Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-07-30
q Thrilling incident Of the War.
GALLANT CoNDUCT OF AGED PATRIOT.

GALLANT CONDUCT Of AGED PATRIOT
The Ha.crs.own HruH aAd Torrb gives
us the following account nj the heroic CON
duct ola good old Union man, in Maryland
who determined tn protect his property from
the Ihicvins rebels who recently invaded
that State
y THRILLING lNCIUENT.-The records Of
ancient or modern history may he traced in
vain tor more remarkable instance of he
role iurtitu,ie, sublime patriotism and un-
wayesing faith in the Almighty arm. than
that which We relate below, the particulars
ot which arv furnished hv the Rev. Mr..
SlaTlZman. formerly rcii,teut of HagrrS-
town who Witnessed the closing scenes OF
the occurrence.
Mr George Blessing, farmer, residing
Rear Myrv>yiiie, Frederick county, (Md.l
when it Mas learned tha, the rebels were
prnwliug through the uvighhurhnud steal
lug hnr>-> aHd committing drprcdatiOns
generally. MAS impurtuued 10y his family to
remove hIS stuck hryund the reach of the
maraudyT>, which hc JcCliur,, doing, avow-
ing his purpose t. Gciend his property to
the las; extremity. lie had ten guns in his
house. which he proceeded To laad and put
in rc@,i:mvSs. in the event uf = nec,ssity ari-
sing IOr using them.
his family ahuUl him and read aloud the
9l>I P>IiDI-"l Viii say ii the Lord, lie is
my refuge and my fortress; my God in
Him vii trJiSJ. when he engaged in de-
vutional worship, impInring the Sicst High
to shield aud protect hi> household from the
assaults and rapacl,y ot the eaemy who were
laying waste Li> native SUii, su,, seeking to
overthrow the htst Government ever devised
the by Wisdom ui man, pleading God u up,
hO!d au,i sustain the old flag OF his fathers.
Taking twO guns, ho repaired, with his
soH, a lJI ye, in ais teynt, u his hara, from
which he deserted >g1d of rebels approach
In@ on horseback. Handing his SON gun,
he ordered kim Ia take "a certain position,
anil, should the squad diSmuuut and attempt
To break open IAC doors u. the stable, which
WvTc i,s>teucd hy locks, he should tire upon
IHysu. The Tcl'vis advanced L within q
snort distance of the stable, when one ot the
rUuihy! threw himself from his horse and
commenced the wugk II dcmullSGjRS the
stable door. ~ that moment the old man
AMI his sou tirvG simultaneously upon the
Offender, both balls taking effect in his right
aTia. tHc balance OF the party Scampcrrd
away, teayiug their wounded comrauc be-
hind, and swearing vengeance upon the rc-
Sistan,s, Before they had escaped beyond
the reach ot Mr. B.s gun he fred a second
shot NJ the tlcct;ng Toe, but with what result
he could not Jcl.. The rebel al whom hc
aimed tv.l turwaId ON his horse, evidently
Wounded, huS he managed to get away.
Mir Blys,ing'S ucighhors, learning what
he had done, waited upon him, and, by
every argument they could advance, eudea-
vorrd 10 dissuade him from his purpose to
stand his ground" They tried To prevail
upOn him u leave the vicinity uud SEEK re
tuSe uom the inUylatvG rebels, Who would
return With rvintorvvmeuts, and not only
destroy his property hut would murder him
amt hls soH, Tho brave old paU'r' was
Iumuvahlc in his purpose 10 dctvnd his lii-
pvrty, whether in the even his llie should
bc forfeited lie expressed infinite conh-
dcncc Ia his shield and B0ekler, assured
that needed strength would lac given him
In the unequal contest which might cusue.
The guns were reloaded, aud father Und "a
son resumed their former positions and
awaited the return Ut the toe. fhvy were
not long Kept ia suspense, Twenty mount
rd Telvls, accompanied 10y four clti1vus OF
Myersyillv, Nith Whom Mr n Nas acquaint
vd, were advancing on his prpmls,s, When
within a short distance of MF bs barn the
oitilpns Nervd la trunt ID the Q bel squad,
as a protvetian "a them rom thc hullyls
which the eoNardly h.a,l pirate, kneN were
isa,ly o. gFeet them tn,hsmnyvd, Nj a.
Niagnee hs acquaintance against muNiug a
step forward, assuring them that 'huuld
tiey da - they Nould meet Nith aNih and
Hain death
/ lnumihsivl and bsWulerol, thsw the
| Nbos ,ioud, herilailug shat o. do tssry
il,ol hrri in th, dilyeilnn Nhsro thsy sop
/ A. sei thp \ ankgr sNldlgn Nefu sscrvirl.
= Nn pl1mliy anl vigorously A4awesgl