Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-21
if possible, into North Carolina. we'u

secured some coarse foodstuffs at 6 mill which they passed on their way up into the mountains. There for 6 week they struggled to make their way soutbward, fighting now and then, moi with Federal troops, for there were none there, but with marauders. These were the offscourings of both armies
 and of the negro population of that
 region. They made themselves the pests of Virginia at that time. Their little bands consisted of deserters from both armies, dissolute negroes and all
 other kinds of "lewd fellows of the
 baser sort" They raided plantations
 they stole horses; they terrorized wom-
 en; they were thorn in the flesh of
 General Grants officers who were
 placed in strategic positions to prevent the possible occurrence of guerrilla
 warfare and who therefore could not
 scatter their forces for the policing of
 q land left desolate and absolutely
 lawlesS.
 During the sojourn in the mountains,
 in his effort to push his way through
 to Johnston. Guilford Duncan came
 upon plantation where only women
 were living in the mansion house. A
 company of marauders had taken pos
 session of the plantation, occupying its
 negro cabins and terrorizing the popu-
 lation of the place. When Duncan
 rode up with his seven armed men he
 Instantly took command and assumed
 the role of protector. First of all he
 posted his men as sentries for the pro-
 lection of the plantation homestead
 Next he sent out scouts, including a
 number of trusty negroes who belong
 ed upon the plantation, to find out
 where the marauders were located, and
 what their numbers were, and what
 purpose they might seem bent upon.
 From the reports of these scouts he learned that the marauders exceeded him in force by three to one or more,
 but that fact in no way appalled, him. During long experience in war he had learned well the lesson that num- bers count for less than morale and that with skill and resoluteness small force may easily overcome and destroy a larger one.
 Duncan sent at once for the best negroes on the plantation-the negroes who had proved themselves loyal in their affection for their mistresses throughout the war. Having assem- bled these, he inquired of the women what arms and ammunition they had. There were the usual number of shot guns belonging to plantation and considerable supply of powder and buckshot Duncan assembled the ne groes in the great hall of the planta- tion house and said to them:
 T have seven men here, all armed and all fighters. I have arms enough for you boys if you are willing to join me in the defense of the ladies on this plantation against about the worst set of scoundrels that ever lived on earth"
 Johnny, the head dining room serv- ant, speaking for all the rest, replied:
 "In co'se we is. Jest you lead us. mahstah, and you'll see how we'll do de wu'k."
 The marauders had established them- selves in four or five of the negro quarters on the plantation, and in a certain sense they were strongly forti- fled. That Is to say, they were housed in cabins built of logs too thick for any bullet to penetrate them. Four of these cabins were so placed that a fire from the door and the windows of either of them would completely com mand the entrance of each of the oth- CTS. But to offset that, and to offset also the superiority of numbers which the marauders enjoyed, Guilford Dun- can decided upon an attack by night He knew he was outnumbered by two or three to one, even if he counted the willing but untrained negroes whom he had enlisted in his service. But he did not despair of success. 1t was his pur- pose to dislodge the marauders in night attack. when he knew that they could not see to shoot with effect. He knew also that he is thrice armed who knows his quarrel just"
 Cautioning his ,men to maintain si- ence and to advance as quickly as pos ;ible, he got them into position and suddenly rushed upon the first of the 'our or five negro quarters. Knowing hat the door of this house would be he had instructed some of he negroes to bring pole with them which might be used as a battering am. With a rush, but without any lurrah, for Duncan had ordered quiet IS part of his plan of campaign, the legroes carried the great pole forward md instantly crushed in the door. Within ten seconds afterward Dun l ans ex-Confederate soldiers, with I heir pistols in use. were within the | Iouse. and the company of marauders here surrendered-those of them who Iad not fallen before the pistol shots. This first flush of victory encouraged | he negroes under his command SO far hat what had been their enthusiasm f 'ecame a positive battle madness. Without waiting for orders from him hey rushed with their bartering ram lpon the other houses occupied by the as did also his men, who were not accustomed to follow, but ather to lead. and within few min ties all of those negro huts were in his and all their occupants were fin effect his prisoners.
 At this moment Guilford Duncan. vho had now no legal or military au- hority over his men, lost control of horr. Doth .ha r,ocroa. and .ha ,.rh;ta |