landing, and they determined to make an effort for her capture.  They put out pickets just above our farm, and allowed no one to pass, or stop to communicate with the boat.  Every one that sought to pass was held prisoner, and every precaution taken to prevent those on the boat from learning of the purposes of the rebels, knowing that the boat would land in the morning, if not informed of the danger, and then it was anticipated that they could easily make her a prize.  There was a small ferry boat behind the steamer, and as the latter dropped down stream, and then steamed up to the landing, the former stood off for a few moments.  As the steamer touched shore, the rebels charged on her, and captured her without a struggle.  In the meantime the ferry boat, seeing what had happened, sped away up stream, the soldiers firing at her, but doing little damage, except the breaking of the glass in the pilot house.  The rebels, seeing that the ferry boat had escaped them, turned their attention to the unloading of the steamer.  They sent out for help in this work, and the summons was answered by the neighbors far and near.  Wagons were brought, two of which were from our farm, and loaded with goods, which were taken to Deer Creek, forty miles from Carson Landing.  What goods they found themselves unable to carry away were packed in the warehouse.  The steamer was then burned.  McGee was present, and the rebel captain gave him a written statement of the affair to the effect that the residents were not responsible for it, and that this should be a protection for them against the Union forces.  The officers and crew of the steamer to the number of forty were made prisoners, and taken to Deer Creek, the rebel headquarters of that region, and put in the jail there.  The ferry boat that escaped went to Helena, Arkansas, and carried the news of the affair to the Union forces there.

* * * * *

Boss taken prisoner.

I was told by Boss to take my stand on our veranda, and keep watch on the river, and if I saw any boat coming down to let him know at once.  I kept a close watch the next morning until about eight o’clock, when I saw a boat, but she had almost gone past our house before I discovered her.  I ran into the house and told Boss.  He ordered me to get his horse at once, which I did; and he mounted and went down to the landing as fast as he could.  Upon reaching there, he was taken prisoner by the Union soldiers, who had just landed from the boat.  All who came near were captured.  The Union soldiers went to work and transferred all the goods which the rebels had put into the warehouse from the boat which they had captured, then setting fire to the warehouse and the postoffice, they pushed off yelling and shouting with glee.  Among those captured by the Union soldiers were three other rich planters besides Boss, all of whom were taken to Helena.  After they had been there about a week, the planters offered to secure