PARTISAN LIFE
WITH
COL. JOHN S. MOSBY.
BY
MAJo R JOHN SCOTT,
Of Fauiier, late C.S.A.
AUTHOR OF " THE LOST PRINCIPLE" AND "LETTERS TO AN OFFICER IN
THE ARMY.";      itt  3ortraits art rnrabwngs on woon.
"Historic truth ought to be no less sacred than religion."
NAPOLEON III., Life of Ccesar.
"There is game in every bush if we will beat for it."
SIR IsAAc NEWTON.
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
FRANKLIN SQUARE.
1867.




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred,and sixty-seven, by
HARPER & BROTHERS,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southerl District of New York.




DEDICATION.
TO
MRS. GENERAL HOWARD,       MRS. DR. JAS. A. STUART,
MRS. J. HANSON THOMAS,     MRS. GEO. W. WEBB,
MRS. JOHN H. B. LATROBE,   MRS. E. M. GREENWAY,
MRS. JAMES HODGES,         MRS. BENJ. F. CATOR,
MRS. SAMUEL K. GEORGE,     MRS. J. HARMAN BROWN,
MRS. A. DUBOIS EGERTON,    MRS. JOHN MERRYMAN,
MRS. ROBERT H. CARR,       MRS. T. PARKIN SCOTT,
MRS. RICHARD NORRIS, JR.,    MRS. GEO. M. GILL,
MRS. THOS. MURDOCH,        MRS. R. H. MITCHELL,
MRS. BULLOCK,              MRS. THOS. C. JENKINS,
MRS. DR. C. JOHNSTON,      MRS. NEALE,
MRS. CHARLES HOFFMAN,      MRS. MATHIAS,
MRS. CHARLES J. BAKER,     MRS. WM. R. HODGES,
MRS. LURMAN,               MRS. CHARLES TIERNAN,
MRS. RYAN,                 MRS. SAMUEL W. SMITH,
MRS. ANDREW REID,          MRS. BAYARD SMITH,
MRS. PEYTON HARRISON,      MRS. JAMES WILSON,
MRS. C. HUGHES ARMISTEAD,  MRS. WINN,
MRS. J. S. GITTINGS,       MISS EMILY HARPER,
MRS. CHARLES HOWARD,       MISS DORA HOFFMAN,
MRS. WM. GEO. READ,        MISS FRICK,
MRS. ISABELLA BROWN,       MISS MARY GRACE,
MRS. THOS. T. HUTCHINS,    MISS LAURA ROBINSON,
MRS. GEO. PATTERSON,       MISS FLORENCE PATTERSON,
MRS. WM. HENRY NORRIS,     MISS LOUISA HOFFMAN,
MRS. E. LAW ROGERS,        MISS NANNIE HOWARD,
natb otIer Noble tabies of Baltimore.
As a testimonial not unworthy of the noble sympathy which,
during the late war, under the most trying circumstances, you displayed for the cause of justice and truth, I dedicate to you the history
of one of the most brilliant and devoted heroes which those stormy
times produced-MOBYos -a young man who,' rising by the native
force of genius and courage fiom the obscure position of a private




viii                   1Dedication.
soldier, with a command of his own creation, at no time numbering
more than a few hundred kindred spirits, planted himself in a district
abandoned to the occupation of the enemy, and, besides capturing a
multitude of prisoners and destroying many millions of public property, kept in a defensive attitude, according to their own admission,
thirty-five thousand of their troops, which would otherwise have
been employed on the active theatre of war. But this was not all.
More than once, with his band of followers, he compelled the
invading armies to relinquish actual and projected lines of comrnmu
nication, to fall back from advanced positions, and if we may credit
the assertion of the Federal Secretary of War, occasioned the loss
by the enemy of an important battle.
Such deeds deserve the pen of History; and when recorded on her
scrolls-though in a manner far below the merit of the subject or the
dignity of this occasion-are worthy to be laid at your feet, ladies
of Baltimore.
This mode of defensive -warfare, as original as it proved effective,
deserves to be understood both in its principles and details, the mode
of execution in war, as in every other practical science, being of the
first importance to success. With this object kept constantly in
view, I have observed a great particularity in the relation of what
may appear to some minor details, as they constitute a part of the
system of defensive warfare which it is the purpose of this book to
develop and explain.
By the advocates of rectitude and justice in every age and country,
by all the lovers of good and haters of evil, let this matchless chief
be remembered, for he has invented, and in arms developed, a mode
by which, in a more auspicious era, mankind may be enabled to
defend their homes and their altars against those wasting and bloody
conquerors who murder the independence of nations.
My advantages in composing this work have been unusual; my
diligence has been great, but it remains for you to declare the
measure of success.
Respectfully,
JOHN SCOTT,
of Fauquier, late C. S. A.




PREFACE.
As soon as the surrender of the army of General Lee
rendered it probable that the sanguinary contest w.hich
for four years had raged between the hostile sections was
about to be brought to a close, and it was understood that
I was to undertake the laborious task of writing the history of the Partisan Battalion, its origin, its growth, its
exploits, I set about collecting the facts which were to
compose my checkered narrative. Of these, very imperfect records had been kept, and they had to be obtained
by interrogating the memories of the actors in the scenes
which I proposed to commemorate.
I had conceived and drafted the Partisan Ranger Law,
shown it to Secretary Randolph, and, with his approbation, had carried it before the Joint Military Committee
of the two houses of Congress, whose chairman was Mr.
Miles, of South Carolina. I found the table of the committee covered with all kinds of projects relating to the
irregular service. Mine was preferred by the committee,
reported to the two houses, and, without debate, became
a law'. Colonel Mosby has often told me that upon that
basis rested the superstructure which he afterward reared,
and that it was but just that I should write the history
of the command which vindicated the correctness of the
principles of the Partisan Ranger Law. The principle of
that law is but the application of the prize principle of




x                    Prefcce.
nautical warfare to land war, yet it was one, I believe,
which had not been made before.
Amid the many failures which occurred in the Confederate service in the application of this law, Mosby alone
brought to the worli all the high qualities necessary to
command success and write his name so high upon the
column of Fame.
I was born in the district of country which constituted
his field of exploits, and have, in consequence of a familiar
and wide-spread acquaintance with its inhabitants, enjoyed peculiar advantages in collecting fromn them incidents
and anecdotes with which to enrich and enliven my pages.
Regarding my task in the light of a trust, I set about its
execution with a diligence which has not deserted me at
any time. My mode was to visit all the officers and men
of the command to whom I had access, and from their lips
to obtain full accounts of all they did, or knew to be done.
Th.ese accounts, under appropriate headings, I reduced to
writing, until my notes had increased to many volumes.
From many of the officers and men of the Battalion whom
I could not visit, I received voluminous notes, which, together with the facts and explanations furnished by the
Partisan chief himself, have enabled me to compose a full
and authentic history. To enable me the more perfectly
to attain this end, I resided in Colonel Mosby's family for
some time, and from that central point rode with him to
inspect the most interesting localities. The following
letter, addressed to me by him, will display to the reader
the lively interest which he took in the prosecution of my
work, and how ready, at all times, he was to render me
assistance. The intimate association which thence ensued




Prefctee.                       xi
enabled me, by a strong and steady light, to peruse that
great man's character and discover the springs of those
actions with which he astonished friend and confounded
foe.
"Leesburg. January 10th, 1866.
"DEAR MAJoR, —The bearer of this letter is James G. Wiltshire,
who was a lieutenant in my command. He visits you at my request, that you may avail yourself of the fund of anecdote and adventure which he possesses-for his dash and spirit of enterprise
led him to participate in all the prominent events connected with
the command in which he could, with truth and propriety, say,' Quorum  mcgna pars fmui.'
"I have no doubt but that he will add much to your stock of information. I am very anxious for you to accompany him to Clarke
and Jefferson, for I consider it all-important to the success of your
work that there should be great accuracy in the description of localities which you expect to make historical. You must, by all
means, see John Russell, who lives near Berryville, for he saw more
service than any man in the command, as he always acted as guide
in the Valley. I have just received a letter from him saying he
was anxious to see you. Russell and Wiltshire could make every
thing plain to you; besides, you could see a great many persons
whom you could put on inquiry to assist you. You must, by all
means, go to Charlestown, and visit my charming friends at the
Bower; also those at the Vineyard, near Berryville, where you will
meet with John Esten Cooke. George Saddler, of Charlestown,
can supply you with a good stock of anecdote. He was in my confidence, is a man of great shrewdness, and exerted himself to get
information for me. Your book can not be complete without seeing him. You must make a visit to Duffield Station, to see how we
gathered them there; to Berryville, to see how we mauled them
there; to Cabletown, where Richards destroyed Blazer; to Millwood.
"By making one such visit, you will put every body to thinking
and remembering what they know of us. You may depend upon
it, you will find this unexplored country an El Dorado.
"I am now in Leesburg, -under arrest. I was ordered yesterday,




xii                     Preface.
by the commanding officer here, to report by what authority I was
in Leesburg. I reported'that I had been ill the habit of coming
here for two years, and didn't know any body that had a better
right.' He put me under arrest, and I am now paroled to the limits of the town, to await orders from Winchester. If I am released,
as soon as I get to housekeeping come down and make my house
your home.       Yours, truly,            JOHN S. MOSBY.
" Major John Scott."
With the mass of information thus accumulated, I re.
tired, toward the close of the summer of 1866, to compose
my varied narrative, having been delayed in its execution
by frequent indispositions and one violent attack of illness.
Before I conclude this preface, it is only just to say that
the names of many members of the Battalion, of signal
merit, do not appear in this book, for the sufficient reason
that they were not associated in a particular manner with
events, the relation of which would add variety to my
page; or, to borrow Mosby?s language, "You could not
call the roll in every fight."
Truth is the religion of the historian, and I feel conscious that I have not been governed by partiality or
prejudice, and that if I have not adorned, at least I have
not dishonored the shrine of the Historic Muse by the
most odious of all vices-falsehood.
THE AUTHoR.
Philadelphia, May 14th, 1867.




CONTENTS,
CHAPTER I.
How Mosby became a Partisan.-His favorite Theory.-His original Command consisted of only nine men.................................................... Page 19
CHAPTER II.
Raid on Percy Wyndham's Outposts.-John Underwood, the Guide............... 21
CHAPTER III.
Colonel Wyndham foiled in his Scheme to capture Mosby.-Reply of the Partisan
Chief to the Appeals of the Citizens to abandon his Mode of Warfare....... 24
CHAPTER IV.
Mosby saved from Capture by Miss Laura Ratcliffe...................................... 29
CHAPTER V.
Adventures of Ames, the Deserter from  the Union Army.-" Mosby's Conglomerates"..............................................................................................  32
CHAPTER VI.
Daring personal Exploits.-A hand-to-hand Combat................................  38
CHAPTER VII.
Gen. Stoughton's Capture by Mosby.-His first Compliment from Gen. Stuart.. 43
CHAPTER VIII.
Capture of the Pickets at Herndon Station. —Strategy of Jake, the Hungarian... 53
CHAPTER IX.' The Chantilly Raid.-" Hurrah for Mosby; I wish I had a hundred like him." -
The first Fight at Dranesville........................................ 59
CHAPTER X.
More individual Exploits.-Desperate Fight of Ames and the Hatcher Brothers... 70
CHAPTER XI.
General Stahl's Efforts to capture Mosby foiled. —The Partisan Chief nearly captured  by  Accident.............................................................................  77
CHAPTER XII.
Severe Fight at Warrenton Junction.-Mosby compelled to retreat............... 84
CHAPTER XIII.
Mosby again defeated near Catlett's Station.-A  good price in Blood for a Mountain  Howitzer....................................................................................  91
CHAPTER XIV.
Fight at Frying-pan Church.-A Justification of Bushwhacking..................... 96




xiv                               Contents.
CHAPTER XV.
Mosby's Adventures in the Union Lines.-Seeking for Information.........Page 101
CHAPTER XVI.
Adventures and Fights of the Partisan Battalion between the Lines of the opposing Armies.....................................................................................   108
CHAPTER XVII.
Capture of a Wagon-load of Ice-cream. -Destruction of several Trains............ 114
CHAPTER XVIII.
Mosby's Chaplain.-" Grog and more Grog."-The necessary Qualifications of a
Partisan Chaplain..................................................... 122
CHAPTER XIX.
Colonel Dulaney's Capture.-Raiding around Alexandria........................... 140
CHAPTER XX.
" The Billy Smith Raid."-Better fun than Fox-hunting in England............. 150
CHAPTER XXI.
An exciting Chase after Mosby.-He is saved through the Heroism of a Lady... 161
CHAPTER XXII.
The Chaplain's Account of his Visit to Baltimore, and the Aid and Comfort he received  there....................................................................................  167
CHAPTER XXIII.
Union Camp at Harper's Ferry surprised.-Death of Tom Turner................. 177
CHAPTER XXIV.
More of the Chaplain's Eccentricities.-He takes a Hand in a Stag Dance.-Social
Life among the Rangers.......................................................   185
CHAPTER XXV.
Defeat of Major Cole and Dispersion of Captain Reid's Command.................. 197
CHAPTER XXVI.
"Mosby's Confederacy." —Its Military Boundaries.-" Sparing" a Sutler....... 204
CHAPTER XXVII.
Mosby's Mode of conducting Elections.-The Freedom of the Ballot-box. —Scouting  for Information......................................................  209
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Surprise of a Picket Guard.-Two Horses apiece.-Destruction of Grant's Railroad......................................................  216
CHAPTER XXIX.
General Hunter's Expedition. —Mosby's Raids upon its Rear-guard.-How Hunter
desolated the Valley and protected his Trains................................. 226
CHAPTER XXX.
The First " Calico Raid."-Mosby not in the " Dry-goods Trade."-His indignant
Reply to a Lady who wished to purchase his Spoils................................. 233




Contents.                                  XV
CHAPTER XXXI.
The," Great Calico Raid" to Point of Rocks.-Fight at Mt. Zion Church..Page 238
CHAPTER XXXII.
Raiding in Maryland.-Lieutenant Glasscock's Capture of ten Men.-Mosby's " Chief
of the Corn Detail".......................................                   250
CHAPTER XXXIII.
More of the social Life of the Guerrillas.-A Lecture on Love.-The Lecturer's Principles fail on practical Application.....................................   258
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Mosby operating against Phil Sheridan...............................   271
CHAPTER XXXV.
Another "Masked" Election.-Farther Operations on General Sheridan's Communications........................................................................................  279
CHAPTER XXXVI.
"Plenty of Game," but not easily caught.-Lieutenant Nelson finds more than a
Match in Captain Blazer................................................................., 286
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Adamstown Raid.-Robbing a good Southern Man by Mistake.-The Band
made to "disgorge"........................................................................ 293
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Mosby," goes through" the Yankees.-Defeat of Captains Fleming and Minimum,
of the 13th New York Cavalry....................................................  298
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Daring Adventures of Wat Bowie. —His many narrow Escapes from Capture... 305
CHAPTER XL.
The " Hanging Raid. "-Hominy Hollow, "from which Yankee Visitors never returned alive."-Execution of Six of Mosby's Men.................................... 315
CHAPTER XLI.
Adventures of Ogg, the Scout, in Prison and out of it.-Heroism  of Mrs Scott and
her little Boy. —" The Lily"...................................................... 321
CHAPTER XLII.
The " Greenback Raid. "-Burning of the Railroad Train.-A  singular Mode for
making Federal Officers do their Duty................................................   334
CHAPTER XLIII.
John Orrick's Adventures in a Federal Prison.................................. 342
CHAPTER XLIV.
Capture of General Duffie.-General Sheridan's Pass not good in " Mosby's Confederacy".....................................................                 348
CHAPTER XLV.
Retaliatory Measures.-Execution of Seven of General Custer's Men............    355




xvi                                 Contents.
CIAPTER XLVI.
Defeat and Capture of Captain Blazer.............................,.Page 364
CHAPTER XLVII.
Devastation of the Valley.-Fire and Sword in'Mosby's Confederacy"....... 374
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Adventures of Bush Underwood, the Guide.-Mosby's Strategy and Escape from
Capture by feigning Sickness........................................................   381
CHAPTER XLIX.
How Mosby conducted his Campaign. —An Explanation of Partisan Warfare... 390
CHAPTER L.
The Chaplain's Adventures.-His masterly Retreat from  a Squad of his own
men............................................................................................. 399
CHAPTER LI.
Prison Experiences of Mosby's Men.-Tom Richards's Statement.-John Munson's
Story............................................4.......................................  417
CHAPTER LII."
Mosby's early Life'and Character.-Shoots a Fellow-student at Sixteen. -A Volunteer for the War.............................................................   429
CHAPTER LIII.
"The Coffee Raid."-Fight at Mount Carmel.................................... 443
CHAPTER LIV.
The "Gait House" and " Harmony" Fights............................453
CHAPTER LV.
Gallantry of Lieutenant Ferris of the Union Army.-Chapman's Visit to the "' Northern   Neck.....................................................................................  459
CHAPTER LVI.
Negotiations for the Surrender.-The last Parade of Mosby's Battalion.-Farewell
Address of Colonel Mosby.-Disbandment of the Battalion........................ 470
APPENDIX.
Account of Private M'Cue's Imprisonment.-Description of the Shenandoah Valley.
-The Conquered Banner.-Reply to the " Conquered Banner."-Gettysburg.Somebody's Darling.-Early and Mosby.-A  Statement corrected............. 479




ILLUS T RATIONS,
PAGE
PORTRAIT OF MOSBY,................F.....e................... Frontispiece.
MAP.
"CLOSE  ON  TIIEM, MEN!"....................................................................                                                                          37
HAND-TO-HAND FIGHT BETWEEN TURNER AND WORTHINGTON......................  41
CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  STOUGHTON.........................................................  47
THE PARTISANS' FIRST RETREAT............................................................                                                                               87
PLUNDERING THE RAILROAD TRAIN AT CATLETT'S STATION..........................  93
CAPTAIN   FOSTER.................................................................................                                               98
TAIL-PIECE  FOR  CHAPTER  XVI..................................... 113
MOSBY  AMONG  THE  WAGON-TRAINS..................................... 117
MOSBY'S CHAPLAIN  AT HISt DEVOTIONS....................................... 124
TAIL-PIECE    FOR     CHAPTER     XVIII.......................................................   139
CAPTAIN  SMITH......................................... 142
TAIL-PIECE  FOR  CHAPTER  XIX.......................................................   149
HEAD-PIECE  FOR  CHAPTER  XX..............................................................   150
BARON   VON                  ASSOW...........................................................................   154
MISS   ROBERTA    P -......................................................................   164
TOM  TURNER  DYING............................................................................  181
THE PARSON'S STAG DANCE.................................................................. 196
CAPTAIN    MOUNTJOY.............................................................................  210
DESTROYING THE RAILROAD IN GRANT S REAR.....,...................... 221
GENERAL HUNTER'S HOUSE-BURNERS. AT THEIR WORK..........2............ 28
POINT OF ROCKS, HARPER S FERRY........................................................ 240
TAIL-PIECE  FOR  CHAPTER  XXXI........................................................... 249
THE   LECTURE    ON   LOVE.......................................................................                                                                 262
DULCEBENIETTA.................................................................                                            268
CAPTAIN    CHAPMAN...................271......................................  271
MOSBY    "GOING    THROUGH'EM'.............................................................   301
CAPTAIN   FRANKLAND...........................................................................  306
ESCAPE  OF OGG  FROM  THE  YANKEE  CAMP............................................. 323
MRS. SCOTT AND HER BOY SAVING THE HOUSE FROM THE FLAMES.............. 331
THE              LILY......................................................................................                                                        332
THE    GREENBACK     RAID.........................................................................   337
THE  CAPTIVES  DRAWING  LOTS............................................................. 358
MAJOR  A. E. RICHARDS........................................                                                                                                       370
FIRE AND SWORD IN MOSBY'S CONFEDERACY........................................... 377
THE CHAPLAIN'S HASTY  RETREAT................................................... 402
CAPTAIN    GLASSCOCK............................................................................  455
TAIL-PIECE FOR CHAPTER  LIV......................................................                     458
CAPTAIN   BAYLOR................................................................................  463
LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  CHAPMAN............................................................                                                                            466
CAPTAIN RICHARDS.............................................................................. 468
THE LAST REVIEW....................................................................... *                                                                            475
B








PARTISAN LIFE WITH MOSBY.
CHAPTER I.
1HOW MOSBY BECAME A PARTISAN.
Upper Fauquier, January 2d, 1863.
MY DEAR PERCY, -You have doubtless received ere
this my letter giving an account of the decisive battle of
Fredericksburg, accompanied by a rude drawing of the
battle-field, which, I trust, has enabled you to appreciate
that fight. Since that time I have accompanied the gallant and enterprising General Stuart from the camp of
the Confederate army, near Fredericksburg, on an expedition to Dumfries, and, strangely enough, find myself
now with a small detachment of cavalry which he has
left behind him, under the command of Captain Mosby,
as he is generally called, though his military rank is, I
believe, entirely honorary.
My acquaintance with Captain Mosby was begun in
the earlier stages of the war, and since that time I have
been often associated with him, particularly on some of
the daring scouts which he has made, and which have
excited the admiration and won the applause of General
Lee himself. Mosby, I am sure, is a remarkable man.
He has often explained to me in conversation a mode of
partisan warfare which he is persuaded, if fully developed, would enable the Confederate government to cripple the invading armies of the enemy, retard their prog



20          Partisan Life with Mosby.
ress, and ultimately enable the ppposing forces to overwhelm them with disaster. He thinks the most vulnerable point of every invading army is in its rear-an
opinion which he formed from his own observations on
the communications of the Northern army. In order to
afford a practical illustration of the value of this opin.
ion, and doubtless to gratify, at the same time, his thirst
for action, and satisfy an honorable desire for famne, he
has proposed to General Stuart, from time to time, to allow him to take a small detail of men, and with them to
operate in the rear of the enemy and upon his communications, but until now his proposition had met with no
favor.
However, as Stuart was returning from his ineffectual
raid upon Dumfries, he called, in company with several
of us, to make a visit to Miss Laura Ratcliffe, who resides
near Frying-pan Church, in Fairfax County. As our
party rose to bid this lady farewell, I was surprised and
pleased to hear the general address her in the following
language:
" You are all such good Southern people through this
section, I think you deserve some protection, so I shall
leave Captain Mosby, with a few men, to take care of
you. I want you to do all you can for him. He is a
great favorite of mine and a brave soldier, and, if my
judgment does not err, we shall soon hear something surprising from him."
We were soon again upon the march, with the column
headed toward Middleburg, in the county of London,
on the Little River Turnpike, very near to the Fauquier
line. I was riding alone, between the advance guard and
the head of the column, when I was joined by Mosby,
who, in high spirits, informed me that at last fortune had
begun to smile on him, for Stuart had promised to leave
him with a detail of nzine men to operate on the outposts




bosby's Rlaid on General Wyndc7am's Otposts. 21
and communications of the enemy. He invited me to
join him, promising, as an inducement, an adventurous
life. I consented, and am now in Upper Fauquier, with
Captain Mosby and his nine men.
My letters henceforth will contain but little of the
movements of large bodies of troops, and nothing of political events, but I hope to compensate you with accounts of skirmishes, surprises, and personal adventures.
CHAPTER II.
MIOSBY'S RAID ON GENERAL PERCY WYNDIlAM'S OUTPOSTS.
Upper Fauquier, January 18th, 1863.
DEAR PERcY, —Since the evacuation of Manassas by
General Johnston in the spring of 1862, the enemy have
kept at Fairfax Court-house a military force composed
of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, as an outpost of Washington City. The cavalry consists of a brigade, which is
composed of the Fifth New York, the First Vermont, the
Eighteenth Pennsylvania, and the First Virginia regiments, commanded by Colonel Percy Wyndham, formerly, it is said, an officer in the English army. This brigade maintains a chain of picket-posts, within a half mile
of each other, from Centreville to Dranesville, and from
that place to the Potomac River, a distance of twenty
miles. On this line of outposts Mosby began his operations.
On the 10th of January we started from the neighborhood of Middleburg for Fairfax County, and proceeded
to the house of a farmer who lives very near to Herudon
Station, on the Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad. As
we approached the dwelling, Mosby observed a man pass
rapidly out of the back door into the pines which cover




22          Pctrtisan -Life with fboshy.
the rear of the house with their dense growth. We
found no little difficulty in convincing the farmer of our
Confederate character, for in Fairfax a gray uniform often
conceals a Yankee. As soon, however, as his doubts
were removed, he became more cordial, and, by a peculiar
whistle, called from the pines the man to whom I have
just referred. He seemed about thirty years of age; his
person was short and thick-set, and he had a shock of
white hair, which stood erect in unrestrained independence. His whole appearance was that of a wild man, but
his eyes, ever in motion, indicated watchfulness and an
intelligent mind. His name is John Underwood, whose
value as a guide Mosby's penetrating eye soon discovered, for he is distinguished, above all other men whom I
have known, by a wonderful faculty which enables him
to thread with unerring certainty, in the darkest night,
the intricate forests and tangled brushwood of the country in which he lives. Without much difficulty Mosby
prevailed upon Underwood to join him, and, being thus
furnished with a guide, prepared at once to strike the
enemy near Herndon Station, where they had a cavalry
picket.
His small command being dismounted, they were conducted at night to the rear of the Federals, whose forus
were distinctly visible by the ruddy light of their campfire. A pistol-shot from Mosby was the signal for attack,
and we rushed upon the picket, which was composed of
seven men, of whom we wounded one, and captured six
unhurt. With his prisoners and captured horses Mosby
retreated deeper into the pines, where he paroled the
men and divided the horses. A fine horse, with its equipments, was, together with a pair of cavalry pistols, allotted to his first recruit, John Underwood, who was
overjoyed at this unexpected stroke of fortune.
Two nights afterward, with Underwood still for our




Mosby's -Raid on General Wyyndham's Outposts. 23
guide, our leader, with the same party, started in search
of other game, which he found a few miles from Herndon
Station, where Cub Run flows across the Little River
Turnpike. Our former mode of attack was adopted, the
picket being surprised and captured from the rear, the
two vedettes alone effecting their escape. Five prisoners
and as many horses, with cavalry equipments, rewarded
this enterprise.
Not content with this success, Mosby determined to
signalize the night by still another. At Frying-pan
Church there was a cavalry picket of ten men, who had
already been apprised, as we afterward learned, of our
presence in the neighborhood. We found two of their
number posted as vedettes, while the others were asleep
in a small house hard by, with a sentinel stationed at the
door. When he had arrived within a few hundred yards
of this place, Mosby ordered his prisoners to dismount
and stretch themselves on the ground. Their horses
were then led away and concealed in the woods. This
done, he left one man to guard the prisoners, while with
the rest of his party he approached the picket-post from
the direction of the Federal camp. The sentinel, taking
us for a patrol, allowed us to come within a few steps of
the house before he gave the order to halt. Mosby then
ordered the house to be surrounded and pistols to be fired
through the thin weather-boarding upon the inmates.
Our shots wvere returned, and one of the assailants, in a
loud tone, ordered up the infantry-a stale and childish
device, as our leader appeared to think, for he called to
the Yankees that his party was not larger than their own,
but, at the same time, demanded an unconditional surrender. It was at once made, and we returned in triumph
to Loudoun County, taking with us our twofold captures,
amounting to thirteen prisoners and a corresponding number of cavalry horses, with their equipments.




24           Pcartisan Life with Mfosby.
The next morning our party, re-enforced by the prisoners, took breakfast at the hotel in Middleburg, and
soon'after the latter were paroled and dismissed to their
friends, highly pleased with the indulgent manner in
which they had been treated. The horses and arms were
then divided among the captors.
I regret to add, as a concluding paragraph to my letter, that we have to return to the army, for Mosby yesterday informed me that, not feeling authorized to keep
the detail longer on this detached service, he had ordered
the men to return to their command, while in person he
would report to General Stuart the result of his recent
operations. I was not aware until then of the temporary
nature of our stay in this district, and feel sadly disappointed at this abrupt termination of our partisan service.
CHAPTER III.
COLONEL WYNDHAM DRIVEN OUT OF MIDDLEBURGO.
Upper Fauquier,:February 8th, 1863.
DEAR PERcY,-YoU will be surprised to receive a letter from me dated again from Upper Fauquier, for, contrary to expectation, Mosby is here again on detached
service in rear of the enemy.
As soon as we reached the cavalry head-quarters, near
Fredericksburg, Mosby proceeded at once to Stuart's tent,
where he recounted his performances since they had parted at Middleburg. The general was so well pleased at
the recital that, General L. Armistead coming in, he requested the enterprising scout to repeat the account, and
then ordered him to retire to the office of his adjutant
general, and make a full report in writing.
Mosby then said to Stuart that, with a detail of fifteen




Colonel Wyndhctm Driven out of liiddlebutr.  25
cavalry, he would undertake, in two months' time, to compel the enemy in Fairfax to abandon their advance line
of outposts, and give up ten miles of country.
"Very well," said the general, "let it be so; "we will
destroy them in detail."
The future now loomed up before Mosby, and he felt,
he said, like Columbus when, having been often repulsed,
he obtained, from the favor of Queen Isabella, three small
ships with which to explore the mysterious deep, and develop the idea over which he had so long brooded.
On the 18th of January, with a detail of fifteen men
from the First Virginia Cavalry, then camped at King
William Court-house, Mosby started again for Upper Fauquier, and, crossing the Rappahannock at Fox's Mill, we
soon arrived at Warrenton. As our little band marched
through the town, we were stopped by the citizens, who
expressed surprise when they heard that we had come to
make war, for, they said, we resembled rather the retinue
of an embassador, or a company of missionaries, than a
band of warriors. After leaving Warrenton the command was dispersed, with orders to rendezvous on the
28th instant at Mount Zion Church, on the Little River
Turnpike, a mile and a half east of Aldie. This interval
of eight days was not, however, wasted by Mosby; for,
while his men and horses were being recruited at the
houses of citizens, he himself was occupied in collecting
information about the position of the enemy, and in gaining a more accurate knowledge of the country in which
his operations are to be carried on.
In pursuance of orders, the command met Mosby, and
marched down the Little River Turnpike, but turned in
the direction of Frying-pan Church, where we captured a
patrol of two men, and then proceeded toward Old Chantilly Church, where we regained the turnpike. At the
church was stationed a picket of nine men from the




i26         Partisan Life with? Jlosby.
Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, which our leader determined to attack.
Covering his movements by the pines, he formed his
men, and moved cautiously forward, for, contrary to his
former plan of attackl, he decided to assail the picket in
front. Taking with him one man, Mosby dashed forward
and captured the two vedettes without resistance. The
command then charged the reserve, using at the same
time their revolvers. The fight was a short one, and
bloodless but for the wounding of one man, who was shot
by Mosby when attempting to make his escape. With
eleven prisoners, and their arms, horses, and equipments,
we returned in high spirits to Middleburg, where, as before, the prisoners were paroled and the spoil divided.
Roused by our assaults upon his outposts, Colonel
Wyndham,with a body of two hundred cavalry, pursued
us the following day, and arrived at night at Middleburg, denouncing, on his march, vengeance against the
guerrillas and their ad.venturous chief, as well as against
the citizens among whom they found aid and protection.
As Wyndham drew near to the town he passed the house
of Mr. Lorman Chancellor, at which Mosby and his devoted friend Beattie were asleep. Being roused by a negro with this information, they were soon in the saddle,
and having by the morning collected seven of his men,
Mosby entered Middleburg as Colonel Wyndham  was
leaving it.
He boldly charged the enemy's rear, killing one. and
capturing three of their number, and then retired to the
farther end of the village. He there stopped and allowed the Yankees to shoot at him as he sat upon his horse,
a piece of temerity which greatly astonished the citizens,
but which was not without its good effect upon the men.
The rest of his command having been brought up-for
Colonel Wyndham had entered Middleburg with only




Colonel Wyyndclham  Diiven out of _lMiddleb6ur.  27
one hundred of his men —he ventured to open an attack.
Before the vigor of this onset Mosby was compelled to
retreat, losing Beattie and two others, who were taken
prisoners.
As soon as the enemy halted in the pursuit, our leader,
with one man, returned to a hill-top but a few hundred
yards distant from  the head of the Federal column.
Colonel Wyndham, believing them to be members of his
own command who had pressed too far in the front, dispatched a courier to order them back; but Mosby received the order very quietly, and sent the messenger
back with the reply that he couldn't comne yet.
Soon after the return of this expedition to the Federal
camp there appeared in the Northern papers a very animated account of the victory which Colonel Wyndham
had achieved at Middleburg over Stuart's cavalry.
In consequence of Colonel Wyndham's threats to burn
the town of Middleburg, and ravage the country between
it and Fairfax Court-house if our; attacks upon his outposts were repeated, a petition from certain prominent
citizens was presented to Mosby, requesting him to withdraw from their midst.  But it drew from him only the
following spirited and conclusive reply:
"Fauquier County, February 4th, 1863.
"GENTLEMEN,-I have just received your petition requesting
me to discontinue my warfare on the Yankees, because they have
threatened to burn your town and destroy your property in retaliation for my acts. Not being prepared for any such degrading
compromise with the Yankees, I unhesitatingly refuse to comply.
My attacks on scouts, patrols, and pickets, which have provoked
this threat, are sanctioned both by the custom of war and the practice of the enemy, and you are at liberty to inform them that no
such clamor shall deter me from employing whatever legitimate
weapon I can most efficiently use for their annoyance."
The day after this affair with Wyndham our command




28          Pcartisccn Life with AXosby.
was convened at Middleburg for the purpose of striking
again the Federal outposts. A deep snow had fallen, followed by a chilling rain; but, undeterred by the inclemency of the weather, Mosby proceeded in the direction of
Fairfax, but stopped for supper at the house of his friend,
Mat Lee. Here we left the turnpike and went toward
Frying -pan, halting at the house of Ben Hatton.  Ben
had that day returned from a visit to the Yankees, to
whom, according to the warning which Mosby received,
he had been giving information about his movements; so
Ben. was given the choice between a visit to Castle
Thunder, or guiding us to the Federal picket-post, which
was not far distant.  Without the least hesitation he
consented to act as guide, a service for which his recent
visit had well qualified him.
The picket stood on the Lawyer's Road, near Tyler
Davis's house, and consisted of twelve men from the
Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. A patrol of two men
passed between this picket-post and another half a mile
distant once in every hour. Our men, being concealed
near the road along which the patrol passed, succeeded
in capturing them both, and then sent them under guard
to the point where our horses had been left. Guided by
the light of the Yankee camp - fires, Mosby ordered the
men to creep close to the picket, and then charge. The
result was that the Yankees were all captured without
resistance. Two mounted vedettes, however, attempted
to escape, but Hurst and Keys, mounted each on a captured horse, followed close upon them, killing one and
taking the other prisoner. The capture had scarcely
been effected and the prisoners carried off when a squadron of Federal cavalry reached the spot. It had been
stationed a short distance off by Colonel Wyndham's order, in anticipation of our assault upon the pickets, but
failed, as I have said, to come up in time. Thus was




Mfosby Saved by an Angel.           29
Colonel Wyndham a second time foiled in his efforts to
catch his harassing enemy.
In his report of his operations, which he sent to General Stuart, up to February 4th, accompanied by the correspondence between the citizens of Middleburg and himself, Mosby remarked of this last affair: " He set a very
nice trap a few days ago to catch me in, but, contrary to
Colonel Wyndham's expectations, I brought it off with
me."1
In this report Mosby proposed to Stuart to make a
dash with the brigade then lying in Culpepper upon
Dranesville. He said: " In Fairfax County there are five
or six regiments of cavalry; there are about three hundred at Dranesville, who are isolated from the rest of the
command, so that nothing would be easier than to capture the whole force.  I have harassed them so much
that they do not keep their pickets over half a mile from
camp. They have no artillery."  But, for some unexplained reason, this plan, which appeared to be so feasible, was not acted upon.
CHAPTER IV.
3MOSBY SAVED BY AN ANGEL.
Upper Fauquier, February 24th, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-The issue which was raised between
certain of the citizens in and around Middleburg and our
leader has been determined by General Stuart, and Mosby is more firmly established than before in Loudoun and
Fauquier, unless, indeed, Colonel Wyndham can, by craft
or force, expel him; for, after highly commending- his
late operations, General Stuart, in a letter to Mosby, concluded by saying, " I heartily wish you great and increas



30          Partisan Life withb ifosby.
ing success in the glorious career on which you have en.
tered."
The 7th of February had been designated for our assemblage at Ball's Mill, on Goose Creek; not far from the
Loudounr and Fairfax line. But only five of the men appeared at the rendezvous, six oV them having been captured by raiders the night before at a dancing party
which they had attended in violation of orders. It was
the purpose of Mosby to have renewed the attack on the
picket-line in Fairfax, but, hearing of a foraging-party in
the neighborhood, he resolved to follow them. The plunderers, for they were robbers rather than soldiers, had
not only taken with them the horses of citizens, which in
this war are regarded as contraband, but had stripped
such dwelling-houses as lay in their course of all valuables which they could carry off, including silver spoons,
jewelry, and the clothing of ladies. They even carried
%their thieving so far as to deprive Dr. Drake, whom they
met on their march, of his medical saddle-bags. When
the foragers had reached a point within a few miles of
Dranesville, we overtook a party of seven, who had halted,
to examine their "captures."  Throwing ourselves between them and their main body, the spoilers, with their
spoil, were without difficulty captured. The former Mosby sent to Richmond to be detained as robbers, but the
latter he returned to its owners.
The next day, with eight men, Mosby started again for
Fairfax with the intention of striking a picket-post near
Frying-pan Church, which proved to be a trap that had
been set for him, but from which he was saved by the
activity and courage of Miss Laura Ratcliffe. She was
informed by a soldier who came to the house to ask for
milk that Lieutenant Palmer, of the First Virginia, with'
a party, had placed himself in the pines, near Frying-pan
Church, leaving a few of his men in sight of the road as




Xosby Saved by an Angel.          31
pickets. He added," We will surely get 3Mosby this time.
On his next raid he will certainly come by Frying-pan,
and it will not be possible for him to escape. I tell you
this, though I know you would give Mosby any information in your possession; but, as you have no horses, and
the mud is too deep for women folks to walk, you can't
tell him; so the next you hear of your'pet' he will be
either dead or our prisoner."  After the man left, the ladies wondered what they could do in that emergency.
At last Miss Laura concluded to go across the fields and
leave word with the Southern families to watch for Mosby and put him on his guard. While she was at Mr.
George Coleman's in execution of this purpose, she beheld
from the window a small body of men, and, in company
with a lady friend, proceeded to intercept them. But, as
she approached, she saw among them so many blue-coats
that she feared she had fallen in with a band of Yankees,
but was soon relieved from her suspense by John Underwood, who rode up to inquire the news, and was soon followed by Mosby, whom she informed of the ambuscade
prepared for him. Not having men enough to justify an
attack on Lieutenant Palmer, we turned aside to Hermdon Station, where we fell in with a blockade runner,
who had just returned from Washington. It was night,
and, in an old barn, by the light of a candle, the peddler
displayed his goods, and we purchased from him with
Federal currency such articles as we desired.
While here, a citizen, who was in the confidence of the
Federal authorities both military and civil, apprised Mosby of the position of a picket-post near Dranesville.
From the description, John Underwood recognized the
spot, which, under the guidance of our skillful pilot, we
reached without difficulty. The vedette, as usual, made
his escape, but the reserve of fifteen men, together with
their horses, arms, and equipments, we captured, and car



32           Partisan Life with Mlosby.
ried in safety to Middleburg. On our arrival we were
informed that Alexander Davis, a Union man who lives
near Aldie, but who has been compelled by the violence
of Southern feeling to take refuge in the Northern army,
had been to the neighborhood with six wagons, guarded
ostensibly by eighteen cavalry, but in each of which were
concealed twelve infantry from the Bucktail Regiment of
Pennsylvania, but, not finding Mosby, had returned to
camp with his six wagon-loads of live Yankees. Thus
Lieutenant Paller's second device miscarried.
CHAPTER V.
COM3POSITION OF M30SBY'S CORPS.- ATTACK AT THOMPSON'S
CORNER.
Upper Fauquier, February 28Sth, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-Notwithstanding the capture of almost
half of his detail, which I mentioned in my last letter,
Mosby's band has, by the process of accretion, almost
doubled in number since we left camp, for the fame of his
exploits has gone abroad, and adventurous spirits are
gathering around him. This attraction has extended
even to the camp of the enemy; for the other day, while
Mosby was in Middleburg, Sergeant Ames, from the Fifth
New York Cavalry, sought admission into our little band.
His application created quite a stir among our men, who
expressed a violent objection to receiving a Yankee deserter, as they called Ames, into their fellowship. In this
objection they were fortified by the sage opinions of the
citizens, who gravely shook their heads and talked of
treachery.
Deserters are a class necessarily suspected, and the risk
of betrayal is one of those dangers which appeals most




Composition of 3osby's Corps, etc.    33
strongly to the imagination. But Mosby is the last man
in the world to be affected by the suspicious fancies of
soldier or citizen. Relying rather upon his own penetration, and won by the frank and soldierly bearing of the
proposed recruit, he conversed with him about the condition of things in Fairfax, comparing what he heard with
the information of which he was already possessed, and
about the verity of which he was convinced. The result
of the interview was the adoption of Ames into our command; and as he attracted by his antecedents the suspicion, and since, by his courage and fidelity, the admiration
and confidence of the men, I will give you a description
of his appearance.
He is large and muscular, with determination stamped
in every line of his face. His black eye is quick, clear,
intelligent, while his bearing is manly, and his manners
and conversation are pleasing. Sergeant Ames had been
a seafaring man ere he became a soldier, and carries
about him all the characteristics of that profession. The
cause of his desertion, he said, was the Emancipation
Proclamation of President Lincoln, for which he never
meant to fight. As soon as the object of the war was
changed from the reconstruction of the Union to the
abolition of slavery, he regarded his military engagement
as annulled.
In addition to his proper command, there is another
element, composed of loose and unemployed material,
which Mosby is now able to combine and hurl against
the invaders of his country. His custom is to advertise,
about a week in advance, a meeting to be held at one of
his rendezvous, and to it repair those who love adventure
or plunder. But the most abundant and useful source
from which these temporary recruits are derived is from
the members of the regular cavalry at home, on detail or
furlough. Hence it is that members of the Black Horse
C




34           Partisan Life with 31osby.
Company, originally recruited from this county, have so
often taken part in our expeditions, and are weaving
their history into Mosby's career. Convalescents from
the hospitals also will sometimes join him for a single
raid; but when the Yankees come in pursuit, as in the
case of Colonel Wyndham, they find them languidly
stretched on their pallets. These several classes of recruits are called by Mosby his " Conglomerates."
But there is another element of greater durability and
value which is gradually forming itself around him, and
will constitute, I think, the nucleus of a large and independent command.  It is composed of discharged soldiers, youths under the conscript age, and young gentlemen from Maryland, who prefer service under the standard of Mosby to that in the regular army.
Success is the charmed word by which this strange
man attracts and embodies the scattered material around
him.
But this growing fame has produced an inconvenience
of a serious nature. Deserters from the regular army
have begun to rally to this new and brilliant standard,
under which they may partake of the comforts and pleasures of social life, and at the same time discharge the duties and receive the emoluments of the partisan soldier.
I feared at one time that this evil, more potent than the
enemy, would destroy our infant command; but I find
Mosby has an uncompromising sense of military honor
and duty, which has preserved him in this trial. Instead
of allowing his command to become a refuge for deserters, he is, on the contrary, a most efficient ally of the conscript officer. In this way Mosby has obtained the respect and confidence, as well as the admiration of his
military superiors and the officials at Richmond.
On the 26th of February, the day after the date of my
last letter, we started from Rector's Cross-roads to attack




Comnposition of Mosby's Corls, etc.  35
a picket on the by- road at Thompson's Corner, not far
from Germantown. During the preceding night a heavy
snow had fallen, which by morning had changed into a
slow but steady rain. The roads were so deep as to be
almost impassable, and any man but Mosby would have
been content to remain by the fire. With twenty-seven
men he proceeded down the turnpike, and about nightfall struck off in the direction of the proposed place of
attack.
Among our band was Sergeant Ames, mounted, but
unarmed, for the men, still distrustful of his fidelity, had
insisted that this precaution should be taken, and Ames
had willingly agreed. As the command was passing
near her residence, Mosby stopped to consult his intelligent firiend, Miss Ratcliffe, and then resumed his place at
the head of the column, which was guided by the unerring Underwood. When within a short distance of
Thompson's Corner, our leader was informed by a citizen
residing in the vicinity, with a view of dissuading him
from making the attack, that the outpost was furnished
with a hundred men.
"Wellell,  lle," replied Mosby, "if you are right they
will suppose that a hundred at least have come to attack
them."
The night was very cold, and so dark and rainy that
no living wight but John Underwood could have found
the route. When he had neared the post, Mosby:halted
his men that he might ascertain the true strength of the
picket, and whether it could be approached in rear; but,
foiled in this, he resolved to dismiss stratagem and approach boldly in front, hoping to be mistaken for the
patrol coming from Chantilly, Frank Williams and Joe
Nelson were ordered to the front, and the column moved
on. Strange were our sensations as we pressed forward
in the darkness, which was se, intense that a man by your




36          Pacrtisan lie with JMosby.
side could not be recognized. Soon a voice from the
front ordered us to halt, and when Nelson and Williams
replied that they were friends, they were allowed by the
vedette to approach nearer.
But when he saw them he fired his carbine and retreated rapidly, closely pursued. Our commander at
once ordered a charge, and we dashed forward through
the mud and snow, ever keeping Nelson and Williams in
sight. The reserve were sleeping in an old house on the
roadside a short distance off, and toward them the vedette directly retreated. When we arrived at the house
the Yankees were. under arms to receive us, and poured
a volley into our ranks. The men wavered for an instant, till reassured by the voice of their chief. "Close
on them, men," he shouted. The command dashed forward, and the Yankees, fifty in number, fled and scattered in the pines.
The time had come at last for Sergeant Ames to settle
all doubts and suspicions with regard to his loyalty to
his new commander. All unarmed as he was, he rushed
on a mounted soldier, seized him by the collar, and threatened him with immediate death if he did not surrender.
He surrendered and delivered up his revolver, his carbine, his sabre, with which Ames plunged into the woods
in pursuit of the flying enemy. From that time " Big
YaDnkee" has been a great toast with Mosby's men, and
no man doubts now either his loyalty or his courage.
The enemy lost in this midnight encounter a lieutenant and three men killed, five prisoners, besides several
wounded. We also trotted off thirty-nine fine horses,
which stood saddled and bridled in the pines, and were
soon on the return march to Fauquier.
The outpost at Thompson's Corner was but a short distance from the camp of the First New York Cavalry, from
which a heavy detail was sent out to intercept us. As




__'~?~-~                                                                              ____ 
~~~~~~~~~~~ —~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~, 
~~~~~~~i7~-                                                  __   _  _  _  ___~~ 
I —   /   K- -           -=                                                 _ _ _                  -.
" CLOSE ON TH{EM~ ~MEN!




38          Partisan ]i2fe with Mosby.
soon as our command had reached Rector's Cross-roads,
George Slater, of Baltimore, one of the bravest and most
trusty men, was sent down the turnpike as far as Middleburg to ascertain if there was a pursuit by the enemy.
In the mean time the Federal detachment had proceeded to a point near Aldie, where they fell in with a
citizen, of whom they inquired if he had seen "a horsethief named Mosby."  The citizen laughed at the polished wit, and pointed up the road. Off they dashed, expecting to overtake the "horse-thief" very soon. Thus
they continued till they reached Middleburg, beyond
which point their horses, from sheer exhaustion, could
not proceed. The result of the pursuit was that half of
the Yankees returned to their camp leading their lame
and jaded animals.
When Slater returned to notify Mosby of the approach
of the enemy, he found the rendezvous deserted; for, in
his absence, the prisoners had been sent off, the spoil had
been divided, and the men had scattered through the
country.
CHAPTER VI.
DARING- EXPLOITS.-A IHAND - TO - HAND FIGHT.
Near Upperville, March 3d, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-I shall begin my letter to-day with narrating a daring personal exploit performed by Sergeant
Ames and Walter E. Frankland, of Fauquier, a new recruit. The latter, in company with George Whitescarver,
from the same county, attended on foot our recent meeting at Rector's Cross-roads. Whitescarver managed in
some way at once to mount himself, but Frankland was
not so fortunate. Ames was induced, with Mosby's ap



Daring Exploits.-A Hand.-to-hand Fight.   39
probation, to propose to Frankland to enter with him the
camp of the Fifth New York, for the purpose of each
bringing off an officer's horse. Frankland readily assented, and the two adventurers set forth on foot for the
camp, which was then near Germantown, on the turnpike,
one mile from Fairfax Court-house.
Having selected the hour of midnight for the execution of their plan, they succeeded in secreting themselves
in the bushes within a short distance of the line of sentries. About nine o'clock the lights were extinguished,
and soon all was quiet in the camp. But, as midnight
approached, and Ames and his companion were preparing
to go forth from their hiding- place, the bugles in two
regimental camps were sounded, and very soon they saw
detachments of cavalry from each move off in the direction of Fauquier. When the lights were again extinguished, and the camp was again sunk in repose, the two
nen crept from their place of concealment, and stealthily
crossed the sentry-line. As Ames was familiar with the
arrangement of the camp, he proceeded at once to the
stalls where the officer's horses were to be found, followed by his companion. They found the guard on duty
as usual, but he was engaged in conversation with a soldier, and did not appear to observe them. The Rangers
marched boldly into the stable, and, selecting two of the
best horses, proceeded at leisure to bridle and saddle
them. As soon as this was done, the horses were led
forth and mounted, and slowly ridden from the camp.
Their riders, once more on the road, soon struck into a
gallop, and hastened to inform Mosby of the Federal
raiders who had started in search of him.
The cavalry force in Fairfax, commanded by Colonel
Wyndham, is at this time distributed as follows: The
Eighteenth Pennsylvania is encamped at, the
First Virginia and Fifth New York are near German



40          Par'tisan JLife with iios6y.
town, as we have seen, while the First Vermont is at
Dranesville. This force performs the outpost duty, as
well as the scouting and raiding for the artillery and infantry stationed at Fairfax Court-house, under command
of Brigadier General Stoughton. Mosby's unremitting
and successful attacks render his destruction an object of
primary importance to both of these commanders.
In consequence, an expedition of four hundred men,
under command of Major Gilmore, was sent on the 2d of
March to Middleburg, and at an early hour entered the
town, hoping to surprise some of our men, and perhaps
Mosby himself. Failing in this, Major Gilmore captured
several old gentlemen, whom he caused to mark time on
the streets, and then started on his return march.
Mosby had ordered a meeting of his men on the same
day at Rector's Cross-roads, his purpose being again to
assail the picket-line; but, as soon -as he was informed
of Major Gilmore's presence in Middleburg, he  withdrew
his command a short distance from the turnpike, with
the view of falling in behind the raiders and harassing
their rear. The sudden return of the Yankees disconcerted this plan, and Mosby approached Middleburg only
to ascertain the number of the enemy and the route they
had taken. He at once announced his purpose to pursue.
The ladies of Middleburg came out and besought him
earnestly not to do so, for, they said, " There are Yankees
enough to eat you up." But, nothing daunted, our fearless commander started off in pursuit, taking with him
seventeen men. At Aldie we came in sight of a party
of the enemy, which we supposed to be Gilmore's rearguard. Some of them were riding from house to house,
others had dismounted and were lounging about the
streets, while the larger portion were grouped around
the door of a mill, engaged in feeding their horses. A
charge was immediately ordered, and the Yankees scatter



Daring Exploits.-A  cHand-to-hand Fight.   41
ed, offering but slight resistance. Some of them sprang
to their unbitted horses, some fled to the adjacent mountain, while others concealed themselves in the stone mill
and the adjoining buildings.
Mosby was then in undisputed possession of the west
end of the village; but, seeing a Federal officer on the
other side of Little River, which passes through the town,
he inferred that the enemy had rallied, and were preparing for a fight. Ile ordered Turner to take one man, and
proceed in that direction to watch the movement. Turner discovered that Mosby's conjecture was unfounded,
and at once attacked the officer, who proved to be Captain Worthington, of the First Vermont Cavalry. The
A' HAND-TO-HAND FIGT.




42          Partisan Life wit/L 1osby.
combat was a short hand-to-hand fight, but the Federal
officer did not surrender until he had had his horse shot,
and had inflicted on his captor a serious wound.
Mosby was still under the belief that he had engaged
the rear-guard of Major Gilmore's command, and that the
entire column would soon return to attack him. He
therefore ordered his men to return to Middleburg, and
take with them the prisoners and horses, leaving himself
and one other, the only Confederate soldiers in Aldie.
Thinking all danger over, three of the Yankees, who had
escaped to the mountain, returned to the village and were
captured, and sent off under charge of Mosby's companion. Then, for the first time, Mosby learned that the enemy whom he had fought were not Major Gilmore's
command, but, a party of.fifty-nine men from the First
Vermont Cavalry, under command of Captain Huttoon,
who, at his own request, had been allowed to go on an
independent expedition in search of the guerrillas.
In less than two hours from the time we had left Middleburg we had traveled eight miles, and, in an encounter with a greatly superior force, had captured nineteen
prisoners, among whom were two captains and twentythree horses.
In the fight at Aldie Mosby's horse became so unmanageable that he was compelled to leap from the saddle,
and allow the animal, which had been recently captured,
to rejoin its old friends. At this juncture Furlong Carter dismounted and offered him his horse, which enabled
Mosby to rejoin the command and again enter the combat.




General Stoughton's Capture by Iliosby.  43
CHAPTER VII.
GENERAL STOUGHTON S CAPTURE BY MOSBY.
Upper Fauquier, March 15th, 186b.
DEAR PERCY,-I am now about to relate the most
brilliant personal exploit of the war. A few days ago,
Mosby put in execution a plan which he had gradually
matured for the capture at Fairfax Court-house of the
Federal officers, whose head-quarters were at that place.
With twenty-nine men he started down the turnpike
from Rector's Cross-roads, and halted at Aldie, where
he disbanded his men to meet again the following day,
hoping that an escort, which had been sent off in charge
of prisoners, would rejoin him by that time. Disappointed in this, the next day he continued his march
for eight miles, when he stopped to have the horses fed
and await the approach of night.
A steady rain had been falling since early in the evening, but, notwithstanding, we set forward as soon as it
became dark. When we had reached a point within
three miles of Chantilly, we turned to the right, and
struck across the country in the direction of Fairfax
Court-house.  So intense was the darkness that, as we
were passing through a dense body of pines, the command was separated into two divisions, Mosby, with the
head of the column,*going forward, while the rest of it
stopped under the impression that a halt had been ordered. When our isolated position was discovered (for
I was with the party left in the pines), we were in a great
quandary as to what course we ought to pursue.  With



44           Partisan Life with Miosby.
out a guide, in a dark night, in an intricate forest, in a
strange country, the situation in which we were placed
was one of no little embarrassment. Some of the men
advocated a return to Fauquier, while others thought it
best to remain stationary until Mosby should send back
for the missing detachment; but the most of us preferredto press forward and endeavor to overtake our leader.
After some deliberation this counsel prevailed, and, having proceeded a short distance, the wanderers discovered
a faint light glimmering through the pines. Advancing
toward it, we found, to our great joy, that it proceeded
from a woodman's hut, where we found Mosby with the
rest of the command.
We were now near the enemy's outside picket-line
between Centreville and Chantilly, and, by the use of
great caution, we succeeded in passing through without
being discovered, and again resumed our march. Feeling our way very carefiully, we next struck a point on
the turnpike midway between Fairfax Court-house and
Centreville, and cut the telegraph wires by which the
Federal force at the Court-house could communicate
with the cavalry at the latter place.  Moving down the
turnpike until he came within a mile and a half of the
Court-house, Mosby flanked off to the right to avoid some
infantry camps, and proceeded in a southeasterly direction until he struck the road which leads from Fairfax
Station to the Court-house, on which he moved toward
the village. By this movement he hoped to disarm the
suspicions of sentinels and pickets as to the true character of his party. As we drew near the town, the
camp-fires of the infantry burned brightly in every direction. These encampments we avoided as we pressed rapidly on, yet necessarily, passing sometimes quite
near the sentries. But we were. not challenged, as no




General Stoughton's Capture by Mosby.   45
soldier suspected that a handful of Confederate cavalry
could have penetrated without being detected so far
within the Federal lines, or would have the hardihood
to attempt it.
At two o'clock in the morning we entered Fairfax
Court-house, and found the streets deserted and scarcely
a light any where visible; every one seemed buried in
sleep, officers, soldiers, citizens. Swiftly and silently we
marched along the street which leads from Fairfax Station to the point where it intersects the Little River
Turnpike in front of the village hotel now used as a
hospital.  Here Mosby left Ames and Frankland, and
with the rest of the command proceeded to the- house of
a citizen farther on in the village. The two Rangers
were soon discovered and challenged by the sentinel who
was pacing his beat in front of the hospital.  Ames
promptly responded that they were members of the 5th
New York Cavalry, waiting for the return of Major
White, of that regiment-an answer which appeared to
satisfy the man, for he reumed his beat. Ames then
called him as if to whisper something in his ear, and,
when he approached, took him prisoner.
Very soon Mosby returned to the spot where he had
left Frankland and Ames, and proceeded to make his dis.
positions for the night's work. A party under the guid,
ance of Ames was sent to capture Colonel Wyndham,
another party was detailed to collect the horses in the
stables, while with a third Mosby proceeded to pay his
respects to Brigadier General Stoughton.
When Ames arrived at his point of destination he
discovered that Colonel Wyndham, the object of his
search, had that morning gone to Washington. Meantime one of the men stepped into an adjoining room, and
aroused from his sleep an officer with the information
that Mosby desired his presence. Appreciating his sit



46           Partisan Life with Mfosby.
uation, he very warmly protested against being carried
off, as he was only a sutler, and at the same time, in confirmation of his words, pointed to a quantity of confiscated merchandise which was lying about on the shelves
and chairs. The Ranger was deceived by these representations, and was about to turn off from the supposed
sutler, when Ames came up and recognized him as Captain Barker, of the 5th New York Cavalry, to whose
company he had belonged.  As soon as the captain recognized Ames, he acknowledged his stratagem and prepared to accompany his captors.
While this scene was being enacted, the horse detail
were plying their work with busy hands in the officers'
stables, where they secured many a prize. Almost a
hundred horses were at short notice collected in the
streets awaiting Mosby's return.
Mosby, meantime, had gone to the house of Dr. Gunnel, which stands apart toward the west of the village,
at no great distance from the Little River Turnpike, toward which itfronts.  Witb~six men he approached the
door, at which he knocked for admission.: Soon a voice
from  a window above demanded their business at so
unusual an hour. 
"Dispatches for General Stoughton," replied Mosby.
The door was soon unlocked, and the general's nocturnal
visitors proceeded to his apartment on the upper floor.
It appears that Brigadier General Stoughton had the
night before given a dancing-party at his head-quarters.
The revelers had tarried long, and the gallant officer was
now in the soft embrace of the first sleep. With a
rude shake Mosby roused. him from his slumber, and it
may be from his dreams.  The general demanded the
cause of so unseasonable a visit.  Mosby curtly replied,
"Stuart's cavalry is in possession of the town."
"Impossible," exclaimed Stoughton; nor could the in



.~!t~~li~i ~
r,         ~               II                  V.                                                                                                                   _____
CAPTUR!               OF'~,~                                   % GENERALl,,~ STOUGHION~                                                              ~,.
CAPTURE OF GENERAL STOUGHTON.




48           Partisan Life with iMosby.
credulity of the Sybarite be removed until he was informed by his captor that his name was Mosby. As
obedient as to the summons of death, the Federal officer
arose, and without another word proceeded to put on
his clothes; but, while thus engaged, informed the intruders that if they had only come the night before he
would have-been prepared for their reception, but that,
inasmuch as they were expected at Chantilly that night,
arrangements had been made there to receive them.
While these events transpired in the chamber of General Stoughton, George Whitescarver and Welt Hatcher
had explored some tents in the rear of the house, and
had captured seven of the 1st Vermont Cavalry on duty
as a body-guard to the general.
As soon as his toilette was finished, Stoughton, who
was a philosopher as well as a general, in a cheerful
voice called to his servant to bring out his horse, but
some handy Ranger, for Mosby's men are all handy, had
more than performed this service, for two beautiful animals from the general's stud, all caparisoned, were standing in front of the house. But I regret to add that the
general's cheerfull spirits did not last long, for instead of
being allowed to mount one of his own fleet-footed steeds,
he was requested politely to ride a horse of lower mettle
which had been provided for his service.
Just as we were about to depart an incident occurred
which I think worth relating.  Frank WVilliams approached General Stoughton and handed him his watch,
which the Ranger said in the hurry of the departure had
been overlooked. Thus you see that, so far from being
a band of plunderers, Mosby's men scrupulously respect
private property.. With his prisoners Mosby returned to the rendezvous
in front of the hotel, and as soon as the several detachments had come in, bringing with them their captures,




General Stoztghton's Capture by iiosby.    49
we prepared to return in the same direction from which
we had entered the town. We had been an hour and a
half in the village, garrisoned as it was by a considerable
body of infantry, and yet our presence had not been discovered except by the sentinels, all of whom we had captured.  After we had started on our return, encumbered
with thirty-two prisoners, two of whom were captains,
and fifty-eight horses, which were all that we could bring
off with us, a window of a house which we passed was
thrown open, and a voice imperatively demanded what
command that cavalry belonged to. A laugh from the
men was the only reply. The column, however, was
halted, and Nelson and Welt Hatcher were ordered to
dismount and search the house for the person from
whomn the voice had proceeded.  This duty they proceeded to perform, but found, instead of the officer whom
they expected to meet, only a lady, who proved to be the
wife of Colonel Johnson, of the 18th Pennsylvania, then
acting quarter-master of the post. The colonel's uniform
they found lying on a chair; his gold watch was hanging on the wall, and his hat was on the table, but the
colonel himself was nowhere to be found.  It was a
clear case of desertion, and, instead of capturing the officer, Nelson only brought off his hat, to supply the place
of his own, which he had lost a few nights before. After
their fruitless search the two men rejoined the column,
which proceeded on its march without farther delay, for
it was now half past three o'clock, and our commander
was desirous of repassing the outposts before day should
dagwn.
As we were flanking around the fortifications at Centreville, and passing so near as to be hailed by the sentinel on the redoubt, and distinctly to see the bristling
cannon through the embrasures, Captain Barker set
spurs to his horse and attempted to make his escape;
D




a0          Pateisaccn  ife witlt _ifosby.
but a pistol-shot from his guard, whichl grazed his head,
induced hiln to return. The sentinel challenged again,
but no answer was returned, and the column moved on.
We were soon outside of the Federal pickets, and,
crossing the Warrenton and Centreville Turnpike, we
struck Cub Run about one mile above the Suspension
Bridge.  This stream was now much swollen by the recent snows, but we soon swam  our horses across it.
Mosby plunged in first, followed by General Stoughton,
who, as he emerged from his cold bath, remarked, "Captain, this is the first bad treatment I have received at
your hands."
From Cub Run we proceeded to the Sudley Mills,
and again struck the turnpike at Groveton.  Here Mosby left us, and, with George Slater, galloped ahead of
the command, to ascertain if any danger threatened his
line of march. They rode to the crest of a high hill,
which commanded a view of the road far back toward
Centreville, and it was with an anxious heart that Mosby's eye swept the horizon in that direction.  But he
could see no indications of pursuit, and for the first time
since his departure from Fairfax Court-house did he
feel confident that his daring exploit had been crowned
with success, nor until then had the captured general
abandoned all hope of being rescued.
Apprehending no danger in his front, Mosby ordered
the command to proceed directly to Warrenton, while
with Slater he lingered in the rear, and did not overtake
us until we had reached the town.
The citizens, who had been notified of our approach by
Walter Frankland, had prepared for our hungry band a
plentiful breakfast, and received us with hearty cheers.
The next day, at the head-quarters of Brigadier General Fitz Lee, at Brandy Station, Mosby turned over his
captives, and then divided the spoil among his brave
companions.




Generacl Stoughton's Capture by /Yiosby.       51
General Stuart was as this time still encamped near
Fredericksburg, but he arrived the next day at Brandy
Station, having been summoned to attend a court-martial at that place.  He had met at Gordonsville Stoughton and his fellow-captives, and when he saw Mosby he
expressed in the strongest terms his appreciation of
the brilliant exploit which he had just performed.
IMosby's services had already attracted the attention
of Governor Letcher, who, in acknowledgment of them,
had sen,him, through General Stuart, a captain's cornmission in the Provisional Army of Virginia, an organization which had long ceased to exist.  On this occasion Stuart delivered it to Mosby, and added that he
thought it possible that the Confederate government
might be induced to recognize its validity. But Mosby,
not a little indignant, refused to accept so nominal a
dignity, for the governor's commission was in  truth
about as valuable as would have been his excellency's
warrant for a tract of land in the moon.
In a few days after this, the following order was published to the cavalry corps of the Army of Northern Virginia:
" Head-quarters, Cavalry Divisions, Army of
Northern Virginia, March 12th, 1863.
General Orders, Yo. -
" Captain John S. Mosby has for a long time attracted the attention of his generals by his boldness, skill, and success, so signally
displayed in his numerous forays upon the invaders of his native
state. None know his daring enterprise and dashing heroism better than those foul invaders, though strangers themselves to such
noble traits.
"His lat2 brilliant exploit — the capture of Brigadier General
Stoughton, U. S. A., two captains, thirty other prisoners, together
with their arms, equipments, and fifty-eight horses — justifies this
recognition in General Orders.
"This feat, unparalleled in the war, was performed in the midst
of the enemy's troops, at Fairfax Court-house, without loss or injury.




52           Partisan Life with Mosby.
"The gallant band of Captain Mosby share the glory, as they
did the danger of this enterprise, and are worthy of such a leader.
"J. E. B. STUART, Major General commanding."
Great was the surprise at Fairfax Court-house the
next morning when it was discovered that during the
preceding night Mosby had been there and had carried
off the commanding officer, besides a large number of
prisoners and horses.  Some censured one officer, some
another, but it was agreed on all hands that so daring a
feat could not have been performed without the aid of
accomplices in the town. Upon the strength of this suspicion, wholly devoid of foundation in fact, eight prominent citizens of known Southern sympathies were thrown
into the county jail, from which they have been sent to
spend many a weary month in the Old Capitol Prison.
The vengeance of the military authorities at Fairfax
Court-house was at the same time wreaked upon the
head of an innocent and interesting young lady of the
village, Miss Antonia Ford, who has been torn from the
bosom of her family, and sent likewise to the Federal
Bastile, an act of harshness and tyranny which deserves
the reprobation of all good men in whatever country
they reside.
A few days after I called to see Miss Laura IRatcliffe,
and was told by her that the day after our expedition
the Yankees came out in swarms, but looked very sullen,
and would have nothing to say. "We knew," she said,
" there was some cause for the unusual excitement.  At
last one of them came up, seeming greatly amused, and
told us that they were ordered by their officers not to
tell what had happened in' Devil's Corner,' as they call
this neighborhood, as it would delight us too much. But
he thought the smartest thing that had been done in
either army since the war ought not to be kept secret.
HI-e then told us that Stoughton and his staff had been




Cacpture of the Pickets at HIerndon's Station.    53
captured in bed the night before by Mosby.  The news,"
she said, "was too good to keep, so we went round
among our neighbors to tell it, and that day was one of
rejoicing among us all.'
Thus you see, my friend, that Mosby has begun to
expand his wings, and you may expect from him soon a
higher flight.
CHAPTER VIII.
CAPTURE OF THE PICKETS AT HERNDON'S STATION.
Upper Fauquier, March 21st, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-So harassing has been our warfare
on the Federal outposts in Fairfax, that a brigade of
Michigan cavalry has been added to the force on that
theatre of the war, to enable the commander at the
Court-house to strengthen his pickets to such an extent
as to render it impossible for Mosby, with his small
command, to attack them with any chance of success.
In order to strengthen his command to meet in some
degree this heavy re-enforcement of the enemy, Mosby
proposed, while at Brandy Station, to take the dismounted men of General Fitz Lee's cavalry brigade, promising
to mount and equip them in return for a short term of
service —a proposition which he thought reasonable
enough, as he was interposed between the brigade and
the enemy in Fairfax.  But it was declined, and the
dismounted men were sent in charge of a brigade officer
to obtain horses and equipments from the enemy..*
About this time, the original detail with which -Mosby crossed the IRappahannock, and with which he had
* The result was, that the dismounted men were soon all captured; for it was not so easy as it appeared to be to gobble up
Yankee cavalry, and get their horses and equipments.




54           Partisan Life with Mfosby.
performed such brilliant services, was recalled to the
brigade in Culpepper County on the ground of some informality in the manner in.which it had been made.
But Mosby appealed to his good friend General Stuart,
and obtained from him an order by which the period
of service was extended, and, once more on his old field
of operations, one which had by common consent been
abandoned to him, he began again to unwind the threads
of destiny.  A proclamation was at once made of an intended raid, and his little band, and all others disposed
to unite in the enterprise, were notified to meet at iRector's Cross-roads on the 16th of March.
In response to his call, forty men assembled, of whom
the usual proportion were' conglomerates."  The command was drawn up, and General Stuart's order in reference to the capture of Stoughton was read, and was
received with a round of cheers. We then proceeded
down the Little River Turnpike till we reached a point
below Middleburg, where we struck across the country
to our left till we reached the neighborhood of Ball's
Mill.  Here the men were divided into two parties, one
of which was sent with Dick Moran to find quarters at
the house of a citizen, while Mosby, with the other party, passed the night with Nat Skinner, his faithful friend
and supporter.
At an early hour the next day the command was
brought together, and marched in the direction of
Dranesville.  Except the direction of the march, no one,
save the guide Underwood, knew aught of our leader's
purposes.  As we tra.mped through the mud and snow,
we occupied ourselves with many a conjecture on this
head, but such was the confidence with which he had inspired all hearts that not a man doubted but that ahead
somewhere there was a good thing in store for us. Underwood, of course, determined the route.  At one time




Ccapture of the Pickets at tlerndo}n's Station.  55
we were on a highway, at another traversing the blasted and uninclosed fields' of Fairfax, and anon we were
treading unfrequented by-paths, which pursued their devious course through some dense and tangled forest of
pine.
Toward noon we struck the Loudoun and Hampshire
Railroad, about three miles northwest of Herndon's Station, and, crossing it, we entered a pine forest which
stretched along the railroad toward Alexandria.  After
about an hour's ride we discovered that Underwood had
conducted the command to the rear of the picket at
Herndon's Station, and that we were approaching it on
the road leading from Dranesville.
Mosby now prepared to attack. His first step was to
send forward two men to capture the vedette, whose attention was engaged with a newspaper.  He had seen
the party as they drew near, but had taken it for the
relief which was expected at that hour.  His capture
wvas in consequence effected without difficulty, and the
command pressed forward at a rapid pace. As soon as
we emerged from the woods and were in full view of the
object of attack, the force at the station, fifty in number,
wvere distinctly seen lounging about t.he place, wholly
unconscious of the impending danger. A charge was
now ordered with drawn sabres, and the men dashed forward on the surprised Yankees.  Some were at once
taken prisoner, but the most found shelter in the houses
about the Station. The sabre was then exchanged for
the pistol, and soon an effective fire was opened on the
enemy through the thin weather-boarding with which the
houses were incased.  A speedy surrender was the consequence. A considerable number of the Yankees, however, had sought refuge in a saw-mill close at hand. Into
this building Mosby entered, accompanied by John De
Butts, and demanded and received the surrender of the




56           Partisan Life with Ilosby.
whole party without a shot being fired. After the prisoners were mounted, and the command was ready to begin the homeward march, Mosby had his attention called
to several horses which were fastened near a dwelling
which the assailants had passed in the impetuosity of
their charge. A search was ordered. When the house
was entered, the men discovered in a lower room a table
set out with a plentiful meal, but none to partake of it.
The two lower rooms being found empty, the searchers
ascended to the upper floor. But no one was there, unless men were concealed in a garret over one of the lower
rooms, which communicated by a small door with the
upper floor on which the searching-party stood. One
of the men (it was Ames, I believe) approached this door,
and looked into the dark garret, but could see no one.
He then called to the Yankees, whom he supposed to be
there, to come forth and surrender.  There was no answer. The demand was repeated, and still no answer.
The bold partisan then fired his pistol into the obscure
apartment, and heard a whispered conference between
parties within. A peremptory demand was then made,
to which no response was returned. Another shot, and
Captain Schofield soon made his appearance.  But his
companion, Major Wells, made a more direct and precipitous descent into the room below by treading on the
lathing of the ceiling, which gave way, and landed him
among the partisans.
As soon as the officers had delivered up their arms,
the men attacked the dinner on the table, and soon dispatched it. Mosby, with these two prisoners, then rejoined the command, who were awaiting his return before
taking up the line of march.
But Major Wells, under pretense that he could not
mount his horse, sought to delay our departure until the
expected relief should come up, seeking by this artifice to




Capture of the Pickets at Herndon's Station.   57
repair his misfortune. But his guard was a rude fellow,
and, penetrating his design, with cocked pistol, bade him
mount at once. The major leaped nimbly into the saddle,
and the partisan column moved toward Fauquier.
The prisoners, with a sufficient guard under John Underwood, who was ordered to use all expedition, were
started in advance; the rest of the command, in charge
of Dick Moran, following Underwood's trail, with the
exception of twelve men, who, with Mosby, lingered behind to protect the rear from being assailed by the expected relief.  In this order we proceeded until we
crossed the Horse-pen, where the rear-guard overtook
Moran.  Just as wve passed this stream the Federal relief galloped up and opened fire on us from the opposite
bank. There is a lane, formed by two high fences, which
leads from the margin of the stream to a hill-top distant about one hundred yards in the direction of Underwood's retreat.  On the crest of this elevation, Mosby, strengthened by Moran's party, halted, and challenged
the Yankees to cross the water-course.  The stream was
deep, and his plan was to wait until the most of his pursuers had crossed it, and then to chaxge them. He
doubted not, as he told me afterward, that in this event
he would have captured or destroyed almost the entire
party. The enemy, however, dismounted a force, and
attempted with their carbines to drive us away.  Mosby stood his ground until Underwood, with the prisoners, was safe from pursuit, and the day following rejoined the command at Chappelier's, on the Upperville Turnpike, near Piedmont.  Having become satisfied that'Wyndham's threats were only an empty boast, he again
paroled the privates among his prisoners, twenty-one in
number, and started them off for Harper's Ferry.  They
were in high spirits, and thought it not a bad thing to
be captured by the guerrilla Mosby, and get a furlough




58           Partisan Life with Miosby.
until they could be exchanged.  The officers, however,
were placed on a different footing, for, after being put
on their parole of honor, they'were ordered in charge of
Jake the HI-ungarian, to report to General Fitz Lee in
Culpepper.
Now Jake, who had been a soldier with Kossuth, had
the least possible confidence in a parole of honor.  Accordingly, when the party stopped for the night on the
route, he resorted to the following cunning stratagem to
prevent the Federal officers, while he was asleep, from
slipping off to their countrymen. As soon as they had
retired for the night, Jake appeared, and in the politest,manner offered to black their boots; for, while he had so
little confidence in a parole, he was yet perfectly convinced
that no gentleman would go off without his boots.  According to the principles of this Hungarian code, all that
Jake had to do was to hold fast to the boots through
the night, and this he very carefully did.  Up to this
time, Mosby, while he declined participating in the spoil.taken from the enemy, had yet been in the habit, when
he needed it, of reserving a captured horse for his own
use. As he is ever in the saddle, such a reservation is
in a manner necessary to his full efficiency; but even this
}eculium  he has determined to resign, rather than afford
the slightest color to the accusation preferred against
him by the enemy, and repeated sometimes in the South,
that he is a mere mercenary, and makes war subservient
to avarice.  So careful is this remarkable man to vindicate the high motives which govern his conduct from
the taint of suspicion, that he will not take even so
much as a halter-strap or.a saddle-girth from the rich
spoil which he daily captures from the enemy.




The Raid on Chantilly.            59
CHAPTER IX.
THE RAID ON CHANTILLY.
Upper Fauquier, April 8th, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-Before Mosby disbanded us at Chappelier's, he designated Rector's Cross-roads and the 24th
of March as the time and place for our next meeting.
This ample notice was given for the benefit of the "Conglomerates," of whom Mosby on that occasion pleasantly remarked, "They resemble the Democratic party at
least in one particular, for they are held together by the
cohesive power of public plunder."
As soon as we were disbanded Mosby procured a fresh
horse, and, accompanied by John Underwood, proceeded
on a scout to Fairfax. At the end of the sixth day he
was at the rendezvous, where he found fifty-five men assembled to follow his standard.  Among them  was
Captain Kennon, who had served with distinction in
Wheat's celebrated Tiger Battalion, and Captain Hoskins, an English officer, who brought back a medal from
the Crimea.
As soon as this American war broke out, HIoskins re^gigned his commission and sought service in the Southern army.  At his own request, he was ordered to report to Mosby, which he did on the 24th, when, for the
first time, I met him.  He seems formed for a soldier.
His temper is brave, elastic, and generous, and his frame,
though small, is muscular and firmly knit.  His favorite
weapon is the English sabre, which he wears always on
service, and uses with great skill.
By his scout to Fairfax Mosby ascertained that the




60          Partiscan Life with Mosby.
enemy, three thousand strong, composed of infantry, artillery, and a brigade of cavalry, were posted at Ox Hill,
which is about three miles from Frying-pan and Chantilly, at which points they had established outposts,
composed each of one hundred men of the 5th New York
Cavalry. The troops stationed at these two places our
leader determined in succession to surprise. In pursuit
of this object, he marched down the Little River Turnpike, and, at a point about six miles from Chantilly,
struck out to the right, and then followed the direction
of the road. As we emerged late in the evening from a
body of wood about a mile from Chantilly, we encountered two vedettes, who galloped off in the direction of
the outpost.  Besides these, we saw five or six others,
about six hundred yards ins front of us, observing our
movements. Finding that his plan for a surprise had
miscarried, it being late in the evening and our horses
very much jaded, Mosby concluded to return. But, as
soon as the command came in view of the vedettes, a
party of our men, seven or eight in number, broke from
the ranks, and dashed across the field in pursuit of them.
Suddenly they came upon a picket of ten men on the
turnpike, which had been thrown out by the force at
Chantilly.  They were engaged in cooking their rations,
but soon mounted their horses arid hurried after the vedettes. Keys and Seibert, who were better mounted
than the rest of their comrades, pressed close upon the
flying enemy, and were only a few paces in their rear
when they reached a small stream.  Here Keys demanded a surrender; but one of the Federals responded by
turning in his saddle to shoot his pursuer. With a
quick eye and steady aim Keys anticipated the action,
and his ball penetrated the forehead of his antagonist.
Subdued by the fate of their companion, seven of the
fugitives halted and surrendered to their two pursuers.




The Raid on Chantilly.          61
The party then returned with their prisoners and horses
to report their success to Mosby, whom they found on
the summit of a hill which commanded a view of Chantilly, for he had left the command at the Double Tollgate, and had come to look after the party with Keys
and Seibert.
From that point he could clearly discern a large detachment of cavalry move out from Chantilly, and proceed slowly in the direction of the Double Toll-gate,
and soon saw them joined by a body of equal strength,
numbering in all about two hundred men. Mosby at
once hurried back to the command, and fell back up the
turnpike, feigning a retreat, until he reached a point where
the Yankees had blockaded the road with fallen trees.
Here he formed to receive them, for, as he afterward said,
from his knowledge of Yankee character, he knew they
would imagine themselves fallen into an ambuscade.
When the enemy had come within a hundred yards of
us, Mosby ordered a charge, to which the men responded
with a vim that swept every thing before them. The
Yankees broke when we got within seventy-five yards of
them, and it was more. of a chase than a fight for four or
five miles.
We killed five, wounded a considerable number, and
brought off one lieutenant and thirty-five men prisoners.
Mosby did not have with him more than fifty men, some
having gone on with the prisoners, and others having
gone on ahead when we started back, not anticipating
any pursuit.
All the men behaved with distinguished gallantry in
this combat, but Ames seemed fired with a peculiar zeal,
and his eyes grew brighter as he pressed forward in the
front to engage his old regiment. As we mingled in
among the flying enemy, he shot right and left, as if possessed by the demon of battle. In the hurly-burly one
of the 5th New York recognized him



62            Pacrtisan Life zwith lf~osb/.
HIow are you, Sergeant Ames?"
"'Well," was the reply, and with a shot from his pistol
he brought his old acquaintance to the ground.
Josh Fletcher, of Fauquier, one of the "'Conglomerates" in the pursuit, came upon a thick-set Dutchman,
and dealt him no gentle stroke with his sabre, which induced the fugitive in his guttural tones to propose to
surrender.  But Josh had never studied Dutch, and, as
he swept. by, he dealt him another blow across the head
which brought the unfortunate man to the ground.
William  Hibbs, known in the command as Major
Hibbs, had acted in this fight with so much gallantry
that Mosby acknowledged it in the presence of the comnmand.  The major, who is the most excitable of men,
overpowered by this unusual honor, laughed and wept
in turn, exclaiming,'"Well, captain, I knew the work had
to be done, and that was the way to do it."
In reply to his dispatch announcing this success, Mosby received the following communication from General
Stuart:
"Head-quarters, Cavalry Division, Army of
Northern Virginia, March 27th, 1863.
"CAPTAIN —Your telegram, announcing your brilliant achievement near Chantilly, was duly received and forwarded to General
Lee. He exclaimed upon reading it;
"'zlJTrcah for ]iosby! I wisl I had a ht ncred like himr!'
" Heartily wishing you continued success, I remain your obedient
servant,
"J. E. B. STUART, Major General commanding.
" Captain J. S. Mosby, commanding, etc., etc."
I will now give you an account of a surprise which
the Yankees gave Mosby a few days ago, that you may
see how he extricates himself from such difficulties.
At his'next meeting, which was on the 31st of March,
1863, Mosby mustered a command of sixty-nine men, the
usual proportion of which was composed of volunteers




The Raid on Chantilly.             63
from the regular cavalry, at home on detail and furlough.
Taking the direction of Dranesville, he left the Little
River Turnpike at Mat Lee's house. Herndon's Station,
where he paused on his route, he found to be no longer
a Federal outpost, nor did he find the cavalry camp
which he proposed to attack still at Dranesville; for
the fight at Chantilly had induced the enterprising General Stahl to draw in his line of outposts behind Difficult
Run, a stream  which well deserves its name, for it is
narrow and deep, and rolls over a broken and rocky bed.
Its steep banks are, moreover, heavily skirted with timber, which had been felled in order to strengthen this
barrier of Nature against the assaults of the all-seeing
and ever-present Mosby.
Mosby had now redeemed his promise, given to General Stuart as the inducement for that officer to lend him
fifteen men, that in two months' time he would compel
the Federal commander in Fairfax to contract his lines.
The means of fulfillment was the detail of fifteen men,
but re-enforced by such auxiliaries as his genius, enterprise, and brilliant success had attracted to his standard.
In Dranesville two sutlers were found who had not
yet removed their stores, but the men were prohibited
from  interfering with them.  Disappointed in his expectations, Mosby marched his command several miles
up the Leesburg Turnpike, and camped for the night at
Miskel's house, which is on the northern side of the road,
and is situated on the summit of a hill, at the northern
base of which, at the distance of half a mile, rolls the
Potomac.
From this point could be plainly discerned the highlands on the opposite side of the river, and a cantonment of Northern troops. On the south side of the
house, and between it and the turnpike road, are first an
inclosure of cultivated land, and then a considerable body




64           Partisan Life with ili~osby.
of wood. The barn-yard, in which the command was
encamped, is surrounded by a high fence, and connects
with the narrow inclosure which surrounds the house;
and it opens, through a plantation gate, into the field of
cultivated land, through which the road runs leading to
the turnpike.  There is a fence between this field and
the body of wood already spoken of, in which is a high
and strong gate wihere it is crossed by the road, and
along the side of this road another fence runs back to
the barn-yard gate. lFrom the position of these inclosures it will be seen that Mosby was effectually cut
off, in case of a sudden attack, from a retreat in the direction of Dranesville, while Broad Run empties into the
Potomac at a short distance from MiskelPs house, and is
an effectual baarier to all egress in the direction of Loudoun and Fauquier.  This was the spot which Mosby
had been compelled to select for the night's encampment,
for it was the only place where forage could be procured
in the country around. The men slept in the barn and
in the dwelling, which was an ordinary farm-house, while
their horses were fastened to the fence.
On account of the temporary and precarious nature
of his control over the conglomerate body which he
commanded, Mosby did:not, in such inclement weather,
send out pickets, but kept on duty, as a camp guard,
only one sentry at the barn.
As the command marched from Dranesville, Dick Moran, who came from that neighborhood, stopped to pass
the night with an old acquaintance, Mr. Green, who lives
on the margin of the road, about midway between Dranesville and Miskel's.
The presence of the Northern army in Fairfax county had unsettled and perverted the loyalty of a portion
of the people.  Among these was a woman who lived at
Herndon's Station.  Intent upon mischief to the South



The Raid on Chantilly.           65
ern cause, as Mosby passed that place in the afternoon,
she counted the number of his men, and when her brother returned home at night posted him off to the camp
of the 1st Vermont Cavalry on Difficult Run, with this
information, coupled with the fact that they had been
marched in the direction of Dranesville.  As soon as
this intelligence was communicated to the officer in command, he resolved not to allow so favorable an opportunity to escape for the destruction of his troublesome
enemy.
Captain Flint, for his bravery and skill, was chosen
for this important service; and a call was made for volunteers from the regiment, which, in so gallant a command, he found no difficulty in obtaining. Two hundred men were selected from those who came forward,
and were divided into two squadrons, the first being
armed with the revolving pistol, the second with the carbine and sabre.
About daylight Captain Flint, after passing through
Dranesville, stopped at Green's house, where he learned
that Mosby was then camped at Miskel's.
As the confident officer moved off, he exclaimed, "'All
right, boys; we will give Mosby an April fool!" and
was answered by cheers from the men. As soon as the
surprise-party had passed, Moran, who had been concealed in the house, speedily mounted his horse, and rode
through the intervening farms to apprise his friends of
their impending danger.
About sunrise, one of the command informed Mosby
that the enemy on the Maryland side of the river were
mlaking signals. He arose and went out to make observations, when he heard Dick Moran shout, as he rode
toward the house, "Mount! mount! The Yankees are
clming!"  In a moment the camp was all alive with excitement, and the men hurried to resume their arms and
E




66          Partisan Life with Mosby.
saddle their horses. Mosby passed out of the house by
the front door which looks toward the barn, and as he
did so, beheld Captain Flint's first squadron marching
through the gate into the field which separates the barnyard from the wood. He at once called to his men to
rally, and told them they had to fight! Mosby's horse
was unsaddled, and, as he gained the barn-yard, the first
squadron was pressing forward, and extending itself in a
semicircle so as to prevent, as they hoped, any of the
guerrillas from effecting their escape.
As the Federals came within pistol-shot of the fence
which incloses the barn-yard on the side toward the
wood, they opened a rapid fire upon Mosby's men, who
were there engaged in saddling and bridling their horses.
The fire was warmly returned by the partisans, and
when Captain Flint called out to his men to " shoot the
d-d cowards," he fell from his horse pierced by eight
balls.
But the decisive blow was not struck at this point.
As the right wing of the Federal squadron was pressing
down on the barn-yard gate, which is near the house,
making the air resound with their cries and shouts, Mosby still on foot, but with twenty men mounted and ready
for service, with rare intrepidity and presence of mind
threw open the gate and advanced pistol in hand, at the
same time ordering a charge. The twenty dashed forward, and engaged the enemy in a hand-to-hand combat.
Harry Hatcher, of Fauquier, a private in the 7th Virginia Cavalry, seeing his commander on foot, with a noble generosity which ever distinguishes his character,
sprungfrom his horse in the melee, and offered it to him.
In a moment Mosby was in the saddle, and, with a wild
pleasure in his heart, plunged into the thickest of the
fight, while Hatcher, mounting a Yankee horse, whose
rider had been shot, soon followed him. The impetuous




First Dranesville Fight.         67
charg'e of Mosby, who was each moment re-enforced,
broke through the semicircle, and the assailants at once
gave way. The right wing of the first squadron was
routed, and driven back on the second squadron. These,
instead of advancing to restore the fight, wheeled their
horses and united in the headlong retreat, while the left
wing passed around the barn toward the river, and were
ultimately all captured.
When the flying enemy had reached the wood, they
were brought to a halt by an obstacle of an unusual nature, and of their own contrivance. Captain Flint had
ordered a detail from the second squadron, after it had
passed through the gate on its route to Miskel's house,
to obstruct it with rails so as to enable him the more
effectually to destroy the doomed party.  The obstacle
was certainly of a formidable nature, for on each side of
the.gate the fence was both high and strong. Here the
slaughter of the Federals was the greatest; our men
riding among them as they herded to this corner, shooting right and left. Before so great a pressure the gate
at last gave way, and the disordered and frightened men
scattered through the woods, and along the road leading
to the turnpike.
Dick Moran overtook in the woods a Federal trooper,
and demanded his surrender. But the man was made
of better stuff, and, being an accomplished swordsman,
he closed with Moran, who would certainly have gone
down in the conflict had not Harry Hatcher come to
his relief, and by a blow from his pistol terminated the
combat.
A portion of Captain Flint's party succeeded in reaching the Dranesville Turnpike, but the partisans hung
fiercely upon their rear. The Rev. Sam Chapman, on
this occasion, illustrated his faith by his works. With
flashing sabre he was among the foremost, of the pur



68           Partisan Life with Mrosby.
suers, and, having already killed two Yankees, he dashed
in between two others, demanding their surrender. But
he met with the fate of Dick Moran; for the soldiers,
instead of laying down their arms, vigorously attacked
him, one of them giving him a severe sabre-cut on the
head. The reverend gentleman was now in an embarrassing situation, when Hunter (afterward lieutenant) came
up, and both pof the Yankees surrendered. The pursuit
was continued to Dranesville by the command, and two
miles beyond by George Whitescarver, Seibert, Welt
Hatcher, Wild, Harry Hatcher, and the Rev. Sam Chapman. During its progress Captain William Chapman
was overtaken and captured; but one of his command,
who witnessed the occurrence, soon brought assistance
and set him at liberty.
The two sutlers were called upon to partake of the
fortune of their countrymen, and their merchandise, including a quantity of confectionery, was divided among
the victors. As soon as the prisoners and booty were
collected, Mosby hurried off toward Fauquier.
The loss sustained by the Yankees on this April-foolisday was ten killed, fifteen wounded so badly as to be left
on the field, eighty-three prisoners, and ninety-five horses,
besides the animals that were killed. Mosby's loss was
one killed, a gallant young fellow from Kentucky, Davis
by name, who belonged to the artillery service, and three
men wounded, Ned Hurst, of Fauquier (who has a run
of luck in that line), Keys, of the 1st Virginia Cavalry,
and R. A. Hart, of Fauquier, a private in the original
Black Horse Company, and one of the most gallant men
in the cavalry service.
At Rectortown the captures were divided, and from
thence the prisoners were sent to Culpepper, where they
were turned over to Brigadier General Fitz Lee.
Frank Williams, of Fairfax, when Mosby was attacked




First lDranesville Fight.        69
by Captain Flint, was in the neighborhood hunting up
a breakfast, and, in consequence, was not in the fight.
Indeed, he had been cut off from his command, and inferred, from the formidable array that had gone to attack
Mosby, that his entire party was captured or destroyed.
Under this belief, he set off for Middleburg, but not
until he had captured and taken along with him two
Yankee soldiers whom he had fallen in with down the
roado  Frank had just reached his destination, and was
relating to the listening and afflicted citizens the bad fortune which had at last overtaken the gallant Mosby at
Miskel's, when up rode old Dick Moran in charge of the
prisoners and horses. There was a loud laugh at Franlk's
expense as the citizens came forth to greet Mosby at
the head of his victorious partisans, and to congratulate
him that his star was still bright and riding in the ascendant.




