The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-02-07

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force than required it now, but as 1t
was some distance from wood and wa.
ter it was not q desirable place in which
20 stand protracted siege.
The fugitives were not kept long in
doubt as to the character of the people
who had aroused their suspicion. Brad
ley was disposing his men at the points
where their rifles could best check an
approach when Ella Peters, who was
looking down the slope, called out:
'There is man approaching with q
white fagl'
The white flag proved to be hand
kerchief fastened to the end Of sword.
This was responded to by fastening El-
las handkerchief to the end of rifle,
which Dick Bradley carried, as he and
Father Peters walked down to meet the
two men in gray who were approaching.
The fear that these people belonged to
Het Magoone's gang was soon set at
rest. They were dressed in gray uni.
forms, and the network Of gold lace on
the collar and sleeves of one of the men
indicated that he was an officer. As
Father Peters and Bradley went down
to meet the truce it was decided that
the former should do the talking. So,
when the Confederate announced him
self as belonging to General Zollicof-
fer's command and peremptorily de-
manded to know who the people up the
hill were, he was answered:
"We are Union men making our way
to the north, but we do not want fight
unless it is forced on us.
"Why are you going north?" was the
next question.
"We deny your right to ask, replied
Father Peters.
II am here to prevent recruits going
through to the enemy, and if you do not
surrender you must take the conso-
Quences, said the Confederate.
1--WE are quite ready for that" said
the old clergyman.
"And if nothing but fight will suit
yo' uns, broke in strong Dick Bradley,
"come on, just as quick ez yo' uns dog
gone please. Now, go back and tell yer
ribils that"
The Confederate became gentler after
this, but beyond learning the purpose Of
each other the truce resulted in no good.
As soon as Father Peters and Bradley
rejoined the party two young men, who
declared that they could reach Camp
Dick Robinson without food or sleep,
were detailed to make their way to the
north and to inform the first Union
troops they reached of the condition Of
the fugitives whom they had left be-
hind. This precaution proved the sal
vation of the mountaineers.
The Confederates numbered about 100
men, cavalry or mounted rifles, as could
be seen when the clouds rolled away and
! the sun came out. The enemy were
green and undrilled, as were most Of the
troops on both sides at that time, but
the officer in command evidently under.
stood his business. Leaving guard
with the horses grazing in the valley, he
advanced his men in open order and
evidently with orders to protect them
selves as best they could they came with
in rifle reach.
II recall" said Miss Peters, "that
saw all this without any increase oi
fear, nor was at all shocked at seeing
my father on his knees with his rife
protruding through an opening in the
rocks. Indeed it appeared to me like al
act Of habitual devotion. WANTED to d.
something, and if there had been an un
used rifle within reach I am sure
should have obeyed the impulse to use it
"Inever admired strong Dick Bradle,
so much before. I expected that HI
would rave and swear, but instead h
went softly from man to man, uncarinl
for the exposure, and whispering: Low
and stiddy, boys. Low and stiddy, ant
not too doggone hight"
1t was not till dozen men had fallel
that the Confederates began to get tru
estimate of the enemy. This was tn
first conflict in which any of them ha
ever participated, and SO the courage o
the bravest began to cool at the sight Q
blood. They threw themselves on tn
ground and opened mild fusillade a
the rocks on the hill.
"One Of our men got shot throug
the fleshy part OF his left arm," sal
Miss Peters. 1.-THE sight of the bloc
made me shudder when I came to tt
, the wound up in the handkerchief tina
had been used as flag of truce. bu
confidence and hope returned when tn
young fellow said, with laugh. as
, he rather enjoyed it, 'Lor bless yor
Ella, that amt nothin to what did fC
T one of them sinners ez was TO- climb
, up this hill.
"The young man had just returne
to his place, and l was about to rejoi
, mother, when l was startled by To-
, cry. Then I saw father reeling bacl
with an awful look in his eyes ra
to him and reached out my arms to hel
him, but he fell-fell at my feet-dead
And during that morning and we
on into the afternoon the mountainee
: fought without knowing that FAITH
! Peters was dead. 1t was evident
a Bradley that the enemy had been reel
, forced, and he began to fear FOL Il
, coming night, when, to his great jt
and surprise, he saw the Confederat
G hurrying down to their horses and ga
/. Looping away.
Ia, L,,,, IL. l1l l.a