Jessee Jones Chapter 7

"The position you take certainly debars me from pressing any other questions. We still retain our great friendship for one another. Col. I give you my hand in good by, I must be going."

We separated going opposite directions. The balance of the day we spent on the river waiting for our friend to come after night and put us across. He was punctual and we had not long to wait. We pressed forward to where the boys were camped while it was dark and arrived there before day light. Reuben met me first and seemed overwhelmed with joy to see me safely returned. He was full of news, ten new recruits and had been added to our ranks. Reckless Jack had had a fight a fight and had brought in ten or twelve head of horses but strange to say no prisoners.

All arrangements were now made to arm, mount, and equip every one of us. Reckless Jack had sent word to me that he would be over and exchange reports that morning, both wings of the camp were to be together for a brief time. Reckless Jack remarked to me he and the boys had come to pay me a visit but had doubted very much of finding me at home. "Those fellows over there ought to know by now that they can't keep you when they get you and it is useless to waste time on you." "I thank you boys for coming for I want to impart some knowledge which if heeded may be alike profitable to all. We have so far been victorious in all of our little engagements with the yankees, the cause for it is apprarent when we consider how far in the dark they are as to our strength. Their courage is to be commended but what about their judgement.

They talk it loud that to make a quick clean wipe out extermination twenty-five men should try us. There are a few citizen spies around us who report to the Fort that we are very few in number, not more than five or six.

We would like to hear Reckless Jack's report of yesterday's fight and causalities. He replied that there was more running than fighting, and there were 12 Yankees and 20 Confederates engaged resulting in the capture of 12 horses and 12 stand of arms. The Yankees were relieved of their guns and horses and ordered back to the Fort where they could rig up and try us again. “You acted wisely and prudent for no other course was opened to you. We had better have out some scouts for fear of a surprise. The east and west end of the thicket should be well scouted every day. When we are not engaged in defending ourselves we ought to learn all the strong holds so we can appropriate them to our uses when necessary; also we have friends and enemies among the citizens and they should be know individualy and readily discaiminated from each other. Reuben if you and one more will accompany me to the west end where you and I made our first camp we can do all necessary scouting and leave the east end to be cared for by Reckless Jack." We saw no visible marks of the enemy and kept a diligent watch all along our route to the old camp. “Here boys you must stop for one half hour while I go and see my old friend one mile away, keep your vigilence.” In less that a half hour the boys saw me coming in haste. "Mount your horses boys and follow me." We dashed up to where all the boys were loitering around taking the world easy.

"I want 25 volenteers quick saddle up and with a full supply of ammunition follow me to the east end of the thicket." A few guns were heard in that direction.

On we sped with all the haste the rough ground and tangle thicket would permit closer and closer we grew to a minature battle field where the contestants were about equally matched all around in grit and determination as well as in numbers. Every avenue of escape was cut off and a fight to the finish was the only way out. They consolidated their forces and plunged at us with all the frenzy of mad men and were resisted by equal courage and desperation of the confederates. Nothing had been seen of Reckless Jack and scouts, his horse had been seen with other dead horses. The battle ceased and a search was made for the Captain. He was found in a pocket or cave in a very rough part of the mountain. He stated that he had lost one of his noble boys and his favorite horse just as we came to his assistance.

He wanted to know how many of the boys had lost their lives and how many Yankees had escaped to their stronghold. On being informed that none got away and three of our brave boys were killed and the Yankee loss was about half of their number and a full half of their horses.

Reckless Jack could not understand how we could know of his troubles and come to his rescue so quickly. I informed him of the fact that I had friends whose delight was to keep me posted on all their movements.

The Yankees are learning every day more and more about our strength and we may expect larger forces to fight each succeeding battle. Their means for recruits is unlimited, ours is quite limited it would be suicide to continue our course here against such odds. We must do more thinking and less fighting. I am expecting a change in their tactics. they have discussed among themselves the plausability of attacting us at the break of day, and to have 40 or 50 volunteers to do the job.

Every soldier here must feel himself called upon to be in fighting trim at a moment's call while I am looking out for news of warning and will be prompt to report and take charge of half the men. Keep up your courage and vigilence, for it is the main stay in a soldiers life. Capt Reckless Jack aided the boys in preparing for another hard engagement for I felt like it was coming and nothing is so beneficial as to be ready. Our boys will number about 40, enough to make an interesting battle with 50 Yankee boys for we know the thicket.

Jones, Jesse. "Civil War Reminiscence", The Southwestern Journal of Knoxville Co., Texas 1911-1912. transcribed by Marlene Grubb as was printed (including typos)
microfilm record in the Archives of the University of Texas, Austin, TX