Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-04-21
Captured a GnerrlIla.

One of the most daring exploits that
came under my notice during the war
happened in the autumn Of '6a when
my company G. Third Wisconsin cav
airy was engaged in protecting the
border of Kansas and Missouri. Col
onel Barstow mad ordered the entire
regiment from Fort Scott. Kan. early
one October morning on reconnoiter-
ing expedition. There was plenty
Of bush along the route. which gave
refuge 10 bands Of bushwhackers or
Home Guards. as they were called
with no better fun than firing on our
column as il marched in closed order.
This conduct very much enraged the
scouts detailed with our regiment
There were three or four Of them
under command Of William :. Tough.
the most fearless man in that cele-
brated corps named the Buckskin
scouts, and the best judge Of horseicsh
L have ever met In the course Of the
march that day he had captured sew
eral natives. from whom he had OBJ
tanned information that Captain RYAN.
with band Of from fifty 70 100 Home
Guards. was camped on one Of the
creeks in the vicinity Of Montevallo
Mo. The scouts were thirsting to
take reprisals against the bushwhacIi-
ers. and nothing suited Tough better
than to 90 into their camp lie was
ready and willing to meet the whole
Confederate army If it could be found
At a council Of war early fin the
afternoon it was decided that the
scouts should ascertain Ryan's where
abouts and report his strength. Cap
tain Tough. with Walt St Clair and
Jack Harvey. two of his men. accord
ingly made preparation for the Jour
ncy had some trouble in Joining
the party because Of the difficulty in
securing a perfect mount which was
Indispensable for such an undertaking.
Captain Tough had to select lust the
horse he wanted for me and to see
that the trappings were perfect. writes
Major j. b. Pond in the st Louis Re
public. lie took care that ! should
run no risk from loosening saddle
girth. But finally everything was
ready. and with final glance at our
saddle girths and reyolvers we were
off
We rode ont from camp which was
in the opening near Horse Creek, to a
prairie: we must cross that prairie to
Monteyallo We had not gone far
when Tough told st. Clair and Harvey
to take road leading to the right.
and where to cross creek and to
meet us at a point ten miles distant.
Tough and We're to 70 to Montevallo
and follow a creek where Ryan was
supposed to be camped about mile
beyond his own homie. II was Just
past shutdown. Within a mile OF Cap
tain Ryan's home we met a young
woman a-foot Motionfng me 10 be
silent, Tough approached the woman
and said, hurriedly: My good lady.
IS that Captain Ryan,s house?' The
woman hesitatcd just enough for the
keen scout to see that she was
Ryanite
Tough reassured her in smooth.
Southern dialect that he was friend.
and AN officer on General Coffin'sstaf.
u must see Captain Ryan, he said.
where is he? Quick"
''IIe's just went to camp, was the
reply. lie came home and got his
bay FLY. lie left Old Buck at home
TO feed on corn; they've got no corn in
amp"
Where is Old Bnck?'' asked Tough.
Right beyond the meathouse, e said
Lhe girl.
Old Buck was the most famous
lorse in the country. Ryan was a
iorse grower. and this was his favorite. |
We rode directly for Ryan's home.
Yrs. Ryan was standing in the door
IS Tough accosted her in his hurried
manner. Mrs. Ryan" he said after
scertaining her identity. Il am
lajor johnson Of General Collins
taft. Our army is just across the
reeS and the Federals are coming
rom Kansas. We expect big fight
} the morning. General Coffin has I