The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-02-23


He made q dire 10 rccorer the paper.
General o. NJ. Mitchell, although past
middle age in 1862, was one of the most
romantic soldiers of the war. He was an
able, patriotic man, and if he had any fail
ing as a commander it was in perfecting
more plans than dozen armies could
execute. Among these plans was one
for the capture of Chattanooga by ad-
vancing q force rapidly along the right
bank of the river, the feasibility Of
which was subsequently demonstrated
by the brilliant expedition under Gen.
eral Negley.
To learn the nature of the country be-
tween MacMinnville and Chattanooga a
mounted force of sixty men, made up Of
attachments from the Seventh Pennsyl-
vania, First Tennessee and Fifth Ken
lucky, with number of men from the
hills of north Alabama, recently mus
tered into our service, all young, eager
and well mounted, left Stevenson for
the Cumberland mountains to the north
Of the Tennessee.
Having just made in perfect safety q
trip down the mountains from Ken
lucky with six men, all in uniform,
was sent with this expedition.
Lin Moore was the man ON whose
knowledge Of the mountains we relied
chiefly during this scout. Before start
ing out he assured General Mitchell that
he "knew the Cumberland mountains
from end to end as we'll as if he had
built 'em by days work" and the result
showed that he was not braggart.
On this scout six of us. under Lin's
guidance, cut loose from the main body
and pushed toward the east, till one
midnight we disnounted on the crest Of
q hill from which we looked down on
Moccasin point, subsequently to become
famous, and could see the white tents
of the Confederates cleaning like opals
in the moonlight from Lookout noun
tain TO Chattanooga.
Satisfied with the outlook, we moved
back from this elevation to a little
stream 81 the base, where we threw our
selves on the ground to rest while our
weary horses We're grazing.
AS had planned to examine, so far as
l could do SO with field glass, the posi-
ton and extent of the Confederate de-
lenses on the following morning, il was
understood that we should remain where
we were for the night; and as the little
ravine was out of the way and as much
secluded as if we had been in a cave,
Lin Moore thought it would be perfect
ly safe TO lie down, and he showed his
confidence by wrapping up his boots in
head and dropping off to sleep in no
time. The rest of the party followed
Inns example.
All the men We're asleep, and was
about to pull off my boots to ease my
feet, when up on the hill heard the
notes of the whippoorwill. had known
this bird from my childhood, and had
heard it many a time before in the
mountains, but never after midnight
and but seldom after dark; yet the
sound was too accurate and distinct to
be an limitation. While / was Won
dering at this an owl, seemingly perched
in the gray limestone rocks directly above
where we lay, began:
"Hoo-hoo-hoo, boo-oor' ending with
the shrih whistle peculiar to the white
owl.
This seemed more in keeping with the
time and place, and | was again about
to pull off my boots, when suddenly a
rivalry started between the whippoor-
will and the owl, and they dashed along
spIy hA a.,1 al, -
whistling increasing in rapidity till the
rocks rang again, and very much per.
picked | rose TO my feet and walked
back to try and get view of the cliff
but as the full moon was sloping west.
ward it was in shadow.
Gradually the contest died out, as II
the feathered rivals had become ex
hausted, but there was still an occa
sional faint 'hoo-hoo" and "whippoor
will, when suddenly dog-a dog with
the voice of Cerberus--began baying ny
the hill. Then the baying changed tt
the angry barking of two dogs-one q
savage monster and the other pugna
cious ''fice."
crept over to Inns side, and bending
the sleep of my near by companions,
whispered for him to get up and stel
back with me.
Drawing Lin back, SO as not 10 disturb
the others, told him of what I hat
heard, but before he could frame a re
ply the noise began again. This time i
was the believing of distant and evi
IDENTIFY belligerent bull.
"Doggone hit, who'd "a thought hits'
was the guides comment.
Thought whatF' asked in surprise.
"Why, that he'd "a come oyah har."
Who'd "a Gomez | asked, uncon
sciously dropping into the mountain YER
nacular.
'w'y, Hugh McNeirs Hen. Nevat
heah of him.
mo, i don't think ever have, and il
that's hen it is the most extraordinary
bird ever heard"
'Oh, Hen amt bird; he's nat'ral,
said Lin Moore with the manner of &
man who, in his own opinion. has giver
full and satisfactory explanation. But
was more perplexcd than ever.
Seeing this. Lin Moore whispered:
'Hen-that's Hugh Neil's son; he's Q
plum eejit."
"Who. Hugh McNeil?'
mo, Hen. that's him a-makin believ,
up thar that he's a huh string of tire,
toads. Oh, him and mes ole friends
and offin slept together in these hill
afoah the wah. No one wouldn't thinl
q nat'ral could be so KNOWN as Hen
He'd corner lawyer akin questions, AM
as TO mockin any sound he evah heahs
he can't be beat. Why, hits mos SUI
prism. There, that's the cronk Of will