Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-11-29

dle-aged lady and her two very pretty
daughters They were very much
alarmed at seeing me. but / convinced
them that ! at least meant them no
harm. The mother asked me how far
back the AMY was / told her it was
cely short way behind and would
soon pass by the house. They ex-
pressed great fear that the soldiers
would confscate everything they had
knew their fears were well grounded.
and determined 10 do what could to
help them They were very kind, and
set ont a lunch for me. While / was
eating. the generals and the staff Of
ficers passed by, jumped up from the
table and took it upon myself 10 stand
sentry over the house. AS the rank
and file of the army came around some
of the men rushed out of the lines to
invade the house. II was the custom
for them TO plunder every farmhouse
along their route.
"Haltr' ! shouted. II have been
placed as a guard over this house by
the commanding officer: no man must
enter"
The plan worked like a charm
Squad after squad of men turned back
from the house, until at last the entire
command had passed. The ladies
overwhelmed me with thanks and
pressed me to stay to the dinner which
they had prepared for me. As ra-
tions had been slim for the last few
days ! was tempted to stay, especially
in such agreeable company. When |
had finished dinner the rear of the
army was at least two miles beyond
the house. just then there was a cry
from one of the girls. ! looked up to
FIND myself gazing into the muzzles of
three rifles. Three men had come sud
denly into the room. and were point
ing the rifles at me. There was quite
a scene as the ladies threw themselves
between the men and me. Then il
turned out that the men were the mas
ter of the house and his TWO sons.
They had been away in the woods
when the army came ~. and had hur-
ried back home. and arrived Just il
time to find a Yankee apparently in
possession Of the household Explana-
tIons were made and the old gentle
man thanked me and shook hands with
me cordially, but warned me that it
would be best for me not to stay any
longer.
Your command is some distance
away, now" he said, land you might
be cut off by some bushwhackers
before reaching il"
So | rode off and rejoined my COM
rades
Our command kept crowding into
Prices army until il was pushed over
the Kansas border. Then il halted
While both armies were turned up in
skirmishing line two men on horse
back were seen TO leave the confeder-
ate army, making for our direction.
Instantly quick volleys were dis
charged from the confederate ranks
and some of the soldiers started in
pursuit Of the fugitives. One Of the
men fell to the ground TO rise no more.
The other man galloped on. Some of
our men charged out to shield him and
10 keep off his pursuers. A moment
later re had rushed into our lines He
was dressed IN confederate uniform,
but recognized him as Wild Bill He
had a long interview with Gen Nc
Mel. lie informed him that, though
Price put up bold front, he was
really quite weak, and that he was
then trying to cross a great stream
four miles from Fort Scott
The force was ordered out We
charged upon the rear of Prices army
and drove it before us for two hours
Wild Bill and continued as scouts
until Prices army was driven as far
as the Arkansas river; and then the
pursuit was abandoned N. Y. Re-
cOrder