The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1937-05-20

miles away, and at Oakland, where a
passenger train, loaded with United
States troops on their way to the east,
stood on the tracks. Scarcely had the
smoke and flames from the burning
shops confirmed the report that Nc
NeilPs Rangers had captured Pied
mont, before troops were hurrying
from New Creek, and the train loaded
with soldiers had been dispatched from
Oakland.
Meanwhile Captain Peerce and the
ten men stationed at the bridge had
stopped two freight trains loaded with
food stuff and other supplies, and had
greatly pleased the citizens by giving
them permission to help themselves.
This generous treatment, no doubt,
accounted for the "tip" given Peerce,
by kind citizen "That the next train
would be loaded with soldiers, and no
time should be lost in making their
escape" Captain Peerce, in telling the
story years later said, although
did not believe this report, 1 dis
mounted the men, putting the horses
where they could easily be reached,
and scattered them along the road to
ascertain the facts as the train passed,
myself remaining on my horse and
occupying a street running at right
angles with and above the railroad
from which I could have a clear view
of the train when stopped at the plat
form. soon heard the signal for down
brakes, followed shortly after by the
cry from my men, "loaded with SOL
diers." called at the top of my voice,
Mount your horses" which was obey
ed with alacrity, and we formed be-
hind a house around the corner of
which had a full view Of the train. I
could see there were two full cars of
soldiers, and that they were fully
armed and equipped; their guns sit
ting diagonally across the windows.
The first impulse of this little band
of ten was to run and save themselves;
but this would mean utter destruction
to McNeill, and his small band of
Rangers. The Federal troops from
New Creek, perhaps thousand strong,
were marching on him from the east;
the troops in the train were occupying
the narrow valley on the west, an i'm
passable mountain barrier on the south
and the north branch of the Potomac
and another impossible mountain on
the north. Their destruction seemed
inevitable.
Ten Capture Train of Soldiers
Captain Peerce says, 81 do not pro-
fess to having any of that kind of
bravery which would endanger my own
life and the lives of those associated
with me, but 1 knew that McNeilPs
only chance lay in my charging that
train, and capturing those soldiers be-
fore they could be informed as to our
numbers. In a twinkle of an eye, l
was upon them. I passed around the
rear of the train to get to the platform.
l first met Samuel Gill, the conductor,
who at my request pointed to the Cap
tain in command, standing on the rear
end of the car. dashed my horse upon
the platform, and with my pistol at
his breast, demanded his surrender. /
shall never forget the bravery he dis
played in his cool, deliberate answer,
MY God, it's hard to be gobbled up in
this way, but I have no alternative; l
have no ammunition I ordered him
to bring his men out, to which someone
added, "leave your guns inside" and
order was Immediately obeyed. 1t was
a battle of "bluff" and seeing that the
Captain had surrendered in good faith,
Peerce's men were taking all possible
means to keep up the deception. Char
ley Wilkins, brave little fellow from
Baltimore, rushed up on the platform
on the opposite side from Peerce call
ing back at the top of his voice to some
imaginary command, to send up Com
pany F and Company G, making
enough noise and confusion for ten
companies. The men were ordered to
fall into line as they left the cars, and
a messenger was sent posthaste to
Captain Mcneil informing him that
one hundred prisoners had been taken
captive and there was nobody to guard
them.
The rear car of the train was occu-
pied by citizens, mostly ladies, who
were, of course, greatly frightened
Captain Peerce, discovering this, rode
up to one of the windows and informed
them that the train had been captured
by Southern soldiers-men who were
gentlemen before they were soldiers,
and that no lady need feel the slight
est alarm. The soldiers were marched
under guard of four or five men to the
Virginia side of the river where they
were met by Captain Mcneil and his
men, who came up at full speed and
greatly elated over the capture.
Federal Forces Arrive
Af+ov b,,rn;oor tho trains and narol-