The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-22

THE
toward them and timber the balance of
the way, they smelt a chance of hav-
ing some more fun with Bill S cannon.
So they deployed through the woods
until they came opposite the mouth Of
the lane, when Bill dismounted and
crawled on his hands and knees into
the middle of the road. Sure enough,
they were at the blacksmith 8 shop.
There was large oak tree about two
feet from a fence, and between the
tree and the fence stood a blue coat.
Bill brought his ordnance to bear, and
as Uncle Remus would say, ''let him
have all dar was in her. y
There wasn't much time for laugh
ing, but the way the fellow got over
that fence was too ludicrous for any
thing. He didn't climb over, nor try
to jump over, but literally fell over.
We. examined the ground the next day
and found that Bills artillery had torn
about square foot of the bark off the
side Of the tree next to where the
yankee was standing. It was evi-
dently time for him to change his po-
sitien.
THE LAST OF BILL AND THE CANNON.
Poor Bills war career came to an
untimely close the next day. The
enemy's line was formed in an open
field, while ours was back of timber
ed ridge. The tactics of ou three
adventurers was to dash up within
easy range Of the enemy and FIRE, then
quickly wheel and ride back, bending
low to escape the volley they expected
and generally got. A moore foolish
maneuver could scarcely have been
conceived, and why they were not
killed seems almost a miracle to me
now.
But all things must have an end,
and so had this. They played their
little game one time too often. On
last sortie they were allowed to get as
close as they desired, when suddenly
they discovered the CLEAN Of about
forty sabers, not in front of them, but
on their flank, and as near the Confed-
crate lines as they were. 1t was Gen
eral Negley's escort sent to charge the
woods and stop the foolishness.
George and Ben rode safely out, and,
incredible as it may appear, George
carried out with him one of the gener-
ais escort and landed him safe in
Dixie. But Bill, being only indiffer-
emily mounted, he and the cannon
were lost. The next news we had Of
him he was in Federal prison nearly
1000 miles away.
This left but two of the FIVE, and
what became Of them I never knew,
but the changes were against their
having gone safely through the rest Of
che war.
As I told at the outset, Wheeler 8
cavalry were not a handsome lot.
Neither we're they popular with the
farmers and country people, for they
must needs have foraged or famished,
since they enjoyed only a slight ac-
quaintance with the supply trains
Except the enemy's,) and their meet
ings with the commissary department
were few and far between. I know,
too, it was said they had abnormally
developed appetites for buttermilk,
and that some of them were fond of
corn Ticker.
But / seriously doubt if General
Wheeler, of the United States army,
will ever have a command in his new
field that he will be quite as proud Of,
or that he can as confidently rely upon
when there is hard fighting and harder
riding to do as upon the old ragged
anu reckless, desperate and rough RI
ders that he formerly commanded.
W. C. DODSON,
Private Co. D., 51st Ala. Cav.