e in to capture the mail, and determined to charge the
place on the pike from Boonsboro', and made my arrangements to that
effect. I got a Union man, by the name of Thornburgh, to go into the
town and notify the Union people that, when the town-clock struck six
P. M., I would charge in and capture the Rebel mail, at the risk of
losing my own life and every man with me. I had now but eight men, two
having been sent to General Stahel with despatches.

"I then returned to Boonsboro', and found my men waiting for me. I told
them my intentions, and offered to send back to his regiment any man who
feared to go with me. But every one bravely said he would not leave me,
nor surrender without my order. I then ordered them to bring out their
horses, and we were soon on the road. It was a moment of thrilling
interest to us all, as we approached Hagerstown, and lingered to hear
the signal-strokes of that monitor in the old church-tower. At the
appointed time (we had already entered into the edge of the town), with
a wild shout we dashed into the streets, and the Major and his fifty
braves fled without firing a shot. We captured sixteen prisoners,
twenty-six horses, several small-arms, and a heavy army mail, which
contained three important despatches from Jeff. Davis, and two from the
Rebel Secretary of War to General Lee. All this substantial booty we
safely carried within our own lines, without the loss of a man or a
horse.

"Many thanks are due to Dr. C. R. Doran and Mr. Robert Thornburgh, for
their kind and timely assistance, and also to Misses Susie Carson and
Addie Brenner, who did so much for the comfort of our brave men. I still
have in my possession some choice flowers, preserved from a bouquet
presented to me by Miss Carson the evening we captured the Rebel mail;
and though the flowers have faded, the good deeds done by the giver
will ever grow bright through coming time. All honor to the brave Union
ladies."

In these same streets, where Captain Briggs with his telescope witnessed
the successful charge of the scouting party, raged the battle hotly on
the sixth of July. But, as the Rebel infantry was advancing with heavy
artillery to the aid of Stuart's cavalry, Kilpatrick was sorely pressed,
and, at length, compelled to retire. His ears were now saluted with the
sound of artillery in the direction of Williamsport, and a messenger
arrived with the intelligence that General John Buford, who had advanced
through the South