xt7kd50fvc2f https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7kd50fvc2f/data/mets.xml Dunn, Byron A. (Byron Archibald), 1842-1926. 1912 books b92-200-30752111 English A.C. McClung, : Chicago : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Ozark Mountains Fiction. Courier of the Ozarks / by Byron A. Dunn ; with eight illustrations by H.S. Debay. text Courier of the Ozarks / by Byron A. Dunn ; with eight illustrations by H.S. Debay. 1912 2002 true xt7kd50fvc2f section xt7kd50fvc2f
THE COURIER OF

THE OZARKS

THE YOUNG KENTUCKIANS
SERIES
GENERAL NELSOi' 'S SCOUT
ON GENERAL THOMAS 'S STAFF
BATTLING FOR ATLANTA
FFROM ATLANTA TO THE SEA
RAIDING WITH MORGAN

THE YOUNG MIASSOURIANS
SERIES
WITH LYON IN MISSOURI
THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE
THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

Illustrated, 12mo, per volume, 1.25
A. C. MCCLURG Co., Publishers
CHICAGO

This page in the original text is blank.

"Follow the colors," he shouted.

[I' 7ge i6S]

THE YOUNG MISSOURIANS SERIES

THE COURIER OF

THE OZARKS

BY
BYRON A. DUNN
AUTHOR OF "THE YOUNG KENTUCKIANS" SERIES

WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS
BY H. S. DELAY

CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG CO.
1912

Published September. 1912

W. F. HAL, PINTING COMPANY CHICAGO

To the Loyal Men of Missouri, who as members
of the militia did so much to save the State to the
Union, this book is dedicated. History gives them
scant notice, and the Federal government has failed
to reward them as they deserve.

This page in the original text is blank.

PREFACE

DURING the year i862, after the capture of Island
No. IO and New Madrid, no large armies oper-
ated in Missouri; but the State was the theater of a
desperate guerrilla warfare, in which nearly or quite
a hundred thousand men took part. It was a warfare
the magnitude of which, at the present time, is very
little known; and its cruelty and barbarity make a
bloody page in the history of those times.
This book is a story of this warfare. It is a story
of adventure, of hair-breadth escapes, and of daring
deeds. In it the same characters figure as those in
1'7ith Lyon in Alissotnri and The Scotit of Pca Ridge.
It tells how our young heroes were instrumental in
thwarting the great conspiracy by which the Confed-
erate government, by sending officers into the State,
and organizing the different guerrilla bands into conm-
panies and regiments, was in hopes of wresting, the
State from Federal control.
As in former books, history is closely followed.
BYRON A. DUNN.
Waukegan, Illinois.
A Ug Ust, 1912.
vii

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I BRUNO CARRIES A MESSAGE . . . I
II AN INTERNECINE WAR . . . . . 17
III A MYSTERIOUS COMMUNICATION . . 20
IV MOORE'S MILL . . . . . . . 30
V A FIGHT IN THE NIGHT . . . . 44
VI KIRKSVILLE . . . . . . . . 68
VII POINDEXTER CAPTURED . . 8.. 3
VIII LONE JACK . . . . . . . . IOI
IX CAPTURED BY GUERRILLAS . . . . Ii6
X THE GUERRILLA'S BRIDE . . . . I33
XI THE STORY OF CARL MEYER . . . I44
XII THE NEWS FROM CORINTH . . . . i6i
XIII PORTER CAPTURES PALMYRA . . . I77
XIV TEN LIVES FOR ONE . . . . . I89
XV A GIRL OF THE OZARKS . . . . 207
XVI A WOUNDED CONFEDERATE. . . . 229
XVII TRAILING RED JERSEY .245
XVIII LIVE-I CANNOT SHOOT YOU . . . 26i
XIX MARK HAS A RIVAL . . . . . . 274
XX CAPTURING A TRAIN . . . . . 285
XXI THE OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAINS . 30I
XXII MARK CONFESSES HIS LOVE . . . 318
XXIII INTO THE LION'S MOUTH . . . . 326
XXIV PRAIRIE GROVE . . . . . . . 339
XXV CALLED TO OTHER FIELDS. . . . 351
ix

