The National tribune., 1910-10-20

purpose of collecting beef cattle be-
longing to the Z. S. Government"
Inclosed with the above were two or
ders, as follows:
"Maj-Gen. Thomas directs that you
order a detail of one reliable commits
Bioned officer and % men, mounted and
properly supplied for scout to report
10 Capt. c. S. Garfield, c. S., to go with
him in search of U. S. cattle in the
State of Georgia TO try to recover
Them" and the State of Alabama is
Included in your order to search for
cattle belonging to the United States. 3"
Gen. Thomas's first dispatch stated
that Capt Garfield was to accompany
the detail, but he did not. Capt. Car
field was a cousin of the late President
Garfield. When 1 reported to Capt.
Garfield he informed me that Gate
wood. a guerrilla, had stolen some Gov
ernment horses and cattle from the cor
rails. When the matter was reported
to Gen. Thomas he sent two civilians to
recover the property, but they had been
arrested and placed under a $4,000
bond. and allowed to go on their own
recognizance, with promise if they
returned they might expect "a long
rope and short shrift."
The first days ride brought US TO
Summervilie, Ga, about As miles, where
by written instructions l met Mr.. Leah
Grinsmith, who had been in the ser
vice of Gen. Sherman as a scout. Grin
smith knew the country well and about
where the stolen property was located.
The second day, accompanied by Grin
smith. we headed towards Cherokee
County Ala. About p. m. an un-
usually large man rode up and asked:
"Are you in command of this detach-
fnent?p On being answered in the af-,
frmative he produced a note over the
signature of Col. Ramsey. stating that
q n
favor if Mr.. Hamilton would aid our
detail of cavalry to recover Govern
meDt cattle. Mr.. Hamilton was true
blue Union man, altho his brother was
just the reverse and was acting as Sher-
iff of Cherokee County. Mr.. Hamilton,
knowing where most of the stock was
started out with Corporal and four
men.
Met Squirrel" Hunters.
We went into camp about S D. m.
Half an hour later Hamilton galIoped
into camp, stating that "a lot of -
rebels have captured your men, and
not shot was fired except at me, and
that by my own brother" Hamilton
and the boys had overtaken couple of
mounted men. who carried rifles hay
ing been, as they stated, hunting sauir-
rels. All had logged along together,
and soon overlook three more squirrel
hunters, who also Joined the cavalcade.
Naturally the subject of guns was
brought up in conversation
The squirrel hunters were much inter-
ested in the Spencer carbines our bows
carried, and soon had every one, exam
lining them. Then, quick as a fash the
guns were turned on our boys, who had
also 10 give up their sabers and Colts
revolvers. Hamilton made a dash for
liberty and got away.
In little while the Sheriff rode. in
with rbe outfit damandine,. ssI4TI,n 70 l.,
command here, and by whose authority
do you invade my territory" on rails
ing my right hand with a revolver i'm IT.
20 carbines were leveled on the gang.
We disarmed. then dismounted them.
] informed them that they would be
my guests for the night; that this was
no social function, but ! would insist
on their remaining the night in camp.
AS each soldier had been provided with
a pair of handouts, and wishing to save
my men, and as plenty of good. stiff
saplings were growing there, we lust
made every man place his arms around
a sspling, then sprung the handouts
where they would be effective They
demurred, of course, but they had their
choiee OF standing or lying down. At
EARL daybreak 1 foOlishly turned them
loos4.
IA ter breakfast ! detailed a noncom-
iiss4oned officer and five men. until the
s9u:d was divided up, leaving four men
XErinsmith, who went with me. Each
<4uHh had directions where to CO. Hav-
S4ng the farthest to go, our squad left
arlser than the others. We had ridden
Dut q Few miles when at bend of the
road we met four men mounted and
armed. They wheeled around to get
awaE, but we had three of them at our
mercy, and they surrendered. The
fourth fired as he galIoped away. Two
revotvers spoke, and the poor fellow fell
out ef his saddle. / rode up to him.
but iie was beyond my help. one of
the prisoners acknowledged that men
from all over the country were to rem
devious near where we had camped.
Consequently we doubled on our tracks,
after destroying the prisoners guns.