MOSBY S RANGERS 
 
Mosby s Rangers 
 
 A Record of the Operations of the Forty-Third 
 
 Battalion of Virginia Cavalry from its 
 
 Organization to the Surrender 
 
 By 
 
 JAMES J. WILLIAMSON 
 
 of Company A 
 
 SECOND EDITION 
 
 Revised and Enlarged 
 
 ILLUSTRATED 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 STURGIS & WALTON 
 COMPANY 
 
 1909 
 
Copyright 1895 
 BY JAMES J. WILLIAMSON 
 
 Copyright 1909 
 BY STURGIS & WALTON COMPANY 
 
 First Published Elsewhere 
 
 New Edition Revised and Augmented 
 
 Published June, 1909 
 
PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION 
 
 It is my purpose in this Revised Edition to correct errors, 
 supply omissions, and add such new material as I have 
 collected since its first publication In doing this I sought 
 the co-operation of my old comrades, asking them to call 
 my attention to any statements which they found at variance 
 with their knowledge of affairs, or where they may have 
 had better opportunities of learning the facts. 
 
 After the close of the war and the disbanding of our com* 
 mand, the survivors scattered over the country, some even 
 seeking refuge beyond the border, so that it was difficult 
 to ascertain the whereabouts of parties to obtain information 
 regarding affairs of which I had but few details. Even 
 when these were found it was sometimes hard to recon 
 cile contrary statements. Two persons, perfectly honest, 
 equally reliable, and either with or without prejudice, will 
 give different versions of the same occurrence, each view 
 ing it from his own standpoint. This is particularly 
 noticeable in recounting the details of a fight, where each 
 one usually has sufficient to demand attention in his own 
 immediate vicinity, and things may take place at a little 
 distance from him, or without his range of vision, unnoticed 
 by him, though plainly seen by others. Aware of this, I 
 have sought to get the statements of others, not only to 
 verify my own, but to add to my account what may have 
 escaped my observation or may be brought to my recollec 
 tion in this way. The reunions of these later years have 
 brought together the survivors and given an opportunity 
 of picking up many missing links. 
 
 There are no doubt many things yet which are not 
 mentioned in this work. I have had comrades say* "You 
 
 do not speak of a little affair which took place at 
 
 (naming time or place)." In the Good Book St. John 
 tells us, there are also many other things which if they 
 
 280171 
 
IV PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION 
 
 were written, every one, the world itself would not be able 
 to contain the books that should be written While I 
 would not make such a broad assertion as this, I can safely 
 say that the deeds of Mosby and his Men, if written every 
 one, would fill a much larger volume than the book before 
 you. 
 
 While the bulk of the command was on an excursion in 
 the Shenandoah Valley or in Fairfax, small squads would 
 be out in various directions ; consequently many occurrences 
 are not noted, and the affair omitted may in some instances 
 strike the participant as being- more important than others 
 here given. 
 
 In keeping a diary, which was the foundation of this 
 work, I simply followed a habit, which had become an 
 amusement, and at the time I had no thought of publishing. 
 Had I entertained a suspicion of this I would have been 
 more industrious in collecting data of important facts and 
 interesting incidents. I now see with regret where I could 
 have obtained a fund of entertaining matter, which I did 
 not even take pains to inquire into or make note of at the 
 time. So it is with us all, to a greater or less extent as 
 we grow older we all look back with regret at our lost 
 opportunities. 
 
PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 
 
 The object of this work is to put in durable form a record 
 of the exciting scenes and events in the career of Mosby s 
 Rangers, in most of which I was an humble actor, and to 
 preserve the memory of the gallant deeds of Colonel Mosby 
 and of his brave companions who shed their blood, and of 
 our heroic dead who gave up their lives, in the cause for 
 which we fought. 
 
 It is unnecessary at this late day to vindicate the military 
 career of Mosby, or to justify his taking up arms in obedi 
 ence to the call of his State. The falsehoods so industri 
 ously circulated concerning Mosby s Men during the excite 
 ment of the war by partisan newsmongers, who are often too 
 ready to pander to popular sentiment, without regard to 
 truth, have been forever set at rest by the many compli 
 mentary letters and notices regarding Mosby from Generals 
 Lee, Stuart, Grant and others Federal and Confederate. 
 
 The main events of the war have long since passed into 
 history, and will now be judged by unprejudiced minds, 
 that will award to all their just measure of commendation 
 or censure. 
 
 I have worked with an honest purpose. While I have 
 presented the facts, and have given the best versions I could 
 of matters from my standpoint, I have also deemed it only 
 fair to give the other side of the story, when obtainable, as 
 it is my desire to do justice to all, whether friend or foe. 
 
 This book is really the result of the habit of keeping a 
 diary. During my imprisonment in the spring of 1863, in 
 the Old Capitol prison in Washington, I kept a diary as a 
 means of whiling away the tedious hours of prison life. 
 After being exchanged, I joined Mosby in April, 1863, two 
 months before the organization of Company A, his first 
 company, and was with him until the surrender. The habit 
 
\ i PREFACE. 
 
 acquired while in prison still clung to me when I entered 
 upon the active life of a ranger. It then became a pleasure 
 to jot down the events that came under my observation or 
 that I heard related by my comrades or others. I soon 
 began to feel that my work was not completed until I had 
 noted down briefly what had happened during the day. 
 In this way my diary was kept sometimes written by the 
 wayside, sometimes by the camp-fire, sometimes in the quiet 
 of the fireside. As time went on, my interest in the record 
 increased, though it was kept simply as a matter of habit and 
 amusement not with any idea of publication. 
 
 In after years, realizing that I was growing old, and that 
 my old comrades were dropping off one after another, it 
 occurred to me that the surviving members of the command 
 might be interested in this little diary, if written up and put 
 in suitable form. My first idea, when preparing the manu 
 script, was to publish it as a magazine article, under the 
 title of " Leaves from the Diary of one of Mosby s Men." 
 Then I set about collecting portraits of officers and mem 
 bers of the command, in which I succeeded far beyond my 
 expectations. I also procured from the records of the War 
 Department, Official Federal Reports relating to many mat 
 ters, in order to give the Federal version The work grew 
 on my hands. 
 
 Meeting my old friend, Ralph B. Kenyon, the publisher, 
 about this time, and telling him what 1 contemplated, he 
 said that my record supplied too important a chapter of war 
 history to be hidden under such a title and published in 
 such a way, and an arrangement was soon made to print it 
 as a history of Mosby s Rangers. 
 
 Once in hand, no pains or expense have been spared to 
 make the work as complete as possible in all its details, so 
 that it might be not only an accurate and authentic record 
 of the doings of Mosby s Men, but that for the surviving 
 members it might be a souvenir of the old days. Whether 
 this has been accomplished or not, the book must speak for 
 itself. 
 
 I am glad of this opportunity to make grateful acknowl 
 edgment to many friends and comrades whose names and 
 
PREFACE. Ml 
 
 portraits appear in these pages, who have assisted me, both 
 in collecting pictures, and in furnishing details where my 
 record was imperfect or fragmentary. Among these I am 
 particularly under obligations to Mr. George S. Ayre, 
 Lieut. W. Ben Palmer, Charles H. Dear, Capt. Walter E. 
 Frankland, John H. Foster, Joseph W. Owen, Lieut. Chan- 
 ning Smith, John N. Ballard, Lieut. Joseph H. Nelson and 
 Zach. F. Jones. I have also drawn heavily on the pictorial 
 collections of James E. Taylor and Charles Hall, who were 
 both in the ranks of the Federal army, but who have since 
 proved my warm friends and earnest helpers " Enemies in 
 war; in peace, friends." 
 
 Ties of friendship were formed with companions in arms 
 which death alone can sever. It is with mingled emotions 
 of sadness and pleasure that we cast a fond, lingering look 
 back through the misty past, and re-enjoy in some measure 
 many happy hours, which, amid all the hardships and disap 
 pointments of those exciting times, appear in the retrospect 
 like green spots in the journey of life. 
 
 If this work will refresh the memory of my comrades and 
 thus enable them to live over again some of the old scenes, 
 and at the same time be the means of convincing our North 
 ern brothers that " Mosby s Men " were not quite so bad as 
 they have been represented to be, the hope of the author 
 will be realized. 
 
 J. J- w. 
 
 JERSEY CITY, N. J., 
 February, 1896. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Why I Joined Mosby Imprisoned in the Old Capitol at Washington Sent to the Parole 
 Camp near Petersburg and Exchanged I set out to find Mosby My First Sight of 
 Him Brief Sketch of His Life Mosby a Prisoner Promoted to a Captaincy in the 
 C. S. A. Mosby s First Detail Who " Mosby s Men" Were How they Lived and 
 How they Fought Regulars -vs. Partisans Guerrillas and Bushwhackers Jessie 
 Scouts Tributes to Mosby and His Men General Grant s Opinion of Mosby 
 Mosby s Tactics 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Raid on Fairfax Court House Capt. Walter E. Frankland s Reminiscences of His Early Days 
 with Mosby and Account of His Trip to the Camp of the Fifth New York Cavalry 
 with Sergeant Ames (Big Yankee) Col. Mosby s Graphic Description of the Raid on 
 Fairfax Court House and Capture of Gen. Stoughton Report of the Federal Provost- 
 Marshal at Fairfax Court House Gen. Stuart s Complimentary Order Mosby Pro 
 moted to the Rank of Major 27 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Guides and Scouts Capture Pickets near Herndon Station Chantilly Fight Fight at 
 Miskel s (Broad Run) Capture of First Virginia (Federal) Regiment at War^enton 
 Junction Mosby Defeated by the First Vermont and Fifth New York Cavalry and 
 Prisoners Recaptured Raiding Parties Hunting for Mosby " The Yankees are 
 Coming! "Skirmish near Blakeley s Grove Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry 
 Attempt to " Bushwhack " Mosby, but Catch their own Men in the Trap Capture of 
 Train and Fight at Catlett Station Death of Captain Hoskins 48 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Company A Organized Engagement at Seneca Mills Death of Capt. Brawner and Lieut. 
 Whitescarver Mosby Penetrates the Federal Lines and Captures Two Officers of 
 Hooker s Staff Alone he brings out Two Prisoners Great Cavalry Battle near 
 Upperville "Bushwhacked" near Swell s Chapel and Three of " Mosby s Men " 
 Wounded General Lee in Pennsylvania Mosby in Pennsylvania Lee Falls Back 
 After the Battle of Gettysburg Mead Follows Through Loudoun " Mosby s Men ? 
 in the Midst of the Federal Army Skirmishing in the Front and Picking up Sutlers 
 in the Rear Daring Dashes and Exciting Scenes Prison Camp in the Bull Run 
 Mountains Capture of Trains in Fairfax Fight at Gooding s Tavern Mosby 
 Wounded 69 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Attack Picket Post at Carter s Run Capture of Sutlers near Warrenton Mosby Recovering 
 from his Wounds Returns to the Command Scouting in Fairfax Company B 
 Organized Rich Haul of Sutlers near Alexandria Blessed are the Hungry for they 
 shall be Filled Characteristics of Mosby Transfers Capture near Chantilly Trains 
 Delayed and the Enemy well Stirred up Mosby Surrounded He Draws the Attention 
 of the Enemy while Lieut. Williams brings out the Command Safely A Scouting 
 Party of " Mosby s Men " used up by Baker s Rangers Harrover s Adventure His 
 Capture, Trial by Military Commission, Sentence, Escape and Return to his Command 
 - Capture of Wagon Train near Warrenton Capture of Two Correspondents of the 
 New York Herald 91 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Certificates of Membership Issued Deserters and Horse Thieves The Rangers Enter a 
 Wagon Camp near Warrenton Unhitch Mules but couldn t get them out Turner 
 and the Sutler Capture Five Wagons Loaded with Medical Stores near Bealeton 
 Station Federal Cavalry in Pursuit They Surround a House where some of Mosby s 
 Men stop and Richards fights his way out The "Charlie Binns Raid "- Good Haul 
 of Mules at Brandy Station Capture of Picket on Hazel River Company C Organized 
 Close of the Year 1863 105 
 
 8 
 
CONTENTS. 9 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 1864 A Detachment of Cole s Battalion Routed at Five Points, between Rectortown and 
 Middleburg Capture of Picket Post Third Pennsylvania Cavalry on Lee s Ridge 
 Captain Stringfellow Attack on Camp of Cole s Battalion on Loudoun Heights A* 
 Desperate Fight Repulse of Mosby Death of Capt. Smith and Lieut. Turner Mosby 
 Loses Many of his Bravest and Best Men 1 18 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Chapman in the Valley Picketing the Roads to Guard Against Raiding Parties Raid of 
 Gregg s Cavalry from Warrenton, Piloted by JohnCornweil Mosby now a Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Raid of Cole s Battalion Fight near Upperville Raid of the Second Massa 
 chusetts Cavalry and Fight near Dranesville Death of Capt. Read, Commanding the 
 Expedition 133 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Opening of the Spring Campaign of 1864 Mosby s Operations 375 Men Sent Out to Capture 6 
 of "Mosby s Men" Attack Patrol near Greenwich -Richards Captures Picket Post 
 near Charlestown Skirmish at Kabletown Breaking Up Distilleries A Prisoner 
 Escapes with Mosby s Favorite Horse Company D Organized Death of Lieut. 
 Trundle Death of Flannery Prepared to Receive Raiders Capture of Picket Post 
 near Hunter s Mill Capture of Lieut. Hunter and Wounding of Lieut. Nelson 
 Lieut. Richards Appointed to Command Company B Raid of the Federals from 
 Vienna and Fairfax Court House Several of " Mosby s Men " Killed, Wounded and 
 Captured 148 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The Federal Army under Grant Moving toward Fredericksburg -Mosby in their Rear 
 Captures Train near Belle Plain Richards and Chapman in the Valley in Sigel s Rear 
 Skirmish with the " Loudoun Rangers " at Waterford " Mosby s Men " in the 
 Valley Capture of Picket Post at Guard Hill !62 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 The Shenandoah Valley General Hunter s Brutal Orders Attack Train near Newtown 
 "Mosby s Confederacy" Bounds Prescribed- The Old Battle Field of Bull Run- 
 Capture Federal Cavalry near Chantilly Fight near Charlestown Capture of 
 Duffield Depot The Return from the Raid 171 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Fourth of July at Point of Rocks Crossing the Potomac Under Fire Capture Camp Cut Off 
 Telegraph and Railroad Communication with Washington Along the Potomac not 
 "All Quiet" Fight at Mount Zion Defeat and Capture of Major Forbes Mosby 
 in Maryland Burning Block Houses, Etc 184 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 General Early Falls Back from Maryland The Federal Forces under General Crook Follow 
 Through Loudoun Capture Picket Post at the " Big Poplar" Outrages in Loudoun 
 The Sixth Corps (Gen. Wright) Falling Back to Washington " Mosby s Men on 
 their Track 192 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 General Early again in Maryland Company E Organized Artillery Company Organized- 
 The Adamstown Raid Capture of Picket Post at Mouth of Monocacy Federal 
 Troops Stirred Up along the Potomac Trying to Cut Off Mosby s Men at the Fords 
 Company E in a Tight Place 197 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 General Early in Maryland Once More Sheridan Assumes Command in the Valley Mosby 
 on the Potomac In Fairfax Capture of Pickets Skirmish near Fairfax Station 
 Death of Captain Flemming Fight near Berryville Defeat of General Kenly and 
 Capture of Sheridan s Supply Train The Largest Capture Ever Made by Mosby 
 
10 CONTENTS. 
 
 Exciting Scenes The Pay master s Greenbacks Were There, but We Didn t Know It 
 The Result of the Capture A Heavy Blow to Sheridan, Compelling Him to Fall Back 
 to Harper s Ferry Vigilance and Activity of " Mosby s Men "Capture of the New 
 York Tribune Correspondent Lieut. Walker and All His Escort Killed or Captured 
 " Mosby s Men" in the Valley Capture Picket Post near Castleman s Ferry House- 
 burners at Work No Mercy for Helpless Women and Children No Quarter for 
 Incendiaries 203 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Burial of Lieut. William Martin Channing M. Smith Attack Camp at Annandale Shelling 
 Federal Camp The Federals "Held the Fort "The Eighth Illinois Sent Oo i to 
 " Exterminate Guerrillas "Sheridan Expresses the Hope that They Have " Cleaned 
 Out the Loudoun Valley " Another and More Formidable Expedition Planned The 
 Eighth Illinois and Sixteenth New York Raid Loudoun Poor Results Af tei 
 All In the Valley Chapman, with the Second Squadron, Routs the Sixth New York 
 Cavalry near Berry ville Lieut. Palmer Distinguishes Himself Jarman and Iden 
 Killed, and Lieut. Fox and Clay Ac ams Mortally Wounded Myers Ford First 
 Squadron Surprised by Blazer Lieut. Nelson and Others Wounded Mosby and 
 Richards Operating in Sheridan s Rear Joseph W. Owen Captures Two Ambulances 
 Loaded with Federal Infantry Crook s Ambulance Train " Stampeded by Six of 
 Mosby s Men " 217 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Company F Organized Mosby i:i Fairfax Enters Camp near Falls Church Mosby Again 
 Wounded, but Brought Out Safely Col. Gansevoort s Report of his Scout in Search 
 of Mosby Gen. Chapman s (Federal) Raid Chapman -vs. Chapman Skirmish in 
 Snicker s Gap and Recapture of Prisoners Capt. Chapman in the Valley With 
 Lieut. Fray, Ed. Hurst and a Few Other Bold Partisans, Makes a Series of Captures 
 " Gobbles Up " a Squad of Federal Officers and Gathers in Sutlers 231 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Chapman in the Valley Fight near Chester Gap Death of a Brave Federal 
 Officer Six of " Mosby s Men Murdered at Front Royal " Bob Ridley " and his 
 Dutch Prisoner Capt. Wm. Chapman s Fight with a Detachment of Seventeenth 
 Pennsylvania Cavalry Raiders at Piedmont Burning of Joe Blackwell s House 
 44 Mosby s Headquarters" Examining the Manassas Gap Railroad -Raiding Parties 
 Searching for Mosby They take a Sick Man Out of Bed, Strip and Examine Him for 
 Wounds" Mosby s Men " in the Valley 239 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Attempt to Reconstruct the Manassas Gap Railroad" First Completely Clean Out Mosby" 
 Mosby Returns to his Command, though not Entirely Recovered from his 
 Wounds Pushing Forward Federal Troops on the Railroad Fight at Salem and 
 Flight of Federals to Rectortown Shelling Camps Driving Back Trains Tearing 
 up and Destroying Tracks as Fast as Relaid Gen. Augur Arrives on the Scene 
 Heavy Force of Cavalry to Reinforce the Federal Infantry Death of Lieut. Ames 
 (Big Yankee) Capture of Courier and Escort with Dispatches in Ashby s Gap- 
 Death of Lieut. Bowie Mosby Still Annoys the Enemy Road in Working Order to 
 Piedmont, but Very Slow Work Trains Thrown Off the Track Attacks on Foraging 
 Parties Mosby Narrowly Escapes Capture 247 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Richards in the Valley Capture of Ambulance and Escort Col. Tolles, Sheridan s Chief 
 Quartermaster, and Dr. Ohlenschlager, Medical Inspector, Mortally Wounded 
 44 Jessie Scouts" "The Greenback Raid" Letting a Train Down Easy Capture 
 of Major Ruggles and Major Moore with $168,000 in Greenbacks Paymasters 
 Alarmed Capt. Chapman in Maryland Alarm Along the Potomac Skirmish with 
 the Loudoun Rangers Immense Loss to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Capture of 
 Mosby s Artillery Mosby in Fairfax Annandale Falls Church 259 
 
CONTENTS. I I 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Camping Out Shebangs Running Citi/en-s and " Guerrillas " on the Railroad Gen. Augin 
 Unable to Protect and Run the Road with all the Force at his Command Killing of 
 Jamison Ashby Mosby s Letter to Gen. Lee Indorsement by Gen. Lee and the 
 Secretary of War Attack on Foragers on the Piedmont Road- Richards in the 
 Valley Leslie s Special Artist Loses his Pie Mosby in Sheridan s Rear Capture 
 of Gen. Duffle- Attack Wagon Train on the Winchester Pike Capt. Frankland s 
 Fight with the Eighth Illinois near Upperville Repulse of " Mosby s Men" Atkins, 
 Davis, Carrington and Gulick Killed Murphy Takes his First Lesson from Harry 
 Hatcher 272 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 The Hanging of Willis Hipkins Saved by Half a Mule Letter of Instructions to Mosby 
 Retaliation -Drawing Lots The Drummer Bov The Execution Escape of Two 
 of the Prisoners Mosby Sends a Letter to Gen. Sheridan by Lieut. John Russell 
 Mosby s Letter The "Black Flag" 288 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Giving up the Attempt to Reconstruct the Manassas Gap Railroad, and Removing the Rails 
 to Repair the Winchester & Potomac Road Powell s Raid Inspection of "Mosby s 
 Men at Rectortown Company D in the Valley Skirmish between Winchester and 
 Newtown- Attacked by Blazer Death of Braxton and Bredell Blazer s Command 
 Who They Were The Struggle for the Mastery The First Squadron Sets Out in 
 Search of Blazer Fight Near Kabletown Defeat and Capture of Blazer Charles 
 McDonough Death of Lieut. Cole Prisoners to Richmond Lieut. Frank Turner in 
 the Valley Companies C and E in the Valley Capture and Recapture of Trains 
 Narrow Escape of Mosby Frank Angelo -Company D in Loudoun Chase of the 
 Loudoun Rangers Death of Capt. Montjoy Disbanding of Artillery Company- 
 Organization of Company G 298 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 General Merritt s Raid Through Loudoun Laying Waste " Mosby s Confederacy " Sheri 
 dan s Orders to Merritt The Work of Destruction Burning and Plunder Robbing 
 the Popr-House Welt Hatcher Shoots a Federal Officer in the Midst of his Men, 
 Thinking he was Custer Merritt s Report Crowninshield s Report 316 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Fight with a Detachment of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry near Millwood Death 
 of Capt. Miles Mosby Returns from Richmond a Full Colonel Win. H. Chapman 
 now Lieutenant-Colonel and A. E. Richards, Major Robt. S. Walker, Captain of 
 Company B Bush Underwood Operating in Fairfax Mosby again Wounded Left 
 by the Federals who Supposed his Wounds Mortal, he is Carried off Safely by his 
 Men Raiders Searching for Mosby Close of the Year 1864 325 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 1865 Rumors of Peace and War Companies C, E, F and G Sent to Northern Neck of Vir 
 giniaRichards on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Dash into Camp of Twelfth 
 Pennsylvania Cavalry Bush Underwood in Fairfax Federal Cavalry Visit Major 
 Richards House Narrow Escape of the Major and Companions The Federals 
 I Divide their Force One Party, Loaded Up with Apple Jack, had to be Sent Home, 
 
 and the Other, Less Fortunate, Badly Used Up by Mosby s Men " at Mount Carmel. 339 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 Battalion Sent Down Loudoun to Press Corn Attack Federal Patrol Below Vienna Raiders 
 from Rappahannock Pass Through Fauquier Lieut. Hatcher Taken Prisoner Col. 
 Reno with a Force from Harper s Ferry Sent to Drive Mosby Out of Loudoun Fight 
 at Harmony Following up Raiders Through Loudoun Capture of Quartermaster 
 James 352 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 Company H Organized They Start out to Distinguish Themselves Attack and Rout the 
 Loudoun Rangers News of the Fall of Richmond and Surrender of Gen. Lee Capt. 
 Robert S. Walker Sent South to Learn the True State of Affairs Companies A and 
 B in the Valley Companies D and H in Fairfax Skirmish at Arundels 364 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 Gen. Hancock Calls on Mosby to Surrender and Sends Circular to Citizens Companies 
 Return from Northern Neck Lieut. -Col. Chapman Goes to the Valley with a Flag 
 of Truce A Truce Between the Federals and Mosby s Command Mosby Determines 
 to Disband his Command, but Refuses to Surrender to Gen. Hancock.. 373 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 Disbanding of "Mosby s Men" Mosby s Farewell to his Men Parting of Old Friends and Com 
 rades To Winchester to be Paroled Our Reception by the Federals Mosby goes South, 
 but Finding the Cause Hopeless Accepts the Situation and is Paroled 392 
 
From a Recent Photograph 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Why I Joined Mosby Imprisoned in the Old Capitol at Washington Sent to the Parole Camp 
 near Petersburg and Exchanged I set out to find Mosby My First Sight of Him 
 Brief Sketch of his Life Mosby a Prisoner Promoted to a Captaincy in. the C. S. A. 
 Mosby s First Detail Who " Mosby s Men" Were How they Lived and How they 
 Fought Regulars vs. Partisans Guerrillas and Bushwhackers Jessie Scouts Tributes 
 to Mosby and his Men General Grant s Opinion of Mosby Mosby s Tactics. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1863, after an imprisonment of 
 some months in the Old Capitol, at Washington, which 
 had been converted into a political prison, the writer 
 was sent, together with a number of others, via Fortress 
 Monroe and City Point, to the Parole Camp at Model 
 Farm Barracks, near Petersburg, where we were detained 
 about two weeks until exchanged. 
 
 Among the acquaintances I had made in prison were 
 six young men who, like myself, being denied the 
 privilege of returning to their homes, had determined to 
 unite their fortunes with Captain Mosby, who was then 
 making a reputation by his dashing and successful exploits. 
 The injustice of my imprisonment and the arbitrary and 
 partisan oath offered me as a condition of release, alien 
 ated or rather hardened my feelings, so that I readily 
 joined this party, and together we started in search of 
 the daring ranger. 
 
 Journeying from Petersburg to Gordonsville by railroad, 
 we proceeded thence on foot through the country to that 
 portion of Virginia occupied by Mosby. 
 
 When we reached the little town of Upperville, in 
 Fauquier County, we learned there was to be a meeting 
 of " Mosby s Men " at that place on the following day. 
 So after a night s rest and breakfast in the morning, we 
 
14 . .V MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 walked out through the town and saw them coming in 
 from various directions. 1 
 
 Soon I beheld Mosby himself. From the accounts which 
 I had heard and read of him, I expected to see a man 
 such as novelists picture when describing some terrible 
 brigand chief. I was therefore somewhat surprised when 
 one of my companions pointed to a rather slender, but 
 
 
 CAPTAIN JOHN S. MOSBY. 
 
 From a Photograph taken in Richmond, Va., in January, 1863, when 
 
 starting on his Partisan career. He wore this uniform the night 
 
 he captured General Stoughton, March 8, 1863. 
 
 wiry looking young man of medium height, with light 
 hair, keen eyes and pleasant expression, who was restlessly 
 walking up and down the street, and said : 
 " There is Mosby. * 
 
 1 My companions were : John H. Barnes, Frank Fox, Philip Lee, Thomas 
 Lee, Charles Ratcliffe and Albert Wrenn. 
 
MOSBY S RANGF.RS. 15 
 
 I could scarcely believe that the slight frame before 
 me could be that of the man who had won such military 
 fame by his daring. 
 
 John Singleton Mosby was born at Edgemont, Powhatan 
 County, Virginia, December 6, 1833. His father was Alfred 
 D. Mosby, of Amherst County, and his mother, Virginia I., 
 daughter of Rev. Mr. McLaurin, an Episcopal minister. He 
 graduated at the University of Virginia, and began the study 
 of law. After completing his studies he settled in Bristol, a 
 small town on the boundary line of Virginia and Tennessee, 
 where he successfully practiced his profession. He married 
 Miss Pauline Clarke, daughter of Hon. Beverly J. Clarke, 
 of Kentucky, formerly United 
 States Minister to Central Amer 
 ica, and at one time a Member of 
 Congress. 
 
 At the commencement of the 
 war Mosby was engaged in the 
 practice of law. He entered the 
 army as a private in a cavalry 
 company, the Washington Mount 
 ed Rifles, commanded by Capt. 
 William E. Jones (afterwards 
 General Jones). This company 
 was incorporated in the First 
 Regiment Virginia Cavalry, 
 Captain Jones being promoted GENERAL \VM. E. JONES, c. s. A. 
 
 tO the COmmand, and Mosby From a War-time photograph. 
 
 was appointed Adjutant of the 
 
 regiment. By the reorganization of the regiment Colonel 
 Jones was thrown out, and consequently his adjutant relieved 
 of duty. Mosby was then chosen by Gen. J. E. B. Stuart 
 as an independent scout. 
 
 He was the first to make the circuit of the Federal Army 
 while in front of Richmond, thereby enabling General Stuart 
 to make his celebrated raid around the entire army of 
 General McClellan, on which occasion Mosby went as 
 guide. 
 
 Feeling that there was a wide field for the successful 
 
i6 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 career as a partisan which he had mapped out for himself, 
 Mosby urged General Stuart to give him a small detail of 
 men with which to operate until he could enlist a command. 
 While he met with a refusal of this request, he was given a 
 letter recommending him to General Jackson, then in the 
 vicinity of Gordonsville. 
 
 It happened that Gen. Rufus King, who was in command 
 of the Federal forces at Fredericksburg at this time, was 
 ordered by General Pope to send out a raiding party for 
 the purpose of destroying as much as possible the Virginia 
 Central Railroad, and so interrupt communication between 
 Richmond and the Valley. Mosby encountered this party 
 near Beaver Dam, was captured by the Second New York 
 Cavalry, u Harris Light," Col. J. Mansfield Davies, and sent 
 as a prisoner to Washington. 
 
 After his release from the Old Capitol, and while on the 
 prison transport awaiting exchange, Mosby saw the trans- 
 
 OLD CAPITOL PRISON AT WASHINGTON. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. \J 
 
 ports bringing Burnside s forces from the South, and learned 
 from conversations on board the prison boat that the troops 
 were destined for Fredericksburg to unite with Pope; then 
 on the Rapidan, and not to reinforce McClellan. As soon 
 as the exchange was effected, Mosby hastened to Richmond 
 and imparted this information to General Lee, who immedi 
 ately dispatched a courier to General Jackson. The result 
 was the battle of Cedar Mountain. 
 
 How well Mosby performed his duty as a scout is shown 
 by the following : 
 
 " Special Order No. 82. 
 
 " His Excellency the President has pleased to show his 
 appreciation of the good services and many daring exploits 
 of the gallant John S. Mosby by promoting the latter to a 
 captaincy in the Provisional Army of the Confederate 
 States. 
 
 " The General commanding is confident that this mani 
 festation of the approbation of his superiors will but serve 
 to incite Captain Mosby to still greater efforts to advance 
 the good of the cause in which we are engaged. He will 
 at once proceed to organize his command as indicated in 
 the letter of instructions this day furnished to him from this 
 Headquarters. 
 
 " By command of General R. E. Lee : 
 
 " W. W. TAYLOR, A. A. G." 
 
 The winter of 1863, about the time Mosby was budding 
 into notoriety, was a season of remarkable activity for the 
 Confederate cavalry. Their bold and successful raids and 
 daring attacks and surprises had filled the breasts of the 
 young cavaliers with most romantic visions and ardent de 
 sires to enter upon this life of wild adventure. Stuart s 
 brilliant achievements, General Imboden s forays in the Shen- 
 andoah Valley, Fitzhugh Lee on the Rappahannock, Gen. 
 William E. Jones attack and rout of Milroy s Cavalry in 
 the Valley, the daring raids of Major E. V. White and his 
 Loudoun Rangers along the Potomac, and the dashes of 
 Captain Randolph, with his famous Black Horse Cavalry, 
 furnished material for stories which read like the deeds of 
 heroes of romance, and charmed the little groups around the 
 firesides of cabin and hall. 
 
18 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 At first a few men from the First Regiment Virginia 
 Cavalry 2 were detailed to act with Mosby, but he soon suc 
 ceeded in obtaining a sufficient number of volunteers, and 
 the detailed men were then, with a few exceptions, sent back 
 to their commands. 
 
 " Mosby s Men," when not on duty, were mostly scattered 
 through the counties of Loudoun and Fauquier 3 . There 
 
 were few indeed, even 
 among the poorest mount 
 aineers, who would refuse 
 shelter and food to Mosby s 
 Rangers. 
 
 Having no camps, they 
 made their homes at the 
 farm houses, especially those 
 along the Blue Ridge and 
 Bull Run Mountains. Cer 
 tain places would be desig 
 nated at which to meet, but 
 if no time or place had been 
 named at a former meeting, 
 or if necessary to have the 
 command together before a 
 time appointed, couriers 
 were despatched through 
 the country and the men 
 thus notified. 
 
 Scouts were out at all 
 times in Fairfax, or along the Potomac, or in the Shenandoah 
 
 5 Mosby s first detail was composed of 15 men from the First Virginia 
 Cavalry: Fountain Beattie, Charles Buchanan, Christopher Gaul, William L. 
 Hunter, Edward S. Hurst, Jasper Jones, William Jones, William Keys, 
 Benjamin Morgan, George Seibert, George M. Slater, Daniel L. Thomas, 
 Thomas Turner, Charles Wheatly and John Wild. 
 
 8 Loudoun County was originally a portion of Fairfax, and was named in 
 honor of the Earl of Loudoun, Commander of the Military Affairs in America 
 during the latter part of the French and Indian war. The middle of the 
 county, southwest of Waterford and west of Leesburg, was settled mostly by 
 emigrants from the Middle States, many of them being Friends or Quakers, and 
 that section was generally spoken of as the " Quaker Settlement." That part 
 northwest of Waterford was originally settled by Germans. 
 
 Fauquier Coiinty was formed in 1759 from Prince William, and took its name 
 from Francis Fauquier, Governor of Virginia from 1758 to 1767. 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. ELIJAH V. WHITE. 
 
 35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry. 
 
 "White s Battalion." 
 
MOSBYS RANGERS. 19 
 
 Valley. Whenever an opening was seen for successful op 
 erations, couriers were sent from headquarters and in a few 
 hours a number of well-mounted and equipped men were at 
 a prescribed rendezvous ready to surprise a picket, cap 
 ture a train or attack a camp or body of cavalry. After 
 a raid the men scattered, and to the Federal cavalry in pur 
 suit it was like chasing a Will-o -the-Wisp. 
 
 The command was composed chiefly of young men from 
 Fairfax and the adjoining counties, with some Marylanders, 
 many of whom had been arrested and imprisoned or had 
 suffered injuries and injustice at the hands of the Federal 
 government or the invading army. It was the custom of 
 many Federal officers to retaliate upon defenseless citizens 
 for injuries inflicted upon them by Confederate soldiers, and 
 can any one feel surprised at " Mosby s Men " taking up 
 arms to protect themselves or to avenge their wrongs? 
 
 A large number lived in that portion of Virginia and 
 Maryland where Mosby was operating, and naturally pre 
 ferred serving with him, as they were kept nearer home and 
 could enjoy the privilege of seeing their families. 
 
 There was always a little jealousy existing between the 
 cavalry and infantry, many of whom lost no opportunity of 
 having a thrust at their rivals. Illustrative of this ran the 
 old joke of the day which will be remembered by the sur 
 vivors of the war : 
 
 An old straggling infantryman, trudging wearily on the 
 road, was overtaken by a cavalryman riding briskly along, 
 who called out : 
 
 " Hurry up there, old web-foot ; the Yankees are coming." 
 
 " Did you see em, Mister ? " queried the infantryman. 
 
 " Yes; they are coming on right behind us," replied the 
 trooper. 
 
 " Say, Mister, wus your hoss lame, or wus your spurs 
 broke?" retorted the web-foot. 
 
 So also the regular cavalry, viewing the comparative 
 freedom of the life of the Partisan Ranger in contrast with 
 the dull routine and more rigid discipline of camp life, 
 sometimes gave vent to their feelings, and half in jest and 
 half in earnest would banter the Rangers, calling them 
 
20 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 " Carpet Knights" or <k Feather-bed Soldiers " but when 
 a sacrifice was required, the " Carpet Knights " shed their 
 blood and gave up their lives as freely as did the Knights of 
 old in the palmiest days of chivalry. 4 
 
 4 The attention of the Con 
 federate authorities was fi 
 nally called to this matter. 
 
 General Thomas L. Rosser, 
 writing to General Lee regard 
 ing the efficiency and useful 
 ness of the Partisan Rangers, 
 January n, 1864, says : "The 
 effect on the service is bad 
 ard should be corrected, be 
 cause : 
 
 " First. It keeps men out 
 of the service whose bayonet 
 or sabre should be counted on 
 the field of battle when the 
 life or death of our country 
 is the issue. 
 
 " Second. They cause great 
 dissatisfaction in the ranks 
 from the fact that these irreg 
 ular troops are allowed so 
 much latitude, so many privi 
 leges. They sleep in houses 
 and turn out in the cold only 
 when it is announced by their 
 chief that they are to go upon 
 a plundering expedition. 
 
 "Third. It renders other 
 troops dissatisfied ; hence encourages desertion." 
 
 General Rosser suggested as a remedy " placing all men on the same footing 
 who are of the same rank. If it is necessary for troops to operate within the 
 lines of the enemy, then require the commanding officer to keep them in an 
 organized condition, to rendezvous within our lines, and move upon the 
 enemy when opportunity is offered." 
 
