Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-07-29
From the Baltimore An,ericdn
THE REBEL RAID.

Occupation of fHagerstown and Frederiek--In-
eiaents of their sojoun- Another Ishmael
Day in Frederick countT--Fo oTtF rebels roHt"
ed by an old man OF 70 Years--His own &C.
count Of the fight
We reeeiyed by the mail last evening from the
gallant veteran, George Blessing, of Frederick
county, Maryland, the following account Of his
battle with forty Rebels:
Mr.. Blessings Account of the Fight.
Messers. Editor Baltimore AalGioaa
The accompanying paper is a faithfully conde1s-
ed sketch of the most eyentfnl history Of my Life.
wish il published, (not to boast but that it
may stimulate our armies to fight better, and to
trust niore in the Lord God of Hosts for the vic
tory. IF you feel disposed TO give ID . place In
your paper, please send me one. Ny post address
is-W oifsville, Frederick countr, Maryland
Respectfully yours, &c,
P. Send JEFF. Davis one. re- -1.---sS'
TIE BATTLE OF HIGHLAND, FOUGHT on TIE 9TH
oFWEY, 1864.
On the morning Of the above day, Captain
Walker. ofof Martinsburg, Va, with some forty
cavalry, cane within view Of my farm, where he
detailed FIVE thieves TO come and steal my horses,
which were in the stable Myself and son, a
vouth. were waiting for them, and, as they rode
up at fun speed, we poured into them such a
cross-fTe that we killed one and wounded another.
The balance fed but before | could reload my
guns. niaeteen men came to reinforce them, with
| four Of nv neighbors, whom they had pressed as
guides. and whom they placed far IN the advance
! I gave my son two guns and another young man
one. hut they both left changed my base, and,
with four guns took cherry tree for my breast
work. As their guides came up / stopped then!
under pain ofdeath. One broke and ran. tired
on him, and, as soon as he reached these brave
Rebels. they opened FIRE upon me. / used their
I their
ton and fred to their souls content. had three
guns which / held back for q sure IRE. The heb
eIs at last retired leaving their dead and wound
! ed in NV hands. I put the wounded man IN my
1 barn. They sent woman to tell me that they
| would bring up a battery. L sent her back 70
/ tell them their wounded man vas there, and II
they choose to bury him, they couldd0 50 and st
| fhe er;es Of nv daughters took two guns and a
Jug Of water and retired to rock close By, to sec
the result (of which feel little ashamed and
waited awhile and when | came back all was quI.
ct, until little before sunsehL when Major feTn
on cavalry came up. At first sight, l thought
| it was the great Rebel battery. took a dead
/ Rebels carbine to close the bloody scene, out I
was a joyful mistake. Nov, if there IS on record
another battle, where forty brave Rebels attacked
/ an old man Of 10 years, and retrested, leaving
| their dead and wounded IN his hands, then throw
| this letter away. I fought them in the name o.
| the Lord God Of Hosts, who shielded me FheE
the missiles of death few thick and fell haTinies;
at my feet Vernon men buried the dead, and
thus ended the scene Of the 9Th OF uiy and thank
| God. there was not q EaIr OF my head hurt
GEo. BLESSING.
S-The killed il james Showers, Of BLAND
county. Va: the wonnded Is VIM. H0tt, OF Nor
folk. He Is now IN my barn
ANOTHER IsHylAEL DAY IN FREDERICK COUNTY
/ THRILLING IycmEyt.
Mr. Startzman, formerly resident of Hagers
/ town. who witnessed the closing scenes OF the ee
currenee. relates the following TO the HagesstoEr
| Herald,
! Mr.. George Blessing, farmer, residing nea
/ MversviIle, Frederick county, Maryland, when !
| was learned that the Rebels were proEng through
/ the neighborhood stealing horses and committing
| deprsdations generally, was Importuned BY M
family to remove his stock beyond the reach OF thi
narauders, which ne declined dong, avowIng n
purpose 10 defend his property TO the last exrFefi
/ nv. He had ten guns In his house winch he pro
| creded to load and put in readiness IN the even
| Of 4 necessity arising for using them
| ST noon. ON the I'd of July. ne gathered hi
family about hirn and read aloud the 9lst Psaln
-'I win say OF the Lord, ne J. y ny refuge ana In
/ fortrass nv God in Him viii trust. --whel
/ heeuQaged In devotional worship, Implonng IN
| Most High 10 shield and protect his househo'
Crown the assaults and rapacitT Of the enemy VIII
srere laying waste his native soil and seeking y
overthro1E the best Government ever devised b
/ the wisdom of man, pleading God TO upheid ani
sustain the old fag of his fatherS
| Tak;u9 two guns he repaired, with has soR
1 lad vet IN his teens, to his barn, from which b
fdeseried 4 squad Of Rebels approaching on horse
kaek. Handing his son gun he ordered hum .
tske certain position. and, should the squad DIS
uaoUns and attempt to break open the doors OF Oh
staE[e. which were fastened BY locks he shout
FIRE upon them Ine Rebels advsncea 70 Wstsl 4 s.
shcr+ dIstance Of the stable when one Of th