Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1878 — JOHN WARNER OF RENSSELAER. [ARTICLE]

JOHN WARNER OF RENSSELAER.

A Reminiscence of Soldier Life [For The Union.) In November, 1862, tho 90th regiment Indiana infantry w.iS attached to the third brigade of Sherman’s division of tho Army of the Tennessee, then in camp ut Memphis. Early oti tho morning of the 26th day of that month the brigade broke camp aud moved in the direction of Holly Springs, Mississippi. On the third day out front Memphis, companies E and G, under command of Major Berkey, were sent out considerably in adviuice of the command ns ft skirmish line. About noon when seventeen miles or so from Holly Springs, Col. Fowler, then commanding the 99th,‘ rode forward and overtook tbe two skirmish companies as they were climbing to the top of quite a high hill, and told the men that they were then in the enemy’s country and that they must keep a sharp lookout for danger. Deploying to the right tho men waited for a battery of artillery to come up, which whs placed in position on the hill. Far nway to the south, on the opposite side of a beautiful valley, signs of tbe sou were to be seen. After resting some time and the enemy not coming out to meet us, we were ordered forward. Theconim«nd had moved, perhaps three or four miles whon a rebel cavalry-man was surprised and captured. That night the brigade went into camp on the banks of ft small stream which inn near thick woods somewhat resembling those northwest of Rensselaer. Saturday morning we were told to make ourselves us comfortable ns possible.»for the command would not be ordered to move that day. It was not long before the boys began to manifest a strong desire to leave camp and forage upon tbe enemy for “shoulder-strap rations”—light bread, butter, honey, etc. Quite a number went out, and among them John Warner, who had enlisted from Rons--selfter. Warner borrowed a revolver of Cupt. Ash and went out alone. Over hills, through the woods and across open fields he went, without thinking of danger.

About three miles from camp Warner came upon a lad who was gathering hickory nuts, and called to him. The boy looked up and asked “Are you a soldier?” Warner answered “Yes.” The boy asked “Aint you afraid the Yankees will get yont±Z “Are there any about here?” asked Warner. ‘‘Why yes,' 1 replied the boy, “Mr. Smith says there are three thousand of ’em, just over this hill, about three miles from here. They took one of our men yesterday and shot him three times.” Warner answered that he was the cavalryman tho Yankees bad captured on the day before. “They shot at me three times, but did not kill me; nor did they gut my horse.” “Oh, no,” said the boy, “he ran to Air. Smith’s.” Warner pointed interrogatively to a house n°.ir by, when the boy said: “Grandmother, Elizabeth and Jane live there.” “Are any men at home?” ‘•No, sir; they have all gone to war.” Warner and the boy then went to the house where the boy introduced him to the old ladj - and girls as “the cavalry-man the Yankees took yesterday; they did not kill him as we thought.” Grandma fixedjier eyes on Warner a moment, arose from her chair ftnd advancing to him threw her arms about his neck, piously exclaiming: “Bless the Lord! The lost is found! The dead is alive! We thought the cruel Yankees had killed you! May the Lord bless j-ou!” While grandma was talking ard Warner repressing his emotions ns well as he could the two young women stood by+silent and wondering spectators of the interesting tableau. Grandma asked Warner if he was hungry, and of course received an affirmative reply. They soon prepared a good dinner for him, :>nd while he was eating grandma sent tbe bey down the road to watch that the Yankees might not surprise and recapture him. While her guest sat at the table grandma plied him with numberless questions; but Warner having contefsed With the rebel . prisoner, was prepared to give satisfactory answers that often brought smiles to the faces of the listening women. Meantime Warner was asking too. He learned from the women that quite a large numberof rebel eavalry-men were quartered upon the wealthier people in the neighborhood, and that seven or eight of his interesting friends were only three-quarters of a mile away, at the house of a Mr. Vanness. At this time two of Mr. Vanness’s boys came in, and though but young lads, they evinced great pleasure when told of the stranger’s escape from the dreaded Yankee. Warner, when he had finished his inea), said that he though it would be better for him to go. Grandma gathered up the remaining buscuits and in tendcrest tones said “Here, child, put these in your pocket; and here are'two pairs of socks.’’ She asked if he had any moneys and without giving him time to reply answered herself “of course he has none; having just escaped from the clutches of the Yankees.’’ Then addressing one of tbe girls she said: “Elizabeth, you go quickly and get one of your two dollars, for he may need it.” The girl was prompt to obey and brought the dollars as cheerfully as a religious devotee would give to benefit the ehnreb. “Now,” said the old ladjq “God bless yeul and may you have courage to fight your country's battles as long as a drop of blood shall flow in your v'kins!” Warner passed oiU of doors and turning said “Mother, you are deceived!’’ “Deceived, deceived? How? What do you mean?” "Why, I nm one of those Yankees whom you so dread and despise.” "What, yoh a Yankee?” “Yes, I am a Yankee soldier.” - The two frightened girls darted through the door and sped into a clump of bushes near the house. Warner saw them peering out to see what awful deed he was about to commit. Tbe two boys ran across the fields for home, each with hat iu hand, afraid to look behind them. Warner thought it was time for him to run, too, but tarried to talk a>little more with grandmother. He gave back the socks and money, but kept the biscuits and honey. He lingered fully half an hour and then started back towards camp. He had nOt proceeded more Qian a quarter of a mile before the clatter of horses’ feet wore heard beck he saw six men in gray uniform, -armed/ mounted on horseback, coming rapidly toward him. He leaped a fence and ran for tho shelter of a wood thickly set with underbrush. Three shots were fired at him by his pursuers, but without effect. He sprang behind a tree as quickly as possible; and while one of the horsemen, who bad dismounted, was climbing the fence Warner shot him in tbe arm above the el* bow, which cause! him to drop his carbine, ©he of*Smilh’» self-loading, sixteen shooters. The other men leapt tho feneft with their horses, which were spurred to such speed! that they, ran way past the tree bahind whieh Warner had taken refuge before