 With all due respect to General Rosser, it is a certainty that had his remedy 
 been applied to " Mosby s Men " it would have accomplished, in an incredibly 
 short space of time, what the Federals, with all the resources at their command, 
 after the most persistent efforts failed to accomplish the destruction of Mosby s 
 command. As Mosby expressed it : 
 
 " My men had no camps. If they had gone into camp they would soon have 
 all been captured. They would scatter for safety and gather at my call like 
 the Children of the Mist." 
 
 General Rosser s letter was forwarded with the following indorsement by 
 General Stuart : 
 
 " Major Mosby s command is the only efficient band of rangers I know of, 
 
 BR1G.-GEN. THOMAS L. ROSSER, C. S. A. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 2 I 
 
 The sabre was no mvorite with Mosby s men they looked 
 upon it as an obsolete weapon and very few carried car 
 bines. In the stillness of the night the clanking of the 
 sabres and the rattle of the carbines striking against the 
 saddles could be heard for a great distance, and would often 
 betray us when moving cautiously in the vicinity of the 
 Federal camps. We sometimes passed between camps but 
 a few hundred yards apart. We would then leave the hard 
 roads where the noise of the horses hoofs would attract at 
 tention and, marching through the grassy fields, take down 
 bars or fences and pass quietly through. The carbine was 
 for long range shooting. With us the fighting was mostly 
 at close quarters and the revolver was then used with deadly 
 effect 
 
 I well remember on one occasion, when falling back before 
 the Federal advance on the Little River Turnpike, alter 
 nately halting and retreating, the monotony varied only by 
 an occasional long range shot, brave, bluff Lieut. Harry 
 Hatcher impatiently exclaimed to a superior officer : " If you 
 are going to fight, fight; and if you are going to run, run; 
 but quit this d- n nonsense." 
 
 Regarding the custom of our Northern brethren, when 
 speaking of " Mosby s Men," to use the terms u guerrillas," 
 
 and he usually operates with only one-fourth of his nominal strength. Such 
 organizations, as a rule, are detrimental to the best interests of the army at 
 large." 
 
 On the 2ist of January, 1864, General Lee writes Hon. James A. Seddon, 
 Secretary of War, recommending Mosby s promotion to be lieutenant-colonel, 
 and adds : 
 
 " I do this in order to show him that his services have been appreciated, and 
 to encourage him to still greater activity and zeal." 
 
 General Lee, in a letter to General Cooper, April i, 1864, after enumerating 
 the organizations of Partisan Rangers, says : 
 
 " Lieutenant-Colonel Mosby has done excellent service, and from the reports 
 of citizens and others I am inclined to believe that he is strict in discipline 
 and a protection to the country in which he operates. . . . With 
 the single exception mentioned [Mosby], I hope the order will be issued at 
 once disbanding the companies and battalions [partisan rangers] serving in 
 this department." 
 
 Secretary of War Seddon s indorsement on these papers reads : 
 
 " Mosby s and McNeill s commands I prefer to have retained as partisan 
 rangers. In respect to the others Major Melton s suggestions are approved." 
 
22 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 "bushwhackers," 5 "freebooters, and the like, I will only 
 say that Mosby s command was regularly organized and 
 mustered into the Confederate service on the same footing 
 with other troops, except that being organized under the 
 . : .. ", ;\_ .. Partizan Ranger Law, an 
 
 act passed by the Confeder 
 ate Congress, they were al 
 lowed the benefit of the law 
 applying to Maritime prizes. 
 All cattle and mules were 
 turned over to the Confeder 
 ate Government, but horses 
 captured were distributed 
 among the men making the 
 capture. When it is borne 
 in mind that the men had to 
 arm, equip and support them 
 selves, this did not leave a 
 very heavy surplus, as we re 
 ceived but little aid from the 
 government. The " Green 
 back Raid" was the only 
 one that brought in any great 
 
 " TOBE " FARR, Co. B. 
 From photograph taken soon after the War. 
 
 5 In the Official Records of the War, published by order of Congress, Vol. 
 XLIII, Part I, page 929, will be found this order from John S. Schultze, Major 
 and Assistant Adjutant-General to Capt. Samuel Walker, dated Chambersburg, 
 Pa., August 26, 1864: 
 
 "The commanding general requests that you get your company together, 
 and with axes and rifles proceed to defend the roads through the gap between 
 Fannettsburg and Burnt Cabins. . . . Have the roads above mentioned 
 made inaccessible by felling trees and other obstructions, and thus defend the 
 same by bushwacking, etc. 
 
 Also, the following : 
 " CIRCULAR.] . HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SUSQUEHANNA, 
 
 "Pittsburg, Pa., August 4, 1864. 
 To the People of the Southern Tier of Counties of Pennsylvania : 
 
 "Your situation is such that a raid by the enemy is not impossible at any 
 time during the summer and coming fall. I therefore call upon you to put 
 your rifles and shotguns in good order, also supplying yourselves with plenty 
 of ammunition. Your corn-fields, mountains, forests, thickets, buildings, &c., 
 furnish favorable places for cover, and at the same time enable you to kill the 
 marauders, recollecting if they come it is to plunder, destroy and burn your 
 property. " D. N. COUCH, 
 
 " Major-General Commanding Department" 
 
 Was bushwhacking legitimate warfare in Pennsylvania and not in Virginia? 
 or is it a case .where the old darkey s logic applies : "It makes a big diffrens 
 whose hogs are in de co nfield and whose co n dey are eatin ?" 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 23 
 
 return, and there were only about eighty men who reaped 
 the benefit of it, as the proceeds of a capture went directly 
 to the men making it. The acquisition of arms and accou 
 trements, or even horses, did not make the men wealthy. 
 Wagons and supplies were destroyed, though of course the 
 men were allowed to appropriate anything they chose be 
 fore destroying the captured stores. 
 
 Mosby was acting under direct orders of General Stuart 
 up to the time of his death, and then under General Lee, and 
 was independent only in the sense that both Lee and Stuart 
 had such confidence in him that they permitted him to act 
 on his own discretion. In fact it would have been folly to 
 hamper him with orders or place him under restrictions 
 when he was so far separated from the main army, and at 
 times so situated that he could with difficulty communicate 
 with his superiors. 
 
 It has been charged that " Mosby s Men went in the dis 
 guise of Federal soldiers. Such was not the case. They 
 never masqueraded in the uniforms of Federals, except that 
 through force of circumstances men at times wore blue 
 overcoats captured by them from Federal cavalry. This was 
 done because they could get no others. The Confederate 
 government did not, or could not at all times provide proper 
 clothing, and our soldiers were compelled to wear these to 
 protect themselves from the cold. Rubber blankets were 
 common to both armies and when one was worn it com 
 pletely hid the uniform. 
 
 The " Jessie Scouts " of the Federal army, however, will 
 be well remembered by the soldiers of both armies. They 
 dressed in the regular Confederate uniform, which they 
 wore for the purpose of deceiving our men. 6 
 
 6 Colonel Lazelle, of Sixteenth New York Cavalry, replying to a request 
 from Sheridan concerning information sent headquarters, says it "was ob 
 tained from Elkton from several citizens who talked freely to our men, under 
 the impression that they were rebels, as they were disguised * 
 
 And Lieutenant Shuttleworth in his report to Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, 
 commanding the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry, says : " I adopted the following 
 order of march : First, F. A. Warthen, Company D, of your regiment, dressed 
 in full Confederate uniform, as scout, followed by an advance of eight men 
 familiar with the country." [See Appendix, XXVI.] 
 
24 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Dr. Monteiro, in his very entertaining volume of reminis 
 cences of Mosby s command, 7 says : 
 
 " Every man knew that the slightest suspicion of dis 
 honesty or cowardice would consign him at once to the 
 disgrace of expulsion ; and although there must have been 
 the usual modicum of human meanness always found in a 
 given number of human beings, I am enabled to say after 
 three years of active field service in the regular army that 
 I have never witnessed amongst eight hundred men and 
 officers more true courage and chivalry, or a higher sense 
 of honor blended with less vice, selfishness and meanness 
 than I found during my official intercourse with the Partisan 
 Battalion." 
 
 To this I will add a tribute, which will certainly be re 
 garded as unprejudiced. In the Life of Gen. Sheridan 8 , on 
 page 314, in speaking of old rosters, the author says: 
 
 " But one of the most remarkable of Confederate cav 
 alrymen is never named in these rosters. Yet he held, 
 having won it fairly, the comission of Colonel. John S. 
 Mosby, the partisan leader of Northern Virginia, deserves 
 a place in any reference to the doings and deeds of the Con 
 federate troopers. He deserves it because he is a man of char 
 acter enough to win the respect of his foe, and since the war 
 closed to have induced General Grant to write of him as 
 follows, after having appointed him Consul to Hong Kong : 9 
 Since the close of the war I have come to know Mosby 
 personally and somewhat intimately. He is a different man 
 entirely Irom what I supposed. He is slender, not tall, 
 wiry, and looks as if he could endure any amount of physi 
 cal exercise. He is able and thoroughly honest and truth 
 ful. There were probably but few men in the South who 
 
 7 War Reminiscences by the Surgeon of Mosby s Command. A. Monteiro, 
 M. D., Richmond, 1890. 
 
 8 The Life of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan. Its Romance and Reality. By 
 Frank A. Burr, of the Second Michigan Cavalry and Richard J. Hinton, of the 
 U. S. Colored Troops. J. A. & R. A. Reid, publishers. Providence, R. I., 1888. 
 
 9 Referring to the disputed point of who signed his commission as consul 
 to Hong Kong, Colonel Mosby said to the Washington Correspondent of the 
 Brooklyn Eagle: "It is not worth while for me to deny that General Grant 
 ever appointed me to office, because if I were to state such a thing there would 
 be any number of people who would be willing to swear that he did send me 
 to Hong Kong. But the fact of the matter is I never received any commission 
 for office from General Grant. He offered it to me as soon as the election was 
 over, but I declined, as I then had a large law practice in Virginia and did 
 not want any public office. President Hayes again offered me the position 
 and I then decided to accept it." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 25 
 
 could have commanded successfully a separate detachment 
 in the rear of an opposing army, and so near the borders of 
 hostilities as long as he did without losing his entire com 
 mand. (Grant s Memoirs, Vol. II, p. 142.) 
 
 "Perhaps nothing will illustrate Mosby s intelligence as a 
 soldier and the amount he accomplished better than his own 
 statement of the theory upon which he acted as a partisan 
 leader, and the recognition of his services in that capacity 
 which he received from his superiors. Of the first, Colonel 
 Mosby says that he was never a spy 10 , and that his warfare 
 was always such as the laws of war allow. He epitomizes 
 his theory of action as follows : As a line is only as strong 
 as its weakest point, it was necessary for it to be stronger 
 than I was at every point in order to resist my attacks. 
 
 . . . To destroy supply trains, to break up the means 
 of conveying intelligence and thus isolating an army from 
 its base, as well as its different corps from each other, to 
 confuse plans by capturing dispatches, are the objects of 
 partisan warfare. . . . The military value of a partisan s 
 work is not measured by the amount of property destroyed, 
 or the number of men killed or captured, but by the num 
 ber he keeps watching. Every soldier withdrawn from the 
 front to guard the rear of an army is so much taken from its 
 fighting strength." 
 
 After Mosby had attracted attention by his daring achieve 
 ments, men came from all parts of the country to join him. 
 Officers resigned positions in the regular army and came to 
 Mosby to serve as privates ; even the famed armies of the 
 the Old World were not without representatives in his 
 ranks. Although a dangerous service, there was a fascina 
 tion in the life of a Ranger ; the changing scenes, the wild 
 adventure, and even the dangers themselves exerted a seduc 
 tive influence which attracted many to the side of the dash 
 ing partisan chief. 
 
 An Austrian General speaking of Napoleon I., said indig 
 nantly : 
 
 " This beardless youth ought to have been beaten over and 
 over again ; for who ever saw such tactics ? The blockhead 
 knows nothing of the rules of war. To-day he is in our rear, 
 to-morrow in our flank and the next day in our front. Such 
 
 10 The words "scout" and "spy" are incorrectly used by some writers as 
 synonymous terms. 
 
26 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 gross violations of the established principles of war are in 
 sufferable." 
 
 But Napoleon was generally successful. Mosby, disre 
 garding established rules, fought upon a principle which his 
 enemies could neither discover nor guard against. He was 
 in their front, in their rear, on their flank at one place to 
 day, and to-morrow in their camps at a point far distant. 
 By his enemies he was thought to be almost ubiquitous. 
 What he lacked in numbers he compensated for by the 
 celerity of his movements and the boldness of his attacks. 
 He generally fought against odds often great odds ; seldom 
 waited to receive a charge, but nearly always sought to 
 make the attack. 
 
 A Federal officer whom we captured when Meade s army 
 followed Lee into Virginia after the battle of Gettysburg, 
 said : " Yesterday I heard our cavalry were chasing you in 
 our front, and who would expect to find you this morning 
 in the very midst ol our army ?" 
 
 BOOTS AND SADDLES. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 March, 1863 Raid on Fairfax Court-House - Captain Walter E. Frankland s Reminiscences of his 
 early days with Mosby and Account of his Trip to the Camp of the Fifth New York 
 Cavalry with Sergeant Ames (" Big Yankee") Colonel Mosby s Graphic Description of the 
 Raid and Capture of General Stoughton Report of the Federal Provost Marshal at Fair 
 fax Court-House General Stuart s Complimentary Order Mosby Promoted to the rank 
 of Major. 
 
 Mosby s growing fame was greatly increased by the 
 capture of Brigadier-General Stoughton, at Fairfax Court- 
 House, on the night of March 8, 1863. This bold enterprise 
 was effected by Mosby, who penetrated the Federal lines 
 with 29 men and succeeded in bringing off his captures 
 without loss or injury. 
 
 The raid on Fairfax Court-House and capture of General 
 Stoughton was accomplished a short time previous to my 
 joining Mosby, but being one of the most important events 
 in the history of our command, I make it a prominent 
 feature. 
 
 Capt. Walter E. Frankland has given me the following 
 very interesting narrative, embracing reminiscences of his 
 first days with Mosby, the desertion of Sergeant Ames (" Big 
 Yankee") and the particulars of his visit to the camp of the 
 Fifth New York Cavalry in company with Ames, which 
 occurred just one week prior to and suggested the capture 
 of General Stoughton : 
 
 Captain Walter E. Frankland s Narrative. 
 
 Having served as private in the " Warrenton Rifles," Co. 
 K, Seventeenth Virginia Infantry, from Sunday, April 2ist, 
 1 86 1, until late in 1862, when I was honorably discharged at 
 Richmond, where I had been on detached duty in the Pro 
 vost Marshal s Office several months, I started with a friend, 
 George Whitescarver, to join Col. E. V. White s Cavalry, 
 then in Loudoun. After spending several weeks among his 
 relatives in Upper Fauquier, Whitescarver and I, about 
 February 10, 1863, were joined at Salem (now Marshall) by 
 Joseph H. Nelson, and at sundown that evening we three 
 drew up at the hospitable home of James H. Hathaway. A 
 
 27 
 
28 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 little later in the evening- a lone horseman, Frank Williams, 
 rode up, and was also welcomed to its cordial entertainment. 
 I little dreamed that the life-ties born at that supper table, 
 where most of us first met, were destined to bind us through 
 scenes of blood and years of strife and peace. 
 
 We four Nelson and Williams mounted, Whitescarver 
 and myself afoot resolved to go together to Loudoun and 
 fulfill my original purpose, when, for the first time, we were 
 told by Mr. Hathaway of a private scout named Mosby, who 
 had made several successful attacks on the Federal pickets 
 with a detail of fifteen men of Stuart s Cavalry ; and they 
 were to meet the next day at Rector s X Roads to make 
 another raid. At Mr. Hathaway s earnest suggestion we 
 concluded to see Mosby the next day before joining White s 
 command. 
 
 We set out after an early breakfast and reached the ren 
 dezvous in time to see Mosby, who was then but a private 
 in rank with a dozen men (part of his detail having been 
 captured), but who was destined to prove the most remarka 
 ble, indomitable and successful warrior in that line devel 
 oped by the great Civil War, or known in American history. 
 I was made spokesman, and soon we arranged to join him as 
 his "own men," being his "first four." 
 
 Frank Williams and Joseph Nelson, having horses of their 
 own, accompanied Mosby on that raid, and as Mosby was to 
 mount Whitescarver and myself from his captures, we 
 secured quarters at the very retired little cottage of a poor 
 widow named Rutter. There we awaited Mosby s return, 
 but to be disappointed by his failure to bring us horses, so 
 Whitescarver borrowed one and went on the next the Ox 
 Road raid, leaving- me on February 25th. 
 
 Just before they rode off, a Yankee deserter, Sergeant 
 James F. Ames, of the Fifth New York Cavalry (afterwards 
 known as " Big Yankee"), came walking up and wanted to 
 join Mosby. No one gave any credence to his story, but I 
 took him with me to the old widow s house, where we slept 
 and ate together several days and nights. He impressed me 
 as a true man, assuring me he had deserted on account of 
 the Emancipation Proclamation, which, he said, showed that 
 " the war had become a war for the Negro instead of a war 
 for the Union." 
 
 Mosby s raid proved futile as to mounting me, for the 
 captures were divided among the participants. Ames had 
 so far gained my confidence that I had arranged with him, 
 and we had prepared our arms to make a trip to his late 
 camp at Germantown to supply ourselves with horses. 
 
LIEUT. FRANKLIN WILLIAMS LIEUT. GEO. H. WHITESCARVER 
 
 CO. B. CO. A. 
 
 From a photograph taken two days 
 after the fall of Richmond. 
 
 From an old photograph. 
 
 LIEUT. JOSEPH H. NELSON CAPT. WALTER E. FRANKLAND 
 
 CO. A. CO. F. 
 
 From a photograph. From a photograph taken in Winches 
 
 ter, Va., in April, 1865. 
 
 MOSBY S "FIRST FOUR." 
 
30 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The day after Mosby s return we two started from the old 
 widow s house, near Rector s X Roads, February 28th, 
 1863, for a thirty miles walk to the camp of the Fifth New 
 York Cavalry, at Germanton, about two miles from Fair 
 fax Court House. Before we reached Middleburg a heavy 
 rain was falling and when we turned into the Old Braddock 
 road below Aldie, which we took for privacy, the mud was 
 deep and slippery, like putty. We pushed on, making slow 
 progress, our boots heavy with mud and clothing saturated, 
 and when Saturday night came only half our journey was 
 accomplished, the darkness intense and the rain pouring 
 down. We begged quarters for the night on the roadside 
 several miles from Cub Run, and from there resumed our 
 trip after an early hot breakfast, before day on Sunday 
 morning, March ist. 
 
 Leaving the Old Braddock road we crossed the field and 
 entered the woods in which we soon came to Cub Run on a 
 boom. Every crossing log was gone, so we improvised a 
 raft of fence rails, which the whirling torrent drove to pieces 
 just as it struck the other bank. But it had served our 
 purpose and we were safe and at liberty to pursue our 
 mission. We then took our way leisurely, as we had all 
 day in which to make twelve or fifteen miles, as we wanted 
 twilight to cover our near approach to the camp and caution 
 was necessary lest the Federal scouts or trespassing parties 
 might detect us and defeat our purpose. 
 
 We learned from citizens that a raid to capture Mosby was 
 about to be made, and by 7 p. m. when we reached the 
 little pine cliff at the rear of the Fifth New York Camp at Ger- 
 mantown, we found the regiment all astir with preparation. 
 It was Sunday night, March ist, and \ve watched their 
 movements from our admirable position. When " taps " 
 sounded all quieted down. The clouds were gone, the moon 
 shone brightly and we could see the sentinel pacing to and 
 fro, guarding the officers horses, our object, but the camp 
 was restless and every now and then others, besides the 
 " guard," could be seen moving about, so we waited for the 
 " dead hour " to come. At midnight the bugle sounded, 
 and the horses were " saddled up," including the two we 
 had come after. 
 
 About two hundred men from the Fifth New York and 
 Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry formed on the Little River 
 turnpike and marched off, commanded by Major Joseph 
 Gilmer of the latter regiment. We waited until the sounds 
 of the cavalry horses died away and then deliberately 
 walked to the middle of the camp and talked freely to the 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 31 
 
 " guard," who never suspected us, even when we walked 
 into two of the stalls he was guarding, bridled two of the 
 horses, mounted them in his presence, and rode away in a 
 walk. 
 
 We hoped to reached Mosby before the raiding party, but 
 stiff mud roads were too much for us, and before we suc 
 ceeded in rejoining him, Mosby with a few men had sur 
 prised the First Vermont in Aldie (after they, the Ver- 
 monters, had scared Major Gilmer and his two hundred men 
 into a most disgraceful retreat of ten miles) capturing Cap 
 tain Huntoon, 19 men and 23 horses. 1 
 
 1 Mosby s Report to Stuart. 
 
 Near Upperville, March 3, 1863. 
 
 GENERAL : Yesterday a Yankee cavalry force of about 400 men came up to 
 Middleburg. As soon as I heard of it I hastily collected together 170! my 
 men and started in pursuit, having in the meantime ascertained that they had 
 gone back. At Aidie I overtook their rear squadron of 59 men, which I 
 charged and routed, capturing 2 captains and 17 men, together with their arms ; 
 also, 23 horses and accoutrements. Two of my men were slightly wounded. 
 I have sent all the prisoners but 2 on to Culpeper C. H. A wounded captain 
 was paroled. 
 
 Lieut. -Col. Robt. Johnstone, Commanding Cavalry Brigade, to C. //. Potter, A. 
 A. G. (Federal Report.} 
 
 Fairfax C. H. , March 2, 1863. 
 
 SIR : Fifty men of the First Vermont Cavalry, from Companies H and M, 
 under Captains Huntoon and Woodward, were surprised in Aldie while feeding 
 their horses by about 70 of the enemy. Both captains captured and about 15 
 men. They saw no enemy but the attacking party. 
 
 Major Gilmer has returned with the scouting party that left last night 
 They, were to Middleburg and saw but one rebel. I have anticipated the report 
 of Lieutenant-Colonel Krepps, now in command, which will be forwarded in 
 probably one hour. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, 
 
 Fairfax C. H., March 3, 1863. 
 
 SIR : By order of Col. R. B. Price I directed on the night of the ist inst. 
 a reconnoissance to go in the direction of Aldie. The officer who commanded 
 this reconnoissance was Major Joseph Gilmer, of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania 
 Cavalry. He had 200 men. The orders to him were to proceed carefully and 
 send back couriers through the night with information whether they saw any 
 enemy or not. This last order was disobeyed. They were not to cross Cub 
 Run until daylight, and then try and gain all information possible by flankers 
 and small detached scouting parties. 
 
 Major Gilmer went to Middleburg, and while returning the vedettes of the 
 First Vermont Cavalry noticed a part of his advance and prepared to skirmish. 
 The advance fell back toward Aldie. Major Gilmer, instead of throwing out a 
 party to reconnoitre, turned off with nearly the whole of his command in the 
 
32 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Thus, after vainly waiting about two weeks for Mosby to 
 mount me the captured horses each time being only suffi 
 cient for the men who were on the raids I had, accom 
 panied and guided by Ames, penetrated the Federal lines to 
 the camp of the Fifth New York Cavalry at Germantown, 
 within two miles of Fairfax Court House, walking thirty 
 miles to accomplish it, in order to mount myself. The suc 
 cess of this enterprise demonstrated the feasibility of pass 
 ing in between their camps, evading their pickets and far 
 within their lines quietly executing a purpose without caus 
 ing an alarm. 
 
 Mosby s quick perception turned this to good account by 
 arranging at once to strike deep for some great achievement, 
 and just one week after my success of Sunday, March ist, 
 Mosby, with twenty-nine of us, on Sunday, March 8th, under 
 took and successfully executed an enterprise which made 
 him and his command renowned, and brought to his stand 
 ard hundreds of brave spirits who possessed the very metal 
 he needed to build with, and who were in every way worthy 
 of their illustrious leader. It was the capture of General 
 Stoughton. 
 
 direction of Groveton to gain Centreville. The horses returned exhausted 
 from being run at full speed for miles. A few of Major Gilmer s men left his 
 command and went along the Little River turnpike toward the Vermont de 
 tachment. They reported that the men seen were a part of a scouting party 
 under Major Gilmer, and that no enemy were in Aldie. Captain Huntoon 
 then entered the town and halted to have the horses fed near a mill. Imme 
 diately beyond was a rising ground which hid the guerrillas. While the 
 horses were unbridled and feeding the surprise occurred. As both the officers 
 have been captured, and as the detachment was not under my command, and 
 is not attached to this brigade, I have no means of receiving any official or ex 
 act report from them, nor is there any one belonging to that detachment here. 
 All men belonging to this detachment seem to have fought well ; the enemy 
 did not pursue them ; they fell back in good order. 
 
 Major Gilmer, when he returned, was unable to make a report to Lieut. 
 Col. [John S.] Krepps, who, during the time I was confined from sickness, had 
 charge of the camp. 
 
 I ordered Major Gilmer under arrest early this morning, and have sent to 
 Col. R. B. Price charges of which the annexed is a copy. 
 
 Major Gilmer lost but one man belonging to the Fifth New York Cavalry, 
 who was mortally wounded by the enemy and afterwards robbed. He was 
 away from the command and on this side of Aldie, his horse having given out. 
 The enemy seem to have been concealed along the line of march and murdered 
 this man when returning, without provocation. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 ROBERT JOHNSTONE, Lieut. -Col. Commanding Cavalry Brigade. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 33 
 
 The best account of the raid and capture of General 
 Stoughton obtainable is the following article, from the able 
 pen of Mosby himself, as published in the Belford Magazine 
 in 1892 : 
 
 One of My War Adventures. 
 
 About February ist, 1863, I began operating on the out 
 posts of the troops belonging to the defense of Washington 
 that were stationed in Fairfax and Loudon counties, Vir 
 ginia. I had with me a detachment of fifteen men from the 
 First Virginia Cavalry, which Stuart had allowed to go 
 with me while his cavalry corps was in winter quarters. As 
 I had camped several months in Fairfax the year before, and 
 done picket duty along the Potomac, I had acquired con 
 siderable local knowledge of the country. By questioning 
 the prisoners I took, separately and apart from each other, 
 I had learned the location of the camps and the headquar 
 ters of the principal officers. I had been meditating a raid 
 on Fairfax Court House, where I knew there were many 
 rich prizes, when fortunately Ames, a deserter from the 
 Fifth New York Cavalry, came to my command and sup 
 plied all the missing links in the chain of evidence. When 
 ever we made any captures the prisoners were sent under 
 guard to Culpeper Court House, where Fitz Lee was sta 
 tioned with a brigade of cavalry. Stuart was then in the 
 vicinity of Fredericksburg. I have heretofore related the 
 affair with Major Gilmer and the First Vermont Cavalry, 
 which occurred on March 2d. As it was necessary to make 
 a detail from the men serving with me to guard the prison 
 ers that were sent to Culpeper, I had to wait several days 
 for them to return before undertaking another enterprise. 
 Gilmer s expedition into our territory had been so disas 
 trous that the Union cavalry seemed to be content to stay in 
 camp and let us alone. On the afternoon of March 8th, the, 
 anniversary of the day that my regiment (First Virginia 
 Cavalry) had the year before crossed Bull Run as the rear 
 guard covering the retirement of Johnson s army to Rich 
 mond, twenty-nine men met me at Aldie, in Loudon county, 
 the appointed rendezvous. My recollection of events is re 
 freshed by my report to Stuart, written three days after 
 wards, which is printed in the official records by the Gov 
 ernment. I did not communicate my purpose of making a 
 raid on the headquarters of the commanding general" at 
 Fairfax Court House to any of the men except Ames, and 
 not to him until we started. 
 
34 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The men thought we were simply going- down to make 
 an attack on a picket post. It was late in the afternoon 
 when we left Aldie. There was a melting snow on the 
 ground with a drizzling rain. All this favored my plan. 
 The darkness concealed us, and the horses treading on the 
 soft snow made very little noise. We started down the 
 Little River turnpike which runs by Fairfax Court House 
 to Alexandria. From Fairfax Court House another turn 
 pike runs easterly by Centreville, seven miles distant to 
 Warrenton. At Centreville there was a brigade of infantry 
 with artillery and cavalry. This was the extreme out post. 
 From Centreville there was a chain of outposts extending in 
 one direction, by Fryingpan, to the Potomac; and to 
 Union Mills and Fairfax Station in the other. Near the 
 junction of the two turnpikes, a mile east of Fairfax Court 
 House, there was a brigade of cavalry in camp ; the rail 
 road from Union Mills to Alexandria was strongly guarded. 
 
 MAP OF THE VICINITY OF FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE. 
 Taken from an old War Map. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 35 
 
 At Chantilly, on the Little River pike, there was also a 
 strong" cavalry out-post. The two turnpikes that connected 
 near Fairfax Court House and the picket line from Centre- 
 ville to Fryingpan thus formed a triangle. I found out 
 where there was a gap in the picket line between the two 
 turnpikes and determined to penetrate it. I knew that if 
 we succeeded in passing the outer line without alarming the 
 pickets we might reach the generals headquarters at the 
 court house in comparative safety, as we would be mistaken 
 for their own troops even if the enemy discovered us. The 
 headquarters were so thoroughly girdled with troops that 
 no one dreamed of the possibility of an enemy approaching 
 them. In justice to Stoughton, the commanding general, I 
 must say that he had called the attention of the out-post 
 commander to the weak point in his picket line. But no 
 attention was paid to it. He did not conceive that any one 
 had the audacity to pass his pickets and ride into his camps. 
 The commander of the Union cavalry at that time was 
 Colonel Percy Wyndham, an English adventurer, who, it 
 was said, had served with Garibaldi. He had been greatly 
 exasperated by my midnight forays on his out-posts and 
 mortified at his own unsuccessful attempts at reprisal. In 
 consequence he had sent me many insulting messages. I 
 thought I would put a stop to his talk by gobbling him up 
 in bed and sending him off to Richmond. Ashby had capt 
 ured him in the Shenandoah Valley the year before. When 
 we got to within three miles of Chantilly we turned off to 
 the right from the turnpike, and passed unobserved through 
 the picket line about midway between that place and Cen- 
 treville and reached the Warrenton turnpike about half 
 way between Centre ville and the court house. I was rid 
 ing by the side of one of my men named Hunter, and at 
 this point I told him where we were going. He realized, 
 as I did, the difficulties and dangers that surrounded us. I 
 told him our safety was in the audacity of- the enterprise. 
 We were then four miles inside the enemy s line and within 
 a mile or two of the cavalry companies. We could no 
 doubt have marched straight into them, or challenge and 
 brought off a lot of men and horses. But I was hunting 
 that night for bigger game, and knew that Wyndham did 
 not sleep in the cavalry camp, but at the court house a mile 
 beyond. I also knew that General Stoughton s headquart 
 ers were there. To a man uninitiated into the mysteries of 
 war our situation, environed on all sides by hostile troops, 
 would have appeared desperate. To me it did not seem at 
 all so, as my experience enabled me to measure the danger. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Proceeding a short distance on the pike towards the court 
 house, we turned off to the right, flanked the corps directly 
 in front of us, and came into the town unmolested at two 
 o clock in the morning. It had been my intention to get 
 there about midnight, but our column got broken in two at 
 one time in the darkness ; the rear portion remained stand 
 ing still for some time, thinking the whole column had 
 halted. We had gone a considerable distance before it was 
 discovered. So I had to turn back in search of the missing. 
 The rear, after standing still some time, moved on, but could 
 not find our trail. They 
 were on the point of 
 going back when by ac 
 cident we came upon 
 them wandering in the 
 dark like Iris in search 
 of the lost Osiris. This 
 involved considerable 
 delay. With the excep 
 tion of a few drowsy 
 sentinels all the troops in 
 the town were asleep. 
 Nothing of the kind had 
 ever been attempted 
 before during the war, 
 and no preparations had 
 been made to guard 
 against it. It is only 
 practicable to guard 
 against what is probable, 
 and in war, as everything 
 else, a great deal must 
 be left to chance. Once 
 inside the enemy s lines 
 everything we dis 
 covered as easy as falling 
 
 off a log. There was not the slightest show of resistance. 
 As the night was pitch dark it was impossible to tell from 
 our appearance to Avhich side we belonged, although all of 
 us were dressed in Confederate gray. 
 
 The names of all the cavalry regiments stationed there 
 were familiar to us ; so whenever a sentinel halted us 
 the answer was : " Fifth New York Cavalry," and it 
 was all right. Of course we took the sentinel with 
 us. All of my men except Hunter and Ames were as 
 much surprised as the enemies were when they found them- 
 
 SAMUEL WAGGAMAN, CO. A. 
 
 From a photograph taken in 1888. 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 37 
 
 selves in a town filled with Union troops and stores. As I 
 had never led them into a place from which I was not 
 able to take them out, there was not a faint heart among 
 them. All seemed to have a blind confidence in my destiny. 
 Hunter was at the time a sergeant in the company to which 
 he belonged. I explained the situation to him as we were 
 riding along, as I looked to him more than to any of the men 
 to aid me in accomplishing my design. He showed great 
 coolness and courage, and fully merited the promotion he 
 soon afterwards received. He is now a citizen of California. 
 I had only twenty-nine men we were surrounded by hos 
 tile thousands. Ames, who also knew to what point he was 
 piloting us, rode by my side. Without being able to give 
 
 any satisfactory reason 
 for it, 1 felt an instinc 
 tive trust in his fidel 
 ity, which he never 
 betrayed. When we 
 reached the court 
 house square, which 
 was appointed as a 
 rendezvous, the men 
 were detailed in 
 squads ; some were 
 sent to the stables to 
 collect the fine horses 
 that I knew were there, 
 others to the different 
 headquarters, where 
 the officers were quar 
 tered. We were more 
 anxious to capture 
 Wyndham than any 
 other. 
 
 There was a hospital 
 on the main street in 
 a building which had 
 been a hotel. In front 
 of it a sentry was 
 walking. The first 
 thing I did was to send 
 
 Ames and Frankland to relieve him from duty and to pre 
 vent any of the occupants from giving the alarm. Ames 
 whispered gently into his ear to keep quiet that he was a 
 prisoner. A six-shooter has great persuasive powers. I 
 went directly with the larger portion of the command to the 
 
 COL. PERCY WYNDHAM, U. S. A. 
 From a War-time photograph. 
 

 GEN. J. E. B. STUART STATUE, RICHMOND, VA. 
 
 (Gen. Lee Statue in the distance.) 
 
 GEN. STOUGHTON S HEADQUARTERS AT FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE 
 (Dr. Gunnell s House.) 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 39 
 
 house of a citizen named Murray, which I had been told was 
 Wyndham s headquarters. This was not so. He told us 
 that they were at Judge Thomas house, which we had passed 
 in the other end of the town. So we quickly returned to 
 the court-house square. Ames was sent with a party to 
 Wyndham s headquarters. Two of his staff were found 
 there asleep, but the bird we were trying to catch had 
 flown Wyndham had gone down to Washington that 
 evening by the railroad. My men indemnified themselves to 
 some extent for the loss by appropriating his fine wardrobe 
 and several splendid horses that they found in the stables. 
 
 The irony of fortune made Ames the captor of his own 
 captain. He was Captain Barker, Fifth New York Cavalry, 
 detailed as Assistant Adjutant General. Ames treated his 
 former commander with the greatest civility, and seemed to 
 feel his great pride in introducing him to me. Joe Nelson 
 saw a tent in the courtyard ; he went in and took the tele 
 graph operator w r ho was sleeping there We had already 
 cut the wires before we came into the town to prevent com 
 munication with Centreville. Joe had also caught a soldier 
 who told him that he was one of the guard at General 
 Stoughton s headquarters. This was the reason I did not go 
 with Ames after Wyndham. I took five or six men with me 
 to go after Stoughton. I remember the names of Joe Nel 
 son, Hunter, Whitescarver, Welt Hatcher and Frank Wil 
 liams. Stoughton was occupying a brick house on the 
 outskirts of the village belonging to Dr. Gunnell. 
 
