The National tribune., 1892-10-06

thought prudent to make reconnaissance o.
| the direct road which leads through the Blue
| Gap-a place where, on the south side of the
river, the road passes through Deep narrow
gorge for two or three hundred yards, the sides
of which are impossible. down to the ford OF
| the river, whose banks are steep and high
Comrade Warren and myself were detailed foi
| this duty which we performed early IN the
| morning, and reported that we had passed the
ford and into the Gap. aud that, while we saw
no rebel force yet, from the manner and con-
duct of some individuals whom we met, we
considered it very probable that
WE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE
if we undertook to pass that way. 1t was then
determined to pass around the head timber OF
the Blue by way of Little Santa Fe.
Without any incident of Importance we
arrived at Harrsonville where, from some
cause or other, quite commotion was produced
by the action of parties there which bid fair to
prove serious but was soon quieted, and we
moved on to Austin, where we arrived In the
evening. Arriving in the vicinity OF their
homes-from which they had been absent so
much longer than they had expected when
they left-the men, naturally, wanted to go
home see their families. and get some clean
clothes, of which they were sorely in need after
two weeks of camp life.
1t was necessary that sufficient number of
men should remain as a guard for the arms,
aud to this end volunteers were called for, and
Your humble servant volunteered to remain
until their return. There were, believe, about
20 of us who undertook to guard the camp.
while our more fortunate comrades hurried of
to their homes and loved oues. Scarcely had
they left the camp and the twilight shadows
began to fall In fantastic forms upon the fields
and across the streets of the town, when there
appeared a courier upon a painting steed, and
called for the Major His anxious, hurried
manner spoke only too plainly to US OF threat
ened danger Just what his message was we
did not fully know. We only knew that he
came from Kansas City. and that dangers OF
serious nature were apprehended.
Accordingly runners were sent out to call
the men back to camp and to summon all those
who had been mustered into the service to re-
port at once. With our scouts out all through
the country, we held our camp until the even
ing of the second day, by which time our boys
were nearly all on hand and it was deemed
better to change our camp. Accordingly, we
moved across Grand River and took position
on Crescent Hill, some six miles south of Aus
tin. Here is mound much higher than the
surrounding country, upon the summit OF
which we made our camp. feeling that we could
defend ourselves against three times our num-
bers.
There was at that time an organized force of
Kansas men at West Point, small town on the
State line between Kansas and Missouri, to
whom We gave notice of our condition, and
who at once
JOINED THEIR FORTUNES WITH OURS.
Thus encouraged we determined upon an
aggressive movement. and accordingly we
planned an expedition down Grand River as
far as the Elk Fork.
This expedition was barren of results, except
that it served to arouse the country to the fact
fbct of arfnalIv existed in the
country, and the soaring of few men belong
ing to the rebel State Guards who were prowl-
ing about the country, little expecting that
Uncle Sams" boys would be after them in
that neighborhood.
An exciting chase after couple of these
guards brought to my side man aud begun an
acquaintance aud friendship that lasts to the
present day / refer to Sandy Lowe whose
name and fame will add many pages to the
history Of the war when it comes to be written.
Chance brought US together III the front OF a
chase of mile or two across high prairie.
and in most reckless manner. We had Set
our heads on capturing those two rebs, and
seemed to have fair prospects OF doing so, when
they reached the timber and were lost to sight.
This brought us to our senses, and we then
realized that we had left our command nearly
a quarter OF mile behind. following two men
who were probably in all respects our equals
as to fighting conditions. We returned to our
camp with a consciousness that we had stirred
up the animals. and it was thought best to
move our camp TO West Point, which We did
the next day.
Scarcely had we settled ourselves at West
Point when rebel force took position at
Parkersville, some three or four miles east of
Us This neighborly disposition of Claib. jack
sons guards was looked upon by US with sus-
picion The matter was discussed. and it was
decided to pay them visit, as the rules of polite
society required the older citizens TO make the
first call; and ii was further considered proper
to make an evening call, say. about IL or II
o'clock. While preparations were being made
it WAS thought well to send couple OF men
out on the road to ascertain in quiet way
whether our new neighbors were at home.
These men returned about or 10 o'clock, and
said they thought the most of Claib. Jackson's
family were at home. but that a portion of
them were Oh the road towards camp and
that probably the family, disregarding the afore-
said rule of polite society, were intending to
make an evening call upon US. We felt disposed
TO insist upon the rule,
AND CONTINUED OUR PREPARATIONS.
Comrade James Farmer and myself were
sent ont on the Parkersville road with instruc-
tions to approach as near their camp as we
could. watch their movements. and report any
demonstrations made in our direction other
wise to remain until our command came up.
We proceeded on our way until we came to the
timber along the creek that ran between US
and our neighbors Here our imagination
pictured to our minds picket post which we
did not deem it proper to disturb, so we fell
back few rods and took a position of obser-
walton. The night was dark and cloudy, with
strong indications OF storm. Here we stood,
waiting for the coming of our command. For
hours we waited, and the threatened storm
burst upon us with all its fury. The deafening
thunder and vivid lightning played upon US
with fury that had never seen surpassed.
This storm was too much for Comrade Far
mer, and he insisted that we should desert our
post and return to camp. To the proposition
dissented. for my education led me to regard
the soldier who went to sleep Oh or deserted
his post was worthy of death.
Bot Comrade Farmer did not take that view
of the question, so he left me and returned to
camp. There / stood with a saddlc-blanket
over my head, while the storm spent its fury,
and it seemed TO me that neither my command
nor daylight would ever come. So dark was
the night, so loud the thunder, SO fierce the
wind and the beating of the rain, that the
whole Southern Confederacy Nigh have passed
within few rods OF me without notice, but
for the vivid and incessant flashes Of lightning
that played upon u.s.
The only thing happening to break the mo-
notony Of that awful night was an unearthly
scream wall, that made my hair fairly rise
on my head, and almost made me wish that
had gone TO camp with Farmer. Alter strain
ing gaze In the direction of the noise by the
flashing of the lightning i could see some
thing white somewhat smaller than a horse,