THE HERO OF THE HIGHLAND
At the time of his death, the following appeared in the newspaper, and recounts in his own words the events that made George "The Hero of the Highland"
************
from the Frederick (MD) Examiner, Dec. 24, 1873:
Death of Mr. George Blessing.---This highly esteemed gentleman died at his residence, near Wolfesville, Catoctin District, in this county, on Thursday last, in the 80th year of his age. Mr. Blessing was one of our best citizens, and will be remembered as the "Hero of Highland," in connection with the barn-yard fight with the rebels in 1864, an account of which appeared in The Examiner at the time. The rebels were scouring the county for horses, and, as Mr. Blessing's premises laid in their track, he was called upon by several rebel soldiers who demanded his horses. Not feeling disposed to comply with the modest demand, he told them in very plain language that they could not get them, and threatened to shoot the first man who attempted to take them. Heedless of the warning one of the soldiers started towards the stable, and while in the act of opening the stable door Mr. Blessing fired, killing the intruder. In a few moments another rebel made his appearance, who was also fired upon by Mr. Blessing, but he was only wounded, and was brought to this city the next day by his captor. This is substantially what we said about the matter, but on the following week we received the subjoined letter in relation to the matter from Mr. Blessing himself, which, will doubtless, be read with interest:
HIGHLAND, CATOCTIN DISTRICT
Messrs. Editors of the Examiner:
Your statement of the barn-yard fight of the 9th instant, is not correct. The facts of the dreadful scene are these:
On the morning of that day a Company of Calvary, commanded by Major Harmon and Captain Walker, came in sight of my farm, where they detailed five to come and steal my horses. As they rode up, I gave my son two guns and I took six and went in the name of the Lord God of Hosts to meet them, and as they rode up in haste we fired upon them in quick time, one was mortally wounded (he died at Middletown), the other so bad,, they rode under the overshoot of the barn where we had a cross-fire on them. As they were retreating I fired, killing one on the spot and took the other prisoner. The balance got back to the Company, which was from forty to sixty strong, and before I had re-loaded my guns they returned, nineteen in number, and had pressed in their service four of my neighbors as guides, and marched them in advance. I gave my son two guns and another young man one, but they both retreated. I then took four guns, and went to a group of cherry trees; as their guides came up I halted them under pain of death if they did not stand. One of them broke off and ran. I fired on him, without effect. As soon as he reached the Rebels, they opened fire upon me to their hearts content; the splinters from the trees and fence flew in my face, while some of the balls fell at my feet. I had three guns, which I held back (Unreadable word) sure work. After firing some fifty shots they rode off, leaving their dead and wounded in my hands. They sent word that they would bring up a battery and shell me. I sent word back that I had their wounded man in the barn, if they chose to burn him up they could do so. A little before night, Cole's Calvary, under command of Lieut. Colonel Vernon, came in sight. I thought it was the Rebel battery, and I took the dead Rebel's carbine and concealed myself in a bramble bush close to the lane to make that the closing scene of that bloody day. When I saw my happy mistake, I crawled out; they gave me a hearty cheer, rode up to the house, helped to bury my dead, and staid over night. Thus closed the most tragic scene in the history of my life. I am 70 years of age. I do not wish to correct your error to boast, but I do it to encourage our soldiers and people to fight better and look to God for a just victory.
Yours, &c.,
GEORGE BLESSING
********
George was survived by his wife (and first cousin) the former Susan Easterday, children Benjamin Blessing, Elizabeth Grossnickle, Catherine Boyer, Susanna Crone, Lauretta Brandenburg, many grandchildren and a sister, Phoebe Maught.
George was predeceased by daughter Caroline in 1868 and sons Luther in 1845, Lewis in 1865 and Parker in 1866. Lewis helped his father in the defense of the property against the Confederates during the Civil War.
George was the son of George and Julianna Easterday Blessing. He was the older brother of my gggg grandfather Neri Blessing.
