The Yankees in Loudoun"Incident of the war.
Through a gentleman just arrived from Leesburg, in Loudoun county, we learn that the Yankees continue to annoy the people of that county by stealing horses, arresting citizens, &c. On the night of the 18th a company of about one hundred entered town with a list of persons to be carried off among whom were Wm. S. Pickett and the Rev. Chas. H. Hourse. They succeeded in capturing Mr. P., and then repaired about 11 o'clock at night to the residence of the latter. The family had retired, but the knocking at the door brought the object of their search forth, when he was confronted by a strapping big fellow in uniform, who demanded to know whether Mr. Hourse was at home. "Yes," was the parsons reply.-- "Rev. Chas H. Nourse?" "Yes." "Well, Lt. Smith is at the Pickett House, and desires to see you." "I don't know Lieut. Smith, and if I did could not see him to-night." "But you must go," replied the hireling in gilt buttons. Being reassured that he would do no such thing, he called for a fire of men to arrest the refractory rebel, when Mr. Nourse inflicted a stunning blow somewhere in the countenance of his would-be captor, which sent him reeling backward, while he himself fled and took refuge under the steps of a very dark cellar, which at the time happened to be well filled with water. The ruffians rushed into the house and ransacked every nook and corner, even to the taking from her bed a daughter who was ill with the typhoid fever. Failing to find the "fighting parson, " they finally went to the cellar, treading within an inch and a half of his head. Upon entering, the first exclamation was, "This is a d — d dark hole," Being urged by his comrade to proceed, he did so, and went into the water a foot deep which caused him to exclaim. "By g — d, here's water" Being again urged forward, the next stop soused him into the cooling element up to his wallet. This was rather more than he had bargained for, and here the search terminated. After remaining in his hiding place for several hours, the reverend gentleman emerged, and is now safely on his way to Bixis.Mr. Pickett they made walk to Washington, a distance of about forty miles, and compelled him to swim Goose Creek — a no inconsiderable steam, when swollen, to do so.
They arrested at the same time a score or more of "wandering Jews," who were in transitu for Baltimore city.
