The National tribune., 1892-10-06

chat then presented themselves. Rumor
were rife that the rebels had said that thes'
HUnion Abolitionists I" should not drill OF
ihe streets of Austin that day.
Cant. Ferrell said it would not do for III
to attempt such thing under the circum
stances. Some Others were doubtful as to the
prouriety of such move, but the mass o
those who had assembled were decidedly IL
favor of carrying out our original purpose
Thereupon our Captain (Ferrell) refused tt
lead us. We then applied to our First Lieu
tenant, II. C. Relfe, and he said, "Boys, il
you will follow me,
WILL LEAD YOU"
Then there went up a shout from that
band of loyal men that left no room for
doubt as to their courage and patriotism.
There were about 100 armed rebels, while
we numbered about 80, of whom some 10
OF 10 had shot-guns or old squirrel rifles,
while the balance of us had clubs butcher
knives. or stones in our pockets.
We had flag, drum and fife, which
furnished all the inspiration needed for the
occasion. Our line was formed and Instruc-
fions given to say nor do anything una
would give pretext Tor an assault upon US;
but ir one should he made, TO meet 1t with a
determination to conquer or die We un-
furled our flag, aud, with our drum and
fife set to quick time, marched out upon
the mainstreet OF the town, marched
and countermarchcd by and within 20
feet of the rebel company, who stood
in line and looked upon us with Won
der and amazement. This, you viii say,
was very rash act; hut | will say TO you
that il was not taken in a rash or hasiy man
ner. for. as ] have said before, the people of
the country were about equally divided, with
ali the advantages on the side of the rebels,
and any disposition on the part of loyal men
TO yield enc iota to the dictates of the rebels
would have subjected them TO the greatest
indienities.
Our recruiting had progressed satisfactorily,
and on the 9th of June our four companies of
Missouri Home Guards were called TO meet at
Austin for the purpose of being mustered into
the military service of the United States On
the 2Gili day of June. 1861, Gen. Gordon Gran-
ger. with brigade of Union troops composed
of two regiments of Kansas and two of Iowa
bows arrived and went into camp in the town
of Aas:ia, where they remained two or three
days.
SHALL NEVER FORGET
that 9th day of June, 1861, when we We're
drawn ua in line in the streets of Austin; were
nuster..d. and took the obligation that made us
soldiers of the United States for three years,
Unless sooner discharged.
We were mustered in by Gen. Gorden Gran
ger, and the first order we received after muster
was: go and cut down that rebel flag pole. !"
Your humble servant. with two or three others,
rrocurea axes. and in less than five minutes
the fac pole erected to support rebel flag was
lying an the ground.
This was our first aggressive act and was
done with the United States brand fresh upon
us, without a gun or pound OF ammunitloni )
surrounded with armed and organized bands OF
rebels.
After muster the men were permitted to
20 hoiae and make such preparation for their
familics rs could be made in day or two. but
to be ready at moments notice. Before
the two days had expired we were called to
go to Kansas City for the purpose OF receiving
our arsas etc About 80 men were selected,
whom it was thought would be enough to go
and gel the arms and return to Austin, where
we were to establish our headquarters for the
present.
should have stated before that A. IL. Deane,
Baptist preacher. appointed Major, and
placed in command of our battalion.
On The evening of the 29th, having gathered
few wagons and teams, with a small supply OF
bedding and such camp equipage as could be
readily obtained, moved out couple OF
miles 10 a creek ard there went into camp for
the night. We had with some cornmea
coffee ETC.. and ole of our comrades who had
farm near by took two or three OF the boys
and went to the farm and butcbered two or
three fine, fat sheep, which were donated to
Uncle Sans hungry soldiers. The manner in
which they were disposed of left no doubt on
the mind of the donor to our appreciation OF
his generous gift.
This was cur first camp, and our initiation
into tbe mysteries and miseries of a soldiers
life. Little did we realize what trials and suf-
fering Ire next four years would bring to those
loyal hearts %ho sat around this their first
campfire.
Oh how great the in finite wisdom and mercy
Of our Heavenly Father. who so kindly draws
the yai over the future and hides from us the
MTsERIEs THAT AWAIT Us.
On the nextdsy we proceeded 70 Kansas City,
where we arrived in the evening, and went into
camp n a spring in the then extreme southern
part OF the city, op the Westport road. Here
we began to experience some of the uncertain
ties oi military life. We left home with the
expecssIi0n Of returning in three or four days
st farlnest-but we didn't. We remained one
or two days at the spring and then changed to
q brick block In McGces addition. near McGee's
Hotel, where We remained nearly two weeks
before received our guns and got orders to
return To Austin, proposed base of opera
tions. There were troops at Kansas City
then. except a few militia or home guards
hastily organized and held together by Col.
Van Horn for self protection.
They had fort on the bluff, just west of the
Junction. If / remember right, and there we
celebrated the Fourth Of July, 1861, Loyalty
and staDdly, considering the circumstances
HaFing received our Mississippi rifles, in the
afternoon we started, with light hearts, for our
homes We moved out onto the prairie between
West tori and the Blu and went into camp,
from which place we expected on the next day
TO reach Austin.
About dark a courier arrived from Kansas
City with information that large force OF
rebels were concentrating in the Blue Hills,
with designs upon our camp
The guards were strengthened and q pickle,
Gent out 70 guard every point of approach
The lal0r called Tor two volunteers, wei
mounted, TO carry dispatch to Kansas City
Thomas V. Warren aud the writer rendered
our services. but our horses were not deemed
suficie'i; for what might be required of them
This difficulty was soon overcome by Comrade
Billamy letting me have his horse, splendid
Little ulare Of
GREAT SPIRIT ASD FLEETNESs.
Some nae also furnished Conrade Warren with
go0a horse aud we started out on what wa,