The National tribune., 1899-11-30
IN HAYPRESS FORTS.
A Breezy Tale by Missouri Cavalryman
Abont Ashby's Station.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: ] saw
some time ago a letter from j. III. Wyman,
Co. f, 9th Iowa Cav, descriptive OF the
battle of Ashby's Station, Ark, and also in
your paper of June 8, 1899, a reply from a
Johnny reb / wish to give that fight as
saw it while yet in my teens, 30 years ago,
on Sept. "a, as l remember it now
On the morning of that day soldier from
the 54th Ill. came running into our camp
along the railroad, u mile south of the
village of Devall's Bluff, on the White
River, and reported a fight between Shelby s
Cavalry and the 54th LII. at the hay-press at
AShby's Station, and also at another hay
press mile north of the station.
Immediately the 11th Mo. Cav, Sth Mo.
Cav, and the 9th Iowa Cav, under Col.
Gelger, mounted and rode away for the
fray. We went on fast march for eight
miles, and when within about two miles of
the second named haypreSS .(the first hav-
ing surrendered TO Shelby before we came
in sighD we saw small fort that mad been
hastily constructed Of hay bales, and in it
the second detachment OF the 54th Ill they
having taken refuge there.
We also saw a small cannon at point OF
timber little west Of the impfomptu fort,
busily dropping shells around the i'm
prlsoned 54th boys, who were braveiy keep
ing the rebel cavalry at safe distance 10
the southeast.
We hurried on. When within about
three-quarters of a mile of the haypress we
met fairly-strong force of rebel cavalry,
deployed as skirmishers, upon which We
opened fire, and then deployed as skir-
mishers ourselves. l was in the skirmish-
line, firing as j went. Not bush, not a
twig was on that grand prairie to shield us
from the bullets sent from the Southern
column, but on we went, driving the skir-
miSh-line before us, leaving some lying on
the green grass stark and stiff. One rebel,
in particular, dressed in long, moss. dyed
homemade coat and pants of same material
with long, sandy, thin whiskers, thin face,
rather spare of frame, about five feet, six
inches, weight about 40 pounds, fell, brave
fellow, facing us. He died while lying ON
his back looking at us. l paused as
passed and gazed for a moment at the still
form. This was a sad touch of real war.
This man was directly in my front, and we
were firing straight at each other, he with
a shotgun, and l with my Remington, only
100 yards apart. l may have done it.
Who knows?
The 11th Mo. Cav. formed on the right,
Stevenson commanding; the Sth Mo. Cav.
on the left, Lieut.-Col. Bodenhammer, and
the 9th Iowa for reserve. just as we
were ready to charge we saw a little white
flag wave above the hay fort. The little
squad of infantry had surrendered. So we
turned our attention to the cavalry formed
to our left front, which seemed to me 5000
or 5000 strong.
Friend j. NJ. Lyons says there were about
800. Now, l stayed there from 1 o'clock
until about 4, and thought maybe had
killed nearly that many before | ran, and
there seemed to be 1000 or 5000 left; look
ing and wondering where l was likely to
stop.
~ The 11th and the Sth Mo- both made the
charges with revolvers, once getting within
80 steps of the Confederates. Say, those
fought like mad, Brother Lyons,
and l must admit it.
Brother Lyons says: "As to our dead that
they buried, they were killed by the 54th
ILL.," Right as to part, wrong as to the
balance. / saw more than one fall from
the effect of a loaded gun held in the hands
Of others than the 54th. Now, Lyons,
"fess up" and say that you We're down in
the neck of woods by the railroad track,
and hurry off the prisoners of the
54th, and didn't know whether we killed
any or not.
Yes, was on the raid, following YOU for |
La days, and remember Stony Creek. but am |
with you on the coffee question Say, |
Dard, about the 9th Iowa: You know they
we're all boys, or nearly so, and l must tell |
about them l am sure Comrade
Wyman would not do. At the town of |
Searsy, on Searsy River, while we were
fir ng' you Johnnies out of the country, Ia
If those 9th Iowa chaps went out of camp
tnd INTO SAID river TO SWIM, and an 49,
year old bushwhacker named Roburn and
o or II of his boys rode up on the lads and
rdered them to surrender, but when he dis
overed they were only kids he did not take
hem prisoners, but satisfied himself with
aking their war material.
Comrade Wyman, don't get huffy; it's so:
nd when the Kids got back TO camp they
Did that Joe Shelby's whole command did
:. So, there noWi Brother Lyons, you
lay say to Comrade McCrary that if they
mo were at haypress No. had held the
,rt 10 minutes longer we would have
,scued them sure.-JOHN j. HUGHES, Co.
:, 18th Mo. Cav, Hoyle, Okla.