The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-12-31
Civil War Stories
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A Confederate Veterans story.

There had been going on during the
24th of March. 1864. q harmless cannon
ade by Edgar's Texas battery, placed
in position at Henderson hill, four miles
west of Red river, to resist Banks adj
vance. A shell from this battery had
killed mounted infantryman under a
persimmon tree, yet standing. More
Importance was given the position as
10 strengthen than it merited. That
night a freedman, Tom Runnels. pilot
ed a regiment so that a surprise was
made on the small force of confeder-
ate soldiers, 25O in number, holding
what the federals thought fortified
position. A clay, gravelly hill was the
fertilization. About a. m. the spiteful
pop Of muskets was heard In front Of
the house temporarily occupied by con-
federate officers of the Second Louisiana
Cavalry, Taylor's command. and the
owners of the dwelling. Col. Vincent,
in command of cavalry and battery
named above, made his escape from
under muzzle of federal colonel's piS-
tol. who humanely declined TO shoot
Vincent in the house, among a lot of
terrified women and children. An old
rebel darky had promised to aid Vim
cent if occasion required, and that
night placed bis horse in a position
whereby the rebel colonel made good
his escape. Vincent lives yet, and
hope the gallant federal colonel is alive
and will let me hear from him.
The attacking party made complete
surprise OF the place and were among
the sleeping batterymen without getting
n scratch. Big. burIy Harrell. sergeant
Of one of the guns, sprang 10 his piece
and endeavored to discharge its load of
canister among the advancing foot The
colonel of the federal force promptly
shot him in the arm. rendering 1t use
less for many months afterward. He
tried to finish the undone work with
his left and found the pistol barrel
against his temple. Let go your hold.
bless you" said the Yank. and the
burly sergeant promptly obeyed. The
baffied reb vented his impotent wrath
on his federal captors but was made TO
hit the grit with the balance of US.
II should have sent many a one of
YOU blessed Yanks into hades in an
other second or two more but for my
crippled arm" said Harrell and it is
highly probably. for feds" were thick
and discharge of grape and canister
mrst have wrought great destruction.
Nearby was a sleeping reb maybe
dreaming Of home and peace. A deaf
ening roar near his head and a quart
Of dirt and gravel in his upturned
face made him realize that war still
ragged. Our friend got onto all fours
and leaped from the hill into outer
darkness. brambles and briers. He was
unhurt but probably got the worst scare
If Ills life. 'Reb" was your scribe
and went with his captors and four
miles away spent the remainder Of the
eventful night. \ gun coat proved
good disguise and without trouble n
cup Of Yankee coffee as rebs called
1t here, was procured from q com
rade In blue. Hardtack was offered,
but not much liked by rebs. who were
better used to corn dodgers Returning
to where the rebs were corralled the
guard halted me and suggested that
| had better stay where | belonged.
taking me for Yank. At sight OF my
gray jacket he hesitated no longer but
ordered Johnny Reb home Immediately.
Early next morning / saw mounted
lnfantryman riding Dick. my war horse.
hated to part with horse, new saddle
and bride. private property all of them.
but such was war. My gloves, sweet
hearts gift, were returned on demand.
after I satisfied the generous, manly
trooper where had lost them. Ithink
our captors were the Thirty-ninth I'LL
nois regiment.