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ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE
Follow the colors," he shouted . Frontispiece
Halt the advance. Ambuscade! " gasped Harry 39

Down the street they rode at futll speed . 8o

"You pretend to be men and call this war 223
To catch the rider as he reeled from the saddle 229
Her revolver was pointed at his breast . 270
He was looking into the muzzle of a revolver 283
An old man leaning on a staff. . . . . 313

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THE COURIER OF THE

OZARKS

CHAPTER I

BRUNO CARRIES A AMESSAGE

"d OWN! Bruno, down!"
These words were uttered in a guarded
whisper by a boy about seventeen years
of age, to a great dog that stood by his side.
At the word of command, the dog crouched down,
his whole body quivering with excitement. His
master gently patted him on the head, and wxhis-
pered, " There, there, old fellow, do n't get nervous.
Our lives would not be worth much, if we were
(liscovered."
The boy was lying full length on the ground, con-
cealed in a dense thicket, but from his point of van-
tage he had a full view of the road which ran a few
yards in front of him. This road ran north and
south, and nearly in front of wvhere he lay another
road entered it, coming in from the west.
1

THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

The cause of the dog's excitement was apparent,
for coming up the road from the vest was a large
body of horsemen, and a motley troop they were.
They were mostly dressed in homespun, and armed
with all sorts of weapons, from cavalry sabers to
heavy knives fashioned out of files by some rude
blacksmith; the army musket, the squirrel rifle, and
the shotgun were much in evidence.
As the head of the column reached the north and
south road the leader called a halt, and looked up
and down the road, as if expecting some one. lie
did not have long to wait. The sound of the swift
beating of horse-hoofs was heard from the south,
and soon three men came riding up. One, a man of
distinguished looks and military bearing, was a little
in advance of the other two. As he came up, the
leader of the little army saluted him awkwardly
and exclaimed, " Glad to see you, Colonel. What
news "
" Glad to see you, Captain Poindexter," replied
the Colonel. " I see you are on time. As for the
news, all goes well. Within a week all Missouri
will be ablaze, and the hottest place for Yankees
in all Christendom. How many men have you,
Captain "
" About five hundred, and more coming in all the
time."
So that is Jim Poindexter, the bloody villain,"
muttered the boy between his set teeth, and nerv-

BRUNO CARRIES A MESSAGE

ously fingering his revolver. " How I would like
to take a shot at him! But it would not do. It
wvould be madness."
The next question asked by the Colonel. wvhose
name was Clay, and who had been in the State
for the past two months promoting the partisan
uprising, was, " Where is Porter "
"At Brown's Springs. I am to join him there
tonight. But he wvas to meet me here with a few
followers, knowing you were to be here."
" Good ! I will be more than pleased to see him,"
answered Colonel Clay. " But I thought he wvas
farther north."
" Mdost of his force is," answered Poindexter.
But he promised to meet me at Brown's Springs
with five hundred followers. We have our eye on
Fulton. My spies report it is garrisoned by less
than a hundred men. Fulton captured, I can supply
my men with both clothes and arms, and then Jeffer-
son City next."
"Jefferson City" asked Colonel Clay in sur-
prise. " Do you look that far "
" Yes. Thanks to the Yankee Government, there
are not over five hundred soldiers in Jefferson City.
Fulton once taken, the boys will flock to our stand-
ard by thousands, and Jefferson City will become an
easy prey."
"Accomplish this, Poindexter," cried Colonel
Clay, " and Missouri will be redeemed. All over

THE COUBIER OF THE OZARKS

southwestern Missouri the boys are rallying and
sweeping northward. The object is to capture Inde-
pendence, and then Lexington. This done, we will
once more control the Missouri River, and the State
will be anchored firmly in the Southern Confed-
eracy. Then with your victorious legions you can
march south and help drive the Yankee invaders
from the land. Poindexter, Missouri can, an(l
should, put fifty thousand Confederate soldiers in
the field."
Poindexter shrugged his shoulders. " Colonel, not
so fast," he exclaimed. " I could not drag my men
into the regular Confederate service with a two-inch
cable. Neither do I have any hankering that way
myself. The free and easy life of a partisan ranger
for me."
Colonel Clay looked disgusted. " Captain," he
asked, "do n't you get tired of skulking in the
brush, and waging a warfare which is really con-
trary to the rules of war of civilized nations There
is little honor in such a warfare; but think of the
honor and glory that would await you if you could
free Missouri, and then help free the entire South.
Why, it is not too much to say that the star of a
general might glisten on your shoulder."
A look of rage came over the face of Poindexter.
"If you do n't like the way we fight," he growled,
"why are you here, urging us to rise If we can
free this State of Yankees, we will accomplish more

