, 1890-07-03

with tiNed bayoncts, or an equal, or
even superior number of opposing
cavalry armed with Carblne and
saber. BY the time his command
struck the foe there were so many
holes In their ranks that ii WAS an
casy matter TO charge through them
and take them In flank or rear. Re
member Qunntrell fought no great
battles, but In small sections, cut
ting of trains, capturing stray regi-
ments, etc, he was as truly "A genius
as Napoleon ever was.
"He didn't enforce strict dscip-
line in camp except with tho guard
mount, but he was inexorable that
every man should know how to load
and fire riding ut a gallop; he paid
small heed military etiquette, but
he sternly insisted that every mans
revolver should be In the best of or
der, aud have seen him order a
most severe punishment upon a
man who had his weapons in bad
shape, and passed by n party OF
drunken troopers quurrellng and
cursing over u game OF cards.
"When In tho enemy's country
we lived on the enemy. We always
Travelled lightly equipped and with
great speed, l remember an order
of his; 'Stragglers viii be shot,
which had he effect of always keep
Ing US in "A compact body. These
are the main points of Quantrelps 8
ideas of war, and by which lie al
ways came out victorious. Anec-
dote- | could tell you 10y the dozen,
but | have not now the time"
The narrator paused, reIighted his
eXtingulshed cigar, and, with what
| | thought a. hali-sigh, resumed:
"Well, to get to that affair at
| Lawrence. Quantrell had received
some terrible blows at the hands OF
the red-legs, ~ the Federals were
called, In August of that year,
think. Several Of his best men had
been caught by them, and hung
without show of trial. The James
brothers, Jesse and Frank, had both
been waylaid, wounded and escaped
after desperate fight, and IA nunl-
her of respectable old farmers in
Jackson, Clay and Liberty counties,
whence we drew the larger portion
OF our supplies of food, stock and
recruits, had been brutally used
during one of those periods in
which Quantrell temporarily dis
banded his corps to meet at a GER
tain time and place.
when the night of the rendcz-
vous arrived we mustered about $50
strong, and were paradcd in the
moonlight in an open glade in the
big forest.
"QuantrelI had little to say, but |
never saw his brow so stern and his
eye 40 scintillant with vengeful
wrath. He rode up and down our
lines twice closely scanning his men.
Then he add ressed them IA few brief
words, telling them of what had
been done and of the determination
of the enemy to ruin them at all
hazards. He notified us that we
were going 10 execute a signal act
of vengeance, but what II was no
one knew, saving his two lieuten-
ants.
LET any man leave the ranks
who doesn't wish to go, said Guam
trell, but" and all understood
what hut meant. Ifthere were any
traitors among ms just to spy, he
would be periorce to come and do rs
we did, or if he wished to draw out
now at the supreme moment he
well knew that way within a dozen
yards would be checked by storm
OF bullets from the finest pistol shots
in the world. ..r.
$50 we were told to break ranks,
give our animals a feed and eat one
ration and cook another. That was
all we carried in the way of pro-
visions.
"The moon had scarcely reached
her meridian splendor when we set
ont on n frosty night and rode all
night long; he creaking of the horse
furniture and the duh tramp lent IA
pleasing monotone 10 the oppressive
stillue.- of the night. We were all
In anticipation Of some unusual
event, aud the majority Of us were
very s0mber and silent.
AT last, Just ns the faint parheiia
In the east oveTthe level prairie land
began 10 announce the approaching
dawn, n halt was ordered, and
Quantrcll sent forward Gregg and II
score of men Ia take the bridge over
the little stream some six miles this
side of Lawrence.
"Meantime we breakfasted on
cold rltions, and such as had 1t took
drink of whisky. IL was very
dark aud dis nal as the wind swept
the mist -wreAths here and there over
the vast, silent prairie and tossed
the tall gras-cs into pillows resem-
bling those uf the Atlantic under II
heavy ground swell, IL was very
ghostly standing there, hand on
name and foot In strrup, iuipatiently
waiting for some sound from the
front, while the gigantic figures OF
the orderlies moved through the
damp gloom like specters OF the
Brockcn calling the morning roll.
"Suddenly firing was heard u half
mile In front, where Gregg had gone.
Then all was still. Then came over
the prairie the rapid hoof- beats of n
fast horse, The rider soon became
visible and went direct to Guam
troll.
I'VE killed three, captured nine,
and Captain Gregg awaits orders,
sir.
"'Fall into your troop replied
Quantrell and to the bugler:
Boots and saldlcsn
Loud, long, clear and shrill the
beautiful refrain rang out, and ere
the buClcr had his instrument well
under his arm we had got the order.
Right dress, iOrward-trot--gill
lop" We had already been ar
ranged in columns Of four, and along
we thundered, passed the bridge
without a halt, where Gregg Joined,
leaving party 10 care for the led
eral killed aud wounded, and AZ