Of the before mentioned evils Inlmedi.
ately vanished. Now it was Take the
one evil or be taken by it, Bows,
spur up" l said: 1--WE must 20 right
through 'em or they'll go through rs. "
ION we go" shouted Gilmore, and for
ward we went with "A dash, splutter
and a splash. Our horses, for was
splendidly mounted on our Foragemas.
ter's bay mare,) trusty fellows, seemed
to catch the spirit Of the occasion, and
as We gided along nv voice seemed 20
become all-powerful as gave out the
solid command:
"Surrenderl YOU black miscreantsv
We were then at one end OF the long
bridge while they were at the other
raising their guns TO fire. But oul
speed Was unchecked. and on we went
When we had half crossed the bridge we
fourished our revolvers and ] YELLED
again, Down with your guns ant
they Obeyed. Unto the river with
them" ordered. and this was obeyed
What relief IL was TO us as we saw
those guns pitched into the water. anc
when the splash came l tell you u was
the most welcome sound l ever heard
There was no time 10 lose, however
and since they were all mounted we or
dsred them 90 wheel about and pui
spurs 10 their horses. Two OF ourparty
followed close behind them, covering
them with revolvers, while the othel
two rode among them and disarmec
them OF their sabsrs and revolvers
About the time we had taken the last
revolver. the guerrIlas behind us opened
hro on us at long range. Then Tor the