BRUNO CARRIES A MESSAGE

than your armies down south have. We prefer to
fight our own way. Here, I am a bigger man than
Jeff Davis. I fight when it suits me, and take to
the brush when I want to. If you have any thoughts
of influencing me or my men to join the regular
Confederate army, you may as xvell give up the
idea. As for the rules of civilized warfare,
I do n't care that," and he snapped his fingers
contemptuously.
Colonel Clay concealed the indignation and dis-
gust which hie felt towards the fellow, and said:
" While we may not think alike, we are both work-
ing for the same cause-the liberation of our
beloved Southland from the ruthless invasion of
the Yankee hordes. If you can accomplish what
You think, surely the South will call you one of her
most gallant sons. Neither should we be too squeam-
ish over the means used to rid ourselves of the
thieves and murderers that have overrun our fair
State."
" Now you are talking," exclaimed Poindexter,
with an oath. " If Porter comes - and he should
be here by now - we will discuss the situation more
thoroughly; but the first thing for us to do is to
capture Fulton."
Are you sure," asked Clay, " that your plans
will not miscarry Mr. Daniels, one of the gentle-
men here with me, informs me that that regiment
of devils, the Merrill Horse, is only a few miles

THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

to the west. May they not interfere with your
plans "
At the mention of the Merrill Horse, Poindexter's
countenance took on a demoniac expression. Strik-
ing the pommel of his saddle with his clenched
hand, he hissed: " I will never rest until I shoot
or hang every one of that cursed regiment. But
you are mistaken in thinking the force west con-
sists of the entire Merrill Horse. Only part of the
regiment is there; the rest is up north. The force
west is about five hundred strong. I have given out
the impression that I am making for the woods
which skirt Grand River, to join Cobb. Every citi-
zen they meet will tell them so. Little does Colonel
Shaffer, who is in command, think I have slipped
past him. McNeil believes Porter is up around
Paris - the most of his force is -- but he is to join
me here with a goodly number. Ah! here he
comes now.
Down the road from the north a party of horse-
men were coming at a swift gallop. They rode up,
and salutations were spoken and hands shaken.
A look of passion came into the face of the
watching boy, and again he fingered his revolver.
Even the dog partook of the boy's excitement, for
his whole body was quivering.
" Quiet, old boy, quiet," whispered the boy. " No
doubt you would like to tear the bloody monster to

BRUNO CARRIES A MESSAGE

pieces, and I would give ten years of my life for a
shot, but it will not do."
The boy was now listening intently, trying to
catch every word that was said.
" Mighty glad to see you, Jo," Poindexter was
saying. " How many men have you at Brown's
Springs "
" About four hundred when I left; but squads
were coming in continually. I count on six hundred
by night."
" Good! Then we will swoop down on Fulton
tonight."
" Do n't know about that," answered Porter.
Many of the boys have ridden, or will ride, fifty
miles to join us. Their horses will be tired. To-
morrow wvill he all right. How is everything''
Splendid," answered Poindexter, rubbing his
hands. " Not over a hundred soldiers in Fulton.
The only drawback is that there is a Yankee force
of about five hundred a few miles to the west, part
of them the Merrill Horse."
" The Merrill Horse! The Merrill Horse! " cried
Porter with a dreadful oath. " I thought they were
north. They are surely giving me enough trouble
up there."
" About four companies are down here, under
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Shaffer," an-
swered Poindexter. " They lhave been trying to find

THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

me for the past week. But they have n't found me
yet," and he chuckled. " The fact is," he con-
tinued, " I have fooled them. Shaffer thinks I am
making for the woods along the Grand River, to
join Cobb. I skipped past him last night. By this
time he is making for the Grand River as fast as
he can go. No trouble from him in our little busi-
ness with Fulton."
" Do n't be too sure," exclaimed Porter. " Shaf-
fer is about as sharp as the devil; but I trust you
are right."
The conversation now took a general turn, Colonel
Clay going over the ground, telling them what was
being done, and what he hoped would be accom-
plished. " As for me," he said, " I must be across
the river by tomorrow. Everything depends on the
movement to capture Independence and Lexington.
Then, if you gentlemen are successful here, and
capture Fulton and Jefferson City, our brightest
hopes will be fulfilled. I must now bid you good-
bye. May success attend you."
The Colonel and his two friends rode back
towards the south, from whence they came. Poin-
dexter watched them until they were out of sight,
and then, turning to Porter, said: " What do you
think, Jo The Colonel wanted me and my men to
join the regular Confederate army."
" Humph! " sniffed Porter, "I reckon you
jumped at the chance."

BRUNO CARRIES A MESSAGE

" Not much; but he did more. He mentioned
that I was not conducting this blood-letting business
strictly on the rules of genteel, scientific murder."
" I reckon, before we indulged in a necktie party,
he would want us to say, 'Beg pardon, sir, but I
am under the painful necessity of hanging you,'
replied Porter, indulging in a coarse laugh.
" I told him," continued Poindexter, " we fought
as we pleased, and asked no favors of General Price,
Jeff Davis, or any other man. As for the Confed-
erate service, none of it for me."
" They have offered me a colonelcy, if I take my
men down into Arkansas," answered Porter. " If it
gets too hot for me here I may go. You know there
is a price on my head. But I must go, or my boys
will be getting uneasy. Join me at the Springs as
soon as possible." Thus saying, he and his party
rode away.
Poindexter ordered his men to fall in, and they
followed Porter, but at a more leisurely gait.
When the last one had disappeared, the boy arose
and shook himself. "What do you think of that,
Bruno" he asked, patting the dog's head. The
dog stood with hanging head and tail, as if ashamed
he had let so many of his enemies get away
unharmed. He looked up in his master 's face and
whined at the question, as much as to say, " I do n't
like it."
"Well, my boy, there is the Old Nick to pay.

THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

Both Porter and Poindexter on the warpath. Ful-
ton to be attacked, and not a hundred men to defend
it. Shaffer with the boys miles away. How are
both to be warned We must see, old fellow, we
must see. There is no time to lose."
Thus saying, the boy hurriedly made his way
back through the woods where in a hollow in the
midst of a dense thicket a horse stood concealed.
Those who have read " The Scout of Pea Ridge "
will readily recognize the boy as Harry Sernans,
and Bruno as his celebrated trained dog. After the
battle of Pea Ridge and upon the dissolution of the
company of scouts under the command of Captain
Lawrence Middleton, Harry had returned to Alis-
souri, and become a scout for the Merrill Horse.
The Merrill Horse, officially known as the Second
Missouri Cavalry, was a regiment composed of com-
panies from Missouri, Illinois, and Michigan.
It can safely be said that no other regiment in
the Federal army ever saw more service in fighting
guerrillas than (lid the Merrill Horse. From the
very first of the war their work was to help extermi-
nate the guerrilla bands which infested the State.
The name " Merrill Horse" became a terror to
every bushwhacker and guerrilla in Missouri. No
trail was so obtuse, no thicket so dense that mem-
bers of that regiment would not track them to their
lair. A true history of the Merrill Horse, and the

BRUNO CARRIES A MESSAGE

adventures of its different members, would read
like the most exciting fiction.
When Harry reached his horse he stood for a
moment inl deep thought, and then speaking to
Bruno, said: " Yes, old boy, you must do it. I
know you can, can 't you"
Bruno gave a bark and wagged his tail as if to
say, " Try me."
Tearing a leaf from a blank book, Harry wrote a
brief note to Colonel Shaffer, telling him what had
hO ppened, and begging him to march with all speed
to Fulton. This note he securely fastened to
Bruno's collar and said, " Bruno, go find Colonel
Shaffer and the boys. You know where we left
them. Go."
For a moment Bruno stood and looked up in his
master's face, as if undecided.
"Go and find Colonel Shaffer. Go," Harry
repeated, sternly.
The dog turned and was away like a shot. Harry
gazed after him until lie was out of sight, then
patting the glossy neck of his horse, said, " Now,
Bess, it 's you and I for Fulton; the machinations of
those two archfiends, Poindexter and Porter, must
be brought to naught."
Harry believed he would have no trouble in reach-
ing Fulton, as the guerrillas were generally quiet
near a place garrisoned by Federal troops, therefore

THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

he took the main road, as he was desirous of reach-
ing Fulton as soon as he possibly could. He had
not gone more than two miles when he met two
men, rough-looking fellows, whom Harry had no
desire to meet, but there was no way to avoid it,
except flight, so he rode boldly forward.
Harry was dressed in the homespun of the coun-
try, and had all the appearance of a country bump-
kin. As to arms, none were visible, but stowed away
beneath his rough jacket was a huge navy revolver,
and Harry was an adept in the use of it.
" Hello, youn' feller," cried one of the men.
Whar be yo' goin' in sich a hurry Halt, and give
an account of yo'self."
" Goin' to Fulton, if the Yanks will let me,"
drawled Harry. " Whar be yo 'uns goin' "
" That 's nun yo' business. Air yo 'un Union or
Confed "
"Which be yo 'uns "
" Look heah, young feller, nun of yo' foolin'. I
reckon yo' air a Yank in disguise. That 's a mighty
fine hoss yo 'un air ridin'. 'Spose we 'uns trade."
" 'Spose we 'uns do n't."
During this conversation Harry's right hand was
resting beneath his jacket, grasping the butt of his
revolver.
" I reckon we 'uns will," jeered the fellow, reach-
ing for his pistol.
Quick as a flash Harry had covered him with his

BRUNO CARRIES A MESSAGE

revolver. Fortunately for him, the two men were
close together. " Hands up," he ordered. "A
move, a motion to draw a weapon, and one or both
of you wvill die. It do n't pay to fool with one of
Porter's men."
The hands of both went up, but one exclaimed,
"One of Porter's men Be yo' one of Porter's
men We 'uns are on our way to join him. We 'uns
heard he was at Brown's Springs."
" Yo'uns will find him thar. I am taking a mes-
sage from him to a friend in Fulton. Yo 'uns can
lower your hands. I reckon we 'uns understand
each other now."
" We 'tins certainly do," said one of the men, as
they dropped their hands, looking foolish.
" Wall, good-bye; may see yo 'uns in Fulton
tomorrow." And Harry rode off, leaving the men
sitting on their horses watching him.
" Ought to have shot both of them," muttered
Harry, "but I cannot afford to take any risks just
now."
Harry had no further adventures in reaching
Fulton, and at once reported to Captain Duffield,
who wvas in command of the post.
Captain Duffield listened to Harry's report with a
troubled countenance.
"A thousand of the devils, did you say" he
asked.
" Yes, and more coming in every hour."

THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

" And I have only eighty men," replied Duffield,
bitterly. "If they attack before I can get help,
there is no hope for us."
" Colonel Shaffer is a few miles to the west with
about five hundred men," replied Harry. " If they
do not attack tonight, as I do not reckon they will
from what Porter said, he may be here in time to
help. I have sent him word."
" Sent him word By whom " asked Duffield,
eagerly.
" By my dog," and Harry explained.
As Duffield listened, his countenance fell. " I
see no hope from that," he said. " It is prepos-
terous to think that a dog will carry a message for
miles, and hunt up a man."
" If you knew Bruno, you would think dif-
ferently," replied Harry, smiling.
"I can put no dependence on any such thing,"
said Duffield. " My only hope is getting word to
Colonel Guitar, at Jefferson City. If I get any help,
it must come from him. God grant that Porter may
not attack tonight."
" I think there is little danger tonight, but they
may be down in the morning," said Harry. " Do
you think Guitar can reinforce you by morning "
" He must; he must. I will send a message to
him by courier mounted on one of my fleetest
horses."
" Bess is about as fast as they make them,"

