The Courier of the Ozarks Page 6

  CHAPTER VI

  KIRKSVILLE

  No sooner had the affrighted cries of the guerrillas died away, thanLawrence, calling back his men, said: "We must now be up and away. Bymorning the guerrillas will be over their fright, and we will besurrounded. Let the dead and wounded lie, though make the wounded ascomfortable as possible. It will not be long before some of theircomrades will be creeping back to care for them."

  To Lawrence's delight, he found that not a single one of his men hadbeen harmed. In the highest of spirits, the men mounted their horses androde away.

  All night they rode and, when morning came, they halted by a field ofcorn, and once more gave their horses a fine feed, while the men madecoffee and feasted on roasting ears.

  "Boys, which shall it be--Mexico or Paris?" asked Lawrence. "From whatwe learned from Duncan, it is the intention of Porter to unite all hisforce near Paris, and then move north. Guitar must be in Mexico by thistime, but there will be no fighting there. No doubt he will keep on toParis."

  "To Paris!" shouted the men. "Let's go where the fighting will be. Ourhorses are quite fresh. We can be there by night."

  "What if we run into Porter and his whole gang?" asked Lawrence,smiling.

  "Lick the whole gang!" they yelled.

  "You're all right, boys, but I hardly think you can do that; at least,we won't try as long as I'm leader," laughed Lawrence.

  The day was hot and the roads dusty, and Lawrence favored the horses allpossible, but they made good progress. Taken for guerrillas by theinhabitants, they fared well, and much information was given them.

  Much to Lawrence's surprise, he learned that Porter had taken and sackedParis the day before, and that McNeil had moved down from Palmyra anddriven him out. More serious still was the news that Porter had beenreinforced, and had attacked and expected to recapture the place.

  This was news, indeed. If true, Porter was squarely between them andParis. A consultation was held, and it was the unanimous opinion thatthey should keep on and join McNeil, if they could.

  As they neared Paris, they heard firing, and became aware a slightskirmish was in progress. They halted, and while debating what best todo, a couple of guerrillas came riding towards them.

  "Who be yo' un?" they asked of Lawrence, as they rode up.

  "We 'uns are from Galloway County, on our way to join Porter," answeredLawrence. "I heah fightin'. What is it?"

  "Oh, a few of us are only amusing the Yanks while Porter gits away,"said the men.

  "Then Porter is not heah?"

  "No; he an' most of his men air miles north by this time. He left abouta hundred of us here to make believe we 'uns ware goin' to attack Paris,so to give him time to git away. Thar, yo' uns don't hear any shootingnow. The boys have amused the Yanks as long as they wanted to, and nowair on their way to jine Porter, and bet your life the Yanks don't catchthem."

  "What are you doing here, away from your command?" asked Lawrence,sternly.

  The guerrillas started at the change in the speech and manner ofLawrence. "We 'uns," they stammered, "we 'uns live about five milesback, and we 'uns was goin' to see the folks. We 'uns can easilyovertake the boys by riding all night."

  A sign from Lawrence, and, to the amazement of the guerrillas, they werelooking into the muzzles of revolvers.

  "It's all up with you, fellows," said Lawrence. "We are Yanks. Boys,disarm them."

  The guerrillas' faces were as white as chalk, and they began to beg fortheir lives. They had only just joined Porter, they declared, and theywere sick of it already. They had never molested a Union man. In fact,they had told a lie--they were deserting, instead of going to visittheir families, as they said.

  "If that is the case," said Lawrence, "you will readily give us all theinformation you can. No doubt Colonel McNeil will be pleased to see you;so come along."

  It was as the prisoners had said--the guerrillas had gone, and Lawrencehad no trouble in riding into Paris, where he was gladly welcomed byMcNeil, who had been in fear he was being attacked by an overwhelmingforce. It was welcome news that Lawrence brought, that Colonel Guitarwas in Mexico by this time, with five hundred good men; but that Porterwas retreating north, was a big surprise to McNeil.