they could be halted. Thia gave him litnl to run and pick up the carbine that the wounded rebel baa,,srqjy>*d. Inking *h*!ler again he saV; on* of the sepfad riding towards hint upon si ap/enfid gray He fired and the bull struck his ussaitent iff, the left shoulder. The than fell from fii< horse, which got tiwnf #/id rnn down to our picket line, where it wns iaughtnnd turnon, over to Lt. Col. K. P. Dll Hsri, who after;, wards rode him many n tnffo.' fired again, his shot striking another fltfree. in the neck and causing him to throw his rider. This left only three men on borceback and Unhurt. They turned to look after their wounded comrades and hold B consultation. This gave Warner an oppor n ' tunity to plunge deeper into the wood and thick underbrush. Six shots were fired at him ns ho rnn, but passed harmlessly abovd his head. Coming through the wood M the opposite side he saw the men had headed him off and were drsmnmted ready to receive him as he entefged. Dodging behind tvtree he got into a position tp de* fond himself, and called otrt to them won’t fire if you won’t.” they consented to the armistice, and nt once iiegot tot bins wore commenced relative to fl surrender. Several propositions were made by eachf party. They demanded that Warner should" lay down his arms and surrender uneemditionally. He would not do this but said he would submit to be captured if they wotilcf allow him to keep his arms. They agreed to let him retain his revolver if be would surrender the carbine. To this Warner consented, and throwing the weapon to*, wards them said “honor bright?'* They answered “yes.” They then went together back to house where the boy lived who bait /old! Warner where the Yankees were camped, and here found the two wounded men being cared for by four others. Ono of the’ wounded men proved to be a rebel surgeon. It was the one who had ridden the fine' horse and was shot in the shoulder. As Warner stepped into the room the surgeon looked nt iiim with a vicious scowl and asked: ‘'Are you the Man thwt Shot? me?” Warner responded "I suppose I am.” , “Well, God dtimn you, ooW would you like to have my men take out and hang' yotf to a limb?” “Just as yo«t like. Doctor; I am at yojfr disposal now.” Then drawing bis resolve/ from the belt and seeking if, Warner eontiQjied: “You have tried me one foifttU; now if any of you want to try another with me »hi ais your time." “Do nil you Yankees fight this way?” asked the surgeon. “Pretty much the same, sir," Then a conversation eniued between iber surgeon, who appeared to command the squad,’and Warner concerning what they proposed to do with him. Warner acknowledged himself to be their prisoner, but were there no conditions upon which he might be released? “Doctor,” suid he, “if you will let me fight out I will meet yotrf men in any manner you say—with carbine, revolver, knife, or fist and skull.” The surgeon replied that there was but one way, and that was to submit to be taken t/ Jackson or Vicksburg and be regularly paroled.

