The Goodhue volunteer., 1864-08-10
Misrellamepa1a 1Beading.
ANOTHER ISHMAEL DAY.
: A Thrilling Scene.

Mr. Statzman, formerly resident of Ha'
Igerstown, who witnessed the closing scenes
Of the occurrence, relates the following to
the Hagerstown Herdll; ~'
"Mr. George Blessing, farmer residing
near MyersviIIe, Frederick county, Mary
land. when # was learned that the rebels
were prowl;ng through the neighborhood,
stealing horses and committing d.pre1a-
tons generally, at noon, OF ti.s 2,,' Of Jn.
ly, gathersl his family about lI1in and read
aloud the 9lst Psalm-'l will say of the
Lord, He is my refuge and fortress; my
God in Him will l trust'-whcn ht en-
Gagged in devotional worship, imp|oring the
Most High to shield and protect his house.
hold from the assaults and rapacity of me
enemy, who we're laying waste his native
soil and seeking to overthrow the best Gov
-rnn.ent ever deyi:ed by the wisdom OF
men, pleading CID to uphold and >ustai!:
tho old Il 8 Of hi7 fathers.
Taking two guns, he repaired with his
son, a lad yet in bis teens, to his barn,
from VIII. b he deserted squad Of rebels
approaching Oh horseback. Handing his
son gun he ordered him TO take certain
position, and should the squad dismount
and attempt to br~ak upon the doors OF the
sable, which were fastel.ed by locks, he
should lire upon them. The rebels ad
vaIcei 10 within a short distance of the
:*5,, when one Of the rumber threw him
'>e,f l:,m his horse, and commenc d the
Iwo;k Q: lvmo|ish:r-- 'hc stable door;
At t. at moment the oil man and son
fired Simultaneously upon the offender, both
balls taking eilv;t in his right arm. The
balance OF the party S. amp red away lcav-
ing their wounded comr de b hind, and
swearing vengeance upon t;.e rcsistant..-
Before they had escaped beyoud the reach
OF Mr. Blessings gun, he fired second
|sl,ot a, the fleeing foe, bu. with what result,
he could not tell. The rebel at WHOM he
aimed fe!l forward On his horse, evidently
wounded, but he managed to get away.
Dir. Blessings neishbors, learning wa
he had doe waited upon him and BY
every argument they cou'd advance, en-
deAvoreL to dissuaJc h ia from his purpose
to stand his ground. They tried to prevail
upon him to leave the vicinity ana seek
refuge from tho n;uriatcd rebels who Wou.l,
rettrn with rcinfoccmcnts and not ONLY de-
>trcy lns property bat would murder him
land his son. The brave oil patriot was
lmiovah!c iE his purpose to defend his
property, VIII. her in the event his lie
should be forfeited. lie expr4s ed infinite
Icoptldencc in his ShivI2 and Bn. kler, as
>urc:l that needle ! strength would be given
hlm in The LneQusi contest which might en-
sue.
The guns were reloaded and fa:her and
Isoa resumed their former positions and
waited the return of the foe They we're
not long pfiu Suspense. Twenty mount
| ID rebels, accompanied by four citizens OF
II e:svi!,e, 18th whom Mr. blessing was
aequaint, d, were a ivancing oa his premises.
When within short distance Of Mr.. Eles,
sings arm the citizens were ordered in
front Of tho rebel squad, as a protection to
them from the bullets which the cowardly
land prates knew were ready to greet them
Cndisnayed Mr. Blessing warned his ac-
quain:ance> against moving sep forward,
assuring them that should they do so they
would 10 ct with swift and certain death.
! inundated aid bcwldered the rebels
S ood, hesi,a.ing what 20 do. Every sho,
| discharged in the direction where they sup.
posed the Yankee soldiers were secre,ed,
was promptly and vigorously answered.
What should they do reasoned these bal
fed, thieying sons of Mars. Evidently
they were fighting superior numbers, and
would not hazard the chances of success
with their present force cut would 60 back
for artillery. As they were wheeling ,hei,
horses to :etrace their course. Mr.. Blessing
shot the leader Of the band through ths
h, ad, killing him instantly.
| A second tirne Nr. Blessings nesghbors
waited upon him and urged him in the mos
earnss, language they could employ to de
sist from the hazs rdous cou. Sc he was par
suing. Their entreasies were uaavai.Ing. .-
He was determined to fgh. to the bite.
END, severe as the consequences nigh,
prove to kiu. Would God permit him &c
xiii enc mors traitor he wss within. to die
| Monsnsarisy expecting the u,arzuders II
return with artillery, Nj. Bsessiog shout
Idersd two guns and psssed hims@ss IN
Isiamp OF trees on = lane Iesiiag from sh.
sIpusan road tn his residence He h.d bee,
there bat short time wien he obserret
heavy e'o9ds ef dust rising from the roa.
some distance Of "A iaSgs hdy II hosse
IsReN svpre srsrvsey fn.wnYd hiss Tn ttnn -