Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-01-29
Civil War Stories


himself to much trouble to discover
the strength and position Of the enemy,
not only in Cannon County Itself. but
In the neighboring counties round.
He soon learned that on one OF the
turnpike roads and only short dis
tance from the county seat, were four
regiments Of rebel cavalry, command
ed By 8 celebrated brigadier- general
with his headquarters at the court
house
Within few hundred yards Of the
town were three infantry regiments,
and about two miles of an infantry
brigade was encamped Al Clermont
there was another infantry brigade,
with cavalry and artillery.
The brave scout had slowly been
maturing In his own mind 3 bold raid
on the county seat
But on looking over the situation.
! il seemed as though the way 10 the
objective point was completely blocked
/ up with troops Of all arms-infantry.
/ artillery and cavalry. II be attempt
ed 10 approach by one turnpike. Col
one Robinson's troopers would meet
him fun in front II he tried the
route by the more southerly road, a
| brigade Of infantry. with cavalry to
pursue and artillery 10 thunder at
him, was first to be defeated If he
gllded III by way Of Readyyille, the
brigade two miles from the county
town was In his track.
The situation would have appeared
/ desperate 10 almost any one. however
adventurous, but the temptation was
really strong.
night in the latter part Of Fehru-
AIRY was chosen as favorable to the
expedition.
The weather was terrible-tbe night
as dark as pitch-and it WIS raining
steadily, the drops as they fell turn
| ing To ice
With a detachment Of twenty-four
/ men. among whom was Reub Stacy.
Gray Giles set Gus
He made his approach from the dI-
| rection Of Murfreesboro. Proceeding
I along the Woodbury. turnpike. he reach
Cd a point about a mile beyond Ready
vile. Here, turning southeast, he
crossed In the direction Of Bradley
/ VILE: but about half way TO that town
aEain turned toward his objective
! point, keeping In the woods, and leav-
ing Bradleyville well 10 the right
lie was now advancing in the tri-
| angle which is made by the Murfrees-
boro and Beech Grove turnpikes and
an imaginary line from Murfreesboro
e Beech Grove
Those familiar with the country
viii easily understand the object II
this proceeding.
BY thus cutting through the triangle,
| Gray Giles avoided all pickets. scout
ing parties and the enemy generally,
who would only keep a lookout for in
truders on the main roads
Advancing ia this manner through
the woods, pierced with devious and
uncertain paths only. which the dense
darkness scarcely enabled them to fol
low. the bold scout and his 3ltue band
finally struck into the Beech Grove
road, between Bradleyville and the
county seat, st q point about midway
between the two places,
One danger had thus been success
fully avoided challenge from par
ties Of cavalry or discovery by the
force posted in and near Bradleyville.
That place was DOW in their rear
they had ''snaked" around il and its
warders but the pcrils Of the enter
prise had scarcely commenced
The county court house was still
about three miles distant and Il was
girdled with cavalry and infantry
Every approach was guarded, and the
attempt 10 enter the place seemed des-
perate, but Gray Giles determined To
essay ii.
Advancing resolutely, he came With
in mile and s quarter Of the town.
when he found the way barred By "a
heavy force
Directly in his path was an infantry
camp, and all advance was checked
III that direction,
The scout did not w8ver IN his pur-
pose. however.
Making a detour to the right and
leaving the enerny's camp far 10 his
left, be struck into the r0ad leading
from Ciermont
This road was guarded Ike the rest,
hut by a picket only and Gray Giles
knew thoroughly how to deal with
! these
Before the sleery and uususDicIous
plekets were aware Of their danger
they found reviewers presented nj their
heads, with the option az Surrender OF
death presented to them
They surrendered immediately. were
taken IN charge. and without further
ceremony Gray Giles and bis hand en-
tered the town.
From that moment the ufuost 81
}euce energy. ard rapidlty at notion
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