  "He must have at least a thousand men," said McNeil. "I thought he wouldstay and fight this time, sure. I see we will have to chase the fox."

  During the night the advance of Colonel Guitar's column came in. Guitarhad been taken sick at Mexico, but had sent forward five hundred menunder the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Shaffer.

  McNeil, his force now augmented by Shaffer's, resolved to push Porter tothe limit, and if possible bring him to battle.

  A pursuit now commenced which lasted a week--a pursuit that everysoldier that was present will always remember. Men grew haggard for wantof sleep; horses staggered under the weight of their riders, and thenfell dying by the side of the road. Across prairies and streams, throughwoods and tangled thickets, over rocky hills, almost inaccessible, thepursuit led. By every art known to the wily Porter did he try to misleadhis pursuers; but they hung on to his trail like grim death.

  More than once would the pursuers have been at fault had it not been forLawrence and his little band of scouts. Hanging on to the flank and attimes almost ahead of Porter, they were enabled to keep McNeil wellposted as to the movements of his foes.

  More than once did the faithful Bruno keep the scouts from falling intoambuscades, and more than once shots were fired at him by the vengefulguerrillas. But Bruno had become as cunning and wary as a fox in keepingout of danger. It was but a glimpse the guerrillas could get at him ashe stole through the woods.

  "What now, Bruno? What's the matter?" asked Lawrence one day, as the dogcame rushing back in the greatest excitement. The scouts were inadvance, and had been following the trail through a rough and brokencountry.

  The dog gave a short bark, and looked to the front, as if to say, "Lookout--trouble ahead."

  Lawrence gave the order to halt, and told Harry and another of thecompany to dismount and steal carefully through the woods, and see whatthey could discover. They did so, and soon came to a stream. The bridgethat spanned it had, to Harry's astonishment, been only partiallydestroyed; it could easily be crossed. This looked suspicious. The otherbank of the stream was covered by a thick growth of bushes. Their leavesrustled gently as they were touched by the breeze, and that was all.There was no sign of life. Bruno, as he looked across the stream, gave alow, menacing growl, and his eyes shone like two coals of fire. Theroad, after crossing the bridge, was narrow, and ran between two hills,both thickly wooded.

  "There's something over there in the bushes," whispered Harry. "We'dbetter go back and report to the Captain."

  They did so.

  "We'll wait until some of the command come up," said Lawrence.

  They had not long to wait. A company of Merrill Horse that was leadingthe advance came in sight. To the Captain in command Lawrence explainedhis fear of an ambuscade in front. The company was halted, the mendismounted, and a skirmish line formed. The men were instructed to worktheir way carefully to the bank of the stream, but not to showthemselves.

  "I see nothing alarming over there," said the Captain of the company, ashe swept the other side of the stream with his glass.

  "There is something," said Lawrence. "I have just seen a bush tremblemore than if stirred by the wind. That half-destroyed bridge is but atrap."

  By this time more of the troop had come up, and had been halted. Withthem were a couple of pieces of artillery.

  "We are losing valuable time," grumbled the Captain. "We'd better rideon, before McNeil gives us thunder."

  "Not if I can prevent it," said Lawrence. "Bring up that artillery."

  The two pieces were brought as close to the river as they could withoutbeing seen. The horses were then unhitched, and the pieces run forwardby hand, so that a few yards more would bring them into view, and in aposition where they could sweep the bushes on both sides of the roadacross the
stream.

  "Load with canister," ordered Lawrence. "When all is ready, I will ordera volley fired across the river into the bushes. Wait for the returningvolley, for I am sure it will come; then run up your pieces and sweepboth sides of the road."

  The skirmishers crept carefully forward, and at the word poured a volleyinto the bushes across the stream. The effect was electrical. The bushesseemed to burst into smoke and flame, and then came a crashing volley inreturn. Quick as thought, the two cannon were run forward and a storm ofcanister swept the bushes. There were howls of rage, curses and groans,and the guerrillas were in wild flight.

