Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-22

cropped out especially In our own war
on both the Union and Confederate
sides. There was another faculty akin
TO the love for danger, though much
more rare. This was that cool assur-
ance some men used in carrying out
their operations, especially when cor
nered. Perhaps the most famous OF
these men was General Morgan when,
as untitled John Morgan. with small
band of some fifty rangers, he was
constantly harassing the Army of the
Ohio, at that time advancing south
ward through middle Tennessee. He
would walk up to Union picket who
was off his guard, rate him soundly
for his carelessness, take his gun from
him and make him a prisoner.
Hanc Barton when he went into the
Union service was n green Kentucky
farmers boy. He was long, lanky and
had never worn anything better than
"butternut." His brothers had Joined
the Confederate army, and Hanc, be-
ing on the other side. thought it his
duty TO balance up so far as he
could by enlisting for the Union. 1t
took time TO make soldiers out of farm
ers, and there were cases wherein it
was impossible. This was because
there is nothing in farm work that is
akin to military life.
Barton was one of those who could
never be turned into shipshape sol
diers He was slow at learning the
manual of arms. slow at learning to
march, slow at every methodicai duty.
Soldiers are not allowed to leave camp
limits without permission, yet Barton
would make his way out between SEN
tries, steal through the pickets and
wander about on the enemy's terri
tory.
The matter having been reported to
his captain, he was called up before
that officer and. when questioned as
to where he had been, told so much
about the enemy, their camp. their
movements. their forces, their anna
ment. that the captain spoke of the
matter to the colonel. The colonel
mentioned it TO the general command
ing. and the result was that the de-
linquent was directed to report him
self at headquarters.
Barton supposed that he was sent up
to the general to receive n reprimand
for his unsoldierly conduct. Instead.
the general made him tell all about
where he had been when he had sur
reptitiously left camp and what he
had seen and, when he had finished.
told him that he was appointed scout
under the commanders own orders
and need not return to his regiment
70 his nffnafS CinRn Hann
had no effects except what he had on
his person he did not return ut all.
The arms of an infantryman would
not serve him in his new duties, and,
as to uniform, he was to wear the
"butternut'' to which he had been ac-
customed, except when in camp, when
he could wear what he pleased.
Hanc Barton breathed a sigh OF re-
lief at the change in the situation. He
was henceforth relieved of the inter-
duties of soldier no an
swering of his name at reveille roll
call, no guard mounting, no inspection,
no turning in at tattoo and lights out
at taps. All this irksome routine had
been exchanged for the inestimable
privilege of running the risk of getting
himself hanged.
Barton was just the man for the re-
luired service. His accent was distinct |
" southern, he had been accustomed |
10 the people of the south. and, as |
10 getting about over country region. !
be had learned it so perfectly in his |
native state that he did not need TO |
earn it again in Tennessee. The gen
eral sent him on several minor scout
ng expeditions, but it was not till the
army of the Cumberland was confront
ng the Conference.-The former at
the latter at Tullahoma
that Hanc got in his most remark
ible work.
He left Murfreesboro one evening
lfter dark on horseback with an order
Erecting the guards to pass Richard
Tenables. He was mounted on a high.
can horse. furnished by the quarter
Master from a lot that had not yet
,een branded. He found no trouble in
'ersonating a poor white citizen of the
Ountry, for that was exactly what he
vas. Indeed, no one would have taken
i'm for anything else.
When he reached a Confederate We
cite he said:
"Mr. Sojer, I'm goin' south 70 TO get
uten the way o the Yankees that's
omin down we're. fDo you mind my
idin' right on:'
You can go back there to the picket
Ost. and they'll take charge of you"
aid the vedette.
Hanc rode on to the picket and was I
1estioned by the officer of the post
-aving orders to send any citizens
,ming south who had any information
the Union forces to impart. he sent
ichard Venables to the general.
here he told a great deal about the ;
ankee troops through whom he had
lssed. He had a certain acuteness
,out him which enabled him to tell S
false story, yet one that would be
,Iieved. 4
How would you like 10 go back 90
Iose Yankee camps" said the general,