The National tribune., 1892-10-06
who began preparations to receive their guests

who began preparations to receive their guests
| in proper manner. They turned out upon
| that hill until it looked black with people.
| How many there were we will never know. 10
our squad of about 100 the number in sight
seemed large. aud it occurred to the Captain
| that there might be q larger force just beyond
| the ridge Our command advanced to within
| 300 or 400 yards OF their line, and halted and
| formed our line To our right and front. about
300 yards distant. and abont the same distance
! TO the left and front Of their line, WAS a high
| point of ground from which view of the
country and camp could be had. So with view
of ascertaining the strength OF our neighbors,
j struck ont for that point and had nearly
reached it before they seemed to notice my
move. When they saw me couple OF them
manifested disposition to make my acqunint-
ance and started in my direction in great
hurry. Not wishing to make any new ac-
quaintance just at that time I hurried to the
objective point, gained all the Information de-
sired, and then started back with reckless haste,
while the two gentlemen seemed
MORE ANXIOUS THAN EVER
to have an interview with ME, and in as reck-
less a manner endcavored to get between me
and my command; but they didn't
returned and reported that there were not
more than 10 600 men there that they were all
in sight. and that in my opinion. we could dis
charge the necessary courtesies OF the occasion
in a very few minutes and return to West
Point for break fast.
About this time couple of men advanced
toward our line. sgnifying desire to hold
consultation with US, and Capt. Relfe took
man with him and went out to meet them.
They met about half way between our lines.
and had talked Il little while. when two other
men from their side approached where they
Coo,, &c 7 fnaG CD" roHn NJ
son aud went up to support our Captain. Just
as we reached them demand was made upon
our Captain to surrender our command; to
which the Captain replied that he would have
to consult the other officers before no could
give an answer. He then. with the other man.
returned to the command, leaving Johnson and
myself to carry on the conversation. which we
did in a rather spirited manner. until someone
exclaimed They are retreating.' We looked
round, and sure enough away went our COM
mand on n double-quck toward West Point,
leaving johnson and myself to our late.
We were assured by our host that they would
take care of MS, and accordingly took our guns,
horses saddles. ETC., and then escorted us to an
old house on the hill, where a select number OF
mon were charged with our entertainment.
In little while four moro of our boys were
brought in and given the same hospitable treat
ment. Our neighbors evidently did not ap.
prove of the unceremonious way in which our
men terminated their visit and followed after
them for some distance, using all their per-
suasive powers to induce them to return and
accept their hospital.ies. Their demonstra-
tions were rather violent, resulting in the death
of Mont Pore and - Hill, and inducing
Frank Pryne. John Maurer. ]. Mcbride and
Jenkins to prolong their visit for an in-
definite time
There were six Of us who were prevailed
upon to accept the hospitalities Of our neigh
bors; and certainly we could not complain OF
any lack of attention on their part In TACT,
We had never received such attentions before.
Their expressions and demonstrations were OF
a much more familiar character than we had
ever before received from strangers. They
called us by unfamiliar names In very
familiar manner, handling their guns in very
careless sort Of way in our presence, often
getting the wrong end Of them very much
nearer to US than we thought necessary. After
An hour or two We were moving toward Butter,
where we arrived in the afternoon, and took
our break fast in the courthouse. where we re.
ceived the same marked attention as at Parkers-
vilIe In fact, the attention that We were
thought to be entitled to became matter OF
very serious consideration much so that the
Sheriff thought it best for us to retire to the
County Jail, where we would be more quiet and
less liable to annoyance. We were escorted TO
the jail and found it sufficiently large to ac-
commodate six OF us without crowding. This
was largely due TO the fact that no space was
taken up with chairs, beds. tables, or other
furniture. The floor was richly carpeted with
straw of very ancient growth. that had en-
tireiy lost its original odor OF the harvestfeld,
but had acquired a much stronger one of
different kind. Our bedding was OF the same
Order-two Or three ancient quilts that had
done duty there for long time, and the last
man requiring their service having been dead
man. The highly rcrfumed condition OF our
quiet place Of retirement raised very serious
question in our minds as to whether we would
prefer the quiet retreat assigned us or the more
elevated position to which very large number
of our neiahbors thought We were entitled in
the grove just outside of the town.
TO be continued)