Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1897-03-19
ct Thoroughfare gap, and next day 40
reached Manassas TO direct that great hat

ct Thoroughfare gap, and next day 40
reached Manassas to direct that great bat
tie. W.
In the Maryland campaign, which fol-
lowed Manassas, the Black Horse remained
close to jackson throughout his daring en-
terprisc Of surrounding Harper's Ferry.
After it was over Stuart sent for the troop
to rejoin it's regiment for grand raid into
Pennsylvania. But jackson demurred.
He said II know the Black Horse and
can employ the greater part Of the COM
mand for staff duty"
Tho personal adventures of the men OF
this unique company would fill volume.
I quote one instance from sketch of the
command written by it's first captain, Colo
mel John Scott. 1t illustrates a phase Of
warfare which has been much misrepre-
sented to the discredit of Confederate SOL
diers. When the Federal army was NOV
ing toward fredericksburg, two Of tho
bold Virginia troopers found themselves
alone In the rear of their enemies. Curious
to know the destination of tho array Of
bluecoats they followed. Near Stafford
hey stopped at u house and asked the
mistress, IN aged woman, to fill their can
teens with brandy. She refused, saying,
"You are in danger enough without add.
ing to 1t by drink" But she relenJed
when they promised to bring back "six
Yankee" captives.
"And this is how they kept the engage
ment." says Colonel Scott. "Between Spotted
tavern and HARDWOOD church the scouts charg
ed with yell small party Of the enemy and
succeeded each In capturing o mounted caval.
ryman. These prisoners were disarmed and
dismuunred and ordered to remain at the
roadside until their captors returned. They
were told that there was u large force of Con-
federAtes in the woods aad that they would be
recaptured should they escape. Depositing
the arms and spare horses with q citizen, the
scouts continued on. Soon they came in sight
Ut the rear guard of a cavalry force, and, tax
ing advantage of body Of wood to conceal
their numbers. charged with q shout. This
hurried the retreat Of the Federals and two
Of them who had struggled were taken prison.
ers. A little farther on they encountered .
soldier In blue alone, who was easily added to
their list Of captures.
"Retracing their steps, the scouts called for
the horses and arms they had left and found
their first captures waiting for them 1T the
roadside. Remounting them on their own
steeds, they set out and soon met a country
boy, who said there were 'three Yankee cav.
airy at his uncle's house q mile of from the
road. The difficulty was how to dispose Of the
i've prisoners while they went to secure the
new game. Knowing two ladies jealous for
she cause, they prevailed upon them to furnish
supper for the captives and to delay 1t until
their return. There were at the house two
men who had been charged with having taken
the Federal oath Of allegiance. The captured
horses and arms were secreted, with the excep'
ton of two carbines The carbines were given
to the suspected men and they were ordered
to stand guard at the door. They were frankly
told Of tho suspicion against them and that II
they allowed the prisoners to escape they
would be sent to Castle Thunder. The scouts
then followed the, boy to his uncle's gate. Ono
Of them entered by the front door while the
other went around to the rear. The first to
enter the sitting room encountered three Fed.
sral soldiers. They sprang for their arms,
which had been left in the hall, but the other
scout coming in at the moment they were
forced to surrender. One proved to be q cou'
rier bearing dispatches.
''Securing the horses, the scouts marche.
back and relieved the impressed citizen guard.
Supper over, the party started for the Copfed'