70           Partisan Life with Mosby.
CHAPTER X.
DESPERATE FIGHT OF THE HATCHER BROTHERS. -— THE DESERTER AMES WOUNDED.
Upper Fauquier, April 20th, 1863.
DEAR PERCY, —  will give you an account of one of
those accidental encounters which are occurring every
day between small parties of our men and the Yankees,
from which you may learn the sanguinary nature of the
warfare which is now raging all around us. Not only
is army pitted against army, and squadron against squadron, but man against man wherever they are brought in
proximity to each other, for this war is now being waged
with all the fierceness of individual hatred.
A few days after the surprise at Miskel's house, that
notable April-fool's-day, a brigade of Michigan Cavalry
proceeded from Fairfax toward Fauquier for the purpose
of retaliation. Halting about a mile and a half above
Middleburg, on the Little River Turnpike, the news of
their advance spread rapidly through the country.
Captain Dan Hatcher and his brother Harry, of the
7th Virginia Cavalry, were at home on furlough at
Hatcher's Mill, on the Little River Turnpike, a few miles
higher up the road than the point at which the brigade
had halted. As soon as they heard of the enemy's presence in the neighborhood they mounted their horses, and
stationed themselves on the turnpike.  Here they met
Ames, who had come thither for the purpose of gathering intelligence, and, if opportunity offered, of inflicting
damage on the advancing column. Thus re-enforced, the




Desperate Fight of the Hatcher Brothers, etc.  71
Hatchers moved toward the Yankees, but had not gone
more than a mile when they were met by a party of
five, under command of a sergeant, the main column
following at a short distance. Captain Hatcher, with
his two men, immediately fell back toward the mill, his
purpose being to draw the sergeant's party farther from
their command. The Federals, nothing loth, pursued until they had gained a point on the road where a high
stone bridge spans Cromwell's Run, which, after turning
Hatcher's Mill, crosses the turnpike at this point. Here
they halted. The Confederates immediately charged them
from a distance of one hundred and fifty yards, both
parties being armed with the revolver, and both retaining their fire until within a few paces of the point of
collision.
Ames had discharged but one shot when he was disabled by a bullet which passed through his right shoulder.
The brothers were now left alone to contend with their
five opponents. Soon Harry Hatcher's horse was shot
and tumbled over the bridge, but not until its rider had
sprung to the ground. But whether on foot or on horseback mattered little to Harry, and the fight was continued
with unabated fury, though in its progress both of the
Confederates had been wounded. Nor had the Yankees
escaped unhurt in this desperate encounter. One of them
lay dead in the road, another was desperately injured,
and the other three had each received his wound. In
this condition of things the Federals wheeled, and retreated toward their column, leaving behind, in addition to,
their two comrades, two of their horses. During the
fight forty shots were exchanged, and at its close the
pistols of the two Hatchers were empty.
This skirmish with the advance put the Yankee commander on his guard, and the brigade advanced cautiously, with dismounted flankers, until it reached Goose Creek




72           Partisan Life with Mosby.
Bridge, from which place, satisfied with their retaliation,
the Yankees returned to their encampment.
Soon after the Miskel fight, Mosby sent John Underwood, Frank Williams, Walter Frankland, and two others
to Fairfax on a scout, which deserves notice, as it is the
first expedition which he has not accompanied in person.
They proceeded to the vicinity of the camp of the 1st
Michigan Cavalry, where, from an ambush, they soon
captured Lieutenant Wallace of that regiment, and two
men.  Starting off with their prisoners, they called at
the house of a citizen, where a Yankee surgeon was found
engaged in courting the citizen's daughter, a young lady
of known Union proclivities.  She had something of the
lioness about her, and planted herself in the doorway,
refilusing to allow the intruders to pass. But the Rangers
pushed rudely by her, and, on the very scene of love and
courtship, captured the love-sick doctor.
Lieutenant Wallace was known to many of the citizens of Fauquier and Loudoun from his gentlemanly deportment when on raids to the upper country, and when
it was known that he had been captured, many regrets
were expressed that, instead of him, it had not been one
of those brutal creatures who sometimes wore and always disgraced the uniform of a Federal officer.
When, on the 6th of April, we assembled again by appointment at Rector's Cross-roads, we were disbanded,
with instructions to meet a week later in Upperville.
But Mosby reserved eight men, with whom he went to
Fairfax to discover, if it could be found, an assailable
point of the enemy. He now experienced the effect of
his own activity, for the Federals were so well protected
by the barrier of Difficult Run that he could not assail
them. Only particular fords were kept open, and these
were guarded by large and vigilant bodies of cavalry.
Mosby has thus been compelled to widen his area, or




Desperate EFight of the Hatcher Brothers, etc.  73
rather to explore new fields of enterprise. You must
bear in mind that he possesses as yet no recognized organization, yet sixty men, on the 11th of April, met him
at Upperville, a village which lies at the base of the Blue
Ridge, in Fauquier County, and is within a stone's throw
of the Loudoun line. With this command he proceeded
toward Harper's Ferry, but was unable to entice from
that strong-hold a party of cavalry to pursue us, and was
consequently compelled to return empty-handed.
A few days after this fruitless expedition, Tom Turner,
W. L. Hunter, and Walter Frankland were surprised and
captured at the house of Mr. Utterback, near Warrenton. Turner attempted to fight through his captors and
effect his escape, but was badly, and, as it turned out
to be, mortally wounded.  He was carried to Kinloch,
his father's residence, near the Plains, where lie died soon
after. This was a serious loss to Mosby, for Tom was
one of his coolest and bravest men. He had been with
us but a short time, yet long enough to justify the following letter of recommendation which he brought with
him from Stuart to Mosby, in which the general said,
"' I can cheerfully recommend Turner as of the right sort
of stuff for such daring enterprises. He has served with
distinction in the infantry, had his horse killed under
him in Maryland, and has on several occasions shown
great courage, coolness, and gallantry.  Give him  a
chance."
The other two prisoners were carried to the headquarters of General Davis, where they were examined
by him, apart from each other, as to Mosby's whereabouts.
They would not respond to such interrogatories. Hunter
was sent to the guard-house, but Frankland was compelled to walk the circle for several hours.
It is no more than justice to the Federal army to add
that many of the officers who witnessed the punishment




74           Partisan Life with Mifosby.
expressed their indignation at, this cruel, unusual, and
unjustifiable treatment of prisoners of war.
On the 17th instant, one hundred men, the largest
command which he has yet had, assembled at Upperville
to accompany Mosby to his new theatre of operations.
He had been long casting his eyes across the Shenandoah
and over the huge mountain-rampart at whose base it
flows, and watching the movements of the Federal troops
in the valley, but never until now had he been able to
collect men enough to justify him in undertaking so
hazardous an enterprise.  General Milroy was at Winchester, drawing his supplies by railway from Harper's
Ferry, and this line of communication Mosby determined
to assail, thus exchanging his attacks on the enemy's
front in Fairfax for a far more harassing and dangerous
warfare upon their rear in the valley. But when we
reached the banks of the Shenandoah, that "beautiful
but disloyal stream," as it has been called, we found the
river-god unpropitious, and, being unable to cross the
angry waters, we were compelled, for the nonce, to relinquish the expedition.
But I must not let you suppose, in justice to the Confederate government, that a commission in theProvisional
Army of Virginia has been the only offer of promotion
which has been made to Mosby as an acknowledgment
and a reward for his brilliant services, for President Davis,
as soon as he heard of the capture of Stoughton in the
midst of his camp, at once sent him, through the official
channel, a commission of Captain of Partisan Rangers.
But this commission brought with it a difficulty of an
embarrassing nature, which for a time induced Mosby to
decline the proffered honor, for along with it came the
following letter of instructions from General Lee:




Desperate Fight of the Hatcher Brothers, etc.   75
" Head-quarters, Army of Northern Virginia, March 23d, 1863.
"Captain J. S. Mosby, through Major General Stuart.
"CAPTAIN,-You will perceive, from the copy of the order herewith inclosed, that the President has appointed you Captain of
Partisan Rangers.
"The general commanding directs me to say that it is desired
that you proceed at once to organize your company, with the understanding that it is to be placed on a footing with all troops of the
line, and to be mustered unconditionally in the Confederate service
for and during the war. Though you are to be its captain, the men
will have the privilege of electing the lieutenants so soon as its
number reach the legal standard. You will report your progress
from time to time, and when the requisite number of men are enrolled, an officer will be designated to muster the company into the
service. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"W. W. TAYLOR, A. A. G."
At the same time he received a letter, dated March
25th, 1863, from Stuart, stating that, according to General Lee's "accompanying instructions, you will be continued in your present sphere of conduct and enterprise."
At the same time he urged Mosby to call his new command "'Mosby's Regulars," and not by any means to
insist upon recruiting a body of Partisan Rangers, on
account of the bad repute into which that branch of the
service had fallen with the government.
Almost any man would have at once yielded to this
command from  General Lee and recommendation from
Stuart, but Mosby had other views.
According to the law which governs the regular service, the captures made from the public enemy become at
once the property of the government, and must be turned
over to its authorized agents.  This Mosby knew,. and
that there was no power in the military authorities to
prevent this legal consequence. With the power to distribute the spoil among his men taken from him, which
was the meaning of the letter of instructions, he felt
conscious that his opening career in the partisan service




76            Partisan Life with iosby.
must necessarily be brought to naught, for he had said
before that his command resembled the Democratic party
at least in one respect, that it was held together by the
cohesive power of public plunder. But this was not the
only ground upon which he rested his opposition to
General Lee's construction of the President's commission.
Though he doubted not Stuart's disposition to continue
him on the frontiers of the two armies, or General Lee's,
though his letter contained no ground for this opinion,
he still knew that, once mustered in the regular service,
his hope for developing the new mode of warfare, which
I have before explained to you, would be lost, or at least
put to jeopardy. Moved by these considerations, he
wrote to Stuart in these terms:
"I have received from the War Office a notice of my appointment as Captain of Partisan Rangers. The letter of Captain Taylor
says that they are to be organized with the understanding that
they are to be on the same footing with other cavalry. The men
who have joined me have done so under the impression that they
are to be entitled to the privileges allowed in the Partisan Ranger
Act. If they are to be denied them I can not accept the appointment. Please let me know."
This ietter of Mosby'sW'as *forwarded to General Lee,
who returned it with the following indorsement:
"No authority has been given to Major Mosby to raise partisan
troops, nor has it been so intended. He was commissioned as such
to give him rank, pay, and command until he could organize companies that could be mustered regularly into the service. He was
so informed when his commission was sent him, to prevent mistake.
His commission was limited to himself, and did not extend to his
troops."
I have failed to mention until now (because the two
commissions were depending on the decision of the same
point of law) that, as soon as General Lee received information of the Chantilly fight, he caused a major's




General Stahl's Grand Campaign.           77
commission to be sent Mosby in recognition of his high
merits. The question at issue was the construction which
was to be put upon the President's commission.  Not
satisfied with the correctness of General Lee's opinion,
Mosby appealed to the Secretary of War, who determined that Major Mosby's commission entitled him to recruit a command for the partisan service, a decision which
was acquiesced in by all parties.
CHAPTER XI.
GENERAL STAHIILS GRAND CAMPAIGN.
Upper Fauquier, May 2d, 1863.
IDEAR PERCY, —I have to-day something quite out of
the common course to relate —a grand expedition to
Upper Fauquier, under General Stahl.  But first let me
dispose of some matters.
The command of the Army of the Potomac having
been transferred to General Hooker after the battle of
Fredericksburg, he sent a cavalry force to occupy Warrenton preliminary to taking possession of the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad. As soon as this was done,
and the railroad began to be used for transporting troops
and supplies, General Stuart requested Mosby to interrupt, if possible, this line of communication. In a letter dated April 26th, he said,
"There is now a splendid opportunity to strike the enemy in the
rear of Warrenton Junction; the trains are running regularly to that
point. Capture a train, and interrupt the operation of the railroad,
though it may be, by the time you get this, the opportunity may be
gone. Stoneman's main body of cavalry is located near Warrenton Junction, Bealton, and Warrenton Springs. Keep far enough
from a brigade camp to give you time to get off your plunder and
prisoners. Information of the movements of large bodies is of the




78           Partisan Life with Jlosby.
greatest importance to us just now. The marching or transportation of divisions will often indicate the plan of a campaign. Be
sure to give dates, and numbers, and names, as far as possible."
This letter displays, I think, in a very striking manner,
the importance into which Mosby has raised himself as
an intelligent and successful co-operator with the army
of Northern Virginia.  In compliance with Stuart's request toward the last of April, Mosby assembled at Upperville about one hundred men, intending to strike the
railroad at some point between Warrenton Junction and
Fairfax Station.  He was, however, turned aside from
this purpose by an event which I will now relate.
General Stahl had been put in command of all the
Yankee cavalry in Fairfax, and determined to signalize
that event by the destruction of Mosby and his troublesome guerrillas, who, he was informed, had erected a formidable earth-work at Upperville.  To accomplish this
object, he had determined upon an expedition to Upper
Fauquier, which should strike terror into the country,
administer a quietus to Mosby, and, what was of greater
importance still, be worthy of General Stahl's reputation, his dignity, and high command.  With two of his
best brigades of cavalry, numbering twenty-five hundred
men and four pieces of artillery, he left camp. When
the expedition reached Cub Run, the advance-guard captured three of Mosby's men-Jack Barnes, Taliafero, and
Ab Wren, who were traveling on foot to Fairfax for the
purpose of mounting themselves on Yankee horses.  It
was proposed to General Stahl by one of his officers to
send these prisoners under a guard to Fairfax Courthouse; but he replied that it was impossible for him,
while on so important and hazardous an expedition, to
weaken his force for any purpose whatever.  4'No,"
said the general, with an air of profound cogitation,
" the prisoners must be made to accompany the expedi



General Stahl's Grand Campaign.       79
tion on foot."  The column, which had been halted until
this important affair could be disposed of, again moved
forward with all the pomp and circumstance of glorious
war, while all the precautions worthy of a prudent commander were observed on the line of march. At Aldie
the band of prisoners was increased by the capture of
seven citizens and three of Mosby's men, Thompson,
Green, and Hutchison.  After passing through Middleburg, General Stahl determined to camp for the night,
and sent forward his engineers to select suitable ground
for the purpose, for he reflected that the best military
men are agreed that the location of a camp in an enemy's
country is always a matter of the first importance. The
Romans, he knew, always put their troops in fortified
camps on such occasion, and while he could not revive
that ancient custom, he yet determined to adopt the best
substitute in his power. The engineers having reported
a body of wood, a mile beyond Middleburg, as the most
eligible point within reach, General Stahl ordered up
the artillery, and opened upon the wood a concentrated
fire, very much to the destruction of the saplings and the
grievous injury of the trees.  Satisfied that not even
guerrillas could live under so destructive a fire, this prudent commander proceeded to limber up his guns and
take possession of the camping-ground. Each piece of
artillery was then placed in such a position as to be most
serviceable in case of a night attack.  The horses were
then unbitted, but only long enough to enable them to
eat their corn, and the men, after a hasty supper, were
ordered (that they might be ready in case of a surprise)
to sleep by their horses. The night was cold and rainy,
yet not a fire would General Stahl allow to be kindled;
for he very prudently remarked that he did not intend
to light signal-fires to direct guerrillas in a nocturnal attack upon his camp.  But there was still another pre



80           Partisacn Life with lfiosby.
caution taken before the commanding officer would consent to lie down for the night.  Strong scouting-parties,
under enterprising officers, were sent out to scour the
country in every direction, who, if they performed no
other service, recommended themselves to the favor of
their general by bringing with them fifty citizens whom
they had kidnapped in their beds, and double the number
of horses taken from their stalls.
General Stahl had formed the profound hypothesis
that Mosby's depredations were committed, not with soldiers, but with citizens, who were either too old or too
young for the action of the conscript law, and had therefore been left at their homes.  In consequence, none escaped him; the halt, the lame, the blind, were all carried off in obedience to his rigid and undiscriminating orders. One old man had been on crutches from boyhood;
he was dragged from his home and his flannels on the evidence of a Federal soldier, who swore -he saw him leading the charge at the Miskel fight. This motley crew
was afterward sent on broken-down horses from Fairfax Court-house to'Washington City, and were paraded
ithrough the streets as Mosby's gang, whom General Stahl'Ihad captured, their chief being said'to have narrowly
<scaped with his life.
The day following the Yankee general set forward to
destroy the formidable earth-work at Upperville, of which
he had heard; but Fortune was not propitious on this
occasion. Before the invading force had advanced half
way to Upperville, Tom Richards, with five or six men,
met the advance-guard, and opened fire upon it. Supposing this to be but a prelude to a general engagement,
the Federal commander halted his column and placed it
in line of battle, posting his artillery on neighboring
elevations. He held this position unmolested for an
hour, but at the end of that time, that he might disap



Genercal Stcahl's Grand Cacnpaign.    81
point the calculations of the guerrillas and avoid all their
snares, General Stahl moved abruptly to the left, in the
direction of Salem, proposing to return to Fairfax through
Thoroughfare Gap.
But it is time to return to Mosby. Disregarding the
presence of the enemy at Middleburg, of which he had
been duly informed, and desirous of complying with
General Stuart's request, he marched through Salemn on
his route to Thoroughfare Gap, through which he intended to pass on his way to the railroad.  When he
came within a few miles of the Gap, he was overtaken
by Alfred Glasscock and Norman SInith, whom he had
left on the road, and informed that five hundred of Stahl's
cavalry were on his track.  lHe at once expressed his
intention to turn upon his pursuers, for he said to the
command, " They are the same men whom we whipped
at Chantilly and at Miskel's, and we can do it again."
So saying, Mosby reversed his column and proceeded in
the direction of the Plains; but, after going a few miles,
he was informed of the true state of affairs, which was
that General Stahl had altered his plans, and was trying
to make good his retreat to Fairfax through Hopewell
Gap; for he had been informed by some one who had
seen Mosby on his march thither that Stuart's cavalry
were at Thoroughfare Gap waiting to intercept him.
Mosby now abandoned for the time his intention of
striking the railroad, and determined to harass the retreat of General Stahl through the difficult pass of Hope-,
well Gap.  With this intent he left the road on which
he was lmarching, and struck across the country to the
road leading from the Plains to the mountain pass.  As
fortune would have it, when he reached the road he fell
in with the advance-guard of the Yankees, which imnmediately fell back, and informed General Stahl, who was
then at the Plains, that Stuart's cavalry had likewise
F




82           Pacrtisan Life with Aliosby.
occupied Hopewell Gap, and were then pressing forward
to attack him. Upon the receipt of this alarming intelligence the Federal general again prepared for action,
and drew up his forces in line of battle on a hill near the
Plains, henceforth to be known as Stahl's Hill.
From an eminence in the neighborhood of Kinlock
Mosby could plainly observe this movement.  The general, on a milk-white steed, surrounded by a brilliant
staff, could easily be distinguished as he sent off and received couriers bearing important dispatches. MNosby's
classical imagination was carried back to the Retreat of
the Ten Thousand as that devoted band, surrounded on
all sides by barbarians, was preparing to cut its way back
to the Hellespont.
General Stahl considered himself in a situation of extreme peril, surrounded by enemies who were doubtless
waiting for the hour of midnight to begin a murderous
attack.  He had been met by Confederate cavalry on his
march to Upperville, and had turned aside to avoid them;
they had been seen to hover on his flanks at Salem, his
scouts had reported them on the road to Thoroughfare
Gap, and his advance-guard had been just driven back
by them on their route to Hopewell Gap. This was a
desperate situation of affairs, from which he could only
be extricated by the utmost coolness, secrecy, and expedition. What was to be done? An inspiration of genius
suggested a night march. Yes, a night march, thought
he, will do the business, and thus would he give the slip
to Stuart, to Mosby, and all evil-disposed persons, and
get back sound in wind and limb to his camp in Fairfax.
As soon as it was dusk the column was again formed,
and headed, this time toward Middleburg, the only avenue of escape left open to the beleaguered general. The
route selected was a private road which leads throughll




General Stahl's Grand Ccanpatgn.      83
the premises of Mr. James William Foster.  Mr. Foster
wvas astonished at the procession, and inquired of an officer,
"Why, sir, where in the world are you going?."
The Yankee cunningly replied,
"Ah, sir! this is too unhealthy a country for us."
General Stahl assuredly deserves to be classed with
the most prudent commanders who have ever carried on
aggressive war, or graced the page of history.  On his
mnarch, as wakeful and vigilant, he counted the watches
of the night; he caused not only all the bridges in his
rear to be torn up, but also fences to be built, and trees to
be felled across his track, by which means he proposed
to prevent the fierce guerrillas from charging his rear,
and spreading confusion and alarm through his ranks.
Arrived in the neighborhood of Middleburg, General
Stahlll went into camp, but this time in an open field,
for he was determined to avoid the ambuscades which he
felt confident had been prepared for his destruction.
It so happened that by this nocturnal stratagem Mosby came near being captured. He had left, as he supposed, late in the evening the Federal cavalry about to
go into camp at the Plains, and, upon that supposition,
had dispersed his command for the night, and gone himnself to the house of a friend near Middleburg.  Great
was his astonishment when he waked the next morning
to find himself in the midst of General Stahl's camp.
When asked why he did not attack and disperse the
raiders on their midnight march, he replied, "I knew
nothing of it, and I had no right to suppose that an idiot
had been placed in command of two brigades of cavalry
and four pieces of artillery."




84'Pctrtisan Lije with Jliosby.
CHAPTElR XII.
DESPERATE FIGHT AT WARRENTON JUNCTION.-THE FIRST
RETREAT.
Upper Fauquier, June 2d, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-On account of the lameness of my
horse, I did not accompany Major Mosby on the expedition which resulted in a severe fight at Warrenton
Junction, but I will give you the particulars as I have
received them from Captain Hoskins, Alfred Glasscock,
and others who were present.
With about one hundred men, on the 2d of May Mosby started with the intention of striking in the rear of
General Hooker at Falmouth, who had commenced the
movement which soon after resulted in the battle of
Chancellorsville.  At Warrenton our men were received
with cordial demonstrations by the citizens, who brought
food to them on the streets, and, when ranks were broken,
entertained them in their houses. The command bivouacked' about two miles from  the town, where the
horses were plentifully fed on grain which had been left
by the Yankees.
By sunrise the next morning it was moved off in the
direction of Warrenton Junction, to which point the
enemy's cavalry were reported to have retired, for Mosby expected to be able to capture the force at that place,
and then proceed to carry out his original plan. But
the event did not justify his expectation, and he was
compelled to abandon his designs on General Hooker's
communications. When Mosby came in sight of the
camp, he discovered that the'force, although cavalry,




Desperate Fight at Warrenton Junction.   85
was yet quartered in a dwelling-house and two out-buildings, situated in an angle made by the two railroads.
The soldiers were lounging about, and every thing denoted a feeling of security on the part of both officers
and men. Their horses were without saddles or bridles;
some were tied about their quarters, but a considerable
number were turned out to graze in an adjoining field.;Mosby's men, coming from the direction of Warrenton,
were at first mistaken by the Yankees for a detachment
of the 5th New Ydrk, which had been sent out on a
scout; but they were soon undeceived, for the major, at
the distance of three hundred yards, ordered the charge
to be made, but it was checked by a miry branch over
which the men had to pass. This delay gave the Federals time to recover in some measure from their surprise, and prepare to defend themselves in the houses.
As our men approached, they poured a hot fire into them
with carbines and pistols, wounding several men and
horses.
Those who had taken refuge in the outhouses, however, soon surrendered. and Mosby, with thirty men, proceeded to attack the main building, in which were crowded about a hundred Yankees, commanded by Major Steele.
Here the resistance was stubborn. The Confederates
would ride up to the windows and shoot those within as
fast as they appeared, and in this way greatly diminished
the advantage derived from the possession of the house.
When the fight had thus lasted for about half an hour,
Mosby, in order to spare the lives of his men and bring
the contest to a close, directed Alfred Glasscock to set
fire to a lot of hay and burn the building. But before
this order could be executed, Sam  Chapman, Mountjoy, Harry Sweeting, and John De Butts dismounted and
forced themselves into the house. Chapman advanced to
the foot of the staircase and demanded a surrender from




86           Partisan Lijf with Mosby.
those above. Twenty men came down and delivered up
their arms. At the same time the inmates of the room
on the right hand surrendered to his companions, but
those in the room on the left still held out.  John De
Butts then fired through the closed door, and killed a
man who was leaning against it; whereupon Sweeting
and the others burst into the room, where the smoke from
the gunpowder was so dense as to conceal the respective
strength of the two parties. IHere a number of Federals
were killed and wounded, and thd resistance was continued until the bfficer up stairs, finding that the storming-party had broken into the house below, and seeing
the preparations on the outside to burn it, hung out a
white flag as the emblem of capitulation.
Mosby was now undisputed master of Warrenton Junction, having captured, after a sanguinary struggle, the 1st
Virginia Regiment of Cavalry (three hundred officers
and men), with all their horses, arms, accoutrements, camp
equipage, and a fine ambulance.  But this success had
not been purchased without serious loss to the victors.
Templemran, a gallant soldier, and one of Jackson's best
scouts, lay dead near the house, while about twenty of
the men, among whom was Captain Ducheane, were
wounded or captured. General Stahl, in his report, admits a loss of six officers, including a major, and f9urteen
privates killed and wounded.
Flushed with success, the partisans were in the act of
saddling up their horses preparatory to leaving, when the
alarm was given that re-enforcements of the enemy were
coming.  Just then, about three hundred yards off, Mosby saw a column of cavalry approaching from the woods
in the direction of Cedar Run Bridge. The command
was entirely disorganized and dispersed over the fields,
catching loose horses and fugitive Yankees.  Our leader
used every endeavor to rally and form the men, but it




- -:v —X -
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_ _ _                      N~3~
____ ____ ____ _                           \  
__- ~    ~                     \c,~
TII PARTISANS' FIRST R'TREAT~~~~~~~~~~~~




88           Partisan Life with 11'fosby.
was impossible, and there was no alternative left but
retreat.
The pursuing party, as soon as they arrived at the
scene of conflict, divided, the 1st Vermont being sent
round on the left to intercept Mosby's retreat, while the
8th New York charged in the rear. When the men saw
the Federals swarming in upon them on all sides, the
retreat became a precipitate flight. Prisoners, horses,
and other booty were hastily abandoned, and those who
but recently had fought with such determination were
now compelled to trust to the fleetness of their steeds.
Mosby, with a small party, had turned aside into a
body of pines, where he soon came in contact with the
Vermonters, who pressed him hard with their pistols and
sabres. At this point Willie Jones fell from his horse
badly wounded, and his brother Jasper, roused by the
spectacle, turned fiercely upon the pursuers. But what
can one man, even if he have the courage of Jasper
Jones, accomplish against overpowering numbers? Sabred and shot, the revengeful soldier reeled and fell to
the ground. Mosby, with the rest of his party, sheltered by the friendly pines, eluded his pursuers, while the
body of the command scattered through the country,
but succeeded, nevertheless, in bringing off eight prisoners, thirty horses, and a large number of pistols and
sabres.
The affair at Warrenton Junction, though a victory as
well as a disaster, had the effect of damping the ardor
of the ~"Conglomerates" to such a degree that only thirty-seven men met Mosby on the 9th of May at Upperville.  They had been instructed by that event that war,
even with him, was not an uninterrupted flow of victory,
and that, if they made a habit of going with him, they
would have blows to receive, as well as blows to give.
General Stahll was at Fairfax Court-house, with por



Desperate ]fight at Warrenton Junction.    89
tions of his command disposed in large detachments for
the protection of the railroad from Fairfax Station to
the Rappahannock River.  These were too strong for
Mosby to attack with success, in consequence of which
he determined to adopt a line of action which would
compel the Federal general to split his forces into
smaller bodies.  The means which he selected to accomplish this result exemplify the fertility of his invention. Hie proceeded to break the unguarded railroad track and burn all unguarded bridges, and in this
way reveal to General Stahl other vulnerable points.
3[e struck the railroad between Catlett's and Bristoe's
Station, and, after destroying the track, proceeded to
burn the bridge over Cedar Run. As soon as the fire
was in full blast, the men were marched by a circuitous
route to Kettle Run Bridge, where the same destructive measures were resorted to, but were defeated in an
unusual manner.  During the time occupied in making the circuit, a train of cars with a heavy infantry
guard had passed, but were compelled by the conflagration at Cedar Run to return, and was so fortunate as to
reach Kettle Run before the fire at that point had progressed to a'dangerous extent. The cars disembarked
their infantry, the partisans were compelled to retire,
and the bridge was saved.
As the command returned homeward, Harry Sweeting and Dan Thomas captured two infantry soldiers with
muskets - a bad investment, the partisans considered,
of time and trouble, and at Greenwich the prisoners
were paroled, and the command disbanded.  This raid
was called a water-haul by the Conglomerates, yet it
compelled the enemy to suspend the use of the railway
for two days, which paid Mosby.
In his report made about this time to General Stuart,
Mosby says, "If y7ou would let me have a mountain




90           Partisan Lije with Mllosby.
howitzer, I think I could use it with great effect, especially on the railroad trains. I have several experienced
artillerists with me. The effect of such annoyance is to
force the enemy to make heavy details to guard their
communications. I have not attacked any of their railroad trains, because I have no ammunition for my carbines, and they are pretty strongly guarded with infantry."
About a week later, Mosby, with twenty-five men, penetrated within the enemy's line to within one mile of
Dumfries, his object being to interrupt their transportation on the telegraph road, which connects Alexandria
with Fredericksburg.
We were feeding our horses at the house of a citizen,
when the alarm  of "Yankees'" was given.  Quickly
bridling up, we did not await their attack, but, led by
Mosby, went to meet them.  After a short hand-to-hand
encounter, we succeeded in putting our assailants to
flight, leaving on the field two dead, and five too badly
wounded to be brought off, besides taking four prisoners,
eight horses, arms, etc. The lieutenant who commanded
the party was badly wounded in his right arm, and was
so conspicuous for his gallantry, that after the fight Mosby said to him,
"Lieutenant, you are too brave a man to fight in so
bad a cause."
As the enemy had taken the alarm, our leader did
not deem it prudent to remain longer inside their lines,
and returned, having sustained no loss. An account of
this expedition was without delay sent to Stuart by
Fount Beattie, who was instructed to communicate to
the general all the information which Mosby had acquired with reference to the number and distribution of
the enemny's troops.




Capture of a Train at Catlett's Station, etc.   91
CHAPTER XIII.
CAPTURE OF A TRAIN AT CATLETT S STATION.-ANOTHER DEFEAT. —SELLING A MOUNTAIN HOWITZER DEARLY.
Upper Fauquier, June 10th.
DEAR PERCY,-On the 28th of May, in company with
Willie Foster, I stopped for the night with Major Mosby at the residence of Mr. Hathaway, Fauquier County,
a few miles from Rectortown.  We were aroused from
sleep by Fount Beattie, who informed us that he had
left the Yankees at Rectortown, en route for Mr. Hathaway's, in pursuit of Mosby.  We dressed and saddled
our horses with all expedition, but when we were ready
nothing was to be heard of the Yankees.  We waited
a while, and still heard nothing of them, but concluded,
as a precautionary measure, to betake ourselves to a piece
of woodland near the house and finish the night.  Here
we slept, without the slightest disturbance, until the sun
was several hours high the next morning.  As we were
returning to the house, Mr. Hathaway's little son met us,
and said,
"'Major, they have taken off pa and all your horses."
"Who?" inquired Mosby.
"The Yankees," responded the boy.  "Didn't you
know they had been here?"
"H Iow long have they been gone?"
"lNot fifteen minutes."
So we dispatched our breakfast, sent out for some of
the men to meet us at Middleburg, and started after them,
but they had gotten too far ahead. So we came back,




92           Partisan Life with ifosby.
and Major Mosby disbanded the little party, with orders
to make it known that there would be a meeting of the
command the next day at Patterson's.
The morning was bright and warm, and at. an early
hour~orty-eight men had assembled.  After the men
selected?o6ir artillery service' had been drilled for an hour
by Lieutenant Sam Chapman, an ex-ofiicer of the DiY[e
Battery, but then detailed on conscript duty in Fauquier,
the command started for Catlett's Station, to intercept a
train of cars.  At Greenwich we stopped to get supper,
and then marched several miles farther, and camped for
the night near the residence of Mr.. Marstella.
In the morning we proceeded to the railroad not far
from Catlett's Station, and near the residence of Squire
Stone, where we cut the telegraph wires, slipped a rail
from its place, and put the howitzer in position.
When it was announced that the train was coming,
Major Mosby ordered Willie Foster, who appears to enjoy a large share of his confidence, to hold the men in
readiness.'The train came dashing along at headlong
speed, and at the appointed place ran off the track. The
guard, consisting of two hundred infantry, opened fire
upon us, but were quickly dispersed by a round of grape
from the howitzer, accompanied by a charge from Foster's
men.  Thus we were left in undisputed possession of a
train of twelve loaded cars.  We had but little time to
plunder, as there were cavalry camps on either side within a mile of us.  Some of the boys, however, took out
morning papers, several bags with the United States mail,
boxes of oranges and candy, leather for boots, and nearly
every one got a fresh shad. We then sent a shot through
the locomotive, fired the cars, and started on our homeward march.
After passing Stone's house we' struck the Burwell
Road, which leads from Catlett's Station to Haymarket,




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94           Partisan Life with losby.
and had not marched more than a few miles when we
observed the advance-guard of the 5th New York on a
hill immediately in our front.  Discovering by the dust
that the main body were out of sight in a depression
beyond, Chapman sent a shell, which fell in their midst,
killed an officer's horse, and created great confusion.
Eager for the charge, Willie Foster dashed forward, and
had just started the Yankees in flight when he was re(called by Mosby, in consequence of erroneous information
which he had received.
The command was again started through the fields,
Foster being left behind in command of a rear-guard.
Soon after we had passed Squire Stone's, the 7th Michigan Cavalry, under command of Colonel Mann, came
up and searched the house for Mosby, but did not immne-.
diately commence the pursuit, for the reason that he
was informed by a colored woman that the party who
had destroyed the train were only a portion of a much
stronger force which had been held in reserve. Soon,
however, being largely re-enforced, Colonel Mann followed our retreating column. The rear-guard under
Foster checked the pursuers several times by firing on
them from an ambuscade, but was finally driven back.
A few shots from the howitzer, however, arrested for a
time the pursuit, and thus we continued to skirmish until within half a mile of Warren Fitzhugh's house.
There discovering the overwhelming numbers by which
he was followed, and that it would be impossible to get
off the howitzer, Mosby resolved to make the Yankees
pay for it as dearly as possible. With this intent Chapman was sent in advance to select an eligible position
on which to post the gun, while Mosby, with six men,
lingered in the rear to retard the progress of the enemy.
Soon a hand-to-hand conflict began with the advanceguard, consisting of about fifteen men, iwhom we succeed



Capture of a Train at Catlett's Station, etc.   95
ed in driving back, but we lost in the encounter the gallant Captain Hoskins, who fell from his horse mortally
wounded.
Chapman took up a position on a hill at the head of
a narrow lane which turns abruptly to the right- from
the Burwell Road, and is about a hundred yards distant
from the Fitzhugh House. The Federals came up in
gallant style, and, in column of fours, crowded into the
lane. At a distance of eighty yards we opened on them
with grape, followed by a vigorous charge of cavalry,
and drove them before us half a mile in confusion.
Twice again did they rally, and as often were sent reeling back. At last our ammunition was exhausted, and
we were forced to abandon the gun, but not without a
fierce hand-to-hand struggle, in which many of the enemy
were made to bite the dust.
In the melee Mosby received a slight sabre-cut on the
arm.  Lieutenant Chapman and privates Mountjoy and
Beattie stood by the gun until surrounded by the enemy. Chapman and Mountjoy were captured-the forrner having been shot through the thigh when fighting
with the rammer of the gun. George Turberville, one
of "Mosby's young roosters," acted on this occasion
with great gallantry as driver, and drove the caisson
from the midst of the Yankees out into the woods, where
it was not found for several days. The gun which we
lost on this occasion only returned to the hands of its
original owners, for it had been captured from the Yankees at Ball's Bluff, near Leesburg, in the battle of the
12~1 of October, 1861.  The enemy lost in this fight, by~
the,-:..wn admission, five killed and fifteen wounded;
and Stuart sent Mosby word that he would send him,another gun of the same size if he would sell it as well.
The brave Hoskins was carried from the field to the residence of Mr. Charles Green, where he soon after died.




96          Partisan LiJe with liiosby.
His remains are buried in the Greenwich church-yard,
and the spot will be respected by all who honor the character of a gallant soldier and thorough gentleman.
CHAPTER XIV.
FIGHT AT THE FRYING-PAN CHURCH.
Upper Fauquier, June 20th, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-On the 3d of June fifty men assembled at the invitation of our leader, and marched to the
vicinity of Frying-pan Church, with the view of assailing parties from the 5th and 6th Michigan Cavalry,
camped at Fox's Mill, which is situated half a mile from
the by-road, and six miles from the church. The night
was cool, and, according to Mosby's invariable custom,
the men were allowed to build fires in the pines in which
they were camped. A party, consisting of Bush Underwood, Sowers, Frank Williams, Minor Thompson, and
John Saunders, was sent, under the charge of John Underwood, to attack a patrol from the Michigan camp
vwhich passed on the Ox Road during the night.  Mosby's object in this was to induce the commander at Fox's
Mill to send out one or more parties for the purpose of
looking after the nocturnal assailants.  Underwood
placed his men in ambush, and fired upon the patrol as
they passed, killing one horse and wounding three of the
soldiers. The stratagem succeeded. A little after daylight, Underwood, who had been watching the road le'tding from the enemy's camp to Frying-pan Chur   eported fifty Yankees marching toward the latter place.
Mosby immediately ordered us to mount and march
down the road in their rear; but before we came in sight
of them, Underwood galloped up and reported that the




Fight at the Frying-pan Chzurch.    97
first party had been re-enforced by about sixty men, and
had halted at the church.
"The more the better," replied Mosby;' I am in
their rear. Forward, trot, charge!"
Their rear-guard, which had likewise halted in the road,
was driven before us in so thick a cloud of dust that
their comrades at the church could not fire upon us for
fear of injuring their own friends. But not so with us.
Amid yells and exploding revolvers we rushed upon
them, and, after a short and desultory resistance, put
them to flight. It is Mosby's opinion that we would
have captured the entire force, but for the presence of a
squadron of Michigan cavalry who were posted across
the road a few hundred yards lower down. As soon as
this discovery was made he drew off his men from the
pursuit and returned to Fauquier, bringing with him
seven prisoners and ten horses. In the fight the enemy
had three killed and several wounded, but we sustained
no loss, except the capture of Dr. Alexander, a volunteer
surgeon, who was with us on that occasion.
On the morning of the 10th of June one hundred
men assembled at Iector's Cross-roads, thirty of whom
belonged to Captain Brawner's company of independent cavalry. On this occasion Mosby's first company,
A, was organized by the election of James William
Foster, Jr., of Fauquier, Captain; Thomas Turner, of
Maryland, First Lieutenant; William L. Hunter, Second
Lieutenant; George Whitescarver, of iFauquier, Junior
Second Lieutenant.
Captain Foster entered the regular service in May,
1862, as a private in Captain Turner Ashby's cavalry
company, where he served without any casualty, except
having his horse killed under him at Kernstown. During'the latter part of his service with this company he was
made a sergeant, and was frequently put in command of
F




98           PartisaGn Life with Mosby.
CAPTAIN FOSTER.
small detachments.  He had been sent to Fauquier with
a squad of twelve men who had been furloughed for the
purpose of recruiting their horses, but when he disbanded them at Salem they agreed to join him and go with
Mosby on his next raid. This was the Chantilly fight,
an account of which I,have given you in a previous
letter. In this encounter, Sergeant Foster, with Ames,
Willie Brent, and Torn Turner, composed the first set of
fours who charged the enemy, and bore himself with such
distinguished gallantry as to induce Mosby to confer
upon him the honor of being his first captain. Thomas
Turner, of Maryland, won his commission in this same
engagement. Lieutenants Hunter and Whitescarver have
already been brought to your notice as prominent actors
in the Miskel fight.
As soon as the company organization was completed,
Mosby set forth for the purpose of making a night at



_Fight at Frying-2an Church.       99
tack on two cavalry camps of the enemy on the Maryland side of the Potomac.  About ten o'clock at night
we reached the river at a point opposite to Muddy Branch,
where we procured a guide to pilot us across. Finding
the water at this point too deep, our guide undertook to
conduct us to another ford lower down, but unfortunately lost his way, and did not find it until daybreak. Thus
was Mosby's plan for a night attack frustrated.
When the command reached the ford, Nelson, Glasscock, and Trunnel were sent across to capture a cavalry
patrol on the tow-path of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal, if possible, without firing a shot. Having crossed
the river and secured their horses, the three men concealed themselves in the bushes, and, on the approach of
the patrol, sprang out, seized their horses by the bridle
reins, and presented their cocked revolvers. The patrol,
which was composed of only two men, quietly surrendered, and were taken back to Mosby, who had crossed the
river, impatient at the approach of day.
With Nelson, Glasscock, and Trunnel, re-enforced by
three others as an advance-guard, the command moved
up the tow-path, and soon overhauled a canal-boat, from
which were taken five mules. We proceeded then at a
trot, and the advance-guard met and captured another
patrol, consisting of four men, but not without firing.
This alarmed a picket who was stationed at a bridge
over the canal not far distant. He immediately turned
the bridge and fled to the camp, which was a half mile
distant. This occasioned some delay, and gave the Yankees time to prepare to receive us. As we approached,
we saw the officer in command ride along his ranks
waving " the old flag" and exhorting his command to
stand firm. But it was to no purpose. His men, ninety
in number, before we got within pistol range fled in confusion toward Poolesville.




100         Partisan Life with Mosby.
Mosby ordered his command to halt and destroy the
camp, but Captain Foster, with Lieutenant Turner, Alfred Glasscock, Major Hibbs, Ned Hirst, Carlisle, and a
few others, not understanding the order, pressed on in
pursuit about a mile, when they reached a bridge, on the
farther side of which, near Seneca Mills, the enemy
were drawn up to dispute the passage.  Here the fightwas continued until Mosby came up.  He at once called
out, "Men, we will charge them;" and, with Frank
Stringfellow at his side, dashed across the bridge, followed by the command. The enemy again gave way, and
this time to rally no more. A running fight was kept
utp for a mile beyond. the bridge, in which Captain
Brawner and Lieutenant Whitescarver were killed.
The enemy's loss was seven killed, a considerable
number wounded, seventeen prisoners, thirty horses, and.' the old flag." Our loss was the two officers mentioned and Alfred Glasscock, who was badly wounded. The
remains of Lieutenant Whitescarver were carried by his
relation, Joe Nelson, to the house of a citizen, and by
him interred near the spot where he fell. Those of
Captain Brawner were recovered the next day by his
company. Alfred Glasscock, at his own request, was
taken across the river and left at the house of an acquaintance. While here he was visited by the Federal
officer who had been in command at the fight at Fryingpan Church.  Hde said to Glasscock,
"' You belong to Mosby?"
Glasscockc. "I do."
Federal Officer. " I fought him  once at Frying-pan
Church."
C Glasscock.'I was there, but I did not see much
fighting."
Federal Officer. "Mosby did not fight fairly. He
surprised me, and the night before had bushwhacked
some of my men."




Mosby's Adventures in Search of Informnation. 101
Glasscock. "The bushwhacking was to draw you from
camp; the surprise to whip you, and, the odds considered, I think the fight was a fair one.'
This affair created a great excitement in Washington.
A cavalry force was dispatched at once to Leesburg to
ascertain what it meant, and De Forest's cavalry, camped
at Kettle Run, marched to Upper Fauquier to intercept
our return. General Stahl, too, again unfurled his battleflag, and moved his cohorts from Fairfax. One of these
bodies of cavalry, in passing through Middleburg, captured Captain Foster and the splendid gray horse which
Mosby had given him as a mark of his appreciation.
CHAPTER XV.
MOSBY S ADVENTURES IN SEARCH OF INFORMATION.
Upper Fauquier, June 25th, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-When we returned from our expedition to Maryland, our horses were so much broken down
that we found it necessary to recruit them a while.
When General Lee was pressing Hooker toward the
Potomac, Mosby called to see Stuart, who was at Middleburg, with his command thrown forward toward Aldie. After a short conference with the general, he returned to the party who had accompanied him, and
started again for the neighborhood of Seneca. We had
not proceeded more than two miles, when firing was
heard in the direction of Aldie. The cause of it, as we
soon learned, was a collision between Kilpatrick and
Rosser, who had met unexpectedly at that place. Mosby, with sixty men, moved around by Oatlands, the residence of Mr. George Carter, so as to gain a position in
rear of Kilpatrick on the Little River Turnpike,




102          Pcartisan Life with Mosby.
A corps of infantry had reached Gum Spring, another had gone to Leesburg, and Mosby thus found himself
interposed between the cavalry and infantry of Hooker's
army.  With this information a courier was sent to
General Stuart, who, for the first time, learned where
Hooker was.
It was dark before we reached the turnpike, and on
our march thither we had captured a number of prisoners.
Leaving the command concealed in the woods, Mosby,
accompanied by Charlie Hall, Joe Nelson, and Norman
Smith, proceeded to the road, where they espied three
horses fastened near a- dwelling-house, with an orderly
standing by them.  He rode up to the man, and was
informed by him that the horses belonged to Major Sterling and Captain —.  In a whisper, he then said to
the orderly, who was an Irishman,
"My name is Mosby; keep quiet. 
The man understood him to say that he (the Irishman) was Mosby, and very indignantly replied,
"No, sir, I am as good a Union man as ever walked
the earth."
"Those are the very sort I am after," replied Major
Mosby.
Just then the officers made their exit from the house.
When sufficiently near, Hall stretched out his hand to
take the major's arms.  Supposing him to be an acquaintance, Major Sterling offered his hand, and was
thunderstruck when he was informed that he was a prisoner. And well he might be, for he was the bearer of
important dispatches from Hooker to Pleasonton, his
chief of cavalry.
Mosby proceeded to a house near by, where, after procuring a light, he discovered what a treasure he had
captured. The dispatches informed Pleasonton of all




J/fosby's Adventures in Search of Information. 103
Hooker's plans, and all the information which he wanted to obtain.
This information, so important, was intrusted to the
courage, the prudence, and the fidelity of Norman Smith.
At twelve o'clock at night Norman set forth, and just as
the first faint dawn appeared the dispatches were placed
in General Stuart's hands.
After the prisoners had proceeded a short distance,
they were informed by Hall that Mosby was their captor.. At this they were highly amused, and, when asked
the cause, replied, "We have laughed so much at our
men for being gobbled up by Mosby, that we can not
help laughing at being caught ourselves."
We slept that night in the woods within half a mile
of the camp of the 5th Corps, and early the next morning moved lower down the turnpike near Pleasant Valley, where farther important information was obtained
about the disposition of Hooker's army.  Here we captured two well-stored sutler-wagons drawn by six horses,
which we gutted in the woods.  One sutler was indeed
a prize, for he had six hundred dollars in greenbacks
on his person, and was leading a very fine mare, which
belonged to the lieutenant colonel of the 73d Ohio.
The mare was at once dedicated to the partisan service.
With thirty prisoners and horses, Major Mosby returned to report in person to Stuart, and crossed Bull
Run Mountain by an unfrequented bridle-path, as Hancock's corps was at Thoroughfare Gap, and Pleasonton
still at Aldie.
Two days after these occurrences, Mosby, with sixty
men, started for Fairfax across Bull Run Mountain. It
was night, and one of the men dropped his hat, and,
stopping to get it, halted that portion of the column in
his rear. The command moved forward, and thus became separated. The men who had thus been cut off




104         Partisan Life with Mosby.
despairing of finding Mosby amid such wild scenes, disbanded and returned to their respective quarters, while
he at a farther point on the mountain camped for the
night.
Early the next morning we passed through Dr. Ewell's farm, and were near Ewell's Chapel, when we discovered fifty cavalry in our front.  Mosby was in the
rear, and the column, thirty-five strong, halted for him
to come up. Instead of attempting to retreat, our leader, with that heroic impulse by which he is ever animated, ordered a charge, determined to burst through
the impediment thus suddenly presented to his progress.
The cavalry broke and fled. With Hall and Mountjoy
at his side, he discovered, on approaching the church,
that the cavalry had been put there as a bait, and that
he was, in fact, involved in an infantry ambuscade.  The
infantry poured a volley into the advancing partisans,
wounding Hall, Mountjoy, and Ballard.  Extricating
himself by the exercise of great coolness and courage
from this perilous situation, Mosby halted at a point
about a mile distant, from which he sent off the wounded. General Meade had been informed the night before
by a negro, who had seen Mosby go into camp, that he
would pass Ewell's Chapel early the next morning. The
general rejoiced greatly at the opportunity thus thrown
in his way of ridding the Federal army of so harassing
an adversary, and proceeded to prepare for him the deadly snare.
But Mosby, undismayed, started again at midnight
for the Little River Turnpike, which he proposed to
make the scene of operations.  Stuart's quarter-master
was deficient in animals for transportation, and this want
our leader was desired to supply. His first capture consisted of four wagons, each drawn by six mules. These
animals, together with several prisoners and horses, were




3fosby's Adventures in Search of Information. 105
dispatched to the Confederate camp, while Mosby pursued and overtook a train of twenty wagons. As soon
as the horses and mules were unhitched they were started
for the same destination along with their negro drivers.
The cavalry escort was in advance of the train. Taking
the alarm, they soon returned to avenge the affront and
recapture the prize. Our men, only fifteen in number,
took to the woods in order to save the plunder, but lost
a good many of the animals in their flight, as well as
three of our number, who were taken prisoners. This
capture was effected within a mile of General Birney's
camp, who, in retaliation, came down and caused the house
of a citizen near by to be pillaged and burnt.
About this time Mosby received a note from Stuart,
requesting him to ascertain for General Lee if Hooker
was crossing the Potomac. In compliance with this
request he took with him two men, and, crossing the Bull
Run Mountain, entered the turnpike below Mat Lee's.
While he was conversing with a citizen in relation to
the movements of the Federal army, two soldiers rode
up, who were captured and sent to the woods in charge.
of one of his companions.  Soon after four lieutenants!!
approached him, and without suspicion, for both he and?
his companion had oil-cloths over their shoulders to pro-.i
tect them from a drizzling rain. After some conversa.
tion Mosby introduced himself to the startled officers.
Having procured a good deal of valuable information,
he sent a dispatch to General Stuart along with the six
prisoners in charge of his two men.
Mosby was now alone, and proceeded toward Fryingpan, but stopped to visit his trusty friend, Miss Laura
Ratcliffe, who lived not twenty yards from the highway.
From her I received the following account of his visit:
"When Hooker's army was watching General Lee,
trying to find out his intentions, Reynolds's corps was




106         Pcartisan Life with Mosby.
camped at Guilford Station, and the wagon-trains, with
cavalry escorts, were constantly passing our house to and
from the railroad. One day a soldier on a white horse,
with an oil-cloth around him, rode up to the house, and
we could scarcely believe our own eyes when we found
it was Major Mosby. He dismounted, and came in to
see if we had late papers or any news, and left his horse
istanding at the front door. One of my sisters was so
afraid the Yankees would come while he was here that
she led his horse behind the barn, and kept him there
till the major was ready to start; but he did not appear
the least uneasy, nor did he make a hurried visit. That
evening two Yankees came to our house and told us that
it was rumored that Mosby had ridden several miles with
them between here and Guilford; that when he got ready
to turn off he had said'good-evening,' and then dashed
through the woods, and was out of sight in an instant.
I told the men the story was improbable, but suppose it
was really true."
Having procured from Miss Laura the information of
which he was in search, Mosby proceeded to the house
of John J. Coleman and called for him. Just then two
cavalry-men approached and stopped under a tree in Mr.
Coleman's field to pick cherries. Mosby rode up, and,
presenting his pistol, demanded a surrender, and two
members of the 5th New York Cavalry submitted as
prisoners. In consequence of this capture on his premises the Yankees threatened to burn Mr. Coleman's house,
and would have done so, but for the generous interposition of General Reynolds.
Mosby then:returned to the turnpike, along which a
large wagon-train was passing, guarded by a cavalry
escort. But nothing daunted, he determined to pass
through the iwagons and the escort, carrying his prisoners
with him. Accordingly, after tying the halters of their




h1fosby's Adventures in Search of Information. 107
horses together, he started off. Sometimes he was so
close to the cavalry as almost to touch them, and nothing
prevented the prisoners from giving the alarm but the
certainty that immediate death to at least one of them
would be the consequence. In this way Mosby proceeded until, reaching a convenient point, he turned off
and directed his course to Fauquier.  He reported without delay the important intelligence he had gained to
Stuart, who was charmed with the boldness as well as
the success of the exploits by which it had been obtained.
At this interview General Stuart communicated to
Mosby his intention of crossing the Potomac between
Hooker and Washington, and, at the same time, the
wish that he should command his advance.  He agreed
to the proposition, and, collecting about twenty of his
men, proceeded to cross the Bull Run Mountain for the
purpose of meeting Stuart where Cub Run crosses the
Little River Turnpike, the place of rendezvous. But
the plan was frustrated by a movement of General Hancock, who, interposing his command, compelled Stuart to
make a circuit by Brentsville.
In consequence of this derangement of their plans,
Mosby the next day disbanded his men at the Sudley
Springs, but reserved eight, with whom he went on a
scout to Pleasant Valley, where in a little while he captured a surgeon and a trooper. He then crossed the
Braddock Road, which he found occupied by soldiers,
artillery, and droves of cattle for the army. But the
smallness of his party forbade an attack.
The captured surgeon, who expressed his surprise at
the appearance and bearing of Mosby and his followers,
as well as at the good treatment which he had received
at their hands, was soon after released on condition that
he would, procure the liberation of Dr. Alexander-a




108          Partisan Life with Mosby.
condition which was readily agreed to by the medical
gentleman, and speedily complied with by the authorities at Washington.
CHAPTER XVI.
ADVENTURES BETWEEN THE LINES OF THE OPPOSING ARMIES.
Upper Fauquier, July 30th, 1863.
DEAR PERCY, —I take my pen to-day to give you a
rapid survey of our operations from the time that the
Confederate army crossed the Potomac until the time
that the Rappahannock again became the dividing line
of the hostile armies. It forms a novel and interesting
chapter in Mosby's military life, and shows how fertile
he is in expedients when pressed by difficulties.
After failing to connect with Stuart, Mosby returned
to Middleburg, where he collected about thirty men, and
crossed into the Valley for the purpose of joining General Lee in Pennsylvania. He struck for Mlercersburg,
where he understood a portion of the Southern army
could be found, but, on reaching that place, discovered
that it had moved. Finding himself in a hostile country with a mere squad of soldiers, and ignorant of the
position of Lee's army, Mosby determined to return to
Virginia, but brought with him about three hundred beef
cattle, which he turned over to the Confederate States,
commissary at Winchester. At that point he heard of
the defeat of our army at'Gettysburg.
From Winchester Mosby visited Richmond on official
business, and on his return appointed a meeting for his
command at Rector's Cross-roads. But the advanceguard of General Meade: having reached that point, he
was compelled to change the rendezvous to Rectortown,




Adventures between the Lines of the Armies.   109
where he collected about thirty men. In order to reach
the rear of the invading army, he made a detour by way
of the Plains, and camped that night in sight of the
11th Corps, which was about Mountsville, in Loudoun
County. On his way to this point he met Bush Underwood who, with two men, had captured at Benton's
Ford of Goose Creek a lieutenant colonel, a major, and
an orderly.
Early the next morning Mosby captured three heavilyladen sutler-wagons and forty-five prisoners, and while
thus engaged fell in with General Carl Schurz, who was
riding out, and chased him with hot speed into his camp.
The next day the horses were divided amlong the men,
and the prisoners were put in charge of Torm Lake, with
a detail of five men, to be conducted to Culpepper Courthouse-a task of no little difficulty when we remember
that the country through which Lake had to pass was
occupied by hostile troops.
These results got the citizens (who are chiefly Quakers)
into trouble, for the next morning the Yankees, infuriated, sent out and arrested many of those living in the
vicinity. A very ludicrous occurrence happened in this
connection, for several of Mosby's men who had ingratiated themselves with the Friends were captured along
with them. But the boys all got Quaker hats and Quaker
coats, and it was laughable in the extreme to hear them,
with sanctimonious looks, theeing and thouing the Yankees. But it all passed off well, for the Quakers were
soon turned loose, having found no difficulty in establishing their innocence.
Two days later Mosby started from "Camp Spindle,"
which he had established in the Bull Run Mountain
since the occupation of Fauquier and Loudoun by the
Northern army, and returned to its rear. Near Circleville he came in sight of nine wagons prepared to forage




110         Partisan Life with ilfosby.
among the Quakers, and such was the feeling of security
that no guard had been deemed necessary for their protection. The wagons were captured and set on fire, and
with fifty-six horses and mules and twenty prisoners
Mosby returned to the Bull Run Mountain. This affair
got the Quakers again into trouble, and another order
was issued for their arrest.
Mosby next began to operate farther to the front of
Meade's army, between Salem and the Plains. As he
was marching from his mountain fastness to the latter
place, he captured two cavalry-men loaded with the spoils
of a poultry-yard.  By them he was informed that a
large number of mules had been turned to pasture near
the Plains, guarded by forty artillerists. Upon these he
made a swoop, and, in full view of the enemy's camp,
carried off mules and guard to his mountain rendezvous,
laughing at the infantry Who were sent in pursuit of
him.
The untiring partisan returned in the evening, and,
concealing his command in the woods, took with him
Fount Beattie and Norman Smith to a hill-top, and presently saw two officers ride out from camp. When they
had advanced far enough for him to get in their rear he
charged them, and for three miles the exciting chase continued.  With bloody spurs, the bare-headed officers
made for a wood at the extremity of a lane into which
they had entered. But as they approached it they came
upon two ladies, who, appreciating the situation, drew
up their horses to witness the sport. As Mosby and
his two companions passed them, they cheered with waving handkerchiefs, and pointed out the direction which
the fugitives had taken. The race was then soon brought
to a close, and the two Federals were taken to the Bull
Run Mountain, from the crest of which could be plainly
seen the Northern army camped in the Plains below.




Adventures between the Lines of the Armies.  111
With five or six men Mosby then rode to Fishback's,
almost within the purlieus of the Yankee camp. Here
he found a dozen cavalry-men, mounted on officers' horses,
and foraging for an officers' mess. These were added to
his list of prisoners, and sent to join the captured officers.
I will now give you a personal adventure of Mosby's
which happened about this time, which illustrates strike
ingly, I think, one of the remarkable traits of his character. With Fount Beattie he was one day asleep in a
piece of woods a little above Hathaway's, when a party of Yankees came and searched the house for him.
While they were thus occupied, one of the soldiers rode
to the woods to look for horses that might there be
concealed, and approached the sleepers. As he was leveling his pistol to shoot Mosby awoke, and, springing
to his feet, wounded his assailant's horse in the head.
He turned to fly, and, as he did so, the partisan chief
lodged another bullet in his saddle. Before the searchers could be summoned to the spot, the Rangers were
"over the hills and far away."
Meade's army now took position in the vicinity of
Warrenton. While the movement was being made
Mosby followed the various corps, and hung upon their
rear. After the last corps had passed, a major, with
thirty men, was sent back to look after him, but fell in
with Norman Smith and another man near Mrs. Lewis's
house, who were riding some distance in advance of their
command, and chased them to the mountain.  In the
mean time Mosby rode up to inquire the news from Mrs.
Lewis. She came out and implored him to save himself by instant flight, for the major, she said, had breakfasted under her roof, and had declared that if he captured Mosby he would hang him to the first tree. But
our leader laughed at her fears. At this moment the
Yankees were seen coming across the mountain toward




112         Partisan Lfij with Alosby.
the house, and, as fortune determined, Mosby's command of eighteen men appeared on the scene at the same
time. They were led instantly to the charge.  Up the
mountain-side they dashed, leaping over two stone fences
which lay across their track. The Yankees broke and
fled round and round the mountain, followed by the guerrillas, the fun equaling that of any fox-chase.
The boastful major who had so wrought upon the
fears of Mrs. Lewis was caught squatting under a bush.
Thirteen men and a lieutenant were also captured. But
the lieutenant was the last caught, and not until he had
several times made the circuit of the mountain, and, like
IReynard when the mouthing dogs are at his heels, had
struck out in the direction of a pine forest. Mosby,
however, was upon his tracks, and, after the chase had
continued thus for more than a mile, his horse, entirely
spent, refused to proceed farther. The lieutenant was
still fifty yards in advance, and had reached the top of
a high hill, when his pursuer resorted to an expedient
which succeeded well. He fired at the Yankee, shouting'"halt!" The officer reined up, and rode back with
his pistol down, Mosby thought, to fight. But it was
to surrender.
The prisoner was mounted on a magnificent gray
horse, and in the most piteous accent said,
" You won't take my horse, will you 2"
"The devil I won't," replied his captor, "' what do
you suppose I was chasing you for?"
This gallant officer was a lieutenant of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
During the period of General Meade's advance through
Loudoun and Fauquier, Mosby was entirely cut off from
all communication with Lee's army, and was compelled
by the enemy, who swarmed in every neighborhood, to
abandon his usual haunts. H-e did not, however, as you




Adventures between the Lines of the Armies.  113
have seen, retire before them, but established his camp
on the crest of the Bull Run Mountain, from which he
descended like a mountain wolf and made daily forays
upon the enemy. The amount of his captures during
this period was one hundred and eighty-six prisoners,
one hundred and twenty-three horses, twelve wagons,
fifty sets of fine harness, arms, etc.
Encompassed as he was with enemies, a general belief
prevailed that he and his band had been destroyed; but
Stuart, who knew him better, said, "No, he'll turn up
yet, right side up." And so it was.._ _____ _____ __W _ __
II              -'
]...].-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




114         Partisan Life with Miosby.
CHAPTER XVII.
"GTHE ICE-CREAM RAID. "-MOSBY AMONG THE WAGON-TRAINS.
Upper Fauquier, September 1st, 1863.
IDEAR PERCY, -As soon as the army of General
Meade had taken a position around Warrenton Mosby
broke up his camp on the Bull Run Mountain, again dispersed his men among the citizens, and resumed his warfare upon the enemy's communications.  Meade's base
of supply was now Alexandria, and Centreville, in the
line of his communications, was occupied by a strong detachment of troops. With this object in view, Mosby,
with twenty-six men, proceeded to the vicinity of Clermantown, a group of hovels which stands, or rather
stood, for it has since been destroyed by the Yankees, at
the junction of the Little River and Warrenton Turnpikes. In a short distance of this place, on the road to
Fairfax Court-house, he captured a sutler-wagon, accompanied by three men, which he sent to Germantown in
charge of two of the Rangers to await his return.
At the Court-house several other sutler-wagons were
found, and also several Yankee stores.  One wagon was
loaded with cavalry boots, others with a variety of merchandise suited to the use of the army, and one contained
ice cream, which in the command has given its name to
the raid.
A suitable guard was detailed for these captures,
while Mosby, with the rest of the command, proceeded
to a wagon-camp one mile below the town. Near the
camp the men were halted under cover of a hill, and
Bush Underwood and Welt Hatcher were sent forward




ilosby among the Wagon-trains.     115
to reconnoitre. They found the wagons without a guard,
and the drivers all asleep except two-one a Dutchman,
whom Hatcher treated in a very uncivil manner. They
were drinking, and as he passed him Welt pulled the
bottle out of' the Dutchman's hand, an unwarrantable
liberty for which he received a sound cursing.. The
wagons, twenty-nine in number, were soon captured, and,
as they were laden with valuable stores, Mosby determined, contrary to his custom, to attempt to bring off the
rich booty-a hazardous enterprise, with a large force of
the enemy at Centreville, from which point parties could
easily be sent out to intercept him, and with Union men
strung along the road to play the part of informers.
Having collected his prizes into one train, as he proceeded on his return, Joe Calvert, a brave and reliable
man, was sent to the front to notify Mosby of the approach of any force in that direction.  Mosby for a similar purpose remained in the rear. After advancing in
this way up the Little River Turnpike for eight miles,
an ambulance-train, guarded by twenty-five cavalry, was
reported in his front.' All right, " he remarked to Bob
Gray, who communicated the information,'I we will just
take them too."  At Mat Lee's, just as day was breaking, Mosby rode to the front for the purpose of attacking the ambulance escort, when he saw the flash of a pistol. With eight men, the amount of his available force,
he dashed forward, and found that Joe Calvert had been
attacked and driven back by a party stationed on the
road, and that Bush Underwood, who had been the first
to go to his support, had received a severe sabre-cut.
The Yankees were then charged, routed, and hotly pursued to within a hundred yards of Mount Zion Church,
when, lo! a regiment of cavalry appeared in line of battle across the road, and at once moved forward. It had
marched, under command of Colonel.Lowell, from Cen



116          Partisan Life with  fi~osby.
treville during the night, in consequence of information
that Mosby was below, and had thrown out, as a picket,
the force of twenty-nine men which he had encountered
on the road.::    -
It was now time for Mosby to retreat, but he first attempted to deceive the enemy as to his strength, while
he dispatched a courier-to inform  the men with. the
wagons of the overwhelming attack in his front.  The
wagons were hastily abandoned, but fifteen of the prisoners, with many horses, were carried to Landmark, in the
Bull Run Mountain. To that point Colonel Lowell
pursued and rescued all the prisoners.
The enemy lost on this occasion two men killed and
four wounded; Mosby's loss was one man wounded and
one taken prisoner.
The day after the loss of the sutler-wagons Major Mosby collected about twelve of his scattered forces and
started again for'Fairfax Court-house, near which he
found a wragon-train camped for the night and guarded
by cavalry.  As he rode across the field he came upon
seven of the escort, who had left their command to have
a comfortable sleep in a hay-stack.  They were captured
and ordered to saddle up, never. doubting but that they
were arrested by their own provost-guard for straggling.
Early the next morning, after making additional captures from the neighboring cavalry-camp, the command
was moved to a position on the turnpike about one mile
below the town, where it was left, and Mosby took Harry
Sweeting, Jack Barnes, and another, and went on a scout.
Between Anandale and Alexandria they encountered
three wagon-masters lying:in the shade, with their pistolbelts unbuckled.  From them the partisan leader learned.
that a large wagon-train was loading in the woods at no
great distance, and that the cavalry escort had gone off
on a scout. He then told them his name was Mosby,




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~~~~~~~~IOB  AOGfEWAO   RI




118          Partisan Life with Miosby.
and ordered them to give up their arms, which they did
promptly.
Presently the train emerged from the woods on the
turnpike, and, as each wagon drove out, it was ordered
by Mosby to be taken to a designated spot. The teams
from about forty, together with their drivers, were started up the road, Jack Barnes being put in front.  When
he returned to his command, Mosby found that the men
had overhauled seven sutler-wagons.  It was; a rich
spoil, and all hands, prisoners included, were allowed to
plunder. It was a jolly sight to witness the delight with
which the Yankees appropriated the good things of which
their countrymen had been despoiled.
News of Mosby's presence on the turnpike below
reached Centreville, and a party was dispatched to anticipate his return, but this time without success.'A few days afterward, with a party of twenty men,
he captured two hundred wagons, but was only able to
bring off the horses and.a part of the spoil.
In an expedition to Paget's about this time, near Alexandria, thirty prisoners and thirty wagons were captured,
with about seventy horses and mules, but many of them
were lost, in consequence of the party being compelled
on their return to travel unfrequented paths.
During this month's operations — four hundred-prisoners were sent to Stuart.  Innumerable expeditions from
Meade's army and from the force around Washington
were sent to capture our chief, but with no success.
Among the captures which were made that I have
not mentioned was a train of nineteen wagons and twenty-five prisoners, which was secured near Anandale, and
seven sutler-wagons on the Little River Turnpike, where
it is crossed by Accotinck Creek. So much of the contents as they desired was appropriated by the men, and
the wagons and the rest of the merchandise were then




ilosby among the WVagon-trains.     119
destroyed. Being in want of information which he
could not otherwise obtain, Mosby, with a companion,
entered a sutler's camp at Bailey's Cross-roads. As
the weather was warm, he wore only his shirt and a pair
of blue pantaloons, and, thus habited, approached one of
the wagons, the owner of which was standing behind his
table ready to serve all customers. The partisan chief
called for a glass of beer and a piece of cake, and, at the
same time, entered into conversation with the unsuspecting merchant, and extracted from him the information
of which he was in search.  He then bade the sutler a
courteous farewell, and proceeded to avail himself of the
knowledge he had acquired.  I shall now pass over sevk
eral similar captures to those I have related, and only
give you the details of one other, which is known in the
command as the Boot Raid.  It consisted of a number
of sutler-wagons, and wa&s -made between Fairfax Courthouse and Alexandria, at a point where Mosby had lefti
his command, under Lieutenant William Smith, concealed in the woods, while he, with two men, had gone on a
scout. The prize, as soon as secured, was removed from
the road into the pines, and then followed its examination. Boxes were broken open, and their contents scattered on the ground. Boots, hats, and other clothing
were first appropriated, and the men, dressed in their
new clothes, strutted about, objects of mutual admiration;
cans were despoiled of their delicious fruits, while chainpagne bottles poured forth the precious liquor. As the
bottle circulated the scene became more noisy and grotesque, and was becoming riotous, when Lieutenant
Smith, with an air of authority, arrested it by ordering
the men to prepare to return to Fauquier.
Three Rangers were left behind to inform Mosby of
what had been done, who, on his return, ate heartily of'
the canned oysters, fruits, etc., which had been left. for




120          Pccrtisan Life'with Mlosby.
him, and then set out to overtake the command. Night
had set in before he joined them, and, as they had to
pass a point where a party of his men had been bushwhacked on a previous occasion, he expressed some concern lest the attack might be repeated.  This suggestion
produced a general state of excitement, and as they entered a wood, the object of their apprehension, all were on
the alert for the first sound of the bushwhackers.  Soon
a great rustling was heard among the leaves, and each
man wheeled his horse to avoid being shot from the ambush. Down the road they galloped for a quarter of a
mile, scattering in their flight the boots, clothes, boxes
of cigars, hats, and other articles of which they had just
despoiled the sutlers. At last they rallied, and, after a
careful reconnoissance, discovered that their dreaded adversary was a prolific old sow with her fifteen pigs.
When the plunder was divided near Mat Skinner's, each
man got three pair of boots, besides his share of the
other articles.
I will, before concluding this letter, give you an account of the fight at Gooding's tavern, in which our
leader was badly wounded, and in consequence of which
he is still absent from his command.
On the 23d of August, Mosby, with thirty-five men,
reached a position near Anandale, and, after posting them
in a wood, took with him  Norman Smith and Jack
Barnes to go on a scout.  Late at night the party stepped to sleep in a haystack at Ravensworth, a private
residence, and when they awoke in the morning found.
themselves in full view of and close proximity to an encampment of Yankees. Without being suspected, they
quickly saddled up and returned to Anandale, having
discovered several unguarded bridges. From the wood
Mosby saw a drove of a hundred horses pass up the
road under guard of forty cavalry.  He at once decided




ifosby amcnong the Wagon-trains.    121
to attack this party, and to postpone burning the bridges
until night. Mounting his command, he followed in their
rear until he came within half a mile of Gooding's tavern, where the Yankees halted to water their horses.
Mosby also halted, and detached Lieutenant Tom Turner, with half the command, to make a circuit so as to
attack the escort in front, while he fell upon their rear.
While this movement was being executed, twenty noncommissioned officers on furlough, under charge of a
captain, came up. This was an event for which Mosby
had made no calculation, but there was no help for it.
So at them he dashed, driving them back toward the escort, which was still at the tavern. With Norman Smith
at his side, Mosby led the charge upon the combined
parties, and routed and scattered them in all directions.
A few took shelter under cover of the houses, but were
soon silenced. At the very moment of victory, Mosby
was shot through the side and thigh, and was borne to
the woods by Dr. Dunn, the surgeon.  The men, not understanding it, followed their leader, which gave the
Yankees time to escape. But for this accident they
would all have been captured. As soon as Mosby was
aware of it, he ordered the men to go back, which they
did just as Lieutenant Turner came gallantly charging
up, having attacked and routed another party above.
Six of the Yankees lay dead on the field. Over a hundred horses fell into the possession of the partisans
(though a good many were lost in bringing them off at
night); also twelve prisoners, arms, etc.  Mosby's loss
was two killed and three wounded. Lieutenant Shriver,
of Maryland, a gallant soldier, was one of the victims
of this fight; the other was Norman Smith, of whom
Mosby said, " He has left the memory of a name which
will not be forgotten till honor, virtue, courage, all shall
cease to claim the homage of the heart."  Lieutenant.




122          Partisan Life with Mliosby.
William Smith, of the Black Horse, on duty with us, acted on this occasion, as he always does, with conspicuous
gallantry.
Lieutenant Turner succeeded to the command, and,
after dispatching the prisoners and horses to Fauquier,
proceeded to burn the bridges before alluded to.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE PARTISAN CHAPLAIN AT HIS DEVOTIONS.
Upper Fauquier, September 22d, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-On the return from a scout to Fairfax
I broke off at New Baltimore, and crossed the Pig-nut
range of hills, determined to execute a purpose which I
had long entertained, of paying a visit to the Rev. Dr.
Gog, the chaplain of our command. In my rambles and
adventures in many parts of the world I have acquired,
as you know, no small degree of skill as a woodsman
and land pilot.  This, added to some knowledge of -Upper Fauquier, enabled me, without difficulty, to find his
abode. As the doctor is a character the like of whom
is not met every day, I will give you some account of
the exterior of his dwelling.  In front of it was a grove
of forest trees, from which was cut off, by a dilapidated
post-fence, a spacious and level yard, covered with luxuriant greensward, which in some places was eaten close to
the ground.  It was an ordinary farn-house, constructed
of wood, with the first floor on the ground. The owner
had abandoned' it when the Northern army first penetrated the country, and had left it in the custody of a
family of negroes, who still occupied one of the outhouses.  In a corner of the inclosure was a copious
spring. of clear cold water, at which a woman was en



The Partisan Cha2plain at his Devotions.  123
gaged in washing clothes, some of which had been hung
to dry on the fence, while others had been spread over
several snow-ball bushes which grew hard by, a row of
which appeared at one time to have formed a half circle
in front of the house.
A large and powerful iron-gray horse, marked with
the United States brand, which I at once recognized as
the property of the parson, was fastened by a halterchain to a heavy block, and was quietly cropping the
verdant sod. But these rural features did not complete
the picture. To the trees in the grove full fifteen horses,
with military equipments, were fastened, and I reasonably inferred that their riders had sought this holy place
for religious consolation. The only important peculiarity in the interior arrangement of the building was, as I
afterward learned, a large hall or dining-room on the
east side of the house, which the present occupant called
"the chapel." Judge, then, of my surprise, when, as I
approached this parsonage, or'"glebe," as the doctor
himself sometimes calls it, I heard sounds of revelry
issuing from the interior of the chapel. I determined
to reconnoitre the position, for it occurred to me as far
from improbable that a raiding-party had invaded these
sacred premises, and were desecrating them with ribaldry
and song. With a stealthy step, as catlike as that with
which a North American savage approaches his victim,
I drew near an open window from which the noise proceeded. It was mantled by vines and running roses,
which clung to a trellis, and were then trained up the
sides of the window. Standing here, my concealment
was complete, while, by putting aside the branches of
a honeysuckle, I obtained a view of the interior of the
apartment.
All apprehension was at once set at rest by the appearance of the chaplain himself, not occupied with sacred




124           Partisan LifJe with Jlfiosby.
W:'M~! - i~!t!,,I
MOSSY S CHAPLAIN   S 
MOSBY'S CHAPLAIN  PAT  its DE-tOTIONS.
meditation, prayer, or penitential hymns, but instead I
beheld a scene which has shaken my confidence in the
severity at least of his religious code. The floor of the
room could not, I am sure, have been swept since the
owner had left the house, or refgeed, in the phraseology
of the day. In addition to an astonishing accumulation
of trash, it was scattered over with odd boots and shoes,
sword-belts, broken bridles and discarded gear of that
kind.  But one article of furniture deserves a more particular notice. It occupied one of the corners of the
room, and was a very large brass-plated saddle, with
stirrups and bridle-mounting to suit, the property of
the worthy churchman. It was the pride of his heart,
and had been presented to him, he told me, by his parishioners, as, in ecclesiastical phrase, he called the men
of the battalion. Broken chairs and broken benches
added to the decorations of the chapel. I did not find,




The Partisan Chaplain at his Devotions.   125
as I have said, Dr. Gog engaged in the exercises of religion, but instead hewas sitting. at the head of a table in
a huge arm-chair, engaged in the unclerical employment
of playing cards with his visitors.  A red flannel shirt,
open. at the breast, with the sleeves tucked up to the
elbows, blended in.horrid sympathy with a suit of coarse
red hair as it fell upon his shoulders.  In his lap lay a
cat of unusual size, purring and sleeping, and anon looking gravely in his mnaster's face as he would pass his hand
along the animal's back and striped tail with evident
pleasure. This was the parson's principal pet, his "'chief
of staff," he would pleasantly say, and had been trained
to fly at any object upon which it.was set. It had.been
named Ajax on account of its bellicose disposition, and
the master's love for his fierce quadruped was of no ordinary strength.  HEow it delighted him to take one of
Ajax's paws, expand it on the palm  of his hand, and
admire the length and sharpness of its claws! At the
doctor's feet and under his chair lay several terriersBrindle, Trip, Mustard, Ring, and Sweetheart, which at
intervals shared with Ajax their master's caresses. A
large tumbler of spirit was set on his right hand, from
which the doctor would, often sip with evident relish.
Some four or five of the company were engaged with the
game, while the others stood around the players, but not
uninterested spectators, for from time to time they would
make special or by bets, as they are called, as the game
progressed.
At the other end of the table was seated Mr. Blackwell Magog, the friend, the relative, and often the boon
companion of his host. Like his great "contemporary,"
as he often called the parson, he is of large proportions,
is much encumbered with flesh, and is by several inches
the taller of the two. There are a great many points
of dissimilarity between the two men, yet there exists




126          Pcartisan Life with ifiosby.
still what might be called a family likeness, for, as the
parson has often remarked with great emphasis, " blood
will show."
This observation, as remarkable for its truth as its
originality, is strikingly illustrated in the persons of the
portly cousins.  Some of the men, struck, doubtless, by
the covert and unexplained resemblance, call them "The
Twins," though so monstrous a brotherhood is evidently excluded by the possibilities of nature. Still
the astronomers call them  "Gemini," the Castor and
Pollux of guerrillas, and no star-gazer could, on the
score of magnitude at least, contest the right of two such
figures to form a constellation in the zodiac.  With so
grand an apotheosis, even such powerful spirits as Gog
and Magog ought, in all reason, to be content. Outside,
or rather inside of these physical points are many coincidences of disposition, which add strength to the parson's emphatic but unoriginal apothegm. Both of these
gentlemen enjoy keenly the pleasures of the table; both
like a relish of brandy, or new-dip, if better can't be had;
both are devoted to the chastened society of cultivated
females; both love cards, at which one of therm is an
adept; and both are fond of war, at least the quartermaster's department of it, and would follow a wagon~train or hang round a corral of horses with the pertinacity of a famished jackal or a Cossack wolf; and, finally,
both are avowed devotees of the grape.  This trait is so
conspicuous in the character of each of the worthy relatives, that Mr. John B. Jeffries wittily called them " Grog
and More Grog."  This alteration in their patronymics
took the rounds of the battalion, very much to the scandal of the parson. One of the "'young roosters" thought
it so good a thing- that on one occasion he addressed the
chaplain as Dr. Grog, and was very properly knocked
down for his impertinence.  A blow from the parson's




Tlhe Partisan Chaplain at his Devotions.   127
fist soon became proverbial in Mosby's confederacy, and
was called a papal bull, and no one was ever so contumacious as to have it thundered against him a second
time. After that the joke fell into disrepute, or was
never alluded to except behind the doctor's back.
Dr. Gog, as you already know, is thWe inducted chaplain of the Rangers, and Mr. Blackwell Magog is the
chief of staff-both high officials.
Turning once more to the other person of this duality,
we will find much to admire in Mr. Blackwell Magog,
and I am sure you will be entertained by a more particular account of him. The most conspicuous trait, then,
in the chief's mental organism is a high poetical temperament-a mind of an imaginative cast. This is a rare
endowment, and makes the chief a very extraordinary
person.  I do not assert that he has ever composed a
great poem like the Iliad, or Childe Harold, or any other
masterpiece that elevates human genius almost to the
rank of the archangels, or even that he has ever amuse'd
his leisure with the lighter productions of the muse, such
as sonnets, odes, madrigals, or lyrics.  No, the chief has
devoted himself to the active pursuits of life, and has
had no time for such literary flirtations. But still, I repeat, he is a poet.  "Let me illustrate," as the puzzled
lawyer says when he is entangled in the meshes of his
own argument, "let me illustrate."' If the chief were
to undertake to relate any occurrence that he had seen
or heard, no one could possibly recognize the story.
His creative genius being brought immediately into
play, he would brood over the subject, and a transformation would at once take place. The egg would hatch,
and a bird of Paradise would come forth with its brilliant plumage; the dull and commonplace, becoming electrified, would be sentimental or heroic, tragic or comic,
according to the nature of the subject, the condition of the




128          Partisan Life with Mosby.
atmosphere, or the mood of the mighty magician, or "the
great Dundidler," as the guerrillas sometimes call him.
As a Walter Scott, by a magical process known only to
men of genius, would transform a rustic lay or a wild
legend caught from the lips of some untutored peasant
into an immortal poem or a prose-drama destined to be
embalmed in the memory forever, or a Homer would
turn an obscure and half-remembered tradition into an
Iliad, with its divine and human actors blended in a
wondrous harmony, so Mr. Blackwell Magog can metamorphose the most ordinary transaction into an astonishing romance, investing it with the brilliant hues of a
fervid imagination.  This is what I mean by being a
poet for the best critics are agreed that it is the creative
power that forms the poet.
A practical inconvenience, however, has resulted from
this exuberance of fancy not generally felt by the children of song. His friends and admirers-and Mr. Blackwdell Maaogy has a great many friends and adrmirers-not
knowing where the poem ends and where the history
begins, are puzzled in the attempt to separate the golden
ores of fancy from the dross of fact. But little by little
this inconvenience has abated, for his intimate associates
have come to regard the chief as a rich placer, indeed a
nugget in which there is little else than the pure metal.
A singular result has ensued from the outpourings of
this abundant spring of fiction, the enrichment of the
English tongue by a new and very expressive wordblackwellisrn, which the parson uses to designate these
flights of' fancy. It is an ill wind that blows nobody
good, and a redundant imagination has added a very
beautiful word to the dictionary-another key to the
wondrous organ of human speech. To sum the whole,
Mr. Blackwell Magog is an example of a man in whom
the faculty of memory is overwhelmed and confounded
by the energy of a creative imagination.




The Partisan Chaplain at his Devotions.   129
The chief and the parson, or rather the parson and
the chief; for among Mosby's men the Church is always
piously preferred, were on this occasion sitting, as I have
said, at opposite ends of the table. Contrasted with
some of the figures around them, they looked like hippopotami on the banks of the Senegambia, come forth
from the liquid element to bask in the warmth and radiance of an African sun.
Parson. "By the groves of Venus and the wine-presses
of Bacchus, never was a man so persecuted by Fortune
as I have been to-day. I have lost not a dollar under
three hundred in greenbacks, as good as Chase ever issued from his paper-mill.  Ministers of grace! and all
this bad luck has been brought upon me by that profane,
awkward, heavy-built, whiskly-drinking, calico-stealing
guerrilla, Mr. Blackwell Magog. I have never had any
luck when that fellow has been about, especially at cards.
I believe he would ruin the fortune of a saint, much less
of a humble minister like me."
A voice from one of the by-standers responded with
emphasis,
"Well, doctor, I am not surprised at that.  You will
have to keep a sharp look-out in this crowd. These are
stirring times, I tell you, reverend sir!"
Parson. "You are quite right. A man, or woman
too, for that matter, must keep wide awake here. But
that fellow has ever been a bird of ill omen to me."
John De Butts. " Egad, you might with more propriety call him a bird of prey, for he has plucked many a
pigeon in his time."
"No, no," responded a very youthful soldier, "Mr.
Blackwell Magog is a vulture."'" Why.?" inquired several voices.
"Because," responded the youth, "'he preys on Dr.
Gog."




