The National tribune., 1893-03-09
"HELLROARING COLLINS. +"
The Trials of Union Man in Texas During
the War.

hearted Union man of the South,
Stacy Collins. native of Mississippi,
and when the broke out a resident of
Texas The rebels dreaded the fierce denunci-
ations that Collins was ever ready to shower
upon their rebellion. hence the name by which
he became widely known in Hardin County.
The morning after Texas declared for seces-
sion the main street of the COuntytown OF
Hardin County was alive with men who, In
groups, were discussing the situation. Some of
them were very joyful indeed. They scented
change. and by going with the tide thought
they would glide into some benefit, of course.
The moral aspect of the matter, the awful i'm
port of the issue involved for liberty and
humanity. found no place in their selfish and
change-loving thoughts.
But there was among them who took the
matter very seriously indeed. 1t was Stacy
Collins He stood by himself, seemingly un-
conscious of his surroundings. He was deeply
imbued with the true patriotic spirit. With
his eyes upon the ground he thought of our
common country. He thought Of the time
when the Union Jack went down and the
Flag of Freedom went up; when the proud
CORVALLIS surrendered the emblem of English
authority, the sword. to Gen. Washington.
| Then, indeed. the contemptuous Yankee Doodle
came to town, and whether he stuck feather
in his hat not he had good reason to stick a
! big one there and be proud of it.
at all the groups of men, and felt that it was
time to act. He shouted: Boys. Texas de.
clares for secession. How many OF you will
stand by ME under the old flag, die?"
If bomb had exploded near them it could
not have more amazed them. Thirty men
ranged themselves alongside of Collins. The
hilarious crowd were dazed. 1t was their time
to be serious. Down in their hearts they knew
Collins was right. Born on the soil, living in
the country, they inslinctively felt that the
wild spirit of separation flashed over the
country had no basis in truth, justice, reason
or common-sens and being contrary to their
wishes, hopes, and aspirations, they were all
the more savage and bitter against Collins
Perhaps they saw in the spirit evoked by Col
Inns a forerunHer of the defeat OF their i'll
founded hopes, a foreshadowing Of that match
less spirit that rose later on and crushed the
mighty but insane rebellion. They muttered
and spluttered and glared and growled aud
spread themselves.
Collins and his men marched to the Collins
farm on the edge of the swamp. All through
the day reports came seemingly from all points
of the compass of the dire results of his con-
duct when the few days Of grace allowed were
ended. He was surprised at the opposition he
had in so short time developed. For him.
self it only made him more determined than
ever, but his men began to weaken. One by
one they dropped off. until the last day given
for all Union men to quit the country Collins
found himself alone. He knew If he left the
State his property would be confscated and
his family thrown out on the street. For this
reason he determined to stay, but took the
precaution to camp out in the swamp Here
he was perfectly at home and could defy
army, but little did he dream that for four
long years he was destined to stay there defy
ing rebels and rebellion. His camp became an
asylum for Union refugees. He often had
hi i'm In nc
much of swamp angel on the Union side as
the famous gun in Charleston Harbor of that
name. He never missed week that he did
not visit his family. For this purpose he
established code of signals by which his fam
lily always knew when he was coming, and he
knew just what danger there was. When the
rebels had cleaned them out of everything III
the shape of provisions, Collins kept them
supplied with meat from the swamp. Through
his family, who were ever on the watch, he
became aware Of all movements for his destruc-
tion. His plan was to change his camping
ground and turn the old camp into trap for
the enemy. instead Of himself or his friends
The rebels became furious at not effecting his
capture or destruction. Magruder tried his
hand. but finally sent messenger to him un-
der a flag of truce who said that If he did not
come out and give himself up he would burn
him out. Collins sent him word back to como
on with his fire; he would probably find as
much fire in his rear as he could start III front.
The maladroit rebel gave it up
During the first year Of the war Collins
assisted quite number of Union refugees OH
their perlous journey to the Union lines. His
camp afforded a shelter and resting place to
the hunted down and exhausted patriots.
Through some means or other the rebels got
wind OF what was going on and they 30 effectu-
ally guarded every avenue of escape that it
was impossible to get out.
T.. x tI,s rnf
the place where one Of his men had his resi-
dence and family. A rebel Sergeant, with 30
men. made descent Oil the house, and tied up
the wife and daughter by the thumbs to force
them to lead the way to Collins's camp or give
information concerning it, They were other
wise brutaly and inhumanly y treated. A nine
year-old boy escaped into the swamp and brought
word to Collins. He and his men Immediately
started for the scene, and got there just about
dusk. Collins placed his men in ambush in
rear of where the horses of the party were tied,
when out came the rebels, the Sergeant at the
head. Seven trne rifles spoke, and the rebel
Sergeant went to where he would never again
tie up women by the thumbs. Such of the
party as escaped the first fire ran for all they
were worth, as all towards do
Collins and his party took the precaution to
change their camping ground that night; but
that family was never moested any more.
At another time he heard the Yankees were
coming, aud on visiting his own home he dis
covered that good many of the Guards had
taken the field, and that the Yankees were
within two or three days ride. They went to
a ranch owned by rebel named Mckinney
IA very rebellious name, by the way), who had
fast horses. They took the three best horses,
and Collins sent the three best men lie had,
mounted On McKinney's racers, and told them
to be cautious aud spare their horses, in case
they should have a run for it. They were gone
just four days, and barely saved their lives
through the feetness of their horses. They
had to contend against the best borsemen of all
| the rebel cavalry in that section. Hurrah for
Mckinney horsefesh! For nearly four years
Collins stood bravely for the Union. and in the
great swamp of Hardin County, Tex, defed the
| whole rebel host.
On the early morning Of July is. 1864, he
| started toward his home With haupch Of ven.
| ison on his shoulder. Whom his fhmily saw