  With cheers the men ran back, mounted their horses and started inpursuit, thinking the time had come for them to annihilate Porter andhis gang.

  Porter had planned well. A short distance from the bridge the roadpassed through a narrow, rocky defile, and this was so obstructed thatit took two hours to remove the obstructions so the command could passthrough. Porter had left his horses on the other side of theobstruction, so when his men broke all they had to do was to make theirway to their horses.

  Porter did not try any more ambuscades. His only thought was to eludehis pursuers and get away. He came nearly doing it, and for a day McNeilwas in doubt as to which way he had gone--to the northwest or the north.

  It was Lawrence and his scouts who brought the news. His report was:"Porter crossed the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad last night atShelbina. He is said to be making for Kirksville, where he expects to bejoined by the guerrilla bands of northwestern Missouri. His force isestimated at two thousand, which, I think, is an overestimate, but as hegoes north, it is hourly increasing."

  "I don't care whether he has two thousand or five thousand; I am goingto catch him and make him fight," said McNeil, grimly. The pursuit wasonce more taken up, the column headed for Kirksville.

  There is only one county in Missouri north of the county in whichKirksville is situated. It was as far north as Porter could hope to gowithout being surrounded by enemies. Full of hope that he would beforced to give battle at Kirksville, McNeil pressed on.

  So rapid was the pursuit that McNeil, as he neared Kirksville, could notbring over five hundred men into action. His trains and his men withbroken-down horses had been left behind. All along the route Porter'sforce had been reported as fully three thousand, but three thousand didnot alarm McNeil, who had faith in his little army.

  As the Federals approached Kirksville, Lawrence, who had been scouting,reported that Kirksville had been occupied by Porter, and that he hadexpelled the entire inhabitants of the place. His horses he hadconcealed in the brush west of the town.

  "These facts," said Lawrence, "I have learned from the three prisoners Ihave here."

  McNeil questioned the prisoners, but they were surly and would saynothing. The facts that Lawrence had learned were told him when theybelieved him to be one of their number. When undeceived and told tosurrender, their surprise was only equalled by their chagrin.

  In bringing them back, Lawrence noticed one of the prisoners stealthilythrow away some papers. They were secured and found to be a parole andan oath of allegiance to the National Government.

  "I'm sorry," said Lawrence, "but this fact must be reported to ColonelMcNeil."[3]

  [Footnote 3: This prisoner and fifteen others were afterwards executedby McNeil for the breaking of their paroles.]

  It was a beautiful August morning when McNeil's little army reached theoutskirts of the village of Kirksville. To all appearances, they gazedupon a deserted town. If the angel of death had passed over the placeand had smitten every man, woman and child, it could not have been moresilent, death-like. The hot sun beat down upon the streets and houses,but awoke no life. The stillness was unearthly, appalling. What did itmean?

  "Can it be that Porter has slipped away without our knowing it?" askedMcNeil.

  "Impossible," answered Lawrence. "The whole guerrilla force is concealedin the stores and houses. They are hoping we will think the placeunoccupied; then as we ride through the streets they can open fire andslaughter us without mercy."

  "How can we find out where they are?" asked McNeil, rather anxiously.

  Lawrence thought a moment, and then said: "Colonel, give me a few menand I will make a dash down the main street, and around the square. Ifthey are hidden, we will surely draw their fire, and thus reveal theirposition."

  McNeil looked at Lawrence in amazement. "Do you mean it?" he asked.

  "I certainly do."

  "Why, it would mean almost certain death--suicide."

  "I am willing to try."

  McNeil thought a moment and then said: "Captain, you must not do it. Ifyou were one of my officers, I might consent; but with you it isdifferent. You are on special duty from General Schofield. It is trueyou have acted as one of my aids, and as leader of my scouts, for whichI am grateful. But for you to lead such a forlorn hope, I cannot--willnot--permit such a sacrifice on your part."

