Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-08
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INCIDENT OF CIVIL WAR.
Forced March and a Capture-WOman
Talked Too Much.

Forced March and a Capture-WOman
Talked Too Much.
I. Gen. B. G. Farrar, assistant treasurer Of
the United States, at St. Louis, was In
town for the Inauguration ceremonies, and
during dinner the other evening told the
following incident of his service in the
civil war. In 1864, he said, with the rank
Of colonel, he had command of the Natchez
district and of 1900 to 5000 troops, with
headquarters at Natchez, Miss. By utiliz-
ing informa ton obtained from the negroes,
he made many successful raids and cap
tured large numbers of confederates, sur
prising them by forced marches. Thirty
six miles to the southwest, on the Black
river, lived planter named Johnson, all
ardent rebel, whom Col Farrar had once
forced, with pistol at his head, to aid him
river.
One afternoon in the winter of 1864 Miss
Johnson, sister of this man, drove up to
Col. Farrar's quarters in Vidalia, La, just
opposite Natchez. After some CONVERSE
ton, in which the colonel asked in a
friendly way about her brother. Miss john
son said he was all right and added he was
to give dance that evening to confederate
officers from far and near.
Laughing, she said: Il wouldn't have
told you that, only 1t is too late for you
to get there"
Farrar was satisfied she was telling the
young lady out Of sight on her way to
Natchez before he and sixty men were in
saddle and off for Johnson's plantation.
For the first twelve miles they had a
good road, but for the other twenty-four
there was but bride path through the
swamp, in many places the water up to
the girths, but there was fun ahead, and
Farrar wanted to be in at the dance SO
they pushed on at a pace that brought
them near the quarry in the small hours
after midnight
Listening, the strains of a violin were
heard, and they knew they were In time:
Rapidly the force was disposed to surround
the old manor house. AS the colonel
reached the front gate he saw forty or fifty
good horses picketed awaiting the cavaliers
who danced inside: Dogs gave an alarm
which was unnoticed. SO safe did the
dancers deem themselves to be- Col. Farrar
wore no distinctive uniform, no sword, but
had pair of revolvers In his belt He
opened the front door and strobe in. The
large hall was filled with couples saunter-
ing or sitting, while the dancers were
gaily tripping the light fantastic toe in the
rooms beyond. A confederate officer spoke
to him in words of welcome and then asked
who he was. "''
He answered: "Col.i Farrar Of Natchez."
The confederate threw up his hands, say
ing: my God! We are caught"
The colonel said: Eyes, I guess you are.
The house is surrounded.
Instantly everything was in confusion.
women screaming and weeping, the officers
running to windows and doors, only to
find federal cavalry on guard.
Capt. Organ, Farrar's subordinate came
In the back way, and the surprise was
complete. n s.tps
Orders were being given:for the captives
to fall In" when some of the ladies asked
for one more dance. sThe colonel looked at
his watch and said: you may have twenty
minutes to dance the Virginia reel" When
the music struck up a lady requested the
colonel to dance with her. as she had no
partner. He handed hts pistols to Capt.
Organ and in his big top boots gallantly
Joined in the reel to the tune Of "Sir Roger
de Coverly." They went through 1t, but the
girls were most Of them in tears Then the
men were lined up. inspected and names
taken. Farewells were said and thirty con-
federate officers sadly rode north for
Natchez.
AS a result Of this raid Johnson was ar
rested, tried by court-martial and con-
demned to execution. He had been sus-
pected on account Of the ferry incident,
but this wholesale capture in his house was
proof positive. The heart-broken sister
whose loose tongue was to blame appealed
TO Col Farrar to save him by telling both
stories.
The confederate commander was Gen.
Dick Taylor. a cousin Of Col. Farrar. The
latter at once wrote to Taylor. pledging his
honor as soldier that johnson vas wholly
innocent. that in the first instance he sig
nailed for the ferry with a pistol at his
head and in the second. he, like many
announcer man. was the victim OF woman
who talked too much. Johnson's life was