Dear Brother: Thinking thee would like to hear from the front otherwise than through the newspapers, I write thee a brief dispatch... I went to bed about 11 o'clock with quite a headache. At exactly 12 that night Uncle Gid Helloed upstairs to me saying there was some one on the porch that wanted to go into the store...I got up and put a few clothes on and went down stairs to see who it was. I did not expect to open the door that time of night so I took my little pistol down instead of a key. Upon opening the door a large man stared me in the face and wanted to know if I was the clerk of the store, and upon answering him he demanded the key...or for me to go down and open it. I then enquired who he was...and he said he...wanted a good many things and that it was none of my business who he was...if I did not open the door he would break it down. I then told him to await there until I saw the proprietor of the store. After slipping up stairs and hiding the store money and watch (mine)...I awoke Arthur (Stabler) & then went up for Uncle Al; he got up & came down with his new shot gun & revolver, I then stirred up Joe Davis (a reb). We Arthur, Joe, Uncle Al & I formed behind the store and marched around on them not knowing their number and asked what they wanted-but before we knew it 11 Rebs had surrounded us and to surrender was the only alternative to being shot. They captured Uncle A's arms but I threw mine behind a goods box and he only found a few chestnuts in my pockets which I gave the sneak.

Arthur had hid the key so I could not produce it but I could not satisfy them that I hadn't it...Captain 'Bowie' seized ahold of my arm and ordered a man to take hold of the other side and sent a third to his horse and got a rope...I hold him hanging would not get it out of me...with the aid of Uncle Gids axe the end window on the N Side was opened then the door from the inside. Ihey got a little of everything and a goodeal of some things. The Capt Had a list which called for Illusion, Kid Gloves, White Belt, Sash, Slippers& so we think a wedding was pending. Just before they left Arthur Stabler got out of the Library window, ran over to H. Johnsons, got a gun & pistol & went up to Wm.H. Farquhars gate and as they passed he fired twice one fellow yelled out and they hastened their speed.

Halfpast one, as soon as they left, several of us scouted the neighborhood over and got together 17 men...Perrie Leizear, John Able, Wm. H. Ent, Geo. Tucker, John Osburn & Warwick Stabler, J.C. Gilpin, Eddie & Johnni Thomas, C.G. Porter, S.P. Thomas, Geo. E. Brooke, F. Miller, Sam Leizear, Joe Davis & John Walker, etc. We tracked them through the country very well as they would drop a hat, shoe or bundle of cravates every little bit. Most of us had pistols. John Able & Ent had shot guns heavily loaded, but we came upon our game rather unexpectedly. After crossing a small stream about 3 miles N. of Rockville...found them laying down asleep...We walked up the hill to see what was to be done only leaving Warwick & John Able & me at the ford...three of the rebs rushed out upon Warwick and John Able, Sam Leizear with a yell we so often hear of when a charge is made..Shoot you S___ __ _______!!! Whereupon John did shoot one fellows hat off. Warwick's revolver snapped & the Rebs fired several shots at them...The Rebs then seized two of our horses that were hitched at the ford, mounted and commenced persuit. We did some running that can't be surpassed in any engagement. But fortunately the Rebs followed those that had shot instead of us or they could have ridden over and shot us down...John fired a second time at one on John Osburn's horse knocking him off and shot the horses eye out; then Cap. Bowie took it up and shot at John several times and just as he was passing by Old Ent, who was concealed behind a pine bush, let him have a whole load of buck shot in the face and upper part of the head which knocked him sky high. (The gun roared like a cannon). We felt very uneasy until we got together again and heard that none of our men were hurt...we found Cap. Bowie's dead body attended by his brother Brune who stayed with it...His brother we took prisoner and sent to Washington guarded by three of our company. F. Miller had a coffin prepared and the Capt. was sent to his Father in Prince Geo. Co. next day....