130         Partisan Life with Mosby.
Payrson (with dignity). "I am offended, and I shall take
no farther notice of you."
Johlnny Alexander. " I humbly ask your pardon. I do,
on my honor, parson."
Parson. "I can not understand why Mosby, who appears to have some sense about other matters, should take
these young chaps into his command. They are like twoyear olds, fit neither for the saddle nor the collar, yet are
able to consume the provender and fill the room of a
valuable beast. By Pluto! he will have to build a nursery for them. How I would like to have charge of the establishment with a keen cowhide!"
XAqI. 2Blackwell XCaOg. " Indeed, I think it would suit
you much better than the Church."
George Smit/h. "That's not my opinion. He would
corrupt the morals of the youth comumitted to his care,
but here he can at least do no harm. Mr. Blackwell
Magog will next propose him as the principal of a female
academy. Wouldn't that position suit his style 2 —regulating the dress and behavior of young ladies, and putting on the last touch for society!"
"Yes," exclaimed several voices, "the parson would
make a splendid duenna."
Johnny Munson. "Are you not afraid, parson, lest
your dissipated habits come to the colonel's ear?  He
would without doubt dismiss you from your post."
Parson. " What, I should be pleased to know, has he
to do with the discipline of the Church? He knows
enough of business to mind his own affairs. As long as
my code of religious morals does not forbid murder and
horse-stealing, I do not -know what the like of you have
to object to it. You may learn from the page of history,
John Munson, and I suppose you have been flogged
through enough of it to learn that this thing has been
often tried by worldly men, but the Church has always




The Partisan Ccplain at his Devotions    131
come off victorious. Kings and emperors have been made
to bow to the mitre. Besides, this Mosby of yours is a
good deal of a humbug."
Several voices. "How? tell us how!"
Parson. "Because, sirrahs, I never knew  a man of
real genius who wasn't fond of French brandy.  But
your master never touches a drop of the ardent. Look
at Alexander the Great how he went it.! Didn't he
die in an orgie?  Then there's Mark Antony, one of the
best soldiers of Rome, and Plutarch thinks one of the
greatest men of antiquity, he was drawn through Italy on
a car crowned and attended as the god Bacchus. Go to
our own army, too; have I not seen, while the troops lay
at Manassas, a revel among high officers that would shame
a Bacchanal 2?"
Johnny aJnzson. "Noble models you propose for the
imitation of our commander —a drunken Greek, a degenerate Roman, and Confederate officers whQ ought to
have been cashiered. You are doubtless prepared to recommend him to borrow the dusky hues of the African,
that he may resemble a Hannibal or Othello."
Doctor Gog turned with contempt from the last speak.
er, and in a mincing, mocking tone, continued,
"It is all coffee, coffee, coffee! He never enters a Southern woman's house but it is,' Colonel Mosby, will you have
a cup of coffee2' I have seen him on horseback, in the
streets of Leesburg, as he was returning from a successful
expedition, surrounded by ladies. One miss, with flowing curls, held the coffee-pot, while another, it might be
a summer younger, held the sugar-jar from which your
master would from time to time be supplied. From that
hour I lost all confidence in your guerrilla chief. If it
had been a flask of cognac, or even a glass of your brave
Loudoun whisky, I could have understood the thing."
Johniny  lwnson. "I have no doubt, parson, if your




132         Partisan Life with Mlosby.
places were changed, you would set him adrift for being
a coffee-drinker, and it is just possible that Mosby may
some day exhibit toward you a similar illiberality."
Parson. "I'd like to know, sirrah, who would suffer
most by that? How do you think the command would
do without me?"
JohnnyAlexander. "Do without you, doctor? Listen,
and I will tell you what they would do without you."
Parson. "Well, Mr. Jackanapes, what?"
Johnzny Alexander. "Why, chaplain, they would go to
h-11 their own way instead of yours."
This sally produced much applause, which for a moment
disconcerted Dr. Gog, but he soon rallied.
"You saucy, ill-mannered, ill-contrived, ill-thriven,
withered, wizen-faced, half-fed monkey, what knowest thou
about sacred things? I tell thee, sirrah, thou art not fit
to be the lackey of a monastery, or to carry water from a
pump, or to bear a lighted taper, or ring a silver bell, or
dust the altar, or unloose the latchet of mine own shoe,
or, in fine, to do aught that appertains to holy things,
much less unsought to pass thy censure on the high concerns and mysteries of the Church. I tell thee roundly I
mean, at my convenience, to take thee in hand, and administer a well-merited castigation. I do, thou untaught,
thou unwashed, unchristened varlet, thou unlicked cub!
You ought to be at school, sir, and thy'mammy, if perchance thou hast one, ought to smack thee and send thee
to bed. If I were she, or she but knew the duties of
maternity, boy, the stars wouldn't find thee abroad, unless
those early sentinels which morning sets in the sky to
tell upon the lazy plow-boy. With all the Christian
charity that doth possess my soul, I can not abide these
half-fledged, scratching, crowing, spurless roosters. Bad
luck to you, you impudent starling! Lord, how I have
prayed for them, the graceless banditti!"




The Partisan Chaplaictin at his iDevotions.   133
Here the good parson bowed his head on the table, as
if overwhelmed by ingratitude. The company appeared
to be touched by this unexpected demonstration, and
looked reproachf'ully at Johnny Alexander for his unkind,
or at least thoughtless words-those envenomed shafts
which are scattered so wide and driven so deep. But
the youth was nothing daunted, and even smiled goodhumoredly at the philippic of the offended churchman.
He did not blink an eye, but was ready to let fly another
arrow at his adversary as soon as he should detect a
crevice or vulnerable point in his armor. The minute
and watchful martin was he, perched on some withered
twig, his bright, piercing eye turned oft askant, but ready
to pounce upon the hawk or crow, his hereditary enemy,
as soon as he should unfurl his wings and expand them
on the ambient and buoyant air.
" Dr. Gog," inquiried a young gentleman, who, from the
texture of his clothes and his fair hands, seemed to have
just joined the command, "Dr. Gog, to what society of
Christians did you belong before the war "
Pcarson. " I was a Black Rock Baptist, and had been a
Southern Methodist."
The youth again inquired: "Were you in the ministry,
reverend sir 2"
Parson. " My master, you are over inquisitive for a
new-comer, but I have no objection to satisfying your curiosity, as it may perchance be of service to you. It will
teach you, at least, to begin where I ended. I commenced
my religious life as an Episcopalian, but soon grew
offended at their starch and gentility. I next tried the
Presbyterians, and abode with them until they got to
looking into my life, as they called it. I then got with
the Methodists and Baptists. I tried the Campbellites,
too, for a time, and lodged a few weeks with the Free
Communion Baptists, passing from one to the other like




134         Partisan Life with ilfosby.
a bad shilling. I have now the honor to inform you, my
master, that I am a preacher in the great Universalist
Church, where I expect to remain for the rest of my
natural life."
All. "Good, good! That's the very church for Dr.
Gog."
Parson. "Yes; and, let me inform you, it is the very
Church for every one of you; for what chance have any
of you for heaven unless through the general amnesty
which that Church has proclaimed to all sinners? Your
master knew this when he besought me to take charge
of your souls."
The game had been suspended during this conversation, and Mr. Blackwell Magog, in company with several
others, had left the room for some sinister purpose, as I
was afterward led to suspect. Upon their return a renewal of the game was proposed, and acceded to by all
but the parson, who demurred because, as he said, the
jade Fortune was against him that day; but he finally
agreed to play if Munson would pay the fifty dollars he
owed him. The proposition was promptly agreed to, and
the debtor handed over a fifty dollar Confederate note.
Parson. " I lent you, sir, fifty dollars in Yankee money,
and I'll let you know that I understand how to collect
the dues of the Church."
MIXunson. "Why, parson, I only meant it for a proposition. I will pay you, if you prefer, in greenbacks."
Pcarson.  "Your proposition was at least cool-yes, sir,
devilish cool; but I leave others to determine its morality. Under the cloak of the figures on that bill, you
proposed to transfer just forty-nine dollars and fifty cents
from my pocket to yours."
lMfunson. "Forgive me, doctor, but I thought you so
good a patriot as to seize with avidity any opportunity
to display to the world how much more you value the




Tlrhe Partisan CGhcTplctin at his Devotions.   135
Confederates than the Yankees. Besides, you know, every
body says that, as soon as the war is over, Confederate
money will be as good as gold."
Parson. "Then keep it yourself, John Munson, for your
patriotism stands fully as much in need of illustration as
milne."
One of the Rangers here remarked, if the politicians
would restore the credit of the finances they must take
their ugly faces off the notes, for they are enough to
destroy any fiscal system.
"Yes," responded Mr. Blackwell Magog, "and put old
Abe's, I suppose, in their place."
Parson. "No, no, my beauty; when Congress sets about
to reclaim  the currency by the employment of such
means, they'll certainly photograph your full moon."
Mr. Blatckwell Jictgog. "And your red head."
ifLunson. "[Excellent! what a combination, to have the
strong points of two such paragons!  Gog's curls and
Magog's blushes! Wouldn't that be to add a perfume
to the violet! Ha! ha! ha!"
All. "Ha! ha! ha!"'
John De D ffButts. " Capital idea that. The notes would
soon be at a premium, at least with the young ladies, for
you know they dote on the parson."
James Keith. "I don't know how it is with the guerrillas, but in the regular service we are opposed to blending the perfections of two such different styles of beauty;
indeed, I might with more propriety say, orders of architecture. A Greek artist is said to have tried this, and
the result was a picture so shockingly ugly as to drive
him mad."
Johnny Alexacncler. "That's the most sensible thing
I've heard to-day."
Parson (with a severe manner). " Gentlemen, your remarks are growing personal. I trust you will not forget




136         Partisan Life withb 2osbzy.
that you are within the precincts of a chapel. Though I
would not be boastful of the gifts of nature, nor value
myself too highly on the vain article of beauty, but would,
with all humility, acknowledge the perishable nature of
such external advantages, yet do I entertain the opinion
that Cousin Magog and myself are by all odds the handsomest men in the room. Such, at least, would be the
verdict of any jury of maidens in Fauquier. In Liliput,
or among the Bushman race, such a shrimp and mannikin
as Johnny Alexander might be received, but not hereno, not in Virginia. What think you, Mr. Blackwell
Magog?"
Mlr. Blackwell iMagog. " I would think, cousin, the better of your proposition if you had left yourself out; but,
for the life of me, I can not reconcile a red head with my
ideas of beauty."
Parcson. "The devil you can't! Pray, then, what do
you think of your own bull-pup features  Do you think
the Apollo looked like that? You blunderer, you don't
understand that I put you along with myself only out of
respect for your family. Auburn locks, let me assure you,
in all ages, have been thought, among people of taste, far
handsomer than the dirty sheepskin you wear on your
head."
"Hurrah!" shouted one of the company, "the twins.
are pulling at each other;" and Johnny Alexander jumped up into a chair, and flapped his wings, and crowed at
Dr. Gog. The mirth and confusion having subsided, and
Munson having discharged his debt in the desired currency, the game recommenced with renewed ardor. Loo
it still was. Silence reigned at the board, broken only
by the muttered curses of unfortunate players. To the
parson Fortune was again unpropitious, and he staked
his last note.
" They have gutted my pocket-book," said he, as he re



The Partisan Clzcaplca  cat his Devotions.   137
turned it to his breast pocket. "They have gutted my
pocket-book, and I shall be compelled to draw again on
Secretary Chase."
A Ranger. "You have bad luck, doctor. Why don't
you try the widow 2"
Pacrson.'" I have tried her already three hands in five,
and the bitch has almost ruined me. But I begin to suspect that Fortune does not preside at this board, and that
the cards do not have their own way." The doctor's last
stake was up, and he had become somewhat nervous as
he exclaimed with energy, " I believe there has been foul
play at this board all day; yes, a conspiracy to pluck me.
I have not lost less than five hundred dollars in greenbacks and gold."
The players all protested their innocence, and Mr.
Blackwell Magog expressed his indignation at the injur'ious suspicion thus cast on a company of gentlemen.
Pairson. " Since you are so sensitive you can give me
the cards, for a shuffle will soon disclose whether there
has been any rascality here."
After some demurring on the part of his great relative,
the cards were handed to the parson, who remarked as he
took them,
"You have such a sleight of hand at cards that I believe you have had something to do with a faro bank."
But events now hurried to a catastrophe. The chief's
arrangement of the cards now had been disconcerted, and
soon the foul play was apparent. The parson threw on
the board the evidence of fraud, and seized a scourge of
knotted and twisted ropes which lay near, which he kept
to preserve peace among his favorites. He sprang to his
feet, overturning the table, the cards, the money, and the
glasses, shouting at the same time, " Thieves and moneychangers in the temple of the Lord."  He seconded his
words with blows, and uproar and confusion reigned.




138          Partisan Life wiat_ ifosby.
The gamblers rushed to the door, for the desire to escape
that dreadful lash was uppermost in every breast. In
the mean time, Ajax was not idle, using his claws and
teeth with terrible effect, and adding to the din by his
fierce battle-cry, while the terriers annoyed and delayed
the retreat.
As soon as his guests had departed, the parson made
haste to purse the money which lay scattered on the floor,
and then threw himself in a chair, and began to whistle
the "Mocking-bird."
Soon I knocked at the door of the mansion, and was
most graciously received. Supposing that I had been a
witness of what had just occurred, my host remarked with
a laugh,
"I reckon, Mr. Arthur, you never saw any thing like
that in the old country. It will be several weeks before
these fellows come again to cheat me at cards. Ha! ha!
ha!"
After spending an hour with the parson, during which
time he furnished me with a substantial lunch, I rose to
depart, waiting only until Juniper could bring my horse
from the stable, where he had been carried to get a bait
of corn.
Parcson. "Well, Mr. Arthur, glad to see you always.
Come and spend a week with me."
I assured him I would often visit him, but insisted as
a condition that he should spend several days with me at
my ranch on the Blue Ridge.
Parson. "To be sure I will. I hear you have quite a
little town up there, but I hope the Yankees won't find
it. When I come, it will not be, remember, to get the
blockade you were telling me of, though I have no objection to that, but to talk about the Old Country, for I begin
to think it was not such a clever thing after all to have
torn us from the old mother. I think General Washing



The Partisaccn  h7capltCin Cat his Devotions.  139
ton would have done better had he left the cubs with the
dam a while longer. I am coming up to have a gossip
about the old Revolution-that is, after I have looked
through several volumes which I received the other day
from a blockade runner in Fairfax."
The reverend gentleman, I must explain, is something
of a bookworm, reading suiting his sluggish disposition.
He has been known to lie about the house for weeks,
silently absorbing volume after volume. In this way his
acquirements are considerable, though very much diversified.
I bade adieu to my hospitable friend, and, as I did so,
he took me cordially by the hand, and, walking toward
my horse, said,
"I have taken a liking to you, Mr. Arthur, and I don't
care if you know it. When I meet an English gentleman, I feel that I have found a man it will do to tie to."
We parted with many expressions of mutual esteem,
and I turned my horse's head homeward.
All hail, Doctor Gog!




140          Partisatn Life witlth iosby.
CHAPTER XIX.
RAIDING AROUND ALEXANDIRIA.-CAPTURE OF COLONEL
DULANEY.
Upper Fauquier, October 25th, 1863.
DEAR PERcY,-After a few weeks' absence, in consequence of the wound received in the fight at Gooding's
tavern, Major Mosby returned to the command, and at
once recommenced his harassing assaults upon Meade's
communications. He expressed himself as highly pleased
with Lieutenant Turner's activity during his absence, and
said, in his official report to Stuart, that he had proved
himself in every way fully equal to the trust.
This interval I shall pass over, for I have devoted it to
society rather than arms, as I was anxious to acquire a
definite knowledge of the country, and an acquaintance
with the people among whom Mosby's idea of partisan
warfare is to be developed.
One incident, of rather'an amusing nature, I will relate
to you, which occurred on an expedition under Lieutenant
William R. Smith to Warrenton Junction, in which he
captured several wagons, a large amount of sutlers' goods,
eighteen horses, and ten mules. The goods were found
stored in a house in front of which three wagons were
standing. John Munson, with a fire-brand in his hand,
approached one of them, and found two sutlers asleep on
a buffalo robe, with a pack of cards and a candlestick at
their heads. He waked them up, and said he wanted
that robe. In reply, one of them bade him go to h-11;
but Munson, anxious to find out where their horses were,
said, "The guerrillas are coming; you had better hitch up."




_laiding around Alexacndcia.          141
The. Yankee responded, " Damn the guerrillas; I have
been bothering myself to death, ever since the army began to move, to keep out of their way, and now I don't
care much if they do catch me."
Munson then informed the sutler of his connection with
Mosby, and he at once handed over the buffalo robe, and
various other articles useful to a man in Munson's line of
business.
But to return to Mosby. His first act was to organize
Company B at Scuffleburg, a hamlet at the base of the
Blue Ridge, not far from Markham.  The recruits had
been gathered in the country north of the Rappahannock
River, and most of them had seen service with the Partisans. In accordance with the system which he had determined on in the very outset of his career, Mosby had
selected the officers for this company, and required the
men by their votes to ratify his choice, and stamp it with
the authority of law. He saw at a glance that the law
of Congress, which ordained the election instead of the
appointment of officers, would, if executed, prove even
more destructive in his command than it had done in
the regular service. I-e did not hesitate, therefore, to
put it aside with that vigor and promptitude which belong only to men qualified for command.
William  R. Smith, of Fauquier, a lieutenant of the
famous Black Horse Company, had been selected by Mosby as the captain of the new company. He is a man in
the prime of life, is remarkable for his personal strength,
is cool, bold, and possesses in a remarkable degree the
qualities necessary to command.*
* It may interest some readers if a brief account of the Black
Horse Company of Cavalry, in which Captain Smith was a lieutenant, is appended to this page. It was organized the spring before
the repose of the country was broken by the irruption of John Brown,
and in what is popularly known as the John Brown War it was re



142            Pcrtisan Life with, Mosby.
CAPTAIN SMITH.
Frank Williams and Ab Wren, from Fairfax, and Robert Gray, from  Loudoun, completed the list of commismarked for its activity and zeal. These gay cavaliers, even at that
period, had adopted the disunion flag, and they greatly shocked, by
their free utterance ofdisunion sentiments, the conservative opinion
of Jefferson County. As soon as the war broke out the officers and
men of the Black Horse-for they had nothing of the Carpet Knight
about them- took the field, and faithfully did they perform their
part. If the flag of Southern independence did not wave in triumph
at the close as it did at the beginning of the war, it was not the
fault of the Black Horse Company; for it was at the birth of the
Army of Northern Virginia at Manassas, accompanied it in its bloody
progress through the war, and was present in the hour of its
dissolution at Appomattox Court - house. William H. Payne, its
captain, rose to be brigadier general of cavalry, and was distinguished, wherever he fought, for uncommon gallantry. Robert
Randolph, the first lieutenant, became lieutenant colonel of the
4th Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, and fell in battle, near Richmond, toward the close of the war. If the virtues of men live after
them, those of Randolph will gather around his tomb and adorn it




]Rcaid around Alexandria.         143
sioned officers. Each of them had served with Mosby,
and had won his prolaotion by the exhibition of superior
merit. On the 21st of August we started, Mosby in command, to attack Meade's line of communication on the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad. At a point between
Warrenton Junction and Bealton we discovered an immense pontoon train moving in the direction of the Rappahannock River. Mosby thought this indicated the intention of the Federal general to cross the river, and immediately retired to the pines, and communicated the fact
to General Lee in a dispatch, which he sent by Horace
Johnson, of the Black Horse, who, in order to deliver it,
had to pass through the hostile army.
The railroad Mosby found too closely guarded for him
to effect any thing at that point. In consequence, he proceeded in the direction of Fairfax Court-house in search
of farther information, and when he reached Buckland, a
point on the turnpike between Warr3tnton and BullIRun,
he sent back the command in charge of Captain Smith,
reserving for himself a party of ten. When we reached
the battle-field of Manassas we met thirty Yankee cavalry, each with a led horse, for they were out on a horsestealing expedition. We charged and routed them, taking thirteen prisoners, who were immediately sent under
guard to Fauquier. At night our party slept in a pine
thicket, and we were aroused in the' morning by the
reveille from a Yankee camp only a few hundred yards
distant, of the existence of which we had been perfectly
unconscious. We were soon mounted, and, passing around
the camp, struck out in the direction of Burke's Station,
with the design of capturing the trains engaged there in
as a garland of fragrant flowers. A. D. Payne, who at the formation of this famous company was a private in its ranks, became
during the progress of the war, its captain, and well sustained its
dear-bought reputation for constancy and valor.-EDIToR.




144         Partisan Life with Mosby.
hauling wood. But we found the work had been suspended, and the mules turned out to graze in a field near
an infantry camp. The guard was captured anid the animals driven off in sight of the regiment, who, in their
doubt and amazement at the boldness of the exploit,
made no effort to recapture them. After making a circuit of several miles through the pines, in order to baffle
pursuitj the mules were trotted off under an escort to
Eauquier.
Mosby then, with four men, proceeded on his scout
toward Alexandria, and rode to the heights in the vicinity, where he spent several hours watching with his
glasses the movements both on the Virginia side and
around Washington. Night putting a stop to his observations, our scouting-party slept in the woods, and the next
day returned to Fauquier.
On the 27th of September, 3Mosby, with eight men, left
Fauquier, his object being to capture Colonel Dulaney,
aid to Governor Pierpont. We traveled toward Alexandria by unfrequented roads, but following the direction
of the Little River Turnpike. Flanking around Fairfax
Court-house, we slept in the pines between that place
and Alexandria. The next day was spent in collecting
information and picking up stragglers, a half dozen of
whom were. sent off under guard late in the afternoon.
This reduced our party to five.
About sunset we started again for Alexandria, and
soon after nightfall struck the Telegraph Road two miles
from the town, Mosby inquiring as he proceeded for Colonel Dulaney's residence. He was informed that the
colonel had passed but a few hours before on his way
to Chestnut Hill. He had been to Fairfax Court-house
during the early part of the day, where he heard that
Mosby had passed through the lines, and had hastened
to communicate it to the authorities at Alexandria.




Raid acround Alexandria.         145
The road on which we were traveling was a thoroughfare leading to Alexandria, and we galloped rapidly
along, the citizens -whom we passed little suspecting that
darkness alone concealed fromn their view the renowned
partisan chief. It was not long before our guide pointed out Chestnut Hill, where the object of our search was
supposed to be. We approached the door, and knocked
for admittance. An upper window was thrown open,
and Mosby pleasantly inquired, " Is Colonel Dulaney in?"
Being told that he was, Mosby replied that he was just
from  Alexandria with dispatches from  the governor,
which he must deliver in person. Colonel Dulaney, not
at all surprised at this nocturnal visit, soon appeared to
receive the dispatches. As he opened the door, Mosby
asked, in a polite tone, " Is this Colonel Dulaney?"
" Yes, sir," was the reply. "Walk in, gentlemen, and
be seated."
As he advanced, our leader added, "My name is Mosby."
This startling announcement confused the staff-officer
for a minute, but the situation was soon explained, and,
after giving a simple promise not to attempt to escape,
he was allowed the liberty of the house for the purpose
of preparing for his trip to Richmond. After some delay
on this account, we mounted, and, accompanied by the
prisoner, were soon again on the road leading to Alexandria. This we followed until we struck the railroad
where it crosses Cameron's IRun. Here we collected
combustible materials and burned the bridge, under the
guns of two of the most formidable forts erected for the
defense of the town. We then returned to Fauquier,
from which point the prisoner was sent to Richmond.
As soon as Mosby discovered that Meade was making
a retrograde movement to Fairfax Court-house, he started from Middleburg with fifty men for the purpose of atK




146          Pcartisacn Life with# Mosby.
tackling the trains of the retreating army. Below Mount
Zion he fell in with the battalion of cavalry commanded by
the gallant and distinguished Colonel Elisha V. White.
After a brief consultation between the two officers, Mosby
determined to leave this field of operations to White, and
strike the enemy farther down their line of march.
With this intention he made a detour, and about sunset secreted his command near Frying-pan Church. Leaving Captain Smith in command, Mosby, with a small
party, proceeded to Chantilly, where they concealed themselves until a wagon-train which they heard approaching
had rolled by. Discovering that the train had no escort,
Mosby, with his seven men, in the most natural way, fell
in behind the wagons, and, as train-guard, passed through
the Yankee camps, which, with their blazing fires, were
strung along on either side of the turnpike. Martial figures, collected in groups around the fires, with their
rugged and often savage countenances, presented a picturesque appearance. They were infantry, and their
stacked muskets reflected the light from their polished
bores. The night was dark and cloudy, and when the
train, with its strange escort, passed the line of camp-fires,
all was again wrapped in darkness.
At a signal from our leader, we rushed upon the wagons, and easily effected their capture. In the mean time,
several officers and mounted men, as they passed to and
fro, were made prisoners and disarmed; among them Captain Barton, the adjutant of an infantry regiment.
This was a rich harvest-field; but, our presence being
discovered, we were compelled to retreat, carrying off with
us thirty-six mules, seven horses, and thirteen Yankees.
The prisoners were sent to Fauquier in charge of Walter Frankland and five men, and Mosby returned to the
command, which he had left with Captain Smith. Taking with him another detail of seven men, he returned to




Pactid around Alexandcriia.      147
the Federal camp, but entered it at a different point. He
was, however, soon discovered, and sentinels were posted
around to prevent his escape. But this proved no obstacle to Mosby, for he captured the sentinels, and carried
them off to Frying-pan.
The next day Lieutenant Turner, with Company " A,"
was ordered back to Fauquier, while, with twenty -five
men of Company "B," commanded by Captain Smith,
Mosby proceeded a mile below Fairfax Court-house in
quest of information. It was obtained from a citizen,
who furthermore informed him that his presence on their
flank having been discovered by the Federal commanders, several parties had been dispatched in pursuit of him.
One of these had been sent on the very road on which
Mosby had been traveling, but, fortunately, had passed up
before he struck it. Proceeding to the junction of the
Ox Road and Little River Turnpike, the command was
halted by a mounted picket. Making use of the information which he had obtained from the citizen, Mosby replied,
" We are friends, and the same party that just left you."
" Is that you, Sergeant IHough?" said the sentinel.
"Yes," replied Mosby.
The picket of thirteen men was then easily captured,
and conducted for the distance of half a mile into the
pines. Here we halted, and gathered around our leader
to listen to. a cross-examination of the prisoners. It was
conducted in the most approved legal style; for, if the
Federals hesitated to expose the situation of their friends,
Mosby, adroitly changing the point of attack, would wring
from them the desired information before they perceived
the object at which he was aiming. The picket proved
to be a portion of General Meade's body-guard, which had
been stationed at the junction of the two roads to forward reports from the different parties who were search



14 8         ]Zartisan Life with Mosby.
ing for Mosby. The officer in command having made his
escape while we were marching through the pines, Mosby considered the present position unsafe. The prisoners were in consequence sent off, and the scene of operations removed to the vicinity of Anandale.
Concealing fourteen men a quarter of a mile from the
road, with six others Mosby took a position on the turnpike in order to capture travelers to and from the army.
Very soon six men, with their horses and equipments,
were in the hands of the Partisans. A captain, with eleven men, next approached. They were attacked and
routed, six of the men, with their officer, being taken prisoners. But this party proved to be the vanguard of
six hundred cavalry who soon came in sight, and, expecting to be attacked, formed in line of battle. Taking advantage of this interval, Mosby ordered Captain Smith to
withdraw the command and prisoners as rapidly as possible by means of a route not discernible by the enemy.
With his three men he held his position on the road, the
enemy still supposing that he represented an attacking
force, until Smith had had time to make good his retreat.
Mosby then dashed off in an opposite direction to the one
taken by the command, and, when closely pressed by a
pursuing party, made his escape, together with his three
comrades, by leaping over a deep gully, over which the
Yankees were unwilling to follow him.
Captain Smith reached Fauquier in safety, but Mosby, for a day and night, still hovered about the Federal
camps, and experienced extreme difficulty in escaping the
patrols and pickets which were thrown out in every direction for the purpose of effecting his capture.
About this time Mosby instructed Ab Wren to select
a party, and proceed to the vicinity of Fairfax Courthouse, and capture a picket that was stationed about one
mile from that place in the direction of Middleburg. On




Rcid around Aleeandriac.         149
account of the frequent captures which had already been
made, the cavalry picket was withdrawn at night and replaced by infantry, but at reveille would again be sent
to that point. The result was, that the capture had to
be effected by daylight and in sight of the numerous
camps, some of which were almost in gunshot of the outpost. During the night Wren and his party passed to
the rear of the infantry camps, and took up his position
in a hollow, where, as long as night lasted, he was secure
from discovery. Here the party lay benumbed with cold
till daylight, when Charles Grogan, who had been sent
out to reconnoitre, crawled back from the crest of the
hill, and reported twelve cavalry-men proceeding toward
the picket-post to relieve the infantry according to custom.  The Rangers quietly mounted their horses and
dropped in behind the Federals, whom they overtook as
they were in the act of dismounting. The Yankees very
quietly surrendered, and were trotted off to Fauquier in
full view of their astonished countrymen.




150          Partisan LZife with iXosby.
CHAPTER XX.
" THE BILLY SMITH RPAID.)
Ulpper Fauquier, December 28th, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-As soon as Meade's advance made the
Rappahannock River again the picket-line of the two armies, Mosby directed his efforts against the rear of General Sedgwick's Corps, which was encamped about Warrenton, and was drawing its supplies by wagon-trains
from Gainesville. With seventy-five men secreted in a
wood at Chestnut Forlk, a crossing of the Warrenton and
Gainesville Turnpike, he awaited the approach of one of
these supply-trains.
The guard, composed of cavalry and infantry, were
marching, he discovered, only in front and rear, instead
of being distributed among the wagons. Mosby then
ranged his command along the turnpike, and ordered
Captain William H. Chapman, after the guard in front
had passed, to take ten men and attack the train near the
centre, while he held the rest in reserve to support him
if necessary. But Chapman stopped the wagons without
resistance, for the guard both in front and rear were entirely unconscious of what was being done.
An additional detail was then sent forward, and one
hundred and thirty mules, thirty-three horses, one quartermaster, and twenty other prisoners were secured.
Having now as large a booty and as many prisoners as he
could conveniently manage, Mosby retired in the direction of the Blue Ridge, and the next day sent his captures across the head waters of the Rappahannock: thus,




" The Billy Smith Raid."        151
without the loss of a man, supplying the Confederate
army with teams for forty wagons.
In consequence of the attack at Chestnut Fork, the
wagon-trains were ordered to follow the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and the Warrenton stem
-a change which removed them several miles farther
from Mosby, besides placing them under more efficient
military protection. In consequence of this arrangement,
a large number of wagons were often parked near Warrenton, and upon one of these camps Mosby decided to
make a descent. It appeared to be impenetrable, for it
was heavily guarded by infantry, with a line of sentinels
posted around it. But Mosby, ever fertile in resources,
resorted to the following ingenious expedient to defeat
these precautions. A portion of the command was dismounted, and John De Butts, of Lopdoun, and Harn, from
Louisiana, were sent forward, dlsguised as negro drivers,
to capture the sentries on that portion of the line through
which he proposed to enter the camp. The stratagem
succeededl, and the dismounted men were thus introduced
among the wagons and teams. Two hundred mules
were driven out, and the men mounted in order to conduct them to a place of safety. They had heard that
mules would with great eagerness follow a white horse
at night; so several men thus mounted were placed in
advance, and the drove was started. Every thing worked well until the animals reached their usual drinkingplace, about a mile distant. Beyond this point they
would not go, and when urged, broke from their drivers
and galloped back.
Unwilling to relinquish so valuable a prize, Mosby,
with a party, again entered the wagon-camp, but the
mules were now intractable, and rushed wildly about.
As the Rangers were preparing to lead them out by the
halter, the guard was aroused and the intruders expel



152          Partisan life witbh Mosby.
led, taking with them only thirteen mules and two prisoners.
And now let me call your attention to a new feature
of Mosby's system of warfare, in the development of
which you appear to be interested. He has begun to
send out parties under command of his officers, and in
this way will be enabled greatly to increase his aggressive
power. On two occasions Captain William H. Chapman,
in conjunction with Captain Smith, has captured pickets
on the edge of Warrenton, not more than a few hundred
yards distant from where the garrison was quartered.
These successes led to the conception of a bold design for
the capture of the garrison itself. It was this: Chapman,
at night, was to introduce himself into the town, there to
remain concealed the next day in the house of one of the
elect, in order to ascertain the enemy's strength and position. If the plan was found feasible, he was to communicate the ensuing night by preconcerted signals with Captain Smith, who from the outside was to make the attack.
Chapman's attempt to enter the town was, however, defeated, for as he was creeping over a fence in the rear of
a dwelling-house, he was discovered and fired upon by a
sentinel not many paces from him. With his revolver he
returned the shot, inflicting a wound, and then made
haste to rejoin Smith, who was awaiting the result of the
adventure at the foot of the hill.
The day following the events just related, Captain
Smith, with forty-five men of his company, gained the
rear of one of Gregg's cavalry camps, which were established along the road between Warrenton and the Warrenton Springs. The camp selected for attack lay in a
deep gorge of Lee's Ridge, about one mile fromn the town,
and was occupied by four companies of the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The surprise was complete, and amid
the confusion and uproar produced by it the Rangers




"The Billy Snith cRaid."         153
carried off thirty-nine horses and twenty-five prisoners,
besides leaving twelve of the enemy too severely wounded to be moved. The Yankees rallied as their assailants
were about to leave, and opened upon them a rapid fire,
which, however, inflicted no injury.
As he was about to withdraw from the camp, Captain
Smith halted a soldier just as he was passing a blazing
fire. The man replied, "I am one of your own men," but
at the same time seized a carbine and leveled it at Smith,
who, being on the alert, shot him with his revolver. The
wounded man fell across the blazing fire, rolled in agony
for a few moments, and then expired. The Partisans
reached Salem by daybreak, and divided the booty. This
nocturnal expedition is known in the command as "The
Billy Smith Raid."
Our next expedition was for the purpose of capturing
one of the supply-trains which our leader had been informed by Captain Stringfellow, one of General Stuart's
scouts, were passing from time to time from Bealton Station to Warrenton. Stringfellow at the same time offered
to be our guide. We left Rectortown with about sixty
men, and at night halted for a few hours at Mr. James
K. Skinker's, where a refreshing repast was furnished to
the command, and a party of us most agreeably entertained with music by the ladies. While thus engaged,
the order to mount was given, and about daylight we
reached the point at which the attack was to be made.
The usual precaution of placing the men out of sight in
the woods was adopted, and we remuined there for several hours, waiting for the train. to pass. But fortunately
a courier, carrying the mail to the garrison at Warrenton,
soon fell into our hands, and we amused ourselves during
the tedious interval by examining its contents. When
the approach of the train, guarded by about fifty cavalry,
was reported, Mosby divided his command. One detach



154          Partisan Life withA losby.
ment he intrusted to Captain Smith, the other he reserved
for himself, his plan being for the two parties to fall
simultaneously upon the front and rear of the escort.
The plan was successfully executed, and we brought off
about forty prisoners, as many mules, and a large quantity
of medical stores. The work accomplished, we prepai-ed
to retreat, for the proximity of the garrison at Warrenton,
and an encampment
1 of infantry at Bealton,
made it very certain
that we would be putsued. About sunset we
arrived at Mr. Skink
er's, where Mosby deSturttailed private A. E.
Richards, of Company
[I[Z     B to accompany Capa tain Stringfellow on a,~~~~~ ~scout the next day to
theRappahannockRiver. The column moved
I on to Salem,  where, the
following morning, the
1l"ot, — kj:-              property was divided,'  and the prisoners were
sent to Richmond.
A few days previous
to this raid, Baron von
Ma ssow, a Prussian
lieutenant, had joined
our command, bring-. ~ n~ii~ ~ing with him letters of
O' introduction to Major
Mosby from  General
Stuart, and also from his fellow-countryman,  Major He



"The Billy XSnitlb Raid."         15
ros von Borck, with whom he had served in the Prussian army, and who was now a member of the general's
staff. He is about twenty-five years of age, and very
striking in his appearance.  His forehead is ample,
his eye black and piercing, and he wears a very heavy
mustache. Dressed in his rich army overcoat of dark
cloth, with a slouched hat, from which floated two large
black plumes, he presented a truly martial appearance,
as, mounted on a fine charger, he dashed among the foremost upon the cavalry escort. He is an accomplished
swordsman, and with his' flashing blade pressed forward
in the pursuit of the flying Federals for about a mile.
When he returned from the chase, he quietly remarked,
" This beats the fox-hunt of England."
But it is time to return to the two scouts whom we
left to pass the night at Mr. Skinker's. The day had
been cold and rainy, and, after being furnished with supper, they joined the family circle around the fire, where
they found Ludwell Napp, a member also of Mosby's
command. As they were discussing the events of the
day and the probabilities of a pursuit, a servant-girl hastily entered the room and announced the arrival of a
number of soldiers, who had inquired if Mosby or any of
his men were in the house. Supposing them-to belong
to the command which had so recently left there, and to
be in search of their comrades, she had admittedthe fact,
and only became aware of her mistake when she saw
them making preparations to surround the house.
The lights were at once extinguished, and the Confederates were hurried to the garret,: where they hid under
the loose flooring, and were covered over with rubbish by
the faithful servant, who was most anxious to atone for
her mistake. But Richards was less fortunate than his
companions, for, in attempting to ascend the staircase, he
fell, and, finding himself thus left behind, he determined




156         Partisacn Life with Miosby.
to attempt to escape from the house, trusting for success
to the darkness and his revolver. With a pistol in each
hand he leaped into the yard, and, after encountering and
putting to flight two Yankees, succeeded in getting off.
The Federals threw open the hall door and fired several
shots within. Then, having procured a light, the search
was begun, the officer in command ordering his men to
give no quarter to any soldier found concealed in the
house.
But, just as they were about to enter the attic, the
servant-girl stepped forward and offered the Yankees to
lead them to the garden, whither she said the Rangers had
escaped. With well-feigned surprise she searched allong
the bushes and shrubbery, and at last accounted for her
failure by suggesting that they must have escaped when
the attention of the searchers had been drawn off by
Richards. The Yankees, who always on such occasions
place implicit confidence in information furnished by the
contrabands, were imposed on by the story, and contented
themselves by arresting Mr. Skinker and his little son,
whom they have since committed to prison. They then
took the road to the Plains, searching citizens' houses all
along the route, and from thence to Salem. Here they
again fell in with Richards, who in the mean time had
been mounted by a friend, and started in pursuit of
him. But he led them through the open fields around
the town, occasionally returning their shots, and finally
eluded them, having received no other injury than a slight
flesh-wound in the arm. During this pursuit a party of
the enemy had charged through Salem, and captured
Sergeant Warfield and two other Rangers.
From Salem the Yankees returned with their prisoners
to Warrenton.
On the 28th of November Mosby started on a raid to
Fairfax, but was met at Middleburg by Captain Smith,




" The Billy Smith Raid."         157
who had just returned from a scout, and reported that
the Yankees who had been camped at the Warrenton
Springs had crossed the river, and that Meade's whole
army was in motion. The Partisan chief at once abandoned the raid to Fairfax, and directed his attention to
the army in Culpepper. Having sent out couriers to notify the men to assemble at Rectortown, he ordered Lieutenant Turner to take command, and join him the next
day at the'Springs.
Arrived at that point, the command, numbering one
hundred and twenty men, was transferred to Captain
Smith, with instructions to march to Coon's Mill, and
there to await farther orders. Mosby then, with Mountjoy, Walter Whaley, and Guy Broadwaters, crossed the
river, and proceeded to the house of a friend, where, about
sundown, he saw a large train of wagons loading at Brandy
Station, which confirmed the opinion which he had formed
that Meade had made that place a dep6t of army supplies,
and upon which he had acted when he planned his expedition.
Mounted upon his fine gray horse, Mosby, with his
companions, rode unsuspected for a mile through the
Federal camp, talking with the men, and getting fromh
them much valuable information. But, as the party were
about to leave, a sentinel challenged them, and although
at first he seemed satisfied with the reply "We are a
patrol," afterward fired, but too late to inflict any injury.
Having rejoined the command at Coon's Mill, Mosby, with
Captains Smith, Chapman, and a few others, again crossed
the river to reconnoitre the enemy's position. The result
of this second visit was a determination to attack Meade's
wagon-camp that night, for the whole army-train was collected at Brandy Station, with only infantry stationed
around as a guard. Having dispatched a courier to
Lieutenant Trurner, now in command at Coon's Mill, to




158         Partisan Life wit7b Miosby.
move forward as rapidly as possible, Mosby laid down
within a hundred yards of the Federal camp, and slept
soundly until aroused by Chapman with the information
that the command had come up. He at once made the
following dispositions for attack: Mountjoy, with twentyfive men, was ordered to fire the wagons, Smith and Chapman, each in command of a party, were directed to drive
off the mules, while Lieutenant Turner was told to hold
the rest of the men in reserve in case of an attack by
cavalry. The plan worked well, and one hundred and
seventy-five mules, in addition to a lot of cattle, were
brought across the river.
The crackling flames and the braying of the frightened
nulesroused the sleeping guard, whose arms were stacked,
but not loaded, and before they could prepare for resistance the Partisans had made good their retreat. A body
of Yankee cavalry pursued as far as Welford's Ford on
Hazel River, but to no purpose.
As Captain Chapman was about to leave the camp, he
saw four fine mules hitched to one of the burning wagons,
which he determined to bring off. While he was thus
engaged, the negro driver rolled out of the wagon, exclaiming, " Who, in de name of God, set dese wagons on fire!"
Chapman ordered him at once to unhitch his team, which
he promptly did, thinking the Ranger some good-natured
person who had volunteered to help him in his difficulty,
nor did he discover his mistake until he was trotting
away merrily for " Mosby's Confederacy."
Having returned to Fauquier, our indefatigable leader
collected a fresh band, and proceeded again on an expedition, known in the command as the Second Culpepper
Raid. This time he only succeeded in bringing off eleven
prisoners, but learned from two of them, who belonged to
the brigade wh'ose wagons had been captured at Brandy
Station, that Meade had sent his supply-train to the fork




"Tie Billy Smnith Rcticd."       159
between the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers, and had
detailed a brigade of cavalry from the front to protect it.
The men furthermore stated that their brigade, in consequence of Mosby's recent capture, was on short rations, as
the country around was too impoverished to afford any
supply for man or beast.
On the 7th of December, Company C, which had been
recruited for the Partisan service, assembled at Rectortown for the purpose of electing their officers, or rather,
as we have seen, of confirming Mosby's appointments,
which were as follows: William H. Chapman, captain;
A. E. Richards, first lieutenant; Frank Fox, from Fairfax,
second lieutenant; Yager, from Page, junior second lieutenant.
Captain William H. Chapman was twenty-one years of
age the very day that the Ordinance of Secession was
passed -at Richmond. He was at that time a student at
the University of Virginia, and belonged to a company
of students which was ordered to Harper's Ferry for active
duty, but was soon disbanded by Governor Letcher for
the sufficient reason that those who belonged to it might
return to their homes, and there recruit, drill, and officer
troops for the Southern army. Chapman was elected
lieutenant in the Dixie Battery, which went from Page,
his native county, and was afterward promoted to the
captaincy, a position which he filled with great credit
until the consolidation of batteries in January, 1863, by
which act so many meritorious officers lost their commands. Still holding his artillery commission, he was assigned to duty as enrolling officer for Fauquier County,
but his official duties were often interrupted by the incursions of the enemy. This, however, afforded him an
opportunity for mingling in more congenial scenes, and he
often volunteered to go with Mosby on his raids. By his
intelligence and courage he has so won our leader's con



160         Partisan -Life with Mosby.
fidence as to be frequently sent by him in command of
expeditions, an account of several of which I have already
given you.
Lieutenant A. E. Richards, from Loudoun County, first
served in the Valley under General Turner Ashby, and was
afterward on the staff of his successor, General William
E. Jones; but, having a taste for the Partisan life, he resigned his commission, and enlisted as a private in Company B. In that capacity he served for six weeks, during
which time I have on several occasions introduced him to
your notice. The captain elect, who still held his artillery
commission, proceeded at once to Richmond to obtain a
transfer to the Partisan Ranger service, and as Lieutenant
Richards had not yet recovered from the wound which
he received in escaping from Mr. Skinker's, the command
of Company C at once devolved upon Lieutenant Fox.
About this time Mosby experienced a slight reverse,
which shows some ingenuity on the part of the Federals
in guarding against his nocturnal assaults. Attempting
to charge a picket of forty men between Luinsville and
the Chain Bridge, they were found to have stretched a
telegraph-wire across the road high enough to pass a
horse, but not its rider., By this device some half dozen
of the assailants were unhorsed, and, amid the confusion
and delay thus created, the picket effected their escape.




An exciting Chase afteir losby.    161
CHAPTER XXI.
AN EXCITING CHASE AFTER MOSBY. —HEROISM OF MISS
ROBERTA P -.
Upper Fauquier, January 8th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-Mosby has recently had an exciting adventure and a narrow escape from the Yankees, while,
with Lieutenant Turner and Dr. Alexander, he was at the
house of Major Richard H. Carter, who was at home on
furlough.
Soon after dawn, a neighbor sent Major Carter intelli.
gence that a detachment of Federal cavalry was marching from Rectortown toward his house. Very soon the
soldiers were mounted, and started to make a reconnois.
sance. At a short distance from the house, they drew up
their horses in a lane, with high stone fences on either
side, and beheld, within a few hundred yards of the outer
gate, the head of the column coming down the road.
The morning was foggy, and just at that moment the
sun arose, and, partially dispelling the fog, fully revealed
the Yankees to the colonel and his party, while it was
doubtful whether they in turn had been seen.
The question immediately arose as to the best mode of
retreat. If they retired by the way of Major Carter's
house, it would certainly draw the enemy in that direction, and expose a family of ladies and children to insult,
and his house to plunder, and probably destruction.
After a hasty consultation, it was determined, in order
to avoid, if possible, that risk, to dash across a field to the
right, which, however, would bring the fugitives nearer,
and expose them more to the view of the enemy. They
L




162         Pcartisan Life with Mosby.
hoped, however, to shield themselves from view by means
of a hill and skirt of woods until they had gained a sufficient distance to preclude danger of successful pursuit.
But in this they were disappointed. They had scarcely entered the field when they discovered that they had
not only been seen, but were pursued by a large detachment, who had broken through the fences, and were within one hundred and fifty yards of them. It was now
clear that the only chance for escape was in the fleetness
of their horses. The race then began in earnest. As
soon as the Yankees reached the summit of a hill they
opened fire with their carbines, and in this way continued
the race for about two miles, when the colonel and his
party, leaping a stone fence, entered a wood, and, dashing
down a ravine, they were for a short time hid from their
pursuers, and were thus enabled to increase the distance
between them. When they emerged from the woods,
they discovered that the Yankees had halted at the fence,
from behind which they continued to fire until the Confederates were out of range.
When the pursuit began the main body of the enemy
occupied a small piece of woods immediately in front of
Major Carter's residence. The family, aroused by the firing, rushed into the yard, and witnessed, with painful anxiety, the race in which death or capture seemed inevitable
to the objects of their deep solicitude. One incident connected with this escape is deserving of especial notice, as
it illustrates in a striking manner the cool courage and
almost unparalleled presence of mind of Lieutenant Tom
Turner, of Maryland. Dr. Alexander did not leave the
house with the rest of the party, and was not aware of
the near approach of the enemy until he saw Colonel
Mosby and his companions dashing across the field. He
started to join them, and at one time was not more than
fifty yards from the Yankees; in fact, they were a little




An exeitinq Clhase after Nosby.     163
ahead of him; but, fortunately, he was under the hill, and
was not at once discovered. He had nearly accomplished
his purpose, when, in attempting to pass through the gate
leading into the second field, the doctor's horse ran against
the post and threw him on the ground, leaving his foot
fastened in the stirrup, while his pursuers, about twenty in number, were not more than sixty yards behind.
Colonel Mosby and Major Carter had passed through the
gate, but Lieutenant Turner, discovering the accident
which had befallen his friend, determined not to leave
him in such a condition. Without hesitation, he wheeled
his horse, and when Colonel Mosby and Major Carter
looked around, they saw him standing erect in his stirrups,
and, waving his cap about his head, they heard him urge
his pursuers to come on. The Yankees, evidently suspecting a ruse, immediately halted, and, wonderful to say,
for the moment ceased firing. Taking advantage of the
pause, Turner jumped from his horse and assisted the doctor to remount. Before the pursuers had recovered from
their surprise they had rejoined their companions.
It is due to the doctor to state that, while running the
severe gauntlet, he did not forget to return the enemy's
salute. Finding that his carbine was likely to be in his
way in the race, he determined to drop it, but first turned in his saddle and discharged its contents in the face
of his pursuers.
A few days after, Miss Roberta P, from the neighborhood of Warrenton, displayed, in an enterprise which
she voluntarily undertook, courage not inferior to that
of Lieutenant Turner. I record it not only as an instance
of female heroism, but because it vividly displays the romantic devotion of the ladies of the Upper Piedmont to
the Southern cause.
A cold December morning this young lady walked to
Warrenton, in and around which was stationed a consid



164          Partisan Life with Mosby.
erable detachment of Federal troops. Upon her arrival
she was informed by Miss
L     that she had seen a
negro, evidently a new-corner, pass toward the office of
the provost-marshal, accom~   panied by several officers.. They concluded at once that
he must be the bearer of in-.... p'i t'~ ~'""~telligence, and Miss Roberta
determined to get possession of it. In execution of this purpose, she went to the
house occupied by the provost-marshal, and, by means of
a bribe, induced the sentinel on duty to allow her to enter the basement, under the pretext of wishing to transact
business with the woman who occupied it; but instead,
as soon as she entered the building, turned into a dark
and uninhabited room immediately under the provost's
office, and there heard the negro volunteer to conduct a
party of cavalry to a house in which Mosby and many of
his men could be captured, and where, in addition, a large
quantity of corn could be seized. About the grain, the
officers said, they cared nothing, but that Mosby would be
indeed a prize. With this thought they waxed warm,
and, speaking in loud and confident terms, informed the
fair listener that an expedition, with the negro for a guide,
would start that night, if certain expected re-enforcements
arrived; if not, certainly the next night.
Her resolution was at once taken to communicate this
conspiracy to the Partisan chief or some of his men, and,
having control of no agency, she was compelled to bear
the tidings herself. It was late in the afternoon when,
unaccompanied, she mounted her horse. The weather, as night approached, had become intensely cold,




An exciting Chase after Xosby.       165
the wind had risen, and the face of the sky was covered
with masses of black cloud which cast their gloom over
the landscape. She stopped at the house of a neighbor
and friend, whose little son, Walter, agreed to accompany
her on her perilous enterprise; for, in order to reach the
Salem Road, she would be compelled to pass through the
Watery Mountain, on the summit of which was stationed
a body of Federal troops. In making this hazardous attempt darkness overtook her, and, ignorant of the route,
she was soon compelled to grope her way through the
forest. Thus bewildered, the benighted. lady came suddenly upon a large fire, at which she paused to enjoy its
genial warmth, not remembering that the light might reveal her to those whom she wished most to avoid. Soon
she again set forth to attempt to thread the labyrinth in
which she was involved; but the farther the wanderer proceeded the deeper in its intricate mazes did she
plunge.
"A thousand fantasies began to throng into her memory
Of calling shapes and beek'ning shadows dire,
And airy tongues, that syllable men's names
On sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses."
Weakness would have sunk by the wayside, but the
braced nerves and daring spirit of this heroic girl carried
her forward amid all dangers and through all obstacles.
Her faith was in her high purpose, and she trusted to
unseen guardians to direct her steps.  Suddenly the
moon shone forth, and revealed to Walter a party of
Federal soldiers, and as suddenly again passed under a
cloud. Sheltered by the friendly darkness, she pursued
her way, until she was ordered to halt by a horseman
immediately in her front. With rare presence of mind,
she determined to work upon the dread of surprisal with
which Mosby had inspired the Federal pickets, and in a
voice hoarse from exposure she ordered him to surrender.




166          Pastisan Life with  Mosby.
In reply, she heard the sound of retreating hoofs. Her
spirits rose with this adventure, and believing this to be
the last picket she would encounter, she pressed rapidly
forward. On reaching a higher point on the mountain,
she beheld with dismay the lights from the town of Warrenton, and discovered that, instead of progressing on her
journey, she was returning to the point from which she
had started. But the lights from the town, while they
discovered to the lady her mistake, yet furnished her with
the means of rectifying it, and from this new point of
departure she struck out again in the direction of Salem.
But her adventures were not yet over, for she had not
proceeded very far when she saw before her a horse, and
standing beside it his rider. He approached, and, laying
his hand on her bridle, said,
" Stop, lady; you can go no farther. To what place
are you bound 2"
In a tone of innocence and candor, which so well became her youth and beauty, she replied that she had
started to visit a sick friend in Salem, but night coming
on she had lost her road. The soldier then told her it
was his painful duty to conduct her to the reserve, where
she would be detained till morning.
"I will not go," she replied. " You may shoot me, but
I will not go. I am not willing for you to perform your
duty."
"Nor will I perform it," generously replied the soldier.
" No one could be so cruel as to detain you or turn you
back on such a night as this."
He then pointed to the light from a neighboring farmhouse, and bade her go there, while at the same time he
led her horse by a circuitous route, to prevent her running into the reserve. The soldier then turned and said,
" Good-by. I have yet three hours on picket to think
of a freezing lady."




The Chapicain,'s Visit to Baltimore.  167
That sentinel was not made of common earth!
The wanderer soon reached the friendly shelter, and
communicated to the lady of the house the object of her
midnight adventure, who the next morning accompanied
her to a rendezvous of Mosby's men in the mountain.
The day after this nocturnal adventure a Federal soldier came to the residence of the farmer, and gave an
animated account of the alarm which they had had the
night before on the mountain in consequence of a threatened attack from the guerrillas. "They had sent," he
said, "one of their number in advance to capture the
vedette, but he was sharp enough to escape the trap."
CHAPTER XXII.
THE CHAPLAIN'S VISIT TO BALTIMORE.
Upper Fauquier, January 12th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY,-I am again alone at my abode on the
Blue Ridge, my visitors having all left me this morning.
About a week since, and soon after his return from a secret mission to Baltimore, I received, through his servant
Juniper, a letter from the chaplain of our battalion, the
Reverend Adolphus Adam Gog, informing me that on
the ensuing Thursday he would pay me his long-promised visit for the purpose of canvassing the political
events of 1776 in their connection with the present condition of affairs in the United States.
Attended by his faithful henchman, the doctor arrived
at, my abode in due time for dinner, and met the two
guests whom I had invited to assist me in his entertainment-Colonel Nicholas Spicer, a gentleman who lives
on the eastern declivity of the Blue Ridge, and a friend
and neighbor of his, known among his friends as "The




168          Partis3an Life with Mosby.
Philosopher," an appellation which has been bestowed
on him as well from the calmness of his deportment as
from the cast of his conversation. " The Philosopher" is
a peculiar person, and, as he will be often mentioned in
my letters, deserves a few words of description. Selfcontrol appears to be the primary law of his existence,
and no Spartan ever obeyed its behests with sterner
punctuality. His character is ennobled by many high
traits, and though the exterior is cold and sometimes forbidding, yet is he generous, indulgent to the faults of
others, and characterized by great love of truth and
scrupulous politeness. He is much given to reflection
and to books; is solitary in his habits, and prone to silence; but, if roused and interested, talks with freedom,
and like a man of positive opinions. "The Philosopher"
has been in the Southern army, but was discharged from
the service in consequence of a disabling wound. He is
an old acquaintance of the chaplain, and was much gratifled at again meeting with him.
While seated at dinner, the doctor was called upon to
give some account of his visit to Baltimore, where Southern sympathy burns with so bright a flame, though in
the trans-Potomac country. This is particularly true of
the ladies of that city, who very early signalized their
devotion to the Southern cause by voluntary sacrifices
which involved pecuniary as well as personal inconvenience. In response to a remark from me embodying the
statement, the chaplain said,
"Yes, sir, I heard and saw enough of that during my
sojourn in that city, and I dare say that scarcely a Southern prisoner who has passed that way but will add his
testimony to mine. It will not require a great weight
of testimony to convince you, gentlemen, that while I remained in that Federal garrison I led a very retired life.
But it was impossible to conceal the fact from the knowl



:The CYhAaplain's Visit to Baltimore.  169
edge of the elect that the chaplain of Mosby's Battalion
was in the city, who made haste to show me attention in
the most gratifying forms. Both gentlemen and ladies
of the first consideration visited me at the house of the
friend where I lay concealed, and never before were my
powers of entertainment so severely tasked.  But I
trust," added the par~son, with a satisfied air as he turn.
ed toward Colonel Spicer, "I trust the honor of the battalion did not suffer in my hands."
Colonel Spicer, who is apt to look to the main chance,
here interposed: " I admire the people of Baltimore; but,
doctor, tell us, did their sympathy for our cause expend
itself in kind words and compliments 2"
-Doctor Gog. "By no means, Colonel Spicer; on the
contrary, they gave me the most substantial evidences of
their regard. My wardrobe was soon overstocked, and I
have a box full of mementoes from the belles of Baltimore."
Co lonel Spicer. " Was that all?"
Doctor Gog. " You unconscionable guerrilla, no! Money, sir-money that can be carried in a man's belt, was
showered on me. So plentiful was my supply of Federal
currency when I returned to Virginia that you would
have sworn I had been upon the greenback raid."
Colonel Spicer.' Do you think, doctor, if I were to go
to Baltimore, the ladies would call to see me 2"
The chaplain hesitated in his reply, as if unwilling to
divide honors; but' The Philosopher" smilingly said,
"Beyond all doubt, Colonel Spicer."
Colonel Spicer. "It is true I am not a member of Colonel Mosby's command, and am not sure that I ever killed a Yankee, though I shot at night at an intruder into
my garden whom I always supposed to be one; but then
I am remarkably well acquainted with the colonel, and
have seen him often as he returned from his raids with




170          Partisan Life with Mosby.
his spoil and captives. Moreover, I was once myself colonel of a militia regiment in Virginia, and I suppose all
well-informed people in Baltimore are apprised of that
fact. My family, too, have always had the military cast.
They were distinguished both in the last war with England, and in the revolution which won our independence,
an event which The Philosopher, by-the-way, once told
me crowned America with misfortunes, and was but the
mother of anarchy and civil war."
The parson was not willing that Colonel Spicer should
divert the conversation from his recent visit, and lead it,
at that time, to so grave a subject as -the political effects
of the Revolution of 17T6, so he resumed the thread of
his conversation, and remarked:
"Among the devoted partisans of the South whom I
met in Baltimore was Mrs. T -s, a native of Virginia,
whom some of us can remember when she first appeared
at the Fauquier Springs, at that time the resort of beau.
ty and fashion."
Philosopher. "Yes, Miss A-ie G-n, we all remember
her, with her brilliant dark eyes and chestnut hair. She
was the ornament of the circle in which she moved. I
see her now, through the vista of years, as she stood
alone on a summer's morn, arrayed in simple white, by
the fountain which occupied the centre of those cultivated grounds. She looked like a naiad, ready to plunge
again in the crystal wave from which she had emerged;
or it might be the Genius of the place, come to bless the
spot on which she stood. As I gaze at that youthful
form, adorned by Love and the Graces, I am carried back
to the beautiful garden where love and the worship of
God were the sole occupation of mankind."
Colonel Spicer. "Bravo, Philosopher, bravo! I remember now to have heard that you once entertained an auiable sentiment toward that lady."




The  hcAplain's Visit to Baltinore.   171
The face of The Philosopher flushed deeply as he turned
away, and Dr. Gog, who did not consider the subject of
his visit to Baltimore yet exhausted, continued:
"Not only did a full share of the troubles and dangers
which surrounded her class fall to this elect lady, but she
gave freely the highest testimony of devotion in a mother's power to afford. Two of her sons, Hanson and Raleigh, were officers in the Southern army, and her third
son, Douglas, a youth of only fifteen years, was captured
in an attempt to join the army of General Lee. But the
object of greatest curiosity and interest which I found in
Baltimore was a gentleman whom I shall introduce to
this company as'The Philosopher of Springfield.' I never
saw any one who resembled him before, and I studied
him as I would a specimen from the Zoological Gardens.
There is nothing like him in the modern world, and comparisons will have to be sought far back in classical history.
" He looks for all the world like one of the old Greek
philosophers. In person he resembles Socrates, but his
shrewd and sarcastic observations on the drama of life
and its actors declare him to be of the race of Diogenes.
Now he will utter a sage apothegm that sounds like Doctor Franklin, but a biting jest soon brings the old cynic
before you again. Like him of Sinope, he would reform
society, and put folly and vice to the blush by satirical
reproofs; but he meets, I suspect, with no better success
than his antecedent and prototype.  Hobbes has said
that war is the natural state of man-a sentiment which
is at least true here, for he lives in a state of amiable
hostility with his whole acquaintance. The consequence
is, if any one has a keen observation to make, he is sure
to point it at this cynical philosopher, who, to do him
justice, pays back the debt with a promptitude that
would establish the credit of any merchant on change.




172         Partisan Life with Mbosby.
"During my sojourn in the city in so peculiar a manner associated with the memory of Washington, I met
this gentleman at an entertainment given by a mutual
acquaintance, and witnessed an encounter which he provoked with the sprightly and attractive Mistress M.
In a moment she was under arms, and retaliated on her
adversary with a nimble and caustic wit. As she baffled
him with her dazzling fence, and at the same time pierced
him with a handful of shining darts, the company seemed
all to agree that he had at last met his match, or, at any
rate, had found an adversary worthy of his steel.  The
Philosopher gazed at his adversary with a surprise and
wonder that might have possessed some redoubtable hero
when he met Bellona in the field.
"But here the parallel between the ancient and the
modern philosopher ceases, for The Philosopher of Springfield does not live in a tub, but at a most charming
country place, where he entertains himself with books
and the rearing of Devon cattle of the purest breeds.
Thither his friends-or, if you choose, his enemies-often
repair to partake of his hospitality and taste the nectared
sweets of philosophy."
CGolonel Spicer. "Parson, I like thy picture well, and
would be gratified to meet this Philosopher of Springfield, though methinks I would not be overpleased to
provoke his satirical wit. But, prithee, have you nothing
to tell of the belles of the trans-Potomnac? You once had
an eye for beauty."
Doctor Gog. "And have it still-yea, a most lively appreciation of all female perfections. Well, this philosopher has a fair daughter, the sweetest damsel that ever
my foolish eyes looked upon."
Philosopvher. "I am interested. Paint me the nymph
in her sky robes laced with sunbeams, and in all the
bright colors of her beautiful youth."




TLte Chaplain's Visit to Baltimore.  173
Doctor Gog. "The language of prose has no application
to her. Poetry alone should attend her footsteps, garland her brow, and embalm her memory."
Colonel Spicer. "Why, parson, she must be a tasty
lass."
Doctor Gog. "But let the truth be spoken, the lady has
her drawbacks-yes, most serious drawbacks and disqualifications. Her name is fickleness. You might as
easily fix the transient meteor as her thoughts. I had a
mind to make an investment in the matrimonial stocks,
and abandon forever Mosby and his guerrillas, and listen
for the rest of my natural life to the teachings of philosophy under the lindens which whisper to the winds and
render Springfield umbrageous, but I could not fix the inconstant sprite, this modern Titania. I lost the lady, but
then I did not lose my revenge, and revenge is a morsel delicious even to the gods. Like the Parthian, who is most
dangerous when discomfited and flying, I shot back an arrow at her, or rather shot a paper bullet at my fair foe."
Colonel Spicer. "These guerrillas have most singular
ideas about property. Here is their chaplain, with the air
of a bankrupt, tells us he lost the maiden, though from
his own account it appears he had never won her. Just
so the Partisans sometimes return with downcast visages,
and tell youi they have' lost a million of dollars,' because
they have made an unsuccessful attack on a train loaded
with greenbacks. A most singular mode, upon my soul,
they have of estimating their effects! If one of them
took a fancy to my farm, he would say with a sigh that
but for an accident he would have been a landed proprietor."
Philosopher. "A paper bullet!  Then of course you
addressed her in the language of poetry. Repeat the
verses. The marble-hearted fair ought, for the safety of
mankind, to be banished to the cloister, there to wear




174            Partisan.Life wit,7 iiosby.
" The livery of a nun,
Chanting faint hymns to the cold, fiuitless moon."
After some persuasion, the chaplain repeated, in a most
affecting manner, these lines, which, after the custom of
the poets, he inscribed to the lady under a fanciful name:
"TO SILVIA.
"Silvia's love is like a fountain
Bubbling from a green-clad mountain;
Never still, but ever flowing,
Be it calm or be it blowing.
Now madly in a cascade rushing,
Now in the sunshine gently blushing;
Then to the ear its murmuring tone
Is on the gentlest zephyr borne.
Each mossy bed and rough stone favoring,
In tone, and speed, and motion wavering,
It is a thing to chance e'er bending,
To storm or calm its influence lending.
To know new things'tis ever learning,
To once-seen objects ne'er returning;
Now'tis here, and then'tis gone,
In beauty yet still flowing on.
On the water's shifting tide,
As gently on their course they glide,
Words or marks make with thy finger,
Then write love on Silvia's mind;
A moment gone, no traces linger
Of either that was left behind."
UColone, Spicer. "A  pretty parallel, and well worded!
But if that was all you could effect, you ought to be unchurched.  Tell me not of love-verses when the honor of
the battalion is at stake! You ought to have brought
the lady back with you. Her hand was the trophy we
all had a right to expect."
D)octor Gog. "Well, colonel, I did make a raid on her,
but not a step would she budge; and when I held up
before her the charming vicissitudes of our Partisan life,




The Chapgain's Visit to Bctgtimore.   175
she quietly replied that she had no taste for guerrillas,
and that when she became a soldier she meant to enlist
in the regular service. What could be done with a perverse woman like that 2"
Colonel ~Sicer. "That's no excuse whatever in this
command, where there is a regular professor of love and
courtship. Why, the professor assures me that, according
to his method, a young woman stands no chance at all,
and that the winning of her is as certain as a mathematical calculation-yes, as certain as that twice one makes
two. If this thing gets out you will lose all your religious
influence. No, sir, a raid wasn't the thing. You should
have laid siege to the fortress, and established your parallels, as the professor would express it. You have been
defeated, notwithstanding all the advantages of a scientific education, in a general engagement by a young lady,
who, I dare say, is not out of her teens, and have seriously
compromised the reputation of the battalion for gallantry.
At the first opportunity that offers itself I shall strongly
advise Colonel Mosby to take away your commission, or
send you to follow your vocation of soul-saving in the
regular army, though I scarcely think you would do for
the chaplain of Stonewall Jackson. I am deeply mortified, parson, at your inglorious defeat at'the battle of
Baltimore,' as some future chronicler will call the engagement; and, old a man as I am, if I had not some seventeen.
or twenty blooming angels, I would brush up and take a
paragraph at the young beauty myself. If I could step
back some twenty summers on the path of life, it would
afford me a great pleasure to solve that scientific problem.
By my faith, the lady would soon discover that King
Agamemnon had taken the field! The next best thing
to be done is to send Charley Grogan, or some other brave
from' Company Darling,' to try the effect of the mathematics upon her."




176         Partisan Life with Afosby.
Doctor Gog. "But the man to whom I laid the closest
in Baltimore was old Dan Tucker-they call him'King
Tucker.' Old Dan is one of the merchant princes of Baltimore, nay, of America, for that matter, and his name would
be honored by the Bank of England for a million. But
I scorn in these high times to speak of such ignoble things
as ledgers and bills of exchange, and tell you that he is
as nice a piece of company as ever you tied to, Colonel
Spicer."
"Tucker, Tucker," said Colonel Spicer, with a very profound air; " Tucker; that name sounds not unfamiliar in
my ears. Does he belong to the family of the old judge,
or that pleasant fellow, Ran?"
Doctor Gog. "The same breed of dogs -the old Bermuda stock."
colonegl sfpice. "It is certainly a very good breed of
dogs. There is Dave, the best doctor they ever had in
Richmond, and' Bev, who is known to all the crowned
heads and pretty women in Europe."
-Doctor Gog. "Well, old Dan is worth them all put together, even if they are made of pure gold. The truth is,
Colonel Spicer, old Dan is a trump. Many a time have
I gone on the sly to his elegant home with that prince
of gentlemen and good fellows, Hughes Armistead, and,I
tell you, we made his Champagne and Madeira talk!"
Colonel Spicer. "I think it far more probable, parson,
that old Dan's Champagne and Madeira made you talk.
Ha, ha, ha!" and with this bit of pleasantry the colonel
rose from his chair, and walked to the fire to light his
pipe, which he " set great store to," as he said, because it
was the gift of Colonel Mosby.
The Philosopher appearing somewhat annoyed at the
personal attack made upon him by Colonel Spicer, as soon
as dinner was over, arose and proposed to adjourn to the
adjoining room, where we could discuss at leisure the




SuT'irise of the Camp at Hctaper's Ferry.   177
subject which had procured me the honor of the chaplain's visit.
The Philosopher here engaged in the examination of
the causes which produced the American Revolution, and
some other matters not of interest in this connection.
CHAPTER XXIII.
SURPRISE OF THE CAMP AT HARPER S FERRY.-DEATI OF
TOM TURNER.
Upper Fauquier, January 21st, 1864.
DEAR PERCY, —MOSby had determined to celebrate the
advent of the New Year by a raid into Fairfax, and had
ordered the men to assemble on the morning of the 1st
of January for this purpose.  But, before he arrived at
the rendezvous, Sam Underwood rode rapidly into the
village and reported that he had been pursued by a party of Federals who were not far off. Captain Smith, who
was on the ground, ordered Underwood to take his brother Bush and another man, and follow the enemy, and report their movements to him at a designated point. He
then galloped off to where he knew his company was assembling preparatory to the proposed raid. Finding
twenty-five of his men in place, he moved them to the
point agreed upon with Underwood, and was met there
with the information that the Yankees were a detachment of Major Cole's Maryland Battalion, who had been
sent, under command of Captain Hunter, into " Mosby's
Confederacy" to capture the guerrilla band, and that they
had gone to Five Points, a place where five roads meet,
and distant a few miles from where Sinith's command
then was. Captain Smith frankly told his men that they
were outnumbered three to one, but that he meant to
M




178         Partisan LZife with iiosby.
fight, and added that any man who shrank from the combat upon such terms was at liberty to withdraw. The
captain was answered by hearty cheers, and at once
moved off in the direction of the enemy. Just as the
Federals had entered an open field for the purpose of
forming in line of battle to receive the attack, the Partisans dashed in upon them. They broke and fled, the
bulk of them in the direction of Middleburg, hotly pursued for several miles. When Smith's company, exhausted and burdened with prisoners, were about to relinquish the pursuit, Mosby, with six fresh men, took it up,
and followed the routed enemy through Middleburg and
into the country beyond, in the direction of Harper's Ferry, from which place the expedition had started. Thus
the raiders returned, having lost ten of their number killed and wounded, forty-one taken prisoners, and fifty horses,
with their equipments. Smith's loss was Corporal Dulick slightly wounded.
With Captain Smith in this fight was James Keith, of
Fauquier, adjutant of the 4th Virginia Cavalry, and a
member of the original Black Horse Company. He bore
himself with conspicuous gallantry, and well sustained
the reputation of his command.
About a week after the fight at Five Points, Captain
Stringfellow reported to Mosby the situation of a Federal
camp, which, he thought, might be easily surprised, at the
eastern base of the Blue Ridge, on the road from Hillsboro
to Harper's Ferry, and within a mile of the latter place.
Captain Stringfellow is well known in the army as a successful and reliable scout, is employed alike by Lee and
Stuart, and upon information derived through him often
depends the march of large bodies of troops. Without
hesitation, therefore, Mosby prepared for an attack upon
Major Cole's camp, whom he was eager to capture, on account of his rough treatment of the people living along




Surprise of the Camp at Harper's Ferry.   179
the border. With Companies " A," " B," and " C," he began his march on the afternoon of the 9th of January, and
halted for a few hours soon after nightfall at Woodgrove,
the residence of Mr. Heaton, where cheerful fires blazed
in every room, and a plentiful supper had been prepared
for both officers and men. Several hours glided pleasantly away, until, as had been agreed' upon, a courier arrived from Stringfellow (who, with a party of ten men,
had remained to watch the camp) with the information
that every thing was favorable for the execution of the
plan. At nine o'clock we were ordered to resume the
march. The night was clear, but intensely cold, and the
snow lay six inches deep on the ground, muffling the
sound of the horse's feet as the column moved on. Within a mile and a half of the camp we were joined by
Stringfellow's party, and, leaving the grade at -right angles, we struck across a narrow skirt of country to the
base of the Short Hill Mountain. Here the command
was halted and the horses fed, while our leader, accompanied by Stringfellow, went forward to reconnoitre the
camp. In about two hours they returned, and our column marched along the base of the mountain until it
reached the Potomac River. Then we proceeded along
the river bank toward Harper's Ferry, ascending on our
route a wooded cliff, which could only be done by leading our horses, and grasping in our ascent the thick bushes with which it was covered. Along the crest of this
cliff ran the grade, which we gained at a point midway
between Harper's Ferry, where several thousand troops
were quartered, and the camp which we wished to surprise. At this place Mosby made his dispositions for at.
tack. Captain Smith, with a party, was directed to secure the horses which were standing around the hospital
building; Stringfellow, with his party of scouts, to cap.
ture Major Cole and the officers at his head-quarters,




180         Partisan Life with Mosby.
while Mosby, with the bulk of the command, was to attack the camp.
In order to make the surprise complete, our leader had
dismounted a portion. of the men, and had succeeded in
capturing the first row of tents, when Stringfellow's party,
contrary to orders, came galloping into the camp. The
Partisans, supposing them to be Yankees, fired, killing or
wounding six of them before the mistake was discovered.
The firing and the confusion which began to prevail roused
the Federals, who, being rallied by Captain Vernon, of
Maryland, poured a rapid fire upon their assailants.
Seeing that his plans had miscarried, and that his men
were falling beneath the fire of friends as well as of
enemies, and hearing, too, the signal -gun on Loudoun
Heights, Mosby ordered a retreat in the direction of
Hillsboro.:But this order was not heard by those on
the outskirts of the camp. In a little while Captain
Smith, uniting with Captain Chapman, dashed in' among
the. tents with fifty men, but was soon driven out. The
two officers, unattended, then returned to the camp to
look after their wounded, and had not gone far when
they recognized Charlie Paxson, of Loudoudoun, extended on
the ground, so badly wounded that he was unable to
rise. He besought them in moving terms to carry him
off, which Smith was preparing to do, when he was fired
upon from one of the tents and instantly killed. Chapman, supposing his companion was only wounded, hast.
ened to obtain assistance to bear him away, when he was
met by Lieutenant Gray, who communicated to him Mosby's order to retreat.
They had not proceeded more than a few hundred
yards toward Hillsboro when they overtook the Baron
von Massow, who, touched with a generous compassion,
had just lifted a wounded soldier on his horse to convey
him to a place of safety.




Strprise of the Camirp at HcRper's Fe'reiy.   181
At this time, two miles farther on, Mosby was standing by the bedside of Lieutenant Tom Turner, who had
been mortally wounded early in the fight, and had been
borne to the house of Levi Waters, which stands on the
margin of the road. It was an affecting spectacle to
see the men gathered around the wounded officer, to
look for the last time on him whom they had followed
TOjM TURNER DYING.
in so many fights; but hope still kept her vigils by his
couch and in cheerful accents he assured his sorrowing
comrades that in another week he would be with them
again.  It was, however, but the delusive voice of a
charmer. Never again Swill he lmounlt the neighing steed;
never again, with throbbing pulse and kindling eye, will
e listenl to the trumlpet's loud call, nor carry aloft amid
a hundred foes the crimson banner of his chieftain.
agin! [ ws  oeebtth   euievieo 




182          Partisacn Zife with Xifosby.
The race is run, the battle has been fought, the fitful
dream is over. Brave spirit, rest! The youthful warrior now sleeps in Arnold Cemetery, near Hillsboro, and
his name will be held in honor as long as the annals of
the battalion endure.
The command reached Woodgrove by sunrise the next
morning, from which place a flag of truce was sent to
Major Cole by Captain Chapman to propose an exchange
of prisoners, and request the permission to remove our
dead and wounded. But Major Cole refused to receive
any communication from Mosby, which shows the embittered feelings of the enemy toward him.
We brought off ten prisoners and forty-five horses
-a- poor compensation for the grievous loss which the
battalion had sustained; for, in addition to those already
mentioned, William  E. Colston, William H. Turner, of
Maryland, and Robertson had been mortally wounded,
while Boyd Smith and several others had received less
serious injuries.
Thus sadly ended one of Mosby's most daring enterprises, which promised to be a perfect success, but was
defeated by one of those strange occurrences which are
beyond the power of the most prudent to anticipate.
The defeat at Harper's Ferry was enough to damp the
ardor of any spirit but Mosby's. But so great is its
elastic vigor that soon he was as busily engaged in new
enterprises as though he had sustained no reverse. " Ever
superior to Fortune, he endures her frowns with serenity,
enjoys her smiles with moderation, and shows himself
alike in victory forbearing and in defeat undaunted."
His countenance and deportment correspond with his
character-firm, collected, intelligent.
Chapman, a deserter from the California Battalion, who
had been received into the Partisan command, reported
the Federal camp at Vienna to be in a condition to be




Swyprisc of the Camp at Haper's Ferry.    183
easily surprised. He was anxious for Mosby to accompany him in person to ascertain the correctness of the
information, but to this Captain Chapman objected, thinking that-the temptation to betray our leader might prove
too strong for the guide's fidelity. Instead, he proposed
to go himself and inspect the camp, taking with him
F'lannegan, a daring soldier, to shoot the deserter guide
in case he proved treacherous. This was agreed to, and
the adventurous party set forth. It was very cold, and
a crust of ice had formed over the snow, which crackled
under their feet as they proceeded. At one o'clock at
night they entered the camp, which they found had been
protected by barricades to guard against nocturnal assaults. While making his observations, Chapman had
seen a number of stables, and, finding that the proposed
surprise would be impracticable, he determined to carry back a lot of horses. Upon his return, Mosby, who,
with twelve men, was awaiting the result of his visit
to the camp in a wood about four hundred yards distant, determined to repeat the operation. A second detail was made, of which Baron von Massow was one.
They were equally successful; but the baron, as he
brought off a fine horse, exclaimed, "Ah! Chapman, this
is not fighting; this is stealing." The guide, who had
now proved his fidelity, was allowed, in charge of a party,
to try his luck, and succeeded in getting a third supply
of horses. The next morning, when the animals were
missed, and a diligent but fruitless search had been made
for them, it was, agreed among the Yankees that Mosby
must have called for them.
I will now give you an account of a raid into the Valley, undertaken by Captain Chapman during the temporary absence of Mosby in Richmond on official business.
Up to this time it had been the impression that the stone
fences in that district, and the absence of bodies of wood




184:        Partisan Life with fosby.
to be used as a cover, rendered it unsuited to partisan
warfare, and Chapman was ordered not to attempt any
thing in that direction unless confident of success. But
on the 2d of February, with thirteen men, he crossed the
dreaded Shenandoah and proceeded to Berryville, where
he learned that a party of the enemy, about equal in
strength to his own, had just left and gone to Charles.
town. He at once struck across the country with the
design of cutting them off, but instead, when he entered
the turnpike, found himself immediately in their rear.
A pursuit ensued, during which nine of the enemy were
killed, wounded, and captured.  From  the prisoners
Chapman learned that the garrison at Charlestown had
gone on a raid to Winchester, to intercept General Rosser
on his return from an expedition, and had left their camp
and a large amount of military stores with a slender
guard.
Chapman at once returned to Fauquier and assembled
the battalion to attempt the capture of this camp, but
when he arrived within six miles of Charlestown he discovered the raiders on their return, and was compelled to
abandon the enterprise. He, however, captured a good
many prisoners, which was accomplished by calling stragglers to the woods, who, thinking themselves invited by
their comrades to participate in the spoil taken on the
raid from citizens, would unhesitatingly obey the summons, and so fell into the trap which Chapman had set
for them.
Mosby returned from Richmond on the 18th of February, and was informed upon his arrival at Piedmont
late in the afternoon that a party of raiders was out, guid.
ed by Cornelle, who had deserted from the Partisan battalion to Gregg's cavalry atWarrenton, and that they had
captured several of the Rangers at their boarding-houses.
He hastily collected a small band, with which he lay in




The Two Brides.             185
ambush, hoping to intercept the raiders, but he was too
late, for they had already returned to their camp at Warrenton.
While in Richmond he had procured the transfer of
the Rev. Samuel J. Chapman to the Partisan Battalion
as adjutant, with the rank of first lieutenant. He is a
brother of Captain Chapman, with whom he served as
lieutenant in the Dixie Battery, and was then assigned,
along with him, to conscript duty in Fauquier. While
thus employed he often joined Mosby in his raids. At
the request of General Deering he had been ordered to
Caskie's Artillery Battalion, in which he served with
distinction until the time of which I am writing.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE TWO BRIDES.
Upper Fauquier, February 6th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-I have recently attended wedding festivities at B-d, in Loudoun County, an account of which
I will give you to-day.
Two sons of the house had brought home their brides,
friends had assembled from all directions to greet them,
and all things were prepared for the reign of pleasure.
During the evening a laughable scene occurred between
one of these brides and the chaplain of our command,
the Rev. Adolphus Adam Gog, and, as you have requested me to relate the adventures of the worthy clergyman, I will give you a somewhat full account of the
incident to which I refer. You say that the chaplain is
certainly a character of marked originality. I feel sure
you will be more decidedly of that opinion than ever
after you have heard the story I am about to tell you.




186          Partisan L wife with iosby.
I am pleased to hear that Sir Anthony, your wife, and
the rest of the family have received pleasure from hearing my letters read, and that the names of the chaplain
of Mosby's Battalion and of his chief of staff are as familiar in the household as the names of Mosby, Chapman,
and Richards.
With a party of eighteen or twenty, of whom your correspondent was one, Mosby set out from'Heartland,"
and reached B-d, our "objective point," as the chief
called it, a full half hour before the guests began generally
to assemble. After throwing off our wrappings and overcoats, we advanced into one of the rooms thrown open for
the reception of guests, and were soon met by young Mrs.
Carter, upon whom, in consequence of the indisposition
of the mistress of the house, had been devolved the graceful duty of presiding for that evening, though she was
herself a bride of a few weeks' duration. Here, then, is
one of the brides. The other was a beauty from the Lower
Rappahannock, but with her I contracted only a slight
and formal acquaintance. But I shall have occasion to
introduce you more particularly to the hostess-bride, to
whom, in turn, several of us were presented by Mosby.
She received us all with graceful courtesy, but no one in
so distinguished a manner as the chaplain of our cormmand. The doctor was highly pleased, for the lady extended to him her hand, on which sparkled a costly gem.
She was prettily habited in a light-colored silk, so fitted
as to display to advantage an elegant and graceful figure.
Her eyes, large and black, were filled with light and sentiment, and her hair was so glossy and redundant as to
make you marvel at the skill which could dispose of the
superfluous tresses. The doctor has a great fancy for
"pretty women," as he curtly expresses it, nor did he on
this occasion withhold the homage of his admiration. But
this was not all, for the parson, whose heart has not been




CThe Two Brides.               187
wholly purged of worldly thoughts, determined to extort
admiration in return. It was with satisfaction that he
cast his eyes at a mirror, on whose polished surface he
saw reflected his own person arrayed in Confederate gray
of Shafer's'latest and best cut, and with the cross on his
breast, the customary badge of Southern chaplains, to denote his holy office.
I would not have you, my friend, to imagine that the
parson expected to inspire that beautiful lady with the belief that he possessed a large amount of physical beauty
-no, that was not the doctor's mark. But there was a
class of charms to which the dignified churchman aspired,
by imeans of which he hoped to carry off the prize of
Mrs. Carter's admiration -fine manners, a genteel and
self-possessed bearing, and a copious flow of learned, eloquent, and impressive conversation, seasoned, perhaps,
with occasional sallies of wit.  Here was a field in
which he meant that night to shine a constellation of
unrivaled splendor. While he held in just contempt
mere symmetry of form and feature, he yet considered that
so intellectual a part would be highly appropriate to his
great fame, and the eminent position he held in Mosby's
Confederacy.  So Doctor Gog deliberately selected his
line of battle, threw out his skirmishers, put his artillery
in position, and prepared to open on the enemy.
It falls to the lot of the historian of these events to relate that, among the many perfections with which a generous Creator had endowed Mrs. Carter, there yet dwelt
in her one small fault, if, indeed, so harsh and unhandsome an appellative could be applied to any of her qualities. But the swart fairy had intruded at the auspicious hour of her birth, and had cast into the golden urn
of her virtues this fault. She was truly pious, and Christian piety, even infidels allow, imparts to a lady's character the highest finish. It is the celestial gloss which




188          Partisan  yife with JMosby.
shines on the plumage of the angels. Do not suppose
for a moment, therefore, that I mean to enumerate Christian piety as a fault-no; but it was in the excess of this
principle that the fault consisted. Perfection is found in
harmony and proportion; but here was a discord-a disproportion-a fault. Mrs. Carter, at least so thought her
unconverted friends, set too high a value on the ministers of the Gospel, or " the parsons," as that self-denying
brotherhood are called in Mosby's Confederacy.
Throughout the range of her acquaintance, even before her marriage, Mrs. Carter was known as the steadfast friend of Colonel Mosby and the Partisan Battalion.
Yet was there one thing about it which she did not like
-the battalion'had no chaplain. It was a great scandal,
she thought, and felt that it boded no good. Some of
Mosby's men, she reflected, were being killed. every day,
and, what made the matter worse, many of them were
mere boys, who, by rights, ought to be at home with'their sisters, instead of being here, belted with pistols, and:-swearing strange oaths. The thing did not suit her at
all, and she was resolved not to let the matter drop. So
much importance did she attach to it, that on the very
next occasion which offered itself she remonstrated with
Mosby on the subject, and received from him the assurance that, as soon as a suitable person could be found, he
would provide his command with a religious instructor.
It was easy enough, he said, to pick up an army chaplain, but one suited to his command ought to possess all
the higher qualities of a missionary-piety, learning, zeal,
courage, added to a force of character that would enable
him to impress the consciences of so peculiar a body as
the Partisan Battalion. And Mrs. Carter could not but
acknowledge the justness of this observation.
Her gratification, then, was very great, when to the
pleasure of that evening was added an introduction to




The Two Brides.               189
the Reverend Adolphus Adam Gog, C. M. B., as he always signs himself. Happy Mrs. Carter! Contrary and
perverse things had conspired to render that evening
blessed. How the bright smile hung upon her lips and
laughed in her eyes. It was with a peculiar grace, in
which joy mingled, that this lady, so debonair, placed her
small hand in the huge fist of Doctor Gog, and invited
him, by a courteous gesture, to a seat not far off. I followed them, and, seating myself near the lady, am enabled to
report a portion of the conversation that ensued.
iMrs. Carter. "How honored, Dr. Gog, we ought to feel
that you have brought yourself to cast your lot with us
on this neutral ground of the two armies. But of this,
reverend sir, be assured, however things may go, you will
be repaid for the sacrifice by the consciousness of doing
good-the only guerdon, after all, to a well-poised mind.
You could scarcely have chosen, for the exercise of your
pious energies, a more extensive field of labor than the
one before you."
Dr. Gog. "True, Mistress Carter; as the sacred volume
declareth,'The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are
few."'
_lms. Carter. "What circumstance, doctor, first directed
your attention to Mosby's Confederacy 2"
Dr. Gog. "Mistress Carter, the incident is quite out of
the common course, and carrieth a complexion of romance. As I strolled through the public square in Richmond, and was standing at the base of the monument
erected by the gratitude of Virginia and the genius of
Crawford to the men who broke our union with England
and contracted it with the North, a party of well-favored
youths passed by, dressed in the manner of soldiers. Inquiry elicited the fact that they were of the band known
as'Mosby's men,' a reprobate and lost crew. Furthermore, Mistress Carter, I learned that they were entirely




190          Partisan Life with  ios6y.
destitute of the means of Christian grace, no ecclesiastic
having been found bold enough to attack, as it were, the
Prince of Evil in that, his impregnable strong-hold. My
informant, a quiet and ancient citizen, presented to me a
cup brimful of horrors. I was deeply impressed by the
recital, and at once resolved to go forth, with oaken staff
and sandal shoon, among those anthropophagi, like another apostle of the Gentiles, and dispute with Satan so
goodly a heritage. My propositions were promptly acceded to by their chief, and I entered without delay on
my ministry."
2J3rs. Carter. "That evening's stroll looks almost providential, but it only shows by what trifles the human
destiny is shaped."
-Dr. Goy. "Mistress Carter, it was altogether providential, and is well matched by a romantic incident related in church history. The story is told by Ranke,
but more fully and pathetically by Mosheim and Milner.
Robert Southey, too, in his account of what he calls the
origin of the Established Church, gives it in his usual
diluted style."
_Mis. Carter. "Do tell me the incident to which you
allude, for it is so seldom that we meet nowadays with
a clergyman so erudite and instructive."
This sly and well-timed compliment produced a fine
effect on the parson. His sympathies underwent a marked expansion, and his companion rose many degrees in
his good opinion. "Handsome," said he to himself; "and
so devilish clever. Clearly a woman of great discernment."  The chaplain then mustered all his energies,
and having in a very deliberate and impressive manner
cleared his throat, proceeded to comply with the lady's
request.
"About the period of the arrival of the Saxons in England-that is, in the sixth century of the Christian era,




The Two Brides.               191
Mistress Carter-Pope Gregory was strolling through
the Roman Forum, when he beheld a group of blue-eyed,
fair-haired captives exposed for sale. He was informed
that they had been brought from Britain, once an insular possession of the Romans, where Gospel truth had, accorling to tradition, been once planted, but did not then
shine, but where the inhabitants were abandoned to the
sanguinary superstition of the Druids, or else were doing
abhorred rites to Thor and Odin.'Alas! alas!' exclaimed the good pope,'that the Prince of Darkness should
possess countenances so luminous, and that so fair a front
should cover minds destitute of eternal grace.'
" As the result of that fortuitous, or, as I call it, providential happening, the mission was resolved on of Augustine'the monk' (as he is called in ecclesiastical history,
to distinguish him from the illustrious father of the same
name), or'Augustine and his forty monks,' as Gibbon
irreverently styles the sacred embassage."
The lady bowed her head in a very instructed manner
as the reverend doctor paused and looked grandly into
her splendid eyes. He thought they looked brighter
than ever, for the power of appreciating the intellectual
superiority of another is a faculty rarely bestowed on
young ladies.
lrfs. Cuarter. "Have you, doctor, a chapel in which to
collect your congregation for instruction 2"
Dr. Go7. "Yes, madam, I have an edifice for that purpose, where I sometimes thunderize the guerrillas; but,
on account of their irregular mode of life, I am compelled
to administer instruction wherever I find them-in the
highways, in the forest, in the camp, or at the bivouac.
But the most potent influence which I bring to bear on
them is the force of mine own example; for, Mistress Carter, an inquisition into the heart of man will teach us
that the true way to govern that wayward child is




192          Partisacn LZfe with Mosby.
through his affections, and by holding up before him a
model for imitation."
A prolonged whistle of astonishment was, as he said
this, heard at the parson's elbow. He started, looked
quickly around, but beheld only a receding figure. His
face, however, flushed a deeper carnation as he turned to
listen again to his companion.
"Has your ministry, Doctor Gog, been attended as yet
with much success 2"
SDr. Cog. "Rarely, Mistress Carter, has so large a measure of success been vouchsafed to the proclamation of the
Word. Last Sabbath day one month ago, a mighty concourse gathered to hear me. It was a second day of Pentecost; all counted who that day professed a quickening
-furloughed soldiers, Yankee prisoners, contrabands, and
citizens, besides my own proper charge, amounted to a
trifle less than five hundred souls, that is — if Yankees
have souls, a question on which divines are much divided."
Jis. UCzter. "Five hundred souls, doctor?"
_Dr. Gog. "Yes, Mistress Carter, five hundred souls."
At this peliod of the conversation the whistle again
sounded in the chaplain's ears, and his eyes kindled with
ire as he beheld the figure of a soldier disappearing in
the crowd. Mrs. Carter was herself offended at the rudeness of this interruption, and inquired the name of the
intruder.
Dr. Goy. "That youngster, madam, is an idiot boy,
who has eluded the vigilance of his parents, and attached
himself.to the command, where the good nature of Mosby allows him to remain. He entertains himself, and
sometimes others, with uncouth gestures, whistlings, and
strange exclamations."
ilbrs. Carter. "Where do his parents reside? You have
not told me his name."




