Capture of a Federal officer in Western Virginia.
August 29, 1861
The Wheeling Intelligencer says that on Wednesday last Capt. Sprague, of the Ohio 7th, was on his way home, on furlough, with a guard of four dragoons. When some fifteen miles beyond Sutton, they were fired upon by a party of rebel cavalry, and one of the guard, named John Debolt, from Fayette co., Pa., was killed. Another, Henry Brooks, was wounded. The attacking party was in too strong force to be resisted, and Capt. Sprague, with two others, were captured. One man escaped and brought the intelligence. Capt. Sprague commanded Company E, of the 7th, and is well known throughout Northern Ohio. The cavalry company who attacked and took prisoner Capt. Sprague, are said to belong to Ex-Gov. Wise's command.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: August 1861