Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1886 — TRAILED BY BLOOD HOUNDS. [ARTICLE]

TRAILED BY BLOOD HOUNDS.

BY CAPTAIN JAMES MONTFORD.

“The person who passed through the war without meeting with adventures that thrilled his blood, or mysteries which chilled jt, must have been a very queer individual.” “We all met with adventures, Colonel,” I replied, “out they flitted past so quickly that they became obliterated by the * timing events which came after.” “Umph! I must have a bettor memory than other people,” the old gentleman said, smiling,“for scarcely a day passes but some circumstance is recalled to my mind.” “Then it is your duty to supply the deficiencies of your friends.” “Well, I think the most horrid action I was concerned in took place a few days before the battle of Perryville. There was a negro teamster attached to our company, who was one of tho principals He was a tall, raw-boned fellow, with a countenance ot mingled brutality and cunning. “He was stubborn and unmanageable to a degree, and we had a good deal of trouble with him at different times. “It was always necessary to place a ‘boss’ over him, and even then willful mistakes were always occurring. “One day he was shoeing a horse, a valuable black, belonging to one of the aids, and a sergeant was directing his movements. “The fellow was sullen, and had committed several faults. At last he pared the hoof so close that the blood followed the knife. “I happened along at that juncture, and saw the sergeant raise the stick he held in his-hand, and bring it down over the black’s Bhoulders. “The negro turned his head, and cast a look so fierce and vengeful at his chastiser that the latter changed color. “I shall not soon forget the glance; it expressed all the depravity of his vile nature. “He did not speak; not even a cry of pain escaped his lips. Resuming his task with the manner of one who desired to complete it as soon as possible, he had soon finished, and, after examining the horse, I walked on. “The next morning the sergeant was found, wrapped in his cloak, dead. “The vein in his throat had been severed in a horrible manner, and from the position in which he lay it was evident the deed had been done whiie he was sleeping, and that he had not been allowed an opportunity to defend himself. “There was not the slightest clew to the perpetrator of this outrage; but it at once occurred to me that the negro teamster was the murderer. “I did not express my opinion until I had made inquiries and found that the fellow hofl left the camp. “None of his acquaintances had the least knowledge of his whereabouts. “I then made my suspicions known, and a strict search was instituted; but nothing was found to bring home the charge. “At last one Medill offered a suggestion which, though it was, perhaps, no more than strict justice would permit, has always seemed awful to me. “It was to trail the murderer with bloodhounds, a practice too often followed in that country. “ ‘There’s a gentleman near here,’ said Medill, ‘who owns a fine pair. They will find him, I’ll warrant it, if he’s above ground.’ “After some consideration, it was decided that the soldier’s suggestion should be followed.

“It was necessary that an example should be made; for murder, like everything else, if it goes unpunished will spread. “Medill and another man were dispatched for the dogs, and they returned about the middle of the forenoon, accompanied by an old negro who had charge of the brutes. “They were an ugly looking pair, evidently old, and their bodies slashed with many wounds. “I could not resist comparing them with the black whom I thought the murderer. They seemed well chosen for their duty. “They found a scent immediately, but not the right one. They pursued one of the soldiers who stood upon the outside of the group, and it required all the efforts of their black master to restrain them. “But after considerable difficulty a scent was found, and the negro expressed an opinion that it was the correct one. “A dozen men, among whom I was one, mounted the swiftest homes in the command, and as the dogs started away with long leaps weTollowed. “It was a plain trail for the first half a dozen miles, and we covered the distance in a very short time. “There was something wonderfully exhilarating in the chase, notwithstanding the nature of the game we had in view. “There is more or less of the savage in man. and it only requires a proper opportunity for it to display its traits in full •trcogtk. *1 experienced the greatest eagerness im-

aginable in pursuing that poor wretch, and knew from the flushed faces and sparkling eyes of my companions that they felt the same emotions. “Although we urged the horses forward as fast as they could bear, the dogs wese far ahead. “They came to a halt, however, after we had traversed six miles. “A narrow creek lay in their path. When we came up they were running up and down the bank, with their noses to the ground. “We forded the creek, and the dogs failed on the scent. “ ‘lt am a black man,’ declared the keeper, his voice trembling with excitement; ‘he has waded up de creek; no white man would ever do dat.’ “The dogs circled for the trail, which was found about half a mile up the stream. “On we went again. In about half an hour we heard a peculiar sound from the dogs. “ ‘He am treed!’ cried the keeper; and we rode rapidly up the mountain at the foot of which we had now arrived. “We soon came in sight of the dogs, and a small cabin, which seemed deserted. “The brutes were running about, uttering that Btrange sound characteristic of them when they have found their game. “Leaping from our horses, we ran up to ’ the cabin door. It was secured upon the inside, and we had some difficulty in breaking it down. “As we did so there came a yell from our companion, who had been left to watch on the outside. “The negro murderer had leaped from a small window in the upper part of the deserted hut, and was now running for life. “We could not pursue him on horseback as he darted up the rocky slope. He was strong and fleet of foot; none of our hunters could rival him.

“The dogs were tearing about inside the cabin. Their keeper succeeded at last in bringing them to the fresh trail; but then the negro was barely discernible, far up the mountain. “The fellow was exerting himself to the utmost, and I could not help admiring his pluck, even while straining every muscle in the pursuit. “We clambered up the slope as rapidly as we conld; but the negro and his pursuers had passed from our view. “Suddenly we heard again that peculiar sound from the dogs. The murderer was at bay. Perhaps fighting for his life with the fierce hounds. “We ran forward, almost falling at every step, and several gave up the chase, dropping upon the ground through fatigue. “I was one of the first who came within view of the strange scene presented at the top of the mountain. “The dogs were sitting upon their haunches at the foot of a huge tree whose limbs hung over a high bluff. “The negro was hanging upon a limb of the tree, His face was distorted, and his eyes seemed upon the point of dropping from their sockets. “His clothing hung about him in shreds; his hands were t rm and bloody. “As we came within sight he turned his eyes upon us with th&look of a wolf at bay; then he looked down at the dogs who were yelping a few feet bedow. “ ‘Come down,’ I cried, and tho fellow rose to his feet, steadying himself with one hand. “Seeing his movement the dogs rose also; they licked their frothy lips in anticipation of the prey which they were never to taste. “Standing for an instant upon his insecure perch, the negro glanced around him. “The look of desperation upon his face was that of a demon; with a cry scarcely human he swung his form backward, and then leaped far out over the bluff. “Rushing to the edge, I dropped upon my knees. I saw the form whirl over in the air, then drop from sight. “We circled the bluff and came upon his mangled body, but With scarce a shred to tell of human form, Or fragment for tho sea-bird or the worm."