The Two Brides.              193
Dr. Gog. "In Richmond, madam; and his name is John
Munson."
Mrs. Carter was here called off, and Adolphus Adam
Gog, C. M. B., was left alone.
" I have rarely seen a pretty woman take more stock
in a parson," said he, with a chuckle, while a prolonged
visit to "O Oatlands," and visions of deviled turkey and
roast pig, of which he was so uncommonly fond, rose before the divine. He thought, too, of Mr. Carter's cellar
and his baronial mansion; how he would saunter along
the avenue of grand old oaks, the contemporaries, it might
be, of Columbus, having at his elbow a library of old English authors-books that "a man might tie to."  "I have
rarely seen a pretty woman take more stock in a parson,"
repeated the doctor, as he drew on his gloves, and began
to saunter through the rooms.
When Mrs. Carter again met the Partisan chief, she
thanked him for bringing his chaplain to their marriage
feast.
" I am charmed with him, he is so intelligent and dignified, and his intelligence and dignity are accompanied
by such unaffected piety. He is so learned, too, that he
almost reminds one of St. Paul."
Here the gray eyes sparkled as, with a polite bow, their
owner assented to the lady's remark, but a minute observer would have detected a smile lurking in the corners
of the mouth. But Mrs. Carter was far too happy that
evening to be prying into the mystery of smiles, and seeking to interpret the enigmas of the countenance. At that
moment she was informed by a servant that Dick Buckner and his guerrilla band were ready to strike up the
music, if such was her pleasure.
"Not for the world," exclaimed the hostess, "until I
know the wishes of the Rev. Dr. Gog on the subject. Do
you think, colonel, he would object?"
NT




194          Partisan life with Losby.
Thus appealed to, Colonel Mosby referred the question
to the parson himself, who was not far off. Bowing with
great politeness to the lady, the reverend gentleman, in
his own style, thus answered her question:
" Music and dancing, Mistress Carter, I esteem appropriate to this occasion and this company. Believe me,
they are the reverse of disagreeable to my feelings. I
approve, indeed, of all kinds of innocent pleasure, particularly where it creates
"'The pert and nimble spirit of mirth.'
I so love and admire innocence in all its forms, that I
should be loth to confound it, by a prohibition, with
wrong and error. Dancing, which embraces music, I consider, of every species of enjoyment, the most to be preferred on every fitting occasion, for the reason that it
combines exercise with grace, innocence, and pleasurethree which, if they be personified, could not be considered out of place, if, to their own untaught harmonies, they
were to tread a measure on the ivory floors of Paradise.
Mistress Carter, we best praise the All-giver when, within the pale of innocence, we are happy. When I see one
who, at suitable times, condemns the dance and the song,
I suspect the presence of a weak head, a sour heart, or a
hypocritical conscience."
Such liberal sentiments greatly pleased the lady, who,
yet fearing lest the good parson had been somewhat governed by politeness in what he had said, determined to
save his sensibilities the slightest shock by conducting
him to an apartment aloof from the dancers, where he
would find company of a graver cast, among whom she
knew were several elderly ladies who would be delighted with the opportunity of becoming acquainted with
the chaplain of Mosby's Battalion.
But the chaplain of Mosby's Battalion had formed, it
soon appeared, other plans for the evening's entertain



The Two Brides.             195
ment; so he stoutly opposed the arrangement, and when
urged by Mosby to accept the invitation, abruptly crossed the room and joined Miss Josephine Stevenson, one of
the fairest ladies present, where I must leave the reverend gentleman until a later period of the night. I have
neglected to mention that before they parted company
Mrs. Carter had engaged Doctor Gog to preach at Upperville the ensuing Sunday, and had, in order to secure
a large attendance, made the arrangement generally
known to her guests. Thus things stood when she was
both surprised and pained to see the chaplain lead the
fair Josephine to the dance. His manners had undergone an entire change, and were now as sportive as before they had been grave. She looked at him with an
expression of surprise and reproof; but her glances of
displeasure produced no more effect on Doctor Gog than
the darts of the Liliputian archers did on the person of
Lemuel Gulliver. The truth is, the parson had taken
about half a pint of "blockade," and did not care the
snap of a finger for the reproachful looks of all the black
eyes in Christendom. It was perfectly clear, too, that he
had forgotten all about his appointments, and was now
engaged in quoting from Byron and Moore, instead of
the fathers, to the sprightly Josephine.
Mrs. Carter, much displeased, withdrew from that part
of the room, and saw no more of him until late in the
evening, when she observed a general movement toward
the spot where he was dancing. I, too, was attracted
thither, and, to my surprise, discovered that the dance had
been broken up with the exception of the chaplain, who
was violently engaged in performing a solo. With arms
akimbo and head thrown back, he was executing with
great vigor and minuteness all the steps learned from an
old-fashioned dancing-master-the double-shuffle, the pigeon-wing, the back step, etc. Never did mortal ears hear
so great a clatter made by a single pair of feet.




196          Partisan Life with MXosby.
I looked up and saw standing before me Mrs. Carter,
as if petrified with surprise and mortification. Her husband was at her side, and I heard him say to her,
"You have a gay parson, my love. He preaches for
us, does he not, the next Lord's day 2"
"Yes," responded she, in a faint and troubled voice,
and, as she said so, moved off to a remote part of the
room. As she turned away her dejected visage reminded me of the woful faces that throng the halls of Eblis.
_
THI  PARSO~'S STAG DANCE.
A pause in the music at this time occurred, and the
unhappy lady looked as if relieved from a great torture;
but no, no, it was only to be increased, for in noisy tones
she heard the parson exclaim, as he advanced toward the
musicians,
"Holloah, Mister Nigger, give us the'Ring - tailed
Roarer!'"
Dic}k Buckner. "Don't know it, parson."




Defeat of Captain Reid's Cavalry Battalion. 197
Doctor Gog. "' The thunder you don't! Give us, then,'Billy in the Low Grounds,' or' Sugar in the Gourd,' or'The Arkansas Traveler,' or some hell-bender of your
own!'
This sally produced immense laughter, in which it is
needless to say Mrs. Carter did not unite. Instead, she
buried her face in her handkerchief and wept with very
vexation. She then arose, and, with a resolute air, approached Colonel Mosby, who, as soon as he was informed of the nature of her perplexity, annulled all the chaplain's engagements, set Mrs. Carter at liberty, and restored
smiles to her countenance.  As she turned from him I
heard her say, "Never again will I invite one of these
army men to preach-no, not if he be an archbishop."
CHAPTER XXV.
DEFEAT AND DISPERSION OF CAPTAIN REID'S CAVALRY
BATTALION.
Upper Fauquier, February 26th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY,-I have omitted to tell you that, about
the date of the "Chestnut Fork Raid," Major Mosby established his head-quarters at the residence of Mr. Blackwell Magog, his chief of staff, who lives within a short
distance of Piedmont. Two days'after the Cornelle Raid,
a party, composed of the major, Jake Lavender, Johnny
Edmunds, and Johnny Munson, were seated at breakfast,
when Jimmy Edmunds ran in, and said that the turnpike, which was about a mile distant, was " full of Yankees." At first they were incredulous, but Major Mosby
said they had better saddle up and see for themselves.
When they reached the road they discovered that it was
crowded, as the little boy had said, with Federal cavalry,




198         Partisan Jlife with fMosby.
who proved.to be Cole's Battalion on a march from their
camp at Harper's Ferry to Front Royal. The party proceeded to Mrs. Chappelier's orchard, where the major determined to open the fight-Johnny Edmunds and Johnny Munson each being armed with a long-range gunand trust to the sound of the firing to attract his' men to
the spot. This unexpected attack upon his column arrested the march of Major Cole, who doubtless thought
the guerrillas prepared to harass his march, which lay
through the Blue Ridge Mountains. In consequence, he
reversed the head of his column, and returned toward
Upperville. As it approached Gap Run, Mosby, withhis three men, took position on a hill immediately above
the ford, where the major said he would try his hand,
and, taking Edmunds's carbine, he and Munson fired into
the Yankees. The effect of this was to wound a man,
kill a horse, and quicken the speed of the retreating
column. This irregular fighting was kept up until the
Federals reached Upperville, the Partisans having from
time to time been re-enforced along the route. At this
place Major Cole halted to have his horses fed, a pause
which proved very advantageous to Mosby, for during
the interval fifty of his men gathered around him. The
mode of attack was now changed from sharp-shooting on
the hills to assaults on the enemy's rear, which induced
Major Cole to keep out a strong rear-guard of sharp-shooters. About two miles farther on we charged the rearguard, drove them in, and threw the column into some
confision, but soon scattered before a counter-charge. As
soon as they resumed the march we again charged, and
this time with success, for, getting into close quarters, we
drove them as far as Blakeley School-house. In this
charge Mountjoy encountered Captain Morgan, and, after
a personal contest, in view of both commands, killed him.
Mosby witnessed the duel, and in warm terms congratu



Defeat of Captain Reid's Cavalry Battalion.  199
lated the victor when it was over, assuring him that he
had that day won a commission. At the school-house
the fighting was very animated, charging and countercharging until the enemy took refuge behind the stone
fences which form the cross-roads at that place. From
these, as a breastwork, they continued the fight, until
Mosby, resolving not to be held at such disadvantage,
flanked their position as if to throw himself in their front.
While executing this movement he was brought in full
range of the enemy, who, having identified him among
the assailants, opened upon him a concentrated fire. His
appearance was conspicuous, dressed in a dark overcoat,
the cape of which, lined with scarlet, was thrown over
his shoulder, and a light felt hat, with a black plume.
He was mounted on a gray horse, remarkable for its
beauty and activity, and Major Cole offered a reward to
any one who would kill the Partisan chief.
The Federal officer, seeing the dangerous position in
which he was about to be placed, resumed his retreat,
but with his flanks and rear still exposed to galling attacks, which were kept up for several miles farther. Mosby's loss was Lieutenant Fox and Starke wounded, while
Major Cole lost one officer and five privates killed, and
eight men, with their horses and equipments, taken prisoners.
During their advance through Fauquier the Federals
captured two of the Rangers, John and Bartlett Bolling,
at the residence of their father, and killed M'Cobb, of
Baltimore, who, when surprised at his boarding-house,
mounted his horse, and, in attempting to leap a fence, was
thrown, and there killed.
Before disbanding the command, after the fight at
Blakeley School-house, Major Mosby ordered it to rendezvous at Piedmont the next day, for the purpose of escorting the remains of M'Cobb to the grave. About nine




200         Partisan life with Aosby.
o'clock on Sunday morning the men began to assemblesmall squads arriving from time to time, while Mosby
was at the house of John B. Jeffries writing a report to
General Stuart of tlie proceedings of the last few days.
He had not finished it when information was brought
him that the Fairfax Yankees were in Fauquier on a
raid, and were then in the vicinity of Middleburg. Without waiting to pay the last sad tribute of respect to the
memory of our comrade, the command, numbering one
hundred and fifty, was marched, under Captain Chapman,
in the direction of the enemy, while Mosby, with a small
party, hastened forward to reconnoitre his position. He
learned that the Yankees were a detachment of cavalry
from Vienna, commanded by Captain Reid, and that they
had gone from Rector's Cross-roads across the country to
Mountsville. Without delay, he started Sam Underwood
and another man to follow their line of march, and report
to him at a designated point below Maountsville, on the
road leading from Snickersville to Aldie, where he would
meet him with the command. Mosby's object in this
was to have it in his power to intercept Captain Reid in
case he should attempt from Mountsville to return to his
camp at Vienna. But Underwood reported that, instead,
he had proceeded in the direction of Leesburg. With
the object still in view of keeping between Captain Reid
and his camp, Mosby marched his command to Carter's
Mill, on Goose Creek. Here he left it, with instructions
to Chapman to have the horses fed at the corn-crib of a
Union man in the neighborhood, whose principles Underwood had reported, and from thence to proceed to the
farm of Mr. Harrison, lower down on Goose Creek, and
farther in the direction of the Leesburg and Dranesville
Turnpike, along which he thought Captain Reid would
return toward his camp, and there to await farther orders. Mosby then took a party to act as couriers, and




Defeat of Captain Re6id's Cavacry Bcttcalion.  201
proceeded toward Leesburg for the purpose of watching
the movements of the enemy and directing those of his
own command. He now felt sure of success; for, while
his men were moving on the shorter interior line, the
Yankees, as Sam Underwood expressed it,were marching
on "the rainbow."  Finding himself correct in his conjecture as to the route which Captain Reid would follow
from Leesburg, Mosby, by a courier, ordered Chapman to
move the command still nearer the turnpike, where at
night he joined-it, after he had discovered that the enemy had camped at Mr. Kephart's, who lives a short distance from the turnpike, and had been joined by one
hundred and fifty cavalry, under command of M[ajor Frazier. The next morning, with a cheerful countenance,
Mosby assured his men that it was all right, andthey
would certainly catch the Yankees before they got to
their camp. He then marched still farther down the
turnpike in the direction of Vienna, and posted the command in a body of pines on the right of the road, and a
little beyond Anker's shop.
But there was a point in his rear on the turnpike
where a road branched to the right, by which it was possible the raiders might return to their camp. Here he
stationed Walter Whaley, to report to him which road
they took; for, in the event of their leaving the turnpike,
it was still in his power to strike across the country, and
again throw himself in their front.
Soon Whaley came dashing up with the information
that the Federals had separated-Major Frazier having
taken the country road, but that Captain Reid, with the
California Battalion, was still traveling the turnpike.
Mosby at once made his disposition for attack. Mountjoy, with twenty dismounted sharp-shooters, was placed
in the centre of the position.  The command was then
divided into two parts; one, under Frank Williams, was




202         Partisan. ]i~fe with ilosby.
posted forty yards to the right; the other, under Captain
Chapman, forty yards to the left; while " Red Fox" and
another man were stationed a short distance farther down
the road, to attract the attention of the advancing column. The orders issued were as follows: Mountjoy and
his sharp-shooters were to fire their carbines, and simultaneously Williams and Chapman were to rush upon the exposed flank of the enemy at the sound of Mosby's silver
whistle, which he would blow when the column was in
the act of passing. Strict silence was then enjoined, and
we lay awaiting the approach of the enemy with breathless anxiety. During this interval of suspense we distinctly heard the deep peals of the great siege guns
around Washington as they thundered forth gratitude
and praise to the memory of the man who, above all others, founded the American Union, for the maintenance
of which this destructive war is now being waged.
As soon as the raiders arrived at Anker's shop, which
is on the slope of the hill toward Leesburg on which we
were posted, their advance-guard, numbering about twenty men, discovered "Red Fox," and at once dashed forward in pursuit of him; but the column halted at the
shop. Mosby,finding himself thus exposed to the danger
of discovery by the vanguard if he waited for it to come
up, gave the signal, which was followed by the crack of
Mountjoy's rifles, and in another moment by an onset
from Williams and Chapman. Mosby, with Adjutant
Chapman, charged at the head of Williams's detachment
down the hill upon the front of Reid's column, while
Captain Chapman, from his position, passing by a circuit
through the pines, fell upon its rear. Thus assailed, resistance on the part of the enemy was of short duration.
They broke and fled in every direction, but the bulk of
them up the turnpike toward Leesburg closely pursued,
and, in attempting to crowd through a gate on the road.




Defeat of Cacptcan Reid's Cavalry Battaion. 203
side opening into a barn-yard, near which stood Mosby,
with a party of his men, many of them were killed.
Baron Massow, who was with Chapman's party, distinguished himself in the fight. Having emptied his pistol,
he recurred to his sword, and dashed into the midst of the
flying enemy. Captain Reid, whom he passed in his
rapid career, by a shot from his revolver inflicted upon
him a dangerous wound, which brought him to the
ground. Chapman, seeing his friend fall from his horse,
spurred forward to engage the man by whom he had
been shot, and, when within three feet of Reid, fired, killing him instantly. The baron was carried to the house
of a citizen near by, and tenderly nursed by a lady until
he could be moved to Oatlands, the elegant residence of
Mr. George Carter, where he still is.
Mosby's loss on this occasion was Pendleton and Chappelier killed, John Munson, Thomas Burke, Harry Sweeting, and the Baron Massow wounded. The Federals had
fifteen killed, fifteen wounded, seventy taken prisoners,
and lost one hundred horses, with their equipments.
This raiding-party was guided by Charlie Binns, a deserter from Company " A" to the Federal camp in Fairfax, where he is in great favor with his new friends, or
rather employers, by whom he is often sent on expeditions to "Mosby's Confederacy."  Great exertions were
made to capture him in the pursuit, but, mounted on a
swift horse, he escaped in the direction of the Potomac.
At Piedmont, on the 23d, the captured property was
divided, and the prisoners sent to Richmond. As they
moved off, Mosby remarked,
" Well, I have stopped a few more of you from sucking
eggs."




204 AdPartisan Life with.losby.
CHAPTER XXVI.
MILITARY BOUNDARIES OF MOSBY'S CONFEDERACY. —SURPRISE OF THE 1St NEWT YORK CAVALRY.
Upper Fauquier, April 2d, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-At this time " Mosby's Confederacy" is
compassed about by enemies.  On the south it is
hemmed in by the garrison at Warrenton; on the east
by the numerous camps stretching across Fairfax; on the
north by General Sullivan's command at Harper's Ferry; and on the west by the forces always swarming in
the Valley. It would seem as though he must be crushed by these opposing bodies, as it were between huge
icebergs; yet does this remarkable hero maintain an undaunted front. /Not only does he hold his ground, but,
as we have already seen, has driven off two invading
forces, and destroyed another, and is still, with his indomitable Rangers, ever hovering about the hostile
camps with which he is begirt. General Crawford, who
commands a detachment of cavalry stationed at Bristoe
for the protection of that section of the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad, had been sending daily a patrol to
Greenwich, varying in strength from fifty to a hundred
men. Lieutenant Richards, with a party, had, without
success, attempted its capture, and Mosby now determined to try it. With forty men, he stationed himself inambush on the road from Bristoe Station to Greenwich.
Leaving the men in charge of Lieutenant Hunter, he proceeded, in company with Lieutenant Chapman, to a hill
from which he couldcl see the patrol approaching. Having rejoined Hunter, he waited until it passed the am



Military Boundaries of Mosby's Confederacy.  205
buscade, and then charged its rear. The Yankees scattered through the pines, and in this way escaped with
only nine prisoners and horses.
The day after the little affair at Greenwich which 
have just related, Lieutenant Richards obtained permission from Mosby to take a party of forty-five men and
go on an expedition to the Valley. He had been informed by John Chew, a member of Chew's Battery, of the
exposed position of. a Federal picket-post near his father's house on the road leading from Cabletown to
Charlestown. The picket consisted of two companies of
the 1st New York Veterans, commanded by Lieutenant
Bryandt, and was stationed in a skirt of wood bordering
the road. About sunset Richards crossed the Shenandoah, and at midnight arrived at Cabletown, two miles
beyond which place he halted his command, and, accompanied by Chew as a guide, made a visit to the Federal
camp. Finding every thing quiet, he returned for his
men, and by a circuitous march approached the picketpost about daylight from the direction of Charlestown.
This enabled him to impose his command upon the sentinel as the relief, and thus, without exciting alarm, entered the camp, which was found in profound repose. But
one man was astir, and he, poor fellow, was killed by the
signal-shot from Richards as he was kindling a fire from
the embers of the preceding night. The surprise was
complete, and the Rangers met With no resistance until
the return of a scouting-party of twenty men, who came
gallantly charging up while the intruders were in the
camp, but were soon driven off.
With twenty-five horses and as many prisoners, among
whom was Lieutenant Bryandt, Richards left the camp
at a gallop, for he feared pursuit from Charlestown.
On the return march, one of the most gallant fights of
the war was made by six of Richards's men, Robert




206          Patisan Life with ifosby.
Walker, Fount Beattie, Dr. Sowers, Rucker, John Hearn,
and Ben Syd Edmonds.  They had lingered at Cabletown, and were there overtaken by Major Sullivan, who
lad come in pursuit of Richards from Charlestown with
a party of thirty cavalry. There was no commissioned
officer among them, but, at the invitation of one of their
number, the heroic little, band faced about and charged
back on their assailants, killing a lieutenant and wounding a captain. This checked the enemy's advance, when
the Rangers again renewed the charge, and this time
routed their pursuers, killing Major Sullivan and two
others. With six prisoners and as many horses, they
then pressed forward, and rejoined the column before it
recrossed the Shenandoah. But I must not omit, in this
narration, the part borne by Willie Martin, one of the
bravest of Mosby's men. He was captured before his
comrades were overtaken, and thus took no part in the
fight; but, as soon as the rout began, he wrested the carbine from his guard, and, seizing it by the muzzle, stood
in the road, and with the butt end of it fought the fugitives as they fled by him.
Lieutenant Bryandt wore, when he was captured, a
sword which had been presented to him by his company.
It was incased in a silver scabbard, on which was inscribed, "Presented to 1st Lieut. Bryandt as a mark of
esteem, by Co. L, 1st New York Veterans."  He pleaded
hard to retain the costly present, but was told that Mosby's men never returned captured arms. It now hangs
at the gallant Mosby's side, but with a new inscription:
"Captured March 9th, 1864, and presented to Lieut. Col.
John Singleton Mosby, by Lieut. A. E. Richards."
About the middle of March Mosby captured a picket
of fourteen men at Germantown, which had been thrown
out by the garrison at Fairfax Court-house. A few hours
later, a hundred cavalry were on his track, inquiring at




Military Boundaries of losby's Confederacy. 207
every house if Mosby had passed. They were informed
that he had returned to Fauquier, in consequence of
which they retraced their steps, determined to be more
vigilant in future.
About this time Captain William H. Chapman was
married to Miss Jeffries, of Fauquier, and was indulged
with a furlough of thirty days. Lieutenant Richards,
being left in command of Company C, again looked to
the Valley as a theatre for activity. Taking with him
ten men, he set forth for the purpose of attacking the
pickets near Charlestown, but found upon his arrival that
they had been withdrawn to Halltown. Proceeding to
that vicinity on the 20th, he was informed that both cavalry and infantry had, during the afternoon, been ordered
to retire within the fortifications at Harper's Ferry, but
that a sutler, whose goods had been stored in a temporary
building, had been allowed to remain outside for the purpose of packing his wares, upon condition that he would
move in during the night.
Richards determined to make the sutler a visit before
he moved, and about one o'clock at night called at his
establishment. He was promptly answered by two men
at the door, from one of whom he demanded, in a tone
of authority,
" Why, sir, didn't you move into the Ferry this evening, as you were ordered?"'" It was late before we finished packing," replied the
merchant, in a humble voice, "so I concluded to wait till
morning."
"That will never do," said Richards.  "The Rebels
were in Charlestown several hours ago, and will have your
goods before morning."
" Never!" replied the sutler, with a tragic air. " Never! With the aid of camphene, I will, in case of emergency, lay my whole establishment in ashes."




208         Partisan Life with Mosby.
Richards, as if highly pleased with this sentiment, volunteered to assist in the removal of the goods, while the
sutler withdrew to make ready his wagons, thinking himself the luckiest man in the world to have fallen in with
so good-natured a fellow. But great was his dismay
when he returned to the house, for he found that the
soldiers had left behind the heavy merchandise, and were
only moving such light articles as could be carried away
on horseback. The truth at once flashed upon the merchant, and, folding his arms across his breast, he exclaimed, in an imploring voice,
"Gentlemen, I know now who you are. Take whatever you desire from my store, but, for God's sake, spare
my life"-doubtless as sincere a prayer as was ever offered up.
Richards then mounted his horse, and stood picket on
the road leading to Harper's Ferry, while his merry men,
with many a word of condolence for the sutler, loaded
their horses from the contents of his booth.
This brings my record to the end of March, for three
months previous to which the weather was so stormy and
inclement, and the roads so deep, that our leader was compelled to operate only with small parties, who could be
accommodated at the houses of citizens. Of their operations I have only received the, meagre account which I
have given you; but Mosby, in his report to Stuart, which
I have seen, states that during this period he has captured
an average of one hundred and fifty prisoners and horses a
month. My'own attention has been somewhat engaged
in establishing a temporary abode on the Blue Ridge
Mountains, about midway between Markham and Paris.
I have selected this location, first, because it is convenient
to the Shenandoah Valley, henceforth to be with us a
scene of great activity, and, secondly, because it is so sequestered as not to be exposed to the incursions of raid.
ing-parties.




Freedom of the Ballot.         209
CHAPTER XXVII.
FREEDOM OF THE BALLOT. —SCOUTING FOR INFORMATION.
Upper Fauquier, May 8th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-On the 1st of April the battalion was
ordered to rendezvous at Paris, for the purpose of organizing Company "D."  Many murmurs had been heard at
the arbitrary manner in which Mosby had conducted the
previous elections, and a formidable opposition had been
silently formed. But he met the issue in a prompt and
characteristic manner. As soon as the men who were
to form the new company were drawn up in line, the
names of a list of candidates were read aloud by the
officer appointed by Mosby to superintend the election.
During the pause which ensued Mosby stepped in front
of the electors, and very quietly informed them that any
one not willing to ratify by his votes the nominations
which had been made was at liberty to leave the ranks,
and would, without delay, be sent to the regular service.
This alternative no man was ready to adopt, for the regular service is regarded by the Rangers as Mosby's Botany
Bay. So the nominations were all confirmed. This was
a crisis, and through it the command passed safely. All
felt it, and Mosby is now more firmly seated than ever in
the dictatorship he has assumed over his men. This combination was the first, and will probably be the last ever
formed against his authority.
R. P. Mountjoy was elected captain; Alfred Glasscock,
first lieutenant; Charles E. Grogan, second lieutenant;
William Trunnel, junior second lieutenant.
0




210          Partisan Life with Mosby.
CAPTAIN MOUNTJOY.
Captain Mountjoy is by birth a Mississippian, and at
the beginning of the war entered the Provisional Army
of the South as a private in one of the infantry regiments
contributed by his native state. At an early period of
its formation he obtained a transfer to the Partisan Battalion, and by the gallantry of his bearing soon attracted
the general attention. At Ewell's Chapel, as I have mentioned, he was wounded while pressing forward in the
lead, and since that time has been a prominent actor in
other collisions.
Lieutenant Glasscock, of Fauquier, at the breaking out
of the war was a private in Captain Turner Ashby's
cavalry company, in which he rose to the rank of lieutenant, an office from which he was afterward ejected when'the Confederate Congress reorganized the army by exchanging the old principle of authority for the new principle of popularity. This loss of rank proved in the end
to be a benefit, for it enabled Glasscock to enter the Par



Er~eeclomn of thbe Ballot.      211
tisan service, for which he has proved himself to be so
well fitted.
Lieutenants Grogan and Trunnel are both from Maryland. The former served for a time on General Trimble's
staff, and with him was captured at Gettysburg, and confined on Johnson's Island. From that dreary prison he
made his escape, under circumstances of extraordinary
peril, and immediately afterward joined the battalion.
Lieutenant Trunnel was, it is needless to say, a good
soldier, and was among the first of the bold spirits who
were attracted to the Partisan banner when unfurled by
Mosby. He stood high with his commander, and his
promotion had been postponed in consequence of a captivity from which he had but recently been liberated.
This company was formed almost entirely of young
gentlemen from Maryland, who have cast their lot with
the South in this great trial of arms. Its members, as
conspicuous for gallantry in the parlor as they undoubtedly are in the field, have won for it from the ladies the
endearing name of " Company Darling.'"
At the same time another of "'l osby's elections," as
such occasions are jocularly called in the battalion, was
held, to supply the vacancy produced by the death of
Lieutenant Turner. Lieutenant Hunter having been promoted to the vacant rank, Lieutenant Joe Nelson to the
position which Hunter had filled, Harry Hatcher, from
the 7th Virginia Cavalry, was "elected" to succeed NelSOln.
Company "D" was but just organized when it was
called upon to choose again a junior second lieutenant,
for Trunnell, before his promotion could be communicated to him, was killed while scouting in the Valley.
With Boyle, of the 12th Virginia: Cavalry, he had attempted to capture a party of Yankees who were concealed in a house near Martinsburg; but, as the soldiers




212         Partisan Life with Mosby.
approached, they were fired upon and killed by those
within the house.
David Briscoe, of Baltimore, was elected to succeed
Trunnell.
On the 8th of April Mosby started from Middleburg,
with twenty-five men of Company " A," under command
of Lieutenant Hunter, to attack a picket-post, guarded by
a company of cavalry, at Hunter's Mill, on the road from
Silent Hill to Fairfax Court-house. On a previous scout
he had visited this camp, had seen the corporal of the
guard station the vedettes, and had heard him take leave
of them with the injunction, " Now don't let old Mosby
get you." His plans were therefore matured; so, marching to a point distant a quarter of a mile from the mill,
he dismounted his men, and, leaving two of them in
charge of the horses, with the rest charged the camp with
a yell.  Twelve prisoners and twenty horses were secured, but many of the fugitives escaped, sheltered by the
darkness, and carried the news of the disaster to the brigade at Vienna, two and a half miles distant, to which
their regiment was attached.
As soon as the capture was made, Mosby ordered Lieutenant Hunter to take the command back to Fauquier
by the route which passes Gum Spring and Mat Lee's,
while he, with Bush Underwood, went, at the request of
General Stuart, in search of information, which he expected to obtain from a citizen living near the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad, who had just been to Washington.
Lieutenant Hunter, instead of pursuing the route by
Gum Spring, for some reason struck across to Chantilly,
and from thence proceeded up the Little River Turnpike.,Colonel Lowell, in the mean time, who was in command
at -Vienna, had, with a detail of cavalry from the California Battalion (which the Rangers think the most formidable of their opponents), started in pursuit of the assail



Freedom of the Ballot.            213
ants. At the Double Toll-gate he came in sight of the
stragglers from Hunter's command, and the pursuit was
pressed with new vigor. Some of the stragglers who had
lingered on the road to get breakfast harassed the march
of the Californians by firing upon them, then plunging
into the pines which skirted the road.  At Aldie, in consequence of the freshness of Lowell's horses, the Partisans were overtaken.  Hunter at once sent forward the
prisoners in charge of five men, while he and Lieutenant
Nelson, with the remaining ten of the command, faced
about and charged their pursuers. The combat for a
short time was severe, but the overwhelming numbers
of the enemy obtained the victory.  Hunter was taken
prisoner, and Nelson severely wounded; but he managed,
in spite of it, with nine men, to make his escape, the pursuit being abandoned at this point.
After the death of Captain Smith, President Davis, at
the recommendation of Colonel Mosby, appointed Lieutenant A. E. Richards to fill the vacant office, which promotion was announced to the battalion in the following
order:
" Head-quarters, 43d Va. P. R. Battalion, i
April 26th, 1864. 
"Special Order, No.-.
"First Lieutenant Adolphus E. Richards, Company'C,' having
been promoted by his excellency, the President, to the captaincy of
Company'B' for gallantry and skill displayed in action, will be
respected and obeyed accordingly.
" J. S. MosBY, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding."
The next day, Captain Richards, with thirty-five men,
and Henry Heaton for a guide, started on a foraging expedition to Loudoun.  At Hillsboro, where they arrived
about ten o'clock at night, he was informed that Captain
Keys, with forty-five men, had passed through the village
about sunset, and had gone in the direction of Wheatland. This company of cavalry was recruited in Lou.




214          Partisan bife woith 3fosby.
doun County for the Federal service, and is called the
"Loudoun Rangers"-a name which they richly deserve,
for they have plundered half of the poultry-yards, milkhouses, and stables in the county.
Richards determined to abandon the object for which
he had come, and turn his attention to Captain Keys. In
the morning, he was informed by a citizen that Keys was
in Waterford, quartered in an old church, where he had
passed the night. Falling upon a picket of six men,
which had been thrown forward by the commander at
that place, Richards drove them back upon the reserve,
hoping to draw them out into the open field; but his effort was not successful; for Captain Keys, as soon as apprised of the danger, put it to the vote whether they
should fight or run, adding, at the same time, " Boys, they
greatly outnumber us" —an application of the Democratic
principle to the army which had not occurred even to the
sages at Richmond. As Richards came thundering into
the village, the gallant company, with a unanimous voice,
shouted that the interests of the public service demanded
an immediate retreat, and Captain Keys left Waterford at
a charge, taking a circuitous route to the Point of Rocks.
Mounted on the picked horses of Loudoun and the adjoining counties, the "Loudoun Rangers" fled like the
Arabs of the desert, pursued by the Partisans for five
miles. Richards's horse at this point fell from exhaustion,
and thus ended the chase, Keys having lost in his rapid
career twelve prisoners, three of whom were wounded,
and fifteen horses, while his pursuers had sustained no
injury at all.
Fisher's Hill is an abrupt eminence that lies across the
track of the Valley Turnpike, two miles beyond Strasburg.
At its base flows the north branch of the Shenandoah,
the banks of which are so steep as to render it impassable except by means of the bridge here thrown across it.




Freedom of the Bctllot.       215
The road is dug out of the hill, and gradually winds
around its western face until it reaches the summit, where
it resumes its original direction. This hill was the culminating point of a raid that Captain William Chapman
started upon on the 5th of May from Piedmont. With
twenty men, he marched to a point between Strasburg
and Middletown, for the purpose of attacking a supplytrain, which passed from Winchester to General Hunter's
camp at Newmarket. Posting two of his command so
as to watch the road in the direction of Winchester, he
and Willie Gibson stationed themselves so as to be on
the look-out toward Strasburg. Late in the day, four
cavalrymen, under command of a lieutenant, approached
from the direction of Strasburg. Chapman at first attempted to deceive them as to his true character, but, failing in this, he and his companion fell back before them
until they reached their comrades on the road, about a
quarter of a mile distant. The two parties, then being
equal in strength, rushed upon each other, and a fight ensued, which resulted in the capture of the five Yankees.
Chapman at once sent the prisoners under guard across
the river, and the command then bivouacked for the night.
Early the next morning he resumed his march on the
turnpike, and very soon a supply-train approached from
the direction of Winchester, guarded by three hundred
infantry and eighty cavalry. With his men disguised by
the oil-cloths which they wore as a protection from the
rain, he followed in its rear until the wagons were ascending Fisher's Hill, with the guard strung all along the
road winding up its side. In this situation of affairs, the
bridge blocked up with wagons, and the guard unable to
come to the rescue, Chapman charged the rear-guard.
Twelve were killed and wounded, nineteen made prisoners, and twenty-three horses secured. With these captures, Chapman, with all expedition, retraced his steps,




216          Partisan Life wit7h lMosby.
and was saved from pursuit by a lady, who assured the
Federals there was no chance of overtaking him. The
next day the prisoners were turned over to the provostmarshal at Luray, and the Rangers disbanded, to return
to Fauquier by routes of their own selection.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CAPTURE OF THE PICKET AT GUARD HILL.-DESTROYING
THE RAILROADS IN GRANT S REAR.
Upper Fauquier, May 15th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY, —There is a low range, called the Pine
Hills, which extends from the North Branch of the Shenandoah, in Warren County, through Clarke and Frederick, and terminates in the counties of Berkeley and Jefferson. Guard Hill is an elevated point of this range,
and rises abruptly where Crooked Run crosses the turnpike leading from Winchester through Cedarville to
Front Royal. Its name is said to be derived from its
having been the site of a fort constructed by the early
European settlers in the vicinity, to defend themselves
from the Indians. On this eminence a detachment of
Federal cavalry was encamped, which Mosby proposed
to attack, and, with this object in view, left Paris on the
7th of May, with a hundred men. Upon arriving at the
Shenandoah, it was found to be so swollen by recent
rains as to render fording impossible, in consequence of
which the command under Richards was ordered back to
Mount Carmel Church, where it bivouacked for the night,
while Mosby, with six men, crossed the river in a boat,
and proceeded to the neighborhood of Winchester on a
scout.
The next morning Richards brought the command




Ua2pture of the Picklet at Guard Hill.    217
over the river in boats, their horses being driven after
them. This operation was tedious, and before it was
over a courier arrived from Mosby, with instructions to
Richards to move to the vicinity of Cedarville, two or
three miles from Guard Hill. At eight o'clock at night
Mosby joined the command at the designated place, and
was informed by M'Kay, a resident of that neighborhood
and one of his men, that the Federals had that day been
re-enforced, and that their number was not dless than two
hundred men.
"Excellent!" replied he; " then each of us will get two
horses apiece."
The command was then conducted around Cedarville
to the residence of Dr. Melton, who lives near the base
of the Pine Hills. Here Mosby left it, and, with Harry
Shaw and four others, approached Cedarville, and on the
turnpike captured a party of Federal cavalry, upon whom
he imposed himself for a patrol from Guard Hill. At
the village he made other captures, and then rejoined the
command, after an absence of several hours. Unable to
gain any satisfactory information from his prisoners,
Mosby marched the command by a country road which
runs along the crest of the Pine Hills to Guard Hill, so
as to enable him to approach the cavalry camp from the
rear, When within half a mile of it the men were halted, and Mosby, accompanied by Sam Chapman, proceeded
on foot to reconnoitre the enemy's position. But a severe
cough which at this time harassed him soon compelled
him to return, and Lieut. Nelson was sent in his stead.
Chapman, who knew the ground thoroughly, reported the
encampment to be situated on the road that passes along
the back-bone of Guard Hill, which is thickly covered
with wood.' Upon the receipt of this information, Mosby ordered him to proceed to the camp, with fifteen dismounted sharp-shooters, while Richards, with Company




218         Pcartisa Life with MJosby.
"B," was directed to support him. The rest of the command followed under Mosby, first at a trot, then at a
gallop, and finally, when a volley from Chapman was
heard, in a headlong charge upon the enemy, dispersing
them in every direction, wounding three, and taking seventeen prisoners.  To enable you to understand what
follows, I must state that the Yankees were divided into
two parties, one being camped, as already described, on
the crest of the hill, while the other lay around Stenson's
house, which is situated at its base, and commands an
extensive view of the river flat which here separates the
North Branch of the Shenandoah from the highlands.
Mosby was ignorant of this division, and was about moving off, when Capt. Auer, of the 15th New York Cavalry,
rode up from the camp near Stenson's house to inquire
into the cause of the disturbance, which he supposed to
be a repetition of some rioting which had occurred the
previous night. His question was addressed to Sam
Chapman, who responded by demanding his arms, and
then turning him over to the custody of Harry Shaw, to
be escorted to Fauquier.
At daybreak the homeward march was begun, which
had not proceeded more than four miles, when, for the
purpose of expediting the passage of the river, the command and captures were divided into two equal parts,
one of which was intrusted to Mountjoy, to cross at
Howellsville, the other to Captain Richards, to cross at
Berry's Ferry, while Mosby, with a small party, lingered
in the rear to watch the movements of the enemy.
The capture of Captain Auer was the means of explaining a mysterious circumstance which had occurred in the
fight at Blakeley school-house. One of the Rangers had
killed a horse which was ridden by an officer whose uniform was plainly seen; but, on going to the spot, a private
was found standing by the dead animal. On the march




Cckpture of the Picket at Guard Hil'l.    219
from Guard Hill, Captain Auer stated to Harry Shaw that
he was the officer whose horse had been shot on that occasion, and that he had been saved from capture by the
generosity of one of his men, who had given him his horse,
and remained behind to be taken prisoner in his stead.
As the command was charging into the Yankee camp,
Phil Lee, of Fairfax, bethought him of a stratagem which
he straightway put into execution. He raised a mighty
shout of" Imboden, Imboden is upon you," by which warcry Phil hoped to spread consternation into the ranks of
the enemy. The next day, at the division of the horses,
seventy in number, Mosby remarked to the Ranger, in
allusion to this circumstance, that, like Peter, he had denied his master, and that, in justice, he ought to be sent
to finish the campaign with General Imboden.
About this time the Federal army was passing on toward Staunton under General Hunter, who had an arrangement for communicating with his rear by couriers,
which he maintained until he reached that place. Mosby
sent out small parties to harass his march, one of which,
consisting of thirteen men under Captain Richards, entered
Newtown, and so quietly captured and sent off a party
of Yankees that the citizens knew nothing of the occurrence. Richards then marched toward Winchester, having
heard that one of Hunter's couriers, whom he wished to
capture, would pass along that section of the turnpike
about nightfall, with an escort of twenty-four men. On
his march he soon heard the sound of approaching hoofs,
and at the distance of thirty paces an officer in command
of a detachment of cavalry ordered him to halt, and demanded,
"Who are you 2"
"First New York Cavalry," was the reply.
"All right," responded the Yankee; " we are some of
the 21 st boys, but at first I thought you were Johnnies,"




220         Pcarctisan Life withi iosby.
In the mean time the two parties drew near to each
other, Richards continuing the conversation, and in the
course of it was informed that a supply-train, with a
large escort, was only a few hundred yards behind.
During this time the Partisans had ranged themselves
along the column of the enemy, and were engaged in disarming them as quietly as possible, when a man refused
to surrender and was instantly shot. Secrecy, of course,
could no longer be observed, and pistols were freely used.
But the Federals soon retreated to their wagon-train, leaving ten on the ground killed and wounded. The escort
pressed forward in'pursuit of the attacking party, but
Richards and his men were quickly lost to view in an
adjoining wood.
When Mosby returned from Guard Hill he found at
his head-quarters a communication from General Stuart,
stating that Grant, who was now in command of the Army
of the Potomac, was in motion. The indefatigable Partisan, although he had been on duty for two days and two
nights, issued orders for the meeting of the battalion at
Rectortown, after a rest of two days, and then, mounting
a fresh horse, proceeded to Warrenton, which had been
recently evacuated by the Yankees, in search of additional
information. Upon his arrival' he found several of his
men, and among them Captain Mountjoy, attending a
dancing party. Mosby at once started him with a small
party upon a scout-to Germana Ford, with orders to report to him the next morning at Brandy Station, while
he indulged in a few hours' rest before -repairing to the
rendezvous. Having received Mountjoy's report the next
day, he met the battalion at Rectortown.
Parties under Richards and Chapman were first detailed
to operate during his absence at different points in the
Valley, and then, with a command of sixty men, Mosby
set forth to cross the Rappahannock at the United States




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222         Pccrtisan Life witho Mosby.
Ford, and assail the rear of Grant's army, at that time
fighting in the Wilderness, having the year before started
to perform the same service for Hooker, when he was
stopped by the reverse at Warrenton Junction.
When the command passed near Bealton, Glasscock,
with a detail of ten men, was left to tear up the rails,
and to burn several railroad bridges and store-houses, for
the road and some buildings were still used by Grant as
his principal line of supply and de6pts. When Mosby
reached the river, he found the ford guarded, Grant being at Chancellorsville; but, supposing that the Federal
general must maintain a line of communication through
Fredericksburg to the Potomac, he determined to push
on, and assail him in that quarter. Passing through Falmouth that night, he marched into King George County,
and camped near the house of a citizen, who fed both
men and horses abundantly. The next morning, taking
with him Willie Martin and Bowie, he made a reconnoissance in the vicinity of Belle Plain, and on the route
fell in with a body of Federal cavalry, by whom they
were closely pursued. The friuit of this exploration was
an attack at night on a train of fifty wagons, which was
passing between Fredericksburg and Belle Plain.
The command was divided into two parts, one of which
was sent, under Lieut. Grogan, to capture and turn off
the road the rear half of the train, while the other, under
command of Ben Palmer, of Richmond, was sent to take
charge of the wagons in front —a service which was handsomely performed. Mosby, with Fount Beattie, was in
the road, waiting for Grogan to perform the allotted
duty, when a surgeon and wagon-master rode up to look
after the missing wagons. Being informed that they
were prisoners in the hands of the guerrillas, they manifested both surprise and alarm, and the doctor at once
handed out his pocket-pistol, but was told that he might




Capture of the Picket at Guard Hill.  223
keep his pistol, but must give up his horse. Encumbered
with prisoners and horses, the command then returned to
Fauquier.
When Mosby, in a few days, returned to this line of
communication, he found that a brigade of cavalry had
been sent from the front to guard it, in addition to the
line of infantry posted along the road. No more captures were now possible with his small command, but
his object had been attained, for General Grant had been
compelled to detach from his aggressive force a considerable body of troops to protect his rear.
I will now give an account of the operations of the
parties intrusted to Capt. Richards and Lieut. Sam Chapman, to operate in the Valley during Mosby's absence.
At Paris the two commands, numbering twenty-five
men each, met, and the officers agreed to cross the river
together, and to separate on the farther side, if it should
be found expedient. As the combined party was about
to take up the line of march, Capt. Chapman, who, with
a few men, had been scouting in the Valley, made his appearance, and was invited to join the expedition.. As
soon as it crossed the river, the command was left in a
wood near Berry's Ferry, and Richards, taking with him
John Russell, proceeded to Millwood, to find out the
strength of a party of Federal cavalry reported to be
there. But he found they had left, and, without delay,
endeavored to rejoin Chapman; but Chapman could nowhere be found; so Richards and Russell went in search
of him to the Valley Turnpike on which it had been proposed to operate. Here they saw unguarded trains passing, for General Hunter relied upon the cavalry at Berryville and Charlestown for the protection of his transportation from Martinsburg to Winchester. But, as they had
no force at their command, the two Rangers were compelled to recross the Shenandoah.




224          Partisan Life with Aiosby.
Lieut. Chapman, in the mean time, becoming impatient
at the absence of Richards and Russell, had marched the
command to Millwood, where he ascertained that the
Yankees came every day in scouting-parties from Winchester to that place. Instead, therefore, of repairing to
the Valley Turnpike, as Richards supposed he had done,
he determined to lie in wait for one of these, and accordingly went into camp in a skirt of woods two miles distant, and in sight of the Winchester Turnpike. The next
day, about twelve o'clock, a party of twelve Yankee cavalry were seen crossing the fields in the direction of Berryville, and Capt. Chapman, with a party of about equal
strength, started in pursuit of them. They had stopped
to plunder a dairy, and were soon overtaken and charged
in the rear, with a loss of two killed, five taken prisoners,
and eight horses. Upon his return, Capt. Chapman represented to his brother that the party which he had attacked belonged to the 1st New York, which was out on
a scout, and would, in all probability, be in pursuit of
him in a few minutes, and urged an immediate retreat.
The words were scarcely spoken when the regiment appeared. But the advice did not suit the reverend gentleman, who, whether in the regular service or with Mosby, had never been known to deny himself the luxury of
a fight. Instead, therefore, of retreating, he charged the
advanced guard, drove it back on the regiment, and then,
with the prisoners and a portion of the command, fell
back toward Millwood, while his brother, with the rest
of the men, retired in another direction.
Lieutenant Chapman, finding himself followed by only
seven of the enemy, thought that another chance for a
fight was offered; so he sent off the prisoners, and then,
with six men, faced about, and ordered a charge upon the
pursuers. But the order was only partially obeyed; for,
after firing a few shots, his men rejoined the retreating par



Capture of the Picket at Guard Hill.    225
ty. But not so Lieutenant Chapman; for, unattended,
he charged through the seven Federals, who proved to be
the advance-guard of the regiment, and, drawing up his
horse on the side of the road, awaited their shots as they
dashed past him to rejoin their command. In this unequal contest three of the Federals were wounded, while
Chapman had his horse killed, but himself escaped unhurt. Thus dismounted, he took refuge in a patch of
briers until the regiment had passed, and then returned
on foot to Fauquier. Thus ended this series of adventures without the slightest injury to one of Mosby's
men.
The incident which follows represents the anxiety of
the Federal commanders to capture Mosby, and the dangers by which, in consequence, he is ever beset. Late on
the 18th of May, 1864, a detachment of several hundred
cavalry set forth from Vienna for an expedition into Upper Fauquier, to effect the capture of the "guerrilla chief,"
under the guidance of a man who had recently deserted
from the battalion, and who sought to recommend himself to his associates and employers by this signal service.
He had often known his former leader to stop at the
house of Mrs. Rawlings, near Rectortown, and had taken
up the idea that it was his boarding-house. To this
point, accordingly, the Yankees were conducted.
The night was far spent when the party reached the
neighborhood, and, avoiding Rectortown, where a picket
was sometimes stationed, they proceeded to a wood about
two miles distant, and there were halted. About half
of their number were dismounted, and, under cover of
night, were conducted across the fields. The dwelling
was surrounded, the doors burst open, and the search begun before the sleeping inmates had notice of the enemy's
presence. Mosby was not there, and the angry and disappQinted soldiers were compelled to content themselves
P




226          Partisan Life with Mosbjy.
with the plunder of the house and the capture of several
unfortunate Rangers.
The raiders were then conducted by their guide, who
sought to win the approbation of his masters by zeal, if
not the success of the enterprise, to the house of a citizen
in the vicinity of Mrs. Rawlings's, where but a few days
previous the deserter had been entertained by the family.
Here several additional prisoners were captured; among
them Richardson, of Baltimore, and the raiding-party hastened to return to their camp by the way of Upperville;
but their retreat was annoyed and delayed by'small parties which had collected, and which hung on their. flanks
and rear.
CHAPTER XXIX.
RAIDING IN THE REAR OF GENERAL HUNTER'S ARMY.
Upper Fauquier, June 17th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY, —With one hundred and fifty men, Mosby crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains at Manassas Gap,
for the purpose of operating upon Hunter's communications. At Mr. Ashby's, in Front Royal, where he stopped
for supper, Chapman introduced to him, as a reliable
guide for the expedition, Charlie Richardson, with whom
he had served in the " Warren Rifles."  Chapman and
Richardson were dispatched the next day to the, town of
Strasburg to collect information, and, on their return, reported that detached parties were passing from time to
time between Winchester and Hunter's canmp, and also
that a wagon-train was expected up that day. Mosby,
with a small party, stationed himself on a wooded bluff
of North River, from which point the track of the turnpike could be seen for the distance of a mile above and
below the town of Strasburg. A wagon-train, escorted




Raiding in the rectr of Hwinter's Army.    227
by several hundred infantry and thirty cavalry,was soon
observed descending Fisher's Hill, but, on account of the
strength of its escort, it was allowed to pass unmolested
to Newtown, where it was parked for the night. Early
the next morning the wagons moved off without the
guard, who remained behind to watch Mosby's movements, whose presence in the wood had been discovered.'Seeing their exposed situation, Mosby ordered Lieutenant
Chapman, with twenty-five men, to move around the
guard and capture the wagons. Then he, with a few men,
advanced toward the guard, and, when charged by them,
retreated past the position occupied by the command in
charge of Captain Richards, who was ordered, through a
courier, to interpose his men between the enemy's infantry and cavalry, and thus isolate and destroy the latter.
But this order was misunderstood, and, instead, Richards
charged the Yankee cavalry and drove them back upon
the infantry, who fired a volley at the pursuers, -which
killed Emory, and wounded Hines, of Company "B."
Just as the cavalry were put to flight by Richards, Chapman, with his party, gained a position on the turnpike,
where he could easily have captured the wagons, but,
seeing the escort coming toward him, he charged them
with great impetuosity, and drove themn back again upon
their infantry support, killing several and wounding three.
But the wagons, meanwhile, had been suffered to escape,
which Mosby thought ought' not to have been done; but
between a capture and a fight, how could the reverend
gentleman hesitate?
A few days previous to the affair I have just related a
train loaded with commissary stores had been captured in
this vicinity by Major Harry Gilmor, and it had so irritated General Hunter that he had ordered all houses in
the neighborhood where an attack was made to be burned. Prompt to obey a command so much to their tastes,




228          Partisacn Life withA Aosby.
the Yankees, while Mosby was engaging them in front,
had burned Stickley's house in the rear, the incendiary being a Ullion man from Martinsburg, who, for the sake of
his principles, had been made a wagon-master in the United States army. He was afterward captured by Chapman,.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _                     ~ I  i
-~~~~ z-__ ==; —     7z~ —--------
GENERAL HIUNTERS IIOUSE-BURINERS AT WORK.
anid, having been identified as the man who urged the
burning of Stickley's house, and as having himself applied
the torch to the barn, and also as having threatened the
ladies of Newtown to turn the Federal soldiers loose upon
them in case of farther assaults upon the trains, this son
of rapine and murder was ordered to be led to the ruins




Rcaidcing in the rears of fHnter's Armny.    229
of White's house, which had been burned by Hunter's
own direction, and there to be shot to death.  This placard was left fastened on his back:
"Shot for house-burning."
Mosby then dispatched a letter to the Federal cornImander in the Valley, which contained an account of this
transaction, and a declaration that he would continue to
have all house-burners executed who might fall into his
hands.
I send you a copy of Hunter's order, in virtue of which
these acts of incendiarism were committed, and as an explanation, and, in the opinion of atrocious men, a defense
of it, an extract from a recent Northern newspaper. They
are as follows:
"You are hereby notified that for every train fired upon, or soldier of the Union wounded or assassinated by bushwhackers in any
neighborhood within the reach of my cavalry, the houses and other
p'roperty of every secession sympathizer residing within a circuit
of five miles from the place of outrage shall be destroyed by fire,
and that for all public property jayhawked or destroyed by these
marauders, an assessment of five times the value of such property
will be made upon the secession sympathizers residing within a
circuit of ten miles around the point at which the offense was committed.' The payment of this assessment will be enforced by
troops of the department, who will seize and hold in close military
custody the persons assessed until such payment shall have been
made. This provision will also be applied to make good from the
secessionists in every neighborhood five times the amount of any
loss suffered by loyal citizens of the United States from the action
of bushwhackers whom you encourage."
"By-the-way, Stanton attributes Siegel's recent defeat in the
Valley to the fact that he had to keep half his force in the rear to
protect it from Mosby's attacks."
With the battalion, Mosby left Paris on the morning
of the 1st of June, for the purpose of capturing a corral
of horses near Martinsburg.  He had obtained from a negro, whom he had mlade prisoner, the information which




230         Partisan Lifjc with ifosby.
induced him to undertake the capture, but upon his arrival at the expected scene of action he found that it was
impracticable. He then retired to the Opequon Creek, or
rather river, at a point near "The Bower," the elegant and
hospitable residence of Mr. Dandridge, where he left Richards, with twenty-five men with orders to capture the express train on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad the follywing night, and returned with the rest of the command
to Fauquier.
Richards at once moved to a wood between Smithfield
and the railroad, where he spent the rest of the day, and
when night closed in proceeded to execute the orders of
his chief at a point between Kearneysville and Duffield
Station. The railroad was closely guarded, in consequence of the capture of an express train which had recently been made by Major Harry Gilmor, of distinguished reputation, and camp-fires were visible to the
raiders on both sides of the road; but, being inexperienced
in this branch of the Partisan service, Captain Richards
only tore up the track upon which he was told the train
would pass in moving westward, and then divided his
command into boarding-parties. Soon the express from
Baltimore came rushing and hissing along the route, but,
to the inexpressible mortification of Captain Richards,
passed safely by on the unobstructed track. The Rangers
laughed heartily at his discomfiture, and uttered many a
jest at his expense, for it was then clear enough that Captain Dolly's informer had put him on the wrong track.
On the 8th of June thirty-five picked men met Colonel
Mosby at Rectortown, for the purpose of accompanying
him to Alexandria, with the hope of capturing his excellency, Governor Pierpont, in the capital of his imperial
domain. When they arrived at the Plains, they found a
company of twelve Yankees who had just been brought
in as prisoners. Capt. Julian Lee and Stenny Mason had




Rctiding in the rear of ]Hunter's Armny.   231
discovered them as they were passing between Hopewell
Gap and the Bull Run Mountain, and, having procured
the assistance of Bush Underwood and five of his comrades, had without difficulty effected their capture. The
prisoners were sent to Piedmont, and Mosby, with his
band, proceeded toward Alexandria.
About the middle of the next day they halted in a
body of pine until within an hour of sundown, and during this interval the dispositions for the night were made.
Two men had previously been sent off to procure a covered wagon, and have it in readiness at a designated point
on the Telegraph Road, near Alexandria. Mosby, with
his followers, was then to drive to the picket post, and,
claiming admittance for a market-wagon, was to secure
the picket, thus thrown off their guard. The way to the
town being opened, the command, divided into three detachments, was to march in. The first, under Mosby,
was to look after the governor; the second, with Captain
Richards at its head, was to pay its respects to General
Slough, who commanded the department; while the third,
directed by the Reverend Sam Chapman, was to provide,
from the government stables, horses for the use of the
prisoners, and perhaps some for general distribution.
But the best conceived plans sometimes miscarry, and
such was the fate of the one which I have just detailed.
The guide lost his way in coming to the rendezvous, and,
in consequence, it was too late to attempt the capture
that night, for, if successfully accomplished, several hours
of darkness would still be necessary to enable Mosby to
elude the pursuit which would certainly be made. But
this mishap only made him determine to postpone the
hazardous adventure till the following night, and during
the next day the command remained concealed in the
wood, and were fed by friendly citizens. The hours were
tedious, and the men began to dispose of the captured




232         Partisan Life with iiosby.
property in anticipation. Bush Underwood and another
had a high dispute as to who should have the governor's
watch, some selected his horse, some his boots, and some
his coat; but George Turberville was moderate enough
to say that he would be satisfied with his excellency's
greenbacks.
But, in the mean while, the plot had been discovered,
and Mosby, being informed by a citizen of the preparations which had been made to receive him, prudently determined to return to his own confederacy. But for an
unpropitious fortune, Governor Pierpont and General
Slough would have had a merry gallop that starry night
with Mosby and his men.
Three days later, the battalion, numbering two hundred and fifty men, with a twelve-pound howitzer in charge
of Lieutenant Chapman, left IRectortown, under command
of Colonel Mosby, for the purpose of attempting the capture of a wagdn - train employed in hauling wood at
Springfield Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad; but, upon inspecting the position, he found the
infantry guard too strong to make the effort advisable,
and the command was ordered back to Union Mills.
From that point two scouting-parties, one under Walter
Whaley, the other under Ned Thompson, were sent out
to collect information from Fairfax Court -house, Anandale, and Centreville. Mosby did not await their return,
but early the next morning marched the command toward Centreville, and on his route he was met by Whaley
with the information that forty Yankees were at that
place. Taking with him the squadron composed of Companies "A" and "B," he advanced upon the town, but
found that the Federals had, a few minutes before, taken
their departure. Company " A," under Lieutenant Nelson, was at once ordered to strike across the country and
intercept their march, while Mosby, with Company B,




ThLe fist Calico Raid.         233
under Captain Richards, followed their trail. The Yankees were overtaken near Machen's barn, where they had
dismounted, and were found, some of them up the cherrytrees, some asleep, and others engaged in feeding their
horses. Mosby, who, with six men, was in advance of
Company " B," charged and routed them, inflicting a loss
of four wounded, thirty-two made prisoners, and thirtysix horses, Captain Richards's command, although close
upon his heels, finding nothing to do but secure the captures. A courier was then dispatched to inform Lieutenant Nelson that the work had been accomplished, and to
order him to halt at the Double Toll-gate until rejoined
by the command. From that point Mosby proceeded to
Hooper's shop, where the captured property was divided
and the battalion disbanded.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE FIRST CALICO RAID.
Upper Fauquier, July 1st, 1863.
DEAR PERCY,-On the 19th of June, Colonel Mosby
left Upperville in command of the battalion, and took
with him a piece of artillery, intending the next day to
capture the passenger train on the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. Soon leaving the rest of the command to follow, under Captain Chapman, he took with him Company "A," and pressed forward several miles in advance,
and by night reached the vicinity of Charlestown, whither Lieutenant Russell had been sent for the purpose of
ascertaining the strength and position of the enemy in
that vicinity. He reported General Mulligan at Smithfield, seven miles distant to the left' with several thousand
troops, consisting of infantry, artillery, and cavalry; and




234         Partisa'n Life with Mosby.
Averill, only five miles farther, at Bunker Hill, with his
entire cavalry command. On the right, at Harper's Ferry, eight miles distant from Charlestown, but only six
from Duffield Station, the proposed point of attack on the
railroad, he reported General Max Weber, with over a
thousand men, belonging likewise to the three branches
of the service.
At ten o'clock on the morning of the 20th, Captain
Chapman, who had camped the previous night at Cabletown, united with Mosby on the Berryville Turnpike,
about one mile from Charlestown. After waiting for the
return of a lady from Duffield Station, from whom he
gained accurate and reliable information of the enemy's
force at that point, Mosby stationed Lieutenant Nelson,
with Company "A," numbering twenty-two men, on the
Harper's Ferry Turnpike, with instructions to fight any
force arriving from that direction which did not twice exceed his own. Then, having learned from a time-table
which he had procured that the train was due at Duffield
Station at one o'clock P.M., at half past eleven he set out
with the command for that point, distant five miles. In
order to conceal the battalion from the signal posts at
Harper's Ferry, Mosby, instead of passing through Charlestown, made a detour into the country, but it came, nevertheless, in full view of the Maryland Heights before it had
advanced a mile. About this time we passed the home
of Willie Gibson, our guide, a boy only fifteen years of
age. He had joined Mosby without the consent of his parents, and a messenger was sent by his mother to meet
him, and demand his return. But the major, as he is
called in the battalion, refused to comply with the summons, saying,"' Tell her the success of the expedition depends upon my presence."  When within a mile of the
station four infantry-men were taken prisoners, who informed Mosby that the train from Baltimore had just




The first Calico Raid.         235
passed, but that the one going eastward was expected in
about fifteen minutes. In addition, he learned from them
that the station was garrisoned by sixty-five men, posted
in a stockade, commanded by a lieutenant. Surrounded
on all sides by overwhelming numbers, it was clearly our
leader's policy to capture the place without firing a gun,
in order to accomplish which, the command was secreted
in a wood, and two parties dispatched, one under lieutenant Wren, to secure a party of Yankees guarding a flag
on the railroad, and cut the telegraph wires to prevent
communication with the neighboring camps, and another
to the eastward for a similar purpose. These objects accomplished, Captain Richards was ordered to go forward,
under a flag of truce, and demand the unconditional surrender of the post and the troops by which it was garrisoned; Mosby adding, as he was about to leave, " Inform the officer in command by whom and with what
force he is attacked."  As he galloped off, accompanied
by Walter Whaley, Mosby posted the command in line
of battle on an eminence a quarter of a mile from the
stockade, and ordered the howitzer to be trained on it.
As Captain Richards approached the post he was halted by a sentinel, and the officer of the day summoned.
A young man, wearing a lieutenant's uniform, soon appeared, and, with an air of authority, demanded the object of the visit. The summons to surrender was then
delivered, and the young man changed countenance as he
turned off, saying, "I will call the senior officer." He
soon appeared, and inquired the conditions of surrender,
but was informed that none were offered, but that he
was at liberty to see the attacking force, if he desired to
do so. Mounted on Whaley's horse, the lieutenant was
conducted to Mosby, who advanced to meet him, and repeated the demand for a surrender, at the same time pointing to the howitzer and the command stationed near it.




236          Partisan, i w;e with Mosby.
No alternative was now left the Federal officer, and he
promptly complied with the terms demanded. Mosby
then ordered the gun to be advanced so as to command
the expected train as it came from the west, and Captain
Mountjoy's company, on account of his great authority
over his men, was sent to support it, while Companies
"B" and "C" were directed to take charge of the captured property. A large stock of dry-goodsaswas found
in the possession of a Pennsylvanian, who was preparing
to open a shop, and the men, first loading themselves with
as much calico and other dry-goods as they could carry
off, then packed the artillery-carriage and limber-box with
sacks of coffee.
Mosby waited an hour for the arrival of the train,
which had been stopped at Martinsburg, for the flames
of the burning camp at Duffield Station had revealed the
presence of the Partisan chief. At length, having despaired of its arrival, he ordered Mountjoy, with the howitzer and prisoners, to proceed directly to Charlestown,
while Richards and Chapman, with their companies, followed at intervals of a quarter of a mile, so as to deceive
the enemy, by the cloud of dust thus raised, in regard to
the strength of his command, which, as it moved along,
laden with merchandise, resembled rather a caravan of
merchants than a column of soldiers. Mosby was in advance, and was met by a courier from Nelson with the
information that he had encountered a party of sixty of
the enemy (nearly three times his number), who had
been sent out to reconnoitre from Harper's Ferry, and
had killed, wounded, and captured twenty-five me+, and
secured twenty horses. This cheering news was sent
back to the command, with instructions for it to join
Nelson as soon as possible, preparatory to a fight, for the
courier had furthermore reported that the enemy, in heavy
force, were advancing upon him from Harper's Ferry.




The first Calico Raid.         237
Mosby found Company "A" drawn up -in line of battle,
and was welcomed by them with enthusiastic cheers.
The howitzer was then stationed in the centre of the position, with "A" and "D" on its right and left, ready for
action, while Richards and Chapman, with their companies, were concealed half a mile back on the Duffield
Road, with orders to attack simultaneously the enemy's
flanks as soon as the firing on the road was heard. Alosby's calculation was that the enemy, seeing only Companies "A" and "D," would charge down upon them in
heavy force. With spherical case at short range, he intended to check the attack, and then, with another volley
from the howitzer, throw them into confusion, while a
combined charge upon their front and flanks by the four
companies would, he was confident, complete the work.
But the Federals, deceived, no doubt, by the column of
dust on our line as to our numbers, declined an engagement, and greatly disappointed our leader, for he said
that, with his men in such spirits, he could whip any cavalry in the world, provided only they had fine horses.
But as soon as the column was in motion the Yankees
again advanced. A line of battle was a second time
formed, and Mosby halted a quarter of an hour, awaiting
an attack; but, despairing of bringing on a fight, he ordered Captain Chapman to recross the river with the command and prisoners. They bivouacked for the night on
the eastern bank of the Shenandoah, without food for
men or horses, making for themselves beds with their
captured merchandise.
Onthe homeward march, Mosby, with six men, had
lingered, as was his custom, in the rear of the column.
Placing five of his party in ambush, he and Carlisle decoyed seven Yankees into giving them chase. They fled
past their comrades' position, and then wheeled upon
their pursuers, who, being assailed at the same time in




238          Partisan Life wvith Mosby.
their rear by the party in the woods, had one of their
number killed, one wounded, and the remaining five captured.
During the pursuit Mosby's horse became unmanageable, and he was about to be shot, when Carlisle fired,
killing his antagonist.
One of the captured Yankees, who had been foremost
in the pursuit, urged his release upon the ground that he
was a member of the Sanitary Commission, and a noncombatant; but Mosby only threatened to have him shot
for impudence if he mentioned the subject again.
Upon his return from this raid, sometimes called in
the command the First Calico Raid, a lady, after complimenting Colonel Mosby on his success, remarked, "I hear
you have a large supply of calico, an article which I
greatly need, and I suppose you will sell it very cheap?"
To this interrogatory the Partisan chief abruptly replied,
"Madam, you have mistaken my profession: I am a
soldier."
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE "POINT OF ROCKS," OR "GREAT CALICO" RAID.-THE
FIGHT AT MOUNT ZION CHURCH.
Upper Fauquier, July 10th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-I will now give you an account of the
" Point of Rocks," or the " Second Calico Raid," and its
supplement, the fight at Mount Zion Church. In the afternoon of July 2d, near Rectortown, Mosby, accompanied
by Fount Beattie, met Hugh Swartz, who is employed in
Early's quartermaster's department, and from him learned
for the first time that Early was on the march to Maryland, and would that night camp near Winchester. Without delay, he dispatched runners to collect his men, two




The "Point of Rockis," or " great Clico" RCaid. 239
hundred of whom met him at Upperville the next day.
The object which he had in contemplation was to strike
the enemy's communications between Washington and
Harper's Ferry, for he considered that in this way he
could most effectually co-operate with the advancing
army. On the 3d of July Mosby started with this force,
taking along a twelve-poundcbrass Napoleon in charge
of Lieutenant Chapman, and about noon the following
day reached a crossing of the Potomac, one mile above
the Point of Rocks. Accompanied by the guide, our leader entered the water, and had proceeded about half way
the stream, when he was fired upon by sharp-shooters,
who were concealed in the bushes on the other side, and
was compelled to retrace his steps. He then ordered the
Napoleon to be put in position on an eminence which
commanded the Maryland shore, and detailed from the
respective companies a party of carbineers, under command of Lieutenant Wren, to wade the river. Protected
by the fire from the artillery, they had reached an island
midway the stream, when the first squadron, under command of Captain Richards, was ordered forward to support them. As the Rangers approached the Maryland
shore, the Federal sharp - shooters fled to the mountains,
and Captain Richards's command proceeded down the
tow-path in the direction of the Point of Rocks. Soon
they overtook a steampacket freighted with government
clerks going on an excursion to Harper's Ferry, there to
celebrate the national anniversary. As soon as the pleasure -seekers discovered the command, notwithstanding
they had left Washington armed with revolvers for the
express purpose of shooting the guerrillas, they leaped
from the boat, and with clean heels made for the mountain. Our men fired at them as they scrambled up its
rough and shaggy sides, frightening the valiant clerks
nearly to death, and killing one poor fellow, less lucky
than his companions.




240           Pcartisan Life with Mosby.
The Partisans then hurried on to the Point of Rocks,
which is situated on the opposite side of the canal, and
was garrisoned by three hundred and fifty troops, consist_...   = ~-      -'POINT. OF =O=KS,.IAIIPER'S KY
POINT OF ROOKS, IIARPI'EI'S FERRY.
ing of two companies of infantry, commanded by Captains Bainford and Hardesty, and two of cavalry, which
were no other than the redoubtable Loudoun Rangers.
At the village the canal is crossed by a bridge, which is
within easy musket-range of a circular rifle-pit which
crowns an adjacent hill; but its flooring had been torn
up before the Rangers reached it. Richards promptly




TLhe "Point of Rocks," or " great Calico" Raid. 241
ordered it to be replaced with plank torn from the building occupied by the provost-marshal; while this was being done, Harry Hatcher crossed on the sleepers, tore from
the flag-staff " the stars and stripes," and, wrapping the
national emblem around him, returned in triumph to his
comrades. While the work on the bridge was going
forward, the enemy kept up a brisk fire from the rifle-pit,
but as soon as it was accomplished, and a detachment advanced to dislodge them from the hill-top with as much
prudence as valor, they scattered in the forest in their
rear, not waiting to have their defenses stormed. The
retreat of the Loudoun Rangers was so precipitate that
they neglected to carry off their flag, and was not discontinued until they reached Frederick City, thus placing a
distance of twelve miles between themselves and their remorseless pursuers. Captain Richards, with a small party, started in pursuit of them, but he might as well have
undertaken to follow a crow, and returned, having captured only a lieutenant and three privates, who belonged
to the infantry.
As soon as the command entered the village, the fighting being over, they began the work of plundering, first
the camp, and then the store-houses. Most of the men
went into the dry-goods business, and soon four regular
shops and one sutler's establishment were emptied of
their contents. Some invested in calico, some in one article, and some in another; while still another element in
the command, represented by our susceptible surgeon,
supplied themselves abundantly with confectionaries of
various kinds to carry to their favorites whom they had
left behind.
While the men were occupied in making investments
in calico at the Point of Rocks (and it must be remembered that calico, with Mosby's men, is a generic for all
dry-goods), Lieutenant Chapman, in command of the arQ




242          Partisacn Life with fosby.
tillery on the Virginia shore, fired upon a train of cars,
but without inflicting any damage upon it.
As soon as the camps were destroyed and the Rangers
had loaded themselves with every thing they could bring
off, Mosby ordered the command to recross the river by
the Coney Island Ford, and proceed to a wood not far
distant, where it halted until late in the evening, which
gave the men time to overlook their plunder. But on
their way to the wood an incident oc'urred which I will
relate, as illustrative of the popularity of Mosby's men
with the fair sex. A party of mountain nymphs, attracted to the spot, doubtless, by the noise of the fight, were
ranged along the road which leads from the river. One
of them, addressing Charlie Hall, asked him to give her
a pair of shoes.
" Certainly," responded the gallant Ranger, "but you
must give me a kiss in return."
On these terms the bargain was concluded, and the
shoes handed over to the girl, who, with a smile and a
blush, turned her cheek to the soldier.
Late in the evening the men resumed the march, bedecked in a very grotesque and original manner with
their captured goods. As they passed along the road,
some arrayed in crinoline, some wearing bonnets, and all
disguised with some incongruous and fantastic article of
apparel, they looked like a company of masqueraders.
Mrs. Dawson, who was in her garden, as she beheld the
strange procession drawing near, was seized with alarm,
and, rushing to the house, exclaimed to her daughters,
"Run, my children, run to the garret! they are corning, they are coming!  They ain't Yankees, and they
ain't Rebs: they must be Indians. Oh, they'll scalp us!
they'll scalp us!" But her fear was turned into pleasure
when she learned that they were only Mosby's men returning from the calico raid. That night the Rangers




The "Point of Rocks,"  or "great Cclico Rlaid."  243
camped in a wood not far from her house, and the next
morning impressed wagons in the neighborhood to transport their captured property to Fauquier.
Colonel Mosby, as soon as the command had halted for
the night, made a visit to Mrs. Dawson, who brought to
his attention the following order, which had been issued
by the officer in command at Harper's Ferry, and the notice which had been served upon her in virtue of it.
" Office Provost-Marshal, Point of Rocks, Md., June 23d, 1864.
" To all Southerna2 Sympathizers and -Rebels:
"Your attention is called to the Vandalism and destruction of
private property by a party of Mosby's guerrillas. On the 17th
inst., some of this lawless and undisciplined band came to the premises of Mr. Sydney Williams, and, without cause or provocation,
burned his house, barn, and other buildings. It is hereby ordered
that the rebels of Loudroun County at once take steps to reimburse
Mr. Sydney Williams, by raising sixteen thousand dollars by contribution among themselves, and pay the same to the ProvostMarshal at Point of Rocks, Maryland.. Any failure on the part of
the above-named to pay their part of the required fund will be
taxed double the amount Required. You have until the 6th of
July next to pay the above amount. By command of
" Brig. Gen. MAX WEBER, commanding at Harper's Ferry, Va.
"Official. —R. E. Bainford, Capt. and Prov.-Marshal, Point of Rocks, Md.
"Printed: Schley, Reefer & Co., Frederick, Md."
"Office Provost-Marshal, Point of Rocks, Md., June 27th, 1864.
"MRs. DAwsON:-MADAM,-Your attention is called to the within
bill, in accordance to order issued by General Max Weber. The
amount of tax levied on you is four hundred dollars, which tax you
will promptly pay, as designated on the within bill.
" R. E. BAINFORD, Capt. and Prov.-Mar.
"Per A. R. Roderick, Clerk."
It is difficult for a man bred in the ideas of civilized
life to find words to express his indignation at this act of
military license.  From what code, unless that of General
Hunter, did General Max Weber learn that it was just
to punish one man for the unlawful acts of another?
Even the forms of an inquiry were not observed, and the




244         Partisan Life with Afosby.
whole case rested upon the assertions of the man who
was to get the money thus obtained.
Mosby emphatically denied that the burning had been
committed by his men, and added, in the presence of a
Union citizen who would certainly tell it to General
Weber, that if any money were exacted on such a pretense, he would indemnify the sufferers twofold out of the
Union men of Loudoun. This declaration from a man
who never threatened in vain set the matter at rest.
Before the captured goods were sent off from the woods
near Mrs. Dawson's, an incident occurred which well illustrates the authority which Mosby exercises over his men,
and the principle of equity by which he is guided in such
cases. Mr. Lewis Meens, a gentleman of Southern principles, was one of the merchants at {he Point of Rocks
whose property was carried off by the Rangers. He appealed to Colonel Mosby to have it restored, who at once
ordered all the merchandise which had been taken at
that place to be brought forward, that Mr. Meens might
identify and recover that which belonged to him. The
men murmured at this surrender of their spoil, but there
was no appeal from that iron will.
In virtue of his confidential relations with the commander, the Chief, in advance of all others, had been informed of the projected expedition, and had, in pursuance
of a promise, notified his friend and admirer, Bill Lake, to
hold himself in readiness to accompany him, for of all
things Bill most desired to go with him upon one of his
plundering excursions. The most extravagant visions
danced before him, and, rubbing his hands, he said, in a
confidential manner,
" Why, Chief, it will be better than a lottery-ticket."
True to the objects which had induced them to accompany the expedition, the two friends, as soon as the flooring of the bridge was relaid and the rifle-pits carried,




'hbe "Point of Rocks, "or "great Cctlieo Raid." 245
rushed into the store-houses along with the crowd, but
their exertions were rewarded with different measures of
success. The Chief was almost concealed as he sat upon
his horse by the merchandise which he had managed to
pack before, behind, and on every side of him, while Bill,
in the crowd of eager and experienced plunderers, managed only to secure a tin coffee-pot. The two were together when Mosby's order for restitution was delivered. The
Chief swore roundly that he would not submit to such arbitrary treatment, and be despoiled of the property which
he had acquired by the exposure of his person to Yankee
bullets. Bill, too, was equally intractable, and one would
have thought, from his brave words, that he would have
died sooner than surrender his valuable trophy. The
messenger was urgent, but the chief cut the matter short
by striking across the country for home, attended by the
faithful Bill.
The morning after the fight at Point of Rocks, two
hundred Federal cavalry, under command of 4Major
Thompson, of the California Battalion, arrived at the village, and were followed late in the day by two companies of infantry, one of which was placed in the rifle-pit,
and the other posted on the hills above the town. These
facts being communicated to Colonel Mosby, he broke up
his encampment near Mrs. Dawson's, and returned to a
point near the river and opposite to Point of Rocks.
From this point he dispatched a party of sharp-shooters to
the river-bank, who, as soon as they were seen, were fired
upon by the infantry from the opposite hills, and a desultory fire was kept up between them for two hours, during
which a ball fired by one of the sharp-shooters fell short
of its mark and killed Miss Ellen Fisher, a young lady residing at Point of Rocks. Mosby, meanwhile, had posted
the Napoleon on an eminence below the town and opposite to Major Thompson's cavalry, which was drawn up




246         Pccrtisan Life with  fosby.
about half a mile from the river; but, owing to the premature bursting of the shells, no damage was inflicted, so
the duel across the Potomac was abandoned, and the Partisan Battalion marched several miles down the river, for
the purpose of crossing at Noland's Ferry, and thus gaining the rear of the Federal force. But, in order to conceal this movement, Mosby left a party under Lieutenant
Ab. Wren in the vicinity of the village, to keep up the
impression that his command was still there.  In the
neighborhood of Greenville the Rangers went into camp,
and while Mosby was taking his supper at the house of
[Mr. Henry Ball, John Thomas and Harry Hatcher returned from a scout with the information that two hundred Yankee cavalry were then at Leesburg.
In consequence of this announcement, farther designs
against the force at the Point of Rocks were abandoned,
and Colonel Mosby moved his command across the mountain for the purpose of attacking Major Forbes, who was
in command of the cavalry whose movements had been
reported by the scouts. At Waterford he halted and
threw out a picket on the Leesburg Road, with whom
he passed the night, and at daylight dispatched Carlisle
and Puryear to Leesburg, who soon returned, and reported Major Forbes still at that place. Mosby at once started in pursuit, but, as he passed Fort Johnson, a mile from
the town, Major Forbes was discovered in the act of leaving it. At Leesburg the Partisan chief was received
with enthusiasm, but he did not linger, for there was
work ahead, and, with all the energy of his nature, he
proceeded to perform it.
Having discovered that the Federals had gone toward
Aldie, Mosby, instead of following their track, took the
road leading to Ball's Mills, from which point he would
be able to throw himself in their front on their return to
the camp -at Falls Church, thus pursuing the same mili



Tfhe "'Point of Rocks," or " great Calico Raid." 247
tary policy which had resulted in the success at Anker's
Shop. Leaving the command in charge of Captain Chapman, the next morning he took with him Willie Mosby,
Wat Bowie, Bush Underwood, and a few others, and went
on a scout for the purpose of ascertaining the whereabouts of Major Forbes, who, in the mean time, had come
from Aldie to Mount Zion Church, two miles below, on
the Little River Turnpike. Soon the scouting-party encountered a detachment of the enemy, before whom they
retreated to the command at the Mills, where Mosby,
supposing that he would soon be attacked by Major
Forbes's entire force, posted himself in an advantageous
position to receive the anticipated charge. But his expectations were not realized, and, finding that no attack
was intended, Colonel Mosby marched to a point on the
Little River Turnpike, two miles below Mount Zion, in
the hope that Major Forbes would pass his position on
his return to Falls Church. But, after waiting in vain
for the space of two hours for the fulfillment of this ex.
pectation, he determined to seek his antagonist, and fight
him in the open field. When he came in sight of Mount
Zion Church, he found the enemy drawn up on the left
of the road, in an open field, which had a gradual slope
to the turnpike, with one squadron posted in advance of
the other. Mosby's dispositions for attack were then
made as follows. A body of sharp-shooters, under command of Harry Hatcher, was sent forward to occupy a
skirt of woods on his left, while he stationed the Napoleon in the road, supported by Company "ID," commanded by Lieutenant Glasscock, and disposed the rest of the
command in a position from which they could charge the
enemy.
The fight was opened by an ineffectual shot from the
Napoleon, followed by an impetuous charge, led by Mosby. Major Forbes's advance squadron for a time stood




248         Partisan, Life with Mosby.
firm, but, finding itself overpowered, and attacked in front
and flank, wheeled and fell back upon the squadron in
the rear. This movement soon became a retreat, in which
the rest of the command united. About six hundred
yards in their rear, the Federals were checked by a high
fence, and here a party of twenty-five men turned upon
their pursuers, and fought with determined but useless
valor, in a hand-to-hand combat, for in a little while half
of this gallant band were either killed, wounded, or dragged to the ground by their wounded horses. As soon as
the fence gave way the retreat became a rout; but at a
point farther on in the direction of Sudley Mills, another
party of the enemy, numbering about fifteen, rallied and
drove back a few of the pursuers; but they were soon
re-enforced, and this second party, like their comrades,
were forced to seek safety in flight.
Mosby, with Johnny Edmunds, continued the pursuit to
Sudley Mills, a distance of ten miles from Mount Zion
Church, where the fight began, from which point they returned, driving before them about fifteen loose horses.
Mosby's loss in the engagement was Henry Smallwood
mortally wounded, Bob Walker, Tom Richards, and Tom
Lake severely wounded, and Willie Martin badly bruised
by blows with a carbine. The enemy lost twenty killed
and mortally wounded, twenty-five badly wounded, sixty
taken prisoners, and ninety horses, with their equipments.
As soon as it was reported that Major Forbes, well
known as a successful raider, was in command of the opposing force, several of the Rangers expressed their determination to be his captor. But fortune favored Tom
Richards, who, after a fierce hand-to-hand conflict, in which
he received a dangerous wound, succeeded in making the
Federal officer his prisoner. The next day the booty was
divided at Piedmont, and the prisoners sent to Richmond.
Thus terminated one of Mosby's most brilliant expedi



The "Point of Roceks," or "great Calico" Raid. 249
tions, for in the period of five days he had crossed the Potomac, captured the Point of Rocks and dispersed its garrison, and then had turned upon an unexpected adversary
in superior force, and had routed, pursued, and captured
him.  (See Appendix for Mosly's Reply to cEarly.)
NoTE.-I inspected the scene of this combat with Mr. Alexander Davis, of Loudoun County, who was at the time an officer in the
Federal army. The version of the fight which he received a few
days after, at Falls Church, was, that Major Forbes ordered his advanced squadron to fall back to the position occupied by the other.
and Mosby, quick to seize the advantage thus afforded, charged
while this movement was being executed.
— 4 —-R — -
L  T= == Vow  Al:9~~~~~~~~~~~~




250         Partisan Life with Mfosby.
CHAPTER XXXII.
RAIDING IN MARYLAND.
Upper Fauquier, August 2d, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-In my account of the raid on Point of
Rocks I omitted to mention a scouting-party which Colonel Mosby sent, in charge of Wat Bowie, to Maryland the
day after the capture, and while his command was camped
in the wood near Mrs. Dawson's.
Having crossed the river at Noland's Ferry, Bowie halted on a canal bridge to take a survey of the country, and
soon saw two men advancing up the river bank. Charlie
Vest and Charlie Dear were sent to bring in the strangers,
who proved to be citizens residing in Virginia, and from
them information was obtained of the advance of Colonel
Thompson's command to Point of Rocks. With Munroe
Heiskell and Lowndes, Bowie then proceeded to the house
of a citizen in search of farther intelligence, and while
there cut the telegraph wires. Upon his return to his
party a courier was sent to report to Colonel Mosby all
that had been learned, and Bowie then proceeded to attack a party of Yankees, who, he was informed, was guard-.
ing a number of canal-boats at Monocacy, a place situated
at the junction of the river of the same name with the Potomac. They were driven off after a short resistance, in
which two were killed and four taken prisoners. The
Partisans, before leaving, made a descent upon a store,
from which, in addition to other things, they procured
greenbacks enough to give each man a dividend of five
dollars. Bowie and his party then recrossed the river,




Ra]iding in Mfarycland.        251
and rejoined their commander the next day at Waterford.
A few days after the Mount Zion fight, Bowie was again
furnished with a party to return to Maryland, and on his
march to the river was told by a citizen that a party of
twenty-seven Yankees, dressed in Confederate uniform,
had passed up the Leesburg and Dranesville Turnpike on
a plundering expedition. With his nine men he started
in pursuit, but soon met them coming back down the
road, and charged them at full speed, but they all escaped under cover of night to the woods, with a loss of
only three horses, while three of Bowie's party were
wounded, and Frank Carter seriously injured by a fall
from his horse.
While General Early was in the vicinity of Washington, Mosby, in command of the battalion and a piece of
artillery, crossed the Potomac at a ford near Leesburg.
At Poolesville he halted long enough for the command
to be hospitably entertained by the citizens, and then
marched several miles beyond the town to camp for the
night. The next morning he proceeded to the camp of
the 8th Illinois, which was on Muddy Branch, but found
it deserted, with evident signs of having been hastily
abandoned, although it was very defensible, being situated on the crest of a high hill, and protected by fortifications. The camp equipage and a large quantity of
supplies, which the Lincoln boys would not defend, were
destroyed, and Mosby then set out to return to Fauquier.
As Early's rear-guard was crossing the Shenandoah on
the return of the expedition from Maryland, Mosby sent
Captain Richards, with a party, to the vicinity of Snickersville to get information. They were urged by the village people to leave the neighborhood, and were informed that a Federal column had just disappeared in the gap
of the mountain. During this parley, Richards's atten



252          Pcartisan Life with Mlosby.
tion was directed to two men dressed in citizen's clothes,
who were riding leisurely along the grade toward him.
Willie Martin and Gibson were sent to discover who
they were, and, disappearing from view behind a hill, a
single shot was heard. They returned, bringing with
them one prisoner and a led horse.
"Yankees, captain," said Willie. "This fellow is a lieutenant, the other was an orderly sergeant."
The prisoner, when asked why he was absent from his
command, replied that he had been sent back, with a
squad, to burn some broken-down caissons.
"Where is your squad 2" inquired Captain Richards.
"They are behind, sir, with the first lieutenant."
"How many, and how far behind are they 2"
"Ten, besides the lieutenant," answered the officer;
"and I guess they can't be more than a quarter of a
mile back."
" Good luck, boys," exclaimed Captain Richards. " Here
is your chance; a horse a piece if we manage right. Here,
Robinson," continued he, "take the prisoner to head-cluarters; and now, men, forward by twos, and quietly."
Holding their arms and horses in readiness, the Rangers moved silently along the road until, from the top of a
hill, they saw the squad approaching, apparently unsuspicious of danger. But soon the lieutenant, who was in advance, reined up, and remained for a moment as if puzzled
to know by whom he was to be met. But discretion quickly got the better of valor, and, suddenly wheeling his
horse, away he flew, followed by his men. But for this
very action Richards was prepared, and the Federal officer had hardly turned his horse when the Partisans dashed upon him. In five minutes the business was accomplishedc-eight of the squad killed, two captured, the lieutenant missing, and eight horses, with their equipments,
secured. The Rangers afterward learned that the lieu



