The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-28
Saunders Raid--
 The Fight at Skipperuille

I have the following account of the fight at skipperviile frcsn . mem- Der of the Home Guard"
 There had been much excitement through the country during the au- tumn of 1864. from rumors that the saunders raid Was coming. The com pany of which the notorious Joe Saunders was a member. was . de- tachmsnt of the 1st Florida Cavalry. of the Federal Army. in command of Lieut.. A. D. Potts: this company made, up mostly of deserters from the Confsderates. had been for some time terrorizing the inhabitants of Southeast Alabama.
 "On the morning of the 18th of Dec. 1s6I I was aroused just at break of day by . messenger. who informed me that the saunders Raid" had passed Barnes Cross Roads at eight o'clock the night before. going to- wards Barbour County. AS many of the raiders had homes in the south ern part of the county, 1t was sup posed that they would make short visit to their families. and afterwards come back through Skipperville. This supposition proved correct.
 ! Tt was my duty to notify certain members of the Home Guard~ or second class militia. as they were called. when they were needed in an emergency. and these in turn would notify others until all were reached.
 "rhe Home Guard" of Skipperville beat numbered thirty. all told. and consisted of men between tho ages of fifty and sixty. and boys from sixteen to seventeen.
 "The orders were for all to meet in Skipperville. and by ten o'clock that morning. every man was in his place. As I think over 1t now. 1t seems really pathetic. the way in which our little company was armed and equipped. We had only three or four double-barrel shot guns. only one pistol, and various old worn out mus kets. Uncle" Hardy Sutton brought his old flint and steel musket. which he affectionately called Betsy. He said. Boys old Betsy" has never failed me yet. and I rely on her to bring down at least one yankee" Ten of the company were not armed at all. and brought only their walking sticks. but in every bresst the fire of patriotism burned high, and not one of them, but would have fought. bled and died for his country" as the saying goes.
 Capt. L. H. Jeter was in command of the Home Guard" of Skippervilit beat:-A consultation was held. 1t was decided to divide the mon into two squads, as there were two roads leading into the place, from the d. rection in which the raiders were expected to come.
 only twenty of the men were armed. therefore, ten men were to Dc sta kioned on each road. the other ten Ywere to constitute a relief corps, as IL were. At midnight those on guard were to be relieved: but when the hour came as they had only five to relieve each squad of ten. volunteers were called for who would remain up all night; these were readily obtained.
 'Dr. Steagall proposed for those who were to stay up all night, 10 go over to his house. which was near by. for lunch and coffee. Four or five Of the men accepted his hospitable of- fer. I was of the number.
 While we were at pr. SteSalrs house Saunders Raiders came in on the East road. Our men were sta tioned at Pelham's store. and as the raiders came up. our little squad fired on them. Ten men only half armed' attacking thirty-two mounted soldiers, all well armed with carbine ritles. revolvers and sabres. and all supplied with ammunition. How any or our men escaped l QO uot hhO"s - A miracle that only one man. William Henry Cain, was Killed. and only one slightly wounded. Rev. Daniel Cumby. One of the raiders was wounded. and his horse was killed.
 Hearing the shooting. those who had gone to pr. Steagalrs for lunch rushed out: but by this time our men were scattered. and the raiders com ing down the street whoopins. yelling and shooting. They halted at pr. steagalfs. his house being the only one lighted in the village they sup posed 1t was head-auarters for The militia
 when we saw that resistance was useless, every one began to look about for a place of safety in which to se- crete himself. pr. steagall remained to give a parting word of advice to his wife, and the raiders had a glimpse of him as they came up to the door: they called to him to come out but he eiuded them in some way. In the dark, and found . safe hiding
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