The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-01-18

many good shot guns and rifles
borrowed" from reluctant rebel
owners. The new encampment was
armed principally by loaned guns"
Of all kinds and calibers.
The 10Th September, Capt. r..
Wiubourn and myself left Estill
Springs on recruiting tour, each of
us taking different routes, he going
up the Kentucky River into Owsley
County, and myself with a few re
cruits rode TO the farm OF Mr.. Wills,
where our first appointment to beat
up Tor volunteers had been previously
announced. The surrounding hills
re-echoed the sound of our martial
band, the music Of which was not Of
the best, but the patriotic ardor
being augmented by the rumored in
vasion Of the State by the rebels
under Zollicoffer, caused men, women
and children 10 collect from all direc-
tons, some bearing large baskets
filled with provisions, all with hearts
fall of love for our old flag aud
freedom At 10 O'Clock a. m. several
hundreds Of eager, expectant persons
had assembled. The poor music was
followed by an equally poor speech
from the writer, and this was follow
ed by loud and boisterous cheering.
We hoisted our flag, headed by our
three amateur musicians, playing
their one and only tune, sally is
the gal for me-" As each recruit fell
into the moving line loud cheers rent |
the air. In a short time we had
about eighteen recruits, among them
the brave and lamented Lieut.. w. b.
Cox, who gave his life's blood as
sacrifice for human liberty on the
tle-feld Of Stone River. After
partaking Of bountiful dinner, Oh
pic pic, we agreed to meet within two
days, the 2Sth, at one Mr. Berryman's, |
where the bad speaking and music /
were again followed by a call for re- /
cruits Several handsome young
women took the flag aud marched /
after the music, appealing to the
young men TO fall in and 20 fight for
the best government on earth. These
appeals were not in vain, as one boy
said, "none but traitors or towards
could stand back now" Nor did the
fearful, pleading eyes Of fond and
ahectionate wives restrain husbands
from enlisting. Here our numbers
were increased to upwards of thirty.
According TO instructions from Col.
Barnes, we proceeded 10 collect
sufficient number Of guns from rebels
and rebel sympathizers to arm each
new recruit. Many laughable in
cidents occurred in thus collecting
arms. | will recite only one of the /
many: One T, near the Spout 4
Spring, had openly and publicly I
swore that mo Lincolnite should /
ever take his rifle TO Estill Springs I
unless he first received the one charge |
il contained. Knowing the truth of
the old saying that "a barking dog
doesn't bite" | went alone to his /
cabin door and demanded the loan of .
his gun. He first denied having one /
with trembling limbs and husky /
voice he declared his brother in CLARK 1
had IT, When told that was "too
thin" and that no fooling would be
permitted, he acknowledged that it
was behind a wide board over the
door, and told me to take it down,
which | declined to do, telling him of
his previous threat, and to hand it to
me himself. This he did With
tears in his eyes he said, Capt,
take care of her, fur she cost me
twenty five dollars, and | split rails
at fifty cents a hundred to pay most
ov it." He was told il he conducted
himself as a good, loyal citizen, he
would receive his gun again. In
Justice to many of these men Of whom
guns were taken, be it said that they.
like Mr.. II, proved to become.
Union men, and regained their re-
luctantly loaned property.
ITO Be Continued