Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-15

of their uudacity, and Woodward was
thorn In the side OF the union forces in
charge Of that territory \ number Of
northern oillccrs, noted for their IA.
gacity and courage, were mtrustcd
with the task of cap turing or ltltiug
Woodward, but he was too much for
them. The southern symuathiacrs, OF
whom there were many In the vicinity,
greatly enjoyed all thrs' iruitlc,, Of
forts To end the career II the uudaciou,
rebel, and the uniol officer, were exits
pcraicl by the ill.conc,alcl umusc.
mcnt Of tho noighborhopi ut their OK.
pcnsc
FINALLY Mai. Braclictt--l think he
was from northern Ohio volunteered
to put an end to the dcprcuutions Of
Woodward. by some means he learned
that the confederate, with small force,
would visit Lafayette one night and au
elaborate plan for his capture was ar.
ranged. Soon enough the raider put in
an appearance, as had been expected,
and Maj Bracket thought his game
was at last corraled. Woodward was
ut last surrounded Us Maj. Bracltett
thought, and the signal wa given 10
the union men to close In, They did 80,
but just rs they thought the game was
up for the confederate, they were sud.
denly attacked from several quarters
simultaneously and decentralization en-.
sued. Maj. Drackett swore and fumed,
and the whole force flcd pcilmell, car
rying the commanding officer with
them. They went at wild pace
through Lafayette, followed by the
iecring taunts of the southern sympa.
thizcrs
Though no one had the temerity to
say II to his face, Mai Bracket felt
that he was regarded us n coward, and
he was naturally eXnspernted. 1t de.
veloped later that Woodward force
had been greatly inferior, numerically,
to that Of BRACKETS Consequently
he had 10 submit TO deal of chailiug
from his brother officers, aud, being Of
u sensitive nature, II hurt him more
than he would acknowledge. lie
seemed 10 thinl, that his reputation for
personal courage had suffered, and he
was all but frant for an opportunity
to prove that he was no coward. Bracl..
EFT was soon after assigned for duty in
the neighborhood Of Memphis, where
he did good work, but nothing as he
thought, 10 repair his shattered reputa-
ton.
zone day, however, the longed-for
opportunity came. At the head Of a
slSirmishing party he was quietly
marching down the road when sud-
denly he came upon II similar party OF
confederates. The unexpected meet
ing threw both parties Into confusion,
and before either had n chance 10 form
Tor dght Bracket ordered his men TO
remain quiet and rode forward. II waa
n remarkable course, and, | believe,
without parallel In the history Of the
war, but he challenged the command
ing officer Of the confederates 10 per-
sonnl conflict
ut happened that the confederate
officer was Maj Valentine. whose home
was In Memphis lie was one of For
rests men, nud had "a reputation ns a
man OF aggressive personal daring. He
was surprised at the unusual chal-
lenge, but he Immediately accepted,
and the two officers. In plain view of
their commands, gnlloped toward each
other with drawn sabers They went
II each other like knights Of old, and a
thrilling duel followed. The horses
turned, charged and reared with won.
derful rapidity. The sabers Kissed
viciously. Blood was drawn ON both
sides The officers charged again. The
confederate officer made backward
cut as he passed, and the blade struck
Bracket square across the back OF the
neck His heed dropped TO one side,
no reeled and fell from his horse, They
picked him up, but he was dead. The
blow had broken his neck lie had
proved his courage, but he died in the
attempt. They buried him by tho
roadside, and the two forces Withdrew
without firing shot was with Val.
entine's force, and never witnessed a
similar eight and never hope TO do So
Bowling Green Democrat