Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-09-05
Snapped Horses.

WhOsS kdlldulIy anu uhItub WOu Ohiy
local celebrity in North Carolina
during the war, none was more con-
spicuOus than O'Neal, the scout.
Accomplished and daring, yet he
was wholly unknown beyond the
limit of his field of action. He was
handsome man, tall, muscular and
graceful, fine swordsman, a capital
shot and one of the best riders that
ever put foot in a stirrup.
He never forgot a road or the lay
of the land, and he always remem-
bered a face or n voice. For the rest
he was cool, quick>witted, quiet and
observant. During the time that my
command was in eastern North
Caralina l frequently served as
scout with O'NeaI and not seldom &C.
companied him into the enemy's
lines, especially about the time that
Gen. Hooker made his march against
New Berne.
In that town lived pretty wo-
man who was great friend of
O'Neal, and who was also much ad-
mired by Gen. Terry, the command
ant Of the Union forces stationed
there. Miss - for patriotic reasons
accepted the attentions Of the Gen.
eral, and betrayed his condolences
unscrupulously to O'Neal. When
ever there was bal, given in the
city O'Neal attended if possible.
Superbly uniformed as federal of.
fcer or plainly dressed as citizen,
he invariably monopolized Miss -,
to the great chagrin of Gen. Terry,
who relished a bit of filtration with a
pretty woman as much as most
men.
On one occasion, when O'Neal had
absorbed the lady's attention, Gen.
Terry came up and abruptly demand
ed his name and regiment. O'Neal
was masquerading as captain in a
newly arrived regiment, and gave
the required information without q
moments hesitation. But Gen. Ter
RVS suspicious had evidently been
aroused, and he demanded to see his
papers.
O'Neal measured him with a cool
stare and then said quietly:
"This is very singular demand,
Gen. Terry, but if you will accom-
pany me to the hall, where left my
overcoat, l think l can satisfy
you"
Gen. Terry, with singular Obtuse|
ness, If he really had any suspicious,
went with him. There were only g
few soldiers standing near the door
and they were absorbed, watching
the ballroom. Now it CHANGED that
O'Neal always hung his coat neal
the outer door. He slipped his hant
into the pocket, saying:
81 hope this will settle the ques
ton satisfactorily, general" and al
he withdrew it he brought the heavy
barrel of navy revolver with stun
Ing force across the head of the doubt
ing general, and, dashing at full
speed through the open door, turned
a corner and disappeared before tn,
panic created by his daring had tim
to subside.
On another occasion his audacit!
took a holder flight. Gen. TER.
owned a superb cream~colored thor
Oughbred horse, which he valued S,
highly that he had it cared for like
scion of royalty.
O'Near had a passion for fin
horse, and wanted it, and bets raj
high in camp as to how soon h
would ride in on the thoroughbred.
One day an awkward, ganglinl
"sand hill tackey," dressed in cop
peras-dyed jeans and wearing larg
Silver-rimmed spectacles, presented
himself at Terry's headquarters ant
asked for permit to pass through
the lines. Toa close examination h
gave such unquestionable evidenc
of good faith, soft brains and "buffa
lo'' loyalty that the pass was give
him amid much chatting, and Ger
Terry asked him how he meant t
travel. son a critter," he answered
"a horse, suppose you NEAR
Well, where is he?'
"Hithed out thar in the street,
said the cracker, pointing to small
fuzzy, indiscribably wretched-looB
ing little Banker pony.
"Why, you don't expect to rid
twenty miles on that miserabl
brute, do you ?" asked the general.
"Thout l kin swap him for a be