Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-07-20
WAR INCIDENTS
The Case of Ishmael Day.

We had the pleasure this morning
of an interview with Mr.. Isimael Day.
who yesterday morning shot down one
of Harry Gilmore's men while in the
act Of taking down the flag over his
gate in Hartford county. He gives
the following correct statement:
On Sunday night he had heard that
a party Of rebels were vncamned in
the vicinity, but did not give credeilce
to the report. Early on Monday
morning one OF his negroes reported
to him that they were coming down
the road. He Immediately hoisted his
flag over his gate, and shortly after
two armed men came riding along the
road, and on seeing the flag burst out
into a loud laugh, one Of them advan-
cling and seizing the halliards. The
old gentleman, who is nearly seventy
three years of age, ran back into the
house, threatening to shoot them if
they did not desist.
They paid 10 attention to him, but
the haIliards being twisted they had
some difficulty in getting it down. BY
this time he had reached bis second
story, where his guns were, and rails
ing the window fired a load from his
duck gun just as the miscreant had sue
ceeded in getting hold of the flag, and
he fell back on the road seriousl y and
he thinks mortally wounded, the whole
load having entered his breast.
Selling another gun and a loaded
Colts revolver, he came down stars
and endeavored to get Il shot at the
other; but he had run up the road
He then, i'll his anger, leveIed at the
wounded man; but he begged for mer-
cy, and said he surrendered and Mr.
Day thinking that he would never be
able to haul down another flag, left
him lying in the road. Hearing ,he
approach OF a lar~e squad, he escaped
with his weapons to the woods, and
eluded their pursuit. Mrs. Day was
still in the house when the rebels came
up, an they immediatly commenced
ptuhdering it Of such articles as they
took u fancy to, then set fire to it as
well as his barn, which were entirely
destroyed. They did not allow Mrs
Day to save even her clothing, and he
fears that some $4,000 in Government
bonds were destroyed with his deeds
and papers He has not yet seen Mrs
D., who has found refuge for herself
and family in one Of the neighbors'
houses. The only regret Of the gal
liant old patriot is that he did not get
a shot at the other rebel
Those of our readers who do not
know Mr.. Day will remember the
following birthday toast which we
published about sixteen months ago
over his signature -
ELEVENTH DISTRICT, BALTIMORE Co.,
March 20, 1868.
Mr.. Editor-I having, through the good
ness of an Allwise and most mercitul Being,
teen permitted to see my seventy-frst year,
and after having offered up to him this
morning my poor, feeble but humble pray
er for the good health, reason, and all 9th,
er blessings bestowed upon me, my family,
and all mankind (if we would but acknow
Iedge it), and having done all this and
about to take little apple toddy, but be,
fore doing so offered the following toast,
viz -
From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and
rebellion, good Lord, deliver US, and let
all the people say amen, and cursed be he
who has or may hereafter become traitor
to this once happy nation and its flag, and
let the people say amen and lastly.
All the glory be to God on high,
And to ALI the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from Heaven to men,
Begin and never, never ceased,
And let all the people say
Now, for the toddy.
IsHMAEL UAT