At the time of his death, the following appeared in the newspaper, and recounts in his own words the events that made George "The Hero of the Highland"
************
from the Frederick (MD) Examiner, Dec. 24, 1873:
Death of Mr. George Blessing.---This highly esteemed gentleman died at his residence, near Wolfesville, Catoctin District, in this county, on Thursday last, in the 80th year of his age. Mr. Blessing was one of our best citizens, and will be remembered as the "Hero of Highland," in connection with the barn-yard fight with the rebels in 1864, an account of which appeared in The Examiner at the time. The rebels were scouring the county for horses, and, as Mr. Blessing's premises laid in their track, he was called upon by several rebel soldiers who demanded his horses. Not feeling disposed to comply with the modest demand, he told them in very plain language that they could not get them, and threatened to shoot the first man who attempted to take them. Heedless of the warning one of the soldiers started towards the stable, and while in the act of opening the stable door Mr. Blessing fired, killing the intruder. In a few moments another rebel made his appearance, who was also fired upon by Mr. Blessing, but he was only wounded, and was brought to this city the next day by his captor. This is substantially what we said about the matter, but on the following week we received the subjoined letter in relation to the matter from Mr. Blessing himself, which, will doubtless, be read with interest:
HIGHLAND, CATOCTIN DISTRICT
Messrs. Editors of the Examiner:
Your statement of the barn-yard fight of the 9th instant, is not correct. The facts of the dreadful scene are these:
On the morning of that day a Company of Calvary, commanded by Major Harmon and Captain Walker, came in sight of my farm, where they detailed five to come and steal my horses. As they rode up, I gave my son two guns and I took six and went in the name of the Lord God of Hosts to meet them, and as they rode up in haste we fired upon them in quick time, one was mortally wounded (he died at Middletown), the other so bad,, they rode under the overshoot of the barn where we had a cross-fire on them. As they were retreating I fired, killing one on the spot and took the other prisoner. The balance got back to the Company, which was from forty to sixty strong, and before I had re-loaded my guns they returned, nineteen in number, and had pressed in their service four of my neighbors as guides, and marched them in advance. I gave my son two guns and another young man one, but they both retreated. I then took four guns, and went to a group of cherry trees; as their guides came up I halted them under pain of death if they did not stand. One of them broke off and ran. I fired on him, without effect. As soon as he reached the Rebels, they opened fire upon me to their hearts content; the splinters from the trees and fence flew in my face, while some of the balls fell at my feet. I had three guns, which I held back (Unreadable word) sure work. After firing some fifty shots they rode off, leaving their dead and wounded in my hands. They sent word that they would bring up a battery and shell me. I sent word back that I had their wounded man in the barn, if they chose to burn him up they could do so. A little before night, Cole's Calvary, under command of Lieut. Colonel Vernon, came in sight. I thought it was the Rebel battery, and I took the dead Rebel's carbine and concealed myself in a bramble bush close to the lane to make that the closing scene of that bloody day. When I saw my happy mistake, I crawled out; they gave me a hearty cheer, rode up to the house, helped to bury my dead, and staid over night. Thus closed the most tragic scene in the history of my life. I am 70 years of age. I do not wish to correct your error to boast, but I do it to encourage our soldiers and people to fight better and look to God for a just victory.
Yours, &c.,
GEORGE BLESSING
********
George was survived by his wife (and first cousin) the former Susan Easterday, children Benjamin Blessing, Elizabeth Grossnickle, Catherine Boyer, Susanna Crone, Lauretta Brandenburg, many grandchildren and a sister, Phoebe Maught.
George was predeceased by daughter Caroline in 1868 and sons Luther in 1845, Lewis in 1865 and Parker in 1866. Lewis helped his father in the defense of the property against the Confederates during the Civil War.
George was the son of George and Julianna Easterday Blessing. He was the older brother of my gggg grandfather Neri Blessing.