Ruiding in ifaryland.           253
tenant's horse, blinded by the cloud of dust, fell with
him, but that, not being seriously hurt, he extricated himself, and escaped on foot.
Richards then ordered the prisoners, horses, and arms
to be collected, and feeling sure that Colonel Mosby could
extract from the prisoner already sent to head-quarters
all the information he desired, he conducted his command
by a circuitous but safe road back to Upperville. Just
before nightfall he ordered a halt, and divided the horses
by lot, Harry Shaw having the good fortune to draw
the lieutenant's bay, which he forthwith named General
Lee, and sent to his boarding-house to be taken care of.
While the enemy in pursuit of General Early had
their outposts at Bloom-field, Colonel Mosby divided his
command into several parts, each of which was intrusted
to a separate officer. Richards, with Company " B," was
sent to Fairfax, while the other detachments, under Mosby, Lieut. Glasscock, and Captain Chapman, operated
upon Hunter's army, then lying at the base of the Blue
Ridge. The artillery was sent, for safety, to the mountains. For the sake of convenience,. these detachments
were afterward broken up into small squads, and I will
only give you a few specimens of their mode of harassing
the enemy.
A detachment of the enemy's cavalry was camped near
the Aldie and Snicketsville Turnpike, when Lieutenant
Glasscock, with seven men, from a position on a wooded
eminence which overlooked the camp, saw a party of ten
Yankees issue from it. The weather was warm, and
Glasscock ordered his men to take off their gray coats
and strap them behind their saddles, relying upon the
blue pantaloons which they wore to make them pass for
Federal soldiers. Then, placing himself at the head of
the column, he emerged from the wood, carelessly whistling Yankee Doodle, and marched for some distance in




254         Partisan -Life /with AlowbyJ.
the rear of the Federals before he was observed. Presently they halted, and a sergeant rode back toward Glasscock, but did not suspect his true character until too late
to retreat. With great presence of mind, his captor, without halting him, in an under tone ordered him to the rear,
and his companions, seeing him pass on apparently unmolested, concluded that all was right, and resumed their
march at a slow walk. The Rangers, as soon as their
backs were turned, drew their revolvers, and, trotting
briskly up on their flanks, ordered them to surrender.
Without resistance they complied, only remarking, "Pretty cool, that; but we mistook you for our own men."
They were all well armed and finely mounted. After
they had gone a few miles, one of the prisoners, who was
riding a fine blooded mare, tried to make his escape, but
was pursued by Fount Beattie, and captured, after an exciting race of about a mile, during which he was twice
wounded. The wounded man was carried to a neighboring farm-house, and the surgeon of his regiment summoned to attend him. Those who represent our command
as composed of robbers and bandits would be surprised
to learn that he was assisted to dismount by Lieutenant
Glasscock.
While Lieutenant Glasscock was piping Yankee Doodle on the Snickersville and Aldie Turnpike, Chapman
attacked an outpost which had b6en left in the rear of
General Duffie's cavalry division, which had gone toward
Berry's Ferry. He found, upon reconnoitring, that the
picket of sixty men was stationed at "the big poplar"
which marks the corner where the counties of Fauquier,
Loudoun, and'Clarke unite, and stands in the gap of the
mountain, near the turnpike, and that they were dismounted, and had their horses tied together. Acting
upon this information, Chapman divided his command.
One of the divisions he intrusted to Lieutenant Fox, for




-Raiding in laryland.         2 55
the purpose of making a simultaneous attack on the
picket from opposite points, which would have rendered
its capture or destruction certain. But the party under
Fox, in executing their part of the plan, came upon some
marauders who were plundering Mrs. Crear's house, and
fired upon them. Chapman, supposing from these shots
that Fox had opened the fight, charged the picket, two
of whom were killed, five wounded, and thirty taken
prisoners. In addition, thirty-eight horses were securedl,
and Chapman decoyed the enemy to pursue him and a
few others, in order to afford time for the rest of the command, in charge of the prisoners, to reach, by a mountain
road, the house of Slice Barbour, where the captures
were disposed of.
When Hunter fell back toward Leesburg, after the disaster at the Parker House, Harry Hatcher, with a detachment of thirty men, was sent by Mosby to watch the
turnpike, and, before nightfall, captured 6ne hundred of
the retreating and demoralized army. About the same
time, Mosby, with a party, camped near Woodgrove to
pass the night. As he dismounted he ordered Major
Hibbs to take a detail and procure corn with which to
feed the horses the next morning. The major demurred,
pleading fatigue and the lateness of the hour; but Mosby
insisted; so the Chief of the Corn Detail, who made it a
rule to obey nobody else, started off. At daylight Mosby
awoke, and discovered, outstretched among sacks of corn,
the major, who had long since erased from his lexicon the
word "impossible."  After gazing at the sleeper for a
moment, he turned away and said, "What a misfortune
to the country that my Chief of the Corn Detail is not
Quartermaster General!"
With a portion of his company, Lieutenant Glasscock
about this time crossed the Shenandoah at Rocky Ford,
and camped near Charlestown. The next morning he




256          Partisan Life with XAosbby.
concealed his men in a wood near Locust Grove, and soon
three sutlers' wagons appeared, escorted by twelve cavalry-men. Without firing a shot, the wagons and escort
were captured and carried to Loudoun.
Soon after the events just related, Mosby, with eight
men, went to the Valley on a scout. Leaving the command in Campbell's Wood, he, with John Russell, went toward the turnpike to make observations. The first train
which they saw pass was too heavily guarded to be successfully interfered with; but soon eight wagons approached, escorted by three infantry and eight cavalry. Mosby's
command was then brought forward, but the advance of
two hundred Yankee cavalry on the march to Winchester
compelled them to desist from making the attack until the
train had reached Stuart's farm. At this point Mosby
remained to watch the road, while Russell and the seven
others made the capture, and, in addition, secured a sutler's wagon, which they rifled, supplying themselves with
hats, boots, over-coats, and other articles of convenience,
to say nothing of some excellent liquor. The captures were
conveyed to Campbell's Wood, from which point they
were sent in charge of Russell and five others to Fauquier.
Mosby, with two men, remained in the Valley, where Richards, with the command, was ordered to join him.
Upon Richards's arrival he was dispatched with ninety men toward Winchester, while Sam Chapman, with a
party of twenty, was sent to capture a picket-post near
Bunker Hill, and Mosby, with the remaining twenty, proceeded to the neighborhood of Martinsburg.
About three miles from the village they halted in a
wood, and were furnished by a citizen with oats for their
horses and food for themselves, including the luxury of
Lincoln coffee.  During this interval Wirt Ashby was
sent to Martinsburg to look around-a duty requiring
some delicacy in its performance, as there were several




Raiding in larylaFnd.           257
thousand Federal troops in and around the place. After
the lapse of several hours the scout returned, and report.
ed that it was practicable to enter the town with the command, and that in it would be found a stable filled with
officers' horses, a jewelry store, and an establishment for
furnishing military outfits.
Mosby, as soon as he heard the situation of affairs, divided his command, leaving half of it in charge of the
horses, and, taking with him ten men, followed Ashby to
the village. Every thing was astir, and Federal soldiers
met the Rangers face to face, but, on account of the friend.
ly darkness, did not recognize them. The guide at once
proceeded to the stable, which he entered through a window, and then opened the door for his comrades. They
had no time to look about for saddles and bridles, but
each, selecting the best horse he could find, mounted bareback, leading the animals by halters. Just as Mosby's
men were leaving-the stable, a man in the loft awoke and
inquired who was troubling his horses. This unexpected
interrogatory alarmed several of the party, who, excited
by the novelty and peril of the situation, dashed through
the streets, and the horses becoming unmanageable, the
headlong rush was continued for several miles beyond the
town. A little later, Mosby, who thought the night's work
but just begun, returned to Martinsburg, but, finding ev.
ery thing in a state of excitement, and the enemy on the
alert, he was compelled to abandon his intention of visiting the store-houses, and with difficulty escaped detection
by passing out of the town by a back street. Foiled in
this attempt, Mosby then conducted his men to a camp
on a neighboring hill. The inmates were asleep, and the
officers absent on a frolic in the village. Without creating alarm, several horses were secured, and many articles
of value were taken from the tents, among them officers'
trunks, which were carried off to the party in charge of
R




258         Partisan hife with JMosby.
the horses in the wood, and there made to deliver up
their contents.
A few days after this affair Captain Richards captured
a Federal soldier, who, in narrating the circumstances,
said that it was the work of a party of the 1st New York
Cavalry. He was incredulous when told that it was an
achievement of Mosby's, for he was slow to believe that
even he would have made so bold an attempt.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
A LECTURE ON LOVE, LITERARY ENTERTAINMENTS, AND
ATTAINMENTS OF GUERRILLAS.
Upper Fauquier, August 10th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY,-Would you have, my friend, another
feature of the little world which Mosby, with plastic art,
has created around him? Listen, and I will tell you; or,
rather,read what is here set down,for, as the day is rainy,
I will give a veritable record of an amusing scene which
recently transpired in the Partisan Battalion.
As Mosby, with an advance party, was resting by a
patriarchal spring under a thick shade, when we were on
the Point of Rocks Raid, and was engaged in some light
talk with Mr. Blackwell Magog, Bill Lake, who is called
by the ladies " Sweet William," several others of the
command, and myself, Dr. Dunn, our surgeon, passed near.
We had along a plenty of coffee, procured at Duffield
Station a few days before, and Carlisle and Henry Heaton
had just started to have some of it prepared at a house
a short distance off. The colonel called to the medicineman to join the circle,which, after loosening the girths of
his saddle, the doctor proceeded to do.
Now it was a fact notorious in the ~command that our




A Lecture on Love, Literary Entertainments, etc. 259
excellent surgeon had had the misfortune to fall over
head and ears in love with a beautiful and attractive lady
in our Alpine Confederacy, Miss K, of the P, or
Dulcebenietta, as, in his peculiar nomenclature,Mr. Blackwell Magog calls her. A lively interest was manifested
in this affair of the heart throughout the battalion, and
the bets ran high on the result of the doctor's love-suit.
Horses, spurs, cavalry-saddles, and, profanely, many jugs
of blockade, were staked on the issue. The bets, I repeat,
ran high, and one Ranger offered as much as a hundred
in greenbacks that the surgeon, if properly supported,
would capture the fair Dulcebenietta, and lead her in triumph to the altar. It was Fount Beattie, who had come
from the doctor's country, who was willing thus boldly
to back him. Others, however, more sagacious or more
desponding, expressed the opinion that there would be a
spirited, perhaps an obstinate defense, and that the garrison might hold out as long as old Troy.
In this state of things, what was to be done?  Why,
the most natural course was to refer the matter to Mr.
Blackwell Magog, whose opinion in such affairs carries
with it a just weight. After several days' deliberation
the oracle spoke, and in a very grave and erudite manner declared that, unless the surgeon of Mosby's Battalion had help, and a good deal of it, a sally from the fortress might relieve the garrison and scatter the besiegers.
The priest of the Delphic art added with great emphasis,
" What the siege requires is engineering talent-yes, sir,
engineering talent-sappers and miners, and then a storming-party."
It must be known that "the chief" ever speaks in military phrase. Indeed, it is one of the glories of his life,
that he has at least that distinctive badge of a soldier;
for, like other military men, he entertains a just contempt
for civilians. So thickly strewn is his phraseology with




.260         Pcartisan Life with losby.
such words, so constantly do his sentences bristle with
the terms of the military art, that you would swear he
was educated at West Point. So far does he carry this
form of expression, that he talks of flanking young ladies,
and taking their defenses in reverse.
As soon as the opinion of "the chief" was noised
abroad, Dr. Dunn was considered a ruined man. The
Rangers began to avoid him as a man of ill omen, and
not a guerrilla of them would venture even so much as a
halter-strap on his chances of success. Bets were drawn
and forfeits paid up; and even Fount, the ever-faithful,
showed a loss of confidence, and evident signs of backing
out, and leaving Dr. Dunn to his fate. Dulcebenietta was
clearly the favorite now, and, disheartened by the unpopularity of his cause, the surgeon was almost ready to embrace the last consolation of the wretched, and close his
miserable life by the rash hand of self-destruction.
When the great augur and high-priest was informed
of the effect which his words had produced, he was induced by his kind heart, but as much by a secret desire
to have a hand in such affairs, to interrogate the stars a
second time, or, in stricter conformity with the customs
of the old Romans, to auspicate the event by consulting
the flight of birds, and by other oracular signs, by which
the will of the gods can be ascertained, but which are
known only to the initiated. For several nights he was
engaged with these prognostications. Oft, amid vigils
and fastings, the astrologer might be seen on the mountain top or in the fields, observing the course of the heav.
enly bodies. At such times the men would gaze at him
with secret awe if they met him in his solitary rambles,,
and would regard him, when he returned again to the
haunts of men, as a messenger, or rather plenipotentiary
of some higher power. He mounted the tripod, and declared the decree of Fate to be, " If Dr. Dunn would win




A Lecture on Love, Literary Entertainments, etc. 261
the virgin, he must follow the path of the honey-bee,
which seeks its treasure from afar."  The interpretation
of the response, in simple prose, was understood to be,
that Dr. Dunn must not rely upon himself altogether, but
must be governed by the advice of his friends. Thus the
case stood.
Now this son of the healing art was the most teachable
of men, and of this trait in his character Mr. Blackwell
Magog was well apprised when he interpreted to him the
Delphic response which has just been related. He knew
full well that he would be called on in the critical juncture at which affairs stood, and he rubbed his hands and
rejoiced greatly at the opportunity thus publicly and
notoriously offered to supersede the coarse and vulgar
method of love-making by the elegant and refined teachings of science. Mr. Blackwell Magog was an amateur,
and, like all amateurs, adored his art. When the surgeon had joined the party before described, Mosby addressed him:
"Come, doctor, come and tell us how you prosper in
love-making-how you and Miss K      are getting on."
Dr. Dunn. "I regret to say, colonel, that I can not
gratify your curiosity, for, in truth, I know not the signs
of prosperous love."
Colonel Mosby here inquired of the chief if he could
not instruct the doctor in the symptoms of love, and the
mode in which to conduct a courtship to a happy conclusion.
"Certainly, certainly,".responded Mr. Blackwell Magog,
with the air of a professor.
So the man of science arose, and, with a look and gesture that imparted weight to his words and dignity to his
subject, thus addressed the doctor, who, duly impressed
with the dignity of the occasion, assumed an air of attention, and humbly and reverently looked up into the instructol's fsce.




262          Partisan Life with Mosby.
It ought to be mentioned, in justice to the orator, that
he first poised and settled his person, wiped the perspiration from his red face with his handkerchief, and then,
with a very solemn look, fixed his great ox-eyes on his
scholar. The colonel rested his chin on his right hand,
and gazed with interest at the speaker; the rest of the
company were lying around in curious silence, while I
drew forth my tablets, a mark of consideration which the
speaker acknowledged by a graceful wave of the hand.
His style was animated, copious, fluent, and free from
meretricious ornament; his matter was well arranged, his
manner impressive, his utterance clear and agreeable.
THEfi LECTURE ON LOVE.
Af. Blackwe;ll Mfaqog. "It is not unknown to you, oh
surgeon of Mosby's Battalion, that I am the Professor of
Love in this command; that, as such, I rank all the offi.
cers save the colonel, and, in the parlor and boudoir, the
colonel himself. Yes, wherever the ladies are, there is




A Lecture otn Love, Literary Entertainments, etc. 263
my realm, there am I paramount, there bear undisputed
sway; or, in the language of the poet,
"My flag the sceptre all who meet obey."' I perceive, Dr. Dunn, that you are a novice-a mere
rustic, indeed, in love; but, simple youth, I pity rather
than blame your ignorance, as you come from -a region
much infested by barbarians. I will therefore, by way
of preliminary, observe, that in the educated and refined
circles of society love is just coming to be regarded as
one of the sciences, or, with a greater precision of language, one of the fine arts. In this higher sphere of life
it is classed with music, poetry, painting, sculpture, and,
like them, has its established laws. The ancients - to
whom, in matters of taste, the world still bows-ever so
regarded it, and allotted a muse or presiding divinity to
this, the most excellent of all the arts. Indeed, as if in
recognition of this superiority, they assigned it a more
exalted sphere when they called the divine Venus, the
model of elegance and beauty, from the stars, to preside
over the affairs of the heart. Among'the moderns, it is
true, who have materialized every thing-I speak not,
to be sure, of the age of chivalry, when all Christendom
built altars to woman-among the moderns, love has lost
something of its exalted, or, rather, its ethereal or celestial dignity. But, oh surgeon, though love is no longer
adored in temples, and:honored with sacrifices and games,
it still occupies a respectable position and wields a potent sceptre. To sum the whole, the ancients honored
love as a powerful deity, while with the degenerate moderns it is only a terrestrial potentate, into whose dominions Mammon-who still is, and ever will continue, a
god-makes destructive incursions. Here I put in a
caveat. I speak not, oh neophyte, of love as a passion.
As such, banish it to the wigwam of the savage, or to
company with the swinish multitude. Once for all, I tell




264          Partisan Life with Mosby.
you, with love as a passion I will have nothing to do. I
mate not with so gross a companion! Would you have
lessons in such beastly materialism? Go, hapless youth,
to the Yankees, with their miscegenations, their passional
attractions, and free-love societies. But I speak alone of
that refined, softened, delicate, sentimental affection of
the heart which the best people entertain, and which ladies and gentlemen are not ashamed to acknowledgean inspired emotion rather, a glowing and impassioned
friendship. It is, Dr. Dunn, with love as an exalted; filtrated sentiment, an operation of the mind even more
than an emotion of the soul, that I treat-or Love in his
ambrosial weeds, as he fascinates and ensnares the gods.
Have I, oh disciple of the excellent Galen, have I, with
sufficient caution, guarded myself against misconception
and error?  For it is not unknown to me, the strong proclivity of your brotherhood to materialism-that, in defiance of the divine oracles, you would convert the temple
of man's soul into a perishable structure of clay, not for
the indwelling of holy thoughts forever, but as the companion and food of worms. Disciple of the chirurgic art,
dost comprehend the sage doctrine I would unfold to thy
untutored mind 2"
Here Dr. Dunn humbly and reverently bowed, as under the ferula of a master, and after a short pause the
Professor again spoke: "Love, Dr. Dunn, hath ever been
the companion of the Graces; nor can they be severed except by violent and unnatural means. When, therefore,
you prepare to enter the presence of the fair inamorata,
the object of thy soul's adoration, be ever circumspect,
and assume thy most graceful carriage. The candidate
for the honors of matrimony should take his hat in the
right hand, and, after adjusting his oiled and perfumed
locks, should hold it about six inches from his breast, opposite the region of the heart, to indicate that it needs a




A Lecture on Love, Literary Eutertainments, etc. 265
shield against the powerful glances to which it is about
to be exposed. This done, he should throw himself in the
attitude the most affecting to the fair sex-I mean the
Grecian curve or bend, as it is vulgarly called-and with
the heels drawn close together, and the points of the toes
well turned out, he should, with a light, springy tread, and
the most fascinating smile, approach the fair one. Thus,
Dr. Dunn."
Here the Professor, in conformity with these directions,
and with the most enchanting expression of countenance,
stepped off a few paces.
Rangers. "That's it, Professor, that's it."
Having regained his position, he again began:
"The preliminaries of introduction and acquaintance
over, which I will assume to occupy three hours or three
hours and twenty minutes, though in extreme cases I
have known the period prolonged as much as four hours,
you will take your seat by the damsel, so placing yourself as to have the free use of the right hand and arm."
Here the Professor paused to observe that in the case
of a left-handed lover the instructions must be modified
to suit the case.
"Having placed yourself beside the patient —you will
surely understand that here the patient is a blushing
young girl, trembling with the soft tumult of love, her
heart wildly beating to its intoxicating music-having
placed yourself, I repeat, by Dulcinea's side, you will carelessly take her hand in yours. But, Dr. Dunn, be particular that this introductory act be performed in a manner
of unstudied elegance and unpremeditated carelessness.
Assume, if you can, an air of abstraction, as though you
took no thought of the act, for the enemy must not, by
any means, be apprised of your intentions. These evolutions represent your line of skirmishers, Dr. Dunn, thrown
out to bring on the engagement, which they invariably
do if the generalship be able.




266          Partisan- Life wzith 1osbJy.
"When you take the soft, tremulous hand in yours,
mark the downcast eye, the heaving breast, the quick
beat of the heart, the kindling blush-those innocent
shames that mount in the cheek-for they are all harbingers, and portend success in love. Having taken the
maiden's hand, for it is only with such as have the aroma
of first love about them, as the young violet its perfume,
that the higher and abstruser branches of the art are called into requisition, you will begin to examine and compliment her rings.
"Dr. Dunn," exclaimed the Professor, throwing up his
eyes and clasping his hands in the most affecting manner,
"Dr. Dunn, by the order and economy of the universe, all
things, whether created by the Great Father or by man,
have their uses.  The sun is lord of the day, and the
moon, in' her reflected splendor, is regent of the night.
To shine upon and bless this opaque globe, and render it
fit for the habitation of man, are their ordained objects.
The wind, when it comes from its desert home, has its
uses, as have the eyes, the ears, and the hands of man.
As the winds, and the heavenly bodies, and the eyes, the
ears, and the hands of man have their uses, so the rings
on the fingers of young ladies have their uses, their functions, their purposes, their occasions.  These, excellent
physician, are to serve as a preface, a preliminary, a preamble to love-an easy, natural, recognized introduction
to courtship. It was obviously on account of this inbred
connection between the ring and love that the ring was
selected by Hymen as the emblem and pledge of the
most sacred and interesting of all terrestrial relations.
"Having examined her rings with a gentle emphasis,
oh surgeon-it must be a very gentle emphasis, accompanied with a scarce audible sigh-you will observe that
one ring alone is wanting to the perfect adornment of
that fair hand. This every woman will understand to




A Lecture on Love, Literary Entertainments, etc. 267
convey a delicate allusion to the wedding-ring, at once
the object of all the hopes and fears of every young
woman. You will then gently press the hand, gradually
tightening the grasp as the occasion would require."
Here the Professor again paused, and fell into a fit of
abstraction, looking like Galileo among the stars.
AMosby. " Well, chief, what next?'!
Mr. Bltackwell Magog (with great deliberation of
manner). "Having encompassed the nymph's hand in
yours, and bestowed on her a melting glance, thus, you
will gently slide the other hand, being your left, around
the fair one's waist, and, resting it on the side farthest
from you, begin again the system of gentle pressure.
Every system, Doctor Dunn, has its nature and principle,
and the principle of my system is that of gradual approaches. It is rarely that I venture to storm a breastwork-indeed, never, unless the rampart is low and the
garrison weak."
Rcangers. "That gets her!"
Here ensued another pause.
flosby (impatiently). "Tell us what comes next. We
are all deeply interested in your proceeding. Do go on.
A man might almost imagine himself an actor in so interesting a piece."
Holding up the first digit of the right hand as if in
admonition, the Professor continued:
"Here two distinct lines of action lie open before an
enterprising lover, either of which may conduct to a successful issue, but I generally take the lips next."
3Mosby. " Well, chief, what next 2"
MIr. Blcctcwell fitgog. "What next? Great God! does
any man under eighty ask me what next? Ha! ha! ha!"
All. "Ha! ha! ha!".Munson. " The fort surrenders without firing a gun."
About a month later, when we were again on the




268          Partisan -Life with  fosby.
march, we assembled under
a great oak-a favorite halting-place with Mosby's men
when they passed on the
route near which it stood.
The shade was dense, the
breezes cool and nimble,
and Colonel Mosby called
up the surgeon to report!"'g,,'' -'.           upon the efficiency of the
Professor's rules for court~Eio'.;?~  ship; in short, to tell what
success he had met with at
the hands of Dulcebenietta.
Dr. Dunn. "Success! Why, I was devilish near getting the side of my head slapped off for impertinence.
The lady was highly insulted, and hasn't spoken to me
since. I believe Mr. Blackwell Magog to be an impostor."
At this Mosby cast a serious and reproachful glance at
the Professor, as much as to say, " See what mischief you
have wrought -- what snares you have set for our surgeon's feet!"
Ma/r. Bl2ackwell!iagog (much excited). "Sir, Dr. Dunn
is a bungler, and deserves to have his ears boxed. The
mode is excellent. I have tried it a hundred times, and
never had it to fail.".Mos6y (laughing). 1"Ah! chief, I see how it is. The
medicine is good, but the administration has been bad."
The Professor was deeply chagrined at the surgeon's
discomfiture. It might have the effect of bringing contempt upon science, and that he could not endure. In
consequence, he took great pains to vindicate his method,
and throw the whole responsibility of failure on Dr.
Dunn's own blundering management.




A Lectzure on Love, Literary Entertainments, etc. 269
Dr. Duznn (in an ill humor). "D-n it, Professor, if
you are not pleased with my handling, you had better
try it yourself, for I have done forever with Love, considered as one of the fine arts."
The proposition was considered a fair one, and it was
settled that this high-priest of love should attempt in
person to subdue the intractable fair -an attempt the
more easily made, as he was only known by reputation
to Dulcebenietta. But the Professor, ever a devoted
spouse, stipulated, as was right, that "Bob" should first
give her consent.
On our return to Fauquier, I was sent as embassador
to solicit the concurrence of Mrs. Blackwell Magog, after
explaining and unfolding all the circumstances of the
case. Arrayed in my best clothes, I accordingly proceeded to "Heartland," where I had been often before, but
never on so absurd a business as this. But it was not
until I was seated in Mr. Blackwell Magog's parlor, and
had sent up my name to his wife, that the full sense of
the awkwardness of my position broke upon me. The
proposition of which I was the bearer was not only ridiculous and unusual, but might be regarded as positively disrespectful. Often did I wish that I had left the
business with Dr. Dunn and his instructor, and heartily
repented of the part which I had agreed to play. But
how vain are regrets! They serve only to plague and
unnerve a man.
While my mind was thus engaged, the lady entered,
leading by the hand her bright-eyed daughter, little
Madge.  Her smile was so bright and good-humored
that I thought Mr. Blackwell Magog, of all men, might afford to erect his altar at home, and abandon his scientific' pursuits. With as much delicacy and skill as I could
command, I explained to the lady the object of my mis.
sion, and I dare say that never, in the whole range of di



270          Partisan aife with iosby.
plomacy, was an affair so awkwardly managed. But Mrs.
Blackwell Magog, as soon as she comprehended the scope
of the business, instead of betraying anger, only laughed
gayly, and without hesitation consented to the arrangement. She knew, she said, her husband's devotion to
science, and nothing could induce her to be an impediment to its progress. I was charmed, and thought Mrs.
Blackwell Magog not only one of the most attractive ladies in Mosby's Confederacy, but one of the most sensible. As I rose to depart, however, the lady carelessly remarked that she had a single condition to annex to her
consent. I respectfully bowed, and inquired the nature
of that sole condition. She replied,
"I stipulate that, in my husband's abselice, I too shall
be allowed to amuse myself with love considered as one
of the fine arts."  I bowed again and departed, but
much believing that the condition would greatly impair
the value of the concession. So it proved; for when I reported the result of my embassage to the Professor, he exclaimed, in a loud voice,
" No, sir, no, sir, I'll be d-d if I consent to any such
arrangement. The science of love was only designed for
young ladies. Do you suppose I'll consent to have a
score of these palming puppies sighing and making love
to Mistress Blackwell Magog? Zounds, no! But I can't,
for the life of me, think how Bob got such notions in her
head. Egad! I must be getting home. By the Lord
Harry, it's my opinion, if this war doesn't stop, every thing
will be ruined-yes, sir, turned upside down, and there
will be nothing left worth fighting for."
Xiunsom. "But, chief, where is your respect for science? You don't stick to your own principles, man."
Xr. Blaclcwell Jfayog. "D —n your principles; they
weren't made for married women."
So saying, the Professor posted off to look after his
domestic interests.




Raiding on Phil Sheridan's Communications. 2'71
CHAPTER XXXIV.
RAIDING ON PHIL SHERIDAN'S COMMUNICATIONS.
Upper Fauquier, August 18th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY,-About the 1st of August, Company " E,"
of the Partisan Battalion, was organized. Adjutant Sam
Chapman was, after the fashion in " Mosby's Confederacy,"
elected captain; Fountain Beattie first lieutenant; Willie Martin second lieutenant; and Ben Palmer junior second lieutenant-all gallant soldiers, and worthy of the
confidence reposed in them by their commander.
About the 8th of August Mosby crossed into the Valley, and learned from a citizen that Sheridan was in
CAPTAIN CHAPMAN.




272         Partisan Life with lMosby.
Early's front, with his lines extending from Berryville to
Summit Point. The first night he spent with his men
concealed in a deep ravine in a dense wood, and the next
morning went on a scout, with a small party, along Sheridan's rear, from which he returned bringing a lieutenant
and six prisoners. Having ascertained the exact situation of general head-quarters, which were in a house in
rear of the army, and several hundred yards distant from
any formidable force, Mosby determined to capture him.
At a distance of three hundred yards from the house he
left the command, and went forward to rec9nnoitre. He
discovered camp-fires blazing all around the head-quarters, and selected John Hearn, on account of his coolness
and intrepidity, to ascertain the strength of the force.
Hearn proceeded cautiously, until, leaping a fence, he found
himself in the midst of six sleeping soldiers, near whom
stood an infantry sentinel, who demanded his name.
Hearn replied, still advancing, that he was in search of a
New York regiment to which he belonged, and, springing
upon the Yankee, wrenched from him his musket. In
piteous tones he cried "Murder, murder," and the Ranger was compelled to retreat, but brought off the gun as
a trophy. In consequence of this misadventure, which
roused the camp, Mosby was forced to abandon his enterprise. During the night he returned to Fauquier, leaving the command in the Valley with Richards, who the
next day captured a captain and thirteen men; but the
enemy discovering his presence in their midst, he was in
turn compelled to retire.
About the middle of August Colonel Mosby again
sent Captain Richards to the Valley with twenty-eight
men. He selected a position on the turnpike leading
from Charlestown to Berryville, along which Sheridan
communicated with his de6pt of stipplies at Harper's
Ferry.




Rcaiding on Phil Sheridan's Communications. 273
In a short time, tYo men, coming from toward Berryville, were captured, but one of them proved to be a citizen, and was released, while the other, a reporter for the
New York Tribune, although a non-combatant, was kept
in custody. Richards again started to go to the turnpike,
but was arrested by hearing the most heart-rending cries
proceeding from the direction of his command. In haste
he returned, and found the cause of the disturbance to be
as follows: Puryear, having thoroughly searched the reporter, or " gone through him," in the technical language
of the battalion, had thus addressed him: "Now, sir,
which do you prefer, to be hung or shot?"  The idea
that he was in the hands of the guerrillas, and about to
be executed for being a Yaulkee, had then flashed upon
the reporter's mind, and caused him to utter cries of distress. But Richards told him that, although the crime
of his nativity was certainly a great one, he should not be
murdered for it if he would keep quiet, which assurance
so excited the captive's gratitude that he informed his
deliverer that twelve of his countrymen would soon be
along, and that if he would " lie snug" he could get them
all. Soon, in confirmation of the reporter's words, Captain J. S. Walker, a bearer of dispatches, and Lieutenant
Ware, Commissary of the 5th United States Cavalry, made
their appearance, with an escort of ten men. Richards,
to remove, any suspicion, advanced to meet them, whistling a song. When very near each other, Captain Walker,
discovering his mistake, ordered his men to fire, but Cap
tain Richards ordered his men to charge. A Yankee
sergeant and private were killed, and the rest of the party fled toward Berryville. In the pursuit which followed
Captain Walker and one private were killed, and Lieutenant Ware and three men captured.
In Captain Walker's pocket was found a miniature likeness of his bride, with her name and the date of her marS




274         Partisamn Life with Aiosby.
riage inscribed upon it-sad words.when the bridegroom
lay stark and cold before us. Buck Watkins, touched
with sympathy, obtained possession of the picture, and
gave it to a lady, who sent it to Mrs. Walker by the hands
of a Federal officer.
Captain Walker's horse-young, handsome, and welllimbed-was presented to Captain Richards,; and proved
to be the fastest horse in the battalion. After the fight
was over, this animal was running away as fast as possible, when Willie Martin tried to overtake him. Finding
it impossible, he ordered an infantry-man ahead of him to
stop the horse, who promptly obeyed, and held the reins
until Martin came up, who, to the man's surprise, ordered
him to mount and go along with him.
When the captured property was divided, it was discovered that some lucky fellow had found in Lieutenant
Ware's pocket-book five hundred dollars in greenbacks,
and about an equal amount in drafts.
As Captain Richards, on his homeward march, halted
on the side of the Blue Ridge, he saw a column of Federal cavalry march to the scene of the recent encounter,
but it was too late, for Mosby's men were " over the hills
and far away."
On the 15th of August, Colonel Mosby ordered Lieutenant Glasscock, with fifteen men, to go to the Valley,
with the view of assailing Sheridan's communications.
The result of this expedition was the capture of twentyeight men and horses, and I will now describe the mode
in which the work was performed. After leaving Kernstown with his men, who had oil-cloths over their shoulders in front and in rear of his column, Glasscock discovered a company of Federals approaching him, but was
prevented by a bend in the road from ascertaining its
strength. "If they're too many for us, we'll pass them;
if not, we'll demand a surrender," said he; and added,




-Raiding on Phil Sheridan's Communications. 275
" Now, boys, I'll show you how to capture Yankees."
Just then two men from the column came forward, with
drawn pistols and threatening looks, to see whom they
were meeting. But Glasscock laughed at the idea of his
men being suspected of being rebels, and passed on to
the main body. As he came up, the commanding officer
exclaimed, "Holloa, boys, I took you for Johnnies." "No,
indeed," replied Glasscock, "Uncle Sam never had truer
soldiers."  By this time he had reached the rear of the
enemy's column, and his men were ranged along its flanks.
With a simultaneous movement, the Rangers presented
their pistols, and demanded and received a surrender
from the entire party. These captures were all made
without firing a shot, or the enemy being aware of Glasscock's presence on the turnpike. The soldiers were missed from their command, but whether they had been killed, captured, or had deserted, who could tell?
While Sheridan was still drawing his supplies from
Harper's Ferry over the turnpike which passes through
Berryville, Mosby determined, with his battalion re-enforced by two howitzers, to strike that line of communication, and compel the Federal officer to make a retrograde movement, it might be at a critical time. After
crossing the Shenandoah, a scout informed him that a
wagon-train was then moving through Berryville in the
direction of Harper's Ferry. Halting the command a few
miles from that place, Mosby, with two men, proceeded
to the turnpike, which he struck a mile from Berryville
toward Rippon. Here he dismounted, and leaving the
horses in the custody of one man, with the other went to
inspect more closely the train which was then on that
section of the road. But he discovered, in addition to the
down train already spoken of, an up train heavily loaded
with supplies. Without delay the battalion was brought
up, with the intention of attacking both trains. When




276          g /Partisan LZife Mwithl Mosby.
it arrived, however, day had dawned, and the down train
had entirely passed out of hearing. But the richest prize
was still where Mosby had left it, though in the act of
moving off.
The first act was to dispatch John Russell, with a party
of eight men, to capture what he supposed was a picket,
but which proved to be a broken-down wagon, around
which were gathered a wagon-master and his assistants,
who were taken prisoners, and, with their mules, conducted to Mosby. From them he learned that the train consisted of one hundred and fifty wagons, and that it was
guarded by two hundred and fifty cavalry, and a brigade
of infantry, under the command of Brigadier General John
R. Rentz, of Maryland. The infantry was disposed, they
said, principally in front and rear, but was also strung
along the train in the proportion of a company to about
every ten wagons.
The artillery, supported by Company D, under comnand of Lieutenant Glasscoclk, was now posted on an eminence in full view of the turnpike, and not more than a
quarter of a mile from it. Captain Richards, with the first
squadron, and a piece of artillery in charge of Lieutenant
Fray, was sent toward Berryville, while Chapman, with
the second squadron, was drawn up in line of battle to
the right of the gun.
The signal for the attack was to be three shots from
the howitzer. The first scattered a body of cavalry; the
second exploded among the wagons, producing great
confusion; and at the third the two squadrons dashed
forward, soon joined by Company " D." Up to this time,
so complete was the delusion as to our character, that
while Richards's men were drawn up in readiness to execute their part of the plan, several Federal officers rode
to an eminence in front of him to witness, as they thought,
the artillery practice.




Raicding on Phil S1e&ridan'8s (7onnzrunications. 277
When Richards charged, a company of infantry just at
that point sprang to their feet, fired a volley, which severely wounded Sergt. Ned Rector, and then scattered.
Dashing furiously on toward Berryville, he created the
greatest alarm and confusion among the wagons, their drivers and attendants, and rode over and through several companies of infantry. Arrived at Berryville, instead of entering the town, he cut across the angle formed by the
road leading from Harper's Ferry to Berryville, and the
one which leads from Berryville to Winchester, both of
which were occupied by the moving train, striking the
latter a few hundred yards from Berryville, and cutting
off about twenty wagons, with their guard. But, not satisfied with this handsome result, Captain Richards continued the charge nearly a mile toward Winchester, spreading consternation as he went. But at this point he was
driven back by a volley from the enemy's advance-guard,
who were posted behind a stone fence, and commanded
by General Rentz in person. As he was falling back
across the angle, a volley proceeding from a brick church
a little out of Berryville, toward Charlestown, arrested his
attention. He discovered that a party of infantry, which
he had cut off by his dash to the Winchester road, had
taken refuge in this building, and had fired upon a party
of Rangers who were passing in charge of a large number
of prisoners, horses, and mules, and killing Welby Rector,
wounding another man, and scattering the whole party.
Lieutenant Fray, with his howitzer not far distant from
the spot, was now ordered to open fire on the church,
which compelled the enemy soon to evacuate it, and fall
back in the direction of their advance-guard. While this
was being done, Lieutenant Willie Martin, with that audacious courage which on all occasions he is ready to display, rode boldly into the midst of the retreating party,
and disarming a mounted officer, conducted him to Cap



278          Partisan Life with Meoshby.
tain Richards, while his men, in dumb amazement, witnessed the exploit, but showed no disposition to interfere.
Chapman struck a point on fhe turnpike opposite the
position which his squadron occupied, where there were
about one hundred and fifty infantry. These, surprised
by the suddenness of the onset, took refuge in gulleys
and behind fences. But a portion of them retreated to
an orchard in the vicinity, and, being there re-enforced,
made a stand. Chapman at once charged the combined
party, and routed them without difficulty, but in the
charge lost Lewis Adie, of Leesburg, a young soldier of
the highest promise. As soon as this resistance was overcome, it was reported to the captain that a drove of several hundred beeves was following the wagons, which he
at once took possession of and sent off.
Mosby had remained with the piece of artillery which
opened the fight, to superintend operations in both directions, and to send off the prisoners and spoil to Castleman's Ferry as fast as they were reported to him. As
soon as the work had been accomplished, he issued an order for the destruction of the wagons, and a scene of the
liveliest interest was soon presented, for it was the richest prize that the partisans had ever captured. Among
the articles tumbled out on the road was a box, which
contained, as we afterward learned to our distress, a million of dollars, designed for the payment of Sheridan's
troops, but it was overlooked by the men in the scramble
for officers' trunks. The next day its owners sent and
took possession of it. As soon as the wagons were in
flames the command moved off toward the Ferry; but
Mosby, with a rear-guard, remained at Berryville until
the enemy cautiously approached the town.
Among the captured articles were a number of violins,
and it was a droll sight to witness the rude attempts of




Agaien in Sheridan's Rear.         279
the Rangers, as they moved off, playing, as they said, Dixie
"for General Sheridan to dance to."
By this brilliant success Mosby secured three hundred
prisoners, seven hundred mules and horses, which were
sold to General Lee's quartermaster, and two hundred and
thirty cattle, half of which was presented to General Lee
for the use of his army, while the rest were put to pasture in Fauquier, and served out to the command.*  But
the chief advantage derived firom the blow which had
been struck was, that Sheridan's army was compelled to
fall back from Strasburg to Winchester, and to subsist on
short rations for a week.
CHAPTER XXXV.
AGAIN IN SHERIDAN'S REAR.
Upper Fauquier, August 24th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY, —Lieutenant Sam Chapman having been
promoted to the command of Company "E," it became
necessary to organize an artillery company. The officers
-appointed by Mosby, of course, under the mask of an
election -were, Peter Frankland, Captain;      Fray,
First Lieutenant; John Page, Second Lieutenant; Frank
Rahln, Junior Second Lieutenant.
I will now resume the account of Mosby's assaults
upon General Sheridan's line of communication. On the
19th of August, with two hundred and fifty men, he
crossed the Shenandoah at Castleman's Ferry, where he
* The amount of captures given above is accurate, although it
exceeds the amount reported by Mosby to General Lee, for the reason that the dispatch was forwarded by John Munson the same
night from Rectortown, while many horses, mules, and cattle were
brought in afterward which had strayed on the way.




280         Partisan Life with Mosby.
was informed by Jim Wiltshire, who had been sent in
advance on a scout to Berryville, that there was a brigade
of Federal cavalry camped at that town, with a picket
thrown out within a mile of Castleman's Ferry. In consequence of this information, Mosby divided his command
into three parts. " C," I D," and "E,"  were assigned to
Captain William Chapman, with orders to operate on the
section of the turnpike between Berryville and Rippon.
Company "B" he assigned to Captain Richards, to whom
was allotted that portion of the road between Rippon
and Charlestown, while he reserved Company " A" for his
own command, and that part of the road between Charlestown and Harper's Ferry. This partition of the command
was resorted to because it was too large to be kept together in safety in the midst of the hostile army, and
particular sections were assigned to particular officers for
the twofold purpose of prolonging the line of attack and
of preventing collisions during the night.
Having received his instructions, Captain Chapman
marched his command to the house of a citizen in the
neighborhood, from which Mountjoy, with a party, was
sent to acquire farther information about the position of
the enemy, while he went on a similar expedition. Mountjoy soon returned, having recruited for the night's service six estrays from the 6th Virginia Cavalry. But
Chapman's scout was more adventurous. He attempted
to capture the picket before referred to, but the man, who
belonged to the 7th Michigan Cavalry, refused to surrender, and was in consequence killed-an event which you
will presently see was fraught with the most calamitous
consequences to several families in the neighborhood.
Having rejoined his command, it was moved to a position near the turnpike which leads from Berryville to the
Ferry, with the purpose of assailing a cavalry' patrol
which often passed to the river. From this point Captain




Aaintn ir Sheridan's Weear.      281
Chapman, taking with him Hefflebower and another, proceeded to the house of Hefflebower's father, not far from
the cavalry camp near Berryville, in order to obtain additional information. There he fell in with three Yankees,
upon whom he imposed himself for a provost guard, and
captured them without resistance. On his route with
the prisoners back to the command, as he passed near the
house of Colonel Josiah Ware, a party of Yankees who
were there saw him, and immediately started in pursuit.
This accident saved that beautiful mansion, for it had
been already fired by these men, who being thus diverted, the family were enabled to extinguish the flames.
Not long after this adventure, Captain Chapman saw
smoke and flames bursting from the house of Mr. Province M'Cormick, distant about two miles. He hastened
to the spot, and was informed that it had been fired by a
detachment of Federal soldiers, acting under an order
which condemned to the flames five of the best houses in
that neighborhood belonging to Southern sympathizers,
as a retaliation for the death of the picket who had been
shot the previous night. The Rangers were soon brought
up, and the command started on the track of the burners.
When they reached the residence of Mr. Sowers, which
had likewise been embraced by the cruel order, the roof
had fallen in, and the ladies and children of the family
were gathered in a corner of the yard, exposed to the
falling rain. The forlorn ladies, as soon as they saw Mosby's men, dried their tears, and with exclamations of
vengeance urged them to follow quickly the inhuman
Yankees who had just destroyed their home.
" Smite and spare not," they cried, " for, though we have
lost our home, we are still for the South-yes, as true as
ever." The effect of this appeal, added to the piteous
spectacle before them, maddened the soldiers. As they
galloped off they shouted," No quarter, no quarter to-day."




282          Partisacn 4ife with Miosy.
The elegant and hospitable residence of Colonel Morgan stood at the distance of half a mile, and was already
fired when Chapman's men approached. The incendiaries, numbering ninety, were still on the ground, and,
when they saw the hand of vengeance uplifted to strike
them, hastily formed their ranks to receive the attack.
They were charged with fierce impetuosity, and immediately broke, every man seeking safety in flight. The
Partisans pursued them for a mile, and then returned to
put to death all the prisoners who had been taken, and
all the wounded who had fallen by the way. Twentynine Federal soldiers thus perished, victims of the bloody
code of retaliation.
Leaving the dead to bury the dead, the Rangers, with
their captured horses, arms, and equipments, recrossed the
Shenandoah at Berry's Ferry. As they ascended the
mountain, it was discovered that a solitary prisoner had
escaped the fate of his comrades. Mountjoy, who remembered those houseless ladies and his oath of vengeance,
demanded that this man, too, should pay the forfeit. He
was accordingly conducted deeper in the forest, and ordered to prepare for death. It was a solemn spectacle
to see this brave young soldier kneel in the solitude of
the mountain, and pour forth a fervent prayer to the
Great Father to pardon his sins and forgive his own officer, whom he regarded, he said, as the true author of his
death. The young man then rose slowly to his feet, and,
tearing open his shirt, with unquailing eye received the
fatal shot. An accusing spirit flew up to heaven with
an appeal to the good God against the atrocious deeds
perpetrated in this war. In his report to General Lee of
this affair, Mosby says, "They returned with thirty horses,
and no prisoners."
We will now accompany Captain Richards on his nocturnal expedition. At Myerstown, in the character of a




A.gain in Sheridan's Rear.      283
Federal officer, he roused a citizen from his bed, and from
him learned that Sheridan's army was then camped at
the turnpike between Rippon and Charlestown. He then
resolved to enter the Federal encampment, and carry off,
if possible, the general, thus severing from its huge trunk
one of the strongest limbs of the Northern army. It was
a bold conception, but, under the favor of night, what
might not strong nerves, directed by a cool head, accomplish? At all events, Captain Dolly meant to try it, and
play a game with Fortune. When within a mile of
the turnpike he halted Company "B," and, with eleven
picked men, advanced cautiously toward the sleeping
army. Passing through a wood, he was halted by a sentinel, to whom he advanced on foot, and represented himself to be in command of a detachment of the 21st New
York Cavalry, with whom he had been on a scout toward
the Shenandoah.
"Does that satisfy you2" he added, in a tone of injured
innocence at having his flag called in question.
"Yes," replied the Yankee, " you are all right."
The adventurous party entered the camp of the 19th
New York, but could not ride through it, so thickly were
the wearied soldiers strewn over the ground. Richards
then determined to return and penetrate the camp at
another point. As they passed the sentinel, Lieutenant
Willie Martin, in a stern voice, ordered him to hold his
gun properly, and added, " That's no way for a man to
stand on duty." Very much to the amusement of the
Confederates, he at once assumed the position of a soldier.
Continuing his search for the officers' quarters, Captain
Richards stopped at Roper's house, near the turnpike, and,
observing the yard full of sleeping soldiers, roused one
of them, and inquired if he could tell him where to find
head-quarters. But the man knew nothing; so he proceeded to the turnpike, hoping to meet with better for



284          Partisan Life with Mosby.
tune. There, representing his party to be the provostguard, he arrested a straggler from the 7th Michigan
Cavalry, and compelled him to go with him. The prisoner stated that he had passed along the turnpike through
the entire army without being halted, and Richards determined to try the same experiment. He again entered
the camp of the 19th Corps, resolved this time to try his
lucl with an officer, who might with more reason be supposed to be able to direct him to head-quarters. But, as
the Partisans were about to enter an opening in a wood,
where Richards supposed, from seeing tents and horses,
that he would find an officer, the prisoner, who had discovered that he was in the hands of the enemy, put
spurs to his horse, and rode into an infantry regiment
asleep on the road-side, and exclaimed," Wake up! wake
up! the rebels are among you."  In an instant the Rangers wheeled their horses and galloped irom the camp to
rejoin their company, which, with all haste, was conducted
to a place of safety. Thus, by an accident-the fruitful
cause of so many miscarriages in military life —this bold
enterprise was thwarted, and Richards thought it prudent to relinquish for the time farther operations. At
the residence of Mr. Henry Castleman, where Mosby's
men are always received with a cordial welcome, he stopped with a few of his men, and fortunately in time to
capture four Yankees who had just begun to pillage the
house.
When Richards's company had reached a place of safety, it was discovered that Harry Shaw's horse was without saddle or rider; but he afterward made his appearance, and gave the following account of his adventures.
He had been thrown in attempting to leave the camp,
and while on the ground was run over by a horse and
left senseless.  When consciousness returned he found
himself in the midst of an army, which had been suddenly




Again in Sheridan's Rear.         285
aroused from sleep by the cry "The rebels are upon you."
Drums were beating, bugles were sounding, officers were
calling loudly to their men to fall into line, while the confusion was increased by excited men rushing about, and
by one hundred and fifty cavalry galloping to the turnpike. It was a novel situation for one of Mosby's men,
but Harry Shaw was just the one to cope with it. He
mingled freely with the Yankees, and talked loudly, until, seeing an opportunity to escape, he rushed by a sentinel, who took him, it might be, for a ghastly apparition,
and made his way the house of Mr. Roger Chew. He
was met at the door by the fair Miss Jennie, known in
the battalion as the Rose of the Valley. To her he made
known his sad plight, and was conducted to a surgeon by
chance in the house, who rendered him the needful assistance.
Now we will follow Mosby. Having ordered Lieutenant Hatcher to report to him the next morning at
Mr. Chew's, at the appointed hour Mosby was on the
spot, and, declining an invitation from the ladies to take
breakfast, said, "I have a piece of work on hand, but after it is done I shall pass this way, and will call and take
a cup of coffee."  With six men he rode across the country to Roper's, where Richards had stopped the previous
night, and found there three horses tied to the gate. As
there was some difficulty in gaining admittance through
the front door, two of the Rangers ran around the house.
Wiltshire advanced upon and captured a party who were
buying butter and eggs from Mrs. Roper. O'Bannon saw,
through a window in the basement story, five cavalry-men
seated at breakfast with the family. With a gallantry
that belongs to the Stbnewall Brigade, with which he had
served at the first Manassas, he bounded, with a cocked
pistol, through the casement, looking like a gladiator in a
den of lions. The boldness of the exploit carried with it




286          PartisaC Life with iMosby.
the means of safety, for the Yankees, supposing themselves surrounded, quietly slipped off their arms and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Meanwhile Mosby, accompanied by Carlisle and Dan Thomas, had, in
sight of a brigade of cavalry, charged and dispersed
twelve infantry in the barn-yard. He then, according to
agreement, returned to Mr. Chew's, where he subdivided
the company among Hatcher, Wiltshire, and himself.
These parties then dispersed, and after operating actively
on the outposts of the enemy, returned to Fauquier. As
Captain Richards was returning, an event occurred which
threw a gloom over the battalion. Lieutenant Willie
Martin was shot by an accidental discharge of a pistol in
the hands of one of his comrades. He was buried in Upperville, regretted alike by citizens and soldiers. Mosby
attended the funeral, and was deeply moved when he
saw the earth close over the gallant officer.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
CAPTAIN BLAZER'S DEFEAT OF LIEUTENANT NELSON.
Upper Fauquier, September 5th, 1864.
DEAR P~ERCY,-I will now resume the account of our
operations in the Valley. Sheridan's army was lying between Charlestown and Berryville. General Torbert, who
commanded the Federal cavalry on that theatre of the
war, had been sent up the Valley in the direction of Front
Royal, supported by a corps of infantry. On the 25th of
August the battalion rendezvoused at Rectortown, when
Mosby made the following dispositions: Mountjoy, with
Company D, he ordered to cross at Berry's Ferry, for the
purpose of harassing Torbert's rear; Captain Sam Chapman, with the 2d squadron, was sent to operate between




Captain Blazer's Defeat of Lieutenant Nelson. 287
Berryville and Millwood, while Mosby, with the 1st
squadron, under command of Captain Richards, proceeded to cross the Blue Ridge at Wormley's Gap. We will
now follow these detachments in the order in which they
have been mentioned. When Captain Mountjoy reached
Berry's Ferry, he was prevented from crossing the river
by the presence of the enemy's cavalry. Captain Sam
Chapman, however, succeeded in crossing at Sheppard's
Mill, near which he camped for the night. From thence
he sent Lieutenant Russell to Berryville, who returned
about eleven o'clock, bringing the information that a
large body of Federal cavalry had marched through the
town in the direction of Front Royal, accompanied by
wagons and ambulances. Early the next morning, with
Henry Kerfoot for a guide, Chapman marched to his allot.
ted scene of action, and halted his squadron within a mile
of Berryville. From that point Kerfoot was sent on a
scout toward Milwood, while Chapman, with a party, entered General Kershaw's lines, which were established
near Berryville. He was there informed more accurately
of the movements of the enemy-that their cavalry, as
we have already seen, had passed up the day before, but
that Geperal R. H. Anderson, with Kershaw's division,
had intercepted the 8th Infantry corps as it attempted to
follow, and that a fight had ensued, in which the latter
were repulsed and pushed back several miles. Chapman
at once determined to follow the enemy's cavalry, and
with that intent rejoined his squadron. At White's burned shop, not more than a quarter of a mile from his rendezvous in the woods, he met General Torbert's advanceguard, the 6th New York Cavalry; that officer, when he
reached White Post, hearing the sound of cannon, and
seeing that his infantry support had not followed him,
had determined to rejoin General Sheridan. As soon as
he had satisfied himself that no other troops were in sup



288         Par'tisan Life with 1Wosby.
porting distance of this force, Chapman at once resolved
to charge them. They were marching in a column of
four, with a considerable body of skirmishers on the flank
next to their assailants, and had no time to change their
formation before they were attacked by the squadron in
line of battle, Chapman leading Company " C," and Beattie Company " E." - The Yankees did not withstand this
impetuous assault, but slowly retreated. Their officers
could be distinctly heard to say, " Fall back to the woods;
we will give them h —ll there."  But Chapman and Beattie pressed them so closely that, by the time they gained
the desired point, the column had been thrown into confusion, and the retreat was suddenly checked by the interposition of a high fence, through which a gate furnished the only means of escape. The pursuit was kept up
for a mile, and resulted in the capture of thirty prisoners
and forty horses.
The loss of the squadron was severe. Jarman and
Iden were killed, and Clay Adams and the brave Lieutenant Fox were mortally wounded.  The fight was
scarcely over when the main body of Torbert's command
canme in sight; but, upon receiving a few shells from Andlerson's batteries, they flanked off toward Charlestown,
where they encountered Mosby, of whose movements I
will now give you an account.
With the 1st squadron, after passing through Snickersville, he proceeded to cross the Blue Ridge at Wormley's
Gap, with the intention of camping in the Valley, but
was compelled, by the darkness and a storm of rain, to
stop all night on the mountain. The next morning he
crossed the Gap, and halted the command near Myers's
Ford, where it was left in charge of Lieutenant Nelson,
and with a detachment of fifteen men crossed the river.
This done, the detachment was divided, Richards being
sent with six men to inspect the turnpike at Rippon,




Ccptctain Blazer' s.Defeat of Lieutenant Nelson. 289
while Mosby, with nine men for a similar purpose, went
to the section of the road between Charlestown and Harper's Ferry, on which, to use his own language, he found
"plenty of game."  In consequence of this discovery, he
sent Harry Heaton and Kennon with orders to Nelson to
bring up the squadron.
Richards had not advanced more than a mile when he
came to a grove where Captain Blazer, with ninety men,
had camped the night before, and, following his trail, cliscovered that he had crossed the river three miles farther
up. He at once returned to the squadron, from which
he detached Company " B," and with it went in pursuit
of Blazer. Finding, however, that Blazer had taken the
mountain road to Snickersville, he relinquished the pursuit, and sending Company " B" to rejoin Lieutenant Nelson, with a detail of ten men started again for Rippon.
At Snickersville Blazer was informed that Mosby had
passed the evening before, going in the direction of
Wormley's Gap. At once he started in pursuit of him,
and when he had arrived within a mile of Myers's Ford,
was informed by a citizen that Nelson, with one company,
was there encamped, for the citizen was not aware of the
return of Company " B" to the command. Captain Blazer was in high spirits at the prospect of surprising a single company with ninety men. He considered that he
was playing at certainties, and the result proved the
opinion to be true. It was midday, and Nelson's men
were lying around, some sleeping, some amusing themselves with games, while many, with a feeling of blind
security, had, contrary to orders, taken the saddles from
their horses, when Blazer charged among them. Assisted by Sergeant Johnson, who was in command of
Company "B," Nelson attempted to rally and form the
squadron, but in vain, for Blazer, who had opened the
fight with his seven-shooting rifles, was pressing close
T




290          Partisan Life witlh Aosby.
upon them.  Nelson, in this extremity, preserved his
well-earned reputation as a soldier. He placed himself
at the head of twenty-five men, and charged into the
midst of the assailants, driving them back. But Blazer
soon rallied his men, and led them again to the charge.
At this critical juncture Nelson was severely wounded in
the thigh, and was compelled to retire to the rear-a
movement which the men construed into an abandonment
of the fight. They, in consequence, gave way, and in a
headlong flight rushed through Wormley's Gap, and descended into Eastern Virginia near the residence of Mr.
Jonah Osborne. In this fight Nelson's loss was Mallory
and M'Quinn killed, Wolfe badly wounded, and Corporal
George Skinner, Dick Moran, Willie Flinn, and several.
others captured.
Captain Blazer, in the hour of his triumph, proved himself to be a gentleman, as well as a soldier, by the humanity and courtesy which he extended to his prisoners.
In the mean time, Captain Richards had taken a position in a wood near Rippon, where the turnpike presented a similar condition of things to that which Mosby
found lower down —wagon-trains and ambulances moving without guarcl or with insufficient escorts. He was
about to attack one of these trains, when the ladies residing in a house near by implored him to desist, for the
Yankees, when Captain Walker was killed at the same
point, had sworn that if another attack were made by
iMosby's men in that vicinity the citizens should all be
burned out. These entreaties induced Captain Richards
to transfer the scene of capture to another point. He
joined the wagon-naster, who was in front, and, drawing
upon his imagination, entertained him with an account
of the battle then in progress between Early and Sheridan until they reached a road which turned off toward
the river.  The Yankee was then informed that he was




CcptCain Blaczer-,'s Defecat ca Lieatenczt XNelson. 291
a prisoner, and ordered to move to the left, and he could
not be persuaded that it was not a joke until a cocked
pistol was presented to his head. With twelve mules
and five prisoners the Rangers galloped off to Myers's
Ford to inform Mosby of the unprotected condition of
Sheridan's communications. But, instead of finding the
squadron bitted for an expedition, Captain Richards, when
he reached the ford, was apprised' by a lady and a shot
from the opposite bank of the fate that had overtaken
Nelson. He therefore imoved up the Shenandoah, and
crossed at Mosby's Ford on his route to Fauquier.
After sending off Heaton and Kennon, Mlosby left his
party concealed in a wood, and, with Joe Owens, rode to
the turnpike. Soon there came from the direction of
Harper's Ferry two ambulances, containing fifteen infantry-men on their way to Sheridan's army, accompanied by
two cavalry-men. Without resistance they were all captured, and sent across the river under an escort, which
left Mosby with only five men. While waiting with this
reduced party for the appearance of the squadron, a train
of ambulances, containing furloughed soldiers returning
to duty, passed on toward Charlestown. Not deeming
it expedient to assail the train on that part of the road,
he followed it beyond the town, where, without difficulty,
lie turned it off the road, and proceeded to unhitch the
teams.
In this occupation Mosby was assisted by an unusual
ally-a newsboy whom he had captured before the ambulances carne in sight. The lad begged to be set at liberty, and was told by Mosby that he would turn him
loose if he would assist in the capture he was about to
make. To this proposition he readily assented, and, when
the work of unhitching the teams was begun, was the
most efficient man present, for with threatening gestures'
he compelled the prisoners to do the work. At this




292          Pcartisan Life with, Mosbly.
juncture General Torbert arrived on the scene, and the
Partisans were compelled to leave their prey, taking off
with them only eighteen horses and prisoners. The fate
of the newsboy is not known, though a clever fellow like
that, ready to turn his hand to any business, doubtless
made his peace with the Yankees, and is now at his old
trade again.
Arrived at Myers's Ford, Mosby was informed of the
disaster which had overtaken Nelson, and followed the
track of the fugitives through Wormley's Gap, and from
Mrs. Jonah Osborne learned that they had, in the most
disorderly manner, after the pursuit by Blazer's men,
passed on toward Fauquier.
Soon after the events which I have just recorded transpired, Brigadier General Chapman, of the Federal army,
with a brigade of cavalry, crossed the Shenandoah at Castleman's Ferry, and, moving across the mountain, camped
at Snickersville, from which point he dispatched a body
of three hundred men to Upperville. On the eastern
bank of the river he had left fifty men, with orders to
join him at the expiration of two hours. But, instead
of complyingwith this order, they proceeded up the river bank for several miles, and then by a wolf-path reached
the crest of the mountain, along which they marched
until they reached Snicker's Gap, where they halted to
await General Chapman.
Captain William Chapman, as soon as he learned the
presence of the enemy at Upperville, collected about sixty of his men, with whom he pursued the Yankees, who
by that time were on their return to Snickersville; but,
failing to overtake them, he, at the Trap, ascended the
ridge, and on its top struck a cavalry trail, which led him
to the spot at which the fifty had halted, as already stated.
As soon as he had reconnoitred the position and discovered the strength of the enemy, he charged them with a




The Rcaid to Adcamstown.         293
yell.  They were surprised and fled, some toward the
river, pursued by Captain Peter Frankland, but most of
them dashed headlong down the mountain toward the
Federal camp at Snickersville, hotly pursued by the Rangers. General Chapman from this sumner excursion carried back to the Valley five of his men killed and many
more wounded, besides leaving behind thirteen prisoners
and forty horses. The Partisans lost Johnson, of Leesburg, mortally wounded, and Hooe and Fletcher taken
prisoners.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE RAID TO ADAMISTOWN.
Upper Fauquier, -
DEAR PERCY,-I will begin my letter to-day by an account of Lieutenant Nelson's raid to Adamstown, though
a little out of the order in which it occurred. The situation of affairs was as follows: Early was in Maryland.
The Federal troops had been withdrawn from the Valley, and there was no assailable point to be reached except on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad before it crosses the Potomac.
The battalion assembled at Upperville for an expedition into Maryland. After marching down the Little
River Turnpike, the men were well-pleased with the order to turn to the left and proceed toward the Potomac.
About dark Wat Bowie was sent with twelve men in advance of the battalion to inspect certain fords of the river,
to ascertain the strength and position of the pickets, and,
at an early hour the next day to report to Mosby at a
designated point. After an hour's brisk riding Bowie
reached the river, and at the house of a lady obtained all




294          Partisan Zife wit7h Mosby.
the information he desired. She was one -of the elect of
the purest strain, and though compassed about by enemies who would have destroyed- her, yet she received
Bowie and his party with a hospitable welcome, and, after
supplying grain for their horses, invited them to partake
of a plentiful supper.  A woman's patriotic devotion,
when once it is roused, is always the strongest principle of
her nature; and here this daughter of Virginia, dwelling
on the remote banks of the Potomac, although within
sight of Federal pickets, allowed the Confederate scouts
to sleep in her shrubbery, and at daylight sent them off,
after having refreshed them with a first-rate Loudoun
breakfast. Soon after the sun had lifted his bright face
above the mountains of Maryland, Bowie reported to
Mosby, who, in consequence of the intelligence he had obtained, determined to send only one squadron across the
river. Lieutenant Nelson was put in command, and ordered to proceed to Adamstowvn, a station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad a few miles distant. Near the
village the Rangers broke into a gallop and dashed suddenly in upon the aftrighted citizens. A store-house was
soon crowded with soldiers, and a scene of confusion followed not easily described. The first impulse of the proprietor was to flee; but soon he returned, for the instinct
of self-preservation yielded to the instinct of preservation
of property; but the "rights of things," as Mr. Justice
Blackstone would say, were as little regarded in that
house as the rights of persons. The more experienced
of the intruders turned their attention in the outset to
the money-drawer, while others climbed up on the
shelves and began to toss to partners below merchandise
of various kinds-rolls of cloth, dress-patterns, hats, bonnets, boots, shoes, and bottles of whisky, while yells and
shrieks added to the wild uproar. In the midst of this
scene, the proprietor, a pitiable spectacle, was rushing to




The Raicd to Adamsstown.         295
and fro, now shoved this way, now that; now dodging a
package of goods, now tumbling over somebody's pile, and
loudly protesting that he was a first-rate Southern man,
and declaring that if his visitors would only stop a minute, he would prove it to their satisfaction. But, unfortunately for him, a box of brass thimbles struck his head
before this reasonable compromise could be considered,
and he fell groaning on the floor. As soon as he could
scramble on his feet again he escaped to the back part of
the shop, and stood silently weeping. But just as some
of the men who were loaded with plunder had begun to
strap it on their horses, Lieutenant Nelson came up, and
at once changed the aspect of affairs.
" Put these things back-right back," said he, " every
one of them. This merchant is a Southern man, and the
colonel said his goods must not be disturbed;" and, seconding his words with acts, he dashed from the arms of a
soldier who stood neat him the calicoes and silks with
which they were filled. The lieutenant then pushed into
the shop, and, pulling and hauling right and left, soon had
all the plunder scattered again over the floor.
" Now get out of here, every one of you; not an article
shall be taken from this store unless it is paid for."
The law was a hard one, but the concluding part of it
was construed by some of the men so as to pluck from it
the sting, for I saw one of them who had reached the door
turn back and squeeze three hats on his head, leaving his
old one "for pay."  He also strapped a parcel of dry
goods to his saddle, which, with a very innocent manner,
he'said he had paid for according to orders. But this was
not the only case in which the lieutenant's order received
this liberal construction. Johnny Munson, for example,
left a five dollar Confederate bill on the counter (old issue at that) in payment for merchandise worth several
hundred dollars in greenbacks. But Joe saw nothing of




296          Partisacn Zife with iMosby.
this, or he would certainly have made them disgorge.  As
soon as his unexpected auxiliary arrived on the scene of
action, the weeping proprietor cheered up, and was at once
all smiles and gratitude. Nothing was too good for his
new ally. He took him behind the counter and forced
upon his acceptance a pair of cavalry boots, a fine hat, and
cloth for a suit of clothes, to say nothing of boxes of collars and cigars. Nor was this all. He uncorked a bottle
of the best Bourbon whisky, and the two, Lieutenant Joe
and the merchant, sat down to drink it. Coming on the
heels of so signal a service, the liquor made them the best
friends in the world. The merchant threw his arms
around his deliverer's neck, and insisted upon introducing
him to his wife and sister. This was accordingly done,
and Joe, rubicund with the whisky, made the ladies his
best Virginia bow.
"So daring in love and so dauntless in war,
HI-ave ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar."
With a sigh of regret, whether for the liquor or the
lady is not certainly known, Lieutenant Joe left the house
to look after his fierce guerrillas, to tear down -the telegraph wires, and then to depart from hospitable Adamstown. The little merchant was a sight to gladden the
heart of a philanthropist as, with a wave of his hand, he
bade Mosby's men adieu, he piously hoped, forever.
Nelson determined to cross the Potomac at a ford a little below the mouth of the Monocacy, but, when he came
near it, was informed by a citizen that the Yankees were
there lying in wait for his party.
"How many are they 2" inquired the lieutenant.
"Only fifty," was the reply; "some of them are at the
ford, but the rest are on the hill near by to surprise you."
"All right," said Nelson, undismayed. "Maybe we will
surprise them."




The Raid to Acdamstown.          297
As soon as the position of the ambuscade was reconnoitred, Harry Hatcher was sent, with a party of twelve
men, to attack in the rear, while Nelson, it was agreed,
should march down the road, as if.ignorant of its existence. The attack of the two parties was to be simultaneous; but, owing to an accident, Hatcher was delayed.
The Yankees, thinking. that Nelson had fallen into their
tra p, fired two volleys at him as he ascended the hill, by
which Johnny Alexander alone was wounded. They
had overshot their mark. Hatcher soon broke upon their:
rear, and rarely has such a scattering been seen. Some
ran down the hill and hid in the bushes, while others
mounted their horses and struck wildly across the country. The result of the attack was four of the enemy:
killed, and eight, with their horses, captured.
A charge on the party at the ford was then ordered,
but, having witnessed the collision on the hill, they had
already taken to flight. After a fatiguing pursuit, about
six of them were taken prisoners.
Nelson then rejoined Mosby on the Virginia side of
the river, and reported the result of the expedition.
"Where are your goods 2" said the colonel to some of.
the men, who had not availed themselves of the paying
clause of the lieutenant's order. The explanation was
then given, to which Mosby replied,
"I gave no such order. That shop-keeper is the worst
Yankee in Maryland. You ought to have taken every
thing from him."  These words doubtless eased the conscience of Munson, but they gave but little comfort to
the bulk of the command.
During the absence of Nelson's squadron two other
companies had crossed the river, but were attacked by a
large cavalry force, and only by dint of great exertion,
both in fighting and retreating, had returned in safety to
Virginia.




298         Partisan Life wit]h Mosby.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MOSBY "GOES THROUGH.THE YANKEES.
Upper Fauquier, September 22d, 1864.
DEAR PERcY,-During the last summer Mosby received
frequent dispatches from General Lee, urging him to prevent any raid from being made from Alexandria on Gordonsville, as his was the only Confederate force in a position to be interposed for the protection of that place.
Accordingly, when Sheridan fell back under cover of the
guns at Harper's Ferry, he turned his attention to Fairfax County. About the 1st of September, Mosby sent
Harry Hatcher, with a detachment, to alarm the outposts
about Chain Bridge, while, with another detachment, he
drove in their pickets on other parts of the line, and captured eleven men and horses. On his return, in company
with Willie Mosby and John Waller, he was pursued by
a squad of eight Federals to a point beyond Fairfax
Court-house. On reaching the top of a hill he halted,
which induced his pursuers to halt likewise. He then
requested Dr. Baker, who happened to be passing, to tell
them to come and get their horses, and at the same time
to inform them who he was. But the Yankees replied,
they did not mean to fall into any such d-d trap, and,
after firing a few shots from their carbines, posted back
to their command.
With Company " A," Lieutenant Joe Nelson in conmmand of it, Mosby proceeded to a point between Union
Mills and Centreville, and camped for the night. On the
march, Walter Whaley, with five men, was sent to capture
a picket near Alexandria, a duty which he handsomely




Mosby "agoes throucgh" the Yankees.  299
performed, and, with three prisoners and four horses, returned to the command the next morning. Soon after
his arrival, Lieutenant Nelson, with twenty men, and
Ab Minor for a guide, was sent to capture two pickets
stationed on the old Braddock Road, near Alexandria.
The first of these got notice of the contemplated attack,
and had retired; but the second, composed of twelve
men, posted near Triplett's house, had taken refuge in a
school-house, having concealed their horses in the pines.
The school-house was charged; its inmates fled, and, it
being twilight, all effected their escape except three, who,
with their horses, were captured. Nelson, having accomplished his mission, prepared to return to his command.
But here an unexpected difficulty intervened. Ab Minor,
the guide, proved to be the only man present who knew
nothing of the road, and the consequence was that we
were all lost in the pines. Now we would follow one
road and now another, and the farther we marched the
more our confusion increased. At length, in the midst
of the bother, our guide drew up his horse, and said if he
could only find the " Bone Mill" it would be all right.
Again we started, every body being on the look-out for
the "Bone Mill" -a fixed star that was to guide us
through all the perplexities of our route. But devil a bit
could tlie "Bone Mill" be found, and the consequence was
that we had to lie all night in the pines. Ever after Minor went by the name of " Bone Mill" till he shot Bill
Trammell about it. From that time the joke lost all its
relish, and our excellent guide was restored to his baptismal appellation.
When we arrived the next morning at Arundel's Mosby had departed, in consequence of an event which had
occurred during our absence, which I will now relate.
As soon as Nelson had set forth, Mosby dispatched
two scouts, one toward Centreville, the other toward




300         Partisan Life witAh Mosby.
Arundel's. Very soon information was received from
George Slater and Whaley, who composed the latter party, that the Yankees had been at.Arundel's searching for
Mosby, and were still in the -neighborhood. In consequence, the command, consisting of thirty-six men, was
moved thither, and Whaley and Slater were sent forward
to follow the. enemy to Fairfax Station. As the two scouts
were riding at a lively pace through a body of pines, they
were bushwhacked by thirteen Federals. Slater was shot
in the thigh and his horse in the neck, but, notwithstanding, managed to escape with his companion and report
the adventure. With five sharp-shooters, Mosby, followed by the command, galloped to the spot, but the birds
had flown, taking the direction of the Station. They
were rapidly pursued, and half an hour's gallop brought
the Rangers within view of the Catholic church, which
is situated not far from the station, on the road leading
to Fairfax Court-house. There they beheld a body of
one hundred and ten Federal cavalry, composed of two
detachments, one from the 16th, the other from the 13th
New York, commanded. respectively by Captains Fleming and Minimum. They had started in pursuit of Walter Whaley in consequence of the capture of the picket near Anandale, and, failing to overtake him, had determined to make a raid: into- Fauquier or Loudoun.
When Mosby first came in sight the Yankees were feeding their horses preparatory to the expedition, but were
quickly formed across the road, with their left flank resting on the church. The railroad, when it leaves Fairfax
Station, crosses the country road above referred to, and
passes, as it approaches the church, through a deep cut of
some length. Mosby, approaching the railway from the
direction of Arundel's and Sangster's Cross-roads, was
compelled, by this deep cut, to make a circuit toward the
Station in order to attack the Federals, which afforded




~:~1~%'~~ -~~~~~     ~~~,~,~ ~- X LA\  — 9i =JTX
_"'\ _iSB               N  ON             -      THRUG k
MIOSEY "'GOING THROUGH'EM."2




302         Partisan life witth.Mosby.
them the opportunity of estimating the number of their
assailants. After gaining the public road, Mosby closed
up his ranks, and, rolling up his sleeves, said, " Men, I want
you to go right through them."  He was answered by
loud cheers, and the command sprang forward in the
charge. The corresponding order of Captain Fleming to
his men was to fire a volley from their carbines, and then,
with drawn sabres, to charge. They held their fire until
the Partisans were within fifty yards of them, and then,
after firing one volley, broke and fled toward the Courthouse. They were fiercely pursued by Mosby and his
men, who fired into them at every jump. Before the
pursuit reached Fairfax Court-house many of the fugitives
had been wounded and many killed. Among the latter
was the commanding officer, who, after wounding Frank
Turner, was shot by Ned Hurst, and had received, before
he fell to the ground, a bullet also from Johnny Waller.
When the fugitives reached the Court-house, one of them
broke off to the right through the grounds of Mr. Thomas,
hoping in this way to shorten his course to the camp at
Anandale; but Ames, like the angel of death, was close
upon him, and with a pistol shot him at the distance of
thirty yards.
Captain Minimum throughout the retreat proved himself worthy of his rank. From time to time he attempted, but to no purpose, to rally his men, and bring them
back to the fight. No; the fear of Mosby wrought within them, whom they feared more than any other living
wight. They would not have rallied to the trumpet of
an archangel.
While Captain Minimum was engaged in one of these
fruitless attempts, he was attacked by Whaley and Will
Anderson with empty pistols, but he drove them off.
Then he continued his retreat, but from time to time halted and fired back at his pursuers, who, having procured




Mosby " goes througth" thle Ymaa1kees.  303
loaded revolvers, returned to assail him. But they succeeded only in making the gallant officer desist from any
farther attempt to rally his flying soldiers. After the
pursuit had passed the Court-house, Walter Whaley, who
had been separated from his antagonist, again attacked
Captain Minimum, but had his horse killed for his pains.
The loss of the Federals, besides their wounded, was
six killed, and thirty-three men and horses captured.
After the fight was over, a splendid bay horse was seen
without a rider in one of the open fields. A great effort
was made by the Rangers to capture the gallant steed, but
to no purpose. They drove him through the village, but
the horse, who appeared to have no taste for guerrilla life,
and a great affection for the " Constitution and the laws,"
broke through all barriers. Unable to effect his capture,
the men next resolved to destroy this fleet-footed animal.
The chase then became most animated, and many revolvers were emptied.  As a bullet would strike him, he
would bound wildly in the air, and again lead off toward
the Federal camp. The last that they saw of the gallant
bay was as lhe disappeared behind the hills of Fairfax,
bleeding from many a wound, but his head and tail still
up.
About two hours after Mosby had departed a body of
cavalry arrived from Anandale. As soon as the officer in
command had ascertained the facts of the recent fight, he
expressed his indignation, saying, "Thirty soldiers have
whipped a hundred cowards."
Soon afterward Mosby returned to capture a quartermaster's establishment at Falls Church, about three hundred yards from which a cavalry brigade was stationed.
With two men he entered a tent and brought off a butcher, who was sleeping near a beef he had killed to issue the
next morning, and with him a fine pony. He protested
against moving, supposing that some of his comrades were




304          Partisan Life with Mosby.
playing a joke on him; but his captors soon found means
to convince him of his error. Having discovered the condition of affairs in the camp, and that there were about
seventy-five horses in an exposed condition, he sent a lieutenant, with a party of men, to bring them off. But, in
consequence of delay in the execution of this order, the
camp was alarmed, and the plan defeated. The command
was then sent back to Fauquier, but Mosby, with Tommy Love and Guy Broadwaters, lingered at the house
of a citizen.  On their return they met in the turnpike, near Centreville, a regiment of Federal cavalry,
with an advance-guard of seven men. By a feigned retreat he induced the latter to follow him for the distance
of a quarter of a mile, and then turned suddenly upon
them. Being dressed in full uniform, Mosby was recognized by the Federals, and made a mark for their shots.
One ball shattered the handle of his pistol; another entered the groin, wounding him so badly that he could with
difficulty keep the saddle. But Broadwaters and Love
continued the charge, and drove their pursuers back upon
their column, after killing two of their number. They
then returned to their commander, and, procuring a light
wagon in the neighborhood, carried him to the Plains,
where he was cordially and kindly nursed by the family
of Major Foster. As soon as it was noised through the
neighborhood that Mosby lay wounded at the Plains, the
ladies and gentlemen of the country around flocked to see
him, and vied with each other in expressions of admiration
and sympathy for the wounded hero. In a few days he
was removed to the residence of his father, near Lynchburg.
A day or two before he was wounded, Colonel Mosby
had sent to General Lee a report covering his operations
during the spring and summer. It was forwarded to the
adjutant and inspector general for the information of the
department, with the following indorsement:




Wat Bowie's Adventures.             305
"Attention is invited to the activity, and skill of Colonel Mosby,
and the intelligence and courage of the officers and men of his command, as displayed in this report. With the loss of little more
than twenty men, he has killed, wounded, and captured, during the
period embraced in his report, about twelve hundred of the enemy, and taken more than sixteen hundred horses and mules, two
hundred and thirty beef cattle, and eighty-five wagons and ambulances, without counting many smaller operations. The services
rendered by Colonel Mosby and his command, in watching and reporting the enemy's movements, have also been of great value.
"(Signed),                    R. E. LEE, General."
CHAPTER XXXIX.
WAT BOWIE S ADVENTURES.
Upper Fauquier, September 30th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-The Partisan Battalion is growing apace.
The feeble germ slowly put forth its tender shoots, but,
now that the sunlight has fallen upon it, it is spreading
fast into the vigorous oak. \ The sixth company, "F," was
recently organized at Piedmont, with Walter Frankland,
of Fauquier, Captain; Walter Bowie, of Maryland, First
Lieutenant; Ames, of New York, Second Lieutenant; and
Frank Turner, Junior Second Lieutenant.
In the latter part of February, 1863, in company with
George Whitescarver and Joe Nelson, Captain Frankland
was on his way to join Colonel White's Cavalry, then on
detached service in Loudoun County, but, when they
reached Upper Fauquier, they determined, instead, to connect themselves with Mosby, whose reputation then was
just taking wing. After seeing some service with the
Partisan leader, he was made quartermaster of the battalion, with the rank of captain, but was returned to field.
service as captain, of the new company.
With Ames you are already acquainted.
U




306         Partisan Life with lliosby.,UAPTAIN W. E. FRANKLAND.
Lieutenant Turner joined Mosby in the fall of 1863,
and had been designated by him as one of the officers of
CompaLny "D," when he was captured and detained in
prison until July, 1864.
The first lieutenant I purposely passed by, that I might
give you afterward a more extended notice of him.
When the war broke out between the hostile sections
of the republic, Lieutenant Bowie was a lawyer in good
practice in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Obedient to the
impulses of his nature, as well as to the convictions of
his understanding, he did not hesitate as to the part he
would act in that painful conjuncture, and without delay
joined the Confederate army, but did not join Mosby till
the spring of 1864. His love of adventure and a certain
cool daring soon made his name familiar in the battalion,
and attracted the notice of his commander. His chosen
field of enterprise was Maryland, and he eagerly sought




Wat Bowie's Adventures.         307
opportunities to cross the Potomac, with every ford of
which he was acquainted from Harper's Ferry to Washington. He is now dead, and every incident connected
with his daring career is invested with a melancholy interest. Some of these I will relate, for they illustrate not
only the character of Bowie, but the qualities which are
cultivated and admired in the Partisan Battalion.
During his expeditions to Maryland he had many
strange adventures and wonderful escapes, for his name
was well' known to the Federals, and they made strenuous exertions to capture him..
On one occasion, he was passing the night at the house
of a friend, when it was surrounded by a troop of cavalry eager to catch him. As soon as their business was
known, Bowie commenced to disguise himself by blacking his face. He next slipped on the gown of an old and
faithful cook-woman, and, tying up his head in her handkerchief, seated himself by her side in the chimney-corner
as if stupefied with fright. As the day began to dawn,
the old woman, fearing detection, said to her companion,
"Come, child, we must go to the spring and get some
water to cook the white folks' breakfast."  She then
picked up a pail, and, giving a bucket to the pretended
girl, the two moved toward the spring. As they passed
out of the door one of the Yankees remarked,
That's a d  d tall nigger."
When the cook returned unattended, Mr. Yankee inquired for her companion.
She readily replied, " How I knows. You skeered the
gal so I suppose she done run away."
After a close search, the Yankees found Bowie's hat,
coat, and pistols, but concluded that, as usual, the eel had
slipped out of his skin.
On another occasion he was at a country tavern in
Maryland, where two Federal soldiers dismounted, and




308          Partiscan life with3 Mosby.
asked for something to drink. The landlord had nothing
better than apple jack or new dip at the bar. Bowie,
however, stepped up, and offered his own flask, from
which the party took a social glass. After some conversation, he bade the officers a courteous farewell, but as he
did so inquired,
"Have you got Wat Bowie yet 2"
" No," replied they, "but we will have him before long.
We know where he is to be this week, and all is fixed
for his capture."
"All right," said he.  "Be sure you hold him this
time, for he is a slippery chap, you know."
"Ah! trust Stanton for that. He will make sure of
him when he is taken again. Good-by."  And, so saying, the officers rode off.
In this last remark reference was made to his escape
from the Old Capitol Prison, the circumstances of which
I will relate in this connection, as they exemplify, in a
very striking manner, that self-command in sudden danger which Nature has bestowed and Partisan life developed in him. The night was dark as Erebus, and a dclrizzling rain was falling, as he got out on the roof of a wooden shed, fourteen feet from the ground. There he rested
until the sentinel, who paced the street below, had passed, when he let himself down to the ground, but in the
act sprained his ankle. He at once called to the sentinel,
"My good fellow, help me up."'The sentinel turned, and, approaching him, asked how
he came there.
"Why," said Bowie, " it was so dark that I came on
the wrong side of the street, and have trodden on something which caused me to fall and sprain my ankle. How
am I to get home? It is late, and no one is going my
way."
"Get up," said the sentinel; "I will help you to the




Wat Bowie's Adventures.         309
end of my beat, and then maybe you can get on. But
you must not come this way again, or you will get worse
hurt."
"Thank you, thank you, my friend," said Bowie; "1 assure you I find that this is not a safe place, and will not
be likely to pass this d-d street again."
The sentinel, true to his word, gave him the promised
assistance, and as he was not as much hurt as he represented himself to be, he limped off, and, after a walk of
four miles, hired a horse, and was twenty miles from the
Federal Bastile before sunlight irradiated its lofty towers.
When Bowie was asked why, when he fell, he did not
run from the sentinel instead of calling to him, he laughed and said,
"That would have made him' fire upon me, and might
have caused my rearrest."
But his adventures did not end here, for a few days
later, and while his trail was still warm, he came upon a
party of soldiers who were on the look-out for him. They
were seated in a bunch of pines around a fire made of
fence-rails. Bowie, without hesitation, walked up to them
and said,
"Holloa, men, you make free with my rails. I think
you might have taken the wood, and not destroyed my
fence. But Uncle Sam, I suppose, must have his own
way; but," he added," don't do more harm than necessary."
One of the soldiers inquired,
"Who the d-1 are you 2"
"Who else," replied Bowie, "but the owner of this
land and of those rails 2"
After some farther words, one of the men inquired if
he knew any thing of Wat Bowie, proceeding to describe
his person with considerable accuracy.
" Yes, I know him well. He was in the neighborhood,




310         Partisan Life with Mosby.
it is said, a few days ago, but has gone to the upper part
of the country, where he was born."  Seeing that he was
closely eyed, he added,
"I am glad I met you on my own ground, else you
might have given me trouble, for I am said to be much
like him." And, turning off, said,
"Success to you. If you want a drink, come to my
house about dusk, when I shall be in."
"Thank you, sir," said the soldier, giving a military salute; "you are of the right sort."
As soon as the organization of Company " F" was completed, Lieutenant Bowie, with twenty-five men, started
on an expedition to Maryland, the purpose of which was
to capture and bring off the chief executive of that state,
Governor Bradford. His route carried him through Falmouth and King George Court-house. At the latter
place he halted and organized his little' comhland by appointing Jack Randolph and Jim Wiltshire second and
third in authority. HIe then directed his march to the
Potomac. Having dispersed his command through the
neighborhood, he pressed the boat of Long, a blockaderunner, whom he compelled to accompany him, and then,
with Randolph, Wiltshire, and the young widow of a
Georgia soldier, on her way to visit her fiiends in New
York, proceeded to cross the river. The water was very
rough (for the Potomac at this point is four miles wide),
but the lady was as calm as the widow of a Southern soldier ought to be when the frail bark was trembling on
the heaving waves. The party landed at "The Walnut,"
a large tree which gives its name to the crossing, and remained three days in the neighborhood, during which
time Bowie acquired the information he desired.  In the
afternoon of the third day, on their return to The Walnut, they encountered two of Bowie's friends, who had
come out from Port Tobacco to see him, having been se



Wat Bowie's Adcventures.        311
cretly informed that he was in the neighborhood. After
a brief interview, a shake of the hand, and a glass of
Bourbon, they departed.
Concluding that it was impracticable to conduct in
safety so large a command as he had brought with him
through Maryland, Bowie determined to send it back
to Fauquier, reserving only O'Bannon, Charlie Vest, Ratcliffe, George Smith, Haney, Jack Randolph, and Jim
Wiltshire.
As soon as this arrangement had been. determined
upon, Wiltshire was sent to cross the river with Long, to
have the order executed. When the boat was midway
the stream, Long became alarmed at the number of boats
that were passing, and expressed a determination to return to the Maryland shore. But Wiltshire was not in
the habit of doing business in that way; so he cocked
his pistol, and presented it at the head of the astonished
blockade-runner, bidding him continue his course. Having executed his mission on the Virginia shore, Wiltshir.e,
with the men before enumerated, recrossed the river, and
dismissed Mr. Long, to ply again the profitable and patriotic business to which he had devoted his industry and
talents.
Bowie, with seven of Mosby's Rangers, was now afoot
in Charles County, Maryland, embarked upon the hazardous enterprise of leading into captivity the highest official
in the state. But the distance to be traveled made it
necessary for the lieutenant to mount his followers, for if
his excellency should be captured a forced march to
Dixie would, beyond doubt, be necessary.  But where
were the horses to be obtained? It would never do to
take them from the citizens of Charles County, who were
so zealous for the cause of Southern independence. There
were Yankee cavalry at Port Tobacco, however, and'" Old
Abe" was a quartermaster from whose stables Mosby's




312         Partitsan Life with 3Iosby.
men had, for many months, been in the habit of supplying themselves. To Port Tobacco they accordingly repaired. It was night when they arrived. The men were
halted outside of the town, while their leader went in to
reconnoitre. He soon returned, and conducted them to
B's tavern, where they were provided with crackers
and cheese. Liquors and cigars followed, and then came
Ratcliffe's oyster story.
A cavalry camp was within half a mile of the town,
but a provost-guard, of fifteen or twenty men was quartered in the court-house building. Here, then, were
horses, and Wat Bowie determined out of that stud to
mount his foot-sore and weary followers. The sentinel
who guarded the horses was first' captured by Bowie and
Wiltshire, and turned over to one of the command.
Bowvie then proceeded to the court-house. Charlie Vest
was stationed to guard the door, Randolph, Haney, Ratcliffe, and O'Bannon were directed to hold themselves in
readiness, while Bowie and Wiltshire entered. The room
was very dark, and the former, having lighted a match,
was passing about among the sleeping Yankees, when a
stalwart Dutchman sprang up, and, running his pistol
against Bowie, threatened to shoot. The two Rangers at
once shouted," If any man shoots we will murder the
whole party." At these,words Randolph and his comrades rushed upon the scene. There was not even the
show of resistance made; the warlike Dutchman fell back
upon the floor, protesting that he did not mean to shoot.
The prisoners were then paroled to remain in the courthouse till sunrise -an engagement to which they were
faithful, for Bowie told them by that time he would be
able to recross the river. The horses were then distributed among the Rangers, Bowie selecting for his own
saddle a handsome gray, not because it was the best, but
because it would be most conspicuous in the fight, and




Wat Bowie's Adventures.          313
would, on account of its color, be a good guide-horse at
hight, Thug equipped, they started for Upper Marlboro,
a small town about thirty-six miles distant. The following night, weary and hungry, they entered the town, and
found it difficult to procure food, for even the Southern
sympathizers were afraid to give it to them. The ladies
of Upper Marlboro, in the article of pluck, are not equal
to the heroines of Baltimore, who would have defied the
whole Northern army before they would have seen one'
of Mosby's knights lack for a mouthful of food. But the
ladies of Baltimore are of a higher type, and it is not just
to compare mere mortals with them. They belong to
the order of angels - yes, ministering angels to the sick
and imprisoned soldiers of the South. There was, however, a hospitable old negro, who carried the strangers to
his humble cabin, and there gave them a ham of bacon
and a crust of bread. He was the single righteous man
that saved the city from utter condemnation. After the
lapse of an hour the Partisans again set forth, and, after
less than a day's ride, arrived at the house of one of the
elect, where they were received with a most cordial welcome, and waited upon at table by the daughters of the
house, the servants having been purposely all sent out of
the way. Mosby's men felt like gods, with. dimpled Hebes to give them nectar in the likeness of Lincoln coffee
-no bad substitute either to hungry and toil-worn soldiers. As they took their departure from this hospitable
roof, Wiltshire, in the most enthusiastic manner, exclaimed,
"'Twas bright,'twas heavenly, but'tis past!"
A few hours later, Lieutenant Bowie, with three men,
started to visit a neighboring county, and left Wiltshire,
with the rest of the party, concealed in a forest. Here
Brune Bowie joined them. He had been a member of
the ist Virginia Cavalry, but now enlisted under Mosby.




