The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-01-27
ROW BETWEEN SENTRIES.
Confederate Omcer, But Re-
sumed IL Again.

Hon. William Minton, of Butler coun-
ty, while ina reminiscent mood at the |
Gibson house the other evening re-
lated the following incident of the
civil war: One bitterly cold night,
while doing picket duty, he was or
dered to relieve a comrade who had
been on continuous duty for several
hours, during which time he was with
out food. Returning to his tent the
hungry soldier was filed with rage
TO find his rations, which he had sup
posed to be safely hidden, missing, not
even a crumb being left to satisfy his
keen appetite. He somehow conceived
the idea that Mr.. Minton had COM
mitted the foul crime. and in his anger
he rushed to him and demanded his
food or satisfaction. Mr.. Minton eX-
postulated with him. and then find
ing that it was useless to parley any
farther ordered him away from his
vicinity under penalty of administer
ing "A sound thrashing to him. The
threat had no effect on the angry
soldier. and as MIR. Minton was young
and husky he soon put his threat into
execution. 1t was battle royal, first
one would have the advantage and
then the other, but finally Mr.. Min
ton was fast getting his adversary
into chancery and was preparing to
read his ultimatum to him when the
mill was suddenly interrupted.
The attention of the combatauts
was attracted by cracking noise
coming from the direction Of a deep
row of bushes near by, as if some one
were forcing his way through. An ar
mistice was declared between the pug
nacious pickets, and, Selling their
guns. they leveled them on the spot
from whence the noise seemed to come
Suddenly the bushes were parted. and
before their astonished eyes stepped
into view handsome young confed-
crate lieutenant, who found himself
peering down the dark barrels of two
ugly-looking guns. while behjnd them
stood two Of the most dilapdatcd
specimens of humanity he had ever
seen. a. command of "Halt!" soon
brought him 10 his senses. and. finding
resistance useless. he surrendered to
his grim captors without struggle.
The surprised picl>ets were very GU
rious as TO how he rot so close TO the
union lines, for il was supposed the
enemy was several miles distant lie
told his story i'm straigh forward
manner, which was 10 the effect that
his mothers home was surrounded
by the union lines. and, not having
seen his loved ones for over year,
he had determined TO risk an attempt
TO see them. He had got safely
through the lines, and had reached
his home aud spent several pleasant
hours with his mother and sisters, but
on his return trip he fell into Yankee
hands. Commanding him to face about,
they marched him to the proper off
Ger. where he was formally received
as a prisoner of war. The pickets were
overwhelmed with congratulations
over their important capture, and
were feeling very happy as they re-
traced their steps, one TO his post and
the other TO his tent.
However, after the excitement had
subsidized in the hungry soldiers breast.
he began TO think of his missing ra-
tions, and II was not long sere he re-
sumed the hostiities with Mr.. Min
ton. They were AT il in good old
fashioned "ding-dong" style, when
this time they were again interrupted,
but by nm individual they did not care
to meet. 1t was the officer Of the
guard making his round. and, tallrg
in the situation ut n glance, ordered
the hclligereut sons Of war under ar
rest. They were marched to head
quarters and under heavy guard spent
the balance oc the night i'm durance
vile, Near them lay the dushing young
confederate they had so gloriously
captured but a few minutes before.
In conclusion, Mr., Nlinton said he
would not he at all surprised, were he
to meet his Old comrade AZ the COM
ing @, \ Il, reunion Il IKE old dgh.
would be resumed from where II was
left of, although II is nearly ~ years
since then auG his fellow comratriot
has surely had good meal in all that
time Cincinnati ENQUIRER