The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-02-26


wares.and was match III courage and
cunning for any man in the world. Be.
sides, Jo stood ready to assist him al
any moment. 80 must be got rid Of, :"
thought Col. Baker.
When they were within half mile of
the outermost picket, Col. Baker
stopped and felt in his pocket, as though
he had forgotten something.
by the way" said he, Il have not got
much ammunition. 10, will you run
down to the picket headquarters and
bring up some cartridges? -
"Yes, sir" said 10. I'll go back in
twinlling."
Col. Baker and Marshall were alone
together. They walked slowly up
among the pines. The underground, in
some places, was very thick, and the
pines almost as close together as they
could stand.
well go into the open space beyond
here, if you say So" said Col. Baker,
"and wait there for Jo."
They were beyond the rebel picket
lines and were getting quite near the
horse.
"Tf the fellow had horse" said Mar
shall, hes left him somewhere here in
the pines"
That's what l think" said Col. Ba-
ker.
They got into the opening and were
walking side by side. Marshall's pistol
was in his belt, handy and ready for
use. Col. Baker had his also in his belt.
He stepped a little behind his COM
panion, pulled his own pistol quietly
from his pocket and cooked it without
attracting notice. lie then seized Mar
shall quickly and firmly by the collar
with the left hand, and, with the right
pressed the pistol to the side Of his head.
zone word from YOU" said he, in low,
quick tones, "andyou are dead mani"
Marshall turned his head little and
saw Col. Bakers finger ON the trigger
of cooked pistol.
"If you make movement TO escape
said Col. Baker, 81 shall shoot you! [
am the man you are looking for and
you have found me! You are my pris-
oner!"
Marshall, with the hand behind him
on his collar and the pistol at the side
of his head was marched to the place
where the horse was standing. He
knew his own weakness, unarmed as he
was, and he was fully convinced that
his only alternatives were complete ODE
81
death.
"Now," said Col Baker, releasing his
hold of the collar. 'unhitch the horse
and get on. Your hands ard feet are
free, but be very careful of your move
ments. | shall either capture you or kill
you'll have not much choice between
the two-you can take yours"
Marshall got on the horse. Col. Ba-
ker took the bride reins in his hand and
started toward the federal lines, lead
ing the horse and always covering Mar
shall with his pistol.
All had been done very swiftly, for
Col. Baker, fearful of the return of 10,
or of the appearance of some stray
picket, had urged the necessity of haste
upon the prisoner. Quick, now!" said
he. "If we are interrupted, shall shoot
you before run"
They reached our picket lines and Col.
Baker shouted to a sentinel, explaining
who he was. The man was one of Blen-
ker's men, who did not understand one
word. He shot his musket at them and
retreated slowly. Col. Baker and Mar
shall both wore confederate jackets,
which were not calculated to inspire
confidence in union soldiers.
Col. Baker moved further along the
line and shouted again. He was an
swered by three shots, which came whiz-
ling rather close. He did not lose his
pistol range of Marshall. The firing
created alarm in the camp, and in min
ute or two, as far as could be heard, the
soldiers were blowing their bugles, and
rousing the troops with the eXpecta-
ton of an attack from the enemy. Col.
Baker spoke to his horse and started
on a run. Every sentinel spoken to ran
with the report of the approach of the
enemy in force, increasing the tumult
among the camps. He was obliged to
take refuge III the bush; through which
he lea tie Horse for some time. He
vehtufed9. out a second time and was
then. successful. He had found d man
who understood English, and, after con-
siderable parley, he was allowed to
bring his prisoner within the lines. He
went to Washington and had the salts
faction of putting the famous Tom Mar
shall into the Old Capitol prison.
Marshall remained a prisoner for a
considerable time, and used sometimes
to relate the story Of his capture, giving
Col Baker full credit for outwitting
him. He was finally exchanged for
federal prisoner of considerable rank
and again renewed his tricks between
Washington and Richmond.
One day Marshall, when out on a
scout, entered the house of an ardent
confederate and was invited TO partake
Of some "apple-jack." Marshall had
contracted a failing for liquor, and as
this beverage was very good. and as his
entertainer was very soeiable, he stayed
longer than he intended and took more
drink than was prudent. About this
time Kilpatrick's cavalry got track OF
him, and followed him to the house.
They surrounded it and called on him
20 surrender He was incautious and
defiant and refused. He drew his pistol
and was about to fire when one of tho
cavalrymen shot him dead.
If Tom Marshall had lived to write