St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-21
TOLD BY MAJOR POND.

One OF the most daring exploits that
came under my notice during the war
happened in the autumn of 62,when my
company C., Third Wisconsin cavalry
was engaged in protecting the border OF
Kansas and Missouri.
Col. Barstow had ordered the entire
regiment from Fort Scott, Kan, early
one October morning, on a reconDOiter-
ing expedition. There was plenty of
bush along the route, which gave refuge
TO bands OF bushwackers or "Home
Guards" as they were called. with no
better fun than firing ON our column as
it marched in close order.
This conduct very much enraged the
scouts detailed with our regiment.
There were three or fouI Of them under
command of William 5. Tough. the
most fearless man in that celebrated
corps named the "Buckskin Scouts"
and the best judge of horSetieSh l have
ever met. In the course of the march
that day lie had captured several natives
from whom he had obtained informa-
ton that Capt. Ryan, with band of
from 80 to leo "uome Guards" wa S
camped on one of the creeks in the
vicinity of MOntevallo, Mo. The scouts
were thirstlng to take repriSalS against
the "BushWackerS," and nothing suited
Tough better than TO get into their
camp. He was ready and willing to
meet the whole Confederate army if it
could be found. At a council of war,
early i'll the afternoon, it was decided
that the scouts should ascertain Ryan's
whereabouts and report his strength.
Capt. Tough. with Walt st. Clair
ami Jack Harvey, TWO of his
men, accordingly made preparation
for the journey. ! had some trouble
in Joining the party because of the diff
Guilty iii securing perfect mount, which
was Indispensable for such all under
taking. Capt. Tough had TO select just
the horse he wanted for me, and to see
that tile trappings were perfect. He
took care that L should run no risk from
l0osemng saddle girtb. But finally
everything was made ready, and with
final glance at our saddle girths and re-
YoiVerS we were off.
We rode out from camp, which was
in the opening near Horse creek, to a
prairie; we must cross that prairie to
MonteYailo. We had not gone far when
Tough told st. Clair and Harvey to
take a road leading 10 the right and
where to cross Il creek and to meet US at
point ten miles distant. Tough and |
were TO 20 10 Montevallo and follow
creek where Ryan was supposed to be
camped, about mile beyond his own
home. 1t was just past shutdown.
Within about mile OF Capt. Ryan's
home we met a young woman afoot.
MOtiOning me to be silent, Tough APP
preached the woman and said hurredly:
"My good lady. is this Capt. Ryan's
h0use?" The woman hesitated just
enough for the keen scout to see that
she was a Ryanite.
Tough treasured her in a smooth
Southern dialect that he was friend,
and an officer on Gen. Coffin's staff. 81
must see Capt. Ryan," he said, where
is he? quick!"
lie just went to camp" was the re-
ply. He came home and got his bay
FLY. H2 left old Buck at home. to
feed on corn; they've got no corn in
camp"
Where is old Buck?'" asked Tough.
Right beyond the meat house." said
the girl.
"Oid Buck" was the most famous
horse in the country. Ryan was a horse
grower, and this was his favorite.
We rode directly to Ryau's home.
Mrs Ryan was standing at the door, as
Tough accoSted her in his hurried man
ner. Mrs. Ryan," he said, after ascer-
tanning her identity, Il am Maj. john
son, of Gen. Coffin's staff. Our army is
just across the creek and the Federals
are coming from Kansas. We expect a
big fight in the morning. Gen. Coffin
has sent me to get Capt. Ryan to join
the army tonight; my horse is nearly