THE HERO OF THE HIGHLAND
At the time of his death, the following appeared in the newspaper, and recounts in his own words the events that made George "The Hero of the Highland"
************
from the Frederick (MD) Examiner, Dec. 24, 1873:
Death of Mr. George Blessing.---This highly esteemed gentleman died at his residence, near Wolfesville, Catoctin District, in this county, on Thursday last, in the 80th year of his age. Mr. Blessing was one of our best citizens, and will be remembered as the "Hero of Highland," in connection with the barn-yard fight with the rebels in 1864, an account of which appeared in The Examiner at the time. The rebels were scouring the county for horses, and, as Mr. Blessing's premises laid in their track, he was called upon by several rebel soldiers who demanded his horses. Not feeling disposed to comply with the modest demand, he told them in very plain language that they could not get them, and threatened to shoot the first man who attempted to take them. Heedless of the warning one of the soldiers started towards the stable, and while in the act of opening the stable door Mr. Blessing fired, killing the intruder. In a few moments another rebel made his appearance, who was also fired upon by Mr. Blessing, but he was only wounded, and was brought to this city the next day by his captor. This is substantially what we said about the matter, but on the following week we received the subjoined letter in relation to the matter from Mr. Blessing himself, which, will doubtless, be read with interest:
HIGHLAND, CATOCTIN DISTRICT
Messrs. Editors of the Examiner:
Your statement of the barn-yard fight of the 9th instant, is not correct. The facts of the dreadful scene are these:
On the morning of that day a Company of Calvary, commanded by Major Harmon and Captain Walker, came in sight of my farm, where they detailed five to come and steal my horses. As they rode up, I gave my son two guns and I took six and went in the name of the Lord God of Hosts to meet them, and as they rode up in haste we fired upon them in quick time, one was mortally wounded (he died at Middletown), the other so bad,, they rode under the overshoot of the barn where we had a cross-fire on them. As they were retreating I fired, killing one on the spot and took the other prisoner. The balance got back to the Company, which was from forty to sixty strong, and before I had re-loaded my guns they returned, nineteen in number, and had pressed in their service four of my neighbors as guides, and marched them in advance. I gave my son two guns and another young man one, but they both retreated. I then took four guns, and went to a group of cherry trees; as their guides came up I halted them under pain of death if they did not stand. One of them broke off and ran. I fired on him, without effect. As soon as he reached the Rebels, they opened fire upon me to their hearts content; the splinters from the trees and fence flew in my face, while some of the balls fell at my feet. I had three guns, which I held back (Unreadable word) sure work. After firing some fifty shots they rode off, leaving their dead and wounded in my hands. They sent word that they would bring up a battery and shell me. I sent word back that I had their wounded man in the barn, if they chose to burn him up they could do so. A little before night, Cole's Calvary, under command of Lieut. Colonel Vernon, came in sight. I thought it was the Rebel battery, and I took the dead Rebel's carbine and concealed myself in a bramble bush close to the lane to make that the closing scene of that bloody day. When I saw my happy mistake, I crawled out; they gave me a hearty cheer, rode up to the house, helped to bury my dead, and staid over night. Thus closed the most tragic scene in the history of my life. I am 70 years of age. I do not wish to correct your error to boast, but I do it to encourage our soldiers and people to fight better and look to God for a just victory.
Yours, &c.,
GEORGE BLESSING
********
George was survived by his wife (and first cousin) the former Susan Easterday, children Benjamin Blessing, Elizabeth Grossnickle, Catherine Boyer, Susanna Crone, Lauretta Brandenburg, many grandchildren and a sister, Phoebe Maught.
George was predeceased by daughter Caroline in 1868 and sons Luther in 1845, Lewis in 1865 and Parker in 1866. Lewis helped his father in the defense of the property against the Confederates during the Civil War.
George was the son of George and Julianna Easterday Blessing. He was the older brother of my gggg grandfather Neri Blessing.
