cams_OAyers_b12_F006_006_003

Soon after I returned from home I was out
with the rest of the rig [regiment] we scattered into small
squads and took about fifty prisoners with horses
arms and equipments I was with a party of
about twenty in number commanded by our
Capt One night we were scouring the country
searching houses &c [etc.] and had taken some prisoners
who were put into my charge under a guard of
four men Our party split in two one half going
off to search a house half a mile or more away
whilst the remainder preformed the same
office at another place Whilst they were in the
house I was left to take care of the prisoners
in the road, it was about two at night and
the moon shone verry [very] bright we were in a hollow
which was shaded by a large hill I saw twoo [two]
horsemen coming down the hill and leisurely
approaching as I at first mistook them for our own
men but could in no way account for their being
there We were all dismounted and I told the
boys to mount and be ready but not to challenge
but let them come up as near as possible They
came within about fifty yards and turned when
they observed us, They turned, and fired at us and
one McFarlin and myself gave chase, and it
was a ride for life by moonlight, Our horses
proved the best bolters and we came up with the