The National tribune., 1903-11-19
Gen. Basil W. Duke, continuing his ac-

permitted TO see mucE OF tHe eHelily
but being shrewd and vigilant, he hat
had seen and heard. He thought the
troops were all green and could be easily
surprised; that, so far as he could learn
there was no attempt made at scouting
and that total ignorance prevailed among
them of what was happening beyond theil
outposts This latter information was
confirmed by my scouts, and was in ac
and men. Capt. Morgan was also under
the impression that cavalry were en-
camped a mile or two from the infantry.
We had tried in vain to get hold of the
cavalry on the day we were driven from
Walton. On that occasion the cavalry
kept carefully behind the infantry.
'AIoying from Falmouth late in the
afternoon, with nearly 900 men, l
marched until midnight, hating at point
on the Independence road, about 10 miles
from the Federal encampment, Scouts
were Immediately sent out to ascertain, as
quietly as possible, the exact location of
the pickets, and the condition of things in
general about the encampments. The
scouts learned from intelligent and trust
WORTHY citizens that for the past two days
the enemy had not changed the picket
posts. in any respect, on the different
yoads.
Having received this information, 1
was confident that l would be able to
reach the Georgetown and CovingtOn Pike
upon which the enemy was encamped, by
a country road that runs into it from the
Independence Pike, without alarming the
main body. l could then move rapidly
to the point where the cavalry was en-
camped, and defeat it before the infantry
could interfere. The infantry camp was
about two miles north of Walton, and
this by-road comes into the pike about
1,000 yards from the site of the encamp-
ment, between it and Walton.
'The column was accordingly put in
molten again at daybreak, marching rap
idly. Just at sunrise we reached the
Georgetown and Covington Pike, and saw
standing, in sight of the point where we
would enter, 10 cavalry pickets. The
column was at once halted, and arrange
ments made to capture them, they not
having yet seen us. A brief reconnois-
sance showed an infantry regiment on
post, some 300 yards further down the
road. There was now no hope of passing
this point without discovery by the main
body, and it only remained to make the
most out of the situation.
A sERIo-CoMIC LITTLE DRAMA.
".And to the fray he rode amain,
Followed by all the archer train.
The fiery youth, with desperate charge.
Made, for space, an opening large
'sLieut. Messick was sent with 10 men
to take in the cavalry videts, and Lieut..
Roberts, commanding the advance guard
was sent with a portion of it to try the
same game with the infantry. The col
umn was moved forward at gallop, as
soon as the pickets were disturbed, and
turned in the direction of Walton. took
the rear company, however, and went to
the assistance of Lieut. Roberts, who had
run into the infantry regiment. One Of
the 'bull-pups.' which accompanied my
command, was stationed at the point
where we entered the pike, to cover our
retreat, if it were pressed.
Il found a fragment of Lieut.. Roberts's
squad in situation which perhaps was
unparalleled during the war. Sergeant
Will Hays, with six men. was in the
midst of q company of 60 Federal infan-
try. who, seemingly sullen and bewil-
dered, stood stock still with their guns
at ready. Hays had his rife at the
head of the Lieutenant commanding. de-
manding that lie should order his men to
surrender, and threatening to bow his
brains out il he encouraged them to re-
sist. Hays's six men were grouped around
him, ready to shoot down any man who
should raise gun against him. / thought
It the finest sight / had ever seen. My
arrival with the additional company de-
cided the infantry to surrender, and, the
their guns, they were sent back to the
column, guarded by the company that
had been brought up to complete their
capture. Lieut. Roberts had gone into
the infantry regiment, captured one COM
pany, the remainder retreating to their
main ancampment.
'The men of this regiment were raw
and green. Hays had induced them, Mt
first, to believe that he was an officer
Of their own cavalry, and 1t was caly
when he peremptorily ordered them 70 fol-
low him to Walton, that they suspected
him. After sending off the prisoners.
four or five of us rode on down the road
to Join Lieut. Roberts, and soon found
him bringing back more prisoners. We
were now farther in toward the encamp-
nent than the point where the regiment
on picket had stood, and had a fair view
OF it. We saw the whole force form, and
1t was very pretty sight. The regi-
ments first formed on their respective
camp grounds, and then took their posi-
tions in line of battle. at double-quick
They were finely drilled troops-splendid
holiday troops, but inexperienced in wars
grim-yisaged front. Doubtless they be-
came formidable veterans later on. They
also ran their artillery into position, and
behind everything, peeping over the
shoulders of the infantry, were our friends
the cavalry, that we had taken so much
pans ~ oSc' aAo" VIC uiu WANT " get
at that cavalry!
A SPECTACULAR STAFF OFFICER.
while we were looking on, a staff
officer came galloping toward us, evidently
not knowing who We were, and taking
u for some of his pickets not yet driven
In. He came right up to us, so close
that Capt Morgan thought he recog-
nized in him the officer with whom he
had made the wager two days previously.
Thinking his capture certain, Capt. Nor
san rode forward, saluted. and pleasantly
Informed him that he was a prisoner
The officer. however, was not of that
opinion. Promptly wheeling his horse, he
calamity rode away, despite the shots
fred at him.
The skirmishers, who were not more
than 200 yards off, soon induced us to
leave, and we gallOped after the column.
The 80 Or 30 prisoners taken were sent
on to Lexington, as soon as we got back
70 Falmouth. The enemy did not know
Tor some hours that We were entirely gone
and indeed rather expected during that
time to be attacked in force. / perhaps
ought to have attacked, but the disparity
of forces, and the knowledge that the
enemy could easily detect it as I ad-
vanced, deferred me.
"On the next day, l sent Capt. John B.
Castleman with Co. d, to Fosters Land
ing on the Ohio River. He fired upon a
Government transport loaded with troops,
but could not stop her with his rifles. He
captured the regular packet, and was
shelled by gunboat suffering no loss.
DUKE ATTACKS AUGUSTA.