BRUNO CARRIES A MESSAGE

replied Harry. " I know the country. I will go if
you wish."
Duffield looked at him a moment doubtfully, and
then said, " You may go, as you can tell Colonel
Guitar all you have told me. But I will send one of
my own men with you."
Captain Duffield wrote two messages, giving one
to Harry, and the other to the soldier who was to
accompany him.
" If you have trouble," said Captain Duffield,
"for the love of Heaven, one of you get through,
if the other is killed. The safety of this post
depends on Colonel Guitar receiving the message."
"It will go through, if I live," calmly replied
Harry, as he carefully concealed the message in the
lining of his coat.
To Harry's surprise, the soldier detailed to go
with him proved to be a boy, not much older than
himself. He was mounted on a spirited horse and
his manner showed he was ready for any kind of
an adventure, no matter where it might lead.
The shades of night were falling when Captain
Duffield bade them good-bye, and they rode away
and were soon lost to view in the dusk.
Captain Duffield stood looking after them, and
then said to one of his lieutenants, " I do n't know
what to make of that boy. He told a straight story,
but his thinking that dog of his would take a mes-
sage to Shaffer is a little too much to believe."

16 THE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

But Captain Duffield soon had other things to
think about. Reports began to come in from other
sources of the gathering of the guerrillas at Brown's
Springs, and their number was augmented to two
thousand. He posted his little force in the best
manner possible to resist an attack, and with an
anxious heart, watched and waited through the
long hours of the night; but to his immense relief,
no attack came.

CHAPTER II

AN INTERNECINE WAR

A FTER the battle of Pea Ridge, the Con-
federate Government had no regular
organized troops in Missouri. General Ster-
ling Price, with his Missouri regiments, which had
enlisted in the Confederate service, was ordered east
of the Mississippi. But there were thousands of
State troops that had followed Price, and although
they refused to enlist in the regular Confederate
service, they were, at heart, as bitter towards the
Union as ever. These men found their way back
home, and although thousands of them took the oath
of allegiance to the Federal Government, the
majority of them were not only ready, but eager, to
ally themselves with some of the guerrilla bands
which were infesting the State.
The Federal authorities, knowing that Price, with
his army, had been ordered east, thought that the
Confederates had given tip all hopes of holding the
State, and that the fighting was over, except with
small guerrilla bands, that could easily be kept in
check. Therefore, the great majority of the Fed-
eral troops in Missouri were withdrawn to swell the
armies of Buell and Grant.
17

T8HE COURIER OF THE OZARKS

The Confederates nowv thought they saw their
opportunity. Numbers of the Confederate officers
secretly made their way into the State and com-
menced to organize the disloyal forces, co-operating
with the guerrilla bands. Among these officers was
Colonel Clay, who appeared in the first chapter.
This movement was so successful that during the
summler of i862 it is estimated that there were from
thirty to forty thousand of these men enrolled and
officered. Places of rendezvous were designated,
where all were to assemble at a given signal, and, by
a coup-de-main, seize all the important points in the
State which were feebly garrisoned. Then they were
to co-operate with an army moving up from Arkan-
sas, and the State would be redeemed.
It was a well laid plan, but fortunately it was
early discovered by General J. M. Schofield, who
was in command of the Department of Missouri.
How General Schofield first received his informa-
tion will be told hereafter.
General Schofield frantically appealed to Halleck
for aid, and then to Washington, but he was
answered that owing to the great military move-
ments going on, not a regiment could be spared.
General Schofield, thus left to his own resources,
rose grandly to the occasion. He would use the
Confederates' own tactics. So he ordered the entire
militia of the State to be enrolled. Thousands of
Confederate sympathizers fled the State, or took to

AN INTERNECINE WA1

the bush. During the summer of I862 between
forty and fifty thousand loyal State militia were
organized. Thus the whole State became one vast
armed camp, nearly forty thousand men on a side,
arrayed against each other.
It was father against son, brother against brother,
neighbor against neighbor. The only wonder is that
owviig to the passions of the times there were not
more excesses and murders committed than there
were.
During the year i862 there were at least one hun-
dred and fifty engagements fought on the soil of
Missouri, in which the numbers engaged varied
from forty or fifty to five or six thousand. In
these engagements General Schofield says the Union
troops were successful in nine out of ten, and that
at least three thousand guerrillas had been killed,
wounded, or taken prisoners, and that ten thousand
had fled the State.
This terrible warfare between neighbors receives
scant mention in history, but in no great battles of
the war was greater bravery shown, greater heroism
displayed, than in many of the minor engagements
fought in Missouri.

