The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-01-25

w dT IllleS anu adventures WcIc VIC
burden of the conversation among
half dozen veterans of the civil war
the other day. War stories are al
ways entertaining, and each one of
this party was ready with some reel
tai of deed of daring, a clever piece
of strategy, tough-lucll experiences,
or the grimly humore s side of some
dangerous predicament.
81 have read many Stories" said
one of the old soldiers, "of individual
exhibitions of bravery during the war,
but witnessed duel between two
officers of high rank that had l read it
would have believed it. the product
of imagination.
The veteran was great story-tel-
Ter, and the party into which the re-
porter had intruded settled down pre-
pared for something interesting.
During the early days of the war;"
said the old warrior, the Federals,
who had already driven the rebels
from Southern Kentucky, were much
troubled down in Christian county, by
Colonel Woodward, who, | believe,
lived near Lafayette, in that county.
He was in the habit of visiting his
home with q small party of sl1ir-
mishers, and he always carried away
with him number of horses and
supplies. The raids were uniformly
successful because of their audacity,
and Woodward was thorn in the side
of the Union forces in charge of that
territory. A number of Northern
officers, noted for their sagacity and
courage, were intrusted with the task
of capturing or killing Woodward, but
he was too much for them. The
Southern sympathizers, of whom
there were many in the vicinity,
greatly enjoyed these fruitless efforts
to end the career Of the audacious
asperated by the ill-conccaled amuse-
ment of the neighborhood at their ex-
pense.
FINALLY Major Brackett-I think
he was from Northern Ohio-volun-
teercd to put an end to the depreda-
lions of Woodward. BY some means
he learned that the Confederate, with
q small force, would visit Lafayette
one night, and an elaborate plan fer
his capture was arranged. Soon
enough the raider put in an appear
| ance, as had been expected, and Ma
jor Bracket thought his game was ut
last corraled. Woodward was at last
surrounded, as Major Bracket
thong hit, and the signal was given to
the Union men to close in. They did
SO, but just as they thought the game
was up for the rebel, they were sud
denly attacked from several quarters
simultaneously and decentralization en-
sued. Major Bracket swore and
fumed, and the whole force fled pell-
NELL They went at a wild pace
through Lafayette, followed by the
jeering taunts of the Southern sympa-
thizers.
Though no one had the temeritv
to say it to his face, Major Bracket
felt that he was regarded as a coward,
and he was naturally exasperated
1t developed later that Woodward's
force had been greatly inferior, nu-
merically, to that of Brackets Con-
sequently he had to submit to n deal
Of chatting from his brother officers,
and, being of a sensitive nature, it
hurt him more than he would ac-
knowledge. He seemed to think that
his reputation for personal courage
had suffered, and he was all but fran
tic for opportunity to prove that he
was no coward. Bracket was soon
after assigned for duty in the neigh.
borhood of Memphis where he die
good work, but nothing, as he thought
TO repair his shattered reputation.
lone day, however, the longed- for
opportunity came. At the head of a
sliirmishing party he was quietly
marching down the road when sud
denly he came upon similar party oil
Confederates. The unexpected meet
ing threw both parties into confusion
and before either had chance tc
form for fight, Bracket ordered hi,
men to remain quiet and rode for
ward. 1t was remarkable course
and, | believe, without parallel il
the history of the war, but he chal
lenged the commanding officer OF tn,
rebels to personal conflict.
st happened that the rebel office
was Major Valentine, whose home
was in Memphis He was one Of For
rests men, and had a reputation as d;
man OF aggressive personal daring
He was surprised at the unusual chal
lenge, but he Immediately accepted
and the two officers, in plain view o
their companies, galloped toward eacl
other with drawn sabers. They wen
at each other like knights of old an,
q thrilling duel followed. The horse
turned, charged and reared with won
derful rap;dity. The sabers hisse
viciously. Blood was drawn on bot
, sides. The officers charged again
Brackett made a savage cut at Valen
l tine, who lodged. The officers charge,
again The rebel officer made a back
ward cut as he passed, and the blad
struck Bracket square across TIN
back of the neck. His head droppe
to one side, he reeled and fell fror
r his horse. They picked him up bu
} lie was dead. The blow had broke
: his neck He had proved his courag,
| but he died in the attempt The
Y buried him by the roadside, and tn
0 two forces Withdrew without firing
: shot | was with Valentines fore,