  Colonel Shaffer, of the Merrill Horse, who had been present during theconversation, now said: "Colonel, you are right. To permit CaptainMiddleton to do what he proposes would be a reflection on our command;especially would I consider it so on the Merrill Horse. I will make adetail, and lead the forlorn hope myself."

  "No, you will not," cried three or four officers of his regiment, whohad come up in time to hear his proposal. "Our Colonel leading asdesperate an undertaking as that, and we looking on! Why, every mother'sson of us should be shot for cowardice. Detail one of us."

  Shaffer looked upon his officers with pride. "It is just what I mighthave expected," he exclaimed, his voice trembling. "Lieutenant Coudrey,you spoke first. You may go if you wish; but mind, I don't order you."

  Coudrey saluted and said: "Colonel, I thank you. I need no order."

  "How many men will you need, Lieutenant?" asked Shaffer.

  "Eight, I think, will be enough. I do not wish to expose more thannecessary."

  Lieutenant Coudrey returned to his company, explained to them what wasto be done, and added: "Not one that comes with me may ever come back. Iwant eight volunteers."

  He looked up and down the line. For a moment there was not a sound. Themen gazed into each others' faces blankly; and then, as if by commonimpulse, the whole company rode forward.

  "God bless you, my men, my brave boys! I might have known it, but Icannot take you all. The first eight will do. That will save me choosingman by man."

  History tells of great charges. Pickett's charge at Gettysburg, andHood's at Franklin, will live as long as American history is written;but history tells nothing of these small affairs. Yet who will say thatLieutenant Coudrey and his eight men did not perform a braver deed thando men who, in the heat of battle, rush up to the mouth of the cannon?It is the individual bravery, the scout and the skirmish, which make theromance of war.

  All was ready, and as they started a thousand eyes followed them, andwith bated breath their comrades watched them as they rode. Each carrieda heavy revolver, that they might return the fire they would receive.

  Down the street they rode at full speed, but not a shot was fired; thetown lay still as dead. They reached the square. "Is it possible----"exclaimed McNeil, but his speech was cut short. As the little squadturned to ride around the square, flashes of fire and little clouds ofsmoke burst from doors and windows of stores and houses. The village hadsuddenly come to life.

  Down the street they rode at full speed.]

  From their revolvers Coudrey and his men returned the fire as they rode.A horse goes down, then another. A man throws up his arms and tumblesheadlong, but those that live dash on. The circuit is made, the hell offire passed through, and the enemy is located.

  Coudrey, his face blackened with smoke, and his eyes blazing with thelight of battle, came riding back. His hand was grasped by both McNeiland Shaffer. Neither could speak for a moment, and then they could onlygasp: "Thank God!"

  Strange as it may seem, Lieutenant Coudrey had passed through the fieryordeal unscathed;
but of the eight men who rode with him, two werekilled, three more wounded, and five of the eight horses lay dead.

  The position of the enemy uncovered, McNeil dismounted his force, andthe battle was opened. From house to house the men forced their way, andat the end of two hours the enemy were in full flight. The artillery ofthe Federals played an important part in the action, and did muchtowards turning the victory. Porter had at least three or four men toone in this action, but his force was poorly disciplined, and stoodlittle show against the seasoned veterans of McNeil.[4]

  [Footnote 4: Colonel McNeil reports his loss in this action astwenty-eight killed and sixty wounded. He estimates the loss of theguerrillas as one hundred and fifty killed, three hundred wounded andforty-seven prisoners. Horses captured, one hundred and fifty.]

  The routed guerrillas took refuge in the timber which skirted theChariton, but early the next morning the Merrill Horse was after them.

  The next day Porter was caught at Stockton and completely routed, losingnearly a hundred men. Porter himself barely escaped, but with a fewfollowers he made his way back to his old haunts, and a couple of monthslater was the cause of one of the most lamentable tragedies enacted inMissouri during the war.