The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-08-17
A Thrilling Incident.

veling faith in the Almighty arm, than
that which We relate below, the particn
lars OF which are furnished by the Rev.
Mr. Startzinan, formerly resident Of
Hagerstown, who witnessed the closing
scenes Of the occurrence,
Mr., George Blessing, farmer, residing
near Myersville, Fredrick county. Nd,
when it was learned that the rebels wcre
prowling through the neighborhool steal
ing horses and committing dcpredations
generally, was importuned by his family
TO remove his bevond the reach of the
marauders, which he declined doing,
avowing his purpose to defend his proper
" TO the last extremity. He had ten
guns in his house which he proceeded to
load and put in readiness in the event Of
n necessity arising for using them.
At noon on the second or July, he
gathered his family together and read
aloud the 91st Psalm--.'i will say OF the
Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress;
my G God in HIM will trust. when he
engaged in devotional worship, implor
ing the Most High 10 shield and protect
( his household from the assaults and ra-
acity of the end who were laying
waste his native soil and seeking to over
throw the best Government ever devised
by wisdom Of man, pleading God to up
Taking two guns, he repaired with his
son, a lad yet in his teens, 10 his barn,
from which he deserted squad ofrehels
! approaching on horseback Handing
his son gun he ordered him to take
Il certain position. and should the squad
dismount aud attempt to break open the
doors of the stable which were fastened
with locks, he should fire upon them.
The rebels advanced to within a short
distance of the stable when one of the
number threw himself from his horse
and commenced the work of demolishing
the stable door. At that moment the
Oldham and his son fired simultaneous up
on 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 resistants Before they had
escaped beyond the reach of Mr.. BIS gun,
he fired a second shot at the fleeing foe,
bat with what result he could not tell.
/ The rebel az whom he aimed fell forward
on his horse evidently wounded, but he
managed to get away.
Mr. Blessings neighbors, learning
what he had done, waited upon him and
by every argument they could advance,
eadeavored to dissuaded him from his
purpose to ..stand his ground They
u tIt ~ IiSNstii upoii uAih W iSiNc tuS
vicinity and seek refuge from the in fura-
ted rebels who would return with rein
forcements and not only destroy his prop
erty, but would murder him and his
son The brave old patriot was immova
ble his purpose to defend his property,
whether in the event his life should be
forfeited. He expressed infinite con
fidence IN his Shield and Buckler, assured
that needed strength would be given
him in the unequa. contest which might
ensue
The guns were reloaded and father
and son resumed their former positions
and awaited the returned Of the foe
They We're not long kept in suspense
Twenty mounted rebels, accompanied by
four citizens of Myersville, with whom
Mr. Il. was acquainted were advancing
on his premises. When within a short
distance of Mr.. BIS barn, the citizens
were ordered in front of the rebel squad,
as protection to them from the bullets
which the cowardly land pirates knew
were ready to greet them. 1t ndismayed
Mr.. b. warned his acquaintances against
moving step forward, assuring them
that If they did SO they would meet with
swift and certain death.
inundated and bewfldered, there the
rebels stood hesitating what to do.
Every shot discharged in the direction
where they supposed the yankee Sol
diers were secreted, was promptly and
vigorously answered s.What should they
do = reasoned these bafiied, thieying
sons Of Mars.-Evidently, they were
fighting superior numbers. and would
not hazard the chances for success with
their present force bnt go back for ar
tillery As they were wheeling their
II, fh.i.
shot the leader of the band through
the head killing him instantly.
4 second time Mr.. Blessings neigh
bors waited upon him in the most e1rnest
manner they could employ, to desist from |
the hazardous course he was pursuing.
There entreaties were nnavaling. He |
was determined TO fight to the bitter end
severe as the consequence might prove
to him Would God permit him to kill 1
one more traitor he was willing to die. !
Momentarily expecting the marauders |
to return with artillery, Mr. B. shoulder
ed two guns and posted himself In
clump of trees on lane leading from
the public road TO bis residence He 1
had been there but "a short time when he 4
observed heavy clouds of dust rising
from the road, some distance of y large I
body Of horseman We're moving stowad 4
him In the advanee lie noticed wlia. he /
conceived TO be q rebel scout In an /
instant the old man raised his gun aud /
was about TO fire when the object OF his |
aim fell back into the main body of sol \
diers riding rapidly up the lane. He |
now recognized the Blue CoArs. who |
having heard OF the heroic conduct OF |
the dauntless old patriot and his worthy |
son, were Fastening to their rescue. The l
scene which followed can better be i'm
agined than described.
Mr. Blessing is upward OF seventy
years of age enjoys good health, and
Is brim full of the spirit of '76. He is
an elder in the Myersville Luthean
Church, over which Mr.. Startzman pre-.
Herald d Toyce.
Travellers should psorids themselves xsta suYPey