CHAPTER III

A MYSTERIOUS COMMUNICATION

IN THE month of May, i862, a young Federal
officer reported in St. Louis, and found himself
without a command, and without a commission.
This officer, Captain Lawrence Middleton, had
greatly distinguished himself during the first year
of the war on the staff of General Nathaniel Lyon.
After the death of Lyon he was commissioned a
captain by General Fremont, and authorized to raise
an indepenclent company of scouts. With this com-
pany he had rendered valiant service in the campaign
which ended with the battle of Pea Ridge.
Many of the acts of Fremonit, and a number of
commissions which he had granted, had been repu-
diated by the Government, and thus Middleton had
found himself free. But he had no intention of
remaining inactive, his heart was too much in the
cause. If no other field was open, he would enlist
as a private soldier. But there was no need of that,
he was too well known. Though young, scarcely
more than eighteen, he had rendered services and
performed deeds which made his name known
throughout the State. He had thwarted the
20

A MYSTERIOUS COMMUNICATION

machinations of Frost, Price, Governor Jackson,
and other disloyal leaders in their efforts to drag
Missouri out of the Union.
While Lawrence was undecided just what to do
he met Frank P. Blair, who was overjoyed to see
him. He had been Blair's private secretary during
the troublesome months before the opening of the
war, and a lieutenant in one of his regiments of
Home Guards.
Blair, who had been appointed a brigadier general
in the Federal army, had been at home on business,
and was about to return to his command.
Never better pleased to see anyone in my life,"
said Blair, nearly shaking Lawrence's arm off. " Oh,
I 've kept track of you, you 've been keeping up your
reputation. But what are you doing in St. Louis
I thought you were with Curtis."
Lawrence told Blair of his predicament.-that he
was now without a command or a commission.
" Good! " cried Blair, shaking Lawrence's hand
again. " I was about to write to Curtis to see if I
could not get you away from him. I will see that
you are commissioned as captain, and I will detail
you on my staff. I need just such fellows as you."
" I could n't ask anything better," said Lawrence,
"and, General, I thank you from the bottom of my
heart. It is more than I could have possibly hoped,
more than I deserve."
"Too modest, my boy. If you had your deserts,

THE COURIER OF THE OZABK8

you would be wearing a star on your shoulder, as
well as myself. I am a little selfish in asking you
to go on my staff. I want you."
So it was all arranged, and Lawrence went to see
his uncle and tell him of his new position on Blair's
staff. This uncle, Alfred Middleton, was one of the
wealthiest citizens of St. Louis, and an ardent seces-
sionist. Now that Lawrence was out of the army,
he was in hopes that he would stay out, and he
showed his disappointment in his face. He had also
been greatly worried of late. His only son was
with Price, and it was a sore spot with him that
the Missouri Confederate troops had been ordered
east, and not been left to defend their native State.
In fact, the Confederates of the State felt that
they had been deserted by the Richmond Govern-
ment, and bore Jeff Davis and his cabinet no great
love.
" I am sorry, Lawrence," said his uncle, sadly.
"I was in hopes that as long as you were out of the
army you would stay out. Why will you persist
in fighting against those who were your friends
Your whole interest lies with the South."
" Uncle, please do not let us discuss that ques-
tion again," replied Lawrence. " You and I are
both firm in our belief, and no amount of discussion
will change either."
Mr. Middleton sighed, but did not resume the

A MYSTERIOUS COMMUNICATION

subject. That Lawrence, whom he looked upon
almost as a son, should take up arms against the
South was to him a source of endless regret.
The next two or three days were busy ones with
Lawrence. The new arrangement had one draw-
back, it would separate him from Dan Sherman,
who had been a lieutenant in his company of scouts,
and the two were inseparable. Dan would not hear
of parting from Lawrence; he would go with him
if he had to go as his servant.
"I can never consent to that, Dan," said Law-
rence. " I had rather tell Blair I have reconsidered
his proposition and cannot accept."
" You '11 do no such thing," retorted Sherman.
"I will try and behave myself, but I feel that some-
thing will happen, and we will not be separated."
Something (lid happen, much quicker than either
one expected. Something which entirely changed