314          Partisan Life withi Mbosby.
The wanderers slept soundly by their camp-fires in the
woods until, at dawn, Ratcliffe was aroused from his slumbers by a hunter's dog. Springing to his feet, the Ranger found himself face to face with a forester, who carried
a fowling-piece on his shoulder. Ratcliffe summoned his
comrades, and Wiltshire recognized in the sportsman
young, one of Lee's soldiers, who had been wounded
at Gettysburg, and had the night before entertained him
at his father's house. He'had brought with him food
and several bottles of whisky. Thus supplied, life in the
woods was pleasant enough-a good breakfast, a glass of
inspiring liquor, a war-dance, and then the oyster story.
When Lieutenant Bowie returned, he brought with
him information that a large'garrison had been sent to
Annapolis, which rendered the abduction of Governor
Bradford impossible.
He determined without delay to make his way back
to Virginia. Passing through Beltville, the Partisans
marched for forty miles in the direction of the Sugar-loaf
Mountain, which is near the Potomac, and about opposite to Leesburg. At night they slept in a body of pines,
and at eight o'clock in the morning were aroused by the
tramp of horses. It was discovered that an armed band
of about thirty citizens was approaching the bivouac by
the public road, who had been roused to retaliate for an
act of aggression which had been committed by the Rangers the day before.'A fight with Mosby's men is always in order, so they hastily formed on foot, and charged
their assailants with a yell. The citizen soldiers fled
with precipitation, in their fright firing their gunlls and
pistols in the air.
Before the fight had begun, the valiant citizens, with
the exception of eight or ten who were reserved for the
cavalry service, had all dismounted. The consequence
was that they ran away, leaving their horses for the guer



7The Hanging ]actid.          315
rillas. Bowie, Vest, and Wiltshire, mounted on abandoned horses, pressed hard in the pursuit, the lieutenant being considerably in advance. As he passed near a thicket, he was mortally wounded by a'charge of buckshot.
When the men gathered around him, he told them that
he must die, and ordered them at once to leave him, but
they first moved him to the house of a citizen near by,
and left him in the custody of his brother.
The command then devolved on Jack Randolph, who
struck for the Sugar-loaf, from whence he proceeded to
Virginia.
Thus ended a daring but fruitless expedition, or fruitful only in misfortune, for in the death of Lieutenant
Bowie the battalion sustained a heavy'loss. If he had
defects as a commander, they were such as a soldier knows
best how to excuse, and as a gentleman and a soldier, he
was a model upon which others might form themselves.
CHAPTER XL.
THE HANGING RAID.-EXECUTION OF SEVERAL OF MOSBY'S
BATTALION.
Upper Fauquier, September 30th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY,-As soon as Company " F" was organized, three expeditions started from Piedmont; the one to
Maryland, an account of which I gave you in my last letter, and two to the Valley, with an account of which I
will begin my narrative to-day.
With eight men, Captain William Chapman crossed the
Shenandoah for the purpose of attacking Sheridan's line
of communication, extending from Winchester to the Potomac. On the old Winchester and Harper's Ferry Dirt
Road he discovered, about ten miles from the former




316         Partisan LVfe with iosby.
place, an immense supply-train passing, escorted by a
heavy guard, which he followed until it reached the
Winchester and Martinsburg Turnpike, capturing on the
way the commissary of Chapman's brigade and two cavalry-men. He then halted his party, and, it being night,
went forward to reconnoitre.
He discovered a house, around which were standing a
number of horses, and proposed to the proprietor to allow him to stop for the night, but was told that the
house was full. "There is, however, in the stable-yard,"
said he, "a wagon belonging to the 6th Army Corps.
Perhaps you can find quarters' with the driver."  Possessed of this information, Captain Chapman returned to
his command, and sent Lieutenant Fray, with two men,
to search the house before mentioned, while with the rest
he went to the stable-yard. There he found a commissary wagon, loaded with hard tack and drawn by six
mules, in charge of a sergeant and driver. The mules
were quickly bridled and harnessed, and the more so
when shooting was threatened as the consequence of hesitation or disobedience on the part of those in charge of
them. Lieutenant Fray reported that he had found the
house deserted, for the inmates had taken the alarm and
fled. Before Chapman could get off with his captures,
the sound of approaching hoofs was heard, and soon a
voice demanded,
" Who is that 2"
Chapman replied that he had in charge a 6th Corps
wagon, at the same time advancing with his men.
"But why are you making such a devil of a noise 2"
again demanded the voice.
With becoming humility, Chapman responded that his
wagon had broken down, and then ventured to inquire
the names of the strangers. But they treated the question with the contempt so appropriate to official dignity




The Hanginlg jRaid.           317
-an ineffectual barrier in war - so this bevy of officers,
as it proved to be, were compelled to make an unconditional surrender, all but one, who, in the darkness, made
his escape. Major Terry, two captains, a lieutenant, and
two privates set off with Chapman for-" Mosby's Confederacy."
But the night's adventures were not over, for the party
had not proceeded more than a mile before it was halted
by a man who stood on the side of the road. Chapman
asked if it was a picket-station, but was told that eleven
officers, together with a suitler's wagon, had halted there
for the night. In a low voice the sentinel was informed
that he was a prisoner, and was then ordered to call the
officers to him singly. Thus were they all captured, and,
with nineteen prisoners and twenty-three horses, Chapman
continued his march. The affair was so cleverly managed that, in the darkness, those last captured mistook'
all who were along for "rebels," while the prisoners first
taken believed that their captors had received re-enforcements on the route. All this was done without firing a
shot-a piece of head-work that may well make Glasscock look out for his laurels. So great was the disproportion of blue-coats in the column, that it was near being charged by Mosby's men as it drew near Piedmont.
Lieutenant Turner, as I have mentioned, was sent by
Captain Frankland to theValley with six men, and made
several captures from a party which he charged from ambush.
Soon after Captain William Chapman returned from
the Valley, his brother, Captain Saml Chapman, was allowed to take one hundred and twenty men, and attempt
the capture of a picket from the 6th New York Cavalry,
which he had been informed was stationed in Chester's
Gap, one of the breaks in the Blue Ridge, not far from
Front Royal. With this intent, he marched his command




318         Partisan Life with Aosby.
to a point midway between Front Royal and the mountain pass, where he camped for the night, and was informed that no such picket had been posted at that place, but
that a large body of Federal cavalry had the day before
marched from Front Royal toward Luray, and furthermore that General Torbert had been repulsed by General
Wickhamn at Milford, a point between Front Royal and
Luray. About daybreak the next morning Chapman
called for John Gray, Willie Mosby, and several other
Rangers, and rode to Mr. King's, on the Gooney Manor
Grade, from which place he could see the Federal camp a
mile or two below Milford. In a short time it -was reported to him that an ambulance-train, escorted by about
one hundred and seventy-five men, had started from the
Federal camp, and was moving down the turnpike toward Front Royal. Acting upon this information, Chapman returned in the direction of Front Royal, and, when
near it, halted his party midway between the road leading from Chester's Gap and the turnpike leading from
Milford. Here he sent for the command to join him. As
soon as it arrived, he divided it into two parts; one he
put under command of Captain Frankland to make a circuit over Grave-yard Hill, and assail the front of the escort as it was about to enter the village, while with the
other moiety he would attack it in rear at the toll-house.
Chapman, whose position placed him nearer the advancing
escort, saw them as they turned the angle of the itoad; but
cavalry followed without intermission. One, two, three
stands of colors were counted. Turning to Harry Hatcher, in command of Company "A," he ordered him back to
the Chester Gap wood without delay," while I," he said,
"will get to Frankland if possible, and call him off before he makes an attack." But, before he' could execute
this purpose, Frankland had pitched into the front of the
escort, driving it back among the ambulances. When




The Hanging Raid.             319
Chapman met him, exclaiming, "'Call off your men; you
are attacking a brigade," he replied, in amazement, " Why,
Sam, we have whipped them."  The order was repeated,
but it was slowly obeyed, for the men had tasted blood.
I must now return to Harry Hatcher, who could not
find it in his heart to leave the field while his comrades
were fighting, and Fount Beattie and Willie Mosby, who
were with him, contributed all in their power to hinder
a retrograde movement. When the reverend gentleman
discovered this reluctance, in his vexation he exclaimed,
"It is all very noble and very pretty, but devilish inconvenient at this time;" and there is a tradition in the
command that he even used stronger language. The
Yankees, in the mean time, enveloped the devoted band
like a cloud. Now the Rangers would charge them in
front, now beat them off froth the flanks and rear, but still
they continued to crowd upon them. In this way Chapman continued the retreat till he reached Criser's house,
which stands near Chester's Gap Road, where he discovered a body of Federal cavalry so posted as to cut off retreat in that direction. Things looked blue enough, but
the reverend gentleman did not hesitate a moment. His
countenance glowed with pleasure as he rallied his men,
and by a desperate charge opened again the line of retreat to the Blue Ridge.
A Federal lieutenant, with a small party, had galloped
up the Chester Gap RQad, that he might intercept some
of the fugitives, who, on the side of the mountain, were
attempting to make their escape by crossing Hominy
Hollow. Finding himself cut off by the interposition of
Chapman, he dismounted from his horse, it is supposed,
intending to surrender. But he imprudently retained his
arms, and was riddled with bullets by the fugitives as
they passed him. The fate of this officer was not singular, for it is a fact in the history of this locality that no




320         Partisan Life with Mosby.
Yankee has ever visited Hominy Hollow and returned
to tell the tale.
In. this fight'none'of Mosby's men were killed,. none
were wounded, but blood flowed freely enough after the
combat was over, for a vindictive and sanguiilary spirit
prevailed among the Yankees that day. Six prisoners
had been captured in the fight; Anderson and Carter
from Fauquier, Love from Fredericksburg, Jones. from
Washington, Overby from Georgia, and Rhodes from Front
Royal. Events for many months had been drifting to a
catastrophe, and it was now determined to sacrifice these
victims to the angry vengeance which prevailed in the
Northern army toward Mosby and his men. Anderson,
Jones, and Love were marched to the rear of the town
and shot, while Overby and Carter were marched off in
the direction of Guard Hill, and hung to the branches of
a walnut-tree in sight of the village, with this placard
fastened on their backs,' Such is.the fate of all of Mosby's men."
All of them met their fate with singular firmness, but
Overby, who was a famous soldier, hurled defiance at his
executioners, and said,
"My last moments are sweetened by the reflection that
for every man you murder this day Mosby will take a
tenfold vengeance."
Rhodes had fled up Happy Creek when he was captured. As he was marched through Front Royal to the
place of execution, he passed the residence of his mother,
whose only stay he was. With a gush of maternal grief
and fondness, she rushed out into the street and caught
him in her arms; but her arms were unclasped, and she
was rudely driven off by the men who had him in charge.
He was then taken beyond the village and put to death.
The citizens of Front Royal had witnessed all the ter.
rors of legitimate warfare, and had learned to regard them




Ogg's Adventure and Escape.      321
with composure; but the execution of these enlisted soldiers produced a deep gloom that was visible on every
countenance. Had a new chapter in the horrors of war
been opened?
CHAPTER XLI.
OGG'S (THE SCOUT) ADVENTURE AND ESCAPE.-MRS. SCOTT
AND HER LITTLE BOY SAVING HER HOUSE.
Upper Fauquier, October 30th, 1864.
-DEAR PERCY, —On the 29th of September Colonel Mosby returned to Fauquier, and resumed the command of
the Partisan Battalion. He was still on crutches, and unable to ride without being lifted into the saddle. -As soon
as his convalescence began, his restless spirit induced him
to visit Richmond on official business.  But when he
reached Gordonsville, with the purpose of returning to
his father's house, he met three of his captains and many
of the men-a circumstance which convinced him that his
command imperatively demanded his attention. He at
once ordered the officers and men to duty, and to one of
the men who asked for a furlough, he replied,
" No, sir; it is more disgraceful for a soldier to go home
at this time than to go to the penitentiary."
When Mosby arrived Captain William Chapman was
in the Valley, and he immediately sent Captain Sam Chapman, with Company "E," to strike Sheridan's communications near Middletown, from which expedition he returned bringing with him thirteen prisoners.
The battalion was ordered to assemble at Piedmont on
the 2d of October, with the intention of striking Sheridan
a heavy blow. But when the day arrived, information
was brought to Colonel Mosby that a considerable force
X




322         Partisac  Life wit/h MiosbJy.
of the enemy was advancing up the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Instead of marching to the Valley, he,
with two hundred and fifty men and two howitzers, advanced toward the railroad, for he suspected that the enemy harbored the design of establishing for Sheridan a
base east of the Blue Ridge. The most valuable service
which IMosby could render-in this conjuncture was, he
thought, to retard, and, if possible, to defeat this enterprise.' The undertaking was great, and his means small;
yet, by activity, and courage, and skill, he hoped to accomplish that result. Before he reached Thoroughfare
Gap he dispatched Ogg, a good scout and guide, to Bristoe Station in search of information, with orders to report
to him that night at Gainesville. As is his custom, he
was marching several miles in advance of the battalion,
when he learned at the Gap that the enemy were encamped at Gainesville. Thereupon he sent an order to Mountjoy, who was in command of the battalion, to pass
through the Gap, and camp at a designated farm-house,
where he knew forage could be obtained. Mosby then
proceeded to Gainesville, feeling very uuneasy about Ogg
and his party, and, after reconnoitring the Federal camp,
sought shelter from the rain n in a neighboring farm-house.
Just as Tommy Love was spreading their blankets on the
floor, a volley of musketry was hea'rd in the direction of
the Federal camp. Mosby knew what it meant, but could
not help laughing as he exclaimed, "Tom, that's Ogg."
And, sure enough, it was. Ogg had executed his mission,
and had come to report, according to orders, at Gainesville; had seen the camp-fires, and, supposing them to be
Mosby's, had rode up to the picket, who inquired,
"Who are you "
"Ogg," was the reply. "Don't you know Ogg 2"
Never having heard of that individual, the picket required him to dismount and advance.




COgg's Adventture and Es cape.    323
"What company do you belong to2 " inquired Ogg,
never suspecting them to be Yankees.
"' Company'E,"' was the reply.
" 01h yes," said he, "I thought you belonged to that
d —d green company."  And then insisted on being carried at once to'" the colonel," which was agreed to. But
when he advanced, greatly to his surprise, he found himself in the midst of blue-coats and bayonets. But Ogg's
ESOAPE OF OGG FROMI T[E YAIKLE lOAMP.
presence of mind did not in the least forsake him. He
remained master of the situation, and the Yankees had
not discovered who he was. In a peremptory manner, the
Ranger again demanded to be taken to the colonel, for he
had, he said, important information for him, but added
that he could not walk, as he was extremely lame. As
soon as he was again on horseback, he shouted to his
comrades, "Break, boys!" and left the Yankees with the




324         Partisan' Life wvith iosby.
rapidity and brilliancy of a streak of lightning. A volley of musketry followed which did Ogg no harm, nor the
Yankees any good.
Early the next morning, Mosby, proceeding on a reconnoissance, discovered that about four hundred cavalry
had been sent up the railroad, whereupon he dispatched
a courier to, Mlountjoy, with orders to meet him at Bristoe Station, his plan being to intercept and destroy them
on their return. But before the courier arrived a heavy
force had been interposed between Mountjoy and Bristoe Station, which induced that officer, instead of going
thither, to march toward Markham, first passing through
one of the gaps of the Bull Run Mountain. On the night
of October 3d a force of about eighteen hundred infantry
camped at Salem, and, from their preparations, it was evident they had come to rebuild and reoccupy the road, for
they brought with them trains loaded with construction
material.
As he passed the Plains on his way to Salem, Mosby
stopped and conferred with his trusty and intelligent
friend, James William Foster, and on parting from him
said, "' Listen for me to-morrow." By three o'clock P.M.,
on the 4th, he had, collected his men, and placed his howitzers in position on Stevenson's Hill, a little to the south
of Salem, and about half a mile from the Federal camp.
The Yankees, not expecting to be attacked, as soon as
the guns opened on them fled toward Rectortown, where
the rest of the command had gone that morning. First
our sharp-shooters rushed into the deserted camp, soon
followed by the mounted men. MIosby told them to help
themselves to the plunder before them —tents, rubbercloths, blankets, and well-filled knapsacks, all new-for I
need not remind you that, according to his theory, plunder is the cohesive force in the Ranger service.
He followed the retreating enemy, leaving Chapman,




Ogq's Adventure and  Escape.       325
with his squadron and the artillery, to hold the railroad
and tear up the track. They were overtaken near Rectortown, and charged impetuously by Mountjoy. The Federal loss was fifty prisoners, including three officers, and
several killed and wounded. Mosby's loss was two mortally wounded.
I will conclude the narrative of this fight with an anecdote, which strikingly illustrates the courageous spirit
which animates the maidens of " Mosby's Confederacy."
While the fight was progressing, Miss Anna Morgan, of
Clover Hill, was standing in front of her father's residence,
watching the smoke as it rose fromn the guns on Stevenson's Hill. While thus absorbed, three Confederate soldiers approached, coming from the direction of Salem. As
they drew up their horses and saluted the lady, she said,
"You are going in the wrong direction, gentlemen."
And, pointing to the scene of combat, added, "'Every
Southern soldier ought to be there."
If the Federals had heard this, they would say more
than ever that the Southern women are the fiends that
drive the men into battle.
While the fight was in progress at Salem, a force of
twelve hundred Yankees, employed in rebuilding the rail-.road bridge over Goose Creek, near Piedmont, abandoned
their work, and hastily fell back to Rectortown. They
were soon joined by their discomfited brethren from Salem, and the night was spent in throwing up earthworks
for their protection. In the afternoon of the following
day Mosby again opened upon General Augur's force with
his howitzers, driving them from their fortifications, and
compelling them to take refuge in a deep gorge, through
which the railroad at Rectortown passes. He continued
the shelling until dark, and renewed it the next day, but
without being able to dislodge them, for his guns could
not be brought to bear upon either trains or men thus
protected.




326          Partisan Life Wvith Ifosby.
But the shelling had not been unproductive of results,
for the Federal commander the ensuing day sent off a
train, of cars crowded with infantry toward Salem, which
had been again occupied by a large force from Alexandria. It moved slowly, preceded by infantry skirmish
ers, who carefully removed all obstructions from the track,
and protected by flankers, thrown out for the distance of
two hundred yards on each side of the railroad, while.
the howitzers in vain played on it. Each moment we
expected to see the engine thrown from the track, but the
cars rolled on slowly and surely until they arrived at the
new Federal camp.
It will be remembered that Chapman, with his squadron re-enforcedc by the artillery, had been left at Salem, at
the close of the first day's fight. The ensuing morning
a force marched up from the Plains to relay the railroad
track and open communications with the force which had
been cut off at Rectortown. But he- opened upon therm
with his guns, and drove them back to their camps. The
enemy, however, determined to strip the border of cavalry, in order to prevent Mosby from interrupting their
working parties, and on the 9th of October their entire
force commenced moving up the railroad.
By this time Mosby had received from General Lee a
reply to a dispatch. announcing the occupation of the
road by the enemy, his success at Salem, and his purpose
to prevent, if possible, the.reconstruction of the railroad.
General Lee said, "Your success at Salem gives great satisfaction.' Do all in your power to prevent the reconstruction of the road."
The intention of General Augur being now developed,
which was not only to establish a base for Sheridan
higher up in the Valley, but also to compel Mosby to
retire to the district south of the road, which could not
support him, and ultimately to drive him from the coun



Ogg's Adventure and Escacpe.      327
try, Mosby determined to adopt a. counteracting policy.
He first sent Captain William Chapman, with three comlpanies (for the artillery had been sent to the mountain
for safety), to operate for a few days south of the railroad, for the double purpose of deceiving Augur as to
his whereabouts and purposes, and also to deter soldiers
from straggling over the country, and then dispatched
Richards with a squadron to pay his respects to General
Sheridan, while he, with Mountjoy's company, remained
to operate on the north of the railroad. Knowing that
the only way to prevent the progress of the work on the
road was to keep the force stirred up behind, on the
night of the 9th of October he sent a detachment, under
a lieutenant, to throw off the track a train of cars as it
passed between Salem and the Plains. This duty was
successfully performed, and many on board were killed
and many severely wounded. In retaliation, the Yankees
resorted to the inhuman expedient of arresting prominent
citizens of the Southern type residing in Fauquier and
Alexandria, and making them ride on every train which
ran on the Manassas Gap Railroad. In addition, some
of the captured Rangers were sent along. But, with the
spirit of an old Roman, Mosby declared, "If my wife and
children were on board, I would still throw off the cars."
This mode of attack worked like a charm. Most of the
cavalry and infantry were taken from rebuilding, and
employed in guarding the road, and in constructing blockhouses to enable them to do it the more effectually. As
an additional protection, the enemy employed large parties of workmen to clear the margins of the road of
wood, so as to afford the Partisans no shelter. But Mosby had now gained his object in putting this new force
on the defensive, and he turned again to his warfare on
Sheridan's communications. But, before this could& be
done, several events occurred which I will now relate.




328         Partisan Life with MosbIy.
The same night that the cars were thrown from the
track, Mosby, with about forty of his command, slept on
the slope of a mountain near Glen Welby, about two
miles from Salem, the beautiful residence of Major Richard H. Carter, now serving with General Lee's army.
After the Federals had fallen back to Rectortown, and
the pursuing party had been drawn off, Mosby, with several of the men, proceeded to Glen Welby, where he
passed the night. He dispatched Charley Grogan, however, to Rectortown, to ascertain, if possible, definite information of the position of the enemy, with orders to,
proceed on foot. The soldier started, and when near the
village he descried several objects on the brow of a hill
which at first he took to be men, but a reconnoissance informed him of his mistake. The scout again began to
advance with cautious step, when, to his surprise, a sentinel suddenly stepped from behind a tree, exclaiming,
"Is that you, captain?"
"Yes," promptly responded Grogan; "and why," he
sternly added, " are you not walking your beat?"
~ The soldier made no reply to this rebuke, but stepped
off and began to pace his beat. Very soon the scout had
drawn and cocked his pistol, and proceeded rapidly to
the sentinel's side. He placed the pistol to his temple,
and, in a whispered voice, told him that he was a prisoner, and if he raised the least alarm he would meet with
instant death. The man appeared to be paralyzed with
fear, and neither moved nor spoke, but without resistance
accompanied his captor, who took him by the arm and
led him down the hill. The picket to which the sentinel
belonged was near.by, as was disclosed by their fire and
the sound of their voices. Arrived at the base of the
hill, Grogan turned to his prisoner and said,
"I am Mosby, and you will do well not to give me
any trouble."




Ogg's Adventure and Escape.       329
The man bowed his head in token of submission, and
was conducted to the stable-loft at Glen Welby, where
Mosby was passing the night, who quickly extracted
from him the desired information. Hurrah for Charley
Grogan!
Since General Augur had taken up a position at Rectortown, his cavalry had foraged almost exclusively on
the adjoining country. Every corn-house and corn-field
in a large area were visited almost daily, and it was only
by secreting small quantities of grain in different places
that families were enabled to preserve food -for themselves and the little stock they had been able to retain.
Among the farms most frequently visited by these foragers was Glen Welby, particularly obnoxious because of
the entertainment which Mosby's men was known ever
to receive beneath its hospitable roof.
Early the next morning, the watchful eye of Colonel
Mosby discovered a column of one hundred and fifty of
the enemy's cavalry approaching from the direction of
Rectortown, the residence of Major Carter. It soon appeared that they were in search of hay, which they tied up
in large bundles and placed across their horses. He had
caught the Yankees flcgrante delicto, and he meant to
make them pay for it. As the column passed out, of the
Glen Welby farm through a narrow lane formed by high
stone fences, Lieutenant Grogan, with twenty men, charged
and was soon in the midst of the surprised and dismayed
foragers, pouring into them a destructive fire from their
revolvers. At this time Mosby struck the column at
another point, and made the route complete. The flight
was continued some distance before the Federals recovered from their dismay. Then they rallied, but not until
Grogan had drawn off his party in safety. But this farce
threatened to end in a tragedy, for soon Colonel Gallop,
at the head of his regiment, made his appearance.on the




330         Pcartisan Life With Jfosby.
scene. Finding one of his men killed, and a good many
lying wounded on the road and in the adjoining field,
while others were coming in who had fled to the wood,
and learning that it had been all produced by a. mere
squad of Mosby's men, he was greatly enraged,.and determined that some one should suffer. And whom, do
you suppose were selected as the victims to be immolated by the wrathful officer?? Mosby's men? No. Men
capable of bearing arms against them  No. But a
houseful of helpless women and a large family of children. Upon them he determined to take vengeance for
this ordinary and lawful belligerent act. In accordance
with this purpose, Colonel Gallop, with his command,
hastened to Glen Welby, in full view of which the fight,
if such it can be called, had taken place. Very soon the
house was surrounded, sentinels throw'n out on every side,
while a portion of the regiment dismounted, and, with
their commander, entered the house. They were met at
the door by Mrs. Carter and her daughter, Mrs. Scott,
whose husband, Major R. Taylor Scott, was likewise on
duty with Lee's army. The officer's salutation was,
"We have come for the purpose of burning-this house,
and every building attached to the ground."
Mrs. Carter inquired the cause. Colonel Gallop replied,
" We have just been attacked by a party of Mosby's
cut-throats on this place, and I have no.doubt you' had
them concealed somewhere near by, and gave them. information.'
The ladies assured him that they knew nothing of Colonel Mosby's movements, and that the first knowledge
they had- had of the.presence of his men was the firing
of which he complained.
But Colonel Gallop refused to credit a word they uttered, and said,




Oyg's Adventure and Escctpe.          331
"I know, madam, you are in the habit of harboring
those miserable cut-throats, and you shall suffer for it."
He immediately ordered a detail to be made to execute
his threat to fire the buildings.  This was a most trying
moment.  Mrs. Carter had been recently extremely ill,
and was scarcely convalescent. Surrounded by her daugh.
ters, a niece, one son-a mere boy, and a tender nurslingshe saw the incendiaries about to apply the torch to her
home, which was a large and beautiful building, comfortably and tastefully furnished, and had been to herself
and family for many years the abode of comfort and happiness.  In a few moments she was to witness its total
destruction, and herself and family were to be turned out
without a shelter.  Yet even in this helpless and forlorn
situation her fortitude did not desert her. She bore herself with such dignity, resignation, and firmness, that even
the rude natures around her were softened by compasAM1rS. SOUTT AND HER BOY SAYING THE HOUSE FPOM THE FLAMES.




332          Partisan 2ife with iuXosby.
sion. The simple request was made that time should be
allowed to remove some clothing. Colonel Gallop replied, "You may have five minutes!"
A small quantity of clothing was accordingly brought
out into the yard, but was seized and carried off by the
soldiers in the presence of the officers, under the pretext
of searching for something contraband. Soon the family,
Mrs. Scott and her little son excepted, left the house condemned to the flames, the children, in extreme terror,.
hiding themselves in the fields and orchard, while Mrs.
Carter started in search of her infant, who, then sick and
but imperfectly clothed, was exposed to the raw autumnal air. At this time occurred a scene of the most tragic
interest, which would defy the pen even of Walter Scott,
fully to depict-Mrs. Scott, as heroic as she is gentle and
beautiful, taking her little boy by the hand, seated herself in one of the parlors, saying,
"Well, my son, if they will burn this dear old home,
we will perish in the flames."
This spectacle was too much even for the flinty hearts
of the soldiers. Soon one of them, supposed to be a corporal, was seen to approach his commander, and apparently to expostulate
with him. Just then
Colonel G'allop inquired for Mrs. Carter, who was summoned from the field, and,
\\,, in company with her
daughter Sophie,
khown as "The Lily"
among the Rangers
approached the officer, who, in a very
rough and unfeeling




Ogg's Adventure and Esccape.      333
manner, began to address her; but Miss Sophie immedi.
ately interposed, saying,
"If I had known you had called for my mother to insuit her, she should not have been sent for."
The colonel, thus rebuked, concluded by saying,
"I have determined, madam, to spare your house this
time; but if I ever catch or hear of one of these cutthroats being here again, nothing shall save the house or
any building on the place."
To this Miss Sophie replied,
"We can not make any promise of the kind; and if
we did, it would be impossible for us to keep it, for,
when soldiers come, we can not, if we would, ordber them
away."
lThe next day, with Mountjoy's company, Colonel Mosby was stationed in the woods between Salem and the
Plains. With thirteen men, he rode within sight of the
latter place, where there was a camp of Yankees. About
forty or fifty cavalry came in pursuit of him. They did
not venture to come to close quarters, but dismounted,
and used their carbines from behind a stone fence. Willie Mosby was' sent for Mountjoy,while the colonel, in order to draw the enemy farther out, fell slowly back and
disappeared in a wood. The stratagem succeeded, and
the Federal charged, supposing he had fled. But suddenly he burst upon them. Of all things, a Yankee fears an
ambuscade the most, and accordingly they wheeled and
rapidly retreated, followed by Mosby and his party. In
the pursuit he passed two of the Federal troopers, one of
whom shot his horse in the hip, causing it to fall upon
him. Thus prostrate, he was surrounded by the enemy.
His men, perceiving that they had lost their leader, returned and extricated him fromn the wounded animal.
The Yankees in the mean time had received re-enforcements, but were charged and dispersed by Mountjoy, leav



334         Partisan Life wvith fosby.
ing six of their number killed and wounded. In consequence of this fall Mosby is quite lame, and is still unable to wear a boot.
CHAPTER XLII.
"THE GREENBACK RAID.?
Clover Hill, November 4th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-We  will now accompany Mosby to the
Valley on what is known in the command as the " Greenback Raid," undertaken in pursuance of the policy which
I indicated in my last letter.i With eighty-four men
Mosby started on the 13th of October from Hooper's
Shop, and soon met Henry Heaton, who had been sent
on a scout to the Valley, to get information, about the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The command under
Mountjoy was sent to Snickersville, while Mosby went
to Upperville to hear the result of Richards's trip to
Newtown, and to issue farther orders. He was informed
that Richards had attacked an ambulance with an escort
of thirty men, and had killed and wounded twelve, captured an equal number, and had brought off twenty-eight
horses. Among the articles captured in the ambulance
were many important official papers and two fine maps,
one of the country along the Orange and Alexandria
Railroad as far as the Rappahannock River, and one of
the Manassas Gap Railroad as far as Strasburg. These
had been destined for General Sheridan, and threw additional light on the use which the Federal government
proposed to make of one or both of these roads.
From Upperville Mosby went to join the command at
Snickersville, and that night crossed the Shenandoah.
The next day, from a position on the Valley Turnpike,




" The Greenabclk Raicl."          335
he captured fifteen men and horses, and then determined
to intercept a train of cars on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad. The point selected to make this attempt was
a deep cut a little west of Brown's Crossing, and about
a quarter of a mile from Duffield D6p6t, so that the passengers might sustain no injury from the sudden stoppage
of the cars —a precaution w~hich a cruel nature would
not have taken. (Harry Hatcrier, with a detail of fifteen
men, was then ordered to tear up the rails, and was very
particular to destroy both tracks, for he was not unmindful of the mortifying experience of Captain Dolly, or
",Southdown," as the men called him after that exploit.
As soon as the work was done, Mosby, leaving a small
guard with the horses, marched the command to the railroad, alnd, wrapping his blanket around him, laid his
head in the lap of one of the men, and slept soundly, for
he was much exhausted, having been almost constantly
in the saddle since his return to his command.
"Oh, sleep! it is a gentle thing
Beloved from pole to pole;
To Mary, Queen, the praise be given,
She sent the gentle sleep from heaven,
That slid into his soul."
At two o'clock P.M. he was roused by the whistle, followed by the explosion of the boiler. The men were
astounded. But, knowing that a prompt attack was the
way to prevent resistance, Mosby pushed the men down
the embankment as rapidly as possible. Roused from
their bewilderment, they sprang into the cars, where a
wild scene of confusion was presented. The ladies, of
whom there were a good number, screamed with terror,
while the male passengers were initiated in the operation
of being " gone through."
As soon as the cars were boarded, Jim Wiltshire, who
is the luckiest dog on earth with the ladies, had a ro



336          Paretisan Life wvith  lbosby.
mantic adventure, which may, some of these days, lead to
serious consequences. A young lady, of remarkable beauty, and dressed in mourning, with a very agitated manner
called to him,
"Oh, captain, protect me, for I am a Mason's daughter!."
The Ranger, not exactly comprehending the purport
of her language, gallantly replied, "And I, miss, am a
Mason's son. Be not alarmed."
Thus assured, she approached and laid her hand upon
his arm, still violently agitated.
At this moment several of her fellow-passengers gathered around her. As they did so she fainted, and would
have fallen but for the supporting arm of her new acquaintance, who laid the maiden's inanimate form softly
upon one of the seats, and then quietly withdrew.
As soon as the passengers had, gathered on the railroad
bank, and the ladies were assured of their personal safety, their spirits revived, and they appeared to enjoy the
adventure. It was, indeed, a romantic situation, to be
stopped amid those wild scenes by: starlight, by the band
of the guerrilla chief, Jack Mosby.
When the cars came to be burned, there was one found
to be freighted with German emigrants, who, not understanding a word of English, made no motion to leave
their seats when ordered to do so.
"They don't understand English," said Puryear; "perhaps they understand fire," and with these words he
threw a parcel of lighted New York Heralds into the
car. Out the Dutch tumbled-men, women, and children-amid a chorus of outlandish curses.
During this scene of agitation and confusion, Mosby
sat on his horse, conversing freely with the passengers.
He remarked to one of them,
" General Stevenson will not guard the railroad. and I




"The GreenzbacrE Raid."        337
am determined to make him perform his duty." Of a
Dutch lieutenant, who had just been commissioned, and
was on his way to his regiment, he inquired,
"Why did you come to fight us 2"
"Only to learn your tactics," he replied.
A little while after, the lieutenant came to Mosby with
the complaint that some one had taken his boots from
him.
"Oh," said he, laughing, "that is only an elementary
lesson in our tactics."
A lady, hysterical with fright, threw her arms about
Munro Heiskell's neck, and begged him to inform Colonel
Mosby that her husband was a Mason. When the momentous fact was communicated, the Partisan chief quietly replied, "Well, tell her I can't help it."
Billings Steele approached one of the passengers for,
the purpose of "going through him.";  THE GUEENBAOCh,   AIl).'
Y




338         Partisan Iife with 3bosby.
"Why, Billings," said he, " I am your brother; besides,
they have robbed me twice already."
The passengers were standing on the bank, with the
light of the burning cars thrown over them, when one of
the guerrillas rode along, holding up a handsome carpet
sack, and calling for the owner. After a slight pause, an
old gentleman bustled out of the crowd and claimed the
property, handing up the key to substantiate his title.
The Ranger very quietly put the key in his pocket and
rode off. As he did so, some one in the crowd, with a gay
laugh, exclaimed, " Sold again!" and right cheap did the
old gentleman look.
-in the midst of the conflagration, Charlie'Dear and
West Aldridge approached Colonel Mosby with the information that they had taken from the two paymasters
a tin box and a satchel filled with greenbacks. This was
a splendid prize, and it was immediately sent off in charge
of a party under command of Lieutenant Grogan.
The only casualty was the death of a Federal officer,
who, as he attempted to escape from the cars, was killed
by John Hearn. The prisoners captured were Major
Moore and Major Ruggles, the paymasters before mentioned, a Prussian officer in Federal uniform, two lieutenants, and six privates.
On the return march Mosby was informed by a soldier
whom he met that Captain Blazer was encamped near
Cabletown. He turned his course in that direction, and
at sunrise charged into the camp, but Blazer had left just
two hours before, and his fires were still burning brightly.
The next day, at a sequestered spot near Bloomfield,
the greenbacks were counted and divided by Beattie,
Hall, Grogan, and Briscoe, who had been appointed by
Mosby to perform that duty. The amount captured being $168,000 dollars, each man received something over
two thousand. When the names of the parties entitled




"The Greenback Raid."               339
to the prize-money were read out, Colonel Mosby came
forward and ordered his name to be struck from the list.
Against this act of self-denial the men loudly protested,
but to no purpose, for he is inexorable in his determnination not to partake of the rich spoil which is daily captured by his command.
This is a great sum to be expended among the citizens
of " Mosby's Confederacy," for into their hands it will all
ultimately pass, and is one of the advantages conferred
upon them by having in their midst the Partisan Battalion.
I will now close my account of the Greenback Raid with
a copy of General Lee's dispatch to the Secretary of War
in relation to it:
"Headquarters, October 17th, 1864.
" Hon. Secretary of War:
"On the 14th Colonel Mosby struck the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Duffield Station, and destroyed a United States mail train,
consisting of a locomotive and ten cars, securing twenty prisoners
and fifteen horses. Among the prisoners were two Yankee paymasters, with one hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars in government bonds.
"(Signed),                   R. E. LEE, General."
As Mosby was returning from  the Greenback Raid,
Colonel Gansevoort, of the Federal army, proceeded to,
Emory's, on the Cobbler Mountain, under the guidance of
a deserter from the battalion, as is believed, and captured
the four pieces of artillery which had been deposited
there for safety. At the same time Sergeant Babcock,
who was in charge of the pieces, and several others, were
made prisoners.
The day before Mosby started on the Greenback Raid,
he ordered Phil and Fred Smith to dart across the railroad, and carry instructions to Captain Chapman to transfer his command to the north side of the railroad, for the
purpose of striking. the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at




-340         Partisan Life with Mosby.
some point in Maryland. But Phil Smith found it to be
too heavily guarded -to make darting across an easy matter, and therefore had recourse to stratagem to effect his
purpose. Taking off his coat, his checked shirt and blue
pantaloons had a Yankee-like appearance. He then cautiously approached the road, but, to his surprise, struck it
just where two sentinels were seated around their low
watch-fire. He addressed them politely, and was allowed
to pass, until, getting out of the range of their guns, he
set spurs to his horse, and proceeded to deliver the colonel's order. During the execution of the order Chapman discovered a strong guard on the road, whom he
charged, wounding several of them, and capturing quite a
number. He then marched up the railroad, picking up
the sentries which were strung along it, until he was interrupted by the arrival of a car-load of soldiers, and colmpelled to move off. The next morning about dawn he
-started from his camp in Loudoun, and marched by private roads to White's Ford of the Potomac, where an
abundance of game was found. Canal-boats were passing one after another in quick succession, freighted, many
of them, with supplies for Sheridan's army. Very soon
eight or ten of these boats were in a blaze, and the horses
by which they were drawn were sent back to Bloomfield.
Chapman's objective point being Adamstown, he could
not tarry long on the canal, for a party of Keys's raceriders had seen him cross the river, and had posted off to
spread the alarm among the hostile camps within reach.
There was an encampment of Delaware troops within a
distance of seven miles. There were the troops at Point
of Rocks, Berlin, and Harper's Ferry, to say nothing of
Keys's myrmidons, one hundred and forty of whom were
camped right at Adamstown. When the squadron reached its objective point, Chapman was disappointed to hear
that, on account of the capture of the cars by Mosby, no




"Th]e Greenbackl Raid."        341
train would come from Harper's Ferry that day, and the
men, to soothe their disappointment, were allowed to
plunder two store - houses. Meanwhile Captain Keys
drew up the Loudoun Rangers in battle array within
half a mile of the scene, and awaited the moral effect of
his presence on the rebels. The squadron set out to return to Virginia, followed by Captain Keys at the respectful distance of five hundred yards, who occasionally
fired a shot to let the Rangers know that he was in pursuit. The Reverend Sam Chapman, who brought up the
rear, proposed a fight; but his brother said, "Sam, I
haven't time to stop and go off on a fox-hunt after Keys."
But instead, he determined to set a trap for the fox. So
off the squadron started at a rapid rate, as if anxious to
effect its escape. The Loudoun Rangers were delighted
at this evidence of demoralization, and their military ardor rose to a high pitch. They had been many years in
the service, and had never seen any body run from them
before. As Chapman entered a lane, down they came,
riding and yelling upon him, when, by a sudden countermarch, he turned fiercely upon his pursuers. The Virginia Yankees now found they had made a terrible mistake, and began to scatter like a flock of wild turkeys,
scrambling over fences and running like mad to the woods.
They were so well mounted, however, that only some four
or five were killed, and twelve or fifteen taken prisoners.
But Chapman quickly called off his dogs of war, for the
prisoners informed him that Keys had been sent to delay
his march by skirmishes until the fords of the river could
be occupied and the canal bridges destroyed  information which proved to be correct, for when he reached a
bridge below the Point of Rocks he found a detachment
of infantry employed in tearing it up and throwing the
timber into the canal; but a volley from the Partisans
dispersed this party. The bridge was relaid, and the




342          Partisan Life with Mosby.
squadron, with its gallant commander, was soon safe
again in Old Virginia. Fortune always favors the brave,
for the Yankees had put in ambush two hundred infantry at the ford next above the one where the crossing was
effected. About nightfall the command passed through
Leesburg, and were received with demonstrations of welcome. Hurrah for William Chapman!
CHAPTER XLIII.
JOHN ORRICK'S ADVYENTURES.
Upper Fauquier, November 7th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY,-To-day I will introduce to you John
Orrick, a volunteer from Alabama, who, after being captured by the Federals on the retreat from Gettysburg,
effected his escape and made his way to Mosby. He is
a good soldier, is cool and brave, and, being well acquainted in Maryland, is often employed by his commander to
gain information from that side of the Potomac. His adventurous expeditions, some of which I am about to relate, will remind you of Wat Bowie, and will serve to expose to your view still farther this aspect of Partisan life.
Soon after he joined the command, with four comrades
he crossed the Potomac below Leesburg, and proceeded
through the country to a wood near Middlebrook, where
the party passed the night. The next morning Orrick
stationed himself on the road side to look out for Yankees. He had not been long in that position before a
traveler in citizens' clothes, but riding an army saddle and
wearing large brass spurs, passed. The man was halted
and ordered to surrender, which he did promptly. He
was very much frightened, and pleaded to be Released because he was a Democrat. But Orrick told him that he




John Orcrick's Adventures.        343
did not see much difference between a War Democrat and
a Republican, and took from him a good horse and a fine
pair of pistols, though it turned out that there was no
harm in the man, for he was only a sutler's clerk bound
for Frederick City.
That night the Rangers took from the poor clerk a
blue jacket which he carried with him, and turned him
loose, assured that the Federal army would gain buit little strength from War Democrats of that pattern.
The next day the party took up a position in the vicinity of Darnestown, where they captured three soldiers,
and that night proceeded toward Rockville, near which
place they concealed themselves in. a body of pines.
The succeeding morning Orrick and Riley, dressed in
blue jackets, started for the house of old man Spates to
get something to eat. As they passed through a meadow
they encountered a party of negroes at work. The scouts
stopped and inquired of them if they had seen any Rebs
about. One of the negroes promptly replied, " Oh yes,
massa, we just saw four of dem down in de pines."  Orrick replied, " We have just caught six," and then added,
" If you see any more of them, come to camp, for we have
plenty of coffee and sugar.".
The two cavaliers then rode to the house, where they
found three gentlemen, one of whom was a minister. At
their request a snack was set before them, and soon the
disguised Confederates fell into conversation with their
entertainers, to whom they represented themselves as soldiers from Chicago. At length one of the company mentioned the name of Orrick, saying that at that time he
was scouting in the neighborhood, and inquired if they
had fallen in with him. Orrick then called for a description of himself, which was very correctly given, and added that it would be a good thing for the Reb not to fall
in with his party, though it -would be a good thing for




344          Partisan Life with Jiosby.
the camp at Seneca if he were caught. Having finished
their meal, the two strangers arose, and Orrick in a very
polite manner introduced himself to the company. Their
astonishment, of course, was very great, and the only compensation which the scouts demanded for the information
which had been volunteered about their presence in the
country was a plenty of provisions for their friends in the
woods.
As they walked out on the porch, they beheld at the
distance of half a mile a cloud of dust, and, bidding their
entertainers good-by, put spurs to their horses and were
soon out of sight on their way to rejoin their companions.
After some farther adventures, which resulted in the capture of several prisoners, the Rangers started for Howard
County, from which place Orrick concluded to make a trip
to Baltimore City, which was distant from the point at
which they had stopped about eighteen miles.
So, the following morning, dressed in a suit of citizens'
clothes which he had borrowed, he started for the city,
which he reached without adventure, and where he remained a day and night. While there he gathered much
useful information, and purchased gray cloth for a uniform and other articles useful to the Ranger service.
When he was about five miles from Baltimore, on his
return, he was stopped by six soldiers, who, after many
questions, which he answered to their satisfaction, allowed
him to drive on.
That night the Rangers started for Montgomery County
by a pale moonlight. As they were riding through a
field they passed the frame of a house filled with hay,
around which were a number of horses engaged in eating. Orrick was in front, and rode up to them under the
belief that they were colts, but soon discovered about
twenty of the blue-coats asleep on the ground. He wheeled his horse, but in so doing rode over a plank, the sound




John, Orrick's Adventures.        345
of which aroused the sleeping soldiers, who at once sprang
to their feet and began a pursuit. But the fugitives found
no difficulty in eluding their pursuers, and, after a rapid
ride of five miles, allowed their horses to relapse into a
slow pace. Soon, however, the sound of hoofs from be
hind was heard, and knowing from what cause it proceed.
ed, they turned into a wood until the Yankees had charged
by, and then determined, as they were traveling in the
same direction, to act as rear-guard to their pursuers.
They had not proceeded far before they came upon a
Yank engaged in adjusting the girths to his saddle. They
captured the soldier, who proved to be a good-humored
fellow, for, as he rode off with his captors, he said,
"Well, boys, you are a rare set of fellows. Is your
colonel along? for of all men I desire most to see him."
The Rangers answered his question, and, in return,
were informed that his party had been sent to watch the
house of a citizen who was suspected of being a Southern
sympathizer.
The scouts then proceeded to a wood near Darnestown,
and the next morning Orrick, leaving his co-mates, went
to the house of a citizen in search of information. While
engaged in conversation with the young ladies of the
family, a knock was heard at the door. The soldier ran
into an adjoining room, and mounted the staircase with
which it communicated, followed by one of the young
ladies. There was an old-fashioned chest in one of the
rooms, in which he was hastily concealed, and a large
box then placed on the lid. After Orrick had laid there
for half an hour, and had become much cramped in his
close quarters, he determined rather to risk the chance of
capture than to continue in so uncomfortable a position.
With a spring he burst open with a loud noise the lid
of the chest, and, drawing his revolver, advanced to the
head of the stairs, determined there to await his fate,




346         Partisan Life wit/h Mlosby.
fully assured that in that position he would be a match
for several assailants. But instead of the Yankees there
approached a lady, who informed him that all danger was
past, for that the Federal soldiers, from whom the knock
at the door had proceeded, had left the house without
being aware of his presence. By an early hour the next
day the Rangers had recrossed the Potomac with the information which they had been sent to obtain.
Soon after the Greenback Raid, Mosby directed Orrick
to go to Frederick City, and ascertain the force of the enemy at that point, and the situation of their camps. Accompanied by Robinson, of Maryland, he crossed the
Potomac at White's Ford, and having procured a suit of
citizen's clothes, together with a buggy and horse, from
a friend, he started for the camp. As he passed through
the little town of Urbana he encountered two Federal
soldiers, who allowed him to proceed unmolested; but
he had not gone more than a mile when one of them,
having had his suspicions aroused, no doubt,' overtook
him, and demanded of Orrick his place of residence.
"Rocksville," promptly responded the scout, and, in his
turn, inquired the news of the day.
The soldier replied, " Sheridan is giving Early h-11."
Orrick said, " That's right; I wish he would kill them
all."
In this way the soldiers chatted until they reached the
Monocacy Junction, a point three miles distant from
Frederick City, and where there was quite a camp of
soldiers. Orrick desired to ascertain the strength of this,
but was at a loss to know how to accomplish this object.
He drew up his horse, therefore, near the picket, who
approached him and demanded what he wanted. The
scout replied that he was waiting for the cars to pass, as
his horse was wild, and then occupied himself with counting the tents, which he found to be twenty-six in num



John Orrick's Adventures.        347
ber. Allowing six men to a tent, the inference was drawn
that a force of one hundred and fifty-six Yankees was
stationed at this point. Possessed of this information,.he
drove to Frederick City, and stopped at the City Hotel,
where he registered himself as William Jones, Montgomery County, Maryland.
He had scarcely taken his seat in the public room before a stranger, who looked, Orrick thought, very much
like a detective, walked up to the register, and, after reading the list of fresh arrivals, inquired of the clerk if William Jones was in. Orrick thought certainly that his
time had come, and that the Yankees would give him a
hempen collar. He determined, however, to put on a
bold face; so he walked to the desk, and informed the
stranger that he was William Jones, who inquired if he
had brought his "hounds" with him. Orrick replied,
"You have mistaken your man.'"  The stranger, having
explained to him that he was expecting his hounds to be
sent to him by a gentleman of that name, bowed and
retired. That evening the Ranger visited several of his
lady friends who resided in the town, and agreed to drive
with one of them the next day on the roads on which the
troops were encamped. By this drive he possessed himself of the information he was sent to acquire. The day
following Orrick attended a large M'Clellan mass meeting, and, in the garb of a citizen, passed in the crowd for
a first-rate Democrat. His mission being accomplished,
he proceeded to rejoin Robinson, and, resuming his own
clothes, the two soldiers started for the river, which they
did not reach, however, without several farther adventures with the Yankees, such as were ever recurring with
Mosby's men on the other side of the river.




348          Partisan Life with iMosby.
CHAPTER XLIV.
CAPTURE OF GENERAL DUFFIE AND OTHER EXPLOITS.
Upper Fauquier, November 10th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY, —In obedience to his policy of extending
to the people in whose midst he was waging war all the
protection in his power, as far as it was compatible with
the higher policy of co-operating with the main armies,
Mosby ordered Captain William Chapman, with his squadron, to proceed to Piedmont, to check the ravages of the enemy in that vicinity. The Yankees had a habit of chasing
scouts who ventured too near their camp, and accordingly
Captain Chapman dispatched Shacklett and an Irishman
down Crooked Run to draw them out. The stratagem succeeded. Two squadrons came out from camp. Shacklett
escaped, but Pat, who was poorly mounted, was gobbled up.
The Yankees then devoted their energies to plundering.
Mrs. Fletcher's house was convenient, and they helped themselves liberally to hay first, and then to calves, pigs, sheep,
chickens, turkeys, geese, apples, and what not. The sun
had just set when they turned their horses' heads toward
camp, as jolly as may be. But, alas for human happiness!
a lion had stolen out and concealed himself in their
path. Captain William Chapman, from a height, had
watched them as they passed, and, while they were busy
at Mrs. Fletcher's, had, with his squadron, descended a ravine to an advantageous position on the road between
them and their camp. It was nearly dark when they
came up. They were charged home with a yell. Sam
Chapman, with his company, galloped along their flanks,
pistoling them with impunity, while Captain William




Captulre of General Duffle and  otzer Exploits.  349
Chapman crowded their front, now turned to rear, more
quickly than it could have possibly been done by any other process. Thus jammed up, seven of the Yankees were
killed at that place, and twelve wounded. At length they
broke through all obstacles, the Rangers pressing and
shooting them at every jump. Night alone prevented
the capture or destruction of the whole party. As it was,
not less than forty were killed and wounded, and twenty-nine taken prisoners.
The slaughter was so great that a complaint was lodged
with the colonel of the regiment that prisoners had been
shot after surrender, whereupon he addressed a communication to Mosby, inquiring into it, but was assured there
was no truth in the story.
One of Chapman's men, Joe Kennally, from the Valley,
had, without assistance, taken two prisoners, and, amid the
darkness, was conducting them to his command. Seizing
a moment when his attention was relaxed, they attacked
him, and it was only by the exertion of great courage and
strength that he saved his own life and killed both of his
assailants.
With Companies " A," "B,' and " D," Mosby marched
to Fairfax, with the purpose of attacking a large wagontrain near Fairfax Station, but failed to do it, the enemy
having been notified of his approach. He then made a
demonstration on a fort near Anandale, capturing some
pickets, and sent Mountjoy to make a strike near Falls
Church, with orders afterward to join him in Loudoun,
whither he proceeded. Mountjoy created a great commotion at Falls Church, and returned bringing with him twelve
prisoners and horses.  Meanwhile Mosby's presence in
Fairfax had been telegraphed to General Augur, and he
sent his cavalry in pursuit of him, but, as the Yankees
marched down to Fairfax, Mosby marched up to Loudoun. Without delay he dispatched Richards, with a




350         Partisan ife with Mosby.
squadron, to operate near Winchester, while he, with
Mountjoy's company, marched toward Bunker Hill, with
the intention of attacking a wagon-train, but found it too
heavily guarded.....Mosby then returned to Fauquier, and
collected the battalion for the purpose of striking a' heavy
blow at Sheridan's communications. 7'Camping on the
Valley''Tur-npike, within'a few' miles of Bunker Hill,.he
and Captain Chapman went out to reconnoitre the road,
and soon beheld an ambulance coming down, with an escort of twenty cavalry. Chapman was sent, with twelve
men, to charge the escort in the rear, while Grogan, with
another detachment, was directed to charge in front.
About that time a large wagon-train made its appearance,
coming from the direction of Martinsburg, which the ambulance and. escort made a strenuous exertion to reach.
But Chapman was too quick for them, and overtook the
ambulance within two hundred yards of the train. As
the train hove in sight, Mosby advanced his command of
three hundred a:~sevettyfive men, aiid, as he galloped
toward the turnpike, met Boyd Smith and John Dixon
escorting their captives to the rear.
"Colonel, here's your general," said Boyd Smith. 
"Who are you 2" said Mosby, addressing the captive.
"General Duffie," replied the stranger.
"Take him to the rear," said Mosby, and passed on to
attack the train. Not having discovered the overwhelming force which guarded it, he sent Chapman and Mountjoy, with their squadrons, to attack it in front, while he,
with Richards's squadron, would attack it in rear. The
two officers easily drove the three hundred Federal cavalry in advance back upon the infantry, who, in their
turn, drove back the Rangers. Mosby, seeing his men
retreating in confusion, rode rapidly up to rally and reform them, but, as he did so, discovered, in addition to
the enemy's cavalry and infantry, two pieces of artillery.




Capoture of General )Duffie and other Exploits.  351
The guns opened upon him, and he at once drew off,
hoping to be followed by the Federal cavalry, which had
again advanced. But this hope was disappointed, for
the train had in charge a great sum of money, and Colonel Currie, in command of the escort, had been ordered
not to make any attacks.
General Duffie occupied a very unpleasant position.
When at the head of his brigade in the streets of Paris,
he had ordered his men to shoot all prisoners taken from
Mosby's command. Sergeant Magner, of Company " D,"
had fallen into his hands, and was on the point of being
executed, in obedience to these bloody instructions, when
a citizen testified that he belonged to the 6th Virginia
Cavalry-an assertion which carried with it the stronger
probability, as he had once belonged to that regiment,
and still had about him papers which showed his connection with it. By this device Magner was saved, and
was sent as a prisoner of war to Harper's Ferry, from
which place he managed to make his escape. Such was
General Duffie's antecedents when he found himself in
the hands of Mosby. The hanging at Front Royal was
fresh in the memory, and the Rangers clamored for his
blood, for the manes of Anderson and Overby had never
been avenged. The Southern newspapers also had violently urged retaliation upon ruthless: officers whenever
they might be captured. But Mosby had resolved to
pursue another course, and General Duffie was spared,
for what cared he for the declamations of newspaper editors or the angry counsels of his own soldiers? 
Richards was dispatched with his: squadron to intercept a scouting-party of about one hundred Yankees, who
had been in the habit of coming out from the Plains toward Middleburg. He watched for them all day on one
road, but, failing to post a vedette on a parallel road, let:
the opportunity slip of catching them. "Southdown"'
again!




352         Partisan Lijfe with Mosby.
Chapman, with his squadron, was sent to look after foraging parties which Sheridan was in the habit of sending
out in the neighborhood of White Post and Front Royal,
while Mosby, with Companies "ID" and "'F," proceeded
to the vicinity of Sheridan's army, which was then lying
between Newtown and Winchester. But his presence
was discovered, and he was compelled to withdraw. He
then determined in person to look after the foragers, and
soon saw a train of wagons, escorted by cavalry and infantry, coming down the road. Mosby halted his command, and went forward to reconnoitre, and fell in with
Chapman, who was likewise hovering about the wagons,
ready to pounce upon them. Chapman was sent behind
the wagons to ascertain the strength of the guard, and
soon reported that, if Mosby would agree, he could capture the entire party. Consent was given; and Chapman,
deploying his men so as to exaggerate his force, accomplished his purpose without firing a shot.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Frank Turner, with Company
"F," had been over about Newtown, and had captured a
good many prisoners. Mosby then returned to Fauquier,
and after -a few days went back to the Valley on a trip
to Martinsburg, which failed of results on account of being misled by the guide. Captain Chapman also made
several raids to Warren County with his usual success,
while Richards and Frank Turner, with small detachments, operated frequently on the Valley Turnpike near
Newtown. On one of these occasions Richards assumed
the character of a provost-guard. All small parties were
required to exhibit their passes, none of which would
satisfy the scruples of that military constable. He met
a small band of horsemen as a command of infantry was
in the act of passing. He held them in conversation till
the infantry were out of sight, and then, in a tone of authority, demanded their passes. The spokesman of the




Cctpture of General Duftie and other Exploits. 353
party produced one signed by Sheridan himself, but was
told that it was not sufficient. "The d-1!" replied the
Yankee. "Things have come to a high pass when a man
can't travel this road on General Sheridan's authority."
"And yet," said Richards, " that is the exact condition
of things. You will have to go with me." This was a
pretty game for a small party to play at, but hazardous
in the midst of a Yankee camp.
About the last of October, when General Augur was
preparing to abandon the Manassas Gap Railroad, a detachment of the 8th Illinois Cavalry was sent from Rectortown in the direction of Hatcher's Mill, which, you
will remember, is on the Little River Turnpike, between
Middleburg and Upperville. With one hundred and
seven men, Captain Frankland followed their trail for a
short distance, and then, with one man, pursued rapidly,
leaving Lieutenant Wren with the column to move on at
a slower pace. Upon reaching Hatcher's Mill, the Yankees marched in the direction of Upperville, followed by
Frankland, till he fell in with Mosby and Hatcher. He
was at once ordered to return to the command, and
throw himself between the Yankees and their camp,
-Mosby adding, " I want you to make it a second Dranes:
ville. I will do the scouting, and keep you informed of
the enemy's movements."
From Upperville, the detachment from the 8th Illinois
headed toward Rectortown, and marched across the
stretch of level pasture-land in which the house of Mr.
Henry Dulaney is situated, which enabled Frankland,
without difficulty, to occupy a position in their front.
But, instead of falling back and forming an ambuscade,
as had been done at the second Dranesville, Captain
Frankland deliberated whether he should not make the
attack in open field, for the Yankees had now reached
the Dulaney house. At this conjuncture, Captain Wright
Z




354         Partisan Life with 2losby.
James and Lieutenant Hatcher came from Mosby with a
repetition of his order. But, having taken counsel with
Grogan and Wren, who are always ready for a fight, as
to the probability of a victorious result, Captain Frankland assumed the responsibility of engaging the enemy
in the open field. Hatcher, offended with this determination, said he would have nothing to do with the affair,
and returned to Mosby; but Captain James, who is a
fighting quartermaster, embraced the opportunity of
uniting in the charge.
The following dispositions for the fight were made.
Grogan, with thirty men, was sent around on the right
to make a flank attack, while Frankland, with Wren's
portion of the command, charged in front. But the combination failed. The two parties struck alternately, and
were alternately driven off.
The Federal loss was slight, but that of the battalion
was severe-four prisoners and seven wounded, of whom
four died-Carrington, Davis, Gulick, and Atkins.
Atkins had but recently come from Ireland, and, in
consequence, had been with us but a short time, yet long
enough to have earned, with all who knew him, the reputation of a gentleman and a brave soldier.
During the occupation of the Manassas Gap Railroad
by Federal troops, the Blue Ridge alone separated them
from the army in the Valley, and communication between
their respective commanders was maintained by means
of small detachments of cavalry. But the result was uncertain, and the means hazardous. On one occasion a
party of twenty Yankees going toward the Valley were
captured in Ashby's Gap by eight of Mosby's men, and
a dispatch in cipher for General Sheridan taken from
them. This closes the operations during the month of
October.




Retaliation.-Execution of Seven of Custer's liMen. 355
CHAPTER XLV.
RETALIATION.-EXECUTION OF SEVEN OF CUSTER'S MEN.
Gordonsdale, near the Plains, November 25th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-I write this letter from the residence
of Dr. Robert E. Peyton, who but recently has been relieved from the painful duresse to which he and certain
other prominent gentlemen in this neighborhood have
been subjected by the enemy, in consequence of Mosby's attack on the trains which they attempted to run
on the Manassas Gap Railroad, and to which I have alluded in a previous letter. Gordonsdale is one of the
most beautiful residences I have seen in Fauquier, both
on account of the romantic scenery by which it is surrounded, and the taste displayed in its adornment, for it
has been in possession of the doctor's family since the
first settlement of the country.
After the occupation of the Manassas Gap Railroad
for one month, General Augur withdrew his forces, convinced, as it would appear, that, as long as the "Guerrilla
Mosby" remained in the country, he could not, by means
of it, establish a base for General Sheridan in the Upper
Valley.
During this period in which Mosby was enveloped in
the enemies' lines, he killed and captured six hundred of
their number, with a loss to himself of only thirty men,
one of the most brilliant results to be found in the domain of military history when the disproportion of forces
is taken into consideration, and the fact that an important
combination -of the enemy was defeated by it.
Before the road was abandoned, the rails were torn up




356          Partisan;ife wit, Mosby.
and sent to Harper's Ferry, Mosby harassing the baffled
and retreating foe at every point until the work of destruction had progressed as far as Manassas.
Early in November, Captain A. E. Richards, with ten
men, was sent to the rear of Sheridan's army, then lying
between Middletown and Strasburg. From a position
near the turnpike, in the course of the day he captured
fifteen prisoners, among whom were Captain Brewster,
of Custer's staff, and his brother, a lawyer, bound on a
canvassing expedition to the army in the interest of General M'Clellan. There were also among the prisoners a
newsboy and a drummer-boy. The newsboy had oftelr
before been captured by Richards, but had always been
released, and on this occasion received the same clemency. The drummer-boy claimed his liberty likewise,
and pleaded hard for it; but Richards said, " No, the
drum excites men to battle, but the newspaper is often
the source of demoralization and defeat." As the prisoners, in charge of Dr. Sowers, were passing through Ashby's
Gap, they were met by Mosby, who, when informed that
they belonged to General Custer's division, determined
to retaliate upon them for the death of the Rangers who
had been executed at Front Royal. He therefore ordered them to be kept under close guard until his return to
Fauquier.
In a few days Mosby left Mountjoy with twenty-three
men in the Valley, and proceeded to Rectortown to execute his purpose. Meanwhile another party of Custer's
men had been captured by Mountjoy, and left in charge of
Jimmy Chilton at the residence of a citizen on the Blue
Ridge. These prisoners were confined in a school-house,
and appeared to be comfortable and cheerful, expressing
their surprise at receiving such kind treatment at the
hands of Mosby's men. One of them especially was inclined to talk. He was young, handsome, intelligent, and




Retalication.-Execution of Seven of Custer's Jien. 357
gentlemanly in appearance. The conversation was so
pleasant and friendly that Jimmy quite forgot the belligerent relation in which they stood to each other. But
soon the tranquillity of the scene was rudely and pain.
fully disturbed by the entrance of two Rangers, who,
without preliminary, demanded of the prisoners to whose
command they belonged. Several promptly responded,
We belong to Custer's division."
"Then," said the men, "you are to be hung. Come
along."
The announcement produced a terrible shock; and the
prisoner to whom reference has been made rose up, and
with great calmness said,
" I understand the reason of this. It is in retaliation
for the hanging at Front Royal, and I do not condemn
you for it. But I desire to make this statement: though
I now belong to General Custer's command, yet I did not
belong to it when that deed was perpetrated. I do not
think, in justice, that I ought to be punished for the action of that officer before I had any connection with him."
The case was a hard one, but he was, nevertheless, marched off with his comrades.
On the day appointed for the execution, the battalion
assembled at Rectortown. About 11 o'clock A.M. Mosby arrived, prepared to enter upon his painful task.
There were twenty-seven men left after Brewster, the
lawyer, was excluded from the lottery, and on the list
were the names of two officers-Captain Brewster and a
lieutenant of artillery. An officer was detailed to superintend the sad affair, and Mosby withdrew from the painful scene, saying," This duty must be performed for the
protection of my men from the ruthless(Cust:er and Pow.
ell." The prisoners were drawn up inksingle rank, and
for each a bit of paper was prepared, but seven only of
them were numbered. They were then all put into a




2; —;= —; —=======~= —- i
---— ~ ____________ i
-------— 
----- -- _ ------- -- 
 —----------- ---- -~
- —I --—  —-= —-r —r,
i —----
--c —s
-r

-I —------------- -
TI-IF, CAPTIVES DRAWING LOTS.




-Betaliation.-Execution of Seven of Custer's Men. 359
hat, and each prisoner was required to draw forth one
of them. Those who drew blanks were to be sent to
Richmond as prisoners of war, but those who drew numbers were to be hung. Various were the emotions depicted on the countenance as each man put his hand in
the hat. Firmness, with his closed lips and unquailing
eye; stolid Indifference; and Fear, with his ashen cheek
and trembling hand, were all there. Brewster, the lawyer, was there too, and with agonized looks was watching the fate of his brother, while tears coursed down his
cheeks. As each hand was taken fronm the hat, an expression of joy and relief would brighten the countenance,
or a groan of anguish or a cry of despair would burst
from the lips.
The condemned meln were at once set apart and closely guarded. The two officers had drawn blanks, but not
so the drummer-boy. His appeals to Captain Richards
were now louder and more eloquent than ever, who,
touched with compassion, interceded with Mosby for his
release. The application was granted, for the boy, in
truth, ought never to have been subjected to the lottery.
But another had to be substituted in his place, for Mosby remembered the blackened corpses of Overby and
Carter as they hung in the parching wind.
The prisoners, in cruel suspense, again stood in line,
but now only one death-warrant was in -the hat. Captain Brewster again escaped, but the artillery officer was
not so fortunate.
A detail was made to execute the sentence of retaliation, for the condemned soldiers were to be carried to the
Valley, and were to be executed in the neighborhood of
Winchester. As the party was passing through Ashby's
Gap they were met by Captain Mountjoy, who was returning from the Valley with an additional supply of
prisoners taken from General Custer's command. Among




360           Partisan Life with MiosbSy.
the men condemned to death he recognized the artillery
officer and one of his companions to be Freemasons, and
on his own responsibility substituted in their places two
of his own prisoners. The melancholy procession again
set forward. Owing to the darkness, the road was lost,
and at daylight S, who was in command of the party,
found himself at Rosemont, on the edge of Berryville,
and he there determined to execute the sentence, for one
prisoner had already escaped, and had not been missed
until then.
The man who was first called up begged for delay, and
said he was not ready to die.  His request was granted,
and he was postponed till the last.  Three were hung
and the others shot. But the last prisoner, when his turn
came, was not then prepared to die, and, striking the
guard who held him by the collar a blow  which felled
him to the ground, rushed past him, and, screened by the
misty dawn, was soon lost to view.
When the substitution made by Captain Mountjoy
was reported to Mosby he was much offended, and with
severity told him he must remember in future that his
command was not a masonic lodge.
A. few days after this execution Colonel Mosby transmitted to General Sheridan the following communication:
" November 11th, 1864.
" Maj. Gen. P. H. Sheridan, Commanding U. S. Forces in the Valley:
"GENERAL,-Some time in the month of September, during my
absence from my command;. six of my men, who had been captured
by your forces, were hung and shot in the streets of Front Royal, by
the order and in the immediate presence of Brig. Gen. Custer.
Since then, another (captured by a Colonel Powell, on a plundering
expedition into Rappahannock) shared a similar fate. A label
affixed to the coat of one of the murdered men declared'that this
would be the fate of Mosby and all his men.' Since the murder of
my men, not less than seven hundred prisoners, including many
officers of high rank, captured from your army by this command,
have been forwarded to Richmond; but the execution of my pur



Retaliation.-Execution of Seven of C6uster'8s Men. 361
pose of retaliation was deferred, in order, as far as possible, to confine its operation to the men of Custer and Powell. Accordingly,
on the 6th inst., seven of your men were, by my order, executed on
the Valley Turnpike, your highway of travel. Hereafter, any prisoners falling into my hands will be treated with the kindness duo
to their condition, unless some new act of barbarity shall compel
me reluctantly to adopt a line of policy repugnant to humanity.' Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"JOHN S. MOSBY, Lieutenant Colonel."
About this time Glasscock made a successful raid about
Charlestown, capturing a number of horses, wagons, and
prisoners.
A few days later, Lieutenant Frank Turner made a
successful strike on the Shenandoah, known in the command as the "Hat Raid," the circumstances of which I
will briefly relate. With twenty-five men he had been to
Summit Point, in the Valley, and had captured, with its
guard, a four-mule wagon, loaded with a stove, carpeting,
and other articles taken from  a neighboring church.
Sending his captures to the Trap, he proceeded to a point
on the river near the Shanandale Springs for the purpose of capturing a picket stationed there, but, on account
of the darkness, abandoned the enterprise, and determined to lie in wait for the relief as it approached the
next morning.
At the expected hour, Captain Gary, of Company " I,"
12th Pennsylvania Cavalry, drew near, with fifty eight
men.  Turner charged them.  Company "I" broke and
scattered, hotly pursued by the Rangers.  The result of
the fight, if such it might be called, was, six of the Federals killed and wounded, and twenty-seven men and
horses captured. The flight was so precipitate that not
less than forty hats were dropped by the gallant cavaliers. It was an amusing sight to see Mosby's men
marching home, each surmounted with a high-crowned
United States regulation hat, with the regimental letters




362         cPartiscn Life with Jiosby.
and cross sabres. Turner's loss = 0. Hurrah for Corn.
pany "I!"
Lieutenant Glasscock was sent about this time to the
Valley Turnpike, across which he spread his net, and
soon took prisoners four couriers and eight soldiers from
Sheridan's army. In the afternoon he was informed that
two wagons, escorted by twenty cavalry, had passed up
the Front Royal Turnpike on a foraging expedition. He
followed them to a field, in which he discovered about
fifty Federal soldiers scattered, shucking corn.
About half of the Rangers were clad in overcoats which
they had taken from the prisoners, and these Glasscock
ordered to the front before the column entered the field.
The Yankees were all captured save one, at whom a sin-,
gle shot was fired. But this shot excited the attention
of a battalion of United States cavalry which was gathering corn in an adjoining field, but had been concealed
from view by a thick growth of sassafras bushes. As
soon as he was apprised of the presence of this force,
Glasscock, determined to put a bold face on the matter,
rode into the field, and was hailed by the major commanding with the inquiry, " Who are you?" In the most
natural way he replied, " Captain Blazer;" but of him, it
appeared, the major had never heard. During the colloquy which ensued, the prisoner who had escaped galloped up and shouted, "They are Rebels, and I have just
escaped from their hands." Deception being no longer
possible even for the wily Glasscock, he hauled down
the United States colors, and galloped over the hill amid
a shower of bullets.
On the retreat, the prisoners, many of whom had been
allowed to retain their arms, resisted the guard. A fight
ensued, which resulted in the escape of all but eleven,
with whom  and their horses Lieutenant Glasscock recrossed the Shenandoah.




Retaliation.-Execution of Seven of Cnster's Men. 363
A few days later John Russell struck a successful blow
near Winchester, capturing a considerable number of prisoners and horses; and about the same time, Captain
Mountjoy, on the same theatre of action, attacked a body
of cavalry, and killed and captured about twenty of them.
But on his return he fell in with Captain Blazer, who recaptured the horses and liberated the prisoners. I will
recount the circumstances of this reverse, for Blazer has
been the most formidable Federal officer with whom we
have had to cope in the Valley.
When Mountjoy reached Berryville on the homeward
route, he allowed those of his command who boarded in
Loudoun to cross the river at Castleman's Ferry, while
with about thirty men he marched up its bank, with the
intention of crossing at Berry's Ferry.
When he reached the residence of Mr. Frank Whiting,
two miles from that crossing, he was attacked by Blazer.
The Partisans broke and fled toward the river, notwithstanding the strenuous exertions of Mountjoy and Grogan
to rally them.
With a party of his men Captain Mountjoy reached
the Vineyard, the residence of Captain Esten Cooke, of
Stuart's staff, but more widely known as an accomplished
author. There he again attempted to rally his men, but
again without success. On the retreat from Whiting's
house William Armstead Braxton, of King William County, Va., a gallant soldier who had recently joined the battalion, received a mortal wound, but was able to reach the
Vineyard, where he was tenderly nursed till he died. As
he lay wounded on a sofa, Lieutenant Cole, of Blazer's command, entered the house, and, approaching the dying soldier, expressed commiseration for his condition, and offered such religious consolation as he could command. But
his stay was short, for he said Mosby's men would soon
return for their dead and wounded.




364          Partisan Life with Mosby.
Nottingham, from Maryland, received also a severe injury, and with difficulty escaped into the large forest
which covers the space between the Vineyard and the
Shenandoah.
Lieutenant Edward Bredell, from St. Louis, Mo., was
killed at Whiting's house. He was a private in the battalion, and derived his title from a staff position which he
had filled in the regular service. He was a brave soldier,
and his loss is much regretted in the command. Bredell
had a midnight funeral on the island, a sand deposit in
the Shenandoah, but his remains have since been removed
to Cool Spring Church, near Piedmont.
oCHAPTER XLVI.
DEFEAT AND CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN BLAZER.
Upper Fauquier, December 1st, 1864.
D:EAR PERCY,-On the day after Mountjoy's reverse,
Chapman, with his squadron, crossed into the Valley at
Ashby's Gap, and Captain Richards, with his squadron, at
Snicker's Gap. It was Colonel Mosby's intention to have
accompanied Chapman, but he was too much indisposed,
on account of a severe cold and excessive exertion. I will
now relate with some particularity Captain Richards's expedition, as it resulted in a collision with Captain Blazer.
Captain Blazer is a native of West Virginia, and the
opening of the war found him in charge of a boat on the
Ohio River. Embracing without hesitation the cause of
the Union, he entered the ranks of an Ohio infantry regiment, in which he soon became captain. While this regiment was serving with General Crook in West Virginia,
that officer created an irregular command, composed of
picked men, to collect intelligence and suppress bush



Dfeat cand CCaptnl  of CUptcain  B3lzer.    365
whackers, which should be responsible to himself alone.
It was composed of one hundred men, and Captain Blazer
was selected to command the Legion of Honor. In this
new field he soon distinguished himself by intelligence,
activity, and courage, and along with General Crook was
transferred to the Valley of Virginia-a new and more
conspicuous theatre of action. Here he was brought into
collision with Mosby, and proved himself at one time, it
was thought, a foeman worthy of his steel. His movements were rapid and generally successful. His expeditions lasted about three days, during which time he rarely went into camp until late at night, and always moved
before daybreak. He appeared to be ever in the saddle,
and was constantly turning up where he was least expected and least desired. Such was his activity that
scouts and furloughed soldiers never felt safe within the
enemy's lines, or in that broad neutral border which separates the hostile forces.
But these were not the only men who had reason to
respect the valor of Captain Blazer. He often assailed
the outposts of the Confederate army, and not unfrequently participated in larger combats. Already he had surprised and routed the 1st squadron of the Partisan Battalion, and, to say the least, had won the respect, if he
had not excited the apprehension of the rest of it.
Scouts who had been sent to the Valley would, when
they returned, often entertain their comrades with accounts of their escape from Blazer. His kindness to citizens was proverbial, and every where within the range of
his activities the citizens were ready to bear honorable
testimony to his character. His kindness sprang from
the heart, but it might well have been the dictate of a refined policy, for it engendered for him a sympathy among
the people which opened to him many a channel of information. Mosby and Blazer could not long inhabit op



366         Partisan LZfe with 3Josby.
posite sides of the Blue Ridge Mountain, and Mosby was
resolved to bring the rivalry to a speedy and decisive
issue.
When the Partisan chief parted from Richards, he bade
his lieutenant to hunt Blazer up, and take men enough to
whip him. Without delay, Bob Walker and Dr. Sowers
were sent to the Valley to get information as to Blazer's
whereabouts, and at the same time Richards ordered the
squadron to meet him at Bloomfield the next day. Early
in the morning the scouts reported that Blazer had been
ordered to Hampshire County, and had not returned.
Not satisfied with the correctness of this information,
Richards, with John Chew, Charley M'Donough, Puryear,
Welt Hatcher, and Henry Heaton, proceeded to the Valley, leaving the command to follow, in charge of Lieutenant Harry Hatcher.
When he reached Snickersville he was told that, so far
from being in Hampshire County, Blazer had camped with.
in half a mile of the house in which Walker and Sowers
had slept, and before daylight had crossed the mountain
at Snicker's Gap, and, descending into Eastern Virginia,
had marched in the direction of Hillsboro.
Henry Heaton, with one man,'was ordered to follow his
trail, and report to Richards at certain points on the west
side of the river, who, with the remainder of his party,
crossed over to Cabletown, a place to which Blazer had
been much attracted by the political sympathies of the
inhabitants. Lieutenant Hatcher had been ordered to
bring the command to a wood near Castleman's house,
which is situated two or three miles south of Cabletown.
Learning at this place that Blazer had not yet made his
appearance, Richards directed Puryear and M'Donough
to proceed toward Charlestown, and ascertain whether his
adversary had not crossed at some lower ford of the Shenandoah, while he, with John Chew, went to join Hatcher.




Defeat and capture of Captain Blazer.    36'7
Hearing nothing of Blazer, the scouts returned about daylight to Cabletown, where they tarried until Puryear was
surprised and captured by a party of Blazer's men dressed in gray. M'Donough escaped, and by a circuitous
route joined his commander, and reported to him the fact
of Blazer's presence at Cabletown. The squadron was at
once moved from Castleman's Wood to a point near the
house of Albert Davis, and concealed under a cliff of the
river. While it was in this position, Captain Blazer,
whose command had been put in camp at Cabletown,
came to Davis's house and discovered its presence. He
immediately returned to bring up his command, in order
to attack Richards's squadron, while his adversary had
gone by another route to charge into his camp. Thus were
the two commanders, in search of each other, marching on
opposite sections of a circle. Richards, who was the first
to discover this fact, determined to profit by his knowledge,
and select a position from which he could charge the enemy's flank. With this object, he formed his men in a depression in a small field about half a mile from Myerstown,
and about two hundred yards south of the Myerstown
and river road, from which it was concealed by a skirt of
wood. But as Richards was about to profit by this stratagem, and burst upon Blazer as he traveled the circle, one
of his men, who was intoxicated, dashed suddenly forward, and discharged a pistol at the Federal column.
Thus apprised of the presence of his enemy, Blazer at.once passed through the wood, and halted to have a fence
opened which alone separated his command from the
squadron, then distant about seventy-five yards,
This movement was mistaken by Richards for an intention on the part of Blazer to dismount his command,
and fight him with rifles from the woodland. Under
this impression, he rode to the position of Company "A,"'
and ordered Hatcher to send a party to open a fence on




368          Partisan Life with M/osby.
the hill immediately in rear of the squadron, it being
Richards's purpose to fall back over this hill, and compel
the enemy to fight him in open ground. Blazer, mistaking this movement for a flight or a retreat, hastily moved
through the fence into the open field. At that moment
Tom Richards, in temporary command of Company " B,"
assumed the responsibility of ordering a charge up the
sloping plane which separated him from Blazer. Harry
Hatcher, who witnessed this movement, dashed forward
with Company "A," and struck the enemy's right a little
after his left had been thrown into confusion by Comnpany " B."  A hand-to-hand combat ensued, in which the
superiority of the revolving pistol to the rifle was soon
demonstrated.
Many of Blazer's men were killed and wounded in the
first shock, and the rest of his command soon gave way,
flying toward Summit Point through Myerstown and
Rippon. At Myerstown Blazer endeavored, under the
shelter of the houses, to rally his men, but the fugitives
continued their tumultuous retreat, leaving their dead
and wounded strewn along the road.
But it is time to return to Puryear. Being one of
Mosby's men, he was roughly treated by his captors,
having been stripped of his hat, his overcoat, and other
articles of clothing, and in addition, it is said, had been
threatened by Lieutenant Cole with hanging. To these
indignities the Ranger submitted at least with patience,
for he was confident that ere long he would regain his
liberty, and be enabled to retaliate, in perhaps another
fashion, the injuries which he had received. Under some
pretense the prisoner had possessed himself of a stick,
with which, as soon as the fight began, he stunned his
guard. In the next moment Johnny Foster furnished
him with a pistol, in return for a service which Puryear
had once rendered him in a fight, and he started in pur.




-Defeat and CQpture of C~(ptain Bclazer.    369
suit of Lieutenant Cole. As that officer approached My.
erstown, followed by two of his men, Puryear overtook
him, and, after killing one of his attendants, inflicted with
a pistol-shot a serious wound upon the lieutenant, which
caused him to swerve from the Rippon road and flank
around a blacksmith's shop, with the intention, it is supposed, of making his way toward Cabletown. But his
pursuer, inflamed with vengeance, followed close upon
him, and, as he saw the pistol leveled again at him, he
exclaimed,'" Oh, save me!"
"Yes, I will save you," answered the fierce and ira.
placable Puryear, and, receiving a death-shot, Lieutenant
Cole dropped from his saddle.
Blazer's men, after they passed MyerstowDn,began to
use their pistols, and the pursuit from that point became
rather a running fight, Richards having seven men wounded beyond that place.
Buthow fared it with Captain Blazer?  Even after
the fruitless effort at Myerstown he had attempted to
restore the fight, but his efforts served only to delay his
own retreat, and render useless the fleetness of his horse.
He was singled out by four men, justly ranked among
the best soldiers in Mosby's command-Samr Alexander,
Syd Ferguson, Cab Maddux, and the terrible Powell.
Now do thy speediest, Captain Blazer, for those are upon
thy track who smite and spare not! The fight is lost,
and all that the bravest can do now is to save himself
for another trial of the chances of war.
Indeed, after the pursuit had approached near Rippon,
several shots from his pursuers admonished him of this
fact, and he bent all of his roused energies toward -making his escape. But the superiority of Ferguson's mare,
Fashion, one of the fleetest and hardiest animals in the
battalion, enabled her rider to pass in succession all his
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Defrat and Ccptu6re of Captainz Blazer.    371
competitors in that headlong pursuit, and place himself
by the side of Blazer, who had thrown himself forward
to escape the shots aimed at him from behind. Ferguson, though one of Mosby's "spurless roosters," as the
Parson calls the juniors, is yet a very powerful man, and,
rising in his stirrups, he struck Captain Blazer a blow
with his pistol which brought him to the ground. There
was one man who proposed to finish the work which Ferguson had begun, but, with the chivalry of a true warrior, he stood up in defense of his captive.
Richards lost, besides his wounded, Hudgins, who was
killed. Blazer's loss was twenty-four men killed, twelve
wounded, and sixty-two prisoners and horses. When the
result was reported to him, Mosby was at the house of
Mrs. Waters, near Middleburg. He was overjoyed at the
intelligence, and, springing from the sofa on which he
was lying, gave a hearty cheer for Dolly Richards.
A little later, Mosby, with a portion of Mountjoy's
company, got among the Yankees building winter quarters near Perkins's Mill, on the Front Royal and Winchester grade, and captured about thirty men and horses.
With the 2d squadron Mosby crossed the Shenandoah
at Berry's Ferry for the purpose of extending some protection to the citizens of Warren and Clalrke against the
foragers from Sheridan's army, and camped for the night
in the neighborhood of White Post. The next morning
Captain William Chapman, with a scouting-party, captured four or five prisoners,'whom he immediately dispatched to Fauquier in charge of Frank Angelo. He
also discovered a train of ten wagons, guarded by thirtyfive infantry and fifteen cavalry, which had been foraging
in the neighborhood, returning to the brigade camp near
Perkins's Mill.
Chapman returned to the Partisan camp, and Mosby
started in pursuit, and overtook the train near a strong




3 72        PCartisan Life withV7 Mosby.
outpost, and just as it met another train coming out from
the camp heavily guarded. He was not apprised of this
casual junction when he ordered the charge, yet such
was its impetuosity that it scattered the Federals, and
drove them into the brigade not far distant. Both trains
were captured-men, horses, wagons-and the Rangers
rushed into the camp. It was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of a Yankee Thanksgiving Day, and the soldiers
were having a fine time seated around their camp-fires,
and did not at once discover what had burst upon them.
Their consternation saved us, and the men had time to
rob them of their greenbacks before they rallied. But it
was soon time for us to travel. The whole camp turned
out to pursue. In the retreat, the coolness and bravery
of Captain Chapman saved Mosby, and afforded time for
the flying Rangers to make their escape.
Mosby was riding a young, wild horse. The animal
became unmanageable, the bridle-bit was broken, and the
Yankees were charging and yelling close upon him. In
this extremity Chapman rallied a few men, charged the
pursuers, and for a time held them in check. Two of the
men meanwhile, seeing Mosby's peril, placed themselves
one on each side the fiantic animal, and, seizing the bridle, held him by the nose-strap, and in this way were
enabled to moderate and direct his speed. In the charge
Chapman's horse was killed, but John Kernie, of Company "C," sprang from his saddle, and, offering his horse
to Chapman, said, " Take him, captain; you are of more
service to the cause than I."
When the fugitives had reached a point near the Winchester and Millwood Turnpike, Major Otis, of the 21st
New York, who gallantly led the pursuit, accompanied
by one hundred men, struck across the angle formed by
the two roads, and succeeded in dividing the Rangers.
It was a perilous condition for those thus suddenly cut




Defeat and Capture of Captain Blazero    373
off, but Lieutenant Beattie was equal to the emergency.
He gathered about him his men, and, by a charge worthy
of Mosby himself, opened the line of retreat. By the
time Major Otis reached Berry's Ferry, Lieutenant Russell, with five men, was the only force in front of him, for
the rest of the force had scattered, and taken refuge in
the woods.
Mosby was stripped of most of his captures, and, in
addition, lost three men.
Angelo had loitered on the way, and, in consequence,
had not reached Millwood until after Major Otis had
passed in pursuit of Russell. As he was proceeding
through the street, he perceived a party of Federal cavalry in his front. His men hastily abandoned the prisoners and scattered, but Angelo determined to try the
fortunes of war. He dashed forward, shooting right
and left, and, being well mounted, succeeded in passing
through the party referred to, and was moving in a lively gallop toward Berry's Ferry, when he fell in with Major Otis and was captured. He was carried before General Sheridan, and by him was closely catechised. His
life, however, was safe, for the enemy had been taught
that it was no light thing to condemn to death prisoners
captured from  M/[osby's command. So Angelo, along
with other prisoners, was confined at Martinsburg; but,
by the exercise of ingenuity and boldness, he made his
escape, and in a short time rejoined the battalion.
I have omitted to mention that on the 15th of this
month, by order of the War Department, the battalion
was inspected by Lieutenant 3Meade,- who reported: it to
be in fine condition, the best mounted and equipped in
the service.




