Mosier said he would consider on it--knowing (as he told me) that they would frequently promise quarters & when they surrendered cut them to pieces. Holmes parleyed with him some minutes, then drew a pistol & discharged it at Mosier, the ball passing near his temple, Holmes was in the act of drawing another, when Mosier leveled his piece at him & ordered him to return his pistol, or he would blow him off his horse. Holmes returned the pistol into the holster. A Capt. Kipp (who left North Castle & joined the enemy) rode round to Mosier, d--d him & ordered him to surrender & com-menced cutting at him with his sword, when Mosier fired at him, the horse rear'd & was shot in the breast, he fell with Kipp's thigh under him. The men fired & the horseman ran off helter skelter through the fields. A negro (belonging to Capt. Sackett) who was with Mosier, sprang from the ranks & thrust his bayonet into Kipp. By the time the enemy formed again, Mosier's men had reloaded & when the enemy again charged, Mosier's men gave them another shot, when they again fled, they formed, came on the 3rd time & were saluted with another shot, when

62 THE McDONALD PAPERS

they again ran off, & called out for their Infantry to come on. Mosier not knowing but they might have Infantry (as they frequently had) marched off without having a man hurt, & wounding 9 of the enemy. After Mosier went off, the enemy returned, procurred a carriage & carried Kipp off who it was said recovered of his wound. This affair was published in the papers at the time & great credit bestowed on Mosier for his bravery & skill. Shortly after the war Mosier related the whole transaction to me personally.