The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-30
A WAR CAPTURE.

ter of serious concern.
Troop Sergeant Anderson Of the -th
cavalry took account of this state Of things
as regarded his own troop, and ono after
noon headed a party which was to scatter
itself to the four winds and ride promis-
cuously over the earth on the scent of the
needed provender
They had ridden about a mile when An
derson 81 his rather Independent way jim
gled off on little trail Of his own, telling
the men of his squad that he would rejoin
them at the crossroads farther on He had
an idea that he could do a little reconnoi-
tering to advantage and perhaps meet with
an adventure, a thing that was bread and
meat to his soul.
So he loosened the heavy revolver In his
holster and swung Off into bride path,
making a detour to avoid a bit Of wood
which had been heavily shelled by a Con-
federate battery the week before and gall
Hoped letsurely across an open, where lie
was fully exposed to the fire from the
trenches Of the enemy, who, however,
seemed inGisposed to take notice of him
From the open he turned into q narrow
dirt road leading of somewhere into the
Confederate lines. He expected to fall in
with a rebel picket here, but as it CHANGED
he fell in with something more.
He had ridden perhaps 100 yards along
this road when on rounding at a slow can
ter clump Of scrub pines he found HIM
sell ID the dCG OIL llQAIz II4nN LllIOue41 %
group of half dozen mounted men, who
were walking their horses in exactly the
opposite direction that he was going
There was a stare Of surprise as well as a
pulling UP of EUrsCs.
Now, Anderson had red hair, a resoluts
chin, thoroughly controlled temper, a
cool mind in the presence Of danger and
quick hand. He was slightly startled at
the rencounter, but he did not lose his head.
AS he pulled in his horse he had his re-
volver out and leyeled at the central figure
of the group, who, by his trappings. lee
took for "a brigadier general perhaps even
a person of higher rank, who was out with
his staff for an afternoon canter.
Hands iupp called Anderson in the
peremptory manner Of a western road
agent.
''Who the mischief are you9' demanded
the general, Tor such in truth he was.
my names Anderson, sergeant in the
-th United States cavalry, and you're my
prisoner, " replied the turbulent looking
highwayman with the red hair, regarding
his target with a steady eye.
The general made a mistake-he stop
ped to parley. Perhaps it was natural,
while being stared out Of countenance by
the ugly muzzle of "a huge revolver, that
he should do go but we record simply that
he made a mistake If he had ordered "a
rush-but he didn't
your prisonerl Why, that's very alb
surd, my good fellow. DON'T you think
you are oura9" he inquired, quite at ease.
Not while I've got the drop on you"
said Anderson, with grin. ''If one Of
you makes q move to draw gun, III
shoot You can suit yourselves. IN shoot
at the first move. OF course you can kin
me afterward, but that's the fortune OF
battle You won't kill me first. %
The staff bad remained dumb with
amazeIuent at AndersOn's audRoity and
the cool way in which he did this thing.
But it found voice at last
you We got q lot of nerve, " said griz-
zled warrior who rode in front "Ge6 out
of the way there. General, if you say wen
take him.
The general looked in the eyoo tho man
who had him sighted and saw tshcou'
there as plainly as if he read it in big let
ters on an open page. He was very wroth,
but he feared death in this fashion, and
he knew also that he was of value to his
country. he waxed sarcastic.
'sColonel, has he got his internal pistol
pointed at your head or at miner Without
unreasOna bic curiosity I wish to be in
formed just what you would do if you sat
in my saddleY 1 present the case plainly
The colonel was mute, and Anderson s
horse grew FESTIVE.
Gentlemen" he said, falling humor-
ously into the generals measured diction,
II am u tolerab impatient man, and I'M
obliged to protest against a council of war
in the field. You viii save time and in
finite trouble if you will pass in front Of
me in your present formation ard riCo
over there. p He pointed with his free hand
in the direction of the Union lines. "Iake
that road to the left, and we will thus
avoid your men in tie pits, who might be
tempted to open fire on us, naturally mis-
taking you for the enemy"
'tWeil you have got nerve, - said the
rrnunral qnpetfnv the level u1aura al fba
sergeant again. Anderson was rather rag
ged and not very clean, but he looked ter
ribly determined and the general realized
that he was the prisoner of that unkemUt
looking individual who sat like a centaur
on a roam colt as clearly as if he were In
the center Of q square of infantry.
you'll be quick if you please, - said
Anderson, knitting his brows ST don't
want to kill you, general, but you'n have
to go with your staff and go right away,
or die here. III take my chances. -
The general snothered a groan of wrath
and ordered his escort forward. Six off,
GERS captured by battered ruf1aD of a
troop sergeant He sighed deeply. Tt was
very grievous to be borne.
"Iu follow you close, - said Anderson
cheerily as he fell into "a slow trot. mo
tricks, gentlemen. Mind, I'll shoot at the
first sign, and don L miss Colonel, I'm
on to your little game there. You'n ride
ahead with your hands up. "
1t was queer procession that logged
sulkily into the Union lines at the edge Of
nightfall, and it created quite wave Of
excitement among the idle troops. Ander-
son delivered his capture over TO his com
manding officer with the briefest explaua-
ton and then rode whistling to his quar-
tiers, a very hungry man.
1t was a wild, reckless feat, but it
brought a heutenant's commission, which
the troop sergeant modestly declined.
Whether it has ever come TO the public eye
or not or has ever been noticed outside Of
the official report I don't know. The in
cident was rented to me by the brother Of
the man who was the hero Of it and who