The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-08-06

ANOTHER 1sHMAEL DAY IN FREDERICK
CouNTY, MARYfAND.-Mr. Startzman, for
merly q resident Of HAgestown, who wit
messed the closing scenes Of the occurrence,
rsi.tss the following 70 the Hagerstown
Hr. George Blessing, : farmer residing
land, when it Was learned that tie I rebels
were prowling through the neighborhood,
stealing horses and committing depreda-
tions' generally, was importuned BY his
family to remove his stock beyond the
reach Of the marauders, which he declined
doing. SHOWING his purpose to defend his
prop9fH to Ne last extremity. He had
ten guns In hin house, which he proceeded
to load and put in readiness In the event Of
At noon Oh the ID Of July, he gathered
his family afout him, and read aloud tie
01st Psalm: II will say Of The Lord, He q
my refuge and, fortress; my God 10 Him
viii trust"-when he engaged in deyO-
tional worship, ttnploring the Most High
to shield and protect his household from,
the assaults and rapacity Of the enemy,
who were laying waste his native soil, and
seeking 70 overthrow the best government
ever devised BY the wisdom Of man, plead
ing God to uphold and sustain the old flaa
Of his fathers. .ant .s
y Taking two guns, he repaired, with his
son, q lad yet IN his teens. to his barr. from
which he deserted squad Of rebels ap-
preaching on horseback Handing his son
q gun, he ordered him to take certain DO
sition, and should the s9uad dismount and
attempt TO break open the doors Of the sta
BILE, which were fastened by locks, he
should fire upon them. The rebels ad.
vanced to within . short distance Of the
stable, when on0-of the number threw him.
self from his horse and commenced the
work Of demolishing the stable door.
At that moment the old man aud his SON
fired simultaneously upon the offender,
both balls taking effect In his right ARM
The balance of The party scampered away.
leaving their wounded comrade behind,
and swearing vengeance upon the resist.
ants. Before they had escaped beyond the
reach Of Mr.. BIS gun, he fred Z second
shot ct the fleeing TOE, but with whag re-
suit he could not tell. The rebel at whom
he aimed fell forward on his horse. evil
IDENTIFY wounded. but he managed 70 gel
inundated and bewiidered. there tn,
rebels stood, he4itAting what to do. Every
shot discharged in the direction whofe
they supposed the Yankee soldiers''
were secreted was promptly and vigorous.
~ answered. "What should they doP',-
reasoned these bafded thieving sons oi
Mars Evidently they were fighting su-
periof numbers, and would mot hazard the
chances Of success with their present force,
were wheeling their horses to fetrace their
course Mr.. 3, shot the leader Of the band,
killing him instantly.
Mr.. Blessings neighbors, learning what
he had done, waited upon him and by
every argument they could advance en-.
deavored to dissnade him from his purpose
TO .'stand his grOund1 They tried 10 pre-
vail upon him 70 leave. the vicinity and
seek refuge from the infurated rebels who
would return with re-snforcements, and
not only destroy his property bat would
murder him and his son. The brave old
patriot was immovable in his purpose to
defend his property, even II In the event his
life should be forfeited He oppressed 81.
finite confidence in HE shield and buclklef,
assured that needed streneth would b
given him u the unequal CONTEXT which
The guns were reloaded and father and
son resumed their former positions and
awaited the return Of the foe. They were
not kept long in suspense, Twenty mount
cd Rebels, accompanied by four citizens 81
Myersvil1e, with whom Mr.. b. W. ae.
Quainted, were advancing on his premipea.
When within . short distance of Mr.. R,,s
barn, the citizens were ordered in front 81
l0n0
pirates knew we're ready to greet, them. ~
unchanged, Mr.. B. warned his acouaint-
ances against moving step forward. a.
surfing them that, should they as Is. 4hev
would meet with swim and Coftain deSfh'
! = second time Mr.. Blessing,s neiehbors
waited upon him and urged him 81 the
most earnest Language they could employ
to desist from the hasardons 0,urse ~ - -
pursuing. Their entreaties were unavail-
ing. He was determined 10 fight to the
bitter and, severe ~ the aconseauancss
might Prove to him. Would God permit
him 70 Kill one more traitor, he was will
HING t6 die eep81s .2.fN-F EsIf sEfE csF1y TIES
Momentarily expecting the rnarauile1s
to return with artillery. Mr.. B..shouldsred
two guns and posted himself iu clump Of
trees on lane leading from the public
road to hts residence. He had been there
but short time when he observed heavy
clouds Of dust rising from the road, some
distance OFT A large body of horsemen
were moving toward him. In the advance
he noticed what he conceived to be rebel
scout. N
In an instant the old man raised his Run
and was in the act of firing, when the OBJ
ject of his aim fell back into the main col
umn of soldiers. riding raDidlv nm tho