 When we reached it all dismounted and I gave a loud 
 knock on the front door. A head bobbed out from an upper 
 window and inquired who was there. My answer was, 
 " Fifth New York Cavalry with a dispatch for General 
 Stoughton." Footsteps were soon heard tripping down 
 stairs and the door opened. A man stood before me with 
 nothing on but his shirt and drawers. I immediately seized 
 hold of his shirt-collar, and whispered in his. ear who I was, 
 and ordered him to lead me to the general s room. He was 
 Lieutenant Prentiss of the staff. *We went straight up stairs 
 where Stoughton was, leaving Welt Hatcher and George 
 Whitescarver behind to guard the horses. When a light 
 was struck we saw lying on the bed before us the man of 
 war. He was buried in deep sleep, and seemed to be dream 
 ing in all the fancied security of the Turk on the night when 
 Marco Bozzarris with his band burst on his camp from the 
 forest shades : 
 
 14 In dreams, through court and camp, he bore 
 The trophies of a conqueror." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 V 
 
 There were signs in the room of having been revelry in 
 the house that night. Some uncorked champagne bottles 
 furnished an explanation of the general s deep sleep. He 
 had been entertaining a number of ladies from Washington 
 in a style becoming a commanding general. The revelers 
 had retired to rest just before our arrival with no suspicion 
 of the danger that was hovering over them. The ladies had 
 
 fone to spend the night at a citizen s house ; loud and long 
 have been told were the lamentations next morning when 
 they heard of the mishap that had befallen the gallant young 
 general. He had been caught asleep, ingloriously in bed, 
 
 and spirited off without even 
 bidding them good bye. As 
 the general was not awakened 
 by the noise we made in enter 
 ing the room, I walked up to 
 his bed and pulled off the 
 covering. But even this did 
 not arouse him. He was 
 turned over on his side snor 
 ing like one of the seven 
 sleepers. With such environ 
 ments I could not afford to 
 await his convenience or to 
 stand on ceremony. So I just 
 pulled up his shirt and gave 
 him a spank. Its effect was 
 electric. The brigadier rose 
 from his pillow and in an 
 authoritative tone inquired the 
 meaning of this rude intrusion, 
 He had not realized that we 
 were not some of his staff. 1 
 leaned over and said to him : 
 " General, did you ever hear 
 
 of Mosby ? " " Yes," he quickly answered, " have you 
 caught him ? " " No," I said, " I am Mosby he has caught 
 you." In order to deprive him of all hope I told him 
 that Stuart s Cavalry held the town and that General Jackson 
 was at Centreville. 
 
 With a look of agony and despair he asked if FitzLee was 
 there. I told him " Yes." " Then," he said, " take me to 
 "him we were classmates at West Point." " Certainly," I 
 said, "but I am in a hurry dress quick." He had the repu 
 tation of being a gallant soldier, but a fop, and dressed as 
 carelully before a looking-glass as Sardanapalus did when he 
 
 BRIG.-GEN. EDWIN H. STOUGHTON, 
 
 U. S. A. 
 From a photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 41 
 
 went to war. When we got to the front door Frank Wil 
 liams handed him his watch, which he had left in the hurry 
 of departure. Whitescarver and Welt Hatcher, who had 
 been left to guard the horses, had not been idle while we 
 were in the house. They had surrounded some tents, and 
 captured seven headquarters couriers, besides several fine 
 horses which we found bridled and saddled. I was deter 
 mined to bring off the general, even if we had to abandon 
 all our other captures. So I would not let Stoughton hold 
 his bridle-reins, but told Hunter to ride by his side and hold 
 them at all hazards. I knew that Hunter would stick to him 
 closer than a brother. Lieutenant Prentiss also started 
 with us a prisoner, but as I let him hold his bridle-reins he 
 left us in the dark, and never even said good-night. When 
 we returned to the court-house square all the squads had 
 collected there and duly done their work. There were 
 twenty-nine men w r ith me and we had about one hundred 
 prisoners and horses to guard. It was so dark that the 
 prisoners did not. know my men from their own. In the 
 town there were several hundred soldiers, but there was no 
 concert of action among them. All was panic and confu 
 sion. Each man was in search of a safe hiding-place. Just 
 as we were moving out of the town a ludicrous incident 
 occured. As we passed by a house an upper window was 
 lifted and a voice called out in a peremptory tone and asked 
 what cavalry that was. It sounded so funny that the men 
 broke out in a loud laugh. I knew that it must bean officer 
 of rank ; so the column was halted, and Joe Nelson and Welt 
 Hatcher were ordered to search the house. Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Johnstone, of the Fifth New York Cavalry, was 
 spending the night there with his wile. For some 
 reason he suspected something wrong when he heard my 
 men laugh, and immediately took flight in his shirt tail out 
 of the back door. Nelson and Hatcher broke through the 
 front door, but his wife met them like a lioness in the hall, 
 and obstructed them all she could in order to give time for 
 her husband to make his escape. The officer could not be 
 found; but my men took some consolation for the loss by 
 bringing his clothes away with them. He had run out 
 through the back-yard into the garden and crawled for shel 
 ter in a place it is not necessary to describe. He lay there 
 concealed and shivering with cold and fear until after day 
 light. He did not know for some time that we had gone r 
 and he was afraid to come out of his hole to find out. His 
 wife didn t know where he was. In squeezing himself un 
 der shelter he had torn off his shirt, and when he appeared 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 before his wife next morning, as naked as when he was born 
 and smelling a great deal worse, it is reported that she re 
 fused to embrace him before he had taken a bath. After he 
 had been scrubbed down with a horse-brush and curry-comb 
 he started in pursuit of us, but went in the opposite direc 
 tion from which we had gone. I started with my prisoners 
 and booty towards Fairfax Station just to deceive the enemy 
 as to the route we were going to retreat. After going back 
 half a mile we wheeled around at right angles, and made for 
 the pike that leads from the court-house to Centreville. 
 Our safety depended on getting beyond the lines before 
 
 daylight. We struck the 
 pike about halfway between 
 Centreville and the court 
 house. S t o u g h t o n re 
 marked to me as we were 
 riding along : " Captain, 
 you have done a bold thing, 
 but you are sure to be 
 caught." He was certain 
 every moment of hearing 
 the hoof-strokes of his 
 cavalry coming in hot pur 
 suit. The fact was that 
 everybody at the court 
 house seemed to have lost 
 his head ; no one seemed to 
 
 have the presence of mind to try to rally the troops to the 
 defense of the place. We had spent an hour there, raiding 
 all the stables and headquarters and came away loaded 
 down with prisoners and spoils without even firing a shot or 
 having one fired at us. I knew though that they would col 
 lect their senses after they found out we were gone and 
 would come after us. After reaching the Centreville pike 
 the principal danger was in front. Although we were 
 rapidly getting away from the danger behind us we were 
 still approaching another, and had to pass by Centreville 
 before we Avould be safe. Before going out on the pike I 
 halted the column and told Hunter to close it up. Some of my 
 men were riding in the rear and some on the flank to keep 
 the prisoners from running away. It was so dark 
 however that we lost a considerable number. 1 rode out 
 some distance in advance to reconnoitre along the road. 
 Wyndham s cavalry corps were then a mile behind us. No 
 sound disturbed the deep stillness t>f the night. No hostile 
 form was there to intercept us. I called to Hunter to come on. 
 
 FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 43 
 
 We were then about four miles from Centreville. I ordered 
 Hunter to go forward at a fast trot ; with Joe Nelson I staid 
 some distance in the rear. Hunter was ordered, no matter 
 what happened, to hold on to the general. 
 
 No doubt Stoughton thoroughly appreciated the interest 
 I felt in him. Nelson and I frequently stopped to listen- 
 nothing but the hooting of owls could be heard. Every 
 moment my heart beat higher with hope. I am sure that 
 Caesar was not more oppressed with anxiety, nor felt higher 
 aspirations on the eventful morning when he gave the order 
 to the legions that changed the history of the world. My 
 fate was then trembling in the balance If we should get 
 caught it would end my career as a partisan ; everybody 
 would say that I had tried to do what I ought to have 
 known to be impossible. The camp-fires on the heights 
 around Centreville soon became visible through the dark 
 ness. I had begun to feel pretty safe from pursuit, but the 
 chief peril lay in flanking the troops at Centreville without 
 running into hostile camps not far away on either side of it. 
 It was as difficult a problem to solve as steering between 
 Scylla and Charybdis. Yet I was cheered by the knowledge 
 that if I succeeded an adventure so full of romance would 
 strike a deeper impression on the imagination of men than 
 a battle. Nelson and I rode up at a gallop to overtake the 
 column when we saw that it had halted. When we caught 
 up with it we could see a smouldering fire by the pike about 
 a hundred yards ahead of us. It was evidently a picket 
 post. I rode forward alone to reconnoitre. No one was 
 about the fire ; the post had just been deserted. I called to 
 Hunter to move on. We were then about a half mile from 
 Centreville, and the gray dawn was just beginning to ap 
 pear. We passed the picket post and then turned off to the 
 right to go over the forts at Centreville. It had been the 
 habit to establish a picket there every night and withdraw 
 it early in the morning. The officer in charge concluding 
 that there was no danger in the air, had returned to camp 
 and gone to sleep just before we got there. The camps 
 were all quiet ; no sign of alarm ; we could see the cannon 
 bristling through the embrasures of the redoubts not more 
 than two or three hundred yards away, and heard the senti 
 nel on the parapet call us to halt. But no attention was 
 paid to it. I was riding down a short distance ahead of the 
 column when I heard a shot. Turning around to see what 
 it meant I saw Captain Barker dashing toward a redoubt. 
 
 One of my men, a Hungarian named Jake, who had fired 
 the shot, was just about giving him another when Barker 
 
44 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 and his horse tumbled in a ditch, which spared Jake the 
 necessity of shooting again. He was soon extricated and 
 mounted, and we marched on. I asked Barker if he was 
 hurt. He replied, " No." All this happened in full view ol 
 the enemy s camp, which was in gun-shot of us. As there 
 were more prisoners with me than I had men, no doubt the 
 sentinels mistook us, as we came right from the direction of 
 the cavalry camp, for a body of their own cavalry going 
 out on a scout. 
 
 Nothing so far as they knew had occurred during the 
 night to break the monotony of the cry "All quiet along 
 the Potomac to-night." We were not long in getting 
 around Centreville. Soon after we passed outside the 
 enemy s lines we got to Cub Run, where a new danger con 
 fronted us. The stream was swift and so swollen from the 
 melting snow and rain that we either had to run the risk 
 of swimming it, or turn back. But in full view behind 
 were the white tents of the enemy at Centreville, and the 
 cannon pointing at us. I did not deliberate a moment, but 
 plunged into the raging torrent and swam to the other shore. 
 The current was strong, but so was my horse. Stoughton 
 followed next to me. As he emerged shivering from his 
 morning bath he said : u Well, Captain, this is the first out 
 rage that I have to complain of." It was a miracle that not 
 a man or a horse was drowned, although many were swept 
 down in the stream. When all were over I knew that we 
 were comparatively safe, and that no cavalry would at 
 tempt to swim after us. As we had to make a circle to get 
 back onto the Warrenton pike, which passes through Centre 
 ville, there was danger of a cavalry force being sent from 
 there to intercept us. So again putting Hunter in com 
 mand of the column, in company with George Slater I gal 
 loped on to see what was ahead. We passed Sudley and 
 came on the pike at Groveton. This was the very spot 
 where Fitz John Porter had met such a bloody repulse from 
 Stonewall Jackson the year before. We rode off on a high 
 hill from which we could see the road all the way back to 
 Centreville. No enemy was in pursuit, and in a few minutes 
 Hunter appeared in sight. We were safe. Just then there 
 was a glorious sunburst. In the rapture of the moment I 
 said to Slater : " George, that shines as glorious to me as 
 the sun of Austerlitz." I felt that I had drawn a prize 
 in the lottery of life, for 
 
 * Who can contemplate Fame through clouds unfold 
 The star which rises o er her steep, nor climb ?" 
 
 When Stoughton saw the Union camp seven miles away 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 45 
 
 on the heights around Centreville, he lost all hope of being 
 recaptured. He was young, a professional soldier and am 
 bitious ; having been captured in a way that would subject 
 him to ridicule, his pride was deeply touched. It is reported 
 that Mr. Lincoln, when he heard of it, remarked with cynical 
 humor that he didn t care so much about the general, as he 
 could make another in five minutes, but that he hated to lose 
 the horses. Stoughton s mortification deeply excited my 
 sympathy. When he cast a despairing look at the Union 
 camp behind him it recalled to my mind the pathetic story 
 of Boabdil when he turned to look back on the towers of 
 Granada and breathed " The last sigh of the Moor." At 
 Warrenton men, women and children came out to give us 
 an ovation. I was as proud of it as a Roman general when 
 the Senate had decreed him a triumph. Stoughton had been 
 there before. At West Point he had been a classmate of a 
 young man named Beckham, whose home was there, and he 
 had spent a vacation with him. 
 We stopped at his house a ^ -^ 
 
 short time, and he was kindly 
 received by the family. Early 
 the next, morning I reached 
 Culpeper Court House with 
 my captures : one general, two 
 captains, thirty privates and 
 fifty-eight horses. I remember 
 Fitz Lee s look of surprise 
 when I introduced his old 
 classmate to him. During the 
 day Stuart arrived from Frede- 
 ricksburg. He came to attend 
 a court-martial. I met him at 
 the train and shall never for 
 get the delight with which he 
 heard my story. Only two 
 months before we had parted 
 at his tent when I started off 
 to seek for adventures. He 
 announced in flattering terms 
 in a general order my exploit 
 to the cavalry. Praise from Stuart was all the reward I 
 wanted. Stoughton s reputation as a soldier was blasted ; 
 he was soon exchanged, but never returned to the army. 
 Wyndham was relieved ; his successor had no more 
 success in suppressing my depredations than Wyndham, 
 and soon had to relinquish his command. Colonel John- 
 
 HENRY N. BRAWNER, CO. A. 
 
 From a photograph. 
 
46 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 stone did not survive the ridicule he incurred by his 
 selection of a hiding-place and appearing- stark naked 
 at headquarters. Major Gilmer, whom he had put under 
 arrest a few days before for making a fool of himself when 
 he came after me, now had the laugh on him. He too made 
 his exit from the stage. I was never able to duplicate this 
 adventure ; it was one of those things a man can do only 
 once in a lifetime. The Northern cavalry got too smart to 
 allow the repetition. My calculation of success was based 
 on the theory that to all appearances it was an impossibility. 
 It was charged at the time that citizens of the place were in 
 collusion with me, and had given the information on which 
 I had acted. It Avas not true ; I had had no communication 
 with any one there. Several men, and also a young lady at 
 whose house Stoughton s guests had slept that night, were 
 arrested and sent to prison in Washington. They were all 
 as innocent of the charge of complicity in the act as Mr. 
 Lincoln. The young lady got her revenge by marrying the 
 provost-marshal. 2 JOHN S. MOSBV. 
 
 2 The Provost Marshal at Fairfax Court House made the following report : 
 
 PROVOST-MARSHAL S OFFICE, 
 Fairfax Court Hottse, Va., March 10, 1863. 
 COLONEL WYNDHAM, 
 
 Commanding Cavalry Brigade and Post. 
 SIR : 
 
 On the night of the 8th instant, say about two or half-past two a. m., Cap 
 tain Mosby, with his command, entered this village by an easterly direction, 
 then advanced upon my outer vedette, when he challenged (no countersign out). 
 The ribel picket or scout advanced, presenting at the same time two revolvers 
 to his head and threatening to blow his brains out if he said a word, demand 
 ing his arms, &c., when the force came up and captured every man on patrol, 
 with horses, equipments, &c., until reaching the Provost-Marshal s stables, 
 when they halted and entered the stables, taking every horse available 
 with them. They then proceeded to Colonel Stoughton s stables, captured 
 his guard, took his horses and those of his aids. They then proceeded 
 to Colonel Wyndham s headquarters and took all the horses and movable 
 property with them. In the meantime others (of Captain Mosby s command) 
 were despatched to all quarters where officers were lodged, taking them 
 out of their beds, together with the telegraph operator, assistant, &c., &c. 
 They searched the Provost-Marshal s office, and, finding him absent, went to 
 the post hospital and there made diligent search for him, offering a reward for 
 him. The Provost- Marshal had just left the street, say ten minutes before they 
 entered, and went across some vacant lots to ascertain^from one of his vedettes 
 if he had caught any horses or horse thieves. Another party, ten in number, 
 proceeded to Colonel Stoughton s headquarters, taking him and one of his aids, 
 named Prentiss, who afterwards made his escape, prisoners. They then pro 
 ceeded to Colonel Wyndham s headquarters and took Captain Barker, of the 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 47 
 
 This achievement elicited the following complimentary 
 notice from Gen. J. E. B. Stuart : 
 
 " General Order No. . 
 
 " Captain John S. Mosby has for a long time attracted 
 the attention of his Generals by his boldness, skill and suc 
 cess, so signally displayed in his numerous forays upon the 
 invaders of his native State. 
 
 " None knew his daring enterprise and dashing heroism 
 better than those foul invaders though strangers themselves 
 to such noble traits. 
 
 " His late brilliant exploit the capture of Brigadier- 
 General Stoughton, U. S. A., 2 captains, 30 other prisoners, 
 together with their arms, equipments and 58 horses justi 
 fies this recognition in General orders. This feat, almost 
 unparalleled in the wir, was performed in the midst of the 
 enemy s troops at Fairfax Court House, without loss or 
 injury. 
 
 " 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, 
 1 i Major- General Co m ma nding. 
 
 Mosby was then promoted to the rank of Major, with au 
 thority to organize a battalion. 
 
 Fifth New York Cavalry, and also Baron Vardner, who was stopping at the 
 Colonel s. In the meantime another party of them entered the residence of 
 Colonel Johnston and searched the house for him. He had, previous to their 
 entering the town, heard of their movements, and, believing them to be the 
 patrol, went out to halt them, but soon found out his mistake. He then entered 
 the house again he being in a nude state and got out backwards, they in hot 
 pursuit of him. He, however, evaded them by getting under a barn, and had 
 scarcely concealed himself when a guard of three men were placed upon it. 
 
 It is supposed that they entered our lines between Frying Pan and Herndon 
 Station, taking a diagonal course to come in at the lower end of the village. 
 On leaving they went out by way of Colonel Wyndham s stables (southwest) 
 and proceeded towards Centreville, cutting telegraph wires as they went along. 
 I am told by parties who had seen them that they were some three hundred 
 strong. I have the honor to remain, 
 
 Respectfully your obedient servant, 
 
 LIEUT. D. L. O CONNOR, 
 
 Provost-Marshal. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 March to May, 1863 Guides and Scouts Capture Pickets near Herndon Station Chantilly Fight 
 Fight at Miskel s (Broad Run) Capture of First Virginia (Federal) Regiment at 
 Warrenton Junction Mosby Defeated by the First Vermont and Fifth New York Cav 
 alry and Prisoners Recaptured Raiding Parties Hunting for Mosby " The Yankees are 
 Coming ! M Skirmish near Blakeley s Grove Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry attempts 
 to " Bushwhack " Mosby, but catch their own Men in the Trap Capture of Train and 
 Fight at Catlett s Station Death of Captain Hoskins. 
 
 A very important aid to Mosby in his successful attacks 
 and surprises was the selection of skilful and intelligent 
 guides and scouts men familiar with the section of country 
 in which he operated knowing all the little roads and cow- 
 paths ; who could creep through the dense undergrowth or 
 dark ravines like foxes, unobserved, and if discovered easily 
 elude pursuit. Prominent among these were the Under 
 wood brothers, John 1 , Samuel and Bushrod, in Fairfax ; 
 John S. Russell, in the Shenandoah Valley, and Walter 
 Bowie, in Maryland. 
 
 On Tuesday, the i/th of March, Captain Mosby attacked 
 .the reserve picket post of the First Vermont Cavalry at 
 Herndon Station, in Fairfax. Gaining their rear, he ad 
 vanced on the post. The sentinel, seeing them coming from 
 the direction of the Federal camp , supposed them to be a 
 patrol and allowed them to approach within a short distance 
 before challenging. The pickets being surprised made but 
 little resistance and the majority were captured, among 
 them i major, I captain, 2 lieutenants and 21 privates, to 
 gether with 26 horses and equipments. One of the Federals 
 was wounded and left on the field. Some of the enemy who 
 escaped gave the alarm, and a force was started in pursuit, 
 
 1 John Underwood, after a few months service, was killed by a deserter from 
 the Confederate army 
 
 4 8 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 49 
 
 but coming up with Mosby s rear guard and receiving a 
 check, abandoned the pursuit. 2 
 
 Mosby announced his success to General Stuart in the 
 following report : 
 
 Near Piedmont, Va., March 18, 1863. 
 
 GENERAL: Yesterday I attacked a body of the enemy s 
 cavalry at Herndon Station, in Fairfax county, completely 
 routing them. I brought off 25 prisoners, a Major Wells, I 
 captain, 2 lieutenants and 21 men, all their arms, 26 horses 
 and equipments. One severely wounded was left on the 
 ground. The enemy pursued me in force but were checked 
 by my rear guard, and gave up the pursuit. My loss was 
 nothing. The enemy have moved their cavalry from Ger- 
 mantown back of Fairfax Court House on the Alexandria 
 pike. 
 
 In this affair my officers and men behaved splendidly. 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Captain Commanding. 
 
 [Indorsements.] 
 
 H DQ RS LEE S CAVALRY BRIGADE, \ 
 March W, 1863. j 
 
 Respectfully forwarded. Such performances need no 
 comment. The soldiers were paroled. The officers will be 
 
 sent to Richmond. TTTT Z T T?T? r> j- /~ / 
 
 FITZ LEE, Brigadier General. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded and attention called to this latest 
 achievement of Captain Mosby. 
 
 In the absence of General Stuart, and by comman^, 
 
 R. CHANNING PRICE, Asst. Ad jt Gen. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded for the information of the depart 
 ment and as an evidence of the merit and continued success 
 of Captain Mosby. R _ 
 
 2 Repot t of Major Chas. F. Taggart, Second Pennsvliwni i Cavalry. 
 
 Dranesville, March 24, 1863. 
 To Col. R. BUTLER PRICE,, Comdg. Cav. Brigade : 
 
 COLONEL : I have the honor to report that on the zyth inst., at i p. m., the 
 reserve picket post at Herndon Station, consisting of 25 men, under command 
 of Second Lieut. Alexander G. Watson, Company L, First Vermont Cavalry, 
 was surprised by Captain Mosby, with a force of 42 men, anJ 21 of our men, 
 together with Major William Wells, Captain Robert Scofield, Company F, Sec 
 ond Lieut. Alexander G. Watson, Company L, and Perley C. J. Cheney, Com 
 pany C (Second Lieut.), captured, all of the First Vermont Cavalry ; the first 
 3 were visiting the post. 
 
 The surprise was so complete that the men made but little or no resistance. 
 The enemy were led on by citizens and entered on foot by a bridle path in the 
 
MOS*&Y S RANGERS. 
 
 While scouting in Fairfax with John Underwood to ascer 
 tain the position and strength of the Federal forces, Mosby 
 determined to attempt the surprise of outposts at Chantilly 
 and Frying Pan there being about 100 cavalry at each of 
 these places. 
 
 Starting from Rector s X Roads on the 23d of March, 
 1863, he proceeded down the turnpike until within about six 
 
 miles of Chantilly, when he left 
 the road, though still keeping the 
 same direction. Coming out from 
 a piece of woods within a mile of 
 the Chantilly mansion, he moved 
 towards the picket posted on a 
 little run on the Little River Turn 
 pike. Seeing the vedettes, some 
 of our men left the ranks and 
 dashed off in pursuit. They sud 
 denly came upon a picket of 10 
 men which had been thrown out 
 on the turnpike. One was killed 
 and 5 or 6 surrendered and were 
 taken back to Mosby. 
 
 The alarm being given, the re 
 serves were called out, and Mosby finding the force quite a 
 large one, fell back up the turnpike, the Federals fol 
 lowing. 
 
 Halting at a place where there was a barricade of fallen 
 trees, Mosby formed his men behind this obstruction and 
 awaited their coming. On they came, but in the pursuit 
 they were strung out along the road, and on receiving 
 
 rear of the post, capturing the vedette stationed out on the road before he was 
 able to give the alarm. Every effort was made by me on receipt of the intelli 
 gence to capture the party, but without avail. Had Second Lieut. Edwin H. 
 Higley, Company K, First Vermont Cavalry, who had started with the relief 
 for the post, consisting of 40 men, together with 10 of the old guard who joined 
 him, performed his duty, the whole party could and would have been taken. I 
 cannot too strongly urge that orders may be given that all citizens near out 
 posts must remove beyond the lines. Such occurrences are exceedingly dis 
 creditable, but sometimes unavoidable, not only calculated to embolden the 
 enemy but dispirit the men. 
 
 LAFAYETTE BROWN [NC 
 From a photograph 
 
 CO. B. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 51 
 
 Mosby s fire, wavered. A charge was now ordered ; the 
 Rangers rushed forward with a yell and the fight became a 
 chase. The Federals were driven back and could not be 
 rallied. 
 
 The chase was continued for about three miles, back to 
 the place where it commenced. Here the Federals were re 
 inforced by the reserve from Frying Pan Church, and 
 Mosby was compelled to halt and then retreat. The enemy 
 did not pursue very far, as night was coming on, and they 
 were afraid of being led into a trap. 
 
 Mosby sustained no loss. The Federals lost 5 killed, 
 several were wounded, and 35 prisoners were taken 3 . [See 
 Mosby s Report, Appendix, II.] 
 
 In response to his despatch, General Stuart sent the fol 
 lowing to Mosby : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, CAVALRY DIVISION, ) 
 Army of Northern Virginia, Marck 27, 1863. \ 
 CAPTAIN : Your telegram, announcing your brilliant 
 achievements near Chantilly, was duly received and for 
 warded to General Lee. He exclaimed upon reading it, 
 " Hurrah for Mosby ! I wish I had a hundred like him !" 
 Heartily wishing you continued success, 1 remain 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, 
 Major- General Com ina nding . 
 
 On Tuesday, the 3ist of March, Mosby, with his detail 
 and such volunteers as he had been able to muster, number 
 ing in all less than 70 men, moved off towards Dranesville; 
 
 3 Report of Lieut. -Col. Robert Johnstone, Fifth New York Cavalry. 
 
 Fairfax C. H. , March 23, 1863. 
 
 SIR : At 5 p. m. our picket in front of Chantilly was Attacked. The vedettes 
 were on the alert and gave the alarm. The reserve of about 70 men were im 
 mediately under arms and charged the enemy, who fled for two miles along 
 the Little River turnpike. Between Saunders Toll gate and Cub Run there is 
 a strip of woods about half a mile wide, through which the road runs. Within 
 the woods and about a quarter of a mile apart are two . barricades of fallen 
 trees ; our troops pursued the enemy between these barricades. Behind the 
 latter some of the enemy were concealed. The head of the column was here 
 stopped by a fire of carbines and pistols, and also by a fire upon the flank from 
 the woods. The column broke, and was pursued by the enemy one and a half 
 miles. It was then rallied by the exertions of Majors Bacon and White. 
 Captains McGuinn and Hasbrouck, when they heard of the alarm, proceeded 
 
52 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 thence up the Leesburg turnpike and camped for the night 
 at Miskel s farm, on the north side of the road and about 
 half a mile from the Potomac River. 
 
 Miskel s was selected as a camping ground for the reason 
 that it was the only place for miles around where forage 
 could be procured. Some of the men slept on the floor in 
 the house where there was a good fire, but the majority 
 took up their quarters in the barn where there was a plenti 
 ful supply of hay. The horses were hitched to the high 
 fence surrounding the barnyard. This fence had a gate 
 opening into a field through which a road ran leading to 
 the turnpike. The presence of Mosby in the neighborhood 
 was communicated by a Union citizen to the officer in com 
 mand of the First Vermont Cavalry, camped on Difficult 
 Run, and Captain Flint, with two squadrons of selected vol 
 unteers, started out to surprise and capture the Partisans. 
 
 Dick Moran, one of " Mosby s Men," had stopped for the 
 night with an old acquaintance named Green, who lived on 
 the road between Dranesville and Miskel s, and Captain Flint, 
 in passing, stopped at Green s house. Moran hid until the 
 Federals had passed, and then, mounting his horse, took a 
 short cut across the fields to warn Mosby of their approach. 
 
 About sunrise next morning one of the men came into 
 the house and said he noticed the enemy in the Federal 
 camps on the opposite side of the river were making signals. 
 Mosby went out into the yard to look at them, when he 
 spied Dick Moran riding towards him at breakneck speed 
 waving his hat and shouting, " Mount your horses ! The 
 Yankees are coming ! " 
 
 Mosby rushed to the barnyard on foot to rally his men 
 
 on a gallop from Frying Pan, and joining Major White s command, pursued 
 the enemy for eight miles. Night coming on, and the enemy being more 
 numerous than we were, and our horses exhausted, the column halted and re 
 turned to Chantilly. The line of pickets is now re-established. 
 
 Our loss is : Killed, Corporal (Charles) Gilleo, Company H, Fifth New York 
 Cavalry ; James Doyle, Company C ; John Harris, Company K. Mortally 
 wounded, Sergeant (William) Leahey, Company C. Lieut. Merritt taken 
 prisoner. 
 
 I have ordered returns to be sent in at once, but as the line of picket is very 
 extensive, I will not be able to give you the list of prisoners and missing for 
 some hours. 
 
54 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 and found Flint s first squadron marching through the gate 
 into the field and they soon opened a brisk fire on the 
 Rangers engaged in bridling and saddling their horses. 
 The fire was returned, however, and Captain Flint fell, 
 mortally wounded, pierced by six bullets. 
 
 Harry Hatcher, seeing his leader on foot, dismounted and 
 gave his horse to Mosby who, once in the saddle, led his men 
 in the charge and Harry was soon mounted on a captured 
 horse and into the thickest of the fight. 
 
 In their efforts to escape from the furious onslaught of the 
 Rangers, the terror-stricken Federals became wedged in the 
 narrow passage through the gateway, and thus hemmed in, 
 they suffered terribly from the murderous fire poured into 
 them, until, bursting through, they rushed frantically out to 
 the woods and turnpike, pursued by the Rangers who 
 fiercely hung upon their rear. 
 
 Mosby lost one man killed Davis, of Kentucky, and three 
 wounded Edward Hurst, of Fauquier, Keys of the First 
 Virginia Cavalry, and R. A. Hart, of the Black Horse Cav 
 alry. (See Mosby s Report, Appendix, II.). 
 
 The Federals lost 10 killed, 15 wounded, 83 prisoners; 
 and 95 horses were captured. 4 
 
 4 Report of Gen. R. E. Lee, Army of Northern Virginia. 
 
 Hdqs. Camp Fed s, April 4, 1863. 
 
 MR. PRESIDENT : Major John S. Mosby reports that he was attacked early 
 on the morning of the 2d (ist) instant, near Dranesville, by about 200 Vermont 
 cavalry. He promptly repulsed them, leaving on the field 25 killed and wounded, 
 including three officers, and brought off 82 prisoners, with their horses, arms 
 and equipments. His force consisted of 65 men and his loss was four wounded. 
 The enemy has evacuated Dranesville. 
 
 I had the pleasure to send by return courier to Major Mosby his commission 
 of Major of Partisan Rangers, for which I am obliged to Your Excellency. 
 I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, 
 
 President Confederate States of America. 
 
 Report of Major-General Julius Stahel, U. S. A. Commanding Cavalry 
 Division, Department of Virginia. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS STAHEL S CAVALRY DIVISION, 
 
 Fairfax C. H., April 2, 1S63. 
 
 GENERAL : I have the honor to submit the following report, which is, how 
 ever, made up from verbal information received from Col. Price, Lieut. Col. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 55 
 
 In Colonel Mosby s "Reminiscences" he relates an inci 
 dent which our artist has shown in the picture of the 
 " Miskel Fight " : 
 
 " There was with me that day a young- artillery officer 
 Samuel F. Chapman who at the first call of his State to 
 arms had quit the study of divinity and 
 became, like Stonewall Jackson, a sort 
 of military Calvin, singing the psalms 
 of David as he went into battle. I 
 must confess that his character as a 
 soldier was more on the model of the 
 Hebrew prophets than the apostles or 
 the Baptist in whom he was so devout 
 a believer. Before he got to the ga ( e 
 Sam had already exhausted every barrel 
 of his two pistols and drawn his sabre. 
 As the fieiy Covenanter rode on his 
 predestined course the enemy s ranks 
 withered wherever he went. He was 
 just in front of me he was generally 
 in front of everybody in a fight at the 
 gate. It was no fault of the Union 
 cavalry that they did not get through 
 any faster than they did, but Sam 
 seemed to think that it was. Even at 
 that supreme moment in my life, when I had just stood on the 
 brink of ruin and had barely escaped, I could not restrain 
 a propensity to laugh. Sam, to give more vigor to his 
 
 Johnstone and Major Taggart. I will forward the written report as soon as it is 
 received, and shall take all possible means to ascertain the true state of the case. 
 
 It appears that on the evening of the 3ist ultimo, Major Taggart, at Union 
 Church, two miles above Peach Grove, received information that Mosby, with 
 about 65 men, was near Dranesville. He immediately despatched Capt. Flint, 
 with 150 men of the First Vermont, to rout or capture Mosby and his force. 
 
 Captain Flint followed the Leesburg and Alexandria road to the road which 
 branches off to the right just this side of Broad Run. Turning to the right 
 they followed up the Broad Run toward the Potomac to the place marked 
 "J. Mesed." Here at a house they came onto Mosby, who was completely 
 surprised and wholly unprepared for an attack from our forces. Had a proper 
 disposition been made of our troops, Mosby could not, by any possible means, 
 have escaped. It seems that around this house was a high board fence and 
 ordinary farm gate. Captain Flint took his men through the gate, and at a 
 distance from the house fired a volley at Mosby and his men, who were as 
 sembled about the house, doing but slight damage to them. He then ordered 
 a sabre charge, which was also ineffectual, on account of the fence which inter 
 vened. Mosby waited until the men were checked by the fence, and then 
 
 CAPT. HENRY C. FLINT, 
 
 First Vermont Cavalry. 
 
 From a photograph taken du 
 ring the War. 
 
 Killed at MiskePs (Broad Run) 
 April i, 1863. 
 
56 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 blows, was standing straight up in his stirrups dealing them 
 right and left with all the the theological fervor of Burly of 
 Balfour. I doubt whether he prayed that day for the souls 
 of those he sent over the Stygian river. I made him a cap 
 tain for it." 
 
 While General Stahel s Division of Cavalry was picketing 
 the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, Mosby, 
 with 98 men, bivouacked on the night of May 2d about two 
 miles from Warrenton, and early on the morning of the 3d 
 moved off towards Warrenton Junction, where a force of 
 the enemy was reported. 
 
 Here he found the First Virginia (Federal) Cavalry who 
 had just been relieved from duty and were resting in fancied 
 security. Some were under the shade of the trees, others 
 in the block buildings, their horses unsaddled, unbridled, 
 and many turned out in a field to graze. 
 
 opened his fire upon them, killing and wounding several. The men here be 
 came panic-stricken, and fled precipitately toward this gate, through which to 
 make their escape. The opening was small and they got wedged together, 
 and a fearful state of confusion followed, while Mosby s men followed them up 
 and poured into the crowd a severe fire. Here, while endeavoring to rally his 
 men, Captain Flint was killed and Lieutenant Grout, of the same company, 
 mortally wounded (will probably die to-day). 
 
 [Captain Flint and Lie ut. Charles A. Woodbury were the officers killed. 
 Lieut. Josiah Grout, Jr., was discharged (as captain) October i, 1863.] 
 
 Mosby s men followed in pursuit and sabred several of our men on the 
 road. Mosby, during his pursuit, is supposed to have received a sabre wound 
 across the face which unhorsed him. The rebels took some prisoners and a 
 number of horses, and fell back in great haste. In comparison to the number 
 engaged, our loss was very heavy. 
 
 Since Major Taggart received the report he sent Major Hall in pursuit of 
 Mosby and to bring in our killed and wounded. Upon receiving the first intel 
 ligence I immediately sent out Colonel Price with a detachment of the Sixth 
 and Seventh Michigan and First Virginia, who searched in every direction, but 
 no trace could be found of Mosby or his men, as information reached me too late. 
 
 I regret to be obliged to inform the Commanding General that the forces 
 sent out by Major Taggart missed so good an opportunity of capturing this 
 rebel guerrilla. It is only to be ascribed to the bad management on the part 
 of the officers and the cowardice of the men. I have ordered Colonel Price to 
 make a thorough investigation of this matter, and shall recommend those offi 
 cers who are guilty to be stricken from the roll.* 
 
 The list of killed and wounded will be forwarded as soon as received. 
 
 Ihave the honor to remain, your obedient servant, 
 
 JUL. STAHEL, Major-General. 
 Maj.-Gen. S. P. HEINTZELMAN, Commanding, &c. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 57 
 
 They took but little notice of " Mosby s Men " at first, 
 mistaking them for a party of their own men who had been 
 sent out on a scout, but they were soon undeceived when 
 Mosby ordered a charge. Many of those scattered around 
 surrendered immediately, but about one hundred took 
 refuge in the largest building and prepared to defend them 
 selves. Then the fight commenced in earnest. Those in 
 side poured out a galling 
 fire on their assailants, 
 while " Mosby s Men " 
 rode up to the windows 
 and discharged their 
 weapons at those within. 
 
 After the fight had gone 
 on in this manner for 
 about half an hour, and 
 the Federals still refused 
 to surrender, Mosby or 
 dered Alfred Glasscock 
 to set fire to a pile of hay 
 near by and burn the 
 house. In the meantime 
 Samuel Chapman, John 
 DeButts, Harry Sweet 
 ing and a few others, dis 
 mounted, burst in the 
 door and entering the 
 building opened fire on 
 those inside, at the same 
 time demanding their sur 
 render. The officer up 
 stairs, deeming it useless to resist further, hung out a white 
 flag. 
 
