The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-12-24

ist either end were closed, barred and fur.
ther defended by chairs and tables piled a.
gainst them; while the entrances into the par
lors were closed effectually in the same way
The great window at the head of The stair
case, and the one at the other extremity Of
the upper hall were guarded by proper
force. These dispositions had scarcely been
completed when the Tories galloped up tc
lthe lawn, on which they dismounted with
loud shouts, and began instant preparations
for the attack.
When Mr.. Movbray's scanty troop was
mustered, it was found TO ocout in but ten ex.
Iclusiye of himself, for nearly half of the ex.
lpected recruits had not yet had time to ar
rive. 1t was evident there had been treach.
cry somewhere among them; for none but
those who had enlisted knew of this rendez-
vous, and the sudden disappearance of the
enemy two days before, twas now apparent
had been faint. However, nothing re-
mained but to sell their lives as dearly as
possible.
| Mr.. Mowbray walked around among his
men, and himself saw that everything was
ready. He exhorted them in few words to
do their duty manfully. His short harangue
was brought to speedy conclusion by loud
cheer on the part of the assailants, and by
a shower of bullets aimed at,the hall win
dow, as they advanced to the attack
"Fire coolly--and waste no shot" he
said, stemly, himselfhandIing musket.
-Four men fell nt the first discharge; and,
mad with rage and shame, the assalants
strove to climb up the pilasters of the half
door; but they were beaten thence by the
butts of the defenders muskets. The men,
however, who achieved this were severely
wounded by the rifles of the Tories, who,
keeping watch, aimed wherever head ap-
tpeared. An effort was now made TO break
in the hall door. An axe was brought, and
after several blows, one of the heavy pane Is
gave way. But the moment the wood fell
crashing in, volley poured through the a
Iperture, and drove back the assailanis, who,
thus foled at every point, retreated to the
cover of the outhouses, as if to hold a con-
sultation.
The little garrison was now mustered.
One ofits members had been shot dead at
the great hall window. The hurts were ben-
daged as well as possible, and the stock of
ammunition was distributed equally, Their
slight successes had inspirited the men; they
began now to talk of foiling the enemy; and
when notice was again given of his approach
hey repaired to their posts with slacrily and
leXultRtlon.
| The Tories now seemed to have resolved
trying combined attack on all parts of the
house. One party advanced toward the hall
door in tront-another made the circuit OF
the mansion to assail the one in the rear
and third remained at one angle, as ifcon-
ltemplating an assault on the side when the
restshould be fully engaged. Mr. Mowbray's
heart forewarned him of the result when he
saw these preparations,
They are breaking into the parlors," eX
claimed one of the men, rushing up the stair
ease, at the very instant that new volley
was discharged on the house from the as
saiants. .... ..... ...
Mr.. Mowbray listened and heard the dull
crash of an axe, followed by the breaking of
glass. The parlor shutters bad merely been
barr sd, and the parlors once gained it was
only necessary to break down the doors lea
ding to the entry, which was comparatively
weak, and slightly barricaded. To desert
the ball up stairs would be to seduse the
the Tories in front and lear from their cover
and throw open an entrance to them by the
way thsy had first essayed 1t became ne
Icessary, therefore, to divide his already small
force, and, leaving few to maintain the old
old positions, defend the threatened door
with two or three trustv arms
''We must sell our lives dearly, he said,
as he took his station behind the door, post
ing man on each side
The enemy was now heard leaping into
the parlor, and simultaneously general at
tack began on all sides. The bullets rat
tied against the wall; shouts and cries Of en-
Encouragement arose on both sides. From the
quick firing overhead Mr. Mowbray knew
that his men in that quarter were actively
engaged. The axe was now heard against
the parlor door before which they were stan
ding, and the frail wood quiyered under ev-
cry blow. Another stroke and the panel
gave way. Instantly the musker of Mr..
Mowbray was aimed through the aperture at
the man who welded the axe, who fell dead
at the explosion. But another promptly
seized the instrument, and posting himself
with more caution at the side Of the opening
dealt such vigorous strokes that the door
speedily fell in. AS the planks crashed to
the floor there was general rush on the
part ofthe Tories in the parlor towards the
aperture
"Meet them bravely," shouted Mr.. Now
bray. "Strike home, and we drive them
back"
He fred pistol as he spoke at the fore
most assa:lant; but the Tory knocked up the
weapon, and the ball lodged in the ceiling.
"Hurrah! we have them now," shouted
this man, who was their leader. Revenge
your comradesp'
7 'sStand fastp cried Mr.. Mowbray, the lion
of his nature aroused. a .......
! For \ few seconds the melee was terrific.
Now that the foe had effected an entrance
the defence ofthe other post was no longer
necessary, and the followers of Mr.. Now
bray crowded to his assistance. On the 9th
Ter hand the Tories poured inso the parlor,
and thence struggled to make their way into
the hall Inch by inch they fought their road
with overpowerng numbers; and inch by
inch, with desperate but unayailing courage,
the wings gave ground. The clash of
swords, the explosion of pistols; the shouts
of either party were mingled in wild disor-
der with the oatAs and shrieks of the woun-
ded and dying. SWaying to and fro, now
one party, now the other giving ground, the
combat ragged with increasing fury. But
numbers at last prevailed. When most of