374         Partisan ]ife with 3X/os6y.
CHAPTER XLYII.
GENERAL MERRITT DEVASTATING THE VALLEY.
Upper Fauquier, December 10th, 1864.
DEAR PERcY,-About the 25th of November Mosby
sent Captain Mountjoy, with thirty-eight men, to the
neighborhood of Berryville, from which place the next
day he recrossed the mountain to Snickersville, where he
was informed that Keys's men were again across the
Potomac, and were committing depredations on the farmers and housekeepers of Loudoun. He marched directly
to Waterford, a favorite haunt, as I have before told you,
for those warriors; but they were not there, and Mountjoy crossed the hills to a point on the Leesburg and
Point of Rocks Road, and from thence proceeded toward
Goresville, which lay farther on the road in the direction
of Leesburg. As Vendeventer and another Ranger, who
were in front, drew near this place, they reported the
presence of a party of cavalry, which proved to be the
Loudoun Rangers, under the command of Lieutenant
Grahame, who had been on a raid to Leesburg, where he
had captured Fred Smith and Cleveland Coleman, two of
Mosby's men, and was then on his way to'the north side
of the Potomac.
Mountjoy at once closed up his men, moved rapidly
toward Goresville, and, as soon as he came within a short.
distance of the Loudoun Rangers, charged them. The
Yankees mistook the approaching column for friends, and
good-humoredly getting out their liquor-flasks, prepared
for a general treat. Their consternation may well be
conceived when a furious yell burst upon their ears. The




General iferritt clevastating  the Valley.   375
prisoners, it is needless to say, were abandoned, and joined in pursuit of their late captors.  But the road was
narrow, and could not pass all the fugitives, who broke
into two parties, one turning to the right in a road which
led to their native hills, the other pressing madly in the
direction of the river.
As Captain Mountjoy, mounted on a fleet bay horse,
and accompanied'by Grogan and Munroe Heiskell, was
leading the pursuit near the " Burnt Chimney," one of the
fugitives killed him with a pistol shot.
"'Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that's clone.
A falcon, towering in her pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed."
The Loudoun Rangers lost in this fight twenty-five
horses and thirteen prisoners, among whom  was Lieutenant Grahame.
Captain M1iountjoy was buried in the cemetery at Warrenton, and his best epitaph is the following order, issued
by Mosby, than whom none knew him better.
" General Orders, No.
" Headquarters 43d P. R. B., December 3d, 1864.
" The lieutenant colonel commanding announces to the battalion,
with emotions of deep sorrow, the death of Captain R. P. Mountjoy, who fell in action near Leesburg on the 27th ultimo, a costly
sacrifice to victory. He died too early for liberty and his country's
cause, but not too early for his own fame. To his comrades in arms
he has bequeathed an immortal example of daring and valor, and
to his country a name that will brighten the page of her history."
In obedience to orders issued by the military authorities, all the granaries, stack-yards, stables, and mills in
the Valley of Virginia had been burned by General Sheridan's army, and General Merritt, toward the latter part
of November, crossed the Blue Ridge at Ashby's and
Sniclker's Gaps, to carry the work of destruction into Loudoun and Upper Fauquier.  This total departure from




376          Pcartisn L/fe with Jiosby.
the usages of modern warfare, to be paralleled only by
the example of a Tilly or a Genseric, originated in the
conviction that, in addition to European mercenaries and
insurrectionary negroes, the alliance of Famine, too, was
necessary to subdue the stubborn spirit of resistance
which animated the Southern people.
The policy of devastation as a material agent is one of
vast power, but its efficacy in restoring- affection for the
government that invokes it may well be doubted. But
this is a question for politicians to ponder. It is mine
to give an account  however imperfect, of this act of incendiarism in the most fruitful part of Mosby's Confederacy. From Paris and Snickersville, as central points,
strong detachments were sent through the devoted region upon their destructive mission. In this way, AMerritt's army of five thousand men was expanded like a fan
from the Blue Ridge to the Bull Run Mountain, and each
soldier being armed with a torch, that terrible implement
of war, this beautiful and productive region was soon reduced to a waste. In order more certainly to enlist the
starving cohorts of hunger on the side of the Constitution and the laws, all farm- cattle, including milch -cows
with their " white abundance," were carried off and collected in, one vast drove at Snickersville.
As soon as night invested the scene, blazing fires were
visible in all directions, lighting up with their lucid glare
the whole of the vast circumference, while columns of
dense black smoke mounted up from the burning piles
as though the demons of conflagration, rejoicing in the
mischief they had wrought, had assumed those terrible
forms in which to manifest themselves. Various were
the emotions displayed by the agents of destruction as
they would approach a smiling homestead.  The most,
animated by the spirit which dictated the inhuman orders, would laugh at the despair and wretchedness of the




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378          Partisacn life wvith ifos1/y.
forlorn family; while others, with whom no political object could justify crime,invoked divine vengeance on the
men who thus deliberately prepared for the helpless and
innocent members of society-the old men, the viomen,
the children, and the young maidens of this once happy
land, death in its most revolting, lingering, and painful
forms. As I gazed horror-struck upon the awful spectacle, I was carried back to the dark and savage period
when Attila, with his fierce barbarians, burst over the
Alps and ravaged the plains of Italy, adorned with vineyards and villas, and cities which in magnificence and
population were hardly secondary to Rome herself.
When I remembered the ties of consanguinity which
united the hostile peoples, the startling theory of my
friend the Philosopher forced itself into my mind, " That
republican institutions are imbued with an uncontrollable tendency to barbarize and degrade the human character, and that, instead of mounting higher in the ascending circles of civilization, society, from the relaxation of
the imposed and wholesome discipline of well-ordered
states, sinks lower and lower in the moral scale, till Anarchy, with its devouring jaws, ingulfs all things, return.
ing man, the pride of the creation, for a season at least, to
his savage state."  "Under its malign influence," continued my friend, "the nicer shades of personal honor
first disappear; then follows morality, the substance of all
things; and, finally, the spirit of humanity flies from the
accursed land."
As the different corps of incendiaries proceeded through
the country, Mosby's men, with orders to take no prisoners, hounded their tracks, watching for opportunities to
attack them, as smaller bodies, inflamed by a spirit of
rapine, would detach themselves.
After the work of desolation had been accomplished,
General Merritt's army was camped at Snickersville. The




General Iferritt devastatihng the Valle2y.    379
residence of Dr. Lacy stood on the outer edge of the encampment. A small party of Yankees had approached it
with an insolent demand for food. In order to rid himself of their insults and importunities, he advised them to
return to their camps, saying Mosby's men might at any
moment dart upon them and bear them off to the woods.
The soldiers, deeming themselves safe, laughed at this
cautionary advice, yet, as if a little persuaded by it, they
moved to go away, when John Orrick, accompanied by
H  -, dashed up, and, as an eagle would bear away a
kid to his cliff, hurried them off to a neighboring forest.
The day before the expedition recrossed the Blue Ridge
many prisoners were brought before Captain Barnes, the
provost-marshal, at Snickersville. With one exception,
they all denied having any connection with Mosby. This
man was Newton Jackson. As he was carried before
the seat of military justice, it was whispered among the
prisoners that he was one of Mosby's men. But Mr. Burwell, of Clarke County, replied,
"No, he is too badly dressed, and is too much of a
rough, to belong to the Partisan Battalion."
When Jackson was questioned on that point, he bold.
ly acknowledged that he belonged to Mosby; but when
charged with having on previous occasions traded to
Alexandria under Federal passports, 1e roughly denied
it. He was threatened with hanging, but in a spirit of
haughty defiance the prisoner told Captain Barnes that
he dared not execute his threat, for Mosby was provided
with the means of retaliation. As Jackson passed out
under guard to be confined with the other captives, Mr.
Burwell remarked,
"I was mistaken. That is one of Mosby's men."
Among the immense congregation of four-footed animals at Snickersville was a noted thorough-bred bull,
which had belonged to Captain Robert Carter, of Number




380          Partisan Life with 3osby.
Six. It was in the nature of a compensation to the inhabitants of that vicinity for their many calamities that
the Yankees carried off that animal, for he had for many
years been a notorious trespasser on every corn-field and
garden within reach. As the drove would pass a cottage-door, an old woman would put her head out of the
window and exclaim, "Thank God, the Yankees have got
Carter's bull."  In truth, so confirmed a nuisance had he
become, that the people had determined to take the thing
in hand, and make Mr. Bull a candidate for the Legislature; for the people of Upper Fauquier have a merry
custom, I hear, of sending a man to the Legislature as
soon as he becomes a little seedy and an unprofitable
member of society. As the animal was driven past Mr.
Burwell, he remarked to Captain Carter that it was a
pity that so valuable a bull should be lost to the neighborhood.' Never fear," replied Carter; "that bull will go home
to-night, and carry with him all the cattle from that part
of the country."
And so it happened. About two o'clock in the morning the camp was alarmed by the cry of " Mosby."  An
astounding uproar followed, producing a general stampede in the herd. The next morning Captain Barnes instituted an inquiry for that " impudent guerrilla," Jackson. When Burwell was called upon, he testified that
when he saw Jackson last he was mounted on Carter's
white bull making his way to Number Six.




Bush IUndlerwoodl cand Uis Adventtures.    381
CHAPTER XLVIII.
BUSH UNDERWVOOD AND HIS ADVENTURES. -MOSBY AGAIN
MrOUNDED.
Upper Fauquier, December 27th, 1864.
DEAR PERCY,-About the 1st of December Colonel
Mosby left us to visit Richmond, to propose a reorganization of his battalion. Soon after his departure, Captain Win. Chapman determined to attack a scouting-party
of the enemy, about one hundred in number, who, from
their camp at Winchester, daily visited Berry's Ferry.
Sometimes the scout would approach the ferry from the
direction of White Post, and, marching down the riverbank, would return to Winchester through Millwood, but
at other times would approach through Millwood and return by White Post. Chapman's plan was to strike the
party front and rear, and, in order to be prepared for their
approach from either direction, posted Captain Richards,
with half the command, at the base of a wooded bluff on
the road side between Berry's Ferry and Millwood, while
with the other half he concealed himself on the'road
which leads from White Post to the ferry. Each party
then put out vedettes to report the route taken by the
enemy. The two portions of the command were thus
held like hounds straining in the leash until the quarry
should come within striking distance.
About eleven o'clock Robert Walker, who had been
posted near Millwood, announced the approach of the
Federals, who proved to be a detachment of the 14th
Pennsylvania, commancled by Captain Myers. He had
been informed on the way that Mosby's men were lying
in wait for him, but had discredited the information till




382          Partisan life with Mosby.
it was repeated by one of Burwell's negroes at a point
not far above Richards's ambuscade. By way of precaution, he then sent forward, or rather accompanied, an advance-guard of twenty men, with flankers thrown out.
In this order'the march proceeded down the turnpike
until the advance-guard and flankers had passed the ambuscade. Mistaking them for the main column, Richards
burst upon them. But he soon discovered his mistake,
and turned his men toward the main body of the enemy.
But it had already been fiercely attacked by Russell,
Taliafero, Walker, and several others. Before the vigor
of Richards's onset the Yankees soon began to give way,
and fled toward Millwood, leaving their killed and wounded strewn along the road.
About six of the Rangers had pursued the enemy a
mile beyond Millwood. As they returned, fatigued and
encumbered with prisoners and horses, they wvere suddenly met by twenty Yankees, who had been passed by
in the pursuit, but had not been disarmed. These men,
with arms in their hands, felt little inclined to submit
without another struggle to the weary fate of captives.
So they rallied, formed their ranks, and, sword in hand,
broke through all obstacles to their retreat.
Captain Myers, as I have told you, had accompanied
his advance-guard, and, when Richards cut them. off, endeavored to regain his column by making a circuit through
the pasture-land that borders the south side of the turnpike. He was followed by Puryear and Jim Wiltshire,
who were attracted by his fine charger and officer's uniform, and, after a gallant defense, was killed.
During the pursuit, Bob Walker had a hand-to-hand
fight with a Federal soldier, the latter using his sabre,
the other clubbing his carbine. Both combatants were
severely bruised and cut, but Walker, who is very strong
and active, as well as very brave, succeeded in disarming
and capturing his opponent.




Bushs Underwood cand his Adventures.    383
Richards sustained no loss in this fight, but the loss
of the enemy was considerable -twenty-six killed and
wounded, fifty-four taken prisoners, and eighty horses.
About this time Sergeant Charley Hall, from Fredericksburg, performed an exploit which I record as illustrative of the adventurous spirit which prevails in our
battalion. A cavalry force was encamped within three
hundred yards of a picket of three men. One of them
was absent, plundering a neighboring garden, when Hall
surprised his two comrades and bore them off, together
with the horses and equipments belonging to the three.
This is only one of Hall's many daring exploits.
During the month of November, while the battalion
was operating in the Valley, Colonel Mosby sent Bush
Underwood, with a few men, on detached service to Fairfax. He was so successful during this period that he was
allowed, during Mosby's absence in Richmond, to remain
on the same field of activity. I will give you a brief
sketch of Underwood, as he is ranked among the heroes
of the battalion. He is now about twenty years of age,
and was born in Maryland, but, since early childhood,
has resided in Fairfax County. In the beginning of the
war he entered the service in an artillery company which
went from Loudoun, and participated in the two battles
at Manassas, the Seven Days' Fight around Richmond,
and other engagements of less magnitude. But the artillery service did not suit Underwood's enterprising temper, and, without the ceremony of a transfer, he betook
himself to White's battalion of cavalry, which he in turn
left to join Mosby, as early as April, 1863. At last in a
congenial element, he soon drew upon him the attention
of all by a display of some of the best qualities of a soldier. Quiet and unobtrusive in deportment, he was ever
prompt and faithful in the discharge of duty. In action
he is cool, resolute, and always among the foremost to




384          Pctrtiscan  Life with Ml osby.
strike the enemy. He has a latent energy and fire in his
nature which qualify him, almost beyond any other man,
for the wild career he has chosen. As soon as Underwood had displayed these high qualities, a regular transfer
was procured for him to the Partisan command, for Bush
was then too much of a free trapper for Mosby's taste.
One of his first adventures on detached service occurred while General Meade was marching through Loudoun. With two men-his brother, Sam Underwood,
and Dave Hixson-he proceeded to Benton's Ford, on
Goose Creek, where he saw three horsemen enter the water from the opposite bank. They proved to be a lieutenant colonel and a major, attended by an orderly, who
had come to ascertain whether that was an eligible point
at which Goose Creek could be crossed. Mistaking the
Rangers for citizens, they advanced without hesitation or
suspicion. Followed by his comrades, Bush pushed forward to meet the officers, and within ten steps of them
leveled his pistol and ordered a surrender. The surprise
was complete, the emergency pressing, and the surrender
prompt. Bush took charge of the major, whom, from the
splendor of his uniform, he supposed to be certainly a
general, the lieutenant colonel fell to Sam's lot, and Dave
Hixson had to put up with the orderly. When his arms
were demanded, the lieutenant colonel was disposed to
stand upon a point of etiquette. He said it was unbecoming in an officer to surrender to a private; but Bush
relieved his scruples by informing him that in his com-.
mand all were officers. He next, evidently to produce
delay, objected to giving up his sword, which he said was
as much a badge of his rank as his shoulder-straps; but
Bush knew little of military etiquette, so he cocked his
revolver, and threatened, if he hesitated for another moment, to shoot him through the head. The prisoners
were then conducted to a neighboring wood, where the




-Bush Uznderwood and hIbis Adventures.-    385
rest of Underwood's' command had been left, and the
horses and equipments were sold to the highest bidder.
On another occasion,while he was operating with a command of twenty men, a vedette reported the approach of
an ambulance and two wagons, with an escort of twentyfive cavalry. Underwood directed Newcombe to take a
portion of the command and strike the rear of the escort,
while he, with the rest of it, would charge in front; but
by some mistake, all but two of the men went off with
Newcombe. With these two, nothing daunted, Bush
Underwood made the attack, and, contrary to every reasonable expectation, drove the escort before him.
During the fight, Colonel Switzer, with a captain, escaped from the ambulance into the pines, but left behind
for a ransom trunks. which contained a considerable sum
of money, and, what a soldier would be least likely to
leave, the colonel's sabre. It was, however, time for the
officers to leave, for Bush is a rude soldier, and not a respecter of persons.
With three hundred cavalry the Federals pursued Underwood to Mount Zion Church, but to no purpose, for
the guerrillas were "over the hills and far away," as
Charles Augustus would say. This is only one of the
many attacks which Underwood has made on the Federals in Fairfax. He has become so obnoxious to them
that they devised the following expedient for his destruction. A blockade runner had agreed to deliver to
Underwood, at a house near the Potomac, a parcel of
merchandise. In company with Trammell, he went to
the rendezvous. Soon after their arrival, a lady reported
that a party of mounted soldiers were rapidly approaching the house, and before the two Rangers could mount
their horses, the Yankees, for such they proved to be,
had entered the yard, and with their revolvers had begun
the assault. * There was a body of wood, cut off from the
B B




386          Partisacn Lfe with ibosby.
yard by a fence, for which the Rangers made, closely pursued. But Underwood and Trammell were bold riders,
and, setting spurs to their horses, cleared the obstacle at
a flying leap. "They didn't catch us that time," said
Underwood, as they drew up their horses. But a quick
succession of shots informed them that the race was not
yet over, nor the goal of safety won. Still they were
hotly pursued, and headed off on every side until they
were driven to Broad Run, at a point where the bank
was abrupt, and more than ten feet from the water's surface. It was a hazardous leap, but Underwood and
Trammell did not hesitate. When their pursuers reached
the stream they durst not follow, but contented themselves with firing a volley at the Rangers as they disappeared from sight.
It is my painful duty to record a third wounding of
our chieftain, and to relate the circumstances which attended it.
Colonel Gamble, of the 8th Illinois, commanded a brigade of cavalry, with his headquarters at Fairfax Courthouse. On the 17th of December he sent a raiding-party,
comprising detachments of the 13th and 16th lNew York
and 8th Illinois Cavalry, under command of Lieutenant
Colonel Clendennin, in search of Mosby. On arriving at
Aldie the command separated, and, pursuing different
routes, united at Salem. One of these parties visited
Kinloch, the residence of Mr. Edward Turner, where they
found Lieutenant Grogan and another member of the
battalion. Although the house was surrounded, yet,
with that deliberate valor which ever characterizes him,
Grogan determined to fight his way to his horse, which
was tied not far off, preferring to take the chances of
death rather than the certainty of confinement in the
dreary prison at Johnson's Island, from which, under circumstances of so much hazard, he had once effected his




Buslh, Underwood and his Adventu6res.    387
escape. But his fortune was not equal to his valor. He
was so severely wounded in the leg that the Federal surgeon pronounced him disabled from farther military service, and he was, in consequence, left with his kind friends
at Kinloch.
The Federals then marched to Salem, from which they
drove a few of Mosby's men, and then, filing to the right,
moved toward Rectortown. When within a mile of this
town the flankers encountered two horsemen, who seemed
intent on observing closely the moving column. One of
them was conspicuous from the scarlet lining of his overcoat, as well as for the reckless exposure of his person.
This man xvas idenitified as Mosby, and, as he dashed rapidly along the flank toward the front of the column, he
was pursued by a private of the 16th New York, noted
for his unusual courage. As the two passed through Rectortown, "Scarlet Cloak," as he was called by the Yankees, turned in his saddle, and by a shot from his revolver killed his pursuer's horse. At Rectortown the
Federals halted, built fires, and the men prepared their
suppers as if to camp for the night.
Mosby, in the mean time, accompanied by Tommy Love,
one of his most favored and devoted followers, after reconnnoitring the camp, proceeded to the house of Ludwell Lake, who lives within a mile of Rector's Cross-roads.
Instead of remaining in camp for the night, the raiders
were soon in the saddle again, with the purpose of proceeding to Upperville; but, from the ignorance of the
guide, took the road leading to Rector's Cross-roads. As
they passed the house of Mr. Lake they discovered two
horses, with cavalry equipments, fastened to his gate.
Captain Taylor's company of the 13th New York surrounded the house, and through one of the windows Corporal Kane discharged his carbine at a man within. This
was Mosby. The ball struck him in the abdomen, but




388         Partisan Life with MJosby.
fortunately, without penetrating, ranged around and came
out just above and back of the hip. The lights were extinguished as the enemy rushed into the house; but, with
a self-possession which never deserts him, Mosby determined to affect the dying man, and by that stratagem to
baffle his enemies. Throwing his coat which denoted his
rank under the bed, his first act in this tragic performance was to besmear his lips with blood from his wound,
to give the appearance of internal hemorrhage, and then
to stretch himself on a couch as if exhausted. One of
the men proposed to finish the rebel; but the Federal officers gathered around him, and Captain Taylor and Major
Frazer, after examining the wound, pronounced it to be
mortal. They then inquired his name, his rank, his regiment. The wounded man, gasping, replied, Lieutenant
Johnson, of the 6th Virginia Cavalry. A negro belonging
to Mr. Lake was then introduced, and, failing to recognize
Mosby, pronounced him to be a stranger in the neighborhood.  This testimony removed all doubt, and the
column proceeded in their search for the " guerrilla chief."
As soon as Mosby discovered from the conversation of
the family assembled in an adjoining room that the Federals had taken their departure, he arose and appeared
among them, creating almost as much astonishment as if
they had seen one risen from the dead. He immediately
ordered preparations to be made for his removal to the
house of Mr. Aquila Glasscock, not far off; for he surmised
that the enemy, detecting in some way the imposition
which had been practiced upon them, would send back a
detachment for his recapture. Nor was this precaution
ill-timed, for, upon leaving, the raiders had divested the
wounded man of-his boots, and carried with them his
cloak. These they examined upon the march, and finding the cloak, which was of rich gray cloth trimmed with
English scarlet and gold clasps, to correspond with the




Bush Underwood and his Adventures.    389
one which they had often heard described by the citizens
of the Valley as worn by Mosby, and the boots to agree
exactly in make and maker's name with a pair taken
from his headquarters when burned last summer, they
concluded that they had let the object of their search slip
through their fingers, and at once dispatched a squadron
to repair the error.
Mosby in the mean time had been conveyed away by
the only means of transportation at hand-a cart drawn
by two half-broken oxen, and driven by a negro, who, although he faithfully performed this duty, a few days later
deserted to the enemy. From Glasscock's a courier was
sent to the residence of a citizen near Piedmont, where
Jake Lavender, of the command, was that night to be
married, and where a large number of the men were likely to be assembled. As soon as the tidings were received the marriage was postponed, the party broken up,
and the Rangers hastened to the couch of their wounded
chief. Without delay, Captain Richards dispatched runners to collect a force which might prove sufficient to
protect Mosby from a pursuing enemy, and the next day
Captain William Chapman appeared and took command.
His first act was to send Tom Richards with a party to
ascertain the whereabouts of the raiders, who soon reported that they had passed through Aldie on their homeward march. Mosby remained at Glasscock's for several
days, suffering great pain, and attended by Doctors Dunm
and Eliason, both of the command, during which time his
men from every direction thronged in to see him. Among
them was West Aldridge, who reported that with two
comrades, Roger and Bobby Chew, he had fallen in with
a party of the Loudoun Rangers near Waterford, and
had killed one and captured three of them. Chew had
been wounded, which Mosby the more regretted as he is
one of the most daring soldiers in the battalion.




390         Pa~rtisan, Life with Mosby.
A division of Federal cavalry, commanded by General
Torbert, had made an attempt to capture Gordonsville,
but had been driven off by General Lomax's command.
At Warrenton they divided and went back to the Valley, through different crossings of the Blue Ridge. One
of these fractions on their homeward route camped within a mile or two of Glen Welby, whither Mosby had been
removed. As soon as the presence of the Federals in the
neighborhood was ascertained, he was conveyed by a circuitous route to Culpepper Court-house, and from thence
to Amherst County. About the time of his removal
from Glen Welby, the Federals had been told that he
was at Salem, and started in pursuit of him. At one
time the Rangers who had him in charge were so hard
pressed by the enemy that Mosby told them they would
be compelled to scatter. They inquired," What shall we
do with you 2" He answered, " Bury me."
CHAPTER XLIX.
MOSBY7S MODE OF WARFARE.
January 10th, 1865.
DEAR PERCY, -As early as the middle of October,
Colonel Mosby determined to winter a portion of the
battalion in the Northern Neck of Virginia, not being
able to keep the command together in its usual field of
operations on account of the destruction which had been
wrought by the incendiaries of General Merritt. Accordingly, about the 1st of January, Lieutenant Colonel
Chapman departed for that district of country, taking
with him Companies " C, E,F, and G," the latter of which
was organized at Salem preliminary to his departure.
For this new company the following officers had been




Mosby's Mode of Wacfavreo        391
indicated by Mosby: T. W. T. Richards, Captain; John
Murphy, First Lieutenant; Garland Smith, Second Lieutenant; and William Puryear, Junior Second Lieutenant.
At the time of secession, Captain Richards was a student at Columbia College,in Washington City; he promptly returned to Virginia, and enlisted in the Eighth Virginia Infantry, commanded by Colonel, now General Eppa
Hunton. After twelve months' service with this regiment, during which he participated in all the battles in
which it was engaged, he left the infantry service and
attached himself conditionally to the Seventh Virginia
Cavalry, with which he remained till Colonel Jones was
promoted to the command of a brigade. Richards was
then authorized by him to recruit a company to operate
within the enemy's lines, and with this view returned to
Loudoun County, where he was attracted to Mosby, of
whom he had heard Colonel Jones speak in very high
terms.  Not being bound by any military engagement
to the regular service, he seized this opportunity to enter
Partisan life, and joined Mosby with twelve recruits. He
served with the command till the fight at Warrenton
Junction, where, in an attempt to create a diversion
among the enemy, he was severely wounded three times,
and did not regain his liberty until after an imprisonment of twelve months. This accounts for his having
been so lately made an officer in the battalion; for, as
showing the estimation in which he is held by his commander, I will mention that when General Lee requested
a suitable officer to be recommended to organize a command to protect the citizens in the Northern Neck, and
the counties south of the Rappahannock, from the incursions of raiding parties of the enemy, Mosby nominated
Richards. He went on the mission, but soon returned,
and reported that it was impracticable.
Murphy entered the service in the Ninth Virginia Cav



392          Partisaon Life with Mosby.
ailry, in which he was subsequently promoted to a captaincy. He had recently joined the command, and was
nominated to the lieutenancy by Mosby at the solicitations of Major and Captain Richards.
Garland Smith had been with the battalion for a considerable period, and had proved himself a brave and energetic soldier. Previous to his connection with the command he had been a lieutenant of infantry, and had been
honorably discharged in consequence of a painful wound.
Puryear had also served in the regular army before
his connection with Mosby, and had earned his promotion by the display of unquestionable gallantry on all
occasions.
This interval of comparative repose I am spending at
my abode on the Blue Ridge Mountain, enjoying the society of congenial friends, and, in compliance with a promise, will give you an interior view of our organization,
and also an account of Mosby's military policy and civil
administration.
As early as September, 1863, Mosby concluded a report to General Stuart by reminding him that " the military value of the species of warfare I am waging is not
to be measured by the number of prisoners and material of war captured from the enemy, but by the heavy
details it compels him to make in order to guard his communications, and to that extent diminish his aggressive
strength." The system which he has devised for carrying into execution the policy which he has thus concisely
stated involves the consideration and explanaton of the
manner in which his command is organized, or, in other
words, the principle of the Partisan Ranger law, and his
mode of quartering, and subsisting, and disciplining his
troops, and also his mode of conducting hostilities.
The principle which distinguishes the Partisan Ranger
service is the distribution among the officers and men of




if/osby's AIoclde of Wwcufare.    393
the spoil captured from the enemy, and, though Mosby
refuses to avail himself of it for his own enrichment, he
yet values it as a powerful magnet to attract and bind:
adventurous spirits to his standard. The dreaming statesman may indulge the reverie that in republics the patriotic principle is sufficient to impel men to the discharge
of military duty, but the practical and clear-sighted genius of Mosby knows that mankind are governed by the
grosser motive of immediate self-interest, and, impressed
with this belief, he made the strenuous efforts of which I
have told you to construct his command on this basis.
As an advantageous theatre of operations, he selected
Upper Fauquier and Loudoun, a district of great agricultural fertility and salubrity of climate, having pasturelands which, during nine months of the year, resemble in
verdancy an oasis, while they are peopled by an offshoot
of the Saxon stem-a brave, generous, hospitable people,
and devoted to the cause of Southern independence.
From this as a central point he has struck the enemy in
Fairfax, on the line of the Potomac, in the Valley, and on
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. With the efficiency of his mode of warfare, as original as daring in its
plan of execution, you have already been made acquainted, as well as with the vigorous and sometimes sanguinary and despotic means to which Federal commanders
have resorted in order to counteract and suppress it.
This system of warfare, defensive in its object, yet aggressive in its principle, has baffled all these attempts, because, as soon as the blow is inflicted, the assailants are
at once scattered, before time is afforded to strike them
in return. The angry cloud gathers, the thunders roll
through the sky, the fatal flash is emitted, and the discharged vapors disperse into thin air. Mosby was followed by Wyndham, by Stahl, and by many others, eager
to inflict vengeance upon their tormenting adversary, but




394          Pcarltisctn life with.Mosby.
the band had been broken, and the men composing the
command were dispersed over the large area they inhabited, to be collected, perhaps on the morrow, again to
strike Achilles in the heel.
The citizens sometimes murmur dthat Mosby, who is
ever in an aggressive attitude, so seldom fights the enemy at home; but they do not consider that by doing so
he would abandon the object which brought him among
them and insure his own destruction, for nothing would
gratify the Federal generals more than for him to fight
pitched battles with their overwhelming odds.
Robin Hood concealed his men in the solitudes of
Sherwood Forest; Marion took refuge in the inaccessible
swamps of Carolina, which on every river and lagoon
offered an asylum; but Mosby, in an open country, finds
security in dispersion among a friendly and chivalrous
people. With them the members of the battalion live
as boarders and friends, the farmers for a moderate compensation, and sometimes without compensation at all,
providing food and shelter for the soldier and his horse.
But in some instances, in order to insure greater security,
the men have built themselves huts in the mountains.
This familiar association between the soldiers and the
citizens has developed a very peculiar and romantic state
of society, and its elevating effects upon the former are
very marked. It has imparted to their deportment and
appearance refinement and dignity, with a tincture of
knightly courtesy, and, as in a former age, woman again
awards the prize to valor. Thus woman, the spectator
and sometimes the actor in the fierce drama, is a golden
thread woven into the battalion for beauty and ornament,
but yielding it strength also.
Distributed through the community, the men select
their own boarding-houses, restricted only to certain limits, which contain now an area of twenty miles square.




losby's lMode of'Wcafare.         395
Instead of the discipline of the camp, they are restrained
by the discipline of society; but if that prove too feeble
a means of government, a military authority is near at
hand, prompt to interpose and swift to strike. The officers of the battalion are likewise scattered, in proper proportions, among the men, and are required to keep a strict
supervision over them. The rule of discipline is comprehensive and concise: the men must promptly attend the
rendezvous, and conduct themselves as soldiers on duty
and as gentlemen off duty. Violations of this rule are
at once reported to Mosby, who is ever ready to hear
complaints, sometimes by officers, sometimes by soldiers,
sometimes by citizens, and, as supreme arbiter, are dealt
with by him. If an officer or man is found by this despotic tribunal to be deficient in courage or obedience, or
not to be an orderly member of this military community,
one of two punishments is inflicted; he is reprimanded
for the first offense, or he is pronounced unfit for Partisan
life and sent to the regular army-regarded, as I have
told you before, in the light of a Botany Bay. One of
the bravest men in Company "B" was recently sent off
for breaking into a Quaker's milk-house, notwithstanding
the earnest intercession of his captain.
It must sometimes happen that, even with the strictest
vigilance, unworthy men will insinuate themselves into
the battalion, but, as soon as discovered, the diseased
limb is amputated. To aid in this work, company inspections have been instituted, and on one occasion an inspection of the battalion was made, at which more than fifty
names were struck from the rolls.
From their boarding-houses the men collect at various
places of rendezvous, which are always selected with
reference to the vicinity of a blacksmith's shop. From
these points issue daily detachments, varying in strength,
commanded generally by officers, but sometimes by pri



396          Partisan Life zwith Mosb8y.
vates who enjoy the confidence of their commander.
Thus, in one day, we find portions of Mosby's command
operating at Accotink, in the Valley, on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, at Poolesville, and several other points,
or scouting in Baltimore, Washington, and in the camps
of the enemy. Sometimes a few of his followers are shot
or captured, but for every one lost to him the enemy's
loss is tenfold. Brave, but never rash, ever vigilant, but
never incautious, Mosby soon signalized himself as a leader,but it was not until he obtained a large and stable command, and was able to avail himself of the agency of subordinates, that his unrivaled genius for Partisan warfare
shone forth. If his command had been proportioned to
the emergency, and to his capacity to employ it, I have
thought that when Meade marched through Loudoun and
Fauquier with vulnerable rear and flanks, with Lee in his
front, the march of his army might have been stayed, or
even thrown back beyond the Potomac; and it is past a
doubt that, had such a command as I speak of been under Mosby's control, General Sheridan's long line of communications in the Valley might have been broken up.
Mosby knows every man in the battalion, his appearance, his name, his general character, where he boards,
and to what company he belongs. It is an object with
him to gain this information, for by it he has been enabled to surround himself with efficient officers, and select
leaders for the small bands which he casts like a quiver
of arrows among the enemy. It is this faculty of discernment which has given him the hundred arms of
Briareus. He has another quality which comes in aid
of this -his inaccessibility to flattery, and consequent
exemption from its blinding and disturbing effects. He
has, of course, his friendships and personal partialities,
but it is astonishing to see how destitute they are of
all influence over his public conduct. These favorites




XMosby's Mode of Wa favre.      397
eat with him, scout with him, sleep with him, and follow
him in the headlong charge. But there is not an instance
in which one of them has been promoted to command.
His promotions are always from another class. If a man
is honorable, brave, and capable, he looks no farther, for
he regards power simply as a trust, and would as soon
convert to his own use the public money as the public
patronage. You ask if it is by love that he controls his
men? No; he is not weak enough to be cheated by that
fallacy. Love, he knows, is an inconstant charmer, whose
power, from the nature of things, can not be made to pervade and control large masses of men. Fear and Confidence are the genii he invokes, and, united to a conviction of his incorruptible integrity, they have enabled him
to enchain followers to his standard.
As the battalion grew in strength, and his sphere of
action was extended, the difficulty of disciplining and
controlling it increased, and Mosby proposed, in consequence, to divide it into two battalions, each to be commanded by a major,wl'ile he retained the rank of lieutenant colonel, who should be responsible for the discipline
and efficiency of his corps, while the emulation which
would necessarily spring up between the two divisions of
the command-the officers being of equal rank-would
not be without its advantage to the public service. In
order to obtain the sanction of law for this plan of reorganization, early in December, 1864, he visited Richmond. But upon developing his scheme to General Lee,
he found him opposed to it, and to favor instead the regimental organization. Besides, the Secretary of War was
of opinion that no authority for such a division of the
command was given by any existing law, and that a special act of Congress would have to be obtained. He therefore suggested as a substitute, which was accepted by Mosby, to give him a lieutenant colonel and a major, between




398          Partisan Life with iifosby.
whom the command could practically be divided, although
the divisions could not be recognized by the department.
After an absence of ten days, Mosby returned to Fauquier
with authority to increase his battalion to a regiment,
and bringing with him a colonel's commission for himself, a lieutenant colonel's for Chapman, and a major's
commission for Richards.
But it is now time to speak of his civil administration.
The civil structure in the district over which his power
extends had been totally subverted, and there was no
law to maintain the recognized rights of property, or to
protect the weak from the aggressions of the strong.
Finding himself in the possession of power, he regards it
as a trust to be exercised for the benefit of those over
whom his military jurisdiction extends. To him, as the
recognized depository of authority, all men repair, preferring complaints, representations, and applications. The
ordinary place for the transaction of such business is at
a rendezvous for the command, while the men are assembling. But this is not always the case, for he often gives
audiences and makes decisions at other places and at
other times. Thus Mosby has reigned in the Upper
Piedmont for nearly two years undisputed dictator; and
the evidence of Mr. Edward Marshall, of Markham, one
of the most prominent and respectable citizens of Fauquier, is but a merited testimonial to the enlightened use
which he makes of his great authority.
Says Mr. Marsliall, "Mosby has for nearly two years
been king of Fauquier, and I have never known the
county so well governed." His education and experience
as a lawyer come greatly to his aid in fulfilling these civil
duties. The following incident will illustrate, I think,
the vigor of his administration.  Horse-stealing and
cattle-lifting had become a prevalent nuisance in Fauquier and Loudoun; and, unless restrained, would, beyond




" Gog in the -Land of lfagog."       399
doubt, have been followed by other and more violent
forms of lawlessness. But Mosby is just the man to deal
with a distemper like that. He published an order authorizing and commanding horse-thieves and cattle-lifters
to-be shot wherever caught. It was not long before the
rude administrators of this military code were called
upon to act, and the only investigation that ensued was
as to the guilt of the man who had been killed.
Lying outside of the army lines, it is only natural that
this district of country should be infested by deserters,
blockade-runners, and other disreputable characters, as
well as by horse-thieves and cattle-lifters. To meet this
evil, he has authorized the arrest of all soldiers not having regular leaves of absence, and awards their horses as
prizes to their captors, while strangers are required to
exhibit evidence of the lawfulness of their business. It
is by the employment of vigorous and enlightened measures such as these, as well as by the brilliancy and success of his military exploits, that Mosby has won, and
will ever maintain, a deep hold on the confidence and affection of the people of Northern Virginia.
CHAPTER L.
" GOG IN THE LAND OF MAGOG."
MY DEAR PERCY,-I have another exploit of our friend
the chaplain's to relate to you to-day, and, if I am not
mistaken, it will excite in your breast feelings of compassion for the holy man. That you may have no fear of exaggeration in any of its circumstances, I will tell you beforehand that I have gotten all the facts from that oracle
of truth, Mr. Blackwell Magog!
The chaplain was on a visit to " Heartland," the classic
abode of his relative, Mr. Blackwell Magog. The weather




400         Partisan Life with )osby.
was cold, for it was the inhospitable month of January,
the season when Boreas delights to bluster over this
northern temperate zone.
Present, besides the host and his family, and a bevy of
fair damsels, Dr. Gog, Jake Lavender, Johnny Edmunds,
Johnny Munson, George Edmonds, Wyndham Lucas. The
day before the one on which occurred the notable events
about to be related was devoted to canonical games of
cards. The result between the reverend man and his especial antagonist, Munson, had been the loss by the latter of a large bottle of blockade whisky, which had been
promptly paid up, according to the rule which the parson
invariably observed with those young guerrillas.
He was opposed, he said, to debt, and would not, in
consequence, trust one of them for a shilling. But his success had brought with it but little happiness, for he had
to be as much on his guard as if he had been in a camp
of gipsies. The young scamps, instigated and encouraged
by the master of the house and Jake, who ought to have
known better, had concocted many a plot to obtain possession of the vessel which contained the liquor, but, as
the sequel will show, unhappily in vain.
In some way, it was never certainly known how, though
the chaplain always accused Sam Thomas, the reverend
man had contracted that one of the eruptive diseases
known to science as scabies, but in the vernacular as itch.
Every one who is acquainted with this tormenting companion, and the mode in which it ought to be treated,
knows that for its cure the application of unguents to the
surface of the body is highly recommended. This is one
of the particulars of the healing art in which science condescends to agree with unlettered practice —one in which
the learned disciples of AEsculapius concur with those
kind, excellent physicians, the old women.
But, in order to apply this highly popular remedy, it




" Gog in the La nd of Maqcgog."    401
was necessary for the doctor to disrobe his person, or, as
Hamlet, the Dane, would express it, "Unmask his beauty
to the moon." By this process our churchman had been
reduced to what a philosopher might call a state of nature. While he was in this Adamic condition, as unadorned in truth as our grandparents before the Fall, Munson and Johnny Edmunds rushed wildly into the apartment, which was situated on the second floor, crying out,
"The Yankees are coming, and are flanking round the
house." Out again they went, with terror in every line
of their faces, and the great anointed beheld them through
the window, scampering toward Goose Creek, which flows
at the base of the eminence on which the house stands.
A moment after the voice of his kinsman was heard below
urging an immediate retreat; and soon, as if in confirmation of his advice, he himself was seen, with Jake and the
others, to hurry off in the samne direction. The doctor's
clothes had, by his own direction, been removed, to be subjected to a process of fumigation, nor had others been
substituted.
Here was a terrible dilemma. It would never do to be
captured by the Yankees if the thing could be avoided,
for they had sworn to hang the fat priest for plundering
their supply-trains if ever they laid their hands on him
— yes, to hang him with a grape-vine. After these threats
had been communicated to him, and Munson had even
seen them in a General Order issued from Winchester, as
he had stated that morning at breakfast, Doctor Gog had
often thought of hanging with a grape-vine, and the more
he thought of it the less he liked it. He was very indignant, and so expressed himself. It would, he said, be a
clear violation of the usages of civilized warfare, and
ought not to be tolerated by the nations of Christendom;
it was, moreover, the death of a dog, and carried with it
disgrace as well as punishment. But what was all this
Cc




402          Partisan Life with JLosby.
to the parson if the-Vandals executed their threat? He
would be dead, and nothing could compensate him for
that calamity. After much reflection, he had come to the
conclusion not to fall into their hands; indeed, this resolution might be -said to have become with him a fixed
principle of action.
But what was to be done a He had no time for councils of war. The case was one which demanded immediate action. What was to be done?  Great God-! what
was to be done?  Even now it might be too late. "Run,
Doctor Gog, run!" some good angel whispered; "run!
for a human life hangs on thy heels-run, run, run!"
How could he resist these moving appeals? for already he
felt the felon vine tightening around his throat. Off he
started, grasping at a blue counterpane as he passed by!i,!I, Ilf   l l,   ii, iIi
j/i
THE CHAPLAIN S HASTY RETREAT.
the bed. But it was an ample coverlet, and had been
closely tucked. It would have taken him five minutes




" Gog i the Land of Malgoq."        403
to get that blue counterpane off the bed. Five minutes!
he hadn't as many seconds to lose. Out of the room he
bolted; down the stairs he leaped, or rather tumbled, and
rushed through the porch into the inclosed area which
surrounds the house.  How  cold the air was! but it
served only to brace Doctor Gog for more strenuous exertions. Through the yard he sped like an apparition.
The children screamed, the dogs barked, the geese uttered
their dissonant cries, and rose up, expanding their great
wings, as the doctor flew by them; one, a gander, and the
patriarch of the poultry-yard, showed fight, and ran hissing after the fugitive. The maid-servants hid their faces
and turned away, they were so shocked at the unhandsome spectacle so suddenly presented to their eyes. But
what cared the: doctor for a country wench, or a score of
them for that matter, when the Yankees were flanking
rotund the house?
Children, dogs, maid-servants, ganders, all stand aside
for the chaplain of Mosby's Battalion as he bounds toward the garden. Behold him now, through intemperate
haste, involved in a labyrinth of raspberry-bushes, with
their long, prickly arms reaching out on every side; how
they lacerate his soft, greasy skin! But a raspberrybush, what is it to a grape-vine, if those terrible Yankees
have hold of it?  He does not stop to disengage their
clasping arms, but rudely breaks away. His sides bleed
like a spurred courser; but better that' than worse,
thought the parson, as he continued his retreat, or rather
flight. But whether a retreat or flight, what matters it?
for the parson, never overscrupulous, has no time now to
higgle over words. All he asks is a clear track.
He has scrambled over the garden fence, and down the
hill he goes, encountering in his passage the running briers which, during the war, have spread' over the land.
How they tear his feet and ankles, and the flints how




404          Partisan Life with Mosby.
they cut his flesh! No matter, no matter; what are a
few scratches when a man's life is at stake! When he
reached the bottom of the hill he came upon the rest of
the fugitives, all dressed in their nice warm clothes and
long cavalry boots, while he was as naked as a cherub!
The Lord, how cold it was! and nobody would lend him
a thread-a thing not reasonably to be expected by a
man afflicted with scabies. The others hid among watersedges and alder-bushes, which grew on the hither side
of the stream; but the parson, with that spectre grapevine about his neck, determined to effect a crossing of
Goose Creek at all hazards. Nor did he wait for the arrival of his pontoon-train, but at once plunged in the
stream, about waist deep, and, having gained its opposite
bank, was soon lost in the undergrowth which offered its
friendly shelter.
The doctor was vividly impressed with the imminent
perils from which he had just escaped, for had he not distinctly heard the tramp of horses, mingled, with the confused sound of human voices?  So he laid down very
close to a large log, or trunk of what had once been a
stately tree, but which now lay prostrate among the
weeds and grass like a fallen monarch, abandoned by
those who, in the days of his prosperity, had gathered
about him, and found shelter in its lordly boughs. But
the poor fugitive was not too proud to ask protection
from the oak in the days of its adversity; so he crept
close to its side, and laid him down at full length, shivering with cold. His teeth chattered, and that was the
only noise he made, and that he could not help, poor
man! It was so cold that January day! Soon a voice
was wafted to his ear, which he thought syllabled his
name, and the denuded churchman crouched closer than
ever to the frozen earth and the rough bark of the tree.
Between the ague of fear and the ague of cold he suffered
pangs almost as keen as death.




"Gog in the Land of jlagog."       405
There is an end, however, of human endurance, and the
parson made up his mind to surrender. The Yankees
might not, if he spoke them fair, be so hard on him, after
all. It would be better, at all events, he reasoned, to
take that chance, small as it might be, than to perish
with cold. Under this impulse, he had risen to his
hands and knees, when, for the first time, his eyes fell
upon a wild grape, that sent forth in many a grabceful
fold its long, tough vines. Down he fell, for it looked
like a fatality. The victim and the altar, by a mysterious Providence, had been brought together, and the priest
to offer him up was alone wanting, and he, alas! was not
far off. "Oh!" groaned Dr. Gog, and he buried his face
in his hands and tried to pray.
The work of repentance, though long delayed, is swift
when it begins. Misdeed after misdeed rose up before
the defaulting chaplain like banditti springing out from
every brake. Each day produced its band of accusing
memories —his broken vows, his profanity, his revels, his
gaming, all, all stood before him with menacing browa dark array, that confronted the chaplain of Mosby's
Battalion, standing on the verge of eternity, a boundless
sea shrouded with impenetrable cloud. Plundered quartermasters and violated sutler-wagons were there, to
haunt him with their confiscated stores., How horrible
thus, "unhouseled and unannealed," to be hurried out of
life-life, which is so sweet to the voluptuary!
He heard again his own name pronounced, and this
time with a distinctness that left no room for doubt, no
hope, for the Yankees were as familiar with his name as
his own guerrillas.
But,Yankee or no Yankee, grape-vine or no grape-vine,
he could stand the cold no longer, for the state of quiescence in which he had lain had generated a numbness
which might be the precursor of that drowsiness which




406          PcPatisan Ji2fe with Jfosby.
precedes death from freezing. As soon as this horrible
thought occurred to him he sprang to his feet, but still
cautiously went forth to reconnoitre, for the parson had
at least this quality of a good soldier, great caution in
the presence of the enemy. Unspeakable was his relief
when he discovered that the voice proceeded from his
own friends, who were calling him to join them, which
with painful steps he proceeded to do. By this time the
wind had risen, stirred by some demon, or had been released from its barred prison for some uncharitable end.
The forlorn divine suffered horribly on his exposed flanks,
as the cutting blast with icy breath came whistling from
the snow-clad Blue Ridge.
Friends are the kind ministers of Fortune, and those
of Dr. Gog, the most welcome of their class, now summoned him to surmount the cross-flowing stream and rejoin them. But, benumbed with cold, how could he
accomplish the task? It was a serious question that
winter's day which was presented for solution to a church
dignitary divested of raiment. Had he been bred in the
wilderness, and been a great sachem of an Indian tribe,
he could have done it, and not have thought of it a moment after. But the chaplain was not a North American
savage, but was a child of civilization, and had been nurtured in luxury.
There was no passway-not even the slender footing
of a rail thrown across some narrow belt of the creek.
No, there was no help for it; so he plunged in the waters,
over which a film of ice had formed. Though an excellent divine, and instructed in all the lore of the Church,
Dr. Gog was not an accomplished engineer, for he selected for the crossing of the stream a place where the waters
were both broad and deep. A concealed snag caught
his foot when he was about midway, and souse he went
under. Having expelled the water from his ears and




" Gog in the Land of Magog."      40'7
nose, he heard a loud laugh. He gnashed his teeth with
rage, for Munson, he knew, with a hundred glosses and
exaggerations, would tell the thing over the whole country.
It was, then, in no amiable mood that the chaplain
emerged from Goose Creek, sinking knee-deep as he approached the oozy bank. The moisture which had begun
to freeze in his drowned locks rattled at every: turn of
his head. A mariner cast'away on the inhospitable
coast of Spitzbergen could not be more an object of compassion than was Dr. Gog, as with dripping sides.he
emerged from the water. His nose and lips were drawn
and blue, and with shaking limbs he approached his
companions with the salutation,
"Well, boys, I suppose the d-d Yankees are gone?"
Replied Johnny Munson, in a very impertinent manner, "Why, doctor, the affair turned out to be a false
alarm; there were no Yankees at all."  And they all
looked at Dr. Gog and laughed, he standing there forlorn and covered with goose-bumps.
A new light then broke on his mind-not the cheerful
ray shining on a benighted land, but a sulphurous anda
infernal light, which makes Knowledge, an angel of consolation on earth, one of the furies to torment man in
hell. The wrath of the invincible Greek was an amiable
feeling compared with the mood which spread like an
angry cloud over the parson. His brow darkened, his
eyes emitted a strange fire. Without uttering a word,
he stooped and grasped one of the smooth enameled stones
which the torrent had piled in that place. Missile after
missile hurled he at his tormentors, who instantly decamped-Jake, with his long legs, leading the way. One of
the projectiles was better aimed, or was launched with
a more auspicious fortune, for the churchman had the inexpressible satisfaction of seeing Mr. Blackwell Magog




408          Pcartisan Life with lIosby.
knocked off the fence which lay across his line of retreat.
But he was soon - on his feet again, though it gave the
parson no little satisfaction to behold the treacherous
scoundrel, as he climbed the hill, rub his bushy head, as
hard and shaggy as the frontlet of a bison.
It is a consolation to reflect that in the most calamitous situations there is always some circumstance to alleviate our misery-one drop of the sweet in every cup of
the bitter. Remember this, children of Adam! and oh,
Philosophy! in their weary pilgrimage, teach them  to
find the single drop of honey, or rather thou divine
Chemistry!
An impartial observer could not deny that the parson
had achieved a complete victory. The field of battle was.
abandoned to him, and at his leisure he could proceed to
erect his trophy, that undeniable evidence of success.
But, after all, was it a success? Could it with any propriety be placed in the catalogue of martial triumphs,
thought the chaplain, as he was seated on a decayed
stump, with his back turned on the breath of winter, as
it came from those blue hills, so beautiful and cold in
their wavy outline? Was it not rather a defeat, for had
he not driven from him those who alone could serve him?
Children of men, why will ye so torment one another?
Is it not better to bring relief than to inflict misery?
Inquire of the angels of mercy, those brightest of created
beings! Would it not have been far better to have
given the parson, benumbed with cold, a glass of Cogniac,
or one of his own favorite Downing?
Downing resides near Linden Station, on the Manassas
Gap Railway, at the western extremity of Poverty Hollow, pleasantly so called, because it is one of the very
richest indentations of the eastern slope of the Blue
Ridge. There, in Poverty Hollow, the maidens are, or
used to be, the fairest-there the flowers blow the sweet



" Gog in the Lcand of ifcgog."     409
est, and the rivulets, as they dance their wayward round,
murmur of a gentle love, and chant their wild minstrelsy
to the stars. But the best and brightest is gone-the
gentle, the blue-eyed Lucy. She sleeps now under the
stars, near the country church where'she worshiped God,
and has left behind only this memory.
Write for the " Gog" brand; it is the purest and sweetest distillation. It is true, ill-natured persons say the
devil taught Downing to make this Gog liquor, and that,
on his part, Downing entered into certain covenants to be
complied with beyond the grave. But I believe not the
story.  It is the invention of malice and jealousy, for
Downing is a first-rate fellow, and is the last man in
Fauquier to deal in the black art.
But, bless me! where is Doctor Gog during this unexpected, but, I trust, not uninteresting episode? Where is
the doctor? Amiable friend, while thou wert in the airy
regions of speculation, or, fancy bound, wert in Poverty
Hollow, or the Happy Valley, or Dreamland, as the Hollow used in the olden time to be called-that is, twenty
years ago-by the joyous young people who laughed life
away and loved under the blue sky, ah! too well-while
thou wert thus beguiling the time, Doctor Gog, obedient
to the law of self-preservation, was limping, foot-sore, to
the barn of Mr. Blackwell Magog. What a contrast to
his headlong descent!
Arrived at the barn-let us call it instead a temple of
Ceres, as being the heaped altar at which that goddess
loves best to be worshiped —the denuded parson could
neither see nor hear of living wight. The presence of ladies prevented a nearer approach to the house. A negro
wench or two, when the Yankees were flanking round
the house, Adolphus Adam Gog could encounter; but a
house full of ladies of good English blood, filtered through
several generations of Virginian ancestors, was a different




410         Partisan Life with AIosby.
thing. There is always some one act which a man will
not do, and to enter the presence of ladies thus divested
of raiment was with the parson that one act. He would
visit the palace of the winter god, and beard that hoary
monarch, throned amid arctic snows, before he would
paint the cheek of modesty with a blush.
So, instead of approaching the dwelling, he sought the
sunny side of the barn, there to wait until his clothes
could be brought him. As the sun bathed the parson's
form in his bright beams, sending the freezing blood
through each artery and throbbing vein, how delicious
were the sensations they produced. How like a god he
looked, throned in the heavens, ever in his zenith, reigning amid burning constellations and dazzling splendors,
and sending throughout creation those resplendent rays
-the ministers of his grace and mercy. From the bottom of his heart he thanked the kind Father who kindled
those soft, eternal fires in which all living things might
rejoice-yes, all-the worm and the soaring eagle; the
beggar upon whom fortune never smiled, and the prince
upon whom she never frowned.
But it was not long ere the doctor heard the sound of
approaching footsteps. It was Munson. Overjoyed he
ran toward the young guerrilla, but undue haste scared
him away, or, as the doctor phrased it, " knocked the fat
in the fire."
"Johnny, dear Johnny," said the divine, who determined to try the effect of soft words. Reassured, Munson
ventured nearer, and, seating himself on a fragment of a
plow, the following colloquy ensued:
Doctor Goy. "Johnny, my boy, of this be sure, you need
never be afraid of me. You are my favorite in the whole
battalion, and for my right arm I wouldn't hurt a hair
of your head. But, sweet youth, bring my clothes, or I'll
catch my death, and then, you know, the command would
break up."




" Gog in the Lcand of Xicgog."    411
Jfq/ns8on. "Catch your death, parson! I never saw you
in a finer glow. But I have always heard mountain
breezes recommended for health. Catch your death! I
understand you well enough; you want to catch me, and
then you'd mash every bone in my body. When you
want to fool a man with such chaff as you carry in your
wallet, I advise you not to begin with one of Mosby's
men."
Doctor Goog. "No, no, dear boy, I swear by the honor
of a Christian minister, and that is an oath of credit, I
will not hurt a hair of your head."
flfanson. "What made you, then, throw those stones at
me in the meadow?  Don't you suppose you hurt a hair
of Mr. Blackwell Magog's head when you knocked him off
the fence? If that's what you mean by your fair promises, I think I had better look after my own safety. No,
sir, I didn't take your clothes from you, and I'll have
nothing to do with the affair; for once in my life I'll attend to my own business."  And, so saying, the young
man rose to depart.
Doctor Gog. "Johnny Munson, for God's sake don't
leave'me. I swear by the crucifix that I will not hurt
you, and that oath would bind the devil himself."
Munson then resumed his seat and said,
"But, sir, you are not a Catholic, and that makes you
so very convenient on the subject of oaths; but I have
no sort of confidence in these Universalist preachers. It
is the next thing to having no religion at all."
Doctolr Gog. "I convenient on the subject of oaths!
Why, that's an aspersion on the whole command. What
would the world say of the morality of the men if you
tell them their chaplain has a seared conscience? But,
Johnny, you are wrong in the fact; I have a touch of the
Catholic too."
Munson. "Yes, no doubt, just as you are a Baptist or,




412         Partisain Life with Mosby.
a Presbyterian, or a Methodist, or a Swedenborgian, or
what not. No, sir, your religious principles afford no
sort of security."
Doctor Gog. "Ungrateful guerrilla! Out of the whole
command you have ever been my favorite. Yes, I have
taken twice the pains with your religious education that
I have with that of any other man in the battalion. -ut,
my boy, won't you bring me my clothes 2"
llunson. " No doubt you love me devotedly, since you
can scarce refrain from knocking me down in company.
If what you say be true, why didn't you let me have
some of the liquor to-day?"
-Doctor Gog. " Why, my boy, I was keeping it for a
hob-nob between us to-night.' Do you suppose I would
let that long-legged guerrilla, Jake, and that puddingfaced fellow, Mr. Blackwell Magog, and the young thieves
around them, have any of it?  No, Blockade should be
kept for gentlemen. Apple-jack and new dip are good
enough for them. D-n it, Johnny, have you lost your
penetration 2."
Mlliunson.  "Not as much, perhaps, as you think."
IDoctor Gog. " Oh, Johnny, have you too grown suspicious? I have always loved and admired you for the
unaffected simplicity of your nature. Of all the charms
of youth, ingenuousness is most endearing to me."
ilunson. "Parson, it's no use to talk to me in that way.
We had as well get to business at once. I know not
how it is with you, basking there in the sun, but it's devilish cold out here. You remember the gray horse you
cheated me out of at' Seven up' last Sunday two weeks?.
Well, I must have him back, and the calico horse too,
that we got in the Fairfax raid."
Doctor Gog. "Why, Johnny, both the horses were fairly
won, and surely you would not unravel such old transactions? But, as I always like to have a man satisfied —"




" Gog in the Land of Magog."      413
Munson. "Particularly a great favorite."
Doctor Gog. "I am willing to play for the stakes again."
Munson. "That you may have, I suppose, the pleasure
of again cheating me. No, I must have both horses back,
and no conditions. And then there's the bottle of liquor.
I must have that back."
Doctor Gog. "You shall have them all, dear boy, and
may they do you more good than they've done me, par.
ticularly the liquor. Now, lad, for the clothes!"
funson. "Not yet. I must have the roll of cloth you
got from the sutler in the Valley, as well as the lot of smoking tobacco that you brought from Richmond, or hang
me if I bring you the clothes."
Doctor Gog. "Johnny, you shall have them all-the
horses, the cloth, the liquor, the tobacco.  Any thing
more 2"
Munson. "Yes. I never saw you so accommodating
before. The pleasant morning and your summer apparel
have produced a fine effect upon you. I must have the
watch and chain, and the greenbacks too, which you took
from the Yankee parson."
-octor Gog. "John Munson, how thou liest! I have
no recollection of such a transaction, but have always
heard that'hawks winna pike out hawks' eyes,' as the
Scotch proverb hath it."
JMunson. " No lie about it. It was just as I say.  I witnessed the affair, and never laughed more in my life. The
Yankee was of the Beecher school, and did the preaching of a Massachusetts regiment. You went through
him like a dose of salts. As he couldn't answer certain
Scripture questions which you propounded, you pronounced him an impostor, and confiscated his watch and
chain. His pocket-book you had taken on general principles. I must have the watch and chain, at least, for
that's the best way, I find, to settle the differences of the




414         Partisan Life with Mosby.
Church. I will have to play Judge Monkey, and adjudicate between you."
Doctor Gog. "Johnny Munson, you take advantage of
my misfortunes! But take the trinkets; you know they
were always yours for the asking."
These concessions appeared to satisfy the Ranger, for
he moved off in the direction of the house, but soon returned and reopened negotiations.
Doctor Gog. "Why, what the h-ll do you want now "
Mfunson. "[I must have a pair of cavalry boots, for mine
(stretching out his legs) are almost gone. You know, as
the government money is worth nothing, we are compelled up here to adopt Bonaparte's maxim, and make'war
support war.' I must have the boots, and good ones too."
-Doctor Go (aside). "The unconscionable rogue! He
would rob me of the last shilling, and leave me to make
a livelihood by preaching the Gospel to a gang of thieves.
That fellow was born for a money-lender. However, I
must speak him fair, though I never mean to be bound
by one of the extorted promises. (To Munson.) Certainly, Johnny; how could I refuse you any thing? Yes, you
shall have a nice, new pair of cavalry boots. But I must
have my clothes first."
This time Munson started off as if in earnest, and soon
disappeared. He staid, the parson thought, unreasonably
long, and when he reappeared it was without the clothes.
It was with difficulty that the doctor could suppress his
rage as he saw the young man deliberately resume his
former seat.
D)octor Gog. "In the name of ten thousand furies, what
will you have next? I shall die of cold behind this d-d
old barn, and that would make a pretty paragraph in the
newspapers!"
Munson. " Be not disturbed on that score, parson, for I
engage to write your obituary. Let me see how it will




" Gog in the Land of 2Xcgog."      415
run:'Departed this life, on the - day of, the Rev.
Doctor Adolphus Adam Gog, C. M. B., at Heartland. He
died of a violent attack of-modesty.' Ha, ha, ha! No,
doctor, I am not satisfied. I must have security that you
will perform your engagements."
In the most provoking manner, Munson began to whistle a popular love-song.
Doctor Gog. "John Munson, what security-can I give
in this situation? Are you going to be another Shylock,
and demand your pound of flesh?"
"Yes," responded Munson, coolly, "several of them, for
I must have Mr. Blackwell Magog and Jake for the bail."
"Jake, I suppose, for the leg-bail," said the parson, smiling.
Jifunson. "Ha, ha, ha!  Excellent. Yes, Jake for the
leg-bail. I am glad to find that your wit, at least, is not
congealed. There is nothing, I see, like a change of climate for the wit."
This point settled, Munson started off once more, and
soon returned, bringing a bundle, and followed by Mr.
Blackwell Magog and Jake, who found seats near Munson's former place of negotiation; but the securities manifested much reluctance to becoming bound for the chaplain, Jake objecting that he'had a way of slipping out of
his engagements, like an eel through a fisherman's hand.
The complications of the Congress of Vienna were not so
difficult to arrange, and the treaty was about being broken
off, when, Munson relaxing his attention for a moment, the
parson sprang forward, and, knocking his two securities
to the ground, possessed himself of the bundle, and then
retreated to his former position, fetching, as he did so, an
ineffectual blow at Munson. The proposed securities arose
from the ground, and in a very ill humor walked away,
leaving Munson again alone with the chaplain.
When Dr. Gog examined the bundle he found it con



416         Pcartisan Life with tfosb1y.
tained only his boots and waistcoat, with which he was
not much more presentable than before.
" Knocked the fat in the fire again," quoth the doctor,
in a sorrowful voice, and, seating himself on a projecting
log in the floor of the building, buried his face in his
hands as one bereft of hope.
From sheer compassion at his sad plight Munson then
brought the rest of the clothes, but their owner would
take no notice of him. Fearing lest he had carried the
joke too far, the young man approached the parson and
shook him roughly by the shoulder. In a moment he
foundc himself in a Herculean grasp, and felt keenly the
blows of a hickory withe that had lain near.' So you want the calico horse, do you?" shouted the
parson, " and the cloth, and the tobacco 2"
The blows fell heavy and fast, and Munson began to
think it was not such a good joke after all.
" The watch, and the chain too," exclaimed the doctor,
pausing to recover his breath. "You say you must have
them, for it's the best way to settle the disputes of the
Church. So you mean to play Judge Monkey, do you,
between two quarreling cats? But your honor will find
that one, at least, of the parties litigant has claws."
As he uttered these words the parson paused in the
castigation, still holding his tormentor by the collar.
"How do you like this security?" growled he, shaking
Munson with his left hand by the collar. "It suits me
very well."
Again the thrashing began, and the action might have
lasted till the ammunition was exhausted, for the parson
had entered on a regular campaign, but for Munson's
presence of mind. He kicked the bundle of clothes as if
to send it under the barn, which induced Dr. Gog to relax
his hold, thus enabling the Ranger to make his escape.
When the injured chaplain returned to the apartment




Preisoon E7periences of lJfosby's BMen.  417
fiom which he had made so sudden an exit to solace himself with a glass of Blockade, not a drop could he find.
In his absence the liquor had been confiscated, and its
lawful owner announced his intention of retiring in disgust from the world.
CHAPTER LI.
PRISON EXPERIENCES OF MOSBY'S MEN.
Upper Fauquier, February 15th, 1865.
DEAR PERCY,-Feeling that my chronicle will be incomplete without some account of prison life as experienced by Mosby's men, I have procured from Tom Richards an account of his long captivity, some particulars of
which I will introduce in this letter, and also several
escapes from prison effected by members of the battalion
under circumstances of great peril.
Richards, along with fourteen wounded comrades, was
captured in the fight at Warrenton Junction and carried
to Alexandria, where they were placed in a hospital with
Federal soldiers, and were allowed to receive kind attentions from the ladies of that town, many of whom sympathized warmly with the Southern cause. Of their noble
and untiring efforts in behalf of the prisoners Richards
speaks in the most admiring and grateful terms From
the hospital he was removed to the Old Capitol Prison,
from which place, at the close of two uneventful months,
he was sent to Point Lookout, where he tasted all the
horrors of prison life north of the Potomac for the space
of seven months.
When he reached Point Lookout the number of prisoners was small. They-were encamped on Chesapeake Bay,
and a line of sentries was stationed around the camp except on the bay side. But, in consequence of the escape
D D




418          Partisan Life with fosby.
of several prisoners-among others, Tom Lake and his
party-the additional precaution was taken of inclosing
the prison with a fence sixteen feet high, made of plank
set on end. About three feet from the top of this inclosure was a platform on which a line of sentries walked
their beat. On the bay side were two gates, which were
left open during the day, but at night were strongly barred
and guarded. As the prospects of a cartel of exchange became more gloomy, some of the captives, from that strong
desire of freedom planted in every breast, began to contrive plans of escape. Among these I will mention the
case of five prisoners who were bound to each other by
ties of friendship. One of them, in behalf of the party,
approached during the day the sentinel on duty at one
of the gates which I have referred to, and, after some preliminary conversation, proposed to him, in consideration
of a large reward, to allow himself and four others to
escape through the gate during the next night. The
guard was not averse to the proposition, yet doubted its
feasibility, and urged the fatal result to himself in case of
detection, but promised to give a definite answer when on
duty later in the day. In the afternoon, as soon as the
sentinel was seen pacing his customary round, the prisoner, with anxious heart, inquired his determination. He
replied that he would open the prison gate, but that he
must be well paid for it. The price finally agreed upon
was one gold watch, two silver watches, and forty dollars
in greenbacks, which was the sum of the valuables which
the party could muster. At the hour agreed upon the
price was paid, the gate was opened, and the prisoners
walked forth. To return to their homes?  No! The
sentinel had played them false.
As soon as he had been relieved from duty in the forenoon, he had hurried to the provost-marshal, Captain
Patterson, of the 14th New Hampshire Infantry, arfd had




Prisoz Excpxeriences of Mosby's ien.  419
communicated to him the overture he had just received.
Captain'Patterson instructed him to accept the'bribe,
and to allow the men at the appointed hour to pass to
the outside of the prison. About half an hour in advance
of the hour agreed upon, the provost-marshal concealed
twelve cavalrymen, armed with carbines and pistols, under the bank of the bay, at a distance of twelve feet from
the gate at which the Confederates were to make their
exit. As soon as the prisoners had passed through the
portal, the gate was closed and barred behind them, and
Captain Patterson and his twelve men rose from ambush
and fired upon the defenseless men. "For a moment,"
says Richards, " the firing was rapid; but above the sound
of fire-arms and the shout of the blood-thirsty wretches I
could distinctly hear one of the Confederates exclaim,' For God's sake, don't kill me! I give up.' In a moment more the firing ceased, and all was again still, save
the cries and groans of the wounded men. Stretchers
were now brought on which to transport them to the
prison. Cary, of Martinsburg, Virginia, was desperately
wounded, two others less severely, while the rest of the
party escaped the same fate by falling prostrate on the
ground, as if dead. These facts can be vouched for by
almost any number of witnesses."  In the month of November four hundred officers were brought to Point
Lookout, and shortly afterward two regiments of negroes
were put to guard the prisoners. They treated them
with great insolence and brutality, and in this they were
encouraged by the prison authorities. Here is an example. About eleven o'clock at night one of these negro
sentinels who was pacing his beat fired his musket into
the encampment. The ball passed through the head of
a prisoner who was asleep in his tent, causing immediate
death, and also inflicted a mortal wound on a companion
lying at his side. As soon as the circumstances of this




420          Partisan Life with Mosby.
case were known, the indignation of the prisoners was so
great that the officer of the guard, under pretense of
sending the negro to the guard-house for punishment,
hurried him off. But the next day he was seen again on
duty with corporal's stripes on his arm, for he had been
promoted for this outrage upon humanity. When asked
by the officer upon his arrival, why he fired, he replied,
"I hearn a noise over dar."
Many other cases occurred quite as shocking, which
can be authenticated by thousands of witnesses. For
several weeks, at one period, this wanton shooting continued, averaging a death of at. least one prisoner a day.
To so great an extent was it carried that the tyrants in
command at Point Lookout, fearing lest rumors of their
connivance at these atrocious deeds might reach the ears
of the higher authorities, issued an order prohibiting the
shooting of prisoners, except when they attempted to
make their escape.
The mechanical ingenuity exhibited by the captives
was manifested in various ways, not only for the purpose
of whiling away the tedious hours, but in order to obtain
funds with which to purchase some of the necessaries of
life. Trinkets of almost every description, finger-rings,
breast-pins, ear-drops, watch-chains, an4 miniature books
were carved in the most beautiful style. One of the
prisoners made with his pen-knife, in half of a canteen,
a clock, which kept good time; while another, with a
small coffee-pot for a boiler, made a steam-engine, and
had it running on a short track for the amusement of his
companions. The Yankees would buy these trinkets,
and send them as curiosities to their friends, or to be
sold on a speculation. About the fourth month of Richards's captivity he was sent from the prison-camp to the
Hammond General Hospital, and there he remained till
he was exchanged.




Prison Experiences of X]osby's Yen.  421
Tom Lake, one of Mosby's men, to whose escape from
the prison at Point Lookout I have already alluded,
effected it in company with three companions, in the following manner. With their boots under their arms and
their money in the crowns of their hats, they managed to
elude the sentry, who was pacing his beat. Arrived on
the beach, their difficulties were just begun, for they had
to go out some distance into the bay in order to pass
around the guard posted on the narrow peninsula which
separates the waters of the bay from the waters of the
Potomac River. They attempted first to wade, the tallest in front, all linked together by clasped hands. In
this way they proceeded through the sparkling water
until it so far increased in depth as to oblige them to
swim. But they fortunately soon reached a sand-bar
which ran parallel to the shore, and were again enabled
to wade. They followed the sand-bar through the dark
rolling waters, not knowing at what moment they might
be ingulfed; but after a slow and toilsome march of two
miles, which carried them past the sentinels, they struck
for: the beach. The moon then rose, like a mountain of
fire, from amid the waters, and enabled them with safety to reach the shore. At midnight they landed, having been five hours in the water, and hastened forward
through swamps and woodland. Taking the precaution
only to travel by night until they got out of the enemy's
lines, by the aid of friendly citizens they were helped
along their journey, and reached in safety their friends
on the Virginia shore.
I will now relate the circumstances of Charley Grogan's escape from the prison on Johnson's Island, which
was appropriated to officers, of whom there were about
two thousand in confinement there at the time about
which I am writing.
Grogan was captured at Gettysburg, along with Gen



422          Partisarn Life with Xosb6y.
eral Trimble, on whose staff he was then serving, and
after a short imprisonment in Fort M'Henry was removed
to Johnson's Island. This island, about three hundred
acres in extent, is for the most part covered with wood,
and is situated in Lake Erie, about three miles from
Sandusky, and one mile from the nearest point on the
Ohio shore. The prison, as at Point Lookout, is surrounded by a plank inclosure, on the top of which sentinels were mounted, with orders to shoot any one who
approached within twenty feet of the wall. There was
but one gateway to this inclosure, which was never used
but to admit prisoners and rations. The garrison was
quartered outside of the prison walls. The rations furnished the prisoners were insufficient, but those who had
money were allowed to make purchases from sutlers. In
consequence of a conspiracy which was formed among
the officers confined on this island to overpower the garrison, and, seizing the transportation at the wharf, to escape to Canada, which was revealed to the authorities by
a prison spy, a gun-boat was stationed so as to bear on
the prison, and prevent the execution of any such design.
At the expiration of four weeks' confinement, Grogan,
whose thoughts were still bent on regaining his liberty,
discovered a collection of prisoners at the outer gate, and,
upon inquiring the cause, was informed that they were
going under guard to a building on the wharf for the
purpose of refilling their beds with straw. He saw in
this an opportunity at least for getting beyond the prison walls, and slipping on a citizen's coat, so as to be ready
to take advantage of any thing that might occur, he joined
the party. Arrived at the building, which was of rough
plank, and near the water's edge, he was the last to enter,
for he was busy in observing the island. When he went
in, unobserved by the sentinel, but aided by his friends,
who soon discovered his purpose, he hid himself in the




Prison Experiences of Mosby's Jilen.  423
straw, and when the order to return to the prison was
given he was not missed by the guard, who quietly locked the door upon him. Grogan remained perfectly quiet,
and occupied himself with cutting his bed-tick into strips
for future use, until he found that all was still for the
night on the island. He then carefully examined the
door, and climbed to the roof of the building in which
he was confined, but could discover no means of escape
from either. He then saw an opening in the side of the
house which had been a window, but then had planks
nailed over it. To this he directed all his energy, and,
with a pocket-knife, succeeded in making an opening
large enough for him to creep through. The moon was
shining brightly, and there was a sentinel pacing his beat
at a short distance in front of the building from which
the cap.tive had escaped. Waiting until the sentinel's
back was turned, he managed to pass him without discovery, and reached the shore, where he crept along, hid by
the bushes, until he passed around the building and was
sheltered by it. He theni roseto his feet, but on reaching
the rear of the building came in sight of the garrison sentinels, and was again forced to get on his hands and knees,
and crawl to a piece of wood. From this he emerged into
an open field, and passed rapidly on, his object being to
gain the nearest point on the island to the Ohio shore.
He then went to work to construct a raft by the aid of
the strips of bed-tick, but before it was completed day
dawned, and, fearing detection, he pushed off. But the
raft soon began to go to pieces, and, in the effort to regain
the island, Grogan was let into the water and obliged to
wade to the shore. Thoroughly wet and greatly discouraged, he determined to build a better raft the next night,
but first pulled the one he had made to pieces to avoid its
being noticed. Proceeding along the shore, he made the
circuit of the island, but soon discovered that he was followed by a Yankee, who was evidently suspicious of him.




424          Partisan Life with Mosby.
Boldness alone could then save him, and, assuming an air
of indifference, he approached the man, whose suspicions
he disarmed by his coolness, and walked toward the prison. There he encountered two men at work on the roof
of a garrison building, from whom he inquired awhen the
passenger-boat would leave for Sandusky, for he had by
this time concluded to try that chance of escape. Pass.
ing the quarters of the garrison he came upon the lawn,
where an artillery company was drilling, and paused to
observe them. He then moved on, and in his way encountered a sutler with whom he had often traded, and
also met face to face Major. Schovell, the commanding officer, to whom he bowed respectfully. To his great relief,
the sentinel on duty at the boat did not demand passes
from the passengers going from the island to Sandusky,
and Grogan quietly went on board, entered into pleasant
conversation with the captain, and then took his seat at
the stove. At eight o'clock, to his infinite relief, the boat
pushed off, and in less than an hour he was landed at
Sandusky. From thence he proceeded by railway to Baltimore, where he lay concealed during the day in the house
of a friend, but at night went forth for exercise and pleasure. In a few days he started for Dixie, and, crossing the
Potomac near Leesburg, in a short time joined Mosby's
command.
I will let John Munson tell his own story:
"I was captured in the fight at the Dulaney House, with
eight others oi our command, on the 29th of October,
1864, and was confined in the Old Capitbl Prison, in
Washington. If prison life went harder with any one
class of prisoners than another, it was with the'guerrillas,' for they-were being deprived of so much pleasure
and'plunder.' At all events, it was hard to me, and I
watched every opportunity of putting an end to my sufferings. I saw one thing, that to escape I would be compel



Prison Experiences of Mosby's ien.    425
led to deceive some of the sentinels, and that jumping, running, and the like expedients were out of the question.
The Yankees had made preparations for all such attempts.
"After a confinement in prison of nearly two months, I
thought I had at last found a means of escape. A wagon
came into the yard every other night, and along with it
were generally three negroes. On one of these occasions,
while the sentinel had his back turned to me, I approached the driver, and proposed to him that the next time he
came he should leave in the prison-yard one of his attendants, and let me pass out in his place. For the promise
of a handsome reward the man consented. So the night
agreed upon I burned a piece of cork, and picked the
roughest looking overcoat in the prison, and the shabbiest hat, leaving a new one in its place, and, thus provided, sallied forth to where the wagon was already in waiting. I then blacked up, walked boldly to the wagon,
which was standing near a gas-lamp by one of the sentinel's beats, and mounted on the seat. Very soon two negroes came and took their places beside me, and, with a
smack of the whip, we started to leave the Old Capitol.
We had to pass several sentry-posts; one, two, three were
all right, but when we came to number four the soldier
on duty stopped us, saying,'Only two men came in with
this wagon; one of you get down.' We all tried persuasion, and this failing, I dismounted, and offered to pay
himX a large reward if he would let me pass. But no, he
wouldn't budge, and I was compelled to go to the hydrant, wash the nigger off, and return to my quarters, in
my own estimation worth about five cents.
"It was fortunate for me that I had happened to encounter a kind-hearted fellow, for he let the'affair drop,
and I heard no more of it, while he could either have fired
on me, or have reported me to the prison authorities, by
whom I would have been put in irons and confined to one




426         Partisant Life with Afos6y.
of the cells. Though foiled in this attempt, yet I consoled myself with the thought that it might have been
worse, and maybe I would have better luck another time.
Christmas came; no escape yet. In order to keep our
spirits up, and to celebrate the great festival of the Christian world, a few of us made a bucketful of hot whisky
punch, and issued invitations to the occupants of several
of the rooms to join in our festivity. So we killed Christmas night very dead, and I retired, with the assistance of
several of the fellows, not caring whether I ever got out
of prison or not.
"But with the New Year revived the old longing for
liberty, and my powers of invention were employed in devising a plan for escape. I observed that the hospital
steward-aYankee, of course-was allowed to pass in and
out without the countersign, the sentinels recognizing him
by his uniform, which was the ordinary army pants and
blouse, having on the sleeves, as a badge or insignia of
rank, a strip of green flannel bordered with yellow, and
in the centre something like an anchor and coil. This is
my man, I thought; I must be hospital steward. But
how to get the uniform was a question which I could not,
for my life, answer. However, the plan looked well, and
kept me in splendid spirits. Two weeks passed, and no
uniform. At the end of that time there was an arrival
in prison of a party of Yankee bounty-jumpers, one of
whom wore a blouse. That is my blouse, I thought, and
sure enough it was. This was the way I got it:
"I had formed the acquaintance of a Yankee prisonera Scotchman, who had promised me to do any thing in
his power for me. I went to Sawney, and told him to buy
the Yankee bounty-jumper's blouse for me. Giving me
a sly wink and a nod, he told me to come down into the
yard in an hour,and he would have the fellow out to see
me. I went, and found my two Yankees waiting for me,




Prison Experiences of Mifosby's Nen.  427
and was not long in striking a bargain. I gave two dollars and a half for the garment, stowed it away under my
jacket, carried it to my room, and hid it under my bunk,
to await future consideration. The pantaloons didn't give
me much trouble, for I traded my gray ones with one of
our boys for a dark pair, which answered my purpose
very well. Now for the strip of green flannel. I believe
I looked all over the Old Capitol Prison for a piece of
green flannel, but without success. I knew what every
man's coat was lined with, and some thick coats I had ripped open, while the owners were asleep, to see if there
-was any green flannel inside. I would then go to work
to sew them up again. Another week was spent in this
vain search, when, as I happened to be in the sutler's shop
one morning, I noticed a green pasteboard box, just the
color I wanted. I asked him to give it to me to keep
roasted coffee in. He emptied the box and handed it to
me. I almost flew up stairs, cut it up into two slips, the
size of those worn by the steward, and trimmed the edge
of the green paper off, which left the yellow paper showing underneath. I next tried my powers as an engraver
on the anchor and coil with perfect success; and lastly,
when I bent the pasteboard around the sleeves and pinned it on my coat, it was the steward's out and out.
"Of the thirty-seven men in our room, I only told one
of them of my plan, and he admired it. It was Dennis
IDarden, who consented to go down with me into the
yard and bring baek the overcoat, which I would be compelled to wear in order to pass the sentinels in the house.
After dressing myself as hospital steward, I substituted
my new light hat for Tom Love's old black one, and
started. I had chosen night as the time to make the experiment, having discovered that the steward got his
meals outside, and I determined to pass for him going to
his supper..




428         Partisan Life withvi#t  osby.
" But there was one great objection to the whole plan.
I was no more like the hospital steward than a monkey
was like a man. He was low and fleshy, had black eyes
and hair, and, worse than all, had a mustache and a
goatee; while I had been starved till I was about the
size of a pipe-stem, stood nearly six feet, had a fair complexion, and had not even a sprig of hair growing on my
face. " In other words, the hospital steward was a tolerably good-looking mnan, and I was a hard-looking boy.
Yet my. confidant assured me that all that was necessary
would be to keep a stiff upper lip, and, if I was stopped,
to put a bold face on the matter, and, pushing my arms
out at the guard, bid him look -at that badge. The old
folks had always told me that Friday was an unlucky
day to begin an enterprise, but, being one of Mosby's
men, I determined to treat the idea as a prejudice, and to
make my grand effort on Friday, for on that day I would
have been in ward and keep just three months.
" In the yard I took leave of Dennis, and told him to
hasten to the up-stairs window, and he would soon see
me walk across the street as free as if I were in Fauquier.
I felt just then a very disagreeable weakness about my
knees, but one or two drinks from the sutler's "chain
lightning" steadied them. From the direction of the
hospital I advanced boldly up to the door of the prison,
which opened on the passage leading to the street, with
my hands in my pockets, and my elbows stuck out so
that the badges could be plainly seep. Here I encountered the first sentinel, who looked hard at me, but I kept
my arms fill in view and walked briskly on, passing the
second and third without looking at them. When I approached the fourth, he stepped toward me, but it was
only to open the door, that the hospital steward might
pass out. I then heard the door of the Old Capitol
Prison close on me, I hoped forever. But there was one




MJosby's Early Life and Chctaracter.  429
more sentinel, whose beat was on the pavement in front
of the house. I passed him, and was once more a free
Ranger. I soon tore the badges from my sleeves, threw
theml into the Capitol grounds, and walked down Pennsylvania Avenue with a light and joyous heart. Having
been furnished by Dennis with all necessary directions
before I left him, in an hour I was transformed into a
fashionable cit from Baltimore. I remained in Washington four days with the Southern men, who wished me to
stay longer, but the Potomac was then frozen over, and
that was hmy opportunity to cross. I walked thirty-five
miles through Maryland, and the third day after I left
the city arrived at Leesburg.
"In half an hour after I left the prison my absence was
discovered, and the authorities commenced a search.
They found out the Yankee who had sold me the blouse,
put him in irons, and sent him to Fort Delaware, but I
don't think they ever knew how I had managed to get off."
CHAPTER LII.
MOSBY'S EARLY LIFE AND CHARACTER.
Upper Fauquier, January 27th, 1865.
DEAR PERCY,-I will devote this letter to a narration
of the facts which I have been at pains to collect, to enable me to gratify the very natural desire you have expressed to know something of Mosby's origin and training,
as well as of his military life previous to his entering the
Partisan service.
John Singleton Mosby is the son of Alfred D. Mosby,
of Amherst County, and was born on the 6th of December, 1833, at Edgemont, in Powhatan County, the residence of his maternal grandfather, the Rev. Mr. M'Laurin,




430          Partisan Lunfe wvith Jlosby.
of the Episcopal Church. At the immature age of sixteen he entered the. University of Virginia, where he
displayed great aptitude in several branches of learning,
particularly in the study of the Greek language, in which
he graduated at an early period of his course. But his
college life was suddenly and rudely interrupted by a
personal difficulty, in which self-preservation icompelled
him to shoot his assailant, inflicting upon him:a painful
but not dangerous wound. For this act he was tried by
the Criminal Court of Albemarle County, and adjudged
to suffer six months' imprisonment, and pay a fine of one
thousand dollars. This harsh sentence was referable to
the uncommon ability with which he was prosecuted by
William J. Robertson, then Commonwealth's Attorney,
now the ornament of the Court of Appeals of Virginia,
in connection with a strong feeling of prejudice entertained by the citizens of Albemarle against the students of
the University-a feeling which always springs up where
a community, peculiar in its characteristics and pursuits,
resides in the bosom of another community. As an evidence of the injustice of the verdict of the jury, the
Legislature of Virginia, before whom all the facts of the
case were laid, annulled it, at the recommendation of the
governor, in so far as it had not been executed at the
time of their assembly. When the offender was called
up to receive the judgment of the court, some of the overrighteous of the community were much scandalized when
the stripling stood up, in the midst of frowning brows,
with no sign of penitence, and looked upon his judges
with eyes as bold and bright as ever. It is but justice to
the distinguished prosecutor to add, that when he took
his seat, he remarked that he had never performed so
disagreeable a duty, and had he been in Mosby's place
he was quite sure he would have acted as Mosby had
done. This was the beginning of an acquaintance be



Mosby's Early Life and Ch4aracter.   431
tween the two, for Judge Robertson often visited the
prisoner during his confinement, and furnished him with
books with which to begin the study of law. As soon
as his legal studies were completed he settled in Bristol,
a small town intersected by the boundary-line of Virginia and Tennessee. Here he soon achieved success in
his profession, and married Miss Pauline Clarke, a lady
distinguished for her personal attractions, and the daughter of the Honorable Beverley J. Clarke, of Kentucky,
late United States Minister to Central America, for many
years a member of the United States Congress, and a
criminal lawyer of great distinction.
Toward the close of the session of the Virginia Convention of 1861, Mr. Beverley Johnston, brother of the illustrious General Joseph E. Johnston, and a distinguished
lawyer of the Southwest, read aloud in Abingdon,Virginia,
to an excited crowd, a telegraphic dispatch announcing the
secession of the state. He then inquired if they ratified
the act. With one voice they said, "We do ratify it."
Mosby was in this crowd. Without delay he joined a
volunteer company of cavalry, the Washington Mounted
Rifles, commanded by Captain William E. Jones, of the
old army, and w~as granted a furlough to return home to
settle up his unfinished business, and bid farewell to his
wife and children. As soon as he had enrolled his name
he visited the Honorable John B. Floyd, who had been
but recently Secretary of War of the United States, to
hear his views about the condition of the country. Amid
the general excitement, that able statesman wore a grave
and ominous brow. He said, "The leaders of this movement in the South know not whither they are going.
Some of them talk of a short war; some of them talk of
no war; while other visionaries admit the possibility of
war, yet say the battles of the South will be fought by
the fleets of England and the bayonets of France. There




432         Partiscn -life with Mfosby.
are no reveries and conjectures that are too wild and improbable for the dreamers at Montgomery to indulge in.
Instead," he added, "of there being no war, or a short
war, or a war which will be fought for us by foreign powers, it will prove to be one of the longest and most sanguinary conflicts between the North and South that ever
desolated the earth. The men who prevented the secession of Virginia three months ago, and those at Montgomery who have fooled away the season of preparation, will
be responsible for the tears of every widow and orphan."
About the middle of June Captain Jones's company reported to Governor Letcher at Richmond. During the
march Mosby formed an acquaintance with Fountain
Beattie which proved to be fruitful of results to both the
young soldiers. While the company was camped near'Richmond, he met. on the street Honorable Tim Rives,
the great Douglas orator in Virginia, with whom he had
been brought into association by a similarity of political
opinion. Mr. Rives proposed to the young soldier to apply for a commission in some of the cavalry regiments
then being formed, but, with a modesty and disinterestedness quite uncommon in republican states, Mosby declined,
saying that he was without any knowtledge of military
affairs, and preferred serving as private under an able
commander like Captain Jones. Another incident occurred about this time which strikingly illustrates his independent spirit. An ugly, ill-cut uniform, of a dingy,
drab-colored cloth, which had been manufactured in the
looms of the State Prison, was distributed among the
men. It had well-nigh produced a mutiny, and the clothes,
amid murmurs and complaints, were deposited in a pile
near the captain's tent by all to whom they had been issued save Mosby and Beattie. They laughed at the anger of their comrades, and dressed in the "penitentiary
cloth," as it was called in derision, rode into Richmond to




iosby's'Earl-y Life and Character.  433
the store-house of Mr. George S. Palmer, where they found
one of the company officers engaged in purchasing a handsome but less durable uniform. But, after the battle of
Manassas, the whole company were glad enough to obtain
the discarded clothes.
From Richmond Captain Jones marched to Bunker
Hill, where his company was incorporated in the 1st Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Colonel J. E.
B. Stuart. This regiment, after serving in the Valley, accompanied General Johnston to the battle-field- of Manassas.
Before it left the Valley a lot of cavalry pistols was
distributed among the several companies. Six of them
fell to Captain Jones, who selected six men to whom the
arms were to be given, but he said, by way of qualification when they were delivered, " I shall always put these
men in front. I shall always place them in the post of
greatest danger."  While the regiment was stationed on
Bull Run, Captain Jones had occasion to send a scout
across the stream into M'Dowell's lines. He called for
the men who had the six pistols. Mosby was the first
who obeyed the summons.  This was his first scout.
During the long period of inactivity which followed
the battle of Manassas he performed outpost service with
his regiment, and was distinguished in the company for
the punctuality and cheerfulness with which he discharged
his duty. Entertaining a high opinion of Captain Jones's
military capacity, he used to spend many evenings in that
officer's tent, conversing about military affairs and discussing with him military problems. The result of this intercourse was, that Mosby was appointed adjutant of the
regiment as soon as Jones was promoted to the command
of it. He also spent much of his time in the perusal of
Noland's work on the Employment of Cavalry, Mahan on
Outpost Duty, Marmont's Institutes, and Napoleon's MaxE E




434          Partisan Life with ieosby.
ims, besides several works on Partisan warfare. This
ushered him into a new world of ideas, for till then he
had been conversant only with the affairs of peace.
On the 8th of March the regiment broke up its encampment, and prepared, along with the rest of the Confederate army, to abandon to the enemy the Piedmont region,
richly stored with agricultural produce, and fall back to
the defense of the capital-the remarkable result of one
-of the most decisive victories in modern warfare.
While the brigade was lying at Warrenton Junction,
General Stuart, through Lieutenant Mosby, ordered Colonel Jones to take the First and Second Regiments, and
cross Cedar Run, and proceed as far as Bristoe Station, on
a reconnoissance. On account of the swollen condition
of that stream, Colonel Jones replied, through the same
channel, that it would consume an entire day to swim the
horses of two regiments across it. When Mosby delivered this response, he proposed to Stuart to send him, with
a party of eight men, to effect the object in view, which
was to ascertain the position of M'Clellan's advance. His
proposition was agreed to, and the next day he reported
to Stuart the desired information.
Pleased with the manner in which this duty had been
performed, General Stuart, a few days later, sent Lieutenant Mosby, with a small party, to ascertain the position
of the enemy as far back as Bull Run. On this expedition, Ayer, of Cherry Pectoral celebrity, and a bridge contractor, were captured-the first of the many thousand
prisoners captured by Mosby. From these prisoners Stuart learned that M'Clellan had collected at Alexandria a
great fleet of transports, and that the bulk of his army
had fallen back to that point.
Mosby was again dispatched to the picket-line on Cedar Run,. and while at the bridge over this stream a boy
from the Federal army approached, as if by mistake, and




Jfos6y's Early Life and Character..   435
very glibly informed him that there was a large Federal
force - over the hill. But the artifice was detected, and
the boy sent to Stuart, accompanied by a dispatch from
Mosby, giving the opinion that the force on Cedar Run
was a demonstration to cover some other movement, thus
confirming the statement which had been made by Ayer.
After some farther observations, which tended to strengthen his impression, he, in person, reported to Stuart that
the division of Federal troops on Cedar Run was commanded by General Blenker, who soon after occupied
Warrenton Junction, Stuart in the mean time having
fallen back to the west bank of the Rappahannock River.
To remove all doubt from Stuart's mind as to the correctness of his information, Mosby went on a scout to Blenker's rear, and ascertained with certainty the isolated condition of his division. Possessed of information which he
deemed so important, he swam alone the Rappahannock
River, to reach without delay Stuart's headquarters, while
he sent the party under his command to cross at a ford
higher up.
Together with the information he reported, he expressed the opinion that no operation was more feasible than
for General Ewell, with his command of eight thousand
infantry and Stuart's cavalry, by a rapid and secret
march, to pass, under cover of a wooded country, to
Blenker's rear, and capture or destroy his entire division.
In this opinion Stuart, ever full of enterprise, entirely
concurred; and why the effort was not made is one of
the mysteries of this war. Having proved the intelligence, activity, and courage of Lieutenant lMosby, Stuart
desired to employ him again as a scout, but Colonel Jones
objected, and his adjutant was retained to make out
monthly returns, a duty fit only for a clerk.
A little after this, Colonel Jones, although one of the
most accomplished officers in the cavalry service, was dis



436          Parctisamn Lije with foBsby.
missed from his command in virtue of one of those military elections ordained by the Confederate government,
and returned to private life. Proud and reserved by nature, and educated in the ideas of West Point, Jones was
the last man to struggle with success in a military election, for
"He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
Nor Jove for his power to thunder."
With him was discharged Mosby, as far as any military
engagement was concerned, but he accepted an invitation
from Stuart to remain at his headquarters in the capacity of a scout.
The battle of Seven Pines has been fought, M'Clellan
is in front of Richmond, General Lee is on the Chickahominy, and Stuart's headquarters are on the Charles
City Road, near Richmond, when Mosby is invited by
the latter to take breakfast with him. Stuart then in.
formed him that he wished him to go to the Totapotamie
Creek, and discover whether M'Clellan was fortifying.
With four companions, the scout started; but, meeting a
flag of truce, he made a detour toward Hanover Courthouse. A  vague idea had been floating through his
mind that an enterprise such as Stuart soon after undertook might be accomplished, and, before setting out,
Mosby remarked to one of the staff officers that, before
his return, he expected to visit M'Clellan's headquarters.
At the end of three days he returned, having gone from
Hanover Court-house down the Pamunkey to Old Church,
and having discovered that M'Clellan's communications
with the White House were guarded by a small cavalry
force, and that those communications were but an extension of his right flank. He reported to General Stuart;
and as they sat on the grass together, he gave a detailed
account of his adventures, and the reasons in favor of the
opinion that a successful raid could be made on M'Clel



Mfosby's Ecarly Life and C/caracte,.  437
lan's communications. The general requested the scout
to reduce his report to writing. As soon as it was done,
Stuart carried it in a sweeping gallop to General Lee, to
whom he unfolded the enterprise in all its parts; and
the next day, with two thousand cavalry and four pieces
of artillery, set forth, with Mosby for a guide, to test the
correctness of his opinion. With the brilliant success
which crowned this expedition you are doubtless acquainted, but I shall pass over its attendant circumstances, as they belong rather to Stuart's than Mosby's history. In his letter of congratulation to Stuart, General
Lee makes complimentary mention of the gallantry displayed on the expedition by two privates, John S. Mosby
and Theophilus P. Clapp.
In his first interview with Stuart after the return of
the expedition, he was greeted by him with warmth, and
assured that there would be no difficulty in getting him
promotion on account of the extraordinary service he had
rendered. But nothing came of it, and Mosby retained
his position as scout.
With the two armies jammed up against each other in
so small a compass, the field of enterprise was necessarily
circumscribed, and Mosby determined, about the time of
the battle of Port Republic, to go to Jackson, for he
thought he recognized in him one who would appreciate
the value of the idea he wished to develop. This plan
was, however, defeated by the transfer of Jackson's army
from the Valley to Richmond, and he again returned to
Stuart, and was again employed in the old way. His
first scout was with a party of three or four men to
M'Clellan's rear, from which he brought back information which enabled Stuart to attack and drive away with
his artillery the transports which were at Harrison's
Landing, and had opened communicatioils with the Fed.
eral army.




