The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-22

then bearing off southeast for the Missouri
line escaped and returned to their old
range by different route from that they
had followed to Lawrence.
Maj Plumb, since a Senator from Kan
sas, in command Of the 9Th Kans. detach-
Zens, followed them and skirmished little
with the enemy's rear-guard near Brook
lyn; but the rebs succeeded in getting away
with the loss of but few men.
While in Lawrence Quantrell had re-
mounted those of his men whose horses
were tagged, by Selling the best horses to
be found in the place, and on their retreat
they were well mounted on good horses.
while the pursuers had to follow on such
old plugs as the rebels had left.
BACK TO FORT SCOTT.
In September, shortly after our forag-
ing raid TO Deep Fork, Capt. Thomas, my
Quartermaster, concluded to send our con-
traband herd to Fort Scott and turn them
over to Capt: 1nsley. Quartermaster at that
post. AS / had been away from my fam
lily (wife and yearling boy) for nearly a
year, | took advantage of this opportunity
TO take this herd to Fort Scott, and then
60 on to Leayenworth to see them.
Leaving my Assistant, Simpson, and
brother-in-law, AL. Collins, at Fort Glib
SON to finish up the hay hauling with the
UdIduCc VI the tdklDS the lcaO team
and driver of the outfit and a couple of
black boys as herders-the rest of my herd
ers to be detailed soldiers furnished by the
commander of the escort started for
Fort Scott with the contraband herd
There were several empty trains going
back to Fort Scott, and a number of ref
ugee families some with all sorts of teams
OF their OWE, own. and some being transported
IN the Government wagons. Our escort
consisted Of Capt. John f. Stewards (the
fighting preacher") company of the 9th
kans. Cav.
On this trip to Fort Scott l found
time to sport with the wild mustang stall
lion before mentioned, aud accordingly sad
died and rode him every day, and by the
time | got through l had him reduced to
! sufficient degree of gentleness that en-
''racker," and made good riding animal
when ridden constantly; but, like most of
his breed, if given few days rest, would
probably have to be broken again. This is
| l popularity of the wild mustang that
! when allowed to reach maturity before
| 20 be kept in constant use to keep them in
| ubjection.
Since my last trip over this route to
| Fort Scott l found that a little garrison
| lad been established at Baxter Springs,
consisting OF one company of the Sd Wis.
| Cay. and one of the 1st Kans. Colored.
This little post was commanded by one
| Lieut.. Pond of the Sd Wis.
At Rock Greek, seven miles before reach
| ng Baxter Springs, l took few soldiers
md herders, and crossing Spring River
,aid flying visit to an old apple orchard
| that l knew of at the old Sam Waller
| place, about two miles off the road, where
| .ach of us obtained a sack of nice apples,
)ve-taking the train and herd in camp at
Baxter Springs.
| In foraging this way, away from the
| rain, of course, we had TO take the risk
| IL getting bushwhacked, and | think that
III this trip We probably just missed run
| ling into "a gang Of rebel guerrillas for
| III reaching the orchard, near the WALLER
| house, knowing the place TO have been
| abandoned by the owners family some
time previous, was surprised to see and
| smell smoke in the vicinity of the house
Leaving my sack with one of my herders
20 hll with apples for me, | called one o,
he soldiers to go with me, and drawine
| onr pistols we rode up TO the house to re-
connoiter. We found a fresh fire burn
.ng IN the fireplace in the house. and also
one in the yard outside, and signs of yer,
recent cooking and eating: and along the
fence We counted where IL horses had beer
tied up ana led green corn in the fence
corners.
From the freshness of the fires and 9th
sr signs. the bushwhackers (for it was evi
tently party of thar persuasion) mus
have just left before our arrival. Proba
bly, they had heard US crossing the river
and thinking that there was a large mum
Der OF us (there were only FIVE or siz
IN my party, had been scared OF at on,
Iapproach; but IL they had stood theil
Iground they could easily have turned ou,
lutte picnic into . stampede. and prob
sE r. 3