When this course was decided upon the surgeon and th* other wounded man were placed in a carriage nnd escorted to sown' place for treatment. Warner tfits started out on foot between two mounted men for Tulahome, a small village about fourteen miles distant. Two other men walkea with them a short distance from the boos®. When these were about to return, one of the mounted guards turned and addressing one of them said: “Here, Uncle, you tako this and keep.it until I come back;” at the same time giving into his hand a roll of bank bills aud u lot of gold coins; than added, “I captured it from a damned' Yank.’’ As they proceeded on their wfy Warner observed that his escort wore each armed with a sabre and carbine. The carbines were carried n>u»zle downwards, resting' in a shoe attached to the saddle; and the men rested one hand on tbe butt of the stock. He notice 1 that the man who was riding on the left band side of trim was careless and would let bis hand drop from his carbine. Watching his opportunity Warner wrenched the carbine from its sling, cooked it, and bringing it to cover the guard at his right side be exclaimed, “Drop your gtm, or I’ll put a ball through you.” The men stared at each other in amaze' ment. The prisoner had suddenly become captor. Th* main' said “Don’* shoot.” . “Then dfop your Carbine.” , He obeyed,* add Warner commanded, “forward, march?.” The men rode aboutt ten paces ahead in a walk, then, throwing themselves forwent upon the necks of their horses, they clapped spurs to-them and started off at Tull speed; Warner fired after them without effect; then, turning back, he.picked up the other carbine and started in the direction of camp. Arriving at the hous* wbwdt the parly had left only a short time before, he overlook the other two men at the gate. One of them asked him, “Where uie the cavalry-men?” “1 have killed them both; nnd now you hand over that package of money.’’ The man obeyed without a word, and Warner was allowed to proceed unmolested. Reaching a strip of wood, and being much worn from his tramp and the excitement of the thrilling adventures ho bad met, he penetrated to a retired' spot beyond danger of discovery, laid down upon the dry leaves to rest, and proceeded to count his treasure. The package contained tw'enty-dollar gold pieces and a few bank bills, and , fcobed* ifpf to the value of $2,002. It was now late in the afternoon. The gold and carbines were a heavy load. Concealing the curbines under a log, with the intention of returning for them next day, he resumed his march campward. Next morning at seven o’clock th* brigade was ordered to break camp. John Warner never had an opportunity Io return to* hie carbines and was obliged to eonsole himself as best he might with the possession of his gold. Gxonen O. PcMHtiurr. Goodland, Indiana. Mr. Hetiry Helves will make a public sale Saturday, March SOth, on his premises near the Independence School hous* in Barkley township, at which will be offered a spau of work horses, two colts, four oows, two yearlong calves, a breed sow, hogs, a. two-borso wagon,-* buggy, a sab of heavy , double harness, a sei of double carriage harness, eight acres of fine growing wheat, wild hay, all kinds of farm implements house furniture, eto. He will give twelvo months' credit on sums over five dollars. Mr. Helves will move to Milwaukee to remain during the summer. Messrs. D. H. Yeoman and Riley Soweto are launching out upon the business of fine stock raising. Their latest venture waa the, purchase of a pair of pute blood bronne ■ turkiesof W. H. Fry, Indianapolis, seert/' tury of the Indiana Poultry AssociaHlrti?'