At the time of his death, the following appeared in the newspaper, and recounts in his own words the events that made George "The Hero of the Highland"
************
from the Frederick (MD) Examiner, Dec. 24, 1873:
Death of Mr. George Blessing.---This highly esteemed gentleman died at his residence, near Wolfesville, Catoctin District, in this county, on Thursday last, in the 80th year of his age. Mr. Blessing was one of our best citizens, and will be remembered as the "Hero of Highland," in connection with the barn-yard fight with the rebels in 1864, an account of which appeared in The Examiner at the time. The rebels were scouring the county for horses, and, as Mr. Blessing's premises laid in their track, he was called upon by several rebel soldiers who demanded his horses. Not feeling disposed to comply with the modest demand, he told them in very plain language that they could not get them, and threatened to shoot the first man who attempted to take them. Heedless of the warning one of the soldiers started towards the stable, and while in the act of opening the stable door Mr. Blessing fired, killing the intruder. In a few moments another rebel made his appearance, who was also fired upon by Mr. Blessing, but he was only wounded, and was brought to this city the next day by his captor. This is substantially what we said about the matter, but on the following week we received the subjoined letter in relation to the matter from Mr. Blessing himself, which, will doubtless, be read with interest:
HIGHLAND, CATOCTIN DISTRICT
Messrs. Editors of the Examiner:
Your statement of the barn-yard fight of the 9th instant, is not correct. The facts of the dreadful scene are these:
On the morning of that day a Company of Calvary, commanded by Major Harmon and Captain Walker, came in sight of my farm, where they detailed five to come and steal my horses. As they rode up, I gave my son two guns and I took six and went in the name of the Lord God of Hosts to meet them, and as they rode up in haste we fired upon them in quick time, one was mortally wounded (he died at Middletown), the other so bad,, they rode under the overshoot of the barn where we had a cross-fire on them. As they were retreating I fired, killing one on the spot and took the other prisoner. The balance got back to the Company, which was from forty to sixty strong, and before I had re-loaded my guns they returned, nineteen in number, and had pressed in their service four of my neighbors as guides, and marched them in advance. I gave my son two guns and another young man one, but they both retreated. I then took four guns, and went to a group of cherry trees; as their guides came up I halted them under pain of death if they did not stand. One of them broke off and ran. I fired on him, without effect. As soon as he reached the Rebels, they opened fire upon me to their hearts content; the splinters from the trees and fence flew in my face, while some of the balls fell at my feet. I had three guns, which I held back (Unreadable word) sure work. After firing some fifty shots they rode off, leaving their dead and wounded in my hands. They sent word that they would bring up a battery and shell me. I sent word back that I had their wounded man in the barn, if they chose to burn him up they could do so. A little before night, Cole's Calvary, under command of Lieut. Colonel Vernon, came in sight. I thought it was the Rebel battery, and I took the dead Rebel's carbine and concealed myself in a bramble bush close to the lane to make that the closing scene of that bloody day. When I saw my happy mistake, I crawled out; they gave me a hearty cheer, rode up to the house, helped to bury my dead, and staid over night. Thus closed the most tragic scene in the history of my life. I am 70 years of age. I do not wish to correct your error to boast, but I do it to encourage our soldiers and people to fight better and look to God for a just victory.
Yours, &c.,
GEORGE BLESSING
********
George was survived by his wife (and first cousin) the former Susan Easterday, children Benjamin Blessing, Elizabeth Grossnickle, Catherine Boyer, Susanna Crone, Lauretta Brandenburg, many grandchildren and a sister, Phoebe Maught.
George was predeceased by daughter Caroline in 1868 and sons Luther in 1845, Lewis in 1865 and Parker in 1866. Lewis helped his father in the defense of the property against the Confederates during the Civil War.
George was the son of George and Julianna Easterday Blessing. He was the older brother of my gggg grandfather Neri Blessing.
Family Members
Children
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Ellen Elizabeth Blessing Grossnickle
1824–1908
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Benjamin Lawrence Blessing
1826–1886
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Catharine J. Blessing Boyer
1828–1908
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Parker George Blessing
1829–1866
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Susan Rebecca Blessing Crone
1831–1913
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Lauretta Ann Blessing Brandenburg
1835–1914
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Caroline P. Blessing
1836–1868
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Lewis Clay Blessing
1839–1865
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Tilghman Luther Blessing
1841–1845
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Sarah Ann Penelope Blessing Wyand
1844–1921
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