The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-04-03
house and land, good repute, and all else he

more his superior had to lose than himself
and affected by such heroic and self sacri-
fcing conduct @
At this instant horseman was seen gal
loping furiously down the avenue, and as he
came onward he waved his cap as If desirous
to call their attention to something in the
road which he had left. Mr.. Mowbrsy look
ed in that direction, but clump Of wood
land shut out the highway from sight, how
ever, after moments delay, the voice OF
one of the recruits called his attention to
what seemed cloud of dust rising among
the tree tops. Almost at the same moment
party Of troopers appeared at the head ol
the avenue. The approaching horseman
had now reached the lawn.
I'VE are betrayed he CRIED almost ex.
bausted, BALLS tories are behind, and have
chased me for two miles. To arms, to
armsi
The time was too short to allow Of barri-
cading the house; but the great hall was
speedily turned into fortifcation. The
doors at either end were closed, barred, and
further defended by tables and chairs piled
against them; while the entrances into tn e
parors were closed effectually in the same
way. The great window at the head of the
staircase, and one at the other extremity OF
of the upper hall were guarded bya proper
force. This disposition had scarcely been
finished when the tories galloped up to the
lawn, on which they dismounted with loud
shouts, and began preparations for the at
tack. ...-.....
When Mr.. Mowbray's troop was muster
ed, it W IS found to contain but ten exclusive
of himself, for nearly half of the expected
recruits had not yet had time TO arrive. 1t
was evident that there had been treachery
sm6ng them; for none but those enlisted
knew Of this rendezvous, and the sudden d s.
appearance ofthc enemy two days before, it
was now apparent had been a feint. How
ever. nothing remained bu. to sell their lives
as dearly as possible.
Mr. Mowbray walked around among his
men, and himself saw that everything was
ready. He exorted them in few words 70
do their duty manfuly. His short harungue
wac brought TO speedy conclusion by
loud cheer on the part Of the ussalants, and
shower Of bullets aimed at the hall win
dow, as they advanced TO the attack.
Fire coolly-.und waste no shot he said,
sternly, him self handling musket.
Four men fell at the first discharge; and,
mad with rage and shame, the tories strove
TO climb to the pins,ers Of the hall door;
but they were beaten thence by the butts OF
the defenders muskets. The men who a.
chieved this were severely wounded by the
rifles of the Tories, who, keeping watch,
aimed wherever a head appeared. An eff.
fort was now made to break open the hall
door. And axe was brought, and, after sew
eral blows, one of the heavy panels guve
way. But the very moment the wood fel
in voIley poured through the apperature
drove dack the assailants, who, thus foiled
at every point, retreated to the cover. of the
out houses, to hold a consultation.
The little garrison was now mustered !
one Of its members had been shot dead at
the great hall window, and several were
wounded. The hurts were bandaged as we'll
As. possible, and the ammunition distributed
more equally. Their slight success had in.
spirited the. men; they now began to tGlk
of frolicking the enemy, and when notice
was again given Of his approach. they repair.
ed to their posts with checrfulness and ex
utation.
The Tories now seemed to have resolved |
on trying combined atta:k on all purts of
the house. One party the advanced to- |
wards the hall door in front--another made
circuit of the mansion to assail that in the
rear-and third remained at one angle, as
il contemplating on assault on the side
when the rest should be fully engaged, Mr..
Mowbray's heart forwarned him of the result
when he saw these formidable prepara-
tions. -
"They are breaking into the parlor" cried
one of the men rushing up the staircase, at
the very instant new volley was discharg-
ed on the house by the assailants.
Mr.. Mowbrow listened and heard the dull |
sound of an axe, followed by the breaking
Of glass. The parlor shutters had merely
been barred. and thS parlors once gained,
it was only necessary to break down the
doors leading tothe entry, which were COM
.paratively weak and slightly barricaded.-
To desert the hallup stairs would be to se-
duce the tories in front and rear from their
cover, and throw open an entrance to them:
by thsway they had first essayed. 1t be.
came necessary, therefore, to divide his al
ready small force, and, leaving few to
maintain the old positions, to defend the
the door with two or three trusty arms.
We must sell our lives dearly he said,
taking bis position behind the door, and1
posting man.on each side of him.
The enemy were now heard leaping into
the paFlor, and simultaneously general at
tack began on all sides. The bullets rat
tied against the wall; shouts and. cries oil
rose on both sides. From
the quick firing overhead, Mr.. Mowbra,v