438         Partisan Life with Jfosby.
Soon after, Stuart's cavalry was moved to Atlee's Station, on the Central Railroad, for the purpose of reorganization. From that camp Mosby was sent in the direction of Fredericksburg, to acquire for General Lee information about the distribution of Pope's army, which he
reported to be as follows: He had troops at Fredericksburg, troops at Manassas, Warrenton, Luray, Winchester.
and Front Royal, and between these several points communications had to be maintained. With the eye of a
soldier, Mosby beheld a splendid field of operations thus
opened, and besought Stuart to furnish him with a detail
of fifteen men, with whom to proceed to Fauquier, and
enter upon a partisan career, for he argued that with
such a nucleus he could soon recruit a large command;
for there had been then no conscription in the region to
which he proposed to go, and it was well supplied with
subsistence. This request was peremptorily refused, but
instead he was furnished with a complimentary letter to
General Jackson, who was then near Gordonsville. With
this letter in his pocket he set forth, but was taken prisoner near Beaver Dam by a raiding-party commanded by
Colonel Davies, and carried to Fredericksburg.
Conscious that he would soon be exchanged, the prisoner was on the alert to obtain information that would
prove serviceable to the Confederate generals. He was
carried to Washington, where he was confined about ten
days, and then sent to Hampton Roads to be exchanged,
according to the cartel which had just been arranged between General Dix and General D. H. Hill.
But, during his imprisonment at Washington, he had
been summoned to his presence by General Pope, and interrogated in relation to the Confederate army. When
he was introduced to General Smith, of Pope's staff, many
courtesies were'shown him, and among them an offer was
made to lend him money. This he promptly declined.




ilosby's Early Life and Character.  439
Then followed direct questions. But Mosby plainly told
him that he should communicate nothing that could be
of any service to General Pope. The Federal officer took
the refusal in very good part, and appeared to appreciate
the honorable motives of his captive, whom he remanded
to prison, there to resume the study of Napoleon's "Maxims," a copy of which he had brought with him.
While he lay in the prison transport in Hampton Roads,
Mosby was still on the scout. He did not fail to ingratiate himself with the captain and mate of the vessel, and
on their return on one occasion from Fortress Monroe,
gained from them knowledge of a fact which he deemed
of great importance, for Burnside had arrived from the
South, and his transports were then at anchor in the
Roads. But to what point was Burnside bound? Would
he re-enforce M'Clellan, or would he proceed up the Rappahannock, and, disembarking at Fredericksburg, unite
with Pope, then on the Rapidan, in his march on Richmond?  This was the problem which that inquisitive
mind was engaged in solving, as he lay sweltering in the
prison-ship "Georgia."  He boldly inquired of the captami.n of his ship for what point Burnside was destined.
He replied, "Fredericksburg," and soon after Mosby saw
the fleet weigh anchor and enter the waters of Chesapeake Bay.. With impatience he counted the lazy hours
till he leaped ashore at Verina, where the exchange of
prisoners was effected. As soon as he informed Commissioner Ould that he had important information for General Lee, he was allowed to proceed at once on his way.
Weary and foot-sore, he had dropped by the road side not
far from Richmond, when a private from Hampton's legion, detailed as courier, rode past. Mosby hailed the
soldier, who, as soon as he informed him that he had important information to communicate, allowed him to ride
his horse to army headquarters, where he was received




440         Partisacn Life with iosby.
by General Lee with a kindness of manner which is ever
characteristic of that great man. He reported to the general the information he had acquired, and was both surprised and confused when asked from what direction he
thought the next advance would be made. He replied,
"Pope will coalesce with Burnside at Fredericksburg,
and from that point advance upon Richmond."
A courier was at once ordered to be in attendance, and
a dispatch was soon sent to Jackson, for Lee had taken
notes of the communication he had received. As Mosby
rose to depart, he said to the general,
"You will know better what weight to attach to my
information when I tell you that I am one of the men
mentioned in your general order made in connection
with Stuart's raid around M'Clellan."
"Oh yes," replied the general, "I remember you well."
Very soon Jackson crossed the Rapidan, and engaged
Pope at Cedar Mountain. Mosby had gone to the First
Virginia Cavalry, then on duty at Mount Carmel Church,
in Caroline County. As he stood on an outpost with
Beattie, he heard Jackson's guns. "I brought on that
battle, at least," said the scout.
As soon as Jackson recrossed the Rapidan Mosby again
set out to join him, but was met by Stuart, and went with
him to a mountain on the Orange side of the river, which
was used as an observatory by the Southern army. From
that high point they saw the Federals falling back toward Culpepper Court-house, and very soon Stuart crossed the Rapidan and pressed on to the Rappahannock.
From that time until Stuart's raid on Catlett's Station
Mosby served with his cavalry, for he did not apply, as
he had intended, for service with Jackson.
In Jackson's flank movement to Pope's rear Mosby participated, and from Manassas Junction was sent by Stuart
in the direction of Alexandria to ascertain whether re-en



fosby's Early Life and Claracter.   441
forcements were coming to Pope.  With Jasper Jones
and two others he crossed Bull Run, and proceeded in the
direction of Fairfax Court-house. From thence he returned alone to the army, for his companions had been
sent back in charge of captures he had made on the route.
At the second battle of Manassas he was still with Stuart's cavalry, doing duty in the ranks of his old regiment.
At the battle.of Sharpsburg, which occurred next in
order, he was on the staff of Stuart, who on that occasion
was in command of the artillery which was massed on
Jackson's left.
Mosby's horse having been disabled at the battle of
Sharpsburg, he was compelled to return to his father's
home to procure, another, and rejoined Stuart at Barbee's
Crossroads, in Fauquier County, where he was skirmishing with M'Clellan's advance, Lee being then in the act
of falling back from the camp at Bunker Hill to the line
of the Rappahannock.
M'Clellan crossed the Rappahannock, and Lee took up
his position on the Hazel River, which thus became the
dividing line for the hostile armies. Here M'Clellan
stopped, and his adversary did not know but that, under
cover of that front, he might be sending troops to the Peninsula. In this condition of affairs, Mosby proposed to
Stuart to let him have a command strong enough to raid
on M'Clellan's rear, but he was refused. A scout was
then proposed by him in search of information, and this
being agreed to, he took with him Beattie and another,
and crossed the Rappahannock.:He reported, on his return to General Lee, that no troops had been sent to the
Peninsula, and that the Northern army was still distributed around Warrenton. In addition, he had learned
that M'Clellan had been superseded by Burnside.
A few days later, with one companion, he again crossed
into Fauquier, and made the additional discovery that




442           Par)tisan Life with M1os1by.
Burnside's army was moving toward Fredericksburg, but
this fact had been communicated to General Stuart before
Mosby's return.* From the cavalry headquarters at Warrenton he was sent with nine men to ascertain the position of Siegel's corps.  By a skillful disposition of his
men, he deceived the large picket at Groveton into the
belief that Stuart's cavalry were advancing, in consequence
of which the regiment to which it belonged fell back toward Centreville.
During the progress of the battle at Fredericksburg,
Mosby, with six men, was ordered to scout on the Little
River Turnpike. At Mat Lee's he encountered a party of
Federals about equal in number to his own, and killed
the sergeant in command and one private, and put the
others to flight.  From the camp at Fredericksburg he
accompanied Stuart on an unsuccessful raid on Dumfries,
and soon afterward on an expedition to Fairfax Station.
When the corps reached Middleburg Mosby was left on
detached duty, and entered upon the adventurous career
of a Partisan Ranger.
But my sketch would be incomplete without some account of my hero's personal characteristics.
He is scarcely of medium height, and his frame is slight,
indicating activity, but not strength.  He weighs about
one hundred and twenty-five pounds, and is capable of
undergoing great fatigue. His complexion is fair, and his
features delicate, which contribute to the extreme youthfulness of his appearance, for the cares of his eventful ca* The author was at that time in command of the picket line on
the Upper Hazel. With a party he had crossed the river on a reconnoissance, and discovered that the enemy had fallen back to
Amissville. He was informed by Mr. M-tt, an intelligent citizen,
who had just returned from Warrenton, that Burnside was in command of the Federal army, and was moving toward Fredericksburg.
The information was at once sent to General Rosser, and through
him reached army headquarters. The guide was a Baptist preacher.




The Coffee Raid. —The Mount Carmel Figyht. 443
reer have left no trace on his countenance. His most remarkable feature is a brilliant gray eye, which indicates
great intelligence and quick penetration.
His deportment is quiet and unobtrusive, and he is
rather a thinker than a talker. Yet are his powers of
pleasing unusual, and his conversation is racy, witty, and
entertaining. He relates an anecdote with great zest,
and his smile is almost irresistible. His manners are not
demonstrative, yet he is warm and tenacious in his attachments, and generous to a fault. Such is Mosby in private; his public character you must gather from his career.
CHAPTER LIII.
THE COFFEE RAID.-THE MOUNT CARMEL FIGHT.
Upper Fauquier, February 27th, 1865.
DEAR PERCY,-When Major Richards was left in command in "Mosby's Confederacy," he turned his attention
to the lower Valley, and, with sixty men, crossed the
Shenandoah at Myers's Ford. Here he met Lieutenant
Baylor, with Company "B"  of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, accompanied by Colonel Preston Chew, commanding
the Horse Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia,
who agreed to join the Rangers in the expedition.
Colonel Chew is one of the most distinguished artillery
officers in the Confederate service, and is a graduate of
the Virginia Military Institute. At the beginning of the
war he commanded the artillery attached to Ashby's Cavalry, and displayed both skill and courage in Ashby's
numberless encounters with the invaders along the Valley Turnpike. The horse artillery has been distributed
in winter quarters at various points in the interior, and
Chew has obtained permission to spend the interval with
Mosby's Rangers.




444          Partisan Life with fosby.
Once foiled in. an attempt to capture a train of cars on
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Major Richards determined in the winter solstice to try his fortune again, and
approached that great highway of travel and transportation at a point two miles below Duffield De6pt. The
tracks were torn up, pickets were posted, and the command lay down to sleep, but was soon aroused by the
approach of cars from the direction of Harper's Ferry.
The engine was thrown down an embankment, leaving
on the track a train -of fifteen cars, laden, some of them,
with sugar, ale, and immense quantities of coffee, not to
speak of canned oysters, raisins, wines, and other articles
of like kind, which had been intended for an entertainment to be given in Martinsburg. While the train was
being plundered, Richards observed a light approaching
from the direction of Duffield, which. proved to be borne
by the regular night patrol, who, without resistance, were
captured.
At the expiration of an hour the train was fired, and
the command returned to Fauquier, each man carrying
before him one or more sacks of coffee, and such other
articles as inclination or convenience induced him to store
away. The weather was intensely cold, and the Shenandoah was swollen and was covered with fragments of ice,
and many a frostbitten Ranger has good reason to remember the January night when he made the Coffee Raid.
Soon after the Coffee Raid our enterprising major started with forty men from Bloomfield, to make a third
attempt to capture the express train on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, and halted! his command, about ten
o'clock at night, near the crossing of the Winchester and
Potomac Railroad known as Flowing Springs. With
John Chew and another, he proceeded to ascertain an
eligible point at which the railroad could be crossed, and,
before his return to the command, captured two strag



lThe Coffee Raid.-iThe Mfount iarmel Fight. 445
glers from the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, which, under the command of Colonel Reno, was camped in the
neighborhood. From the prisoners the information was
obtained that the Winchester and Potomac Railroad was
so strongly patroled that it would be almost impossible
for Richards to cross it, and proceed to the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, six miles distant, and capture a train df
cars, without being intercepted on his return by superior
numbers. Abandoning, for this reason, the object which
had brought him across the mountain, he resolved upon
the more daring enterprise of visiting Colonel Reno in his
camp.
One of the prisoners consented to act as guide, and
from him the countersign for the night was obtained, and
other useful information. Retaining fifteen men, Richards sent the rest of the command home, when, following the "North Star," as the men denominated the guide,
the Rangers started on the expedition. It was a still
and cloudless night as they rode in among the sleeping
soldiers. Wiltshire and Sheppard without difficulty captured the sentinel, whose post they passed, as they were
mistaken for the returning patrol.
There were about forty horses fastened around the
guard-tent, which belonged to the men who had been detailed for patrol duty that night. These were at once
seized, and might without difficulty have been carried off,
but the Partisans were not satisfied with this; exploit.
They determined to give the Yankees a parting shot-toleave their cards for Colonel Reno, they said. So- they
rode among the tents, firing at every thing that appeared.
But this amusement could not last long, and Richards
was compelled to retreat amid a shower of bullets. The
firing, though it hurt no one, yet occasioned the loss of
all the booty save six horses.
The next morning Colonel Reno, it is said, addressed a




446          Pa)rtisan Life with Mbos'by.
speech to his men, whom he censured in severe terms for
allowing such a nocturnal visit to be: paid his camp with
impunity, and in the course of it said, "With such men
as Mosby's I could go any. where.". This was no idle
boast, for Colonel Reno enjoys in the army the reputation of a gallant officer, and by strict discipline and justice has won the good opinion of the citizens of Jefferson
County.
After his visit to Colonel Reno, Major Richards, with
ten men, attempted the exploit of making a visit to Alexandria, but, as he approached the town, was diverted
from his purpose by a fall of snow, which would have
enabled the enemy to track him. As he returned, he attacked a train of carts proceeding toward the town,
under the, escort of negroes, commanded by a white officer. A fight ensued, the result of which was the dispersion of the negroes, after three of them had been wounded
and eight taken prisoners.
I will now give you an account of the Mount Carmel
fight, which occurred:about the middle of February.
Spotts, a deserter from the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry,
had been instrumental in the capture, at their homes, of
about thirty officers and men belonging to the brigade
of which he had been a member. Emboldened by success, the deserter had crossed the mountain into Fauquier,
to collect information which would lead to farther captures. At Simpers's Mill, which is situated in a gorge of
the Blue Ridge, on the mountain-track which leads from
Paris to Markham, the spy stopped to have his horse shod,
and learned from several of his old acquaintances, who
had not yet heard of his desertion, the presence in the
neighborhood of Colonel White and also of several members of the Partisan Battalion. From- Simpers's Mill,
Spotts, habited like a Confederate soldier, proceeded to the
neighborhood of Upperville, where he was informed that




The Coffee Raid. —The ilount Carmel Fight. 447
Maajor Richards was at home. From this place he recrossed the mountain, and reported his discoveries at the
headquarters of Tibberts's cavalry brigade.  In consequence, with Spotts for a guide, a raiding-party of one
hundred and twenty-five men from the 1st New York Cavalry and an equal number from the 14th Pennsylvania was
dispatched to Fauquier, under command of Major Gibson,
of the latter regiment, who was accompanied by several of
General Merritt's staff officers. Major Gibson forded the
Shenandoah at Sheppard's Mill and proceeded to Paris,
where he arrived at midnight. Here he divided his comrnmand; the New Yorkers he sent to Upper.ville, with orders there to remain until he joined them, while with the
Pennsylvanians he went toward Markham by the road
which passes Simpers's Mill.
As soon as the detachment arrived at Upperville, a
party was dispatched to capture Major Richards, at the
residence of his father, and Captain Robert Walker, who.was understood to be with him. The house was surrounded and closely searched, but the two officers, together with John Hipkins, had been successfully concealed,
by means of a trap-door, which had been constructed in
view of such an emergency. Satisfied that Richards and
his comrade had received notification of their approach,
the nocturnal visitors returned to their command, which,
during their absence, had been likewise active in searching for soldiers. They had captured several, but, what
was of far more importance, had discovered several barrels of apple brandy, on which almost the entire command
had: gotten drunk.  For this reason, instead of waiting
for Major Gibson, the detachment was marched across the
Shenandoah: and back to their camp, followed by Major
Richards, with a small party, as far as the river.
We will now follow Major Gibson, who, before his return to the river, fell in with something much less agree



448          Partisan 1Life with lNosby.
able than a barrel of apple brandy. Arrived at Simpers's
Mill, he was disappointed in not finding Colonel White,
as the deserter had reported, but succeeded in capturing
his adjutant and Jerry Wilson, of Mosby's Battalion.
The raiding-party, after visiting Markham, marched to
Upperville, as had been agreed upon, and on the route
made prisoner Mosby's fighting quartermaster.
Jerry Wilson was in the depths of despair, for his marriage was to have been consummated the next day, until
he cast up his eyes ania beheld Slice Barbour's Jim Banks
horse, which, like Jerry, had been picked up on the march.
Hope at once revived in the breast of the despondent
bridegroom; for, said he, "if I can only induce this rascal
of a guard to let me mount Slice Barbour's horse, my escape, as we cross the mountain, is almost certain." So
Jerry put on his blandest smile, and obtained from his
guard permission to exchange the cob he was riding for
the celebrated steed of his friend and neighbor.
On the return march, when the Federal column reached Paris, Major Gibson was besieged by the tears and entreaties of the mountain beauty to whom Jerry Wilson
was betrothed. But he turned a deaf ear to them, and
Jerry;'mounted on the Jim Banks horse, with a cocked
pistol at his ear, accompanied the Federal column, reflecting on the vicissitudes to which true love is ever exposed.
Lieutenant Wreniwho has a touch of the bloodhound.about him, with a small party, had followed Major Gibson on his circuitous route, harassing his march at every
step, and by the time he returned to Paris had collected
as many as thirty men. At this place he was joined by
Major Richards, who was welcomed with huzzas by the
men. They demanded to be led without delay against
the enemy's rear-guard, which was about equal in number
to themselves. But Richards, rising in his saddle, proudly told them that he meant to attack the column. Leav



The Coffee -Raid. —The lount Carmel Fight. 449
ing a man in Paris to send to the front the Rangers as
fast as they arrived at that place, he formed his command
into column and swiftly followed the track of the enemy,
who could yet be seen slowly proceeding up the mountain toward Ashby's Gap. When he reached the toll.
gate the rear-guard was visible at the next bend of the
road, about one hundred yards in advance, but the main
body was concealed from view.
On either side of the turnpike at this point the Blue
Ridge lifts its towering heights, and, together with the
serpentine course of the road, prevented the enemy from
discovering the strength of their pursuers, and at the
same time prevented them from making use of their own
superiority in numbers. Here Richards resolved to make
the fight, and gave the order to charge. The enemy's
rear-guard faced about, fired an ineffectual volley from
their carbines, and then turned to retreat. The Confederates, however; continued the charge until the rear-guard
was driven into the column, which had just begun to
form in an open space in front of Mount Carmel Church,
which stands at the junction of the turnpike with the
road leading to Sheppard's Mill.
They fiercely assaulted the Federals with revolvers at
close range, who replied with the carbines. But the superiority of the revolver, as in the case with Captain
Blazer, was soon evident. As the Partisans mingled with
the enemy, the latter began to retire toward Sheppard's
Mill, at first slowly, then more rapidly-a walk, a trot,
a gallop, and then a headlong flight. The road appears
to have been dug out of the mountain, is narrow, rough,
and hilly, and is crossed at short intervals by streams of
water that gush from the mountain side. Not more than
two men could ride abreast-a fact which greatly pro.
tected the retreat of the enemy.
While the pursuit was in progress, Major Richards
F F




450         Partisan life with Mosby.
observed a Federal soldier endeavoring to protect his
comrades by firing back on the pursuers. He turned to
Jack Robinson, of the 6th Virginia, and inquired if he
could not shoot that man. Syd Ferguson, who was immediately behind Robinson, gave Fashion the spur, and
at one bound placed himself next to the enemy.
"Which one did you say, major?"
"The man on the dun horse," Richards replied.
Ferguson at once dashed forward, but succeeded only
in capturing Lieutenant Baker, of General Merritt's staff,
for the man on the dun horse, who was Spotts, hearing
himself singled out, soon made off, and was lost among
the fugitives.
The Rangers had been compelled from time to time to
stop in order to prevent their prisoners from escaping to
the mountain. In consequence, Major Richards, after the
chase had continued for four miles, found himself entirely
alone. He had captured a sergeant and a private, whom
he left under a promise to remain where they were until
his return. But, as he rode off, he perceived that they
had broken their compact, for, again mounted, they were
preparing to strike into the woods. Richards returned,
and would have killed them for their breach of faith but
for the appearance of Jim Wiltshire and a comrade. The
prisoners were turned over to the custody of the latter,
and Richards and Wiltshire continued the pursuit. Wiltshire stipulated that he should have the next chance, and
was soon gratified. Approaching the river, they came
again in sight of the enemy. The Ranger singled out his
man, and, starting his horse at full speed, shot him dead
at the distance of a few paces, for Wiltshire always prefers short range.
I- will in this connection describe with particularity
the process of " going through" a Yankee.
Several prisoners were captured on the river bank,




17Te Coffee Raid. The Jount UCarmel Fight. 451
and several, in the act of crossing, were ordered by Wiltshire to return, which they did without hesitation. His
first act was to demand their greenbacks, his second to
demand their pistols.
"How much money have you?" said he to one of the
captives.
"Twenty-five dollars," responded the Yankee, in dolorous tones.
"Good,") said Jim; " my friend, it is the very sum I
stand in need of," and the Ranger smiled complacently
at his prisoner, for this is one of the amenities of war
which Wiltshire always practices when he gets hold of a
fat Yankee.
During this dialogue and transfer of property, the enemy from the opposite bank kept up a brisk fire at the
Ranger, but he was so deeply engaged in counting his
money that he did not so much as raise his eyes as the
balls whistled about him. The prisoners were turned
over to a member of the command who had just come up,
and Richards and Wiltshire, again hunting in couples,
crossed the river, and captured a number of horses that
had been abandoned by their riders. With this booty
they returned to Mount Carmel Church.
The results of the fight were thirteen of the enemy
killed, and about an equal number wounded, sixty-four
taken prisoners, and ninety horses captured. Among the
prisoners was a wounded captain, who had commanded
the Federal rear-guard. He was a parson by trade, and
his arm had been shattered. Richards released him from
captivity that he might return to his friends, but he did
not get farther than Berry's Ferry, where he died. The.
only loss which Major Richards sustained was Iden, of
Lee's army, who was accidentally shot, and Dr. Sowers,
who was wounded in the beginning of the fight. This
gallant fight was complimented by General Lee in a dispatch to the Department.




452         Pacrtisan Life with iosby.
Major Gibson had gathered on his raid about fifteen
prisoners and twenty horses, which, having been recovered, ought to be credited to Major Richards.
But you will be curious to know how it fared with
Jerry Wilson and the Jim Banks horse amid the burly.
burly. As soon as the fight at Mount Carmel began,
Jerry at once looked out for a chance to make a break,
but the Yankee who had him in charge cocked his pistol, and compelled the captive reluctantly to move forward in the direction of Sheppard's Mill, determined, let
the fight go as it might, to carry him off. Presently the
rout began, and off Jerry and his Yankee started. At
first Jerry thought to outrun him on the Jim Banks
horse, but the Yankee rather had the foot of him. Jerry
then determined again to have recourse to stratagem; so,
when the guard was looking another way, he broke off
to the right hand in the mountain, but closely followed
by his inevitable Yankee. The fugitive soon found his
course up the mountain side barred by a frowning ledge
of rocks, which he could not flank, and with a sad heart
abandoned his horse and continued his flight on foot, and
without looking behind him, expecting every moment to
be shot through the head by his villainous guard. He
scrambled up the ledge, and was about to conceal himself under one of its projecting eaves, when he heard the
sound of the pursuer on his tracks. Off he again started, and continued his flight until he reached a clearing
on the top of the mountain, where, exhausted, the luckless bridegroom sank upon the ground, unable to proceed
farther. But great was Jerry's astonishment and delight
when, instead of the horrid Yankee with a cocked pistol
in his hand, he saw his faithful companion, the Jim Banks
horse, gallop up. In another moment he mounted on his
steed, and was making his way with the unerring sagacity of a lover along the mountain to Simpers's Mill, near
which dwelt his dark.eyed beauty.




The Gantt Bouse and cHarmony Fights.   453
CHAPTER LIV.
THIE GANTT HOUSE AND HARiMONY FIGHTS.
Upper Fauquier, March 25th, 1865.
DEAR PERCY,-Early in March Major Richards directed Jim Wiltshire to,take fourteen men and proceed to
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and ascertain whether
re-enforcements were coming from the West to General
Grant. After crossing the river, Wiltshire sent three
men on a scout to Charlestown, with orders to report the
condition of affairs at that place to him at a designated
house. Gallagher and Anderson obtained permission to
stop by the wayside to get supper, and as they approached the rendezvous, Anderson, who was riding alone, was
met by two men of the Twelfth Pennsylvania, whom he
mistook for friends. But he was soon undeceived, for the
Federals, with presented pistols, demanded his surrender.
In the surrender Anderson reserved one of his pistols, by
the aid of which he subsequently made his escape. As
he dashed off from his captors, the shots which they fired
at him brought Wiltshire and his party to the spot. One
of the Yankees got off, but the other was repeatedly shot
and killed, while attempting to climb over a garden fence.
The dead body was then thrown across a horse and conveyed to the main road, for it would have compromised
the safety of the citizen had the corpse been discovered
in his garden the next morning.
Arrived at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Wiltshire's first act was to throw off a train of cars, and then
to obtain from a citizen the military information of which
he was in search. On his return, he reported to his commanding officer that sixteen thousand of Thomas's army




454         Partisan Life with Mosby.
had moved eastward to join Grant. It was well for the
Valley Scout, as Wiltshire is sometimes called, that he did
not cross at Keys's Ford, which was directly in his route,
but instead went higheir up, for two companies of the
Twelfth Pennsylvania had been sent out to waylay him
at the river. One was placed in ambuscade at Keys's
Ford, while the other was directed to strike the river at
a point higher up, and charge any troops it might encounter. This last order produced a collision between the
two companies, in which one man was killed. The unfortunate Twelfth!
Soon after this Colonel Mosby returned to his command,
having entirely recovered from his wound. One of his
first acts was to fill the vacancy caused in Company C by
the promotion of Captain William H. Chapman to the
rank of lieutenant colonel. For this post he designed
Lieutenant George Baylor, of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry,
and, to facilitate his. transfer, furnished him with a letter
of recommendation to the Secretary of War. But the secretai'y thought that the appointment would be illegal, and
Baylor returned to report the failure of his application to
Mosby, who, determined not to be foiled, told that gallant
young officer that he should be captain of Company H,
soon to be organized.
Lieutenant Frank Carter, with Bush Underwood for a
guide, and twenty-two men, was sent to Fairfax in search
of Yankees. He took up a position on the road leading
from the Court-house to Vienna, about one mile from the
former- place, and about an equal distance from a blockhouse in the direction of Vienna, which was garrisoned
by several companies of infantry. About midday the
patrol approached from the block-house, and was charged
by Carter's men in silence. The Yankees halted, gazed
at the advancing cavalry for a minute, and then broke and
fled with precipitation, pursued by the Rangers.




The Gantt House and Harmony Fights.    455
Bush Underwood was mounted on the best horse in
the command, and well did he use his advantage, for before the fugitives could reach the shelter of the blockhouse he had killed three and wounded two of them. In
addition, the Federals lost three prisoners and six horses.
I will now pass to the fight at Gantt's house, or a piece
of Captain Glasscock's handiwork.
CAPTAIN GLASSCOOK.
With thirty-six men he took up a concealed position
near the Vienna and Luenville road, not far from the point
where it crosses the Alexandria and Leesburg Turnpike.
At the point of junction of the two roads was a blockhouse garrisoned by infantry, a string of block-houses being a precaution to which Mosby has compelled the Federals to resort, in addition to employing other defenses.
After a while a patrol of twenty-two men, commanded by
a lieutenant, and accompanied by a lieutenant colonel and
a surgeon, passed Glasscock's position, going toward Vien



45;6         Partisan life with Mosby.
na. Bush Underwood, with fourteen men, had been stationed under cover of a hill to attack them in rear, while
Glasscock, with the rest of the command, would charge
them in front, and, the road being inclosed on either side
by a high fence, by this disposition the patrol would be
placed in considerable danger. As soon as Underwood
heard the signal shots he dashed forward, and met the
Federals, who had been surprised and driven back by
Glasscock. The pursuit was pressed with vigor until the
entire party was killed or captured, with the exception of
two officers, one the lieutenant colonel, whose fine Irish
hunter overleaped the fences and bore off his rider in
safety. Glasscock's loss was Yates, of Rappahannock,
shot in the melee by one of his comrades, and O'Brien,
of Fairfax, wounded in the leg. The man who shot
O'Brien was killed by Moss, and it is worthy of mention
that the soldier who wounded Mosby at Centreville was
killed in this fight. John Hipkins, better known as "Glorious John," distinguished himself on this occasion.
Next in order comes the Harmony fight, so called from
Harmony Church, near which it took place.
Mosby had ordered a detail of men to be sent to Loudoun for the purpose of collecting corn for distribution
among the command, who, during this service, were quartered among the Quakers. They were ordered to assemble every day at Hamilton, and were immediately disbanded by Captain Glasscock if no business demanded
attention.
On the 20th of March, John Chew, with three men, was
directed to proceed to Hillsboro and ctllect information,
and after the usual number of chicken-fights and dogfights, at which Bob Ridley presided as ring-master, the
men were dismissed to their respective boarding-houses.
As Chew entered Hillsboro he was notified by a lady
that a Federal command was in the other end of the town,




TThe Gantt House and Harmony Fights.   457
which turned out to be Byrd's regiment of infantry and
the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry, re-enforced by the Loudoun Rangers, all under command of Colonel Rives.
After being fired upon the scouts retreated, but, re-enforced by fourteen of their comrades, and ignorant of the
strength of the Federals, returned and skirmished with
their advance-guard almost to Purcellville.
In the mean time, Captain Glasscock, having collected a
command of one hundred and twenty men, was ordered
by Mosby to take a position a mile beyond Hamilton,
through which the Federals would pass going toward
Leesburg. A picket which had been thrown out retreated
before Colonel Reno's cavalry past Glasscock's position,
who had been ordered by Mosby to fall back deeper in the
woods, that he might not be discovered, and thus would
be able to attack the Federals in rear. This order was being executed when the enemy came in sight, and the rear
of Glasscock's column, not understanding the movement,
was thrown into disorder. Fearing the effect upon his
men of appearing to retreat in the face of the enemy,
Glasscock determined to countermarch, and charge back
on the Federal cavalry. This was done in the most gallant style, and the Yankees, thrown into confusion by the
unexpected onset, retreated toward their infantry, still at
Hamilton. When the Rangers had gone several hundred yards in pursuit, they were stopped by Mosby, who
had discovered the overwhelming odds in reserve-all
but twenty-five, who followed the cavalry close to their
infantry supports.
John Chew, with reckless gallantry, pressed on toward
the village, and received a disabling shot, whether from
friend or foe is not known.
Glasscock's loss in this engagement was Keith and Binford killed, Chew disabled, and Griffin slightly wounded.
The enemy's loss was ten prisoners, and, according to the




458          Pcrtisacn i~fe with Xosbsby.
report of citizens, fifteen or twenty killed, and as many
wounded.
For this fight Colonel Reno was made a brigadier
general. From Hamilton the Yankees marched toward
Upperville, one of Mosby's dep6ts for grain, but they
were pressed so closely that they did not succeed in getting any of it. On this skirmishing march Johnny Foster received a severe'Wound in the knee, but was brought
off the field by Hefflebower, who mounted him on his
own horse.../l'I,~..... X'




Gallant Action of a Yankee Lieutenant.   459
CHAPTER LV.
GALLANT ACTION OF A YANKEE LIEUTENANT.-CHAPMAN'S
VISIT TO THE NORTHERN NECK.
Upper Fauquier, April 18th, 1865.
DEAR PERCY,-:Richmond has fallen, the cause is lost,
and Mosby, in the hour of victory, is negotiating for the
disbandment of the Partisan Battalion. The sun which
rose in such brightness, rode in such splendor through
the sky, is, in the inscrutable providence of God, destined,
like the transient meteor, to be extinguished forever.
"Those golden palaces, those golden halls
With furniture superfluously fair;
Those stately courts, those high encountering walls,
Evanish all like vapors in the air."
In the midst of my preparations for departure, and
with a sorrowful heart, I will complete my account of
the military, operations of the command with which I
have been connected, some of which occurred after the
evacuation of Richmond, but before that event was known
in the Upper Piedmont. The people of other portions
of the Southern Confederacy may have been prepared for
the catastrophe by the gradual stages of decline which
they witnessed, but here, amid a continual round of successes, they saw the Confederated banner waving triumphantly. Hope was in every eye, confidence was on
every lip, and when the catastrophe was announced it
came with the suddenness and violence of an earthquake.
Now all is doubt and dismay. Every countenance reflects the calamity which has befallen the country.
As Charles B. Wiltshire about the first of April was
returning from Leesburg, he was met by Colonel Mosby,




460          Partisan Life mwith zlosby.
who apprised him of his intention of making him a lieutenant in Company " H," and at the same time ordered
him to take a party and make a scout to Stevenson's D6p6t, on the Winchester and Potomac Railroad. With a
few men, Wiltshire was approaching through a lane
which leads from Berryville, the residence of Colonel
Daniel Bonham, as a Federal officer, who proved to be
Lieutenant Eugene Ferris, of the 30th Massachusetts Infantry, was seen to pass rapidly from the house to the
stable, which was situated in a corner of the yard. Wiltshire and Gill, who were riding fifty paces in advance of
their comrades, passing through the gate which admitted
them to the yard, dashed up to the stable-door in which
Ferris was standing. Without drawing his pistol from
the holster, Wiltshire demanded a surrender. "Never
with life," replied Ferris; and, as his adversary was attempting to disengage his pistol,he inflicted on him a
mortal wound in the neck. A little after, Gill, who was
somewhat to Wiltshire's left, fired, but Ferris, being protected by the door-post, was not struck, and at once fired
on Gill, and inflicted upon him a disabling wound. By
this'time the rest of the party had arrived on the scene
of combat, and opened a rapid fire on the Federal officer,
who, disdaining to'fight from a cover, stepped into the
open space in front of the stable, and engaged in what
appeared to be a hopeless contest. But it was hopeless
only in appearance, for, begirt with pistols, he was a skillful shot, and had the additional advantage of being on
foot, so that almost all his balls took effect. Soon the
gallant officer was master of the field. It was death to
stand before that unerring pistol. Orrick and Bartlett
Bolling had both been wounded, and Orrick, in addition,
had been thrown from his horse. Seizing Wiltshire's
horse, which he found at the gate, Ferris directed his orderly, who, crouched in the stable, had taken no part in




Gallant Action of a Yankee Lieutenant.   461
the conflict, to mount and follow him, but, before taking
his departure, he advanced some paces toward his adversaries, who had retreated back to the lane, and fired at
them two parting shots. He then sprang into his saddle, and turned his face toward his camp. Two of the
Rangers, one wounded, who were waiting until he mounted his horse, started in pursuit.  A running fight was
kept up until Lieutenant Ferris (for his orderly was captured in the pursuit) passed the Federal picket-post, but
not until he had received a slight wound. When the
facts of this encounter were related to Grogan, he remarked that the lieutenant ought to be invited to join
the battalion. When they were related to Mosby, he.said," Why, he is as brave as Grogan."*
After the encounter was over, Gill attempted, notwithstanding his wound, to return to his friends at Middleburg, but was compelled to stop at the house of a citizen
in the Blue Ridge, where in a few days he died. He received the announcement of his approaching end with
calmness, and said,
"I die at least in a good cause."
George Murray Gill was from Baltimore, and son of
the distinguished gentleman of that name, and at the
time of his death had just entered his twenty-fourth year.
He was graduated at Princeton College, where he exhibited unusual talent for public speaking, a fine omen of
success in the profession of law, to which he had devoted
his talents and energy. Moved by the spirit of chivalry
which animated so many of the young gentlemen of
Maryland, he crossed the Potomac; and at an early period
* There are many different accounts of this fight, and I have
taken great pains to ascertain the truth. Colonel Bonham is a
witness of unimpeachable veracity, besides being a gentleman of
decided Southern principles. IHe witnessed the whole affair, and
his account I have adopted.




4'62:   Partisan Life with iZosby.
of the war enlisted in the Southern army, and served first
in the infantry, then in the cavalry arm of the service.
He participated in many of the great battles, and. was
every where conspicuous for the highest qualities. of a
soldier. The day after the second battle of Manassas,
he received in a skirmish on the Little River Turnpike
a severe wound, which compelled him to absent himself'from the army until the middle of November. From
that time till after the disaster at Gettysburg he was constantly with Stuart's cavalry, but was taken prisoner at
Hagerstown on the retreat of Lee's army. He spent five
dreary months in prison, first at Fort Delaware, then at
Point Lookout. At the end of this time he was sent to
Richmond, and soon after rejoined his regiment, from
which he was transferred to the Partisan Battalion. The
elements in him were finely blended, for manly courage
was united to intelligence, a high morality, and great
gentleness of disposition.
On the 5th of April, Company " H" was organized at
North Fork Church, in Loudoun County. At the last
of Mosby's elections, George Baylor was made Captain;
Edward Thompson, First Lieutenant; James Wiltshire,
Second Lieutenant; and Franklin Carter, Junior Second
Lieutenant.
George Baylor is a native of Jefferson County, Virginia, and served the first year of the war in the ranks
of the Stonewall Brigade, from which he was transferred
to the 12th Virginia Cavalry, a component of Ashby's
brigade, and was soon made lieutenant. While on detached service he captured a company of cavalry, and
performed other exploits, which induced Mosby to tender him the captaincy of this new company.
Lieutenant Thompson was born in Fairfax County,
and had recommended himself to promotion by valuable
service in the battalion.




Gallant Action of a Yankee Lieutenant.   463
Lieutenant Wiltshire is -from Jefferson, and has long
ago introduced himself to your acquaintance.
Lieutenant Carter is from Loudoun, and, though only
nineteen years of age, is a veteran in the battalion. His
promotion. by Mosby is a sufficient testimony to his
merit.
As soon as the company was organized, Captain BayOAPTAIN B.AYLOR.
lor started with fifty men to the Valley. When he arrived at Charlestown, he was informed that the. enemy's
cavalry had gone up the Valley, with the exception of
the Loudoun Rangers, who were camped near Halltown.
"Now for the Loudoun Rangers," said Baylor, as at the
head of his command he galloped off in the direction of
their camp, which was situated on the southern slope of
a hill. He took the precaution to pass in between Halltown (where there was a brigade of infantry) and the
camp. When within fifty yards of the Loudoun Rangers




464         Pcartisan Life witqh Miosby.
the order to charge was given. Two of them were killed, four wounded, sixty-five taken prisoners, together with
eighty-one horses, with their equipments. The rest of
the command sought refuge in the bushes. The only
loss which Baylor sustained was Frank Helm, of Warrenton, wounded as he charged among the foremost into
the camp.
When Major General Hancock, so distinguished in the
Federal army, heard of Baylor's exploit, he laughed heartily, and exclaimed,
" Well, that is the last of the Loudoun Rangers."
The expedition from the Northern Neck has recently
returned, and I will give you the facts which I have obtained with reference to its sojourn in that district.
The Northern Neck constituted a part of the crown
grant to Lord Fairfax, which still forms the basis of all
the land-titles in that part of the state. As defined in
this Fairfax Charter, it embraced the great breadth of
land between the Potomac and the Rappahannock Rivers, from their head springs to their outlets. But now
the name is used in a more restricted sense, and is applied to a narrow strip of land extending for seventy-five
miles between those rivers below tide-water.
Colonel Chapman quartered his men among the citizens of Westmoreland, Lancaster, and Richmond Counties, by whom they were received with hospitality, and
the Partisans led a pleasant and easy life until about the
first of March.
About this time a force under Colonel Sumner was
dispatched from Grant's army to capture seventy-five
thousand boxes of tobacco which the Confederate government had deposited at Fredericksburg to be exchanged
with the Yankees for bacon. After this service was per.
formed, and the tobacco carried off or destroyed, the expedition sailed for Fortress Monroe, from whence, with




Gallant Actionr of a Yankee Lieutenant.   465
ten days' rations, it proceeded up the Potomac, and landed at Kinsale, in Westmoreland County, a force of infantry and two hundred and fifty cavalry. It is stated
that the object of the expeditionary force was to ravage
the Northern Neck, and compel Mosby's men to find
refuge elsewhere.
The morning after they landed the Federal cavalry
advanced toward the Hague, a few miles distant, but
were met on the march by so determined a resistance
from small parties of Rangers that they deemed it prudent to return to their infantry supports. In the retreat,
Captain Sam Chapman, with a party, assaulted their rear,
and received a painful wound in the side, which was the
only injury sustained by the Partisans.
Wat Bowie, of Westmoreland, was among the first to
resist the invaders, for soon after the Federal cavalry began their march from Kinsale he collected a band of four
or fiie men, and drove the advance-guard back on the
column, killing and wounding several of their number.
Such is the spirit which Mosby has infused into his men,
and so obedient are they to his standing order, "Fight
the Yankees wherever you meet them."
In retaliation for this act a wicked deed was perpe.
trated. The cottage of a helpless widow and an only
daughter, which stood near the road, was burned to the
ground. It was a pitiable spectacle to behold these
houseless women, utterly forlorn, sitting by the blackened ruins of what had been their humble dwelling. This
act of vengeance was without any show of justification or
excuse, for the women were too poor to give aid and comfort to a soldier, and had been much frightened by the
attack which Bowie had made upon the Federal column.
But-for the fact that his men were scattered over a
large area, Colonel Chapman was confident that the Federal cavalry would not have returned to their camp exG G




466          Parctisan Life with lfosby.
cept as fugitives. He believed and hoped that the experiment would be repeated the next day, by which time
his command could be assembled. But he was disappointed, for the invading force embarked on their transports and crossed to Point Lookout.
The resistance which this force met with from Colonel
Chapman saved the Northern Neck. As soon as this
LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHAPMAN.
cloud of war had passed away, the Partisans again bestowed their whole thoughts on the social scenes by
which they were surrounded.
About ten days after the events which have been just
detailed, Captain Tom Richards, with seven men,paid a
nocturnal visit to Williamsburg, the seat of government
during the colonial existence of Virginia, and the resi



Gallant Action of a Yankee Li-eutenant.   467
dence of all her royal governors. In order to reach the
town, he was compelled to travel one hundred and twenty-five miles, and ferry three rivers, one of which was
three miles in width. From a scout whom he met in
the vicinity of Williamsburg he learned that there was
in and about the town a force of three hundred men, and
that the approach to it was guarded by a chain of picketposts.
Lieutenant Puryear and Charlie Vest were sent a
hundred yards in advance, with orders to capture the
picket, if possible, without firing a shot. It was the hour
of midnight, and not a cloud obscured the face of the
heavens. The moon rode in her zenith, and bathed the
landscape in floods of tender light. There was nothing
to interrupt the quietude of the scene save the cautious
movement of the Rangers. Presently the challenge of
the sentinel rang out clear and sharp,
"' Halt!"
" All right," replied Puryear, moving on.
"Halt!" repeated the sentinel, in a sterner voice.
" We are all right," said Puryear.
"Halt, or I'll shoot," shouted the man.
"Don't shoot. I tell you we are all right."
At this stage of the dialogue Puryear and Vest closed
upon the soldier, who attempted to escape, but was shot
dead. The order to charge was given, and right gallantly did the Partisans dash in among the startled garrison,
who began to retreat through the town toward the fort
not far distant. A Federal officer rushed into the street
and- attempted to rally his men, but in vain. The conflict with the rear of the retreating enemy was brief, but
sharp. In a short time almost all the horses of Richards's command were wounded, while five Federal soldiers lay dead in the streets, and from six to ten wounded. Soon not a moving Yankee was to be seen in Wil



468          Partisan Life with Mosby.
liamsburg. They had all retreated to the fort or within
the walls of the burned college. The Partisans soon collected all the horses within reach, and, giving three cheers
for the garrison of Williamsburg, left the scene of their
bold exploit.
The next day a party of the enemy pursued them up
the New Kent Road, but it would have taken a wild
duck or a kingfisher to have caught Tom Richards.
CAPTAIN RICHARIDS.
On the 29th of March, John W. M'Cue, with five other
Rangers, was sent across the Potomac to ascertain the
force of the enemy at Leonardstown. After performing
that duty, M'Cue and two of his comrades made an effort
to get possession of the post-office at a place called Croom,
which was defended by four government detectives and
the postmaster, all armed. His comrades, when fired
upon, fled, leaving M'Cue to fight the battle alone. In




Gallavnt Action of a Yankee ILieutenant.   469
the rencounter which ensued, Coffun, the postmaster, was
struck in the shoulder, and Ryon, one of the detectives,
was mortally wounded in a hand-to-hand fight in the
dark. The other detectives rushed upon and overpowered M'Cue. His hands were at once tied behind him,
and he was put for the night under guard in the room
with the men he had wounded. Lying upon his pallet,
he saw on the mantle-piece a small seven-shooter, which
suggested to him the idea of escape. He attempted to
slip his hands from the rope, but found it was too tightly drawn. Then, by a powerful effort, he attempted to
burst it, but in vain, and the guard, detecting his object,
threw him back on the pallet, and drew the ropes more
tightly than before. About four o'clock in the morning,
Ryon, in the prospect of death, and in the presence of his
wife and others, requested to have M'Cue brought to his
bedside, when he addressed the prisoner with these
words:
"Sir, you have but done your duty. I don't blame
you. You were in Confederate uniform, and fought me
bravely and well. I hope you will be treated as a prisoner of war.".
The next morning M'Cue's captors, or rather those into
whose hands he had been delivered, sent for a rope, and
threatened with it to hang the Ranger unless he told the
names of his confederates, for they suspected that citizens
of Maryland were implicated in the act. But the young
soldier stood firm. He said that his attack on the postoffice was a legitimate act of war, and that, if they took
his life, Mosby, who was across the river, would hang
several Union soldiers or citizens in retaliation. This
brought the Feclderals to the conclusion that it would be
expedient to deal with the prisoner in another mode, and
from Croom he was sent to Annapolis.
*See Appendix.




470         Partisan -Life wit7h Mosby.
CHAPTER LVI.
THE LAST REVI:EW.
Upper Fauquier, April 22d, 1865.
DEAR PERcY, —The deed is accomplished. I give you
to-day the last act in this eventful history.
The Wednesday after the surrender of General Lee,
Major General Hancock, whose headquarters were at
Winchester, sent Major Moon, of General Torbert's staff,
to communicate under a flag of truce with Colonel Mosby. The official papers were deposited by the intermediary in the hands of Mr. J. H. Clarke, at Millwood, by
whom they were forwarded to Colonel Mosby.  These
papers contained a proposition for the surrender of the
Partisan Battalion on the terms which had been accepted
by General Lee, and were accompanied by an address
from General Hancock to the citizens residing in the vicinity of his lines. The circular contained, among other
particulars, an offer of the parole to all stragglers and
-detachments from the Army of Northern Virginia, but
excluded from that benefit the "guerrilla chief Mosby",'
as our commander was denominated.. It..will; doubtless
strike you, as an Englishman, with surprise that Major
General Hancock should have been directed by the authorities at Washington to conclude a military negotia.
tion with an officer whom they refused to acknowledge
as a lawful warrior. But it affords additional evidence
of the resentful feelings which they cherish toward
Mosby.
On the receipt of these papers, Colonel Mosby dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Chapman with a letter ad



The Last ]Review.                  471
dressed to Major General Hancock, of which this is a
copy:
"April 15th, 1865.
"Major General W. S. Hancock, Commanding, etc.:
"GENERAL,-I am in receipt of a letter from your Chief of Staff,
Brigadier General Morgan, inclosing copies of correspondence between Generals Grant and Lee, and informing me that you would
appoint an officer of equal rank with myself to arrange details for
the surrender of the forces under my command. As yet I have no
notice through any other source of the facts concerning the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia; nor, in my opinion, has the
emergency yet arisen which would justify the surrender of my command. With no disposition, however, to cause the useless effusion
of blood, or to inflict on a war-worn population any unnecessary
distress, I am ready to agree to a suspension of hostilities for a
short time, in order to enable me to communicate with my own authorities, or until I can obtain sufficient intelligence to determine
my future action. Should you accede to this proposition, I am
ready to meet any person you may designate to arrange the terms
of an armistice.
"I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"JOHN S. MOSBY, Colonel C. S. A."
In reply to this letter, Colonel Chapman brought back
the following communication from  Major General Hancock:
" Headquarters Middle Military Division, }
Winchester, Va., April 16th, 1865.
"To Colonel John S. Mosby, C. S. A.:
"COLONEL, —Major General Hancock directs me to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication, by the hand of Lieutenant Colonel Chapman, of the 15th instant, in reply to mine of the 11th.
"The general does not think it is necessary to designate an officer to meet you to arrange an armistice, as you suggest.
"Understanding, however, your motives in hesitating to surrender your command without definite intelligence from your former
superiors, the general is very willing to allow a reasonable time for
you to acquire the information you desire. It is not practicable
for you to communicate with General Lee, as he is no longer in authority. Lieutenant Colonel Chapman, the bearer of your communication, has been furnished with such evidence as will undoubtedlv satisfy you that farther resistance on the part of your command




472           Partisean Life with Mosby.
can result in no good to the cause in which you have been enlgaged.
"In view of these facts, the general will not operate against your
command until Tuesday next, at 12 AI., provided there are no hostilities from your command.
"This agreement to be understood to include the Department of
Washington and the Potomac River line. It is possible some difficulty may arise from the operation of guerrilla parties not of your
command, but the general hopes you can control the whole matter.
"On Tuesday, at noon, the general will send an officer of equal
rank with yourself to Millwood, to meet you and ascertain your
determination, and, if you conclude to surrender your command, to
arrange the details. Lieutenant Colonel Chapman will be able to
give all the information you desire as to the probable terms.
" If you consent to the above arrangements, please notify Brigadier General Chapman, at Berryville, as soon as practicable.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. H. MORGAN, Brevet Brig. Gen. and Chief of Staff."
Mosby at once communicated with General Chapman,
whose headquarters were at Berryville, and on the 18th
of April, at 11 A.M., a conference was agreed to be held
at Millwood.  Not being able, on account of unforeseen
causes, to reach Millwood at the appointed hour, Colonel
Mosby sent Captain Tom Richards and Captain Robert
Walker in advance to acquaint the Federal officers delegated to meet him  with the reasons for his detention.
Walker and Richards, in accordance with this order,
crossed the Shenandoah, and, with a handkerchief unfurled for a flag, galloped rapidly toward Millwood. The
Federals were on the ground, and the two harbingers
were conducted at Mr. Clarke's house to the presence
of General Chapman and other Federal officers.  Soon
Mosby arrived with an escort of fifteen men, and all eyes
were riveted on him.*
The result of the conference was a stipulation that
* The author, at the request of Colonel Mosby, was present on
this occasion, as it had been already arranged that he should write
this history.




The Last  eview.'                  473
there should be a cessation of hostilities for two days,
ending at noon on the 20th of April.  The agreement
concluded with this covenant:
"Colonel Mosby to use his influence and authority in the mean
time to prevent any acts of hostility by bands or organizations of
Confederate soldiers operating from Loudoun or Fauquier counties.
"(Signed),   GEORGE H. CHAPMIAN, Brig. General U. S. Vols.
JOHN S. MosBY, Colonel C. S. A.
"Millwood, April 18th, 1865."
At the same time the following compact was signed
by the two officers, subject to Major General Hancock's
approval, which was withheld, as will be seen from  his
letter, as given below.
"A cessation of hostilities is hereby agreed upon between the
forces of the United States commanded by General Hancock, and
the forces of the Confederate States commanded by Colonel John
S. Mosby.
"This cessation to be subject to the approval of General Hancock; if approved, to be in force for ten (10) clays, commencing on
the 20th of April at 12 M., and ending on the 30th at 12 IM[.
"Colonel Mosby to be notified at Millwood of the approval or
disapproval of this agreement by 12 noon of April 20th.
"Colonel Mosby to use his authority and influence to prevent
any acts of hostility being perpetrated or attempted by any bands
or organizations of Confederate soldiers operating. from Loudoun or
Fauquier counties.
"This agreement is made with the understanding that, in case
during this interval the army opposed to the army of General Sherman shall capitulate or be dispersed, Colonel Mosby will disband
his organization (the 43d Virginia Battalion).
"GEO. H. CHAPMAN, Brig. General U. S. Vols.
"JOHN S. MOSBY, Colonel C. S. A.
"Millwood, April 18, 1865."
"Headquarters Middle Military Division, 19th April, 1865.
"COLONEL, —Major General Hancock, commanding AIiddle Military Division, directs me to say that he has confirmed the extension of the cessation of hostilities until noon of the 20th, arranged
at Millwood on the 18th between Brigadier General Chapman,
U. S. Volunteers, and yourself; but General Hancock can see no




474            Partisan Jlife withs 1osby.
sufficient reasons why the cessation of hostilities should be continued. The truce will therefore cease at noon on the 20th between the forces commanded by Major General Hancock and your
troops, unless you should decide to surrender at or before that
time on the conditions previously offered and explained by Lieutenant General Grant, which are inclosed.
"The officer bearing the flag will wait at Millwood until 12 M.
to hear your decision. Unless you then announce your immediate
surrender, he will return. In case of your surrender, the arrangements will be immediately perfected at Millwood. Truce of hostilities in such case will only refer to that point, and be of, such
duration as only to allow time to prepare and sign the paroles and
receive the public property. After the expiration of this truce,
General Hancock is commanded not to offer you or your men terms
again. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"W. G. MliITCHELL, Brevet Colonel and A. D. C.
"To Colonel John S. Mosby, C. S. A., Commanding, etc., Millwood,Va."
On the 20th of April, when Colonel Mosby returned
to Millwood, the following letter from  General Hancock
was placed in his hands, which you will perceive extends
to him  the same terms offered to other Confederate officers ~
" "Headquarters Cavalry, Middle Military Division, April 19th, 1865.
"COLONEL,-Major General Hancock directs me to say to you
that the following instructions have been telegraphed to him in
reference to Confederate officers or soldiers who surrender:
"Washington, D. C., April 19th, 1865.
"' To Major General Hancock:
"You may receive all rebel officers or soldiers who surrender to
you on exactly the same terms that were given to General Lee,
except have it distinctly understood that all who claim homes in
states that never passed Ordinances of Secession have forfeited
them, and can only return on compliance with the amnesty proclamation. Maryland, Kentucky, Delaware, and Missouri are such
states. They may return to West Virginia on their parole.
"(Signed),          U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General.
"I am, colonel, very respectfully,
"C. McK. GROSER, A. A. A. G.
"Colonel J. S. Mosby, C. S. A."
At Salem, the 21st of April, 1865, Mosby assembled
the Partisan Battalion for the last time.  It contained at




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476            Partisan Life with Aosby.
this date on its muster-rolls the names of seven hundred
men, of whom  one hundred were in prison.  The rest
were present for duty, dressed in Confederate gray, with
drab hats and nodding black plumes, and mounted on
the best horses, and supplied with the best arms and
equipments which the Northern cavalry could furnish.
As for the last time Mosby glanced his experienced eye
along their serried ranks, drawn up in the level field to
the south of the town, they presented an appearance of
which any commander might justly be proud, for in point
of style, arms, equipment, and efficiency, the Partisan Battalion was, without doubt, the foremost body of cavalry
in either army; and when contrasted with the handful
of borrowed men with whom their leader began his glorious career, his extraordinary talents, exercised under adverse influences, for organization, preservation, and command stood confessed.  Indeed, he had plunged the infant Mars in a bath of fire and blood, and the child had
come forth a renowned warrior, invigorated for the contest and adorned with glory, though seamed with many
a scar.
A copy of the following address was then given to the
commanding officers of the squadrons, and by them read
to their men:
" Fauquier County, April 21st, 1865.
"SOLDIERS,-I have summoned you together for the last time.
The vision we cherished of a free and independent country has
vanished, and that country is now the spoil of a conqueror. I disband your organization in preference to surrendering to our enemies. I am no longer your commander. After an association of
more than two eventful years, I part from you with a just pride in
the fame of your achievements, and grateful recollections of your
generous kindness to myself. And now, at this moment of bidding
you a final adieu, accept the assurance of my unchanging confidence
and regard. Farewell!            JOHN S. MOSBY, Colonel."
As soon as the military bond was severed, there fol



Tlhe Last Review.            477
lowed a scene which beggars description. The sternest
natures dissolved in tears, for the men then discovered
how strong were the personal sympathies which bound
them to each other and to the chieftain of whom they
were so proud. In broken ranks they crowded around
him, and, amid tears and protestations of confidence and
fidelity, assured him that at the first bugle note they
would rally again to his standard.








APPENDIX.
ACCOUNT OF PRIVATE M'CUE'S IMPRISONMENT.
[THE following facts in regard to the treatment of M'Cue have, at my request,'been furnished me by a gentleman well acquainted with them. They present a
picture of despotism and cruelty rarely witnessed in a Christian country, but they
bear, at the same time, honorable testimony to the fidelity with which General Grant
adhered to the engagements which he contracted at Appomattox Court-house.EDITOR.]
From Annapolis he was removed to Baltimore and cast into a
negro jail, where his treatment was that of a convict. He was
heavily ironed, and confined in a dark, cold cell, and when a fellowprisoner, through the iron-bars of his dungeon, gave him a blanket,
the order was given to the prison-guard to take it away. Very
soon a man dressed in Confederate uniform was put in the cell
with M'Cue, and left to spend the night with him. The stranger
made advances toward an acquaintance, asked his fellow-prisoner his name, to what command he belonged, and the charges preferred against him, and at the same time told him that he himself
was under charges as a Confederate, and was to be tried by a military commission. He doubted not, he added, that both of them
would be sentenced to the gallows.  "I have a proposition to
make to you, for there is but one way in which we can save our
lives-to rush upon the guard, seize their arms, and murder them.
In the confusion thus created, an opportunity may occur for our es-,
cape." The proposition was so wild and impossible of execution
that M'Cue at once saw in it a snare prepared for his destruction.
So he very quietly said to his companion, "You may attempt to
murder the guard and make your escape, but I will have nothing
to do with it."  He knew he was a detective.
This conspiracy having failed, he was then carried before the
provost-marshal, who told him that the only chance for life afforded was to confess his guilt and throw himself upon the mercy of
the court. To this he replied, "I am a Confederate soldier, engaged in legitimate warfare. I belong to Mosby's Partisan Battalion, which is not a guerrilla band. I believe there is a prede



480                        A4pendix.
termined purpose to take my life, and I will not appear before my
Maker with a false plea stamped upon my conscience. I am a lawful soldier, and have no excuse, apology, or confession to make."
The provost-marshal left him, saying that he was the most hardened villain he had ever come in contact with, and that death by
the gallows inevitably awaited him.
At the end of four days the Partisan Ranger was removed to.the city jail of Baltimore, where he received from the keeper humane treatment.  An order for a military commission to assemble
at Baltimore was soon issued for the trial of such offenders as
might be brought before it.  The charges on which M'Cue was arraigned were as follows:
1st. The murder of Richard N. Ryon, a detective officer in the
service of the United States.
-2d. Assault with intent to kill and murder one Jeremiah Coffron, by discharging at the head of said Cofifron a loaded pistol,
thereby inflicting a serious and dangerous wound.
3d. Violation of the laws of war as laid down in general orders,
etc.
The plea of the prisoner was, of course, " Not guilty."
The finding in reference to the first charge-murder —is so singular and unprecedented in criminal jurisprudence, that I can not
forbear giving it verbatim: "GUILTY, EXCEPT WITH MALICE AFORlE1THOUGHT. "
The court acquitted the prisoner of malice aforethought, and to
acquit him of the malice is to acquit him of the crime, for malice
every tyro in law knows is the essential element of murder.
After this finding the record goes on to say,
"And the commission do therefore sentence him, the said John
W. M'Cue, to be imprisoned at hard labor for and during the period of his natural life, in such penitentiary or place of confinement
as the commanding general may designate."
At a subsequent date the following order was published, to wit:
" Head-quarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps,}
Baltimore, May 18th, 1865.
"The'proceedings, finding, and sentence in the foregoing case of John W.
M'Cue are approved and confirmed, and the sentence will be carried into execution. The commanding general designates Clinton Prison, New York, as the place
of confinement of the Prisoner.
" (Signed),         LEW. WALLACE, Major General Commanding."
The trial, was suspended a few days, that the father of the prisoner and Captain Halsey, then confined as prisoners of war at Fort
Delaware, might-be summoned to testify in behalf of the defense.




Appendix.                      481
The prisoner was brought into court heavily ironed, and the examination of the witnesses was begun. The point on which the
examination chiefly turned was as to the status of Mosby's command in the Confederate government. Their evidence was clear
and decided: that Mosby was a commissioned officer, his command
organized by virtue of an act of Congress, and that it was part and
parcel of the Army of Northern Virginia, under the supreme control of General Lee, which negatived the idea that the Partisan
Battalion was a band of lawless banditti. But it all went for
naught with the military commission, and they sentenced this
brave soldier of General Lee to spend the remainder of his life in
expiating among felons an offense which he had not committed.
On the 1 7th of July, 1865, he was removed in chains to Clinton
Prison, New' York, near Lake Champlain, where he was shaved,
washed, hair cut, and coarse prison clothes put upon him; was
first put to striking in the blacksmith's shop, and then put to cutting nails by machinery. Each day he was required to work eleven hours. One hour was allowed for meals; and the prisoner was
forbidden, under a heavy penalty, to speak to any one except to his
keeper, and then only on business. This was the routine for the
day, and the night was no relief to the day, for he was locked up
alone in a cell ten feet by four. The only relaxation of this severity was that he was allowed on Sunday to attend religious exercises in the chapel. The Reverend Mr. Canfield was chaplain of
the prison, who extended to the prisoner, in his deep affliction,
kindness and sympathy. He was a Christian gentleman, which
embraces every virtue.
With a negro convict M'Cue worked side by side, and was required to walk to and from the mess-hall with him. Together they
daily took their meals. His name was Joseph Oliver, the best
friend and more of a gentleman than any man the prisoner met
with, except the chaplain and the foreman, Mr. Gay.
During this period of suffering the unfortunate young man received from his parents and friends in Virginia letters assuring him
that every effort was being made to procure his pardon. His father was released from the military prison about the 1st of July,
and went vigorously to work in his son's behalf, and did not relax
his efforts until his liberation was accomplished. The means with
which he worked were petitions signed by many thousand citizens
of Virginia, including some of the best names in the state, addressed to the President, to which were added the weight of letters and
personal appeals. Among these letters was one which deserves
your especial attention, an extract from which I give. It is from
TU H




482                      Appendix.
Colonel S. Al. Bowman, president of the commission that tried him,
dated New York, October 6th, 1865, and is addressed to the President of the United States. Here is the extract: "He had a trial
before a court composed chiefly of young officers, not one of whom
(except myself) had ever read a law-book, and knew but little
about any system of jurisprudence-had never sat on a jury, and
-probably never witnessed a trial of a case in court. The time of
the trial was just after the assassination of President Lincoln, when
the temper of the country was averse to any thing like leniency."
But these efforts in the cause of justice and humanity appear to
have been fruitless, until the case was brought to the attention of
General Grant, to whom, and to Captain James M'Guire, of Washington City-a big-hearted and big-brained Irishman-the great
secular head of the Catholic Church in and about Washington, the
prisoner was indebted for the consummation of his pardon. On the
8th of November, 1865, they appeared together before the President, and did not leave him till the'object was accomplished.
General Grant took the bold position that there had been suffering
enough occasioned by this war, and the time had come for the prison-doors to be thrown open and the captives set free. The eloquent and energetic appeal was not unavailing, for before they left
him the President had granted the pardon for which they petitioned. It is but just to the claims of nature to add that it was maternal solicitude and love which procured this powerful intercession, and revealed to General Grant this act of despotism and cruelty which had been practiced under the color of military law.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
[By the express permission of Lieutenant General Early, I introduce here the
comprehensive and lucid description of the Valley of the Shenandoah given by that
distinguished officer in his able and interesting "Memoir of the Last Year of the
War for Independence."-EDITOR.]
"The Valley of Virginia, in its largest sense, embraces all that
country lying between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains,
which unite at its southwestern end.
"The Shenandoah Valley, which is a part of the Valley of Vircinia, embraces the counties of Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah,
Page, Warren, Clarke, Frederick, Jefferson, and Berkeley.  This
valley is. bounded on the north by the Potomac, on the south by
the county of Rockbridge, on the east by the Blue Ridge, and on
the west by the Great North Mountain and its ranges.




Appendix.                     483
" The Shenandoah River is composed of two branches, called, respectively, the' North Fork' and the' South Fork,' which unite near
Front Royal, in Warren County. The North Fork rises in the
Great North Mountain, and runs eastwardly to within a short distance of New Market, in Shenandoah County, and thence northeast
by Mount Jackson to Strasburg, where it turns east to Front Royal. The South Fork is formed by the union of North River, Middle River, and South River. North River and Middle River, running from the west, unite near Port Republic, in Rockingham County. South River rises in the southeastern part of Augusta, and
runs by Waynesboro, along the western base of the Blue Ridge, to
Port Republic, where it unites with the stream formed by the junction of the North and Middle Rivers. From Port Republic the
South Fork of the Shenandoah runs northeast, through the eastern
border of Rockingham and the county of Page, to Front Royal, in
Warren County.'
" The North Fork and South Fork are separated by the Massanutten Mountain, which is connected with no other mountain, but
terminates abruptly at both ends. Its northern end is washed at
its base, just below Strasburg, by the North Fork. Its southern
end terminates near the road between Harrisonburg and Conrad's
Store on the South Fork, at which latter place the road through
Swift Run Gap, in the Blue Ridge, crosses that stream. Two val-.
leys are thus formed, the one on the North Fork being called'The
Main Valley,' and the other on the South Fork, and embracing the
county of Page and part of the county of Warren, being usually
known by the name of'The Luray Valley.' The Luray Valley
unites with the main valley at both ends of the mountain. There
is a good road across Massanutten Mountain from one valley to the
other, through a gap near New Market. South of this gap there is
no road across the mountain, and north of it the roads are very rugged, and not practicable for the march of a large army with its
trains. At the northern or lower end of Massanutten Mountain,
and between two branches of it, is a valley called'Powell's Fort
Valley,' or more commonly'The Fort.' This valley is accessible
only by the very rugged roads over the mountain which have been
mentioned, and through a ravine at its lower end. From its isolated position, it was not the theatre of military operations of any
consequence, but merely furnished a refuge for deserters, stragglers,
and fugitives from the battle-fields.
"From Front Royal the Shenandoah River runs along the western base of the Blue Ridge to Harper's Ferry, where it unites
with the Potomac, which here bursts through the mountains. The




484                     Appendix.
mountain in extension of the range of the Blue Ridge from this
point through Maryland and Pennsylvania is called'South Mountain.'
"Strictly speaking, the county of Berkeley and the greater part
of Frederick are not in the Valley of the Shenandoah. The Opequon, rising southwest of Winchester, and crossing the Valley Pike
four or five miles south of that place, turns to the north and empties
into the Potomac some distance above its junction with the Shenandoah; the greater part of Frederick and nearly the whole of
Berkeley being on the western side of the Opequon.
"Little North Mountain, called in the lower valley'North
Mountain,' runs northeast through the western portions of Shenandoah, Frederick, and Berkeley counties to the Potomac. At its
northern end, where it is called North Mountain, it separates the
waters of the Opequon from those of Back Creek.
" Cedar Creek rises in Shenandoah County, west of Little North
Mountain, and, running northeast along its western base, passes
through that mountain four or five miles from Strasburg, and, then
making a circuit, empties into the North Fork of the Shenandoah
about two miles below Strasburg.
"The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad crosses the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and, passing through Martinsburg, in Berkeley County,
crosses Back Creek near its mouth, runs up the Potomac, crossing
the south branch of that river near its mouth, and then the North
Branch to Cumberland, in Maryland. From this place it runs into
Virginia again, and, passing through Northwestern Virginia, strikes
the Ohio River by two stems terminating at Wheeling and Parkersburg respectively.
"There is a railroad from Harper's Ferry to Winchester, called' The Winchester and Potomac Railroad,' and also one from Manassas Junction, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, through Manassas Gap in the Blue Ridge, by Front Royal and Strasburg, to
Mount Jackson, called'The Manassas Gap Railroad;' but both of
these roads were torn up and rendered unserviceable in the year
1862, under the orders of General Jackson.
"From Staunton, in Augusta County, there is a fine macadamized
road called'The Valley Pike,' running through Mount Sydney,
Mount Crawford, Harrisonburg, New Market, Mount Jackson, Edinburg, Woodstock, Strasburg, Middletown, Newtown, Bartonsville,
and Kearnstown to Winchester, in Frederick County, and crossing
Middle River seven miles from Staunton, North River at Mount
Crawford, eighteen miles from Staunton, the North Fork of the
Shenandoah at Mount Jackson, Cedar Creek, between Strasburg and




Appendix.                      485
Middletown, and the Opequon at Bartonsville, four or five miles
from Winchester. There is also another road west of the Valley
Pike, connecting these several villages, called the'Back Road,' and,
in some places, another road between the Valley Pike and the Back
Road, which is called the'Middle Road.'
"From Winchester there is a macadamized road, via Martinsburg, to Williamsport, on the Potomac, in Maryland, and another
via Berryville, in Clarke County, and Charlestown, in Jefferson
County, to Harper's Ferry. There is also a good pike from Winchester to Front Royal, which crosses both forks of the Shenandoah just above their junction; and from Front Royal there are good
roads up the Luray Valley, and by the way of Conrad's Store and
Port Republic, to Harrisonburg and Staunton.
"From Staunton south there are good roads passing through
Lexington in Rockbridge County, and Buchanan in Botetourt
County, to several points on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad,
and others direct from Staunton and Lexington to Lynchburg.
" The Central Railroad, from Richmond, passes through the Blue
Ridge, with a tunnel at Rock-fish Gap, and runs through Waynesboro and Staunton westwardly to Jackson's River, which is one of
the head streams of James River.
"This description of the country is given in order to render the
following narrative intelligible without too much repetition.
"In the spring of 1864, before the opening of the campaign, the
lower Shenandoah Valley was held by the'Federal troops under
Major General Sigel, with his head-quarters at Winchester, while
the upper Valley was held by Brigader General Imboden, of the
Confederate army, with one brigade of cavalry or mounted infantry, and a battery of artillery. When the campaign opened Sigel
moved up the Valley, and Major General Breckinridge moved from
Southwestern Virginia, with two brigades of infantry and a battalion of artillery, to meet him. Breckinridge, having united his
forces with Imboden's, met and defeated Sigel at New Market on
the 15th day of May, driving him back toward Winchester. Breckinridge then crossed the Blue Ridge, and joined General Lee at
Hanover Junction with his two-brigades of infantry and the battalion- of artillery. Subsequently the Federal General Hunter organized another and larger force than Sigel's, and moved up the
Valley, and on the 5th day of June defeated Brigadier General
William E. Jones at Piedmont, between Port Republic and Staunton, Jones's force being composed of a very small body of infantry,
and a cavalry force which had been brought from Southwestern
Virginia after Breckinridge's departure from the Valley. Jones




486                     Appendix.
was killed, and the remnant of his force, under Brigadier General
Vaughan, fell back to Waynesboro. Hunter's force then united
with another column which had moved from Lewisburg, in Western Virginia, under the Federal General Crook. As soon as information was received of Jones's defeat and death, Breckinridge
was sent back to the Valley with the force he had brought with
him."
THE CONQUERED BANNER.
BY FATHER RYAN.
FURL that: banner, for'tis weary;
Round its staff'tis drooping dreary;
Furl it-fold it-it is best,
For there's not a man to wave it,
And there's not a sword to save it,
And there's not one left to lave it
In the blood which heroes gave it,
And its foes now scorn and brave itFurl it-hide it-let it rest.
Furl that banner, for'tis tattered;
Broken is its staff, and shattered,
And the valiant hosts lie scattered
O'er whom it floated high.
Oh,'tis hard for us to fold it,
Hard that there is none to hold it,
Hard that those who once unrolled it
Now must furl it with a sigh.
Furl that'banner, furl it sadly;
Once ten thousands hailed it gladly,
And ten thousands wildly, madly
Swore it should forever wave.
Swore that foemen's swords should never
Hearts entwined like theirs disseverTill that flag should float forever
O'er their freedom or their graves.
Furl it, for the hands that grasped it,
And the hearts that fondly clasped it,




Apendix..                      487
Cold and dead are lying low;
And that banner it is trailing,
While around it sounds the wailing
Of its people in. their woe;
For, though conquered, they adore it;
Love the cold, dead hands that bore it;
Weep for those who fell before it;
Pardon those who trailed and tore it;
For oh, wildly we deplore it,
Now to furl and fold it so.
Furl that banner, for'tis gory,
Yet'tis wreathed around with glory,
And'twill live in song and story
Though its folds are in the dust;
For its fame on brightest pages,
Penned by poets and by sages,
Shall go sounding down the ages,
Furl its folds though now we must.
Furl that banner, furl it slowly;
Treat it gently-for'tis holy,
For it droops above our dead;
Touch it not-unfurl it neverLet it droop thus furled forever,
For its people's hopes are fled.
REPLY TO "THE CONQUERED BANNER."
BY SIR H. HOUGHTON, Bart., England.
GALLANT nation, foiled by numbers,
Say not that your hopes are fled;
Keep that. glorious flag that slumbers
One day to avenge your dead.
Keep it widowed, sonless mothers,
Keep it sisters, mourning brothersFurl it with an iron will;
Furl it now, but-keep it still.
Think not that its work is done.
Keep it till your children take it
Once again to hail and make it




488                     Appendix.
All their sires have bled and fought for,
All their noble hearts have sought for,
Bled and fought for all alone.
All alone! ay, shame the storyMillions here deplore the stainShame, alas! for England's gloryFreedom called, and called in vain.
Furl that banner sadly, slowly,
Treat it gently, for'tis holy,
Till that day-yes, furl it sadly,
Then once more unfurl it gladlyConquered banner, keep it still.
GETTYSBURG.
BY EDWARD WARREN, M.D., late Surgeon General, N. C.
FROM the hills of the West to the shores of the sea,
From the yellow Roanoke to the distant Pedee,
A wild wail of sorrow ascendeth on high
For the heroes who bleed, and the martyrs who die.
The hearts of our fathers are breaking with pain,
And the tears of our mothers descending like rain,
For the loved and the lost who homeward no more
Return from the field so red with their gore.
That banner of bars, which so proudly hath flown
Where the demon of carnage claimed all as his own,
Now droops in its gloom, while the cypress is seen
Entwined with the laurels on its glittering sheen.
The foemen exult as they bury the slain
Who fell in the charge on that terrible plain;
For G aif'sa brave sons-the pride of the SouthLie covered with glory at the dread cannon's mouth.
Ah! well may they gloat o'er the work they have done,
And boast of the field they so dearly have won,
When the hearts of such heroes forever are still
As fought at Manassas, and Malvern's proud hill;




Ap-pendix.                    489
And at Bethel and Sharpsburg, all reckless of death,
Came down on the foe like the hurricane's breath,
And scattered his legions o'er mountain and lea,
As the leaves of the forest or foam of the sea.
But hark! as we mourn for the " good and the true"For Marshall, Burgwin, and the brave Pettigrew,
Through forest and city, o'er river and plain,
A wild cry for vengeance re-echoes again.
For the noble old state —thank God for the sight!Is burning and arming once more for the fight;
And, dashing the tear from her sorrowing eye,
By Jehovah she swears to conquer or die.
Proud men of the North, from the rebels ye spurn,
A lesson of blood you will speedily learn;
And though jubilant now, beware! oh, beware!
For your boastings shall turn to wails of despair.
SOMEBODY'S DARLING.
BY A YOUNG LADY OF SAVANNAH.
INTO a ward of whitewashed walls,
Where the dead and the dying lay,
Wounded by bayonets, shells, and balls,
Somebody's darling was borne one day.
Somebody's darling, so young and so brave,
Wearing yet on his pale, sweet face,
Soon to be hid by the dust of the grave,
The lingering light of his boyhood's grace.
Matted and damp are the curls of gold
Kissing the snow of that fair young brow;
Pale are the lips of delicate mouldSomebody's darling is dying now.
Back from his beautiful blue-veined brow
Brush all the wandering waves of gold,
Cross his hands on his bosom nowSomebody's darling is still and cold.




490                    Appendix.
Kiss him once for somebody's sake,
Murmur a prayer soft and low;
One bright curl from its fair mates take —
They were somebody's pride, you know.
Somebody's hand hath rested thereWas it a mother's, soft and white?
And have the lips of a sister fair
Been baptized in their waves of light?
God knows best! he was somebody's love;
Somebody's heart enshrined him there;
Somebody wafted his name above,
Night and morn, on the wings of prayer.
Somebody wept when he marched away,
Looking so handsome, brave, and grand;
Somebody's kiss on his forehead lay,
Somebody clung to his parting hand.
Somebody's waiting and watching for him,
Yearning to hold him again to her heart;
And there he lies with his blue eyes dim,
And the smiling, childlike lips apart.
Tenderly bury the fair young dead,
Pausing to drop on his grave a tear;
Carve on the wooden slab over his head,
"Somebody's darling slumbers here."
IN a lecture recently delivered by Father Ryan on the condition
of the South, the following beautiful passages of prose and poetry
occur. He said:
"A land without ruins is a land without memories-a land without memories is a land without liberty. A land that wears a laurel crown may be fair to see; but twine a few sad cypress leaves
around the brow of any land, and be that land barren, beautiless,
and bleak, it becomes lovely in its consecrated coronet of sorrow,
and it wins the sympathy of the heart and of history. Crowns of
roses fade-crowns of thorns endure. Calvaries and crucifixions
take deepest hold of humanity —the triumphs of might are transient —they pass and are forgotten-the sufferings of right are
graven deepest on the chronicle of nations."




Appendix.                     491
"Yes, give me. the land where the ruins are spread,
And the living tread light on the hearts of the dead;
Yes, give me a land that is bless'd by the dust,
And bright with the deeds of the down-trodden just.
Yes, give me the land where the battle's red blast
Has flashed on the future the form of the past;
Yes, give me a land that hath legends and lays,
That tell of the memories of long vanished days;
Yes, give me the land that hath story and song,
To tell of the strife of the right with the wrong;
Yes, give me a land with a grave on each spot,
And names in the graves that, shall not be forgot;
Yes, give me the land of the wreck and the tombThere's grandeur in graves-there's glory in gloom;
For out of the gloom future brightness is born,
As after the night looms the sunrise of morn;
And the graves of the dead with the grass overgrown,
May yet form the footstool of liberty's throne,
And each single wreck in the war-path of might
Shall yet be a rock in the temple of right."
EARLY AND MOSBY-A STATEMENT CORRECTED.
THE following statement appears in General Early's Memoir of
his Valley Campaign, recently published:
" At Sharpsburg I had sent a message to Mosby by one of his
men, requesting him to cross the Potomac below Harper's Ferry,
cut the railroad and telegraph, and give information of the enemy
east of the ridge. He never crossed the river, and I received no
information from him."
This account of General Early is erroneous, for it was at Sharpsburg that General Early received a dispatch from Colonel Mosby
announcing the fact that he had already crossed the river below
Harper's Ferry (viz., at Point of Rocks), and had cut the telegraph,
and broken railroad communication between Harper's Ferry and
Washington. Colonel Mosby, as we have seen, crossed the river
about noon of the 4th of July at Point of Rocks, where the telegraph line and railroad are located, immediately on the river bank.
This movement was his own conception, as General Early had not
communicated the fact to him that he was moving down the Valley, and it was by an accident he heard of it. General Early, according to his own account, did not cross the river until the after



492                    Appendix.
noon of the 5th at Shepherdstown. On the morning of July 5th,
Colonel Mosby started Lieutenant Beattie and Henry Heaton with
a dispatch to General Early, informing him what he had done, and
offering the co-operation of his command with any movement he
had designed to make. Henry Heaton was selected for this service because he was personally well known to General Early as a
gentleman of intelligence, and from long residence in Loudoun
County, having a thorough local knowledge of the country in which
General Early was operating; in the capacity in which he acted as
a member of Colonel Mosby's command as a guide and scout, he
enjoyed peculiar advantages for acquiring information concerning
the enemy. Beattie and Heaton overtook General Early at Sharpsburg, delivered Colonel Mosby's note, and gave him all the information they had about the number and distribution of the enemy's
troops east of the Ridge. In order to recover their line of communication, the enemy had brought troops from Muddy Branch
below, Harper's Ferry above, and Frederick City; in addition to
this, a force under Major Forbes had come up from Fairfax, in Colonel Mosby's rear. In this critical condition, with one piece of artillery posted on the south bank, he kept the railroad communication broken until dark of the 5th. The day after Forbes's defeat,
Heaton and Beattie returned with an oral message from General
Early announcing his purpose to proceed on to Washington after
he had manoeuvred the enemy of Mgaryland Heights.
Colonel Mosby started once more for Maryland, but, when getting near the Potomac, saw the enemy still in possession of Maryland Heights. The whole of the enemy's force being between General Early and Colonel Mosby, it was almost impossible to find out
where Early was. The fact was, that Early had abandoned the
idea of manceuvring them off Maryland Heights, and marched farther north through Boonsboro Gap; but, while this movement of
his was going on, almost the entire cavalry force of the enemy was
kept on the river, below Harper's Ferry, to repel a crossing, and the
line of the Potomac was never uncovered in front of Colonel Mosby
until after the battle of Monocacy. Hence it would have been impossible for him to have reached the battle-ground, even if he had
been apprised of the movement of General Early, through Boonsboro Gap; but the first announcement he received of it was the
sound of the guns at the battle of Monocacy.
This note is compiled from a statement furnished me by Mr.
Heaton, is corroborated by Lieutenant Beattie, and is inserted at
the desire of Colonel Mosby.
THE END.