Raid Into Ohio

Ironton Register; July 21, 1864

        Improbable as it may appear, yet it is nevertheless true, that a bold attempt was made on Sunday morning, by eight desperate guerrillas, to raid across the Ohio River, a few miles below Guyandotte, Virginia, in order to rob the store of L.D. Russell, at the mouth of Indian Guyan. In this they were frustrated by their own carelessness and the pluck of young Billy Bays. They neither succeeded in killing any person, or robbing store; but were outwitted, and skedaddled, leaving their wounded behind, and themselves slightly demoralized. A citizen of that vicinity has written us the following particulars:
        About two o'clock Sunday morning a band of rebels came to the river opposite "The Boat Yard," or mouth of Indian Guyan. One of them swam over, and appropriated L.D. Russell's skiff, and eight of them crossed to this side of the river, evidently intending to rob Russell's store, but by mistake called upon George W. Bay, at his store, saying they wanted some cigars. As soon as the door was opened, they rushed in, and George, seeing he state of things, reached for his revolver, but before he could make any use of it, they fired upon him several times, inflicting two very severe wounds in his chest; also inflicting a slight wound upon his sister, Sarah. In the meantime "Billy," a younger brother, rushed in with his "tools," and discharged six shots, making five of them tell, sending the rebs down stairs in a great hurry. One of them, giving his name as Boyd, has since been ascertained to be Mill J. Stephenson. He only went a few steps before falling. The remainder reached the river, but the first ones reaching the skiff, pushed off, deaf to the pleadings of their companions, who shot at them to bring them back.
        After vainly trying to get a gunnale into the river, they finally succeeded in finding a "joeboat" capable of carrying a few of them. They pushed off, some of them swimming, and calling lustily for help; and it is thought two of them were drowned. They left their Captain, John Keller, at O. Harris's, and he and Stephenson are now at the hospital at Guyandotte, said to be mortally wounded.
        Result of the raid: Two prominent Cabell county rebels mortally wounded, and two more probably drowned; one Union man badly; one young lady very slightly wounded.
        After crossing the river, they reported having killed "Russell" (Bay).
        You can trace the rebs' course from the store to the river, by the blood.