 Gathering up the prisoners, horses, and captured spoils, 
 the Rangers were preparing to retire, when the First Ver 
 mont and Fifth New York Cavalry, attracted by the firing, 
 came up from near Cedar Run Bridge, where they had 
 been bivouacked, and fiercely attacked Mosby. His men 
 now being thoroughly disorganized, were forced to retreat, 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JULIUS STAHEL, U. S. A. 
 From a War-time photograph. 
 
58 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 leaving most of their prisoners, horses and other captures 
 behind. 
 
 Templeton, one of Stonewall Jackson s best scouts, was 
 killed, and about 20 men wounded among- them, Capt. 
 Ducheane, T. W. T. Richards, T. M. Grigsby, Sam. Under 
 wood and Dick Moran. 
 
 General Stahel in his despatch to General Heintzelman, 
 admits a loss of 2 killed and 1 5 wounded. Major Steele, 
 of the First Virginia (Federal), Cavalry was mortally 
 wounded. 5 
 
 Mosby brought out 7 prisoners and a few horses. 
 
 5 Report of Gen. Julius Stahel. 
 
 Fairfax C. H. , May 5, 1863. 
 
 CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report that on the 3! of May, between 8 and 
 9 a. m., Mosby, with his band of guerrillas, together with a portion of the Black 
 Horse Cavalry and a portion of a North Carolina regiment, came suddenly 
 through the woods upon 50 of our men of the First (West) Virginia Cavalry, who 
 were in camp feeding their horses, just having returned from a scout, the 
 remainder of that regiment being out in a different direction to scout the country 
 on the right of the Warrenton and Alexandria railroad and toward the Rappa- 
 hannock. 
 
 Our men being surprised and completely surrounded, rallied in a house close 
 at hand and where a sharp fight ensued. Our men defended themselves as long 
 as their ammunition lasted, notwithstanding the rebels built a large fire about 
 the house, of hay and straw and brushwood. The flames reaching the house 
 and their ammunition being entirely expended they were obliged to surrender. 
 At this juncture a portion of the Fifth Regiment New York Cavalry which was 
 posted in the rear some distance from the First Virginia Cavalry came to their 
 rescue, making a very brilliant charge, which resulted in the complete annihila 
 tion of Mosby s command and recaptured our men and property. Our men 
 pursued the rebels in every direction, killing and wounding a large number, and 
 had our horses been in better condition and not tired out by the severe service 
 of the last few days, Mosby nor a single one of his men would not have escaped. 
 
 The rebel loss was very heavy, their killed being strewn along the road from 
 Warrenton Junction to Warrenton, and besides these many were immediately 
 removed from the fields and woods by the citizens in that vicinity. 
 
 The citizens report having seen a great many of Mosby s men who were 
 wounded in the beginning of the engagement crawling through the woods seek 
 ing shelter and hiding places. 
 
 We have thus far captured only 30 prisoners and 40 horses ; 16 of the 
 prisoners were badly wounded and were sent with the rest to the provost-mar 
 shal at Alexandria. 
 
 Among the killed of the rebels is Templeton, the notorious spy, and among 
 
, MOSBY S RANGERS. 59 
 
 While the prisoners were sitting- on the green at Upper- 
 ville, after the return from the raid, talking with the men 
 around them, the subject of their conversation being the 
 fighting qualities of the different regiments, one of our men 
 said : 
 
 " Every one thinks his own regiment the best, but I have 
 a very poor opinion of the First Virginia Cavalry." 
 
 Mosby, overhearing the remark, said : 
 
 " What do you want to talk that way to prisoners for ?" 
 
 Then, turning to the prisoners, he added : 
 
 <{ You all fight as well as we want to have you fight." 
 
 the wounded and captured is Dick Moran, Mosby s leading man, Capt. S. P. 
 Dushane and Lieut. (T. M.) Grigsby, and Samuel (L.) Underwood. 
 
 The loss on our side in killed is 2 privates ; in wounded 5 officers and 10 
 privates, a list of which is enclosed. 
 
 I take the liberty of recommending to your notice the officers and men who 
 so gallantly repulsed and totally destroyed this rebel force, and particularly I 
 would mention Col. De Forest, Major Hammond, Capt. Krom, Capt. Penfield, 
 Capt. McMaster, and Lieuts. Munson and McBride, of the Fifth New York 
 Cavalry ; Major Steele, Capt. Harris and Capt. McCoy, of the First (West) 
 Virginia Cavalry, and Capt. Bean, of the First Vermont Cavalry. 
 
 Report of Brigadier General John J, Abercrombie, U. S. A. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ABERCROMBIE S DIVISION, 
 
 Centreville, May 4, 1863. 
 
 CAPTAIN : The following information obtained from Colonel Blunt, Twelfth 
 Vermont, commanding infantry on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Rail 
 road is respectfully submitted for the information of the Major General com 
 manding : 
 
 Between the hours of 9 and 10 o clock on the morning of the 3d inst. an 
 outpost of the First Virginia (Union) Cavalry, at Warrenton Junction, number 
 ing about 100 men, under Lieut. Col. Krepps command, were surprised and 
 attacked by Major Mosby, with his force of about 125 men. The men of the 
 First (West) Virginia, were scattered about the station, their horses being for 
 the most part unsaddled in order to be groomed and fed. Mosby s force 
 came in upon them from the direction of Warrenton, which place they left at 
 daylight. Their front rank was dressed in the uniform of U. S. soldiers, and 
 they were supposed to be a force of Union cavalry until within a short distance 
 when they charged and surrounded the house, in and about which the First 
 (West) Virginia lay. After a short fight in which several of the rebels were 
 killed and wounded the men of the First (West) Virginia, for the most part, had 
 
6o MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Raiding parties of Federals, both cavalry and infantry, 
 were constantly scouring- the country in all directions in 
 search of Mosby. On their way, these raiders gathered up 
 all the horses and cattle they could find, killed the farmers 
 stock and poultry, and plundered and destroyed private 
 property. Inoffensive citizens, sometimes old and feeble 
 men, were taken off, exhibited as " Mosby s Men," guerrillas, 
 or bushwhackers, imprisoned for months, and finally released, 
 without knowing why they were taken. In consequence of 
 these practices, as soon as a raiding party commenced its 
 march through the country, everything was in a state of 
 excitement. The men and boys hurried off to the moun 
 tains, or to secluded spots with the horses and cattle, notify 
 ing their neighbors of the approach of the enemy. Within 
 doors all was bustle. Everything of value was hidden away 
 in places most likely to escape the scrutiny of a search. 
 Meanwhile the soldiers, who were the least troubled on such 
 occasions, mounted their horses and were secure in the 
 mountains, or they combined for defense or attack, as op 
 portunity might offer. 
 
 surrendered, and about 40 were being taken towards Warrenton by their cap 
 tors, when a detachment of 70 men of the Fifth New York Cavalry, which was 
 camped near by, under command of Major Hammond, came up, charged 
 upon the rebels, and a running fight ensued, which was continued for five miles, 
 in course of which all the prisoners taken by Mosby were recaptured, with the 
 exception of two. Three rebels were killed on the spot, among them one shown 
 by passes found on his person to be Templeton, a notorious scout and spy. 
 Seventeen rebels were wounded and taken prisoners, among them 2 captains, i 
 lieutenant, and Dick Moran, rebel spy. Six were taken uninjured, making 23 
 prisoners. Moran and several others were mortally wounded. Our loss was 
 of the First (West) Virginia, Major Steele, mortally wounded ; Captain McCoy, 
 slightly wounded : I private killed and 9 men wounded. Of the Fifth New 
 York, Captain Krom, badly, and Lieutenant McBride and Munson, slightly 
 wounded. Mosby is reported wounded in the shoulder. His force was pursued 
 through Warrenton, scattered with the exception of about 20 men, and a num 
 ber now are supposed to have been wounded who escaped capture. 
 
 About 30 of Mosby s horses were taken. Three men of the Twelfth Ver 
 mont were captured near their camp, but escaped. A party of the First Vermont 
 Cavalry, Major Hall, commanding, joined in the pursuit but were not engaged 
 in the skirmish. The prisoners were sent in by railroad at 6 p. m. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. J. ABERCROMBIE, Brig. Gen. Commanding 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 61 
 
 Persons misled by a false alarm, or some even in a spirit 
 of mischief, would at times send out the warning cry of 
 " The Yankees are coming ! when there were no grounds 
 for such reports. On these occasions, however, there would 
 
 be the same activity dis 
 play ed and the same 
 confusion existing as in 
 cases of real danger. 
 
 On the 6th of May, 
 1863, Major Mosby, Ed- 
 win Rowzee and myself 
 were at the house of Mr. 
 George S. Ayre, near 
 A FEDERAL RAIDING PARTY. Upperville. Dinner was 
 
 just over and we remained sitting around when our host 
 came into the room and said, " Major, the Yankees are com 
 ing ! " Mosby picked up his hat and pistols, mounted his 
 
62 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 horse, which stood saddled at the stile, and rode off. Row- 
 zee and I started for the stable to get our horses, but before 
 we reached it heard firing in the woods at Blakeley s Grove, 
 about a mile from the house. We halted and in a few mo 
 ments saw a blue-coat skirmish line on the crest of a hill 
 opposite, and soon a body of infantry came in view. We 
 concealed ourselves behind a stone fence and crept along, 
 watching them as they -moved towards Upperville. A farm 
 bell which was used to call the hands from the fields to the 
 house was sounded at this time, and the Federal infantry, 
 evidently thinking it a signal, halted and drew up in line. 
 
 Rowzee and I hastened back to the house, where we were 
 told there had been a fight in the woods and a number of 
 wounded men were there. We threw off our coats and 
 jumped into an ox-cart which stood near by, and with a 
 negro driver hurried off to the scene of the fight. As we 
 neared the place a Federal cavalryman rode up and said : 
 " Are there any rebels in the neighborhood ? "I don t 
 know," said I. He said they had been attacked by about 
 150 rebels. In the woods we found 5 wounded, and in the 
 road i man and 2 horses killed. The main body had gone 
 towards Upperville, while a few had been left to look after 
 the wounded, who were taken temporarily to the school- 
 house at the grove. One of the Federals was very commu 
 nicative. He told me they had 2 killed and 6 wounded ; that 
 among the wounded were Lieutenants Boyd and Wyckoff 
 of the First New York Cavalry, and Lieutenant Hawkins of 
 the Sixth Maryland. 
 
 From conversation with the Federal soldiers and the 
 account given me by our own men who were in the fight, I 
 learned that at this time the First New York Cavalry, the 
 Sixth Maryland and Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry 
 were camped at Berryville. That on the night of the 5th 
 of May, the Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, about 400 men, 
 under Colonel Staunton, set a trap to catch Mosby, 
 
 They had captured a few skiffs at Front Royal, which they 
 had brought down the Shenandoah River to Castleman s 
 Ferry for the purpose of ferrying the infantry across. They 
 were accompanied by about 20 cavalry under Lieutenants 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 63 
 
 Boyd and Wyckoff, who rode a little in advance with orders 
 that in the event of their meeting " Mosby s Men," a 
 trooper was to gallop back and notify the infantry, who 
 were to conceal themselves ; the cavalry, after skirmishing, 
 were to retreat and draw Mosby into the ambuscade. 
 
 Leaving a small force as guard at the Ferry, they 
 marched through Snicker s Gap. Near Blakeley s Grove, 
 between Bloomfield and Upper- 
 ville, the cavalry were charged 
 by 15 of " Mosby s Men," and 
 running back to the infantry 
 were received by a volley of 
 musketry. The infantry were 
 so exciied they did not wait 
 for the Confederates to come 
 up, but fired on their own men. 
 
 Only one of " Mosby s Men " 
 (Robert Gray) was slightly 
 wounded, for discovering the 
 " trap " in time, they wheeled 
 their horses and were soon out 
 of range. 
 
 The Federals made but a 
 short stay in Upperville, and F - F - BOWEN co B - 
 
 f A , From a photograph taken in 1864, 
 
 returning to the scene of the 
 
 recent conflict, gathered up their wounded and recrossed 
 
 the river. 
 
 The Orange and Alexandria Railroad was at this time 
 closely guarded, the army on the Rappahannock receiving 
 all its supplies from Washington by that route. Pickets 
 were stationed at all the principal bridges and exposed 
 places, patrols were sent from post to post, and each train 
 was in charge of a guard. Yet in spite of all this vigilance 
 Mosby never lost sight of the purpose for which he was de 
 tailed, and neglected no opportunity to harass and annoy 
 the enemy. 
 
 On Friday, May 2Qth, there was a meeting of the com 
 mand at Patterson s. A small howitzer which General 
 Stuart had sent Mosby at his request, was brought out, and 
 
 v #> *TI 
 
6 4 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 the men selected for this branch of the service were put 
 through a drill by Lieut. Samuel F. Chapman, who had been 
 an officer in the Dixie Battery. Mosby then proceeded to 
 Greenwich, where a halt was made for supper, after which 
 he moved a few miles further on and camped for the night. 
 Early on the morning of the 3Oth a hurried march was 
 made in the direction of the railroad, coming out at a point 
 near Catlett s Station. After cutting the telegraph wire, a 
 rail was unfastened and a wire attached to it, extended some 
 distance from the road where the patrols would not observe 
 it, while a man concealed behind a tree stood ready to draw 
 
 CATLETT S STATION. 
 
 the rail out of place as soon as the engine approached, throw 
 ing it off the track. 
 
 Soon the train came steaming along, but it halted sud 
 denly on reaching the treacherous rail. The little howitzer 
 had been placed in position by Lieutenant Chapman and a 
 shot was fired into the engine, while a charge was made 
 upon the infantry guarding the train. The guard fired a 
 volley, and then, jumping from the cars, fled to the woods, 
 leaving the train of eleven cars heavily loaded with supplies 
 in possession of the Rangers, who took such articles as they 
 fancied and then set fire to the train. 
 
 As there were cavalry camps within a mile on either side, 
 the Rangers knew they could spend but little time in plun- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 65 
 
 dering, yet when mounted to return they were well laden 
 with spoil, some with boxes of oranges or lemons, others 
 with sides of leather, or mail bags, or boxes of dainties, 
 hastily picked up, either by chance or from choice. 
 
 Colonel Mann, of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, who was 
 in command of that portion of Stahel s Cavalry at Bristoe, 
 hearing the firing, started the Fifth New York, under Cap 
 tain Hasbrouck, across the country to intercept Mosby, 
 while he followed the railroad towards the burning train, 
 with the First Vermont and Seventh Michigan Cavalry. 
 
 Mosby had marched but a few miles when he observed 
 the Fifth New York in 
 his front. Chapman sent a 
 shell into their ranks which 
 checked their advance, and 
 the command was again start 
 ed. Mosby, finding his pur 
 suers increasing in numbers 
 (Col. Mann, with the Seventh 
 Michigan, and Col Preston, 
 \vith the First Vermont, hav 
 ing come up), determined to 
 make a stand and sell his 
 gun dearly. 
 
 Chapman took up a posi 
 tion near Grapewood Farm, 
 about two miles from Greenwich, at the head of a short, 
 narrow lane, with a high fence on either side. The Federals 
 coming up, charged in column of fours, and at a little over 
 fifty yards received a fire of grape which killed 3 and 
 wounded 7. Mosby now made a dashing charge, which 
 drove the enemy in confusion. Twice they rallied and 
 each time were driven back. Our men fought bravely, but 
 the odds were too great. At last when the ammunition 
 was exhausted, the gun had to be abandoned, but only after 
 a desperate hand-to-hand fight. 
 
 General STAHEL to TAYLOR : Fairfax C. //., June 3, 1863. 
 
 I am just in receipt of an official report from Colonel Mann, of the recent 
 engagement near Greenwich. He informs me that at 9 a. m. on the 3oth ult. 
 
 JOHN H. CORE, CO. D. 
 
 From photograph taken at beginning of the 
 
 war. 
 
66 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Mosby lost 5 men killed and about 20 wounded and 
 prisoners. Captain Bradford Smith Hoskins, an English 
 man, formerly a captain in the Forty-fourth Royal Infantry 
 in the Crimean War, was with Mosby, and was mortally 
 wounded. He lingered two days and died at the residence 
 of Mr Charles Green, near the scene of the conflict. He 
 was a brave soldier, and had made many friends while with 
 the command. 
 
 he heard from his camp artillery firing in the direction of Warrenton Junction. 
 The train for Bealeton had just passed up, and believing it to have been 
 attacked he immediately went with a detachment of the Fifth New York, under 
 command of Captain A. H. Hasbrouck, a detachment of the First Vermont, 
 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Preston, and a small detachment of the 
 Seventh Michigan. The detachment of the Fifth New York was sent directly 
 across the country in order to Intercept the rebels, while the balance of the 
 command went directly to the scene of action. The advance of the Fifth New 
 York, led by Lieut. Elmer Barker, came up with the enemy first, and found 
 them with a howitzer posted on a hill, with the cavalry drawn up in line in the 
 rear to support it. Lieutenant Barker, with his small detachment of about 25 
 men, dashed up the hill, and when within about 50 yards of the gun, received a 
 charge of grape and canister, which killed 3 and wounded 7 of our men and 
 several horses. The enemy then charged upon us, but were met with stub 
 born resistance by the Lieutenant and his men, although the Lieutenant had 
 received two grape shot in his thigh. We were, however, overpowered and 
 driven back a short distance. Just then Colonel Preston, of the First Ver 
 mont (Lieutenant Hazleton, with Companies H and C, being in advance), came 
 up at a full charge upon their flank and were again received with a discharge 
 from the howitzer of grape and canister. Our men pressed on, however, until 
 they came to a hand-to-hand conflict, when the enemy gradually fell back. We 
 took their howitzer and they fled in every direction. 
 
 Colonel Mann pursued the rebels until his horses were completely tired out, 
 he having been obliged to ride at full speed before overtaking them, and then, 
 after collecting his dead and wounded, returned to camp. 
 
 Our loss was 4 killed and 15 wounded, the names of which please find 
 enclosed. We lost also n horses killed and several wounded. None of our 
 men are missing. The force engaged on our side was 170. The rebels had, 
 as nearly as can be ascertained, 200 men, besides his gun. 
 
 Capt. B. S. Haskins, of the rebel army, formerly of the British army, and 
 Lieutenant Chapman, formerly of the U. S. Regulars, who was in command of 
 the howitzer, were so badly wounded that they could not be removed. They 
 were consequently paroled. Captain Haskins has since died. 
 
 The loss of the enemy was 6 killed and 20 wounded, besides many others 
 severely wounded, who escaped in the woods. 
 
 We have 10 prisoners and many carbines and pistols; the number Colonel 
 Mann did not state. 
 
 I desire again to recommend to the favorable consideration of the Major- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 67 
 
 Lieut. Samuel F. Chapman, who was in charge of the gun, 
 was so badly wounded that he could not be removed, and 
 was paroled on the field. Beattie and Montjoy stood by the 
 gun until surrounded and captured. 
 
 Mosby came out of the fight hatless, and his horse ran 
 against a tree with him, bruising his face. 
 
 General commanding the officers and men engaged in this fight, in which they 
 all displayed such great valor. 
 
 The dead and wounded have all been brought in to this place, and the 
 wounded are doing well in the hospitals attached to their respective brigades. 
 
 Colonel Mann reports that had the guards on the train offered the slightest 
 resistance the train might have been saved. They could have detained the 
 enemy until our cavalry came up and also reinforcements from the battalion of 
 infantry which was at Catlett s Station. 
 
 Report of Colonel Mann, Seventh Michigan Cavalry. 
 
 NEAR GREENWICH, 2 p. rn. ( 
 Via Union Mills, May 30, 1863. 
 MANN to STAHEL : 
 
 SIR : Mosby, with 200 men and one howitzer, attacked our train near Cat 
 lett s ; guard fled ; Mosby burned train. Heard firing in camp and went in 
 search with First Vermont, Fifth New York and a detachment of Seventh Mich 
 igan. Came up with Mosby in strong position two miles southwest of Green 
 wich and charged him. He gave us grape ; boys never faltered ; took his gun. 
 Captain Haskins mortally wounded, and Lieutenant Chapman severely 
 wounded, and also several privates. Our loss, 4 killed, and I officer, Lieu 
 tenant Barker, and 7 enlisted men wounded. Several horses killed. 
 
 The rebels scattered in the thickets and in the mountains. We shall return 
 to camp as soon as the wounded and dead are cared for. 
 
 Engine is not much damaged ; train destroyed. A strong patrol from my 
 command had passed the very spot but one hour before and were but three 
 miles distant at the time and came promptly up. No other news. Full report 
 by mail. 
 
 Bristoe Station, May 31, 1863. 
 
 Colonel MANN to Major BALDWIN : Returned at dark, bringing in our can 
 non and all our dead and wounded. The wounded number 15 on our side. It 
 was an extremely hot affair for a small one; many of the wounds very severe. 
 Our captures of the day are 10 prisoners, including Captain Haskins, an Eng 
 lish officer of 7 years service, now in the Confederate service, and Lieutenan 
 Chapman, who had charge of the artillery. Both these officers so severely 
 wounded could not be removed and were paroled. I sent in prisoners by train 
 to-day. 
 
 The enemy lost heavy in wounded, as they received a terrific fire from 
 revolvers at close range, followed by a determined sabre charge. Many were 
 severely cut with sabre, but clung to their horses and fell back into the thicket. 
 
68 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 George Turberville made his appearance with a bunch of 
 fresh fish, which he had brought from the captured train and 
 carried safely through the desperate fight. 
 
 Our horses were completely blown when we had overtaken the enemy, so 
 rapid had been our pursuit, and after thoroughly scattering them to all points, 
 in that thick country I found it impossible to follow up with the hope of catch 
 ing them. Lieutenant Barker has two grape shot through thigh, but is quite 
 comfortable. He crossed sabres with them and fought desperately after this 
 wound. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 June to August, 1863 Company A Organized Engagement at Seneca Mills Death of Captain 
 Brawner and Lieutenant Whitescarver Mosby penetrates the Federal Lines and Captures 
 Two Officers of Hooker s Staff Alone, he brings out Two Prisoners Great Cavalry Battle 
 near Upperville " Bushwhacked " near Ewell s Chapel and Three of " Mosby s Men" 
 Wounded General Lee in Pennsylvania Mosby in Pennsylvania Lee Falls Back after the 
 Battle of Gettysburg Meade Follows through Loudoun " Mosby s Men " in the Midst of 
 the Federal Army Skirmishing in the Front and picking up Sutlers in the Rear Daring 
 Dashes and Exciting Scenes Prison Camp in the Bull Run Mountains Capture of 
 Trains in Fairfax Fight at Gooding s Tavern Mosby Wounded. 
 
 On the morning of the loth of June, 1 863, at a meeting held 
 at Rector s X Roads, on the turnpike, four miles west of 
 Middleburg, the command was for the first time regularly 
 organized, and as Company A, Forty-third Battalion Partisan 
 Rangers, elected James William Foster, Captain ; Thomas 
 Turner, of Maryland, First Lieutenant ; W. L. Hunter, 
 Second Lieutenant, and George H. Whitescarver, Third 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 After the election, joined by Captain Brawner s Company, 
 Prince William Cavalry, Mosby moved off in the direction 
 of the Potomac. He struck the river early on the morning 
 of the nth, at a ford one mile below Seneca. Joseph H. 
 Nelson, Alfred Glasscock and William Trunnel were first 
 sent across and captured the picket, after which the com 
 mand crossed the river to attack a camp of the Sixth 
 Michigan Cavalry at Seneca Mills. Mosby dashed up the 
 tow path, while the Federals fell back and took up their 
 position behind the bridge near the Mill, and along the 
 creek, which was bordered by trees and underbrush. We 
 charged over the bridge, the enemy giving way, but in a 
 deep cut in the road a sharp hand to hand fight took place. 
 Captain Brawner and Lieutenant Whitescarver were killed, 
 and Alfred Glasscock and William Hibbs wounded. John 
 Ballard, seeing Captain Brawner fall, rode up to the Federal 
 soldier who killed him, and cutting him over the head with 
 his sabre, knocked him from his horse. 
 
 69 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 After routing the Federals, Mosby returned to Seneca, 
 destroyed the camp, and recrossed the river, bringing off 17 
 prisoners, 23 horses and 5 mules. 
 
 The Sixth Michigan lost 4 killed and a number wounded. l 
 
 1 Report of Major John S, Mosby, 
 
 Virginia Partisan Rangers, 
 Middleburg, June 10 (llth], 1863. 
 
 GENERAL : I left our point of ren 
 dezvous yesterday for the purpose of 
 making a night attack on two cavalry 
 companies of the enemy on the Mary 
 land shore. Had I succeeded in 
 crossing the river at night, as I ex 
 pected, I would have had no difficulty 
 in capturing them; but unfortunately, 
 my guide mistook the road, and, 
 instead of crossing about II o clock 
 at night, I did not get over until after 
 daylight. 
 
 The enemy (between 80 and 100 
 strong), being apprised of my move 
 ment, were formed to receive me. 
 A charge was ordered, the shock of 
 which the enemy could not resist, and 
 they were driven several miles in 
 confusion, with the loss of 7 killed, a 
 considerable number wounded and 
 17 prisoners ; also, 2o-odd horses or 
 more. We burned their tents, stores, 
 camp equipage, etc. 
 
 I regret the loss of two brave officers killed, Captain Brawner and Lieut. 
 [Geo. H.] Whitescarver. I also had one man wounded. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Major Partisan Rangers. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, ) 
 June 16, 1863. \ 
 
 Respectfully forwarded. In consideration of his brilliant services, I hope 
 the President will promote Major Mosby. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, Major-General. 
 
 CAPT. JAMES W. FOSTER, CO. A. 
 
 Familiarly known as Captain "WILLIE" FOSTER 
 From a photograph taken after the war. 
 
 Report of Col. Albert B. Jewett, Tenth Vermont Infantry, Commanding Brigade. 
 
 Camp Heintzelman, June 20, 1863. 
 
 I have the honor to report that on the loth (nth) instant about 250 of the 
 enemy s cavalry crossed the Potomac River, Muddy Branch, at daybreak. 
 
 The enemy dashed rapidly up the canal, driving in the patrols and attacked 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 71 
 
 On the night of Thursday, June i8th, while Hooker s 
 army was in motion, Mosby, accompanied by Joseph H. 
 Nelson, Norman Smith, and Charles L. Hall, penetrated the 
 Federal lines, and at Birch s house on the pike below Aldie, 
 captured two Federal officers and an orderly 2 . One of the 
 
 Captain Dean s Company, I, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, on duty at Seneca Locks. 
 
 Captain Dean fell back toward Poolesville, forming line three times, and 
 only retreating when nearly surrounded. 
 
 The enemy followed to within three miles of Poolesville, when he rapidly 
 retired, destroying the camp of Captain Dean and recrossing the river at the 
 point where he had crossed. 
 
 Our loss was 4 men killed, I man wounded and 16 men missing. The men 
 above reported "missing" are men who were absent from Captain Dean s 
 camp doing patrol duty along the canal, along a line extending to Muddy 
 Branch, more than 13 miles from my headquarters, and were not reported by 
 me in my telegraphic despatches because they were not then considered to be 
 properly "missing," in the absence of any information to that effect. The 
 enemy left killed on the field their commanding officers, Capt. [W. G.] Brawner 
 and his second lieutenant. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIFTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, 
 
 Kettle Run, June 13, 1863. 
 Colonel DE FOREST, Fairfax C. H. : 
 
 COLONEL : Returned last night at up. m. with one captain and six men of 
 Mosby s command and ten horses. 
 
 Mosby returned from raid in Maryland about 2 p. m. on the nth. He 
 brought 17 prisoners of the Sixth Michigan and dispersed his men at Middle- 
 burg four hours before the telegram was written ordering us in pursuit of him. 
 He is reported to have had no men, but no artillery. 
 The prisoners will be sent in by first train. 
 
 J. HAMMOND, Major Commanding Detachment. 
 
 2 Federal Report. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS PICKET RESERVE, 
 
 June 18, 1863. 
 Lieut. JOHN M. CLARK, Acting Assist. A. G. : 
 
 In accordance with directions from the Commanding Officer of the brigade 
 I report the facts in regard to the capture of Major [William R.] Sterling and 
 Captain Fisher, as related to me by the people of the house where they were 
 taken. Major Sterling and Captain Fisher were on their way to communicate 
 with General Pleasonton when they halted at the residence of Mr. [Almond] 
 Birch for supper and to inquire how far it was to Aldie. Having finished their 
 supper they started for their horses which were left with their orderly at the 
 yard gate. The horses and orderly had been removed, and before Major Ster 
 ling and Captain Fisher had reached the gate 10 or 12 cavalrymen seized them 
 and hurriedly mounted them and bore them off. This took place last evening 
 at 10 o clock, about 400 yards from the picket outpost at the house of Mr. Birch 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 officers was Captain Fisher, a signal officer, and the other, 
 Major Sterling, who was the bearer of important despatches 
 from Hooker to Pleasonton, at Aldie, giving information as 
 to his (Hooker s) plans, with his letter of instructions to 
 Pleasonton. These Mosby placed in the hands of Norman 
 Smith, and by daylight on the morning of the ipth, Smith 
 had delivered them to General Stuart, who made the fol 
 lowing mention in his report : 
 
 "Major Mosby, with 
 his usual daring, pen 
 etrated the enemy s 
 lines and caught a 
 staff officer of Gen 
 eral Hooker, bearer 
 of despatches to Gen 
 eral Pleasonton, com 
 manding U.S.Cavalry 
 near Aldie. These 
 dispatches disclosed 
 the fact that Hooker 
 was looking to Aldie 
 with solicitude ; that 
 Pleasonton with in 
 fantry and cavalry 
 occupied the place, 
 and that a reconnois- 
 sance in force, of cav 
 alry, was meditated 
 toward Warrenton 
 and Culpeper." 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH HOOKER, U. S. A. 
 From a photograph taken during the war. 
 
 on the Little River turnpike. 
 Mr. Birch and family are 
 from Clifton Park, Saratoga 
 County, New York. They 
 
 are Union people, known to some of the officers of our regiment. I am satis 
 fied that these people had no complicity with this affair, and had no knowledge 
 of the enemy s being anywhere near their house. The capture of these officers 
 appears to have been as unexpected to the enemy as it was to the officers 
 captured, since the enemy was unaware of our forces being so near. 
 
 I also report that I have re-established the picket line in some respects since 
 coming upon duty this morning, so as among other points to include the house 
 of Mr. Birch. All is quiet upon the line. 
 
 I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JAMES C. RICE, Colonel Commanding Outposts. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 73 
 
 Sending Nelson and Hall off with the prisoners, Mosby 
 proceeded alone to within a short distance of the Potomac, 
 gathered all the information he could concerning the loca 
 tion, strength and movements of Hooker s forces, and started 
 on his return. 
 
 He stopped at a farm house (Mr. John Coleman s), for the 
 purpose of making some inquiries, when hearing a noise in 
 his rear, he turned and perceived two Federal cavalrymen 
 picking cherries from a tree. Riding to where the two men 
 were standing, he asked, " What regiment do you belong 
 to ? " The waterproof which Mosby had thrown over his 
 shoulders to protect him from the drizzling rain, hid his 
 gray uniform, and the cavalrymen, not suspecting who he 
 was, answered that they were from the Fifth New York. 
 He told them who he was and demanded their surrender. 
 As they were unarmed and had only straggled from their 
 camp near by, there was no alternative and they yielded. 
 
 Coming in sight of the pike he discovered a long train 
 of Avagons passing, guarded by Federal cavalry. Turn 
 ing to his prisoners, he told them he was in a tight place 
 and meant to get out ; that if either showed the slight 
 est sign of an intention to betray him he would instantly 
 shoot him. Having thus cautioned them, he tied their 
 horses heads together to prevent their parting, and trot 
 ting along at a brisk gait, passed through the train and 
 made his way safely to General Stuart s headquarters. The 
 train guards no doubt mistook Mosby for one of their own 
 officers and the prisoners for his orderlies or escort. The 
 boldness of his action threw them completely off their 
 guard. 
 
 While Hooker was in front of Washington, awaiting the 
 advance of Lee, the latter was moving his forces north by 
 way of Culpe per, thence across the Blue Ridge and down 
 the Valley to Maryland and Pennsylvania. Milroy was 
 driven out of Winchester, and the greatest excitement ex 
 isted along the border. The President of the United States 
 issued a proclamation calling for 100,000 men from the states 
 of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to re 
 pel the invasion. 
 
74 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The Army of Northern Virginia, under General Lee, had 
 been reorganized into three Army Corps ; the First Corps 
 under Lieutenant-General Longstreet, the Second Corps 
 under Ewell, and the Third Corps under A. P. Hill. 
 
 The Second Corps, under General Ewell, the first to 
 move, crossed the Shenandoah River, near Front Royal, on 
 the 1 2th of June, 1863, and was followed by Gen. A. P. 
 Hill, with his three divisions, composing the Third Corps. 
 
 General Longstreet, 
 with his Corps (the 
 First), marched by 
 Ashby s and Snicker s 
 Gaps into the Valley, 
 on the 1 7th of June. 
 
 General Stuart with 
 his cavalry covered 
 these movements and 
 guarded the approaches 
 to the Gaps. 
 
 For several days there 
 was sharp skirmishing 
 between Stuart s cav 
 alry and the Federal 
 forces under Pleas- 
 onton, who were en 
 deavoring to penetrate 
 the mystery which sur 
 rounded the movements 
 of the Confederate 
 Army. Baffled in his 
 efforts, Pleasonton, being heavily reinforced, attacked 
 Stuart with his entire force on Sunday, June 2ist. 
 
 The morning of the 2ist was cloudy and threatening. 
 Booming of cannon in the direction of Middleburg warned 
 us that a fight was going on. As the sounds approached 
 nearer, mingled with the rattle of small arms, we knew that 
 our cavalry was falling back towards Upperville, where the 
 hardest of the fighting took place. The battle, in which the 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART, C. S. A. 
 From a photograph taken during the war. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 75 
 
 whole of Pleasonton s cavalry was engaged, lasted until 
 night, when Stuart fell back to Ashby s Gap. 
 
 During the excitement of a battle one does not so fully 
 realize the terrible effects as when going over the field after 
 wards. On the morning after the fight (Monday, 22d) white 
 men and negroes were engaged in burying the dead. One 
 poor fellow lay in a fence corner, his brains spattered over 
 the rails, while another had one-half of his head carried 
 away by a shell. 
 Another looked as 
 if calmly sleeping, 
 death had come to 
 him so quickly. In 
 one field, in front of 
 the house at Ayre- 
 shire (the residence 
 of Mr. Geo. S. Ayre)> 
 where Stuart made 
 a desperate charge 
 to save his train of 
 wagons and ambu 
 lances, I counted 31 
 dead horses. The 
 ground in many 
 places was torn up 
 in great holes and 
 furrows by shot and 
 shell. Roads through 
 the fields in all di 
 rections, and big 
 gaps in the stone fences, showed where the cavalry and 
 artillery had ploughed through. The country around pre 
 sented a scene of desolation ; wheat fields trodden down 
 and cornfields in many places looking as though they had 
 never been planted. A poor horse that had one of its hind 
 legs shot away, had grazed around in a circle. I thought 
 it an act of mercy to put a ball through the head of the 
 suffering creature. 
 
 MAJOR-GEN. PLEAS ONTON, U. S. A. 
 
7 6 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 A little darkey, looking over the fence into a clover field, 
 saw a fine cavalry boot among the clover and ran to get it, 
 saying in great glee, " Oh, see what a nice boot I ve found ! " 
 But when he attempted to pick it up and discovered that 
 there was a foot and part of a leg in the boot, he was para 
 lyzed with fright for a few seconds ; but he soon recovered 
 the use of his legs and scampered off in a hurry. 
 
 s 
 
 GATHERING UP THE DEAD AND WOUNDED. 
 
 At this time Mosby crossed the Bull Run Mountains with 
 a part of the command, and fell into an ambuscade which 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 77 
 
 had been prepared for him near Swell s Chapel. 3 Mr. J. N. 
 Ballard, who was severely wounded on that occasion, fur 
 nished me with the following account of the affair : 
 
 " On the evening of June 2ist, while Stuart was fighting 
 Pleasonton and graduallv falling back to Ashby s Gap, 
 Mosby, with a portion of his command, left a point on Gen 
 eral Stuart s right, not far from Five Points, and passing 
 close to the enemy s left, reached the Bull Run Mountains 
 near Landmark. The gaps in the mountains were in pos 
 session of and well guarded by the Federal troops, and 
 Mosby was compelled to cross by a little mountain path. 
 
 3 General Meade sent his regrets to General Howard in the following letter : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIFTH CORPS, 
 
 June 22, 1863. 
 Gen. O. O. HOWARD : 
 
 I came near catching our friend Mosby this morning. I had reliable intel 
 ligence of his expected passing a place about four miles from here at sunrise. 
 I sent 40 mounted men (all I had) and 100 infantry, who succeeded in posting 
 themselves in ambush at the designated spot. Sure enough, Mr. Mosby, to 
 gether with 30 of his followers, made their appearance about sunrise ; but I re 
 gret to say, their exit also, from what I can learn, through the fault of both 
 foot and horse. It appears Mosby saw the cavalry, and immediately charged 
 them. They ran that is, my horses toward the infantry posted behind a 
 fence. The infantry, instead of rising and deliberately delivering their fire, 
 fired lying on the ground, and did not hit the rebels, who immediately scat 
 tered and dispersed. Thus the prettiest chance in the world to dispose of Mr. 
 Mosby was lost. Truly yours, 
 
 GEO. MEADE, Major-General. 
 
 Report of Capt. Harvey Brown, Fourteenth U. S. Infantry. 
 
 Camp Near Alaie, June 22, 1863. 
 
 I have the honor to report in obedience to the instructions I received this 
 morning from you to take a sufficient force for the purpose of capturing a cer 
 tain guerrilla party which was supposed to frequent the house of Dr. Ewell, in 
 this vicinity, that I left the camp for that object at i a. m. with 100 men and 3 
 officers (Captain Ilges, Lieuts. P. Collins and Douney) and 30 cavalry and 3 
 officers of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and proceeded by the 
 Aldie and Thoroughfare Gap road to a small church near the head waters of 
 Bull Run, or about 4 miles from this camp. 
 
 My object was to reach the point before daylight, but the difficulties I en 
 countered in passing our picket lines, in addition to the heavy roads, prevented 
 me from accomplishing my purpose until broad daylight. The country being 
 very open I had but little choice in selecting a favorable position. I placed 
 
78 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The road was rugged and the night very dark, and by some 
 mishap a good number of our men lost their way and had to 
 return, so that there were only about twenty-five men left 
 with Mosby, who halted on top of the mountain and slept 
 till morning. In the valley the enemy s camp fires were 
 seen in every direction. 
 
 " Early next morning we descended the eastern slope of the 
 mountain and passed through the farm of Dr. Ewell. At a 
 small house we captured two Federal cavalrymen, who told 
 us there was only a small force of cavalry at the church near 
 by. Coming in sight we charged them. There was a fence 
 and a gate between us, and just as we got through the gate a 
 body of infantry who were lying in ambush inside of and 
 around the church gave us volley after volley. We did not 
 see the infantry until we got quite near the church. Montjoy 
 had a finger shot off ; Charles Hall received a ball in his 
 
 about half my cavalry and a portion of the infantry in the rear of the church, 
 and at the head of a lane leading to Dr. Ewell s house, which place it was sup 
 posed the said party would pass. The balance of my force I stationed on the 
 left of the above-mentioned lane and facing toward the house. But a short 
 time had elapsed after I had made this disposition of my forces until I was in 
 formed by one of my men whom I had placed in a tree that there was a body 
 of mounted men rapidly approaching. I permitted them to advance within 
 pistol shot, when we commenced to exchange firing, but almost immediately 
 they fell back at full speed, and in consequence of the rolling ground on our 
 front, they were for a short time hidden from our view. To make a successful 
 charge under the circumstances was impossible, although we pursued the enemy 
 for about a mile, until they found refuge in the mountains beyond. Nothing was 
 then left me but to return. 
 
 I regret to state that the efficiency of the cavalry did not in all respects an 
 swer my expectations. I was also much mortified to find that nearly one-half 
 of the guns of the infantry were useless in consequence of defective ammuni 
 tion, or for the reason that they had been damp before having been loaded, 
 caused, no doubt, by a shower we had in the evening. 
 
 Casualties : One sergeant killed, Seventeenth Pennsylvania Volunteer 
 Cavalry. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 Respectfully forwarded for the information of the Commanding General. 
 This expedition was sent out by my order on information given by a colored 
 man, who stated Mosby had passed this place the morning previous and had 
 been overheard to tell Dr. Ewell that he would return at sunrise the next day. 
 The result greatly disappointed my expectations, and a court of inquiry called 
 at the request of the officer commanding the infantry detachment will investi 
 gate the facts of the case. 
 
 GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General. 
 
MOSBVS RANGERS. 
 
 79 
 
 shoulder, and I (Baliard) was shot in the leg. My horse had 
 an eye shot out and became unmanageable. The Federals 
 had one man killed and several wounded. We then gal 
 loped back to the mountains and the Federals did not 
 attempt to pursue us." 
 
 Young Ballard s leg was crushed by the ball, and the 
 rough riding back to the mountains made the fracture 
 worse. He was taken to Mr. Robert Whitacre s, near the 
 top of the mountain, where his leg was amputated, and he 
 was kindly nursed and taken care 
 of until he could be moved to Ben 
 Venue, the home of Mr. William 
 Ayre. The following winter he 
 was again in the saddle and with 
 the command, but had his arti 
 ficial leg crushed in a charge 
 with Capt. A. E. Richards, on a 
 Federal camp near Halltown. 
 He afterwards came in possess 
 ion of the leg of Col. Ulric Dahl- 
 gren 4 , with which he was enabled 
 to continue in active service to 
 the end. 
 
 On the 2/th of June Hooker 
 was relieved from the command 
 of the Army of the Potomac, and 
 Meade was appointed his suc 
 cessor. 
 
 Sunday ^ June 28th. The command met at Glasscock s 
 Burnt House, 4 miles from Upperville, and about noon 
 Mosby, with about 50 men, started for the Valley. We 
 crossed the Blue Ridge at Snicker s Gap and thence to the 
 Potomac River, near Hancock, where we crossed on the 
 morning of July ist, passing through Maryland into Frank 
 lin county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 It was Mosby s intention to join General Lee in Pennsyl- 
 
 4 Colonel Ulric Dahlgren, son of Admiral Dahlgren, U. S. N., was killed 
 March 3, 1864, in his ra id on Richmond, with the Federal cavalry under 
 Kilpatrick. 
 
 JOHN N. BALLARD, CO. A. 
 
 From a photograph taken in the early 
 
 part of the war. 
 
8o MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 vania, but when we reached Mercersburg, where we ex 
 pected to find a portion of the army, it had moved. Our 
 number being so small, and as we were ignorant of the 
 country as well as of the position of our army, Mosby 
 determined to return to Virginia, which he did, but not 
 until he had gathered up 218 head of cattle, 15 horses and 
 12 negroes. Returning through Washington county, Mary 
 land, we recrossed the Potomac without interruption. 
 
 On this trip to Pennsylvania I rode with Ames (" Big 
 Yankee"). As we crossed the line into Pennsylvania he 
 said : " Well, I am going with you, but I will not fire a shot. 
 When the Emancipation Proclamation was issued and I saw 
 the war was for the negro and not for the Union, I joined 
 the South, and am willing to fight to repel the invasion of 
 her soil, and am willing to give my life in her defense, but I 
 will not fight on Northern soil." 
 
 As we were driving the cattle along towards the Mary 
 land line, an old lady said to Ames, in a voice whose tones ex 
 pressed more forcibly than words the bitterness of her heart : 
 
 " Well, now, you ve got them, but my earnest prayer is 
 that you may not get across the river with them." 
 
 " Old lady," said Ames, " did you ever hear of Mosby ?" 
 
 "Yes," she replied. 
 
 " Well, these are Mosby s men." 
 
 The old lady s faith in the efficacy of prayer seemed 
 somewhat shaken at this announcement, for she abruptly 
 turned away, saying : 
 
 " Oh, then, you ll get off safe enough, I ll be bound !" 
 
 About the middle of July Lee s Army fell back from 
 Maryland after the battle of Gettysburg, and was followed 
 by Meade, who crossed the Potomac and advanced through 
 Loudoun County. 
 
 The result of the battle of Gettysburg proved a great 
 disappointment to the hopes of the Southern people, who 
 had thought to transfer the field of warlike operations 
 from the South to Northern territory, and the failure, 
 together with the disasters at Vicksburg and Port Hudson, 
 cast a shadow over the Confederacy. 
 
 After passing the night in the woods at Hathaways, 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 8 1 
 
 Mosby and ten men were joined by as many more on the 
 morning of July 2Oth, and with this force we started for 
 Five Points, near Rectortown, knowing we would pick 
 up more men as we moved on. At the Five Points we 
 halted and grazed our horses, while the Major and two men 
 rode out towards Rector s Cross Roads, where the advance 
 of the Federal cavalry had camped the night before, to see 
 if they were preparing to move. Very soon the two men 
 came galloping in, calling out : 
 
 " Mount your horses ; they are coming ! " 
 
 In a few moments Mosby came in sight, riding slowly, 
 looking back, with his pistol in his hand. A few shots were 
 fired at him and he waved his hand for us to move on. 
 
 At Rectortown, as the last of our men were leaving, the 
 Federal cavalry was coming in at the other end of town. 
 Between Rectortown and Salem the chase was quite lively. 
 At one time we were running almost neck and neck we in 
 one field and the Federals in an adjoining one. Near Salem 
 they gave up the pursuit. We then moved back under 
 cover of the Bull Run Mountains to the rear of the advanc 
 ing corps, halted for the night near Mountville, and as the 
 bands of music were playing in the camps, the sweet strains 
 borne on the night air lulled us to repose. 
 
 A Colonel, Major, Sergeant and one private were cap 
 tured at Benton s Ford on Goose Creek and brought in by 
 Bush, and Samuel Underwood and David Hixon. 5 
 
 Lieut. Norman Smith went to a house which had been 
 occupied as a headquarters by General Howard. One of 
 his aids was still there, sitting at a table, writing a note. 
 
 " Good evening, Major," said Smith. 
 
 5 Extracts from Gen. O. 0. Howard s Report, Sept. 9, 1863 . 
 
 "July 20: The corps marched under orders to Mountville via Mount 
 Gilead, making about 16 miles. During this march the enemy s guerrillas and 
 bushwhackers annoyed us considerably, captured a few stragglers. 
 
 " During the 2ist the corps remained stationary, sending out scouting par 
 ties in different directions, one of which (from General Schurtz) met a detach 
 ment of Mosby s guerillas and after a little skirmish recaptured those taken 
 the day before. 
 
 "On the 22d a forage train having started before its guard was ready, lost 9 
 wagons, 8 of which were retaken, but without the animals." 
 
82 
 
 MOSBYS RANGERS. 
 
 " You have the advantage of me, sir/ said the Major, 
 looking up from his writing. 
 
 " Yes/ said Smith, " I have, for you are my prisoner." 
 
 " What command do you belong to?" asked the Major. 
 
 " Major Mosby s." 
 
 "Why didn t you take the General? You might have 
 done so. He has left but a few moments." 
 
 GENERAL O. O. HOWARD, U. S. A. 
 From a War-time photograph. 
 
 The Major did not relish the idea of being taken prisoner, 
 and for a time was rather surly, but he soon found he had 
 companions in misfortune and was disposed to make the 
 best of his situation. 
 
 During the night 12 or 15 more men joined us. Early 
 in the morning 3 sutlers wagons loaded with good things; 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 83 
 
 14 horses, i mule and 47 prisoners were captured near 
 Mount Gilead. 
 
 Leaving the prisoners and wagons in a hollow, under 
 guard, Mosby started back to get more. Seeing a few 
 cavalry in a field, our men galloped forward with a yell to 
 attack them, and they fled towards a piece of woods. 
 William Hibbs (usually called " Major " Hibbs), who was in 
 advance, saw a force of infantry in the woods and wheel 
 ing his horse, called to our men to come back, but a vol 
 ley was fired before they had time to obey. A young man 
 named Flynn was shot and fell from his horse, which came 
 out with us sprinkled with its master s blood ; and William 
 Hibbs, Jr., had his horse killed. One of the prisoners, who 
 was within range, was killed, and another fell from his horse 
 and broke his neck as we were moving off. 
 
 Orders were given to push on with the prisoners and 
 horses, and the captured wagons were set on fire. We had 
 to move very cautiously, being completely surrounded. 
 Often finding our way blocked by Federal troops, we had 
 to retrace our steps and seek other outlets. When we 
 reached the Snikersville pike a brigade of cavalry was pass 
 ing, and we had to fall back and lie close until they passed. 
 We succeeded, however, in getting our captures safely to 
 the Bull Run Mountains, and the next morning the prisoners 
 were sent off under guard, in charge of Thomas Lake, to 
 Culpeper Court House. 
 
 There was now no time for rest, in the midst of Meade s 
 army on those hot July days the sun glaring down with 
 intense fierceness, the air filled with dust .raised by the 
 steady tramp of the thousands of cavalry and infantry, and 
 the long trains of wagons and batteries of artillery that 
 lumbered along the roads. Our little band was darting in 
 here and out there at one time making a dash into a wagon 
 train before the guards were aware of our presence, and be 
 fore they could recover from their surprise, dashing off 
 under cover of the woods ; at another time gobbling up 
 some luckless sutler and refreshing ourselves from his 
 stores. Men were covered with dust, through which the per 
 spiration trickled down their faces, making them look more 
 
8 4 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 m m 
 
 like painted or tattoed savage warriors than civilized 
 beings. The horses were covered with sweat and dust, 
 panting many with their tongues hanging out, or, like those 
 of their masters, glued to their mouths. Some of the poor 
 animals dropped from exhaustion and the riders were com 
 pelled to take to captured horses, and in some straits even 
 to mount captured mules. 
 
 Although our presence in the army was known and felt, 
 as we were constantly changing our position scurrying off 
 
 from one point to another it 
 was impossible to locate us, 
 We made a dash at General 
 Sedgwick s headquarters and 
 carried off some fine horses 
 and mules. 
 
 On the 24th we captured a 
 
 jIM^ f ew prisoners and 33 mules 
 
 within one hundred yards of 
 
 ,j^ General Howard s headquar- 
 
 JB ters. Thomas Burke s horse 
 
 1 ^jJP gave out and he mounted a 
 
 captured mule. The poor 
 brute was soon shot from un 
 der him, and we are of the 
 favored few who can answer 
 affirmatively that well known 
 query : u Who ever saw a 
 dead mule ? " 
 
 It was now impossible to 
 send the prisoners South, and Major Mosby could not spare 
 the men to send them off in small squads as they were being 
 brought in, so a temporary camp had to be established on 
 the Bull Run Mountains, a short distance north of Hope- 
 well Gap. The prisoners pitched their little shelter tents 
 on the mountain side and we compelled them to cut off 
 small branches of trees and spread over them so as to hide 
 them from the view of the army passing along in sight of 
 the camp. At times they would sing and make as much 
 noise as possible to attract the attention of the Federal 
 
 J. WAI. DEAR, CO. D. 
 Captured in Loudoun Co. and sent to Fort 
 McHenry by Gen. Sheridan, not to be 
 exciianged until after the war. 
 From a photograph taken after the war. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 85 
 
 soldiers, but no attempt was made to release or recapture 
 them, although threats were made that a force would be 
 sent to scour the mountains and drive us out. The prison 
 ers, seeing parties of our men constantly coming in with 
 other prisoners during the few days the army was passing, 
 were afraid to risk an attempt to escape. One of them said 
 to me, while speaking of the small force guarding them : 
 
 " You could keep us here almost without a guard, for we 
 know nothing about the roads, and would not be able to find 
 our way out ; and if we did, your men are scattered in all 
 directions, so that we would either be shot or recaptured." 
 
 Nearly 200 horses and mules were captured. 
 
 As soon as the Federal army had passed, 153 prisoners, in 
 cluding a number of officers, were sent South under a guard 
 of 17 men, and all reached their destination safely. 6 
 
 On the evening of July 3Oth, at Fairfax Court-House and 
 in its vicinity, Mosby, with about 30 men, captured sutlers 
 wagons and other property, together with a number of pris 
 oners. Collecting together 29 wagons filled with rich 
 stores, Mosby attempted to bring them off. He had suc- 
 
 6 Report of Major John S. Mosby to General Stuart. 
 
 Fauquier Co., Va., July 28, 1863. 
 
 "I sent you in charge of Sergeant [F.] Beattie, 141 prisoners which we 
 captured from the enemy during their march through this county. I also sent 
 off 45 several days ago ; included in the number, i major, a captain, and 2 
 lieutenants. 1 also captured 123 horses and mules, 12 wagons (only 3 of which 
 I was able to destroy), 50 sets of fine harness, arms, etc." 
 
 [Indorsements.] 
 
 HDQRS. CAVALRY DIVISION, ARMY NORTHERN VA.,JU/V , 1863. 
 
 Respectfully referred to the War Department for its information. 
 Mosby has richly won another grade and I hope it will be conferred. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, Major Gen. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, Culpeper, July 31. 1863. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded for the information of the department, and as evi 
 dence of the merit and activity of Major Mosby and his command. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
86 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 ceeded in bringing them up the Little River Turnpike as 
 far as Mt. Zion Church, when he was overtaken by Colonel 
 Lowell with a detachment of the Second Massachusetts 
 Cavalry, which had started out from Centreville in pursuit, 
 and Mosby was compelled to relinquish his captures and re 
 treat, with a loss of one man wounded and one prisoner. 7 
 [See Mosby s Report, Note 8.] 
 
 7 Report of Col. Chas. R. Lowell, Jr., Second Massachusetts Cavalry. 
 
 Centreville, July 31, 1863. 
 
 I have the honor to report that immediately upon receiving from you the 
 information that Mosby had been seen upon the Little River pike I ordered 
 Captain Manning, with 30 men, to proceed by Old Road to Aldie, and picket 
 quietly the approaches from the east ; I at the same time made the desired 
 detail (Lieutenant Stone and 20 men) to go with the ambulances to Davis hos 
 pital. At 8.30 p. m. started with 150 men along Old Road toward Aldie. 
 Arriving at Gum Springs road, sent Lieutenant Manning, with 20 men, to pass 
 through Gum Springs and picket the road from there to Little River pike, thus 
 hoping to stop all escape by the north, if Mosby attempted to return. Reached 
 Aldie myself about one a. m.; communicated with Captain Manning and 
 Lieutenant Stone, and went into bivouac in the woods one mile east of town. 
 
 At daybreak was aroused by firing to the eastward. Moved out upon the 
 road in time to meet my pickets, with some of Lieutenant Manning s detach 
 ment pursued by about 20 or 25 rebels. Started after the rebels immediately. 
 They scattered, 4 or 5 going down the road, the rest taking to the fields. Sent 
 a party after the latter and followed down the road at a smart pace. After 3 
 miles ride came up to the wagon train where the first firing had occurred. 
 
 Mosby, however, had made off when we appeared on the top of the most 
 distant hill. Followed 3 miles farther, taking road to the south and then sent 
 a detachment but couldn t overtake him, though he was embarrassed by 
 prisoners. 
 
 It seems that Mosby, with about 75 men and a sutler s train captured at 
 Fairfax, moving west along the Little River pike, reached the junction with the 
 Gum Springs road 4 miles from Aldie just as Lieutenant Manning arrived from 
 the north. Lieutenant Manning at once attacked, and with only 6 or 8 men 
 charged Mosby s advance guard in upon the wagons, and charged through to 
 the rear of the train, losing 2 killed, 2 wounded and 2 prisoners. Mosby s 
 advance, on recovering from their surprise, and seeing the small force, attacked 
 the rest of Lieutenant Manning s men and followed them till met by the other 
 force advancing as above. 
 
 After getting the ambulances and sutlers train started for Centreville under 
 a guard, I took the turnpike westward, and then the Old Carolina road south 
 ward till I struck Mosby s trail running up into Bull Run mountains. Followed 
 it over the ridge and came upon all the prisoners (2 privates from my squadron 
 and 7 non-commissioned officers from Pennsylvania Cavalry regiment taken at 
 Fairfax Court House) ; also took about 20 of Mosby s horses, some of them 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 8/ 
 
 I was one of the men detailed to go South as guard with 
 the prisoners captured while Meade s army was marching 
 through Loudoun, and on my return learned that Mosby 
 had continued his active operations in Fairfax, as may be 
 seen by the accompanying reports of captures on the 3d and 
 nth of August. 8 
 
 On the 24th of August, Mosby with 35 men came upon a 
 detachment of the Thirteenth New York Cavalry, who were 
 taking a drove of horses to the Federal Army. They had 
 halted to water the horses at Billy Gooding s Tavern on the 
 Little River Turnpike, 10 miles from Alexandria. Mosby 
 decided to attack them and make a large capture if possible, 
 or at least stampede their horses and disarrange their plans. 
 He divided his force, sending Lieutenant Turner to attack 
 
 saddled, but was much disappointed not 
 to capture a single rebel [not] one of 
 his men. They took to the woods which 
 are very thick in the mountains, 
 
 I have to report 2 killed, 2 wounded 
 not severely, and I man missing (he 
 was taken prisoner but escaped into the 
 woods himself and has not reappeared). 
 Of the rebels we are sure of 5 wounded. 
 The sutlers report some killed, but I 
 didn t see them. 
 
 CHAS. R. LOWELL, JR., 
 Colonel Second Massachusetts Cavalry. 
 
 8 Mosby s Report to Stuart. 
 Fauqmer Co., Va., Aug. 4, 1863. 
 I send over in charge of Sergeant 
 Beattie about 30 prisoners captured on 
 an expedition into Fairfax, from which 
 I have just returned. Most of them 
 
 were taken at Padgett s, near Alexan- ZACH. F. JONES, CO. D. 
 
 dria. I also captured about 30 wagons 
 
 brought off about 70 horses and mules, having only ten men with me. We 
 lost a great many on the way back, as we were compelled to travel narrow, 
 unfrequented paths. Among the captures were three sutlers wagons. 
 
 At Fairfax Court House a few nights ago I captured 29 loaded sutlers 
 wagons, about 100 prisoners and 140 horses. I had brought all off safely near 
 Aldie, where I fell in with a large force of the enemy s cavalry, who recaptured 
 
88 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 them in front, while he fell on their rear. The combined 
 charge routed the guards, with the exception of a few who 
 took shelter in the tavern and fired from the windows until 
 their ammunition was exhausted, when they surrendered. 
 We lost 2 killed Lieutenant Norman Smith and Charles E. 
 Shriver. 
 
 Lieutenant Norman Smith, of the Black Horse Cavalry, 
 was a son of Blackwell Smith, of Fauquier County ; he was 
 
 them. The enemy had several hundred. I had only 27 men. We killed and 
 captured several. My loss : one wounded and captured. 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Major Commanding. 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, August 17, 1863. 
 Respectfully forwarded for the information of the War Department. 
 This bold Partisan leader deserves promotion. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, Major-General. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, August 18, 1863. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded for the information of the War Department. 
 
 I greatly commend Major Mosby for his boldness and good management. 
 I fear he exercises but little control over his men. He has latterly carried but 
 too few on his. expeditions apparently, and his attention has been more at 
 tracted toward the capture of wagons than military damage to the enemy. His 
 attention has been called to this. R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 Col. A. H. GRIMSHAW to Brigadier-General KING, August 3, 1863: "The 
 following just received : Fairfax Court House has been surrounded all day by 
 Mosby s guerrillas. Every team going down and returning has been captured. 
 They are 200 strong. They are trying to get to the mountains with their booty. 
 
 " MOSES SWEETER." 
 
 PLEASONTON to HUMPHREYS, August 2, 1863 : " General Custer also states 
 that he has sent a party of 300 picked men under an excellent officer to hunt up 
 Mosby. He has strong hopes they will either capture Mosby or drive him out 
 of the country. No bushwhackers have appeared on our left." 
 
 Centreville, August 4, 1863. 
 
 SIR : The cavalry sent out yesterday to look after the guerrillas said to be at 
 or near Fairfax Court House, have returned to camp. One party moved by 
 Fairfax Station to Burke s Station, and thence to the pike and Court House ; 
 the second party proceeded by way of Fox Mills to the Court House, and the 
 third went directly along the pike, all three rendezvousing at the Court House 
 about 1 1 a. m. None of them saw more than two or three guerrillas. The 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 89 
 
 a splendid scout and had distinguished himself by his bravery 
 under General Ewell. In his report of this affair Mosby 
 says: 
 
 " Among the killed was Norman Smith, who thus early 
 terminating a career of great usefulness and of brilliant 
 promise, has left the memory of a 
 name that will not be forgotten 
 till honor, virtue, courage, all, 
 shall cease to claim the homage 
 of the heart." 
 
 Charles Eltinge Shriver was 
 only 17 years of age, but had 
 proved himself a gallant young 
 soldier. He was a son of Charles 
 Shriver, of Frederick City, Mary 
 land, and was a nephew of Gen 
 eral Edward Shriver, who served 
 in the Federal Army during the 
 
 War - MAJOR-GEN. GEO. G. MEADE, 
 
 Mosby was shot through the U.S.A. 
 
 side and thigh. He was carried 
 
 to the woods and attended by Dr. Dunn, our surgeon. 
 Joseph . Calvert was shot in the ankle, and two or three 
 others received trifling wounds. 
 
 second party heard that a band of 30 or 40, with some 20 mules in their pos 
 session, had passed Fox Mills up toward Frying Pan. Our cavalry pursued 
 them vigorously to Frying Pan, but could not overtake them. Major Forbes, 
 who commanded our forces, is confident that the entire marauding party will 
 not exceed 40 or 50 men, and had not more than 20 or 30 mules. 
 
 RUFUS KING. 
 Report of Major John S. Mosby, C. S, A. 
 
 Culpeper, Attgust 20, 1863, 
 
 On Tuesday, August u, I captured a train of 19 wagons near Annandale, 
 in Fairfax County. We secured the teams and a considerable portion of the 
 most valuable stores, consisting of saddles, bridles, harness, &c. We took 
 about 25 prisoners. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Major. 
 
 Report of Colonel Lowell (Federal}. 
 
 August 12, 1863. 
 
 " Mosby s and White s men, together about 140 strong, came down the 
 Little River turnpike the day before yesterday and passed the night near Gum 
 
90 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The Federals lost 3 killed, 3 wounded, and 12 prisoners. 
 Over 100 horses were captured, but only 85 were brought 
 out. (See Mosby s Report, Appendix, IV.) 
 
 Lieutenant Turner, with the greater portion of the com 
 mand, pushed on with the prisoners and horses, while a few 
 trusty followers remained with Mosby, who could travel 
 but slowly, owing to the painful nature of his wounds. 
 
 Colonel Lowell started from Centreville with a force of 
 cavalry in pursuit. On their approach, Mosby was carried 
 into the pines, where he lay concealed until his pursuers 
 passed by endeavoring to overtake Turner with the prison 
 ers and captured horses. After the Federal cavalry had 
 passed out of sight, Mosby was taken up in their rear and 
 removed South. 
 
 Springs. Moved down yesterday forenoon through Ox Road Junction toward 
 Flint Hill. Hearing that our pickets were there, turned to the north again and 
 passing through Vienna by Mills Cross Roads to the Little River pike near 
 Gooding s Tavern ; captured one sutlers train there between 3 and 4 p. m., 
 and another about a mile further east. An hour later half plundered some of 
 the wagons, took all the horses and mules, and started back in a hurry through 
 Vienna toward Hunter s Mill. About one mile south of the mill they divided, 
 half going toward Dranesville, the other by Hunter s Mill, nearly down to 
 Chantilly, then turned to the right, and, I presume, passed through Gum 
 Springs early this a. m." 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 September and October, 1863 Attack Picket Post at Carter s Run Capture of Sutlers near 
 Warrenton Mosby Recovers from his Wounds and Returns to the Command Scouting 
 in Fairfax Company B Organized Rich Haul of Sutlers near Alexandria Blessed are 
 the Hungry, for they shall be Filled Characteristics of Mosby Transfers Capture near 
 Chantilly Trains Delayed and the Enemy well Stirred Up Mosby Surrounded He 
 Draws the Attention of the Enemy while Lieutenant Williams Brings out the Command 
 Safely A Scouting Party of " Mosby s Men 1 used up by Baker s Rangers Handover s 
 Adventure His Capture, Trial by Military Commission, Sentence, Escape and Return to 
 his Command Capture of Wagon Train near Warrenton Capture of Two Correspondents 
 of the New York Herald. 
 
 In the absence of Major Mosby, Lieutenant Turner, of 
 Company A, was in command, Captain Foster having been 
 captured by a raiding party a day or two after his election. 
 
 Turner was an active and efficient officer and proved 
 himself fully capable of fulfilling the duties of his position. 
 
 Saturday, September $th. Turner, with 40 men, set out to 
 attack a picket post at Gaskins Mill, on Carter s Run, 
 near Waterloo. 1 
 
 We proceeded leisurely along, not wishing to reach the 
 vicinity of the federal camps until after night had set in. 
 W T e then moved along quietly, and arrived at our destina 
 tion about midnight. Turner went forward with the guide 
 
 1 Skit mis h at Carter s Run Federal Reports. 
 
 September 6th, 1S63. 
 
 I forward herewith a report of casualties that resulted from an attack of the 
 enemy on the pickets of the First Brigade at Carter s Run at I o clock this 
 a. m. 
 
 At about dark last night an attack was made on the pickets of the Second 
 Brigade, on the right of the line on Aestham river ; the attack was repulsed 
 without loss. D McM> GREGG> 
 
 In the attack at Carter s Run one officer and one corporal killed and 5 men 
 captured ; 20 horses and 3 mules captured. The officer was Lieutenant Lyon, 
 First Pennsylvania Cavalry. 
 
 The cause of this surprise was due to the sentinel leaving his post without 
 firing his piece or giving any alarm ; he is in confinement and charges are pre- 
 terred against him. 
 
 I have directed Colonel Mclntosh to go after the rebels at Middleburg and 
 
 A. PLEASANTON. 
 
 9 1 
 
9 2 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 to observe the position of the enemy and arrange his plans 
 for the attack. Getting between the camp and the reserve 
 picket, we charged upon them, killing 3, wounding a num 
 ber, and bringing out 7 prisoners, 25 horses and 3 mules. 
 
 There were two regiments of cavalry camped a short dis 
 tance from the post, and after the alarm was given we could 
 hear the officers giving orders to the men to " Fall in." 
 Turner had no one injured, but lost one man, C. A. Fox, 
 who wandered off in the darkness and was captured. 
 
 On the night of September i6th Lieutenant Turner cap 
 tured 4 sutlers wagons, 12 horses and 2 mules. There was 
 
 a great quantity of sutlers 
 goods of every description, 
 
 < jJJJ and the men loaded them 
 
 selves with as much as they 
 
 fcj^ could carry off, and then set 
 
 fire to the wagons and the re 
 mainder of the goods. The 
 capture took place at Fayette- 
 ville, five miles from War- 
 renton. 
 
 About this time Mosby re 
 turned to the command, hav 
 ing nearly recovered from the 
 effects of his wounds. 
 
 On the 2ist of September 
 Mosby was again in the sad 
 dle, and we started for a raid on the Orange and Alexandria 
 Railroad. We halted at night near Warrenton Junction, 
 got some hay for our horses, and lay in the woods until day 
 light on the morning of the 22d, when we mounted and 
 moved on to within about two miles of Bealeton Station, 
 where we again halted in the pines, while Mosby, Wm. R. 
 Smith, John Edmonds and Walter Whaley went out to re 
 connoitre. They observed a long train of pontoons moving 
 in the direction of the Rappahannock, each truck drawn by 
 eight mules, and all so heavily guarded that we could not 
 attack. We could hear the drums beating, the bugles 
 sounding, and the rumbling of the trains along the railroad. 
 
 c. A. FOX, co. A. 
 
 From a photograph taken in 1878. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 93 
 
 Knowing these pontoons were going to Meade s army, and 
 that they indicated the intention of the Federals to attempt 
 the crossing of the river, Mosby immediately despatched 
 Sergeant Horace Johnson to General Lee with the informa 
 tion, and we marched off to Auburn. 
 
 While sitting on our horses in front of a saw-mill, a squad 
 of 7 Federal cavalrymen came in sight from towards Catlett 
 Station. Lieutenant Turner and a few of the men imme 
 diately started in pursuit. The Federals drew their sabres 
 and used the flat sides to belabor their horses, while they 
 vigorously plied the spurs and succeeded in making their 
 escape. 
 
 Finding the railroad too heavily guarded for us to attempt 
 any demonstration, Mosby determined to abandon that line 
 and strike out through Fairfax. At Buckland, Mosby sent 
 Lieutenant Turner back to Fauquier with the greater por 
 tion of the command, while he detailed 20 men to go with 
 him to Fairfax. Our march led us over the old battlefield 
 of Manassas. Here we met a party of thirty-odd Federal 
 cavalrymen returning to their camp at Centreville, we 
 judged from a plundering expedition, as they were leading 
 some 12 or 15 horses. We concealed ourselves behind a 
 little hill until they drew sufficiently near, and then charged 
 them with a yell. They made no resistance their only 
 thought appeared to be how they should get away. We 
 succeeded, however, in capturing 9 prisoners and 12 horses. 
 The horses were newly branded, and all the equipments 
 were new. In the pursuit the men got separated some 
 who were leading captured horses being left behind, and 
 Mosby continued his march with only 15 mien. 
 
 Near Burke s Station we saw a number of mules grazing 
 in a field near an infantry camp. The guard was captured 
 and 8 mules driven off in sight of the infantry, who stood 
 looking on in amazement without making the slightest effort 
 to recapture them. 
 
 On the night of September 28th, 1863, Mosby with 5 or 6 
 men proceeded down Fairfax with the intention of capturing 
 Governor Pierpont. Arriving at his house near Alexandria 
 he learned that the Governor had gone to Washington that 
 
94 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 evening. Not wishing to return without accomplishing 
 something, he went to the residence of Colonel Dulany, aide 
 to Governor Pierpont, and taking that gentleman prisoner, 
 sent him to Richmond. French Dulany, a son of Colonel 
 Dulany, was a member of Mosby s command and was pres 
 ent and aided in the capture of his father. A bridge over 
 Four Mile Run was burned on the homeward route. [See 
 Mosby s Report, Appendix, IV.] 
 
 A meeting of the command was held at Scuffleburg 2 on the 
 ist of October, 1863. Up to this time Company A com 
 prised the Battalion, but Mosby now thought there were 
 men enough for two companies. The men were drawn up 
 in line and 60 selected to go into an election for officers of 
 Company B. William R. Smith, of Fauquier, a lieutenant 
 in the Black Horse Cavalry, was chosen as captain ; Frank 
 lin Williams, of Fairfax, First Lieutenant ; Albert Wrenn, of 
 Fairfax, Second Lieutenant, and Robert Gray, of Loudoun, 
 Third Lieutenant. 
 
 In Company A Joseph H. Nelson was elected Third 
 Lieutenant, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of 
 Lieutenant George Whitescarver, who was killed at Seneca, 
 Maryland. 
 
 Friday, October 9th. Mosby started from Rector s X 
 Roads with 40 men, and marching in the direction of Fair 
 fax, bivouacked at night in the pines near Frying Pan. After 
 lying concealed in the pine forest all day, fearing the enemy 
 might become aware of our presence, we moved off after 
 nightfall to a point near Guilford, where we halted, fed our 
 horses, and a little before day on Sunday morning, the i ith, 
 rode out near the turnpike about 5 or 6 miles from Alexan 
 dria. While the command was concealed in the thick pines 
 a few hundred yards from the turnpike, Mosby and Walter 
 Whaley hid in some bushes by the roadside where they 
 could observe what was passing, and Captain Smith, with 
 John Munson, took a like position further up the road. Soon 
 a body of about 250 cavalry passed, which proved to be the 
 
 2 Scuffleburg was situated in a hollow of the Blue Ridge, between Paris and 
 Markham, and the burg consisted of a blacksmith shop, with residence, and a 
 wheelwright shop. 
 
MOSIJV S RANGERS. 
 
 95 
 
 escort of a long" train of wagons that came lumbering" along 
 in their .rear. 
 
 At this point there was an ugly hole in the road which the 
 teams had difficulty in passing, and the third wagon from 
 the rear stalled and blocked the way so that the other two 
 could not pass. 
 
 As the column moved on without waiting for the stalled 
 team, Mosby and Whaley rode out and ordered the wagons 
 driven into the woods. Captain Smith also captured a 
 stray wagon which came 
 on at some distance behind 
 the train. The prize was 
 a rich one to the hungry 
 Rangers, who had been 
 kept waiting so long in the 
 pine forest. The wagons 
 were loaded with clothing, 
 coffee, tea, sugar, cheese ; 
 cans of meat, oysters, sar 
 dines, fruits ; boxes of 
 cakes and crackers, to 
 bacco, segars, stationery, 
 and a general variety of 
 goods such as were usually 
 found among the sutlers 
 stores. Each man helped 
 himself to what pleased 
 him best, and it was amus 
 ing to see the men pick up 
 one thing and then throw 
 it away to take something 
 
 else which took their fancy. We could not take all, and it 
 was hard to decide what was most necessary or profitable. 
 There was but one article that all felt a common interest in, 
 and that was a lot of one hundred and thirty pairs of 
 boots. 
 
 While this was going on, our picket gave the alarm and a 
 solitary Jersey wagon coming along was overhauled and 
 brought in. In it was a Mr. Dunham and wife, returning 
 
 CAPT. WILLIAM R. SMITH, CO. B. 
 
 Killed in an attack on Cole s Camp, Loudoun 
 
 Heights, January ic>, 1864. 
 
9 6 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 from an unsuccessful trip to Alexandria, where they had 
 gone to purchase groceries, but had been refused permis 
 sion by the authorities. We not only gave them our sym 
 pathy something that is freely given by most persons to 
 their fellow creatures in want but we also gave a more 
 substantial expression of feeling which was more gratifying 
 to this couple. We loaded up their wagon free of cost and 
 sent them on their way rejoicing. We then returned to 
 Fauquier. 
 
 Mosby was a brave man, and as a scout he was unsur 
 passed. He was generally taciturn, particularly towards 
 
 strangers. At times 
 he was quite talkative 
 and very agreeable, 
 while at others he 
 would scarcely an 
 swer a question put 
 to him. In conversa 
 tion his voice was 
 low, his utterances 
 usually slow and dis 
 tinct, but when con 
 versing on a subject 
 in which he took 
 more than an ordi 
 nary interest he be 
 came quite a rapid 
 talker. He spoke 
 plainly and to the 
 point, and there was 
 no mistaking the 
 meaning of his words. 
 He had a pleasant 
 face, white and reg 
 ular teeth, and keen, restless eyes, which seemed an index to 
 the mind. I have often watched him as he would stand in 
 tently gazing at a man staring as though he were reading 
 him through with those eyes, like a book, and then only 
 removing his gaze as he walked off apparently satisfied with 
 
 HARRY BROCK, CO. t). 
 From a picture taken after the war. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 97 
 
 the result of his conclusion or decision as to the man s worth 
 or character. His reasoning was good and the conclusions 
 arrived at were generally correct, yet he was very set in his 
 opinions, and when he had once made up his mind it was 
 hard to change. In his manner he was plain and unassuming. 
 Cool in danger, quick to think and practical in carrying out 
 his ideas these were qualities which aided materially in 
 his success. 
 
 There was a rich vein of humor running through his na 
 ture so close to the surface that it required but little dig 
 ging to reach it, and no schoolboy ever enjoyed a bit of fun 
 with keener relish than Mosby. Sometimes, when on the 
 march, we would turn into the woods and stop to rest the 
 tired horses. On such occasions Mosby would often call on 
 John Sinclair to describe the capture of a sutler s train. 
 Sinclair was a clever actor and could not only suit the ac 
 tion to the word, but possessed sufficient power of mimicry 
 to show off the little peculiarities of the different sutlers in 
 their fright and their vain attempts to escape. Mosby 
 would walk up to Sinclair with a smile and say : " How 
 was it, John ? Let s have it about those sutlers." Then 
 Sinclair would proceed, throwing his arms wildly about 
 and illustrating the alarm and excitement of the sutlers ; 
 would tell how a big wagon would stop in the road while a 
 little two-horse wagon came rushing down ; then the war of 
 words: " Drive on ! What are you stopping up the road 
 for ? " " What in the hell are you about ? " There now, 
 you ve broke my tongue ! " " Don t run into my wagon ! " 
 " Don t you run your mules into my wagon ! " " You ve run 
 your mules through mine ! " u Now, we re all tangled up ! " 
 One old fellow comes along spurring and lashing up his 
 horses " There they come ! Taint no use to run ! They ve 
 got us all ! " He would picture the scene so naturally that 
 Mosby and all around would roar with laughter, making the 
 old woods ring. 
 
 Mosby was greatly annoyed by men in the regular 
 service wishing to join him. They would send appli 
 cations requesting him to procure transfers for them, 
 or seeking to know if he would receive them in the 
 
98 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 event of their resigning positions. At meetings letters 
 would be handed him, which he would open and on see 
 ing from their beginning that they were of this char 
 acter, often, without reading further, he would tear them 
 up, saying he did not wish to be bothered with them ; that 
 if the writers were anxious to join his command they could 
 come and see him and he could then tell better what he 
 would do. 
 
 At one of the meetings a young man walked up to Mosby 
 and extending his hand, said : 
 
 " How are you, Major?" 
 
 "How are you?" said Mosby, looking up, thrusting his 
 hands into his pockets, and surveying him from head to foot. 
 
 " I came here to join you, Major." 
 
 " Where are you from ? " 
 
 " I belonged to McNeil." 
 
 " What are you doing here ? " said Mosby. 
 
 "Want to join your command/ At the same time the 
 young man mentioned something about a transfer or fur 
 lough. 
 
 "Where s your paper?" said Mosby ; "let me see it." 
 
 It was handed him, and looking at the date he raised his 
 eyes, saying : 
 
 " Where have you been all this time ? " 
 
 He said he had been getting horses, and that he had 
 several. 
 
 " I don t want you," said Mosby. " Go back to your 
 command, and don t tell people you are one of Mosby s 
 Men that you belong to my command. I heard you 
 robbed a Yankee deserter of $2.50. I don t want you with 
 me." 
 
 " I never did such a thing," said the man. 
 
 " Don t you live at Smith s? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Then you are the man ; I don t want you," and tearing 
 up the paper, Mosby turned his back and walked away. 
 
 Friday, October 16. Mosby went on a raid down in Fair 
 fax County. Leaving Company B camped in the woods 
 near Frying Pan, he took Company A, and at Stuarts, near 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 99 
 
 Chantilly, on the turnpike above Fairfax Court House, cap 
 tured about 40 prisoners and 64 horses and mules. A Fed 
 eral lieutenant was killed by Edward Hurst, but no other 
 casualities occurred on either side. 3 
 
 Sending the prisoners and horses out with Company A, 
 Mosby remained behind with Company B, capturing a 
 picket post of 9 men and horses on the turnpike at the 
 crossing of the old Ox Road. 
 
 As Mosby was riding along the road he saw a Federal 
 colonel a short distance ahead. Thinking he had a prize, 
 Mosby dashed up and found himself within about twenty 
 yards of a regiment of infantry. Wheeling his horse, he 
 came off in a hurry. The infantry fired at him, without effect. 
 
 The Federal army now falling back towards Alexandria, 
 Mosby found himself surrounded on all sides. A complete 
 chain of camps was around him, with a line of vedettes, one 
 at every two hundred yards, through which he must pass to 
 get out. The enemy were aware of his being inside their 
 lines, and endeavored to trap him. 
 
 3 Fairfax Court House, Va., October 17, 1863. 
 General MEADE, Headquarters : 
 
 I sent out the two companies of cavalry at this post, on the different roads, 
 to warn me of the approach of any enemy; and just learn that 15 men were 
 captured about 5 milss from here, on the Chantilly road, by about 75 cavalry 
 under Mosby. Three have escaped and arrived here. I am sending out 4 
 companies of infantry. I have no cavalry. I have sent word to Colonel 
 Lowell MICHAEL CORCORAN, 
 
 Brigadier- General. 
 
 The following received from Colonel Lowell, at Vienna : 
 
 October 18. 
 
 We have taken one of Mosby s men this morning, who says that Mosby, 
 with 275 men, is prowling around below here to take supply trains. It will be 
 well to delay ail wagon trains without heavy escort till something more definite 
 is learned about Mosby s movements. If you could post strong infantry pickets 
 at points between here and Fairfax, Mosby might be ambushed on his way 
 back. C. R. LOWELL, JR. 
 
 I will communicate the above to General Buford, commanding cavalry, and 
 General Griffin, commanding corps now stationed here. I have just learned 
 that a company of our cavalry has been attacked about 3 miles from here 
 toward Alexandria, and the Captain captured. 
 
 MICHAEL CORCORAN, 
 
 Brigadier-General Commanding. 
 
ico MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Going to Lieutenant Williams, who was in command of 
 Co. B, in the absence of Captain Smith, Mosby told him he 
 must lead the company out while he drew the attention of 
 the enemy in another direction. Mosby then rode out in 
 view of the enemy and started at a gallop down the turn 
 pike towards Alexandria, the Federal cavalry in pursuit. 
 
 Lieutenant Williams led the company along to Gantts 
 Hill, where he suddenly came out on the vedette, saying : 
 -Is all quiet?" 
 
 " Yes," said the soldier, looking at him, thrown completely 
 off his guard by the suddenness of his appearance and also 
 by his question. Before he could recover from his surprise 
 Williams was at his side with a pistol at his head. He was 
 taken from his post, and the command came through safely, 
 bringing out 27 prisoners and 18 horses. Mosby also came 
 out, after a close race. 
 
 Thursday, October 22. Lieutenant Frank Williams was 
 ordered by Mosby on a scout inside the enemy s lines in 
 Fairfax. This territory was in close proximity to the 
 
 Federal capital and well guarded 
 at the time. He selected for his 
 ^^^Of^i companions John H. Barnes, 
 
 A Robert M. Harrover, Dr. T. E. 
 
 Stratton and Charles Mason. They 
 struck the carefully guarded 
 Federal picket line along the Vienna 
 jgfa\ and Fairfax Court House road, and 
 
 under cover of darkness passed 
 through without giving an alarm. 
 Thcv AV ere noAV in the enemy s 
 country, but in the vicinity of 
 Williams home. Feeling quite safe 
 and anxious to learn all possible of 
 the situation he decided to call 
 JOHN H. BARNES, co. D. upon an old family secant. This 
 
 From a photograph taken after the old slaA T 6 AVaS true to his master 
 
 and the cause of the South. They 
 
 approached the house about midnight. It Avas dark and 
 still. They Avere miles from their comrades, in the midst 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 101 
 
 of a hostile country. Suddenly they rode right into an 
 encampment, not being- able to see the tents until they 
 Could almost touch them. Slowly and cautiously they with 
 drew and attempted to reach the colored man by another 
 road. They had proceeded but a short distance when they 
 were met with the command "Halt!" and a volley of 
 musketry at close range. They again had to retreat, but 
 not before Harrover gave the 
 enemy a parting salute from his 
 revolver, the only shot fired by 
 Williams party. Being anxious 
 to see the old colored man they 
 made another effort to reach 
 him, and in crossing the Alex 
 andria and Leesburg Railroad 
 .another volley was fired at 
 them. Under these conditions 
 they concluded to postpone the 
 visit and strike out across coun 
 try to Annandale, on the Little 
 River pike. They struck the 
 pike about daybreak, and meet 
 ing a citizen, Williams sought 
 to avoid him, but Barnes said he knew the man well and 
 that he was reliable. But it was a case of misplaced confi 
 dence, for they were hardly out of the man s sight when he 
 posted a boy off to a nearby camp with information of their 
 presence. From a position where they had a view of the 
 pike they saw a number of horses grazing ; also a body of 
 
 4 Report of Col. Lafayette C. Baker, First District of Columbia Cavalry. 
 
 Near Annandale ; Oct. 22, 1863. 
 
 This morning about 10 o clock a detachment of my battalion, under com 
 mand of Major E. J. Conger, and a detachment of the California Battalion 
 under command of Captain Eigenbrodt, encountered a squad of Mosby s men 
 some three miles this side of Fairfax Court House, ana near the Little River 
 turnpike. One of Mosby s men (named Charles Mason) was shot and instantly 
 killed. The celebrated guerrilla Jack Barnes, Ed. Stratton and Bill Harrover, 
 were captured and forwarded to the Old Capitol Prison. These men state that 
 they were looking for government horses and sutlers wagons. None of ciir 
 force were injured. 
 
 ROBERT M. HARROVER, CO. B. 
 
102 
 
 cavalry not far distant. After consultation they decided to 
 withdraw, secret themselves in the timber, return under 
 cover of night, and make off with as many horses as possible. 
 
 They moved off on an unfrequented road, Williams in the 
 lead. They had not proceeded far when they heard the 
 word "Halt!" Turning in his saddle, Williams saw they 
 were being pursued by a body of 40 or 50 cavalry. As 
 there were but five in Williams party, resistance was out 
 of the question. Their only safety was in flight. Their 
 horses were tired out by the long march and races from the 
 pickets during the night, while the horses of the Federal 
 cavalry were fresh from camp. 
 
 "Looking back," said Williams, "I was dismayed to find 
 the Yankees in close pursuit of me and no one of my men 
 in sight. Fortunately for me there was a high fence along 
 the road and a thick wood on the other side. I pulled my 
 horse up to this fence. In one desperate effort I leaped 
 from the saddle, cleared the fence and made off through the 
 woods on foot and soon was out of their sight. All during 
 the day I remained in hiding. Twice I was compelled, on 
 account of the approach of scouting parties, to change my 
 position. So long was this day that it seemed like the day 
 of Joshua of old, when the sun had been commanded to 
 stand still. Welcome night at length came on and I lost 
 no time in getting across the enemy s picket line. Early 
 the next morning I arrived at Hunter s Mill, alone, on foot, 
 without a hat and ignorant of the fate of my comrades. 
 Here I received a hearty welcome, a good breakfast and a 
 Yankee cap. 
 
 "This cap led to an amusing little incident. When near 
 the town of Middleburg I was overtaken by some young 
 ladies who mistook me for a Yankee deserter, and suggested 
 that I surrender to them. To this I agreed, but retained 
 my pistols. After all the dangers I had safely passed 
 through, I was captured. My fair captors led their prisoner 
 in town, where, greatly to their astonishment, I was recog 
 nized and warmly greeted by some of our men. 
 
 "In Middleburg I learned the fate of my companions. 
 Mason was killed ; Harrover, Barnes and Stratton were 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 103 
 
 captured. I alone escaped. " 4 
 
 The sequel to this scouting expedition came swiftly and 
 fatally to our enemies, for a few months after this little 
 party was so disastrously chased from Annandale, this same 
 Federal cavalry (the California Battalion), with others, was 
 met by our men under the direct command of Mosby, on 
 the Leesburg pike above Dranesville, and nearly wiped out 
 of existence. 
 
 Tuesday, October 2jth. Mosby left Salem (now called Mar 
 shall] at 6 P. M., with about 50 men, and two miles below 
 Warrenton discovered a large train of wagons, guarded by 
 two regiments of infantry, which were in the front and rear 
 of the train. He divided his men into three parties, and 
 coming out on the side of the train, those in front, under 
 Captain William H. Chapman, stopped the wagons, while 
 others set to work unhitching the mules and horses. This 
 operation occupied but a few moments, and before the 
 guards were fully aware of the cause of the stoppage, 
 Mosby was on his homeward journey. 6 The teamsters 
 made signals to give the alarm, and a regiment of cavalry 
 was afterwards sent in pursuit and came into Salem next 
 morning, but too late to overtake Mosby, who had carried 
 off nearly 200 mules and 40 horses, with their harness. A 
 great many of the mules and horses were lost in driving 
 them out, but some were picked up several days afterwards. 
 One hundred and twenty mules, 27 horses, 17 white and 16 
 negro prisoners were secured, however, together with a 
 large quantity of harness. Not a shot was fired. The cap- 
 
 6 Report of Major John S. Mosby: 
 
 Fauquicr, Oct. 27, 1863. 
 
 Last night I attacked a long wagon train of the enemy hauling stores for the 
 army at Warrenton, from their depot of supplies at Gainesville. The point of 
 attack was about the center of the train (which had a heavy guard of cavalry, 
 artillery and infantry both in front and rear), on the pike about 2 miles from 
 New Baltimore and Warrenton where there are large Yankee camps. 
 
 After unhitching the teams of from 40 to 50 wagons I started them off under 
 charge of Lieutenant Turner, remaining behind myself with a few men with the 
 intention of burning the wagons. A force of Federal cavalry appearing pre 
 vented the accomplishment of my purpose. We succeeded in bringing off 145 
 horses and mules and upward of 30 negroes and Yankees (among them i cap- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 tured horses were divided among the men, and the mules, 
 prisoners and negroes sent to General Stuart s headquar 
 ters. When they were brought in Stuart was much pleased, 
 and said : 
 
 " Hurrah for Mosby ! This is a good haul. Mules ! and 
 fat, too ! " 
 
 Late Saturday night, Oct. 31, two correspondents of the 
 New York Herald, L. A. Hendricks and George A. Hart, 
 were captured at the house of Mr. McCormick, in Auburn. 
 Mosby gave them permission to write letters home. In 
 Appendix, XXXIII., will be found one of those letters as 
 published in the Herald. This gives a full account of the 
 capture, etc., and being written by one of the correspond 
 ents, will be of greater interest than any other account I can 
 furnish. 
 
 tain) to a place of safety. Many of the captured animals were lost in the night 
 march, but I have sent out a party which I am in hopes will succeed in recov 
 ering some of them. I sent to you yesterday 6 cavalrymen whom I captured 
 near Manassas. In the affair of the wagons I had 50 men. 
 
 Respectfully, etc., 
 
 JXO. S. MOSBY, Major. 
 
 [Indorsements.] 
 
 Respectfully forwarded for the information of the commanding general. 
 This is but another instance of Major Mosby s skill and daring in addition 
 to those forwarded almost daily. T E B STUART 
 
 Nov. 3, 1S63. 
 
 Noted with admiration at the fearlessness and skill of this gallant partisan. 
 
 J. A. SEDDON, Secretary, 
 
 General MEADE to HALLECK : " Last night a supply train coming from the 
 depot at Gainesville was attacked between New Baltimore and Warrenton, and 
 some 100 animals taken from it. The train had an escort, which was in front 
 and rear, but was unable to. reach the center of the train before the guerrillas 
 had made off with the animals. The wagons were left untouched." 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 November and December, 1863. Certificates of Membership Issued Deserters and Horse 
 Thieves The Rangers enter Wagon Camp near Warrentown Unhitch Mules but 
 couldn t get them out Turner and the Sutler Capture Five Wagons loaded with Medi 
 cal Stores near Bealeton Station Federal Cavalry in pursuit They surround a house 
 where some of " Mosby s Men " stop, and Richards fights his way out The Charley 
 Binns Raid "Good Haul of Mules at Brandy Station Capture of Picket on Hazel 
 River Company C organized Close of the year 1863. 
 
 Monday, November 2, 1863. There was a meeting of the 
 command at Rectortown. We were drawn up in line and 
 letters from Generals Lee and Stuart, complimentary to 
 Mosby and his command, were read by Capt. Wm. H. Chap 
 man. The men were furnished with printed certificates 
 of membership signed by Mosby. This was now a neces 
 sity, because men wearing Confederate uniforms, many of 
 them deserters or absent from their commands without 
 leave, were roaming about the country representing them, 
 selves as belonging to Mosby s command. The Major told 
 us to arrest all horse thieves and deserters found and bring 
 them to him. 
 
 The region of country in which Mosby operated being 
 disputed territory outside of the lines, was left entirely un 
 protected during the war by the civil and military authori 
 ties on both sides, and but for the presence of " Mosby s 
 Men " the defenseless people would have been at the mercy 
 of the roving bands of deserters left in the tracks of both 
 armies as they passed back and forth over the country, from 
 Washington to Richmond and Fredericksburg. The moun 
 tains were infested with horse thieves and desperadoes, who 
 were ready to prey upon the inhabitants, regardless as to 
 whether their sympathies were with the North or South. 
 " Mosby s Men " performed the duties of police as well as 
 soldiers, and were the sole guardians of the territory ; while 
 Mosby, acting as military ruler and also as judge, not only 
 kept the lawless element in check, but also settled differ 
 ences between individuals, without the tedious process of 
 litigation, and without fear or favor. 
 
106 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 On the night of November 6th, Mosby with 40 men made 
 a descent on a wagon camp near Warrenton. There was 
 a heavy infantry guard at the camp and sentinels were 
 pacing around on all sides : it was necessary to remove 
 one in order to permit the passage of a party to un 
 fasten the mules and horses from the wagons. This was 
 readily accomplished by Montjoy, and about 200 mules and 
 horses were unhitched in a very short time, but after they 
 were loosed it was found impossible to lead or drive them. 
 Coming to a little ditch they refused to cross and ran about 
 
 Saltation, 
 Partisan Hangers, /%.<&& ....... 186 
 
 Ott)i0 uTto Outfits, Vte e*j&^ 
 
 acu>: 
 a 
 
 THE AUTHOR S CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 in great confusion, braying and neighing. This aroused the 
 camp. The startled guards thus waked from their slumbers 
 grasped their arms and fired a volley into the crowd of men 
 and mules, inflicting no injury, however, on the men. 
 
 The attempt to bring off all the captured animals had to 
 be abandoned, and only 12 mules and 6 horses were brought 
 away. 
 
 Saturday, November 14. Lieutenant Turner, with 5 men, 
 scouting in Fairfax, lay in the woods watching the road 
 between Vienna and Fairfax Court House. In order to 
 prevent anyone from notifying the Federals of their pres 
 ence, they stopped all persons coming along the road and 
 carried them into the woods. 
 
 Among the wagons thus taken in was one sutler s team. 
 His goods were emptied in a pile gloves, calico, buttons, 
 cakes, crackers, canned goods a variety store, indeed. One 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. IO/ 
 
 wagon brought in carried a supply of milk and this was 
 seized to wash down the sutler s cakes and pies. Cans of 
 oysters and turkey were broken open with stones and the 
 Rangers regaled themselves, while the sutler, looking on 
 with a melancholy air, said : " Now, you ve taken every 
 thing, what are you going to do with me ? You are not 
 going to take me to Richmond ? " " Yes," said one, "you ll 
 have to go." He drew up his face as if in pain and limped 
 around, saying " Oh, I m sick. I know I ll never live to 
 get there. Gentlemen, I m really sick." After a while he 
 saw that they were only amusing themselves at his expense 
 and that they did not think him of sufficient importance to 
 burden themselves with the task of taking him to Rich 
 mond. He then soon recovered his health. 
 
 When leaving, each man put on a pair of new buckskin 
 gloves taken from the stock and extended his hand to bid 
 the sutler good-by. He took the men s hands, but his eyes 
 wandered from the gloved hands to the scattered remnant of 
 his stock lying around and he could find no words to ex 
 press his feelings, even though he was a sutler. 
 
 His little boy hesitated for a moment and then said : 
 
 " Well, I suppose I must bid you good-by, but I hope I 
 will never see you again. I always heard the rebels were 
 ragged and dirty, but I suppose since you ve got to robbing 
 sutlers you can dress as well as our men." 
 
 " Good-by, son ; " said John Sanders, as he trotted off, 
 singing: 
 
 " When I can shoot my rifle clear, 
 
 At Yankees on the roads, 
 I ll bid farewell to rags and tags 
 And live on Sutlers loads." 
 
 Friday, November Wth. About sunset, Mosby, with Captain 
 Stringfellow, one of General Stuart s scouts, for a guide, 
 started from The Plains with 75 men, passing between New 
 Baltimore and Warrenton, and lay in the pines until day 
 light. Gregg s Division of Federal Cavalry were then 
 camped in the neighborhood of Warrenton. 
 
 At early dawn on the 2ist we moved off and halted in the 
 woods, out of sight of the road, near Bealeton Station, 
 
io8 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Walter Whaley and John Munson, who were on picket, 
 captured and brought in a courier going from one camp to 
 another with mail and despatches ; he also had in his cus 
 tody, when captured, a prisoner who was condemned to 
 death, and who was therefore greatly rejoiced to fall into 
 our hands. 
 
 On one side of us was a cavalry camp and on the other 
 an infantry camp. The rain was falling in torrents and the 
 air was cold and raw, consequently our position was any 
 thing but comfortable, as we lay for hours in the woods 
 waiting for a train. 
 
 About noon a patrol of 12 men passed along the road. 
 They were suffered to pass unmolested, and in about half 
 an hour 5 wagons were seen coming along, guarded by 
 about 30 cavalry. 
 
 Mosby ordered Captain Smith, with Company B, to 
 charge in front of the escort, while Lieutenant Turner, with 
 
 Company A, was to take them 
 in the rear. Owing to a mistake 
 of the guide, or too great impa 
 tience to get at the wagons, both 
 companies came out at nearly the 
 same point, and most of the guard 
 escaped by running down the 
 road, leaving the wagons standing. 
 They were followed until they 
 ran into an infantry picket, who 
 were busily preparing their din 
 ners, and we here gave up the 
 chase. It was too far to attempt 
 to bring out the infantry prison 
 ers, as we would be inside the 
 Federal lines until we passed 
 Warrenton, so they were left behind. 
 
 The wagons were filled with valuable medical stores, and 
 had it been possible we would have brought them off and 
 sent them to General Lee. As it was, a few articles were 
 secured by some of the more thoughtful men and turned 
 over to Dr. Dunn, our surgeon. Twelve prisoners, 10 horses 
 
 DR. W. L. DUNN, 
 
 (Our Doctor.) 
 From a War-time photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 109 
 
 and 17 mules were captured and sent off under guard to 
 Oak Hill, while Company A was detailed to follow on as 
 rear guard. 
 
 Captain Stringfellow, A. E. Richards, then a private in 
 Company B, and Ludwell Knapp, of Company A, stopped 
 at the house of Mr. James K. Skinker, about six miles from 
 Warrenton, intending to pass the night, while most of the 
 men crossed the Bull Run Mountains into Fauquier. Detach 
 ments of Federal Cavalry were sent in pursuit of us. One 
 of the pursuing parties surrounded Skinker s house, think 
 ing some of our men were there, and fired a number of shots 
 through the doors and windows ; then they searched the 
 house from top to bottom. 1 
 
 1 Report of Brig. -Gen. John C. Robinson, U. S. A., Commanding Second 
 Division, First Army Corps. 
 
 November 21, 1863. 
 
 ROBINSON to KINGSBURY : " A body of rebel cavalry, variously estimated at 
 from 50 to 100 men, attacked a train of 3 wagons and 2 ambulances on the way 
 to the cavalry camp near Fayetteville about noon to-day. The escort was 
 driven into the picket line of my camp at Liberty, where the pursuing party 
 was arrested. One sergeant was wounded slightly, and one private on an ad 
 vanced picket post captured. Some 2 or 3 others were captured, but escaped. 
 The Sixteenth Maine Volunteers was immediately sent out, and word sent to 
 General Gregg, who ordered out a squadron of cavalry. The rebel force was 
 dressed in our uniform, and are supposed to belong to Mosby s gang. The 
 animals attached to the wagons were taken off, but they had no time to rifle the 
 wagons. The men on picket behaved well. A fuller report will be sent as 
 soon as possible." 
 
 November 22, 1863 
 
 General GREGG to Col. C. Ross SMITH : " I have the honor to report that 
 the party sent out yesterday afternoon in pursuit of the guerrillas who made the 
 attack on the wagons going to Fayetteville hotly chased- the party to within a 
 mile of Thoroughfare Gap. At about 8 p. m., and when about to be overtaken, 
 the guerrillas scattered to houses. A house in which it was supposed some had 
 taken refuge was surrounded, the door was broken down (admission having 
 been refused) and 3 guerrillas were found. Of these 2 were captured and the 
 other escaped by a back door. One of the captured guerrillas was badly 
 wounded. Seven horses and 2 mules and some U. S. saddles and clothing were 
 recovered. The party that was thus pursued was commanded by a Captain 
 Turner. Mosby is off in the direction of Manassas with the greater portion of 
 his command. 
 
 " I have to-day a regiment off toward Salem, where it is reported there is a 
 nest of guerrillas. This regiment has for a guide one of Mosby s men captured 
 two days ago. The guerrilla Lucas, captured last night, has a certificate of 
 
IIO MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 At the first alarm Stringfellow and Knapp ran upstairs, 
 and hiding in the garret, were covered with some loose floor 
 ing by a faithful colored servant ; but Richards, less fortu 
 nate, fell on the stairs. Being thus left behind, he determined 
 to fight his way out. With pistols in hand he jumped into 
 the yard, drove off a couple of soldiers who attempted to 
 bar his passage, and escaped on foot in the darkness. He suc 
 ceeded in getting a horse from a friend, when he fell in with 
 the same party near Salem, and exchanged shots, but again 
 escaped, with a slight wound in the arm. 
 
 Sunday, November < 2 < 2. A body of cavalry, composed of 
 detachments from the Second Massachusetts and Six 
 teenth New York, under Colonel Lowell, came last night to 
 the neighborhood of Middleburg, where they were joined 
 by another detachment from the Second Massachusetts 
 Cavalry, the whole force numbering about 300 men. They 
 were piloted by " Yankee " Davis and Charles Binns. 2 Binns 
 had been a member of Mosby s command. While on a 
 drunken frolic he committed some acts of rascality for which 
 
 membership in the Partisan Rangers signed by Major Mosby. I hope Lucas 
 will be brought before a military commission and be made an example of. 
 
 " In the attack made by Mosby on our pickets at Warrenton 4 days ago, he 
 had 5 men wounded. 
 
 " The loss in the escort to the wagons yesterday was 3 men captured." 
 
 3 Colonel Lowell, in his report dated Vienna, November 17, says: "The 
 man Binns arrived safely and gives information which leads me to hope that 
 an expedition to start to-morrow will be successful in taking some prisoners." 
 
 Vienna, Nov. 26, 1863. 
 
 LOWELL to TAYLOR : " I have the honor to report that in accordance with 
 your instructions Captain Rumery, with 25 mounted and 75 dismounted men of 
 the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, was on the i8th inst. sent out toward the 
 Blue Ridge to endeavor to capture guerrillas. He had orders to march chiefly 
 by night, to show only his mounted men by day and keep the presence of the 
 dismounted party an entire secret. He took as guides Yankee Davis and the 
 deserter Binns. 
 
 " The party passed near Frying Pan and Gum Springs, crossed the Negro 
 mountain and Goose Creek to Mountville, thence up the north side of Goose 
 Creek to Rectors Cross Roads. On Sunday morning at daybreak I joined them 
 by agreement at a point between Middleburg and Rectors Cross Roads, with 
 100 mounted men, Second Massachusetts Cavalry, and 50 of the Sixteenth New 
 York Cavalry. Having learned exactly what information Captain Rumery had 
 obtained, Lieutenant Sim, Second Massachusetts Cavalry, with 40 mounted 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. Ill 
 
 Mosby ordered his arrest. In order to escape the punish 
 ment he knew he deserved and which he feared Mosby 
 would inflict, he deserted and fled to the Federal camp in 
 Fairfax. Being familiar with the country in the vicinity of 
 Middleburg, he carried the Federal cavalry around to 
 places where he knew they were likely to find Confederate 
 soldiers, particularly those houses where Mosby s men made 
 their homes. Some 12 or 15 were captured, most of them 
 being taken from their beds. 
 
 Thursday .November 26th. It being reported that the Fed 
 eral forces camped at Warrenton had crossed the Rappahan- 
 nock, and that the whole of Meade s Army was in motion, 
 Mosby ordered the command to assemble at Rectortown. 
 One hundred and twenty-five men answered the summons 
 and marched to Coon s Mill, while Mosby, with Montjoy, 
 Walter Whaley and Guy Broadwater, went forward to 
 reconnoitre. At Brandy Station was a heavy wagon train 
 with an infantry guard. Mosby determined to attack the 
 camp at night. He ordered Montjoy with one party to fire 
 the wagons ; Captains Smith and William H. Chapman, each 
 in command of a party, were to drive off the mules. In the 
 meantime Lieutenant Turner was to hold the remainder of 
 the command in reserve, to be in readiness in case of attack. 
 
 men, was sent northward through Philomont ; Captain Rumery, with another 
 40, southward through White Plains, across Manassas Gap railroad and back 
 across Bull Run mountain by Hopewell Gap ; Lieutenant Manning, Second 
 Massachusetts, with 50 dismounted men, crossed the mountain a few miles 
 south of Aldie,- where Mosby was said to have a rendezvous ; the remainder of 
 the force to move down the pike and wait for these parties at Mount Zion 
 Church, near Aldie. The last party reached the church about midnight and all 
 returned to camp on Monday night without the loss of a man. 
 
 " There were captured (chiefly by Captain Rumery s dismounted party) 18 
 uniformed soldiers, who claimed to be Mosby s men and were provided with his 
 passes, though in some cases belonging to regular regiments, 7 notorious smug 
 glers and horse thieves, besides one of Mosby s men killed and one prisoner 
 who escaped, and 35 horses, 13 sets of horse equipments, 25 revolvers of vari 
 ous patterns and 30 army blankets. 
 
 " Captain Rumery managed his part of the expedition with great judgment 
 The deserter Binns proved of great assistance. As I wish to employ him 
 again on similar work, and as he shows no unwillingness to expose himself, I 
 recommend that he be allowed the same pay as other Government scouts while 
 in my employ." 
 
112 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The wagons were standing around, while beside them the 
 mules were fastened and stood lazily dozing. Some of the 
 teamsters were sleeping, rolled up in their blankets, while 
 others were sitting around the fires, chatting and smoking. 
 The sentinels were quietly taken from their posts, and every 
 precaution used to avoid giving an alarm. As Mosby rode 
 along among the wagons a quartermaster, mistaking him for 
 one of his own men, asked ; " Have they gone ?" " No, "said 
 Mosby, "just going." He rode off without the quarter 
 master discovering his error. 
 
 A group of negroes were sitting around one of the fires en 
 joying the warmth as only negroes can, when Captain Chap 
 man, drawing his revolver, told them he would shoot the first 
 one who made any noise. With trembling voices they begged 
 him not to shoot. In the meantime the men busied them 
 selves in unhitching the mules from the wagons. 
 
 One old negro, poking his head out from under his 
 blanket, looking like a huge turtle peering from his shell, 
 said : 
 
 " Look heah ! Go long way frum dem mules. You jes 
 want to steal one." 
 
 Another, observing the gray uniforms by the flickering 
 light of a camp-fire, said in a low voice : 
 
 " Hush, Bill ; dem s rebs dem s Moseley s Men ! " 
 
 At length a shot was fired by some one and then ensued 
 a scene of confusion baffling description. Negroes and 
 whites ran wildly about in their alarm. The negroes par 
 ticularly appeared to be unable to decide on what was to be 
 done 
 
 " Please, Massa, don t shoot! Which way mus I run?" 
 
 " Unhitch them mules!" 
 
 " Yes, massa." 
 
 Then they would set to work with trembling hands, all 
 the while looking anxiously and fearfully around. Occa 
 sionally an order would be heard given to one of them : 
 " Jump on that mule ! " And now and then would be heard 
 a heavy thump as some mischievous mule would land an un 
 fortunate darkey upon the ground and run off, kicking up its 
 heels and braying vehemently. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 113 
 
 " Please, massa, don t let me git on dat mule any mo ; he 
 never bin rode befo ." 
 
 An Irishman, running up to one of our men, said hur 
 riedly : 
 
 " Indade, sur, I niver fired a gun agin yees in my life." 
 
 " What the devil are you doing here, then ? " 
 
 " I m a tamester, sur ; I m partly engaged in dhrivin 
 cattle." 
 
 He jumped up behind one of our men and rode off 
 to lend a helping hand in gathering up the scattered 
 mules. 
 
 After taking the mules we set fire to the wagons. Amid 
 the confusion one very ugly old negro, awakened by the 
 bustle, put his head out 
 of the wagon, where 
 he had been enjoying 
 a comfortable nap, and 
 seeing his wagon on 
 fire, exclaimed : 
 
 " Tore God, who dun 
 sot my wagon afire ? " 
 and jumped to the 
 ground. 
 
 An individual in the 
 garb of a civilian, with 
 a valise or satchel in 
 his hand, was seen 
 walking off, in the 
 light of the fires. Char 
 ley Tyler, thinking he 
 might be a paymaster 
 or a sutler making off 
 with his money or E. F. WAYMAN, co. c. 
 
 Valuables, Spurred his From a photograph taken after the war. 
 
 horse after him, and, 
 
 with pistol levelled at his head, called out, "Halt! Halt! * 
 But the man paid no attention to the call and kept on his 
 way, looking neither to the left nor right. Tyler followed 
 for some distance, threatening to shoot if he did not halt 
 
114 MOSBYS RANGERS. 
 
 and surrender, but at last reined up his horse and returned. 
 One of our men, who had witnessed the affair, said to him as 
 he came up : 
 
 " Why didn t you shoot him, Charley ? " 
 With a look of disgust, Tyler answered : 
 " Do you think I d shoot such a d d fool ?" 
 The infantry guarding the train were grouped around 
 their fires when the alarm was given. They seized their 
 arms, and their officers were soon forming them as best they 
 
 could. Our men were so 
 
 _____ scattered about the camp 
 
 in every direction that the 
 firing upon them by the in- 
 fantry did very little dam 
 age. One man received a 
 ball in his thigh, and Mos- 
 by s horse was shot in the 
 breast. 
 
 After the command had 
 moved off a short distance 
 from the camp, the whole 
 scene was lighted up by the 
 burning wagons, presenting 
 a picture of war well wor 
 thy of an artist s pencil. 
 
 We captured 160 mules 
 and 7 horses, with a large 
 quantity of harness ; also a 
 
 FRENCH FRISTOE, co. B. number of prisoners, mostly 
 
 From a photograph. teamsters. Thirty head of 
 
 cattle were taken, but we 
 
 were compelled to leave them behind. The large number 
 of wagons and great quantity of supplies burned was a very 
 serious loss to the enemy. 
 
 Friday, November 27. A body of Federal cavalry having 
 pitched their camp in the vicinity of the Hazel River, Mosby 
 sent Lieut. Thomas Turner, with Montjoy, Henry S. Ashby 
 and three others, to reconnoitre their position and see what 
 the chances were for a successful foray. Crossing the river, 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Turner concealed his men in a thicket while he rode out in 
 view of the camp. A cavalryman, coming out to see who 
 he was, found himself a prisoner, and another following 
 shared the same fate. With his two prisoners in front, 
 Turner now advanced on a picket of 10 men posted a short 
 distance from the camp. As our men drew near they were 
 ordered to halt, but seeing 
 their own men in front, the 
 pickets allowed them to ap 
 proach until they suddenly 
 found themselves covered by 
 the pistols of Turner and his 
 men, who compelled them 
 to surrender. They then re- 
 crossed the river, bringing 
 over the 12 prisoners, with 
 their horses and equipments. 
 The Federals sent out a party 
 of cavalry in pursuit, but they 
 soon gave up the chase and 
 returned to their camp. 
 
 Tuesday, December Ib. Com 
 pany C was organized at Rec- 
 tortown. William H. Chap 
 man, of Page, was elected Cap 
 tain ; Adolphus E. Richards, 
 
 of Loudoun, First Lieutenant ; Frank Fox, of Fairfax, Second 
 Lieutenant, and Frank Yeager, of Page, Third Lieutenant. 
 
 Scott, in his " Partisan Life with Col. John S. Mosby ," 
 says : 
 
 " Capt. William H. Chapman was 21 years of age the very 
 day that the Ordinance of Secession was passed at Rich 
 mond. 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 pro- 
 
 HENRY S. ASHBY, CO. B. 
 
 From a photograph taken during the war. 
 
Il6 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 moted 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 com 
 mands. Still holding his artillery commission, he was as 
 signed to duty as enrolling officer for Fauquier County, but 
 his official duties were often interrupted by the incursions 
 ot the enemy. This, however, afforded him an opportunity 
 for mingling in more congenial scenes, and he often volun 
 teered to go with Mosby on his raids." 
 
 Lieut. Adolphus E. Richards, from Loudoun County, near 
 Upperville, served in the Shenandoah Valley under Gen. 
 Turner Ashby, and was afterwards on the staff of Gen. 
 William E. Jones, who succeeded Ashby, but resigned his 
 commission and joined Mosby as a private in Company B. 
 
 On Christmas Day, 1863, a detachment of the Thirteenth 
 New York Cavalry, piloted by Charley Binns, came up from 
 Vienna to the neighborhood of Leesburg, searching houses, 
 but doing no great damage. They picked up a few men, 
 mostly citizens. As they marched at night, their movements 
 attracted but little attention. 3 
 
 During the dead of winter there was but little to be 
 done. The armies had all gone into winter quarters, and 
 the cavalry were recruiting horses preparatory to the open 
 ing of the spring campaign. Scouts who were sent out in 
 all directions, and parties " going on raids," generally re 
 turned unsuccessful. The camps were too strong to be at 
 tacked by Mosby with his small force, and, dispensing with 
 pickets, few of them had more than a camp guard. For a 
 season quiet reigned, broken only by an occasional raiding 
 
 3 Vienna, Dec. 27, 1863. 
 
 LOWELL to TAYLOR : "I have the honor to report that the party of 10 
 mounted and 40 dismounted men of the Thirteenth New York Cavalry under 
 Major Coles, with Binns as guide, sent out night before last, scouted the country 
 as far as Leesburg and carefully this side of Broad Run. They searched houses 
 and brought in 8 prisoners, among whom was Pettingall (a notorious scout), Joe 
 White, Bridges (one of Mosby s men), and Beavers, with other suspicious citi 
 zens pointed out by Binns. 
 
 " They found no large force. Mosby had been at Guilford Station with 80 
 men the day before. A few shots were exchanged with a small mounted party 
 who scattered through the woods. Another party of 30 men sent out at the 
 same time have not returned." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. I I/ 
 
 party, hunting for Mosby. Many of our officers and men 
 procured furloughs to spend the holiday season at their 
 homes or with friends at a distance. The thoughts of 
 others were with the little ones at home, who \\ :>uld miss 
 papa s usual presence at Christmastide. 
 
 The severity of the wintry weather, the scarcity of all the 
 necessaries of life, the high prices, and the reverses which 
 the Confederates had experienced in the last campaign, 
 combined with the sadness felt for the loss of relatives and 
 friends, shed a deep gloom over this usually festive season. 
 
 WHY DON T PAPA COME HOME? 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 January, 1864 Detachment of Cole s Battalion routed at Five Points, between Rectortown and 
 Middleburg Capture of Picket Post of Third Pennsylvania Cavalry on Lee s Ridge - 
 Captain Stringfellow Attack on Camp of Cole s Battalion on Loudoun Heights The 
 Battle in the Snow A desperate Fight Repulse of Mosby Death of Captain Smith 
 and Lieutenant Turner Mosby loses many of his bravest and best men. 
 
 Friday, January 1, 186 4. A detachment of Cole s Sec 
 ond Battalion Maryland Cavalry, composed of a detail of 
 20 men from each company, numbering in all 80 men, under 
 command of Capt. A. N. Hunter, came from Harper s Ferry 
 on a scout and in search of Mosby. In passing- through 
 Upperville one of their number was killed. They proceeded 
 on to Rectortown, where they remained some time. A 
 meeting of " Mosby s Men " had been ordered at this place, 
 but the men on coming to the town, finding it occupied by 
 the enemy, rode around and were seen on every little hill 
 and knoll, watching their movements. 
 
 Mosby collected about 10 or 15 men. It was difficult to 
 get the men together, as many would not approach large 
 parties through fear of their being enemies. Captain Smith 
 of Company B, with 32 men, went into town as soon as 
 Cole s men had left, and getting on their trail, followed 
 them out on the Salem road. Cole s party turned off, cross 
 ing the fields, in the direction of Middleburg. Captain Smith 
 cut across the country to come out on their flank hear Five 
 Points. Soon shots were heard in front, as Montjoy, 
 Henry Ashby and John Edmonds, who were riding in ad 
 vance came upon their rear. Our men drew tneir pistols, 
 and with Smith at their head, charged with a yell. At the 
 first fire Captain Hunter s horse was shot and he was made 
 prisoner. The Federals seemed more determined on flight 
 than fight, and hurried on towards Middleburg. Captain 
 Smith followed, but had to send a great portion of his force 
 back with prisoners and horses. 
 
 118 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 119 
 
 Mosby, seeing Smith s command in the town, thought it 
 still occupied by the enemy and manoeuvred around cau 
 tiously, but when they moved off 
 he rode into town. Learning 
 that they were a portion of his 
 own command and had gone in 
 pursuit of the Federals, he dashed 
 off and soon, too, was on the 
 track of the raiders, who had 
 scattered and were now fleeing 
 in every direction, closely pur 
 sued by our men. It was a reg 
 ular Gilpin chase. Cole s men 
 threw away bags of corn, sabres, 
 carbines, pistols and everything 
 they could well rid. themselves 
 of, and some, as though thinking 
 their horses not fleet enough, 
 jumped down, and leaving them 
 in the road, ran through the 
 woods on foot. 
 
 In this affair but two of " Mos- 
 by s Men " were wounded John Gulick severely. Four of 
 the Federals were killed, 10 or 12 wounded and 41 captured. 
 Over 50 horses fell into our hands. 
 
 Three of Cole s men, with their horses, were picked up 
 near Waterford and one near Salem on the day after the 
 fight, and one between Middleburg and Rectortown on the 
 3d of January. The men had wandered off and escaped for 
 the time, but not knowing where to go, were afterwards 
 captured. 
 
 In the following report sent in by Mosby about this time 
 will be found mention of this affair : 
 
 Report of Major John S. Mosby. 
 
 Major H. B. McCLELLAN, January 4, 1864. 
 
 Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 MAJOR : I have the honor to report that during the 
 month of December there were captured by this command 
 
 COL. HENRY A. COLE, 
 First Maryland Potomac Home Brigade 
 
 (Cole s Battalion). 
 
 From a photograph taken during the 
 war. 
 
I2O MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 over 100 horses and mules and about 100 prisoners. A con 
 siderable number of the enemy have also been killed and 
 wounded. It would be too tedious to mention the various 
 occasions on which we have met the enemy, out there is 
 one which justice to a brave officer demands to be noticed. 
 On the morning of January i, I received information that a 
 body of the enemy s cavalry were in Upperville. It being 
 the day on which my command was to assemble, I directed 
 Capt. William R. Smith to take command of the men while 
 I went toward Upperville to ascertain the movements of 
 the enemy. In the meantime the enemy had gone on to 
 ward Rectortown, and I pursued, but came up just as Capt. 
 Smith with about 35 men had attacked and routed them (78 
 strong), killing, wounding and capturing 57. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, 
 
 Major Commanding. 
 
 [First Indorsement.] 
 
 HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, February 13, 1864. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 A subsequent report of subsequent operations has been 
 already sent in, this having been mislaid. Major Mosby 
 continues his distinguished services in the enemy s rear, re 
 lieving our people of the depredations of the enemy in a 
 great measure. j R R STUART, Major-General. 
 
 [Second Indorsement.] 
 
 February 15, 1864. 
 
 A characteristic report from Colonel Mosby, who has be 
 come so familiar with brave deeds as to consider them too 
 tedious to treat unless when necessary to reflect glory on 
 his gallant comrades. Captain Smith s was a brilliant and 
 most successful affair. j A ^ (SEDDON.) 
 
 An article published in one of the papers north of the 
 Potomac a short time after the fight stated that this party 
 was " attacked by 700 of Rosser s Brigade, and of the 75 or 
 80 Federals engaged, but 18 escaped, many of whom were 
 badly frozen." * 
 
 1 The following is the Federal list of prisoners and missing : 
 Company A. (Captain Vernon.) Joseph Betson, F. Kline, J. A. Crome. 
 Jas. Edwards, D. C. Grams, E. V. Harris, C. Horine, D. Jones, J. A. Kelly, 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 121 
 
 Wednesday, January 6th Lieutenant Turner left Salem 
 about sunset with 32 men, and keeping along the west side 
 of Watery Mountain crossed the pike near Warrenton. It 
 was a bitter cold night, with the thermometer registering 
 below zero and the ground covered with snow. There was 
 a picket post on Lee s Ridge, and the command was left at 
 a house to warm themselves, while Lieutenant Turner with 
 4 or 5 men went forward to find out something about the 
 the post. Soon they came upon two men who had been 
 placed on picket, but had gone into a little hollow to shelter 
 themselves from the cold wind. Gregg s Division of Cav 
 alry was camped around in the neighborhood, but Turner 
 did not know the exact situation of the camps, though we 
 could see the camp-fires blazing. 
 
 As soon as the pickets saw Turner they mounted their 
 horses, and one of them immediately galloped off to camp. 
 Signalling for the men to get between the remaining picket 
 and the fires, Turner advanced on the man, who leveled his 
 carbine and called out : 
 
 " Halt ! Who goes there ? " 
 
 " Friends," said Turner. 
 
 "Advance, one." 
 
 Turner put his hand under his cape, drew his pistol, and 
 riding up to the picket suddenly pointed it at his head and 
 commanded him to surrender. The carbine was instantly 
 dropped with the exclamation: 
 
 " I knew you were Mosby s men. 
 
 This occurred about 9 p. m. The prisoner was taken 
 
 E. W. Moore, J. H. Shaefer, J. H. Slott, A. J Slottlemeyer, C. Sweeney, C. S. 
 Wachter, J. W. Watson, Geo. Young. 
 
 Company B. (Captain W. Fiery.) Sergt. P. M. Bell, Wm. H. Butts, R. P. 
 Delhi, G. W. Heilmer, D. R. Holland, W. S. Myers, J. Newcomer, J. Sniffer 
 cool, A. Turner, W. Wentz, J. Wiley. 
 
 Company C. (Captain A. M. Hunter.) Sergt. J. E. Wilson, Corpl. G. W. 
 Shriver, Bugler M. J. Coble, A. M. Fritchez, T. Files, J. Hertzell, J. Sponceler, 
 E. Wenschof, W. J. Waddle, W. B. Wenk, J. McCullough. 
 
 Company D. (Captain F. Gallagher.) Sergt. J. S. Sakers, Corpl. D. C. 
 Nicewoner, R. B. Beal, Wm. Carr, F. Delivan, Thomas Hawk, Wm. Millhol- 
 land, D. McGuigan, J. E. McCabe, J. Moore, Wm. Reindollar, G. E. Steele, 
 Wm. Turner, C. B. Bennett. 
 
122 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 back to where the command had been left. Turner, as he 
 was leaving, turned towards the reserve picket, where the 
 fires were burning brightly, and said : 
 
 " I will come back directly and play the mischief with 
 those fellows." 
 
 After the prisoner was taken out Turner said to him : 
 " I want you now to tell me truth, and nothing else ; if 
 you do not, it will be worse for you." 
 
 " You needn t fear," said the prisoner, " I ll tell you all 
 about the post, and go with you, too." 
 
 This he did, and sat on his horse while we charged the 
 
 picket. There was a reserve 
 post of 40 men ; 8 men were 
 usually on post on the ridge, 
 but on this night all had been 
 drawn in but two. 
 
 About 4 o clock in the 
 morning Turner led his men 
 to the rear of the post and 
 then along the pike. The 
 sound of the wind whistling 
 through the trees drowned 
 the clatter of the horses feet 
 on the frozen pike. Soon 
 we came in sight of the 
 blazing watchfires on the 
 roadside. Lieutenant Tur 
 ner said : 
 WALTER w. GOSDEN, co. E. Go along quietly make 
 
 From a War-time photograph. nQ unnecessary noisCj and 
 
 when the head of the column reaches the last fire the rear 
 will be at the first. Then, when the command is given to 
 charge, wheel your horses and fire. They will think 
 we are their own men until we get close enough to 
 charge." 
 
 The main body was encamped but a short distance from 
 the post. 
 
 When opposite the fires Turner gave the word 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 123 
 
 " Charge !" and the men wheeled their horses and dashed in 
 among the surprised and affrighted party, firing as they 
 went. A few of them dropped around the fires, and the 
 rest threw up their arms, exclaiming : 
 
 " For God s sake, don t shoot ! We surrender." 
 
 The captain in command, Gillmore, was shot. One of the 
 prisoners said : 
 
 " Indade, I m glad yees came, and if yees had rode up and 
 surrounded us, yees might have taken us all without firing a 
 shot, for we wor all so cold ; and we would rather go to 
 Richmond, no matter how hard we wor treated, than to 
 stand picket on that bleak mountain." 
 
 They were a portion of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry. 
 They stated that the picket who first escaped came into 
 camp and said the Rebs had captured his comrade, and that 
 he saw 4 or 5. When the pickets were relieved, the relief 
 seeing no signs of Confederates about, came to the conclu 
 sion that we had gone. They were standing or sitting 
 around the fires, as one of the prisoners told us, talking over 
 the matter and joking one another on the probability of 
 Mosby dashing in and taking them to Richmond, when, 
 said he " You charged in and tuk the hull of us." 
 
 Eight or ten Federals were killed and wounded, 20 prison 
 ers and 46 horses captured. [See Mosby s Report, Appen 
 dix, VIII.] 
 
 A picket who was stationed on the pike, sat on his horse 
 while the firing was going on, and as our men rode up on 
 their return he took off his belt and gave up his arms. 
 
 Wm. B. Walston lost several toes by frost, John W. Cor- 
 bin had hands and feet frozen, and several others were more 
 or less frostbitten, but with these exceptions none of our 
 men was injured. 3 
 
 2 HEADQUARTERS THIRD PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY, 
 
 January 7, 1864. 
 
 WALSH to WRIGHT : " I have just received a report from Captain Gillmore, 1 
 who is picketing in my front, that the rebels charged on his reserve, coming 
 from the Warrenton side, capturing all his horses, the greater portion of his 
 men and wounding a great many. The captain reports himself wounded. He 
 wishes two ambulances to be sent out to bring in the wounded. I will have the 
 
124 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 About this time Captain Stringfellow suggested to Major 
 
 Mosby that he co-operate with him in the capture of Cole s 
 
 Camp on Loudoun Heights. 
 
 Stringfellow entered the army at the beginning of the war 
 
 and had so distinguished himself by his skill and daring as 
 
 to attract the attention of Gen 
 eral Stuart, who was always 
 quick to observe and as ready 
 to reward true merit. Having 
 a thorough knowledge of all 
 jfetm the stretch of country from 
 
 the Blue Ridge to Washing 
 ton, Stringfellow was selected 
 as a scout and given a detail 
 of 10 men to operate with. He 
 enjoyed the confidence of both 
 Generals Lee and Stuart, and 
 many of their most important 
 movements were made from 
 information acquired by him. 
 The incidents in his dashing 
 career his daring exploits, 
 
 REV. FRANK STRINGFELLOW, his perilous journeys, his hair 
 breadth escapes and his bril 
 liant forays, would of them 
 selves fill a volume. 
 As Stringfellow had reconnoitred the camp and made 
 
 himself familiar with its details, Mosby readily agreed with 
 
 picket lines established in as quick time as possible. He reports the rebels 
 having left in quick meter after collecting up the horses and men." 
 
 Formerly "Capt. Frank Stringfellow, th 
 
 Scout." 
 From a photograph taken after the war. 
 
 CAMP OF THIRD PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY, 
 Major J. W. WALSH : January 8, 1864. 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to report that on the 5th day of January, 1864, Cap 
 tain Gillmore relieved a detachment of the First Brigade, First Division, Cavalry 
 Corps, on the Sulphur Springs road, taking up the line as established under the 
 supervision of the brigade officer of the day. 
 
 Everything remained quiet on the line until the morning of the yth, when 
 the corporal of the fifth relief started from camp to relieve the pickets. On 
 reaching No. 3 post he discovered 10 or 12 men drawn up in line at the post. 
 He immediately reported the fact to Captain Gillmore, who sent me with TO 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 125 
 
 him that the place could be surprised and captured with no 
 great effort. Accordingly on the afternoon of Saturday, 
 January Qth, Mosby started from Upperville with 106 men. 
 About 8 o clock we halted at Woodgrove, Loudoun County, 
 at the residence of Mr. Heaton, where we warmed ourselves 
 and partook of refreshments, which were supplied without 
 stint. At 10 o clock we resumed our march. Within two 
 
 men to his support. In the meantime they had made good their retreat with 
 out firing a shot. I scouted around the whole line, finding No. 3 post vacant, 
 but no other indications of the presence of an enemy. The pickets received 
 additional instructions as to vigilance, and nothing further occurred until be 
 tween the hours of 4 and 5, when the second relief started from camp. They 
 had been gone but a short time when a party of 35 or 40 men charged upon the 
 camp from our rear, taking us totally by surprise. Their movements were 
 hidden by a ridge, and the darkness and high wind which prevailed aided their 
 attack. Captain Gillmore sprang to his feet, and in attempting to rally his 
 men, many of whom were asleep, was shot down and surrounded by a dozen 
 mounted men. At the same time 6 men were wounded and 18 captured. As 
 we were weakened by the absence of two reliefs, the command was totally 
 overpowered and at the mercy of the enemy. It is my opinion that they entered 
 the line between Captain Gillmore s extreme left post and the right of the First 
 Pennsylvania pickets, considerable distance intervening. This opinion is 
 strengthened from the fact that there was not a shot fired on the line, and in 
 the morning I examined the ground, finding a trail through the snow at the 
 point designated. 
 
 They retreated out the Sulphur Springs road, carrying with them 18 prison 
 ers and 43 horses with their equipments, leaving 8 wounded, including Captain 
 Gillmore, which comprised the whole command, with the exception of 3 or 4 
 who escaped. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 G. S. LUTTRELL WARD, 
 Second Lieutenant Third Pennsylvania Cavalrv. 
 
 TAYLOR to WEIR: 
 
 CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report that, in compliance with orders from 
 Second Division headquarters, 100 men from First New Jersey Cavalry, under 
 command of Lieut. J. Hobensack, of same regiment, were ordered out to pur 
 sue the enemy, who had attacked the reserve of the Third Pennsylvania. 
 Lieutenant Hobensack reports that he took the Warrenton and Waterloo pike ; 
 found the track of the enemy; thence to the Salem and Waterloo road ; followed 
 its course to within 3 miles of Salem, where it changed its course, taking the 
 Orleans road. The lieutenant reports the enemy at this point three hours in 
 advance of him ; his horses much fatigued and gave up pursuit, returning by 
 the Salem and Waterloo road. He captured 2 of Mosby s men, who he delivered 
 to the division provost-marshal. 
 
126 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 miles of the camp we were joined by String-fellow with his 
 10 men. They reported favorably, and the command pushed 
 on. The night was clear, the stars shone brightly ; and the 
 cold was sharp and biting. Many of the men would dis 
 mount at times and run or walk beside their horses to keep 
 their feet from freezing. No sound broke the stillness of the 
 night except the dull, heavy tramp of the horses as they trod 
 the snowy path. Fields, roads, trees and shrubs were alike 
 clothed in the white robes of winter, and it seemed almost a 
 sacrilege against the beauty and holy stillness of the scene to 
 stain those pure garments with the life blood of man, be he 
 friend or foe. 
 
 Marching on, we soon came in sight of camp fires on the 
 opposite side of the river. These were passed and many of 
 the men thought the post had been found too strong to be 
 attacked. As the whistle of an engine fell upon their ears 
 at this time, some were under the impression that an attack 
 would be made on the train. The command moved up 
 along the mountain side in single file, strung out for some 
 distance on the narrow path. Suddenly "crack !" went the re 
 port of a pistol ; then " bang-bang-bang," went the carbines 
 from the camp in front, accompanied by loud shouts from 
 Cole s camp. Above the din rang out the clear voices of 
 Smith and Turner u Charge them, boys! Charge them!" 
 The first row of tents was captured when Stringfellow s men, 
 who had charged into the rear of the camp contrary to or 
 ders, came on yelling and shooting. Our men, supposing- 
 them to be Federals, fired upon them, killing and wounding 
 several. Taking advantage of the confusion which ensued, 
 Captain Vernon, of Cole s Battalion, rallied his men and 
 opened on us a withering fire. Some sheltered themselves 
 in an old log- house, firing on us from the door, windows 
 and through the chinks. A number of our command 
 were crowded together close up to the enemy, Lieutenant 
 Turner being in front, when a ball struck him ; he fell 
 over on Captain Franklin, exclaiming, "I am shot," That 
 was all he said. Captain Franklin took him a short 
 distance to the rear, and gave him in charge of two men 
 who bore him from the field. Paxson fell from his 
 
MO8BY S RANGERS. 
 
 127 
 
 horse, calling- out as he fell : " You are not going to leave 
 me here on the field ? " Captain Smith was advancing to 
 assist him, when a shot from one of the tents a short distance 
 ahead put an end to the career of this brave soldier. Cap. 
 tain Chapman caught him and disengaging his feet from 
 the stirrups, laid him on the 
 ground. Robinson fell from 
 his horse, dead. Colston, a 
 brave young Baltimorean, was 
 shot down while endeavoring 
 to encourage and rally our 
 men. Owens was also killed. 
 Still the fight went on. 
 
 Montjoy, with a squad of 
 men, was sent down to a 
 bridge to take a picket and 
 guard the bridge. When he 
 reached the bridge the picket 
 had fled and he kept it undis 
 turbed. 
 
 Lieut. F. Beattie had his 
 horse shot and he himself re 
 ceived a ball in his thigh. 
 
 The dead and dying lay 
 around. From the tents came 
 forth moans of pain and shrieks 
 of agony. Some of the com 
 batants stood almost in reach of one another, 
 each other s faces, crying out : 
 
 " Surrender ! " 
 
 " No, I won t ! You surrender ! " 
 
 Many of the Federals, driven from their tents, sought 
 refuge among the thick bushes higher up the mountain side 
 and from this vantage ground poured a galling fire into our 
 ranks. The balls striking the ground, threw up the frozen 
 earth in our faces. 
 
 Hearing the signal gun at Harper s Ferry, where several 
 thousand troops were quartered, in readiness to march upon 
 us at a moment s notice, and seeing that nothing could be 
 
 LIEUT. -COL. GEO. W. F. VERNON, 
 
 First Maryland Potomac Home Brigade 
 
 (Cole s Battalion). 
 
 firing into. 
 
128 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 gained by prolonging the fight, Mosby gathered up his 
 shattered forces and retired from this disastrous attack in 
 the direction of Hillsborough, taking 7 prisoners and 35 
 horses. The Federals did not attempt to follow, though they 
 continued firing as long as the command was within sight 
 or hearing. 
 
 Five of our men were left dead in the camp : Captain 
 William R. Smith, of Company B ; William E. Colston, 
 Captain Robinson, Owens and Yates. Lieut. Thomas 
 Turner, of Company A ; Charles Paxson and William H. 
 Turner of Baltimore, were mortally wounded and all died 
 shortly after. Lieut. Fountain Beattie, Henry Edmonds, 
 Boyd Smith and others were wounded. One man, Leonard 
 Brown, was taken prisoner ; he had gone off to secure some 
 horses, and after doing so, returned, leading two horses. 
 He was greatly surprised to fine his comrades gone, and 
 there was no alternative for him but to surrender. 
 
 Lieut. Thomas Turner was taken to the house of Mr. 
 Levi Waters, about a mile distant from the camp, where he 
 died the following Saturday. [See Mosby s Report, Ap 
 pendix, VIII.] 
 
 There were from 175 to 200 men at the camp attacked. 
 They lost 4 killed and 17 wounded, some mortally. 3 
 
 3 Cumberland, Md., Jan. 10, 1864. 
 Brigadier-General CULLUM, Chief of Staff : 
 
 SIR : The following dispatch is just received : 
 
 I cheerfully comply with the request of General Sullivan in calling the atten 
 tion of the General-in-Chief to the gallant conduct of Major Cole and his brave 
 comrades. His repulse of the murderous attack made by an overwhelming 
 force at 4 o clock on a dark, cold morning evinced a discipline, a watchfulness 
 and a bravery most commendable. B. F. KELLY, Brigadier-General. 
 
 HDQRS. BATT. P. H. B. CAVALRY, MARYLAND VOLS., 
 
 Loudoun Heights, Va., January 10, 186 Jj- 
 Capt. WILLIAM M. BOONE, Assistant Adjutant-General: 
 
 SIR : I have the honor of addressing you for the purpose of reporting the 
 facts of an attempt by Major Mosby s battalion of guerrila cavalry to surprise 
 and capture my camp between the hours of 3 and 4 a. m. of this day. 
 
 They studiously avoided my pickets ; divided themselves into small bodies, 
 which were speedily consolidated in sight of my camp. They then made an 
 impetuous charge with a yell on the right of the same. In consequence of the 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 129 
 
 The march homeward was indeed a gloomy one. A sad 
 and sullen silence pervaded our ranks and found expression 
 in every countenance. All that we could have gained 
 would not compensate for the loss we sustained : Captain 
 Smith dead and Lieutenant Turner mortally wounded, be 
 sides losing many other brave companions in arms. Even 
 the Major, though he usually appeared cold and unyielding, 
 could not conceal his disappointment and keen regret at the 
 result of this enterprise. He knew and felt that he had suf 
 fered a loss which could not well be repaired. 
 
 Capt. William R. Smith, of Company B and Lieutenant 
 Turner, of Company A, were without doubt at the time of 
 their deaths the two most efficient officers in the Battalion. 
 The first to go into a fight, they were always the last to 
 leave. They always led the charges in their respective 
 companies. Not only for their bravery and soldierly traits 
 were they admired and beloved, but also on account of the 
 many noble qualities of head and heart with which they 
 were endowed. Both men were universal favorities, not 
 only in their own companies but also with the whole Battal 
 ion, and their loss was regretted by all. 
 
 suddenness of the same this company could offer but feeble resistance. In the 
 meantime Company A, the second in the line, was speedily rallied by its com 
 manding officer, Captain Vernon, who contested their further advance in such a 
 sanguinary manner that [they] formed a rallying point for the balance of the 
 command, who were now thoroughly aroused of the danger that threatened 
 them, and one and all, from the officer to the private, entered into the contest 
 with such a determined zest as led to the utter rout and discomfiture of the 
 enemy and the signal failure of their base attempt. 
 
 They experienced a loss of I captain, 2 lieutenants and 2 privates killed, and 
 2 privates mortally wounded, and I prisoner. It was also very evident that 
 thf y removed a large portion of their wounded with them in their precipitate 
 flight, as a detachment of the command, subsequently sent in pursuit, found 
 evidence of blood all along the line of retreat. I experienced a loss of 4 enlisted 
 men killed and 16 wounded. Captain Vernon experienced a serious wound 
 in the head, but it is the opinion of Batt. Surg. W. R. Way that it will not prove 
 fatal. I am deeply indebted to the officers and men of my command for the 
 daring displayed by them on this occasion, and earnestly commend them to 
 the division commander for his favorable consideration. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 HENRY A. COLE, 
 
 Maior Commanding. 
 
130 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The " Souvenir of the Maryland Line " has the following 
 sketch of Colston : 
 
 William E. Colston was born in Washington, March 24th, 
 1839, but his early years were spent in Virginia, the home 
 of his ancestors. He came to Baltimore about 1857, an d 
 was among the first to go to Virginia when the war broke 
 out. 
 
 On June ist, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company 
 B, Maryland Guard, attached to the 2ist Virginia Infantry, 
 
 but when the First 
 Maryland Regiment 
 was formed was trans 
 ferred to Company H, 
 Capt. Wm. H. Murray, 
 June i8th, 1861. In this 
 company he served in 
 all the campaigns and 
 battles of the year, and 
 at the battle of Cross 
 Keys, June 8th, 1862, 
 in Jackson s Valley 
 Campaign he was des 
 perately wounded, be 
 ing shot through the 
 body. He was perma 
 nently injured by this 
 wound and disabled 
 for a long time, but as 
 soon as able to ride he 
 was appointed Volun 
 teer Aid to Major-Gen- 
 eral Trimble. General 
 Trimble being wound 
 ed and left at Gettys 
 burg, Colston then 
 volunteered into Mos- 
 by s command, and was 
 killed in the night at 
 tack on Harper s Ferry, January loth, 1864. He is buried 
 in the Confederate lot at Loudoun Park with his old com 
 rades of Company H, First Maryland Infantry. 
 
 A Memorial Room to him has been furnished in the Con 
 federate Home at Pikesville, Md., by his brother, Capt. 
 Frederick M. Colston. 
 
 I met Major Mosby on the road a few days after the fight, 
 
 WILLIAM E. COLSTON, CO. A. 
 
 Killed in the attack on Cole s Camp, Loudoun 
 Heights, January 10, 1864. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 and in course of conversation he remarked that he was sorry 
 he had made the attack on Cole s camp, " although," said 
 he, " if my plans had been carried out, the expedition would 
 have been a success." He said Stringfellow was to have 
 gone on ahead with his men to the house occupied by Major 
 Cole as headquarters. This they were quietly to surround, 
 and after securing the Major and whoever else might be 
 with him, proceed on to the camp and unite with him in the 
 attack. Instead of doing this, they dashed on and into the 
 camp. Mosby rode down the line in search of Captain 
 Smith to order him to dismount his company and charge 
 with them on foot into the camp to prevent the enemy firing 
 from their tents and to secure the horses. Company A, 
 under Lieutenant Turner, were to remain mounted and 
 attack the camp. The men were straggling along the road, 
 totally unprepared for a charge. Before he could find Cap 
 tain Smith or issue any orders 
 whatever, he heard Stringfellow s 
 men yelling and shooting in our 
 front. The camp being aroused, 
 there was no alternative but to 
 charge and hazard the chance of 
 an engagement, as he was disap 
 pointed in making it a surprise. 
 
 In the u Life of Sheridan," al 
 ready alluded to, is a very inter 
 esting sketch of this affair, entitled 
 "A Battle in the Snow," which 
 concludes with the following 
 neatly written little episode : 
 
 There were a thousand thrilling 
 incidents connected with this bare 
 footed fight on the mountains, in 
 the snow, worth relating, and the 
 conspicuous instances of almost 
 unexampled bravery would in 
 clude almost every man in the 
 
 command. But there is one touching incident necessary to 
 join the woof and warp of this narration. 
 
 When daylight broke upon the scene there was a young 
 
 CHARLES PAXSON, CO. A. 
 
 Killed at Loudoun Heights in attack 
 
 on Cole s Camp. 
 
J32 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Confederate soldier lying- upon the field with a fatal wound 
 in the neck, near the jugular vein. He was not more than 
 twenty years of age, and a boy in appearance as well as in 
 years. The officer who appears at the cross-roads in the 
 beginning of this story found him. He raised up the dying 
 lad and asked him his name. 
 
 " My name is Paxson," replied the boy in broken tones. 
 
 " My God ! are you Mr. Paxson s son who lives at the 
 cross-roads towards Waterford?" eagerly inquired the 
 officer. 
 
 " I am," was the simple response. 
 
 The humane act of his father in 1862 was recalled, and, 
 full of emotion, the officer picked the lad up, carried him to 
 the hospital, laid him upon an easy couch and summoned the 
 doctor, who replied petulantly : 
 
 " We can t care for those men until we look after our own 
 wounded." 
 
 " But this boy must be cared for," said the officer, and in 
 as few words as possible he told the story of 1862, when five 
 of their men belonging to Cole s Cavalry lay wounded upon 
 Paxson s farm at the cross-roads. 
 
 There was no more parleying, and the boy was at once 
 carefully attended to, but he was beyond human aid. All 
 that could be done for him to ease his last moments was 
 done. All the command felt, terribly as they themselves 
 had suffered and were suffering, that this boy was entitled 
 to every attention that could be shown him. 
 
 " I do this," said Mr. Paxson in 1862, when he assisted in 
 taking the wounded men (Federals) toward the river, "be 
 cause I would want others to do the same by my boy, who 
 is in the Confederate Army, if he should be wounded." 
 
 The same officer and the same men who heard these words 
 and received that favor, dealt the death-blow to that son. 
 Yet his dying moments were made easier by them for the 
 favor his father had done. 
 
CHAPTER Vlll. 
 
 February, 1864. Chapman in the Valley Picketing the Roads to Guard Against Raiding 
 Parties Raid of Gregg s Cavalry from Warrenton, Piloted by John Cornwell Mosby now 
 a Lieutenant Colonel Raid of Cole s Battalion Fight near Upperville Raid of the 
 Second Massachusetts Cavalry and Fight near Dranesville Death of Capt. Read, Com 
 manding the. Expedition. 
 
 On the 5th of February, Capt. William H. Chapman, 
 while on a scout in the Valley with 14 men, came upon a 
 party of 15 Federal cavalry between Millwood and Berry- 
 ville. He attacked them on sight, killed 3, captured 3 
 prisoners and 4 horses ; the balance made their escape. 
 
 In order to guard against raiding parties of Federal 
 cavalry which were continually scouring the country, often 
 capturing some of our men, pickets were detailed from the 
 different companies for duty each night on the main roads 
 leading to our section. To Company A was assigned the 
 turnpike below Middleburg ; to Company B, the roads be 
 tween Bloomfteld and Upperville ; and to Company C, the 
 road from Salem to the Plains. 1 
 
 1 Lieut. W. Ben Palmer, of Richmond, furnished me, from an old memo 
 randum book in his possession, the following list of details from Company A 
 for picket duty on the turnpike below Middleburg when he was Sergeant of 
 Company A : 
 
 Sergeant Palmer Mosby (W. H.), Rudd, Brawner, Lake (L.), Lake(T.W.), 
 Lake (J. R.), Cocke, Glasscock. 
 
 Sergeant Rowzee Rutter, Burke, Barton, Coiner (J. E.), Coiner (J. W.), 
 Ellis, Smallwood. Rowzee (G. A.) 
 
 Sergeant Thomas Betts, Bishop, Bowie, Castleman, Walston, Fletcher, 
 Williamson, Ayre. 
 
 Sergeant Rector Hatcher (W.), Walls, Wilson, Symons, Robey, McDaniel, 
 Wilson, Simpson. 
 
 Corporal Davis Underwood (B.), Underwood (S.), Richards (D.), Tram- 
 mell, Smallwood, Rogers, Minor, Shaw. 
 
 Corporal Skinner Dulaney, De Butts, Darden, Donahue, Reed, Crosen, 
 Adrian, Beavers. 
 
 Corporal Wh.iley Crowley, Berryman, Hammond, Heflein (J. W.), Heflein 
 (W. A.), Oden, Robinson, Williams, Wagtjaman, Mohler. 
 
 Corporal Gulick Cromwell, Woolf, Gulick (G. M.), Knapp, Hibbs, Hutch- 
 inson, Flannery, Fox (C. A.) 
 
 133 
 
134 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 On the night of February i;th I slept at the house of my 
 old friend Redmond F. Brawner, in the upper edge of Fau- 
 quier. Mr. Brawner and his family were refugees from 
 Prince William County, being driven from their farm, 
 which was located on the battle ground of Manassas. My 
 companions in the room were Charles Tyler, John Kirwin, 
 William A. and Henry N. Brawner. 
 
 I was awakened on the morning of the i8th by a noise in 
 the room and, looking up, saw the boys hastily putting on 
 their clothes. First one and then another would go to the 
 window, where a large gray blanket had been nailed up to 
 keep out the cold, and cautiously peeping out, would say in 
 
 suppressed tones : " They are Yan 
 kees." " They are going along the 
 road, past the house." " Oh, gee ! 
 what a crowd of them." " They are 
 looking up this way." 
 
 Charley Tyler, who had not left 
 his bed, would send out from be 
 neath the blankets a sepulchral 
 voice in reply to these exclamations : 
 " Come away from the window." 
 " Well, if they are Yankees, can t 
 you let em go by ? " " D - you, 
 come away from that window." It 
 WILUAM co A RAWNER was alternately an entreaty and a 
 
 curse. 
 
 I sprang out of bed and putting my eye to the peephole 
 in the blanket, saw a body of Federal cavalry passing along 
 the road towards Paris. They were sitting bolt upright on 
 their horses, like so many statues, muffled up in their over 
 coats and seemed to look neither to right nor left. 
 
 As soon as I slipped on my clothes I went downstairs and 
 out the back door, picked up my saddle and bridle, and 
 keeping the house between myself and the cavalry in the 
 road, ran as fast as I could through the orchard to where I 
 expected to find my horse. The horses, to protect them 
 selves from the biting wind, had sought the shelter of a little 
 knoll which completely hid them from the view of those 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 135 
 
 passing on the road. Seeing no horses, and the house being 
 a small one, with no barn or stable in sight, the Federal cav 
 alry were not attracted to it, and the morning being intensely 
 cold, they appeared anxious to push on and not loiter on 
 the way. Calling my horse, I was soon in the saddle and dash 
 ing over the mountain in hopes to come on the road ahead 
 of the raiders and give warning of their approach. 
 
 I came out on the road in front of Ben. Triplett s house. 
 The old man was sitting at the stile as I rode up, wildly 
 clapping his hands. " The Yankees have been here and 
 ransacked the house," said he, " and have taken all the 
 horses." 
 
 " Did they get any of the boys?" I asked. 
 
 " No," said he ; " the boys ran out with what clothes they 
 could pick up and are now hiding somewhere about the moun- 
 ;ain. Jim Wrenn jumped out of the window with only what 
 he had on in bed, and I think he and Ab. Wrenn are up on 
 Mount Ida. The Yankees have been to Gibson s and there 
 they captured Sergeant Corbin, Walston and some more of 
 the boys." 
 
 " Which way did they go ? " I inquired. 
 
 " There they are now ! " said Triplett, pointing over 
 towards Simper s. As I looked in that direction 1 saw the 
 road filled with blue-coats, and a warning shot and the 
 sound of a bullet whizzing by my ear told its own story. 
 
 While sitting on my horse looking towards them, I ob 
 served a commotion in their ranks, while the sharp cracking 
 of pistols, and the wild yell which sounded so familiar to 
 my ear told me that u Mosby s Men " were hanging on their 
 trail and had made a dash at them. I then put spurs to my 
 horse and crossed the fields to join my comrades. 
 
 Captain William Chapman and Montjoy had collected 
 about 25 men. Seeing the two parties of Federal Cavalry 
 unite and gallop into Paris, leaving pickets outside, we 
 moved on towards town, while Chapman and Montjoy went 
 forward to reconnoitre. We saw the enemy s sharpshooters 
 creeping along to cut them off and called to them to come 
 back. This they started to do, but not until Montjoy s horse 
 was wounded. The Federals now dismounted sharpshooters 
 
136 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 who, sheltered behind stone fences, opened fire on us with 
 their carbines. 
 
 Charles Tyler was sent off to hunt up more men, but ran 
 into another body of Federals coming along- the mountain 
 road from Markham to Paris. He quickly wheeled his horse 
 and made -his escape. We saw them winding along a nar 
 row lane and charged in their rear, but they were too strong 
 for us, and soon the three parties were united at Paris. Cap 
 tain Chapman said our force was too small to accomplish 
 anything, and dismissed us with orders to gather up what 
 men we could and meet at Piedmont about two or three 
 o clock in the afternoon, to endeavor to cut off and recapture 
 prisoners. The Federals stopped a short time at Paris and 
 then started down the pike, closely followed by Lieutenant 
 Hunter with about 30 men, who harassed them as they 
 moved along. We had one man wounded, Aquilla Glass- 
 cock. 
 
 The raiding party consisted of detachments of the First 
 New Jersey, First Pennsylvania, Third Pennsylvania and 
 First Massachusetts Cavalry about 400 in all and were 
 guided by a man named John Cornwell. Cornwell had 
 been sent by Capt. Walter E. Frankland, then our Quarter 
 master, to Charlottesville with a wagon to bring us some 
 ammunition, and on his return presented a bill of expenses 
 which Frankland would not allow. He then appealed to 
 Mosby, who sustained Frankland. Cornwell then went to 
 Warrenton, where Gregg s Cavalry Division was in camp, 
 and volunteered to pilot the Federals through " Mosby s 
 Confederacy " and capture the whole command, 
 
 They started from Warrenton about half-past ten o clock 
 on the night of Wednesday, February i/th, reached Salem 
 about midnight, and from this place they commenced search 
 ing houses for " Mosby s Men." At Rectortown they di 
 vided, one party going to Middleburg and thence to Upper- 
 ville, while others marched by way of Piedmont, Oak Hill, 
 Markham and Paris. Some even scouted along the little 
 mountain road from Markham to Paris. At the house of 
 Mr. Jamieson Ashby, where Captain Frankland lodged, the 
 Federals surrounded and searched the house, threatening 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 137 
 
 the servants to compel them to tell where they would find 
 Captain Frankland, Hamner and Henry Ashby ; but the 
 faithful negroes would not disclose their hiding- places, and 
 they remained concealed until the enemy had left. 
 
 In the afternoon we met at Piedmont and were joined by 
 Mosby, who had just returned to the command, being pro 
 moted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. With 60 men we 
 followed the trail of the raiders to within six miles of War- 
 renton, where we gave up the pursuit. 
 
 In the Federal reports the officers claimed to have cap 
 tured 28 of our men, but in this they included a number of 
 citizens who were not members of our command. 
 
 Saturday, February 2otJi Cole s Second Battalion Mary 
 land Cavalry, about 250 men, made a raid through Loudoun 
 and Fauquier Counties, capturing several of our men. Mc- 
 Cobb, of Baltimore, was surprised at Bartenstein s, near 
 Upperville, and was killed in attempting to escape. John 
 and Bartlett Boiling were captured at their father s resi- 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 
 
 February 17, 1864. 
 Brig.-Gen. GREGG, Commanding Second Cavalry Division: 
 
 GENERAL : The Commanding General directs that you send a sufficient force 
 of your command at once for the purpose of capturing Mosby and his .party, 
 who are to be at Markham to-night. 
 
 The prisoner, Cornwell, will give you information as to where Mosby will 
 be found. The officer in charge of the party will take with him the prisoner, 
 and if he should lead your party into a trap he will be shot. It is believed that 
 the prisoner s statement is reliable, and you are directed to question him. 
 After the party returns Cornwell will at once be sent to these headquarters. 
 
 The General directs that you will send the party as soon as possible, in 
 order that they may arrive at Markham during the night. Please report by 
 telegraph as soon as the party returns. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 E. B. PARSONS, 
 Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION, 
 
 February IS, 1S64- 
 Lieut.-Col. J. W. KESTER, Commanding First New Jersey : 
 
 COLONEL : The General commanding directs that with 300 men placed under 
 your command, you will proceed to-night at 10 o clock to Markham and Paris 
 
138 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 dence, and William A. Brawner and J. W. Coiner rode into 
 a party of Cole s men, near Upperville, mistaking them for 
 our own men, and were taken prisoners. 
 
 After going as far as Piedmont, on the Virginia Midland 
 Road, Cole started to return. Mosby, with John Edmonds, 
 John Munson and J. Lavender, got on their track. He 
 gathered up others as he went along, at the same time 
 annoying the raiders as they marched. When near Upper- 
 
 and vicinity, where it is reported bands of guerrillas have their headquarters. 
 Every effort will be made to capture or destroy the leaders and men composing 
 these bands. The guide who will accompany you is familiar with the country 
 and reported to be worthy of confidence. In searching houses supposed to con 
 tain guerrillas, all injury to property will be avoided. In making your dis 
 positions suggestions of the guide will be valuable. It is expected that your 
 command will return to camp to-morrow evening. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, . D. McM. GREGG, 
 
 Brigadier-General of Volunteers^ Commanding Second Division. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST NEW JERSEY CAVALRY, 
 
 February 19, 1864. 
 Capt. HENRY C. WEIR, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Cavalry Division : 
 
 CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report that in obedience to instructions I 
 started from Warren ton with 350 men comprising the following commands: 150 
 First New Jersey, 100 First Pennsylvania, 50 Third Pennsylvania and 50 First 
 Massachusetts. It being very cold I marched rapidly, and at Salem I sent 
 Lieutenant Bradbury, Third Pennsylvania, with 50 men of the First Massa 
 chusetts, to pass through Upperville and meet the rest of the command at 
 Paris, in Ashby s Gap. I took the main column on to Piedmont ; at that point 
 I sent Captain Hart with 150 men of the First New Jersey Cavalry to pass 
 through Piedmont Valley, and stop at Paris until I arrived. With 100 men of 
 the First Pennsylvania, under Captain McGregor, and 50 men of the Third 
 Pennsylvania, under Captain Wetherill, I marched to Markham Station in 
 Manassas Gap. From that point I crossed the mountains by a by-path and 
 joined the other parties at Paris at 12 o clock on the day of the i8th. The 
 column under Lieutenant Bradbury lost their way and came into Paris without 
 passing through Upperville, and captured some horses and arms without seeing 
 any of the enemy. The column under Captain Hart passed through Piedmont 
 Valley, and surprised and captured 15 of Mosby s guerrillas and furloughed 
 soldiers, and a quantity of arms, equipments and horses. The other column 
 with myself passed into Manassas Gap to Markham, and from there to Paris, 
 capturing 13 of Mosby s guerrillas and furloughed soldiers, and a quantity of 
 arms, equipments, horses and some medical stores ; the latter we destroyed. 
 As we came near Paris about 40 guerrillas charged on my rear guard. I sent 
 a squadron and charged, scattering them. No casualties on our side. I stopped 
 one hour at Paris, and started to return at one o clock. By this time the guer- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. J 39 
 
 ville, where Cole halted .to feed and rest his horses, Mosby 
 had collected about 50 men, and with these he charged the 
 rear of the Federal column and threw them into some con 
 fusion. Capt. Wm. L. Morgan, of Cole s Command, was 
 killed by Montjoy. At Blakeley s Grove School House, 
 Cole made a stand, arid taking a position behind the stone 
 fence at the Cross Roads, sought to give us check, but 
 Mosby, throwing his men on their flank, drove them from 
 their shelter and forced them to retreat. We followed them 
 as far as Bloomfield, and there gave up the chase. 3 
 
 The Federals lost 7 killed, including Captain Morgan, and 
 8 prisoners, with their horses and equipments. They carried 
 off most of their wounded one, shot through the head, 
 lingered some time at the school house at Blakeley s Grove, 
 but died and was buried in the fence corner. We found 2 
 
 rillas had collected together in a body numbering nearly 100 men, who made 
 repeated attempts to capture my rear guard, which they paid dearly for. At 
 one time one man was shot from his horse ; at another two were knocked over, 
 and another an officer was dismounted and wounded, and was rescued by his 
 comrades, but his horse and trappings fell into our hands. 
 
 The casualties on our side were : Captain Hart, First New Jersey, slightly 
 wounded, and 2 horses killed. The guide you furnished me was of great 
 assistance. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN W. KESTER, 
 Lieutenant- Colonel Commanding. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 
 
 February 18, 1864. 
 
 Major-General HALLECK : General Pleasonton, chief of cavalry, reports that 
 a scouting party sent from General Gregg s command at Warrenton, cap 
 tured to-day at Piedmont 28 of " Mosby s men." 
 
 GEO. G. MEADE, 
 Major- General Commanding. 
 
 3 Abstract from Record of Events on Return of Cavalry Brigade, Department of 
 
 West Virginia, for February, 1864. 
 
 February 20. Three parties were sent out of 200 men by way of Loudoun, 
 under command of Major Cole, who met Mosby s troops at or near Upperville, 
 and after a severe skirmish lost i captain and I private killed and several 
 missing ; captured 18 rebels. Another party under command of Colonel Tay 
 lor went to Front Royal ; drove the rebels from there, who took to the moun 
 tains. We captured 8 prisoners. The third party went to Strasburg without 
 meeting the enemy. Captain W. L. Morgan, Co. A., First N. Y. Veteran 
 Cavalry, was killed in action near Upperville. 
 
14 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 of their dead near Bloomfield a week after the fight, half 
 eaten up by hogs. 
 
 In our command Lieutenant Fox, Starke and Spinkx were 
 wounded. Montjoy and Geo. H. Ayre had their horses 
 shot. 4 
 
 4 Report of Lieut.-Col. John S. Mosby, Forty-third Battalion Virginia Cavalry. 
 
 February 21, 186 4. 
 Major H. B. McCLELLAN, Asst. Adjutant-General Cavalry Corps. 
 
 MAJOR : I have the honor to report that about 8 o clock yesterday morn 
 ing, on being informed that a large body of the enemy s cavalry were in Upper- 
 ville, I took immediate steps to be prepared to meet them. The enemy pro 
 ceeded some distance along the pike toward Piedmont, when they started back. 
 
 1 did all in my power to retard them by annoying them with a few sharpshoot 
 ers in order to give my men time to collect. After getting between 50 and 60 
 together I attacked them about 2 miles beyond Upperville. A sharp skirmish 
 ensued, in which we repulsed them in three distinct charges and drove their 
 sharpshooters from a very strong position behind a stone wall. They fled in 
 the direction of Harper s Ferry. We pursued them about 2 miles. They were 
 enabled to cover their retreat by means of their numerous carbineers posted 
 behind stone fences. As my men had nothing but pistols, with only a few ex 
 ceptions, I was compelled to make flank movements in order to dislodge them, 
 which, of course, checked a vigorous pursuit. Citizens who counted the enemy 
 inform me that they numbered 250 men, under command of Major Cole. They 
 left 6 of their dead on the field, among them i captain, I lieutenant, and 7 men 
 prisoners ; also, horses, army equipments, etc. The road over which they 
 retreated was strewn with abandoned hats, haversacks, etc. They impressed 
 wagons to carry off their wounded. 
 
 While all acted well, with but few exceptions, it is a source of great pride to 
 bring to your notice the names of some whose conspicuous gallantry renders 
 their mention both a duty and a pleasure. They are Captain and Lieutenant 
 Chapman, Lieutenants Fox and Richards, Sergeants Palmer, Lavender, and 
 Privates Munson, Edmonds, Montjoy, Starke and Cunningham. My loss was 
 
 2 wounded. Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, 
 Lieutenant- Colonel Commanding. 
 
 [First Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, ) 
 February 28, 1864. f 
 Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 Colonel Mosby s gallantry and skill highly commended, and attention called 
 to the officers and men specially mentioned. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, Major-General. 
 [Second Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, March 8, 1864. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded, concurring in the commendation of General Stuart 
 bestowed upon Colonel Mosby, the officers and men of his* command. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 14! 
 
 Sunday, February 2ist. The command was ordered to 
 meet at Piedmont to attend the funeral of McCobb, who 
 was killed by Cole s men. While assembling, a report was 
 brought in that a scouting party composed of 150 of the 
 Second Massachusetts Cavalry 5 and a platoon of the Six 
 teenth New York Cavalry, under command of Capt. J. Sewell 
 Read, of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, a major by 
 promotion, were at Rector s X Roads. We moved on to 
 that place, but they left before our arrival, going in the di 
 rection of Mountville. Sam Underwood was sent with one 
 man to follow their trail and report to Mosby, while we 
 marched towards Dranesville, with the 
 intention of intercepting them on their 
 return to camp at Vienna. They camped 
 at night at the farm of Mr. Kephart, on the 
 road to Dranesville, where they were joined 
 by a body of cavalry under Major Frazar. 
 We halted near Dranesville, tied our 
 horses in the thick pines, built fires and 
 lay down to rest. 
 
 We had less than 175 men. Mosby ap 
 peared in excellent humor ; said he had 
 
 GEO. L. REVERCOMB, f . . . iilllJ u 4- U J 
 
 Corporal, Co. E. been running his parallels all day, but had 
 headed them ; that they would come down 
 the Leesburg pike and he would attack them in the morn 
 ing. 
 
 Monday, February 22d. Early in the morning the com 
 mand was moved out to the pike and halted near Anker s 
 shop, about two miles below Dranesville, to await the com 
 ing of the enemy. A short distance in our rear the road 
 
 5 Second Massachusetts Cavalry. Companies A, E, F, L and M of this regi 
 ment were organized at San Francisco, Cal. ; Company H, at Boston; Com 
 panies B, C, D and I, at Readville, Mass., from December 10, 1862, to June 20, 
 1863, to serve three years. It was mustered out of service July 20, 1865, in 
 accordance with orders from War Department. Official Record. 
 
 We usually spoke of this command as the " California Battalion." 
 
 6 George L. Revercomb, a veteran of two wars the Mexican and the Civil 
 War enlisted in 1861 in Company C., Fourth Virginia Cavalry; was honorably 
 discharged on account of wounds received in battle, and afterwards enlisted 
 under the banner of Colonel Mosby. 
 
142 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 forked, and as it was uncertain whether the Federals would 
 follow the pike or take the county road, Walter Whaley 
 was sent to watch their movements. He soon came in with 
 the intelligence that the Second Massachusetts was coming 
 along the pike, and that Major Frazar s party, which had 
 camped with them at night, had left them and gone by the 
 other road. 
 
 Company A, with part of Company B, under Lieut. 
 Frank Williams, were now placed along the edge of a thick 
 pine woods, in columns of fours, 
 to charge in their front ; Com 
 pany C, with balance of Com 
 pany B, under Capt. William 
 Chapman, were to charge in 
 their rear; while 15 dismounted 
 men with carbines, under Mont- 
 joy, were posted in the pines 
 along the road about the center 
 of the position. 
 
 After all arrangements had 
 been made, Mosbysaid: " Men, 
 the Yankees are coming and it 
 is very likely we will have a 
 hard fight. When you are or 
 dered to charge, I want you to 
 go right through them. Re 
 serve your fire until you get 
 close enough to see clearly what 
 you are shooting at, and then 
 let every shot tell." 
 
 Col. Mosby called Lieut. Rahm to him and said : "Frank, 
 the Yankees are coming down the pike in this order: 
 Three vedettes 7 in the advance ; some 200 yards in their 
 
 7 One of the three vedettes was the notorious Charlie Binns, a deserter 
 from Mosby s command. 
 
 Frank Rahm has often said, jokingly, he thought the Colonel must have 
 had a grudge against him to put him and two others where, if he had split the 
 Federal force in two in the charge, and one half had come his way, his name 
 would have been "Dennis." 
 
 J. PENDLETON CHAPPALEAR, 
 Co. B. 
 
 Killed in fight with Second Massa 
 chusetts Cavalry, near Dranesville, 
 February, 1864. 
 
MOSBYS RANGERS. 
 
 rear 25 more, and about 200 yards behind them is the 
 main body. I want you to take two men and get up as 
 near under the rise of the hill as you can , halt them as 
 they rise the hill, but don t shoot ; parley with them to 
 kill all the time you can ; this will give the whole command 
 time to bunch up in my front, when I will charge them." 
 Lieut. Rahm took his station as directed and very soon the 
 Federal cavalry appeared, moving slowly down the pike. 
 The vedettes passed by 
 without noticing us, but 
 when they came in sight 
 of our pickets, halted and 
 one called out : 
 
 "Who are you? What 
 command do you belong 
 to?" 
 
 Rahm replied: "Fifth 
 New York Cavalry. What 
 command do you belong 
 to?" 
 
 "We are the California 
 Battalion, but believe you 
 are Mosby s Men. If you 
 are not, advance and make 
 yourself known." 
 
 To this Rahm answered: 
 "If you are the California 
 Battalion, you advance and 
 make yourself known, but 
 we believe you are Mosby s Men." 
 
 One of the Federals then remarked : 
 damned quick who you are." 
 
 As the man said this he raised his carbine to fire, 
 and at the same moment, Col. Mosby, who had witnessed 
 and heard the whole parley, blew his whistle, which was 
 the signal to charge. 
 
 That shrill whistle ! The impression fixed on my mind 
 at that time is just as strong now as when we sat 
 motionless on our horses, holding our breaths, with 
 heads thrown forward and ears strained, watching and 
 
 LIEUT. FRANK II RAHM, Artillery Co. 
 
 Mosby -s Command. 
 From a war-time picture. 
 
 I ll find out 
 
.144 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 waiting in anxious expectation for the approach of the 
 enemy and the signal for the attack. There was an un 
 natural, an unearthly stillness around us at that moment 
 a stillness which seemed to creep over our flesh like a chill, 
 and to be seen and felt ; when suddenly out of this ghostly 
 silence there came that shrill, warning signal, like the fierce, 
 wild shriek of the wind rushing through the trees of the 
 forest, giving warning of the coming storm. Then came 
 the rattling fire of the carbineers as they poured a volley 
 into the advancing column, which immediately halted and 
 hurriedly formed to await the onset. 
 
 With Mosby at the head, Company A and part of 
 Company B now charged, sweeping down the pike, 
 scattering the advance and coming upon the main body, 
 who stood firm until we were in their midst. Company 
 C and the other portion of Company B now came out 
 on their flank and rear. At first the Federals made a 
 hot fight, but, unable to withstand the impetuosity of our 
 charge, they broke and fled in every direction, some down 
 the pike, others over the fences and across the fields. 
 Their officers were unable to rally them. The pike and 
 fields around were strewn with dead and wounded men and 
 horses; arms, clothing, etc., were scattered around. 
 
 The Federals lost 12 or 15 killed and about 25 wounded , 
 72 prisoners and 90 horses were captured. Captain Read, 
 who was in command, was killed. 8 Captain Manning, 3 
 lieutenants and several non-commissioned officers were 
 among the prisoners. 
 
 Among the killed belonging to the Second Mass. Cavalry were Capt. J. 
 Sevvell Read, of San Francisco ; Geo. W. Ferrier, California ; Byron H. 
 Grover, California ; Wm. Downey, Boston ; James B. Hayden, Boston ; 
 James Miles, Brookline, Mass ; Richard Powers, Roxbury ; Stephen Spooner, 
 Ashland ; Abraham Waters, Medford ; Henry H. Dexter, Barton, Vt. ; James 
 McCammon, Warren, 111. 
 
 This fight took place about two miles from Dranesville and was usually 
 spoken of as "The Second Dranesville Fight," to distinguish it from "The 
 Fight at Miskel s," which also occurred near Dranesville and was known by 
 our men as the first Dranesville fight, but by the Federals it was always called 
 the "Fight at Broad Run." 
 

MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 We had only one man killed, J. Pendleton Chappalear, of 
 Fauquier. Among our wounded was Baron Von Massow, a 
 Prussian. He had been seven years in the Prussian army 
 without seeing any active service, and for the purpose of 
 gratifying his curiosity in this respect he had come to this 
 country. His first introduction was in the attack on the 
 guards of a wagon train at Bealeton station. He was a 
 brave soldier. He received a painful wound from a pistol 
 
 in the hands of Captain Read, 
 and Captain Chapman, seeing 
 the Baron fall, killed Read by 
 a well-directed shot. 
 
 Harry (B. H.) Sweeting, 
 of Baltimore, John Munson, 
 Thos. Burke and John Ed 
 monds were severely wound 
 ed, and several others slightly. 
 We procured a carriage and 
 brought out Edmonds and 
 Munson. Young Chappalear s 
 body was also brought off. In 
 the engagement Mosby s horse 
 was twice shot. 
 
 This raiding party was pi 
 loted through our territory by 
 Charles Binns, a deserter from 
 command. Every effort 
 
 
 
 <> 
 
 s 
 
 L 
 
 B. H. SWEETING, CO. A. 
 (Harry Sweeting.) 8 
 
 our 
 
 was made to capture him, but 
 
 8 B. H. Sweeting, more familiarly known in the command as " Harry " 
 Sweeting. I received his picture in the same letter which informed me of his 
 death. The Baltimore Sun contained the following notice of his death : 
 
 AN OLD SOLDIER S DEATH. Dr. B. H. Sweeting was the hero of a thrilling 
 war incident. Dr. B. H. Sweeting, an inmate of the Confederate Home at 
 Pikesville, died yesterday morning (January 6, 1896,) at the City Hospital from 
 injuries received by falling through the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore 
 Railroad Bridge at Havre de Grace on Tuesday of last week. 
 
 He had been visiting friends in Hartford County, and started to walk across 
 the bridge. After he had gone a few steps he slipped and fell through, injuring 
 his right hip and receiving internal injuries. His fall was caused by his defec 
 tive eyesight. He was brought to Baltimore and sent to the City Hospital, 
 where it was at first thought he would recover. 
 
 Dr. Sweeting entered the service of the Confederacy in the First Maryland 
 
146 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 mounted on a fleet horse he made off at the beginning of the 
 fray and escaped. 9 
 
 Regiment, but afterward joined Mosby s battalion. At Mountville, Va., his 
 horse was killed under him and he fought single handed a scouting party, 
 killing and wounding several of its members. His eyesight was almost de 
 stroyed in that fight and he was left for dead on the field, covered with sabre 
 cuts and stab wounds. 
 
 9 Report of Lieut. Col. John S. Mosby, Forty-third Va. Cavalry. 
 
 February 23, 1864. 
 Major H. B. McCLELLAN, Assistant Adjutant General, Cavalry Corps. 
 
 MAJOR: I have the honor to report that about ir o clock on the 2ist in 
 stant, having learned that a body of 180 of the enemy s cavalry were on a raid 
 ing expedition in the vicinity of Middleburg, I started in pursuit with about 
 160 men. On reaching Middleburg I found they had gone toward Leesburg via 
 Mountville, and that they had come from Vienna, in Fairfax. Directing Cap 
 tain Chapman, whom I left in command, to move down Goose Creek neur to 
 Ball s Mill, I went with a small squad to reconnoitre in person. On reaching 
 Leesburg I discovered they had taken the Dranesville pike. After going about 
 6 miles in this direction they went into camp about 2 o clock at night. 
 
 In the meantime I had ordered my command to Guilford Station, in order to 
 keep pace with their movements and to be in a position to intercept them. 
 After having ascertained where they had encamped, I moved my command out 
 to the pike about 2 miles from Dranesville, at a point offering fine natural 
 advantages for surprising an enemy. Distributing the different companies in 
 positions where I could attack their front, flank and rear simultaneously, we 
 awaited the approach of the enemy. Soon the concerted signal a volley from 
 the carbineers under Montjoy announced the time for attack. With a terrific 
 yell, Chapman, Hunter and Williams, with their brave commands, dashed on 
 the unsuspecting Yankees. Surprised and confounded, with no time to form, 
 they made but feeble resistance, and were perfectly overwhelmed by the shock 
 of the charge. They fled in every direction in the wildest confusion, leaving on 
 the field at least 15 killed and a considerable number wounded, besides 70 
 prisoners in our hands, with all their horses, arms and equipments. Among 
 their killed was the captain commanding. A captain and 2 lieutenants are 
 among the prisoners who belong to the California Battalion. Many of them 
 were also driven into the Potomac. The gallantry of both my officers and men 
 was unsurpassed. 
 
 My loss was i man killed and 4 wounded ; none dangerously. 
 
 My thanks are due Captain Chapman and Lieutenants Williams and Hun 
 ter and Adjutant Chapman for their fidelity in executing every order. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. S. MOSBY, 
 
 Lieut. Col. Commanding. 
 [First Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, ) 
 February 28, 1864. \ 
 Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 This is another of the many brilliant exploits of this gallant leader. His 
 boldness and skill are highly commended, as evidenced by the complete rout of 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 147 
 
 the enemy with so small loss. Attention is invited to the special mention made 
 of certain officers and men. J. E. B. STUART, Major-Gen. 
 
 [Second Indorsement.] 
 
 Respectfully forwarded, uniting in the commendation bestowed by General 
 Stuart. R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 Report of Brig.-Gen. Robert 0. Tyler, U. 8. Army. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS TYLER S DIVISION, 
 Fairfax Court House, Va., February 23, 1804. 
 
 TYLER to TAYLOR : "I have the honor to report that a detachment of 125 
 men of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, and 25 men of the Sixteenth New 
 York Cavalry, under command of Capt. J. S. Read, Second Massachusetts Cav 
 alry, encountered, on the 2ist inst., in the vicinity of Circleville Post-office, 
 70 of Mosby s men, whom they defeated 
 with severe loss to them. On their return, 
 within 2 miles of Dranesville, on the Lees- 
 burg turnpike, they were ambuscaded by a 
 force of between 200 and 300 men, under 
 command of Mosby. Captain Read s com 
 mand fought well, but were finally driven 
 toward the Potomac, in the vicinity of Muddy 
 Branch. On receipt of the intelligence, a 
 large force went immediately in pursuit, with 
 out, however, overtaking the enemy, who 
 had ten hours the start, and the pursuit be 
 yond Goose Creek was abandoned. Our loss 
 was 10 killed and 7 wounded. Among the 
 former, I regret to say, was Captain Read, a 
 brave and noble soldier. About 60 of the 
 
 detachment are yet unaccounted for. A report will be sent by mail to-mor 
 row." 
 
 Fairfax Court House, February 23, 1SG4. 
 
 TYLER to TAYLOR : " The cavalry sent out last night liave returned. They 
 followed the route of the rebel cavalry as far as Goose Creek. Mosby had 
 about 15 hours start, and was moving rapidly toward Snicker s Gap. Seven 
 wounded men and the bodies of 8 killed have been brought in. About 70 men 
 are still unaccounted for. I will telegraph more fully to-night," 
 
 BARON VON MASSOW. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 February to May, 1864 Opening of the Campaign of 1864 Mosby s Operations 375 Men Sent 
 Out to Capture 6 of " Mosby s Men " Attack Patrol near Greenwich -Richards Captures 
 Picket Post near Charlestown Skirmish at Kabletown Breaking Up Distilleries A 
 Prisoner Escapes with Mosby s Favorite Horse Company D Organized Death of 
 Lieutenant Trunnell Death of Flannfiry Prepared to Receive Raiders Capture of 
 Picket Post near Hunter s Mill Capture of Lieutenant Hunter and Wounding of 
 Lieutenant Nelson Lieutenant Richards Appointed to Command of .Company B Raid 
 of Federals from Vienna and Fairfax Court House Several of "Mosby s Men 1 
 Killed, Wounded and Captured. 
 
 The Spring Campaign of 1864 opened with the prospect 
 of being a very eventful one. In February, President Lin 
 coln issued a call for 200,000 men to recruit the armies in 
 the field, in March for 200,000 more, and in July followed a 
 call for 500,000. In March, General Grant was appointed 
 Lieutenant General and made his headquarters with the 
 Army of the Potomac. General Meade was its immediate 
 commander, but the movements were directed by General 
 Grant. 
 
 As soon as the weather and the condition of the roads 
 permitted, the armies were pushed forward, and again " On 
 to Richmond ! " was the war cry. 
 
 The vast bodies of troops moving around in all directions 
 gave us plenty of work, and large and small parties of our 
 men, either with Mosby himself, or under command of some 
 of our officers or trusty men, were constantly engaged in 
 scouting for the purpose of gathering information or cutting 
 off communication and destroying supplies in the rear of the 
 advancing armies, thus annoying and crippling them in their 
 movements and compelling them to send back men from the 
 front to protect their rear. As soon as we discovered a weak 
 point, advantage was taken of it, and as a consequence the 
 line would be strengthened. If this was done by weakening 
 another place, we soon ascertained that fact and would swoop 
 down on it like a hawk on a chicken yard. When the Fed 
 eral armies were pushing on to Richmond, as their lines 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 149 
 
 became more extended, greater numbers were required to 
 guard them from our attacks, and in this way Mosby with 
 his few men kept thousands of Federal soldiers from active 
 duty in the front, to say nothing of the damage inflicted by 
 these constant assaults. 1 
 
 While the enemy were compelled to guard their lines, 
 Mosby had none. When a body of troops was sent in search 
 of him it was a very easy matter to keep out of their way if 
 in heavy force, or cut off and attack any detachments from 
 the main body and harass them on their march ; or, by 
 ignoring their presence altogether, compel them to return to 
 protect their own camps. It would have been folly for our 
 little band to have met and fought every force sent against 
 us. The enemy s resources being so much greater than 
 ours, the contest would have been too unequal and it would 
 have simply been a question of time as to when we would be 
 utterly destroyed or driven out of the country. 
 
 The section chosen by Mosby as his base was well adapted 
 for his purpose, having the Potomac river on the north, the 
 
 1 375 Men Sent Oiit to Capture 6. 
 
 Alexandria, February 29, 1864. 
 Colonel TAYLOR, Chief of Staff. 
 
 COLONEL : It is reported that Mosby and 5 men are inside the lines beyond 
 Falls Church. Two companies of cavalry from Vienna are in pursuit, and all 
 my men are out to intercept him if possible. H. H. WELLS, 
 
 Lieut. -Colonel and Provost- Marshal-General. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, ) 
 February 29, 1864. \ 
 
 Lieut. -Col. J. H. TAYLOR, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of Washington. 
 I have the honor to report all quiet, A party of 5 of " Mosby s men " were 
 seen this morning ^near Chichester Mills. A scouting party, consisting of 200 
 men, under command of Major Nicholson, Sixteenth New York Cavalry, was 
 sent out at 2 p. m. to-day to scour the country from Annandale to the Occoquan, 
 by Wolf Run Shoals ; thence, between Bull Run battlefield and Centreville, to 
 Gum Spring, Frying Pan, and around Dranesville. It is supposed from in 
 formation received that a considerable force of the enemy s cavalry is in our 
 vicinity. Three parties of dismounted men, two of 50 and one of 75 men, will 
 go out to-night to operate by ambuscade in the region through which it is be 
 lieved the enemy will be compelled to pass. 
 
 A. H. GRIMSHAW, 
 Colonel, Commanding Division. 
 
150 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 line of railroad from Washington to Fredericksburg and 
 Richmond on the east, and the line of advance from Harp 
 er s Ferry up the Shenandoah Valley on the west all within 
 easy striking distance ; and having once occupied this terri 
 tory he was never driven out. 
 
 Tuesday, March 8. The heavy rain of last night changed 
 to snow this morning, and then again to rain, but towards 
 noon the rain ceased, and the cheery sunshine peeping 
 
 through the scattering clouds 
 made it pleasant overhead, 
 though the roads were in bad 
 condition for traveling. Lieu 
 tenant Hunter came to Upper- 
 ville and said to those of our 
 men he found in town : 
 
 " Colonel Mosby wants 40 
 good men to whip 60 Yankees, 
 as he wants a few extra horses 
 after dividing the captures." 
 
 Rectortown was designated 
 as the rendezvous. Mosby ac 
 cordingly started from that 
 place, marching to a point on 
 the road from Bristoe Station 
 to Greenwich, where we kept 
 close in the pines, awaiting the 
 
 approach of the patrol which was sent daily along the road 
 for the protection of the Orange and Alexandria railroad. 
 When the patrol passed by we charged in their rear. They 
 did not tarry to receive the charge, but fled at the first 
 alarm, scattering through the woods. We captured only 9 
 men and 10 horses. None of our party was injured, though 
 a few of the Federals were wounded. [See Mosby s Report, 
 Appendix, IX, p 412.] 
 
 Wednesday, March 9. Company C met to-day at Paris. 
 Lieut. A. E. Richards, with between 40 and 50 men, crossed 
 the Shenandoah river in the evening, and halted about mid 
 night a few miles beyond Kabletown. John Chew had ad 
 vised Richards of the situation of a picket post near his 
 
 MAJOR JERRY A. SULLIVAN, 
 
 First New York Veteran Cavalry. 
 Killed in a skirmish at Kabletown, March 
 
 10, 1864. 
 From a Photograph. 
 
father s house, on the road to Charlestown, and now acted 
 as guide. Lieutenant Bryandt of the First New York Vet 
 erans, was in command of the picket. Just as day was 
 breaking, Richards entered the camp from the direction of 
 Charlestown. The few who were awake were under the 
 impression that our men were the relief picket and no re 
 sistance was offered. One of the Federals was killed, how 
 ever, by a shot fired by one of our men as we rushed into 
 the camp. 
 
 As soon as the Federals became aware of the capture of 
 the picket, a party of 25 cavalry under Major Jerry A. Sulli 
 van was sent from Charlestown in pursuit of Richards. At 
 Kabletown they overtook 6 of our men, Robert S. Walker, 
 Fountain Beattie, Dr. J. R. Sowers, B. S. Edmonds, John 
 Hearn and Rucker, who had loitered in the rear. Although 
 far behind their comrades, they did not hesitate, and with 
 out waiting for their pursuers to come up, charged upon 
 them, killing Major Sullivan and two or three others and 
 wounding several. The Federals, seeing their leader fall and 
 so many with him, became panic stricken and fell back in 
 confusion. Our men then pushed forward and rejoined the 
 command. William Martin had been captured by Major 
 Sullivan before the fight, and as soon as our men charged he 
 disarmed his guard, and seizing his carbine, took part in the 
 melee 2 . 
 
 Altogether 20 prisoners, including Lieutenant Bryandt, 
 and 30 horses with arms and equipments,- were brought off 
 by Richards. [See Mosby s Report, Appendix, IX, 412.] 
 
 2 Report of Col. R. F. Taylor, Commanding Brigade. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, } 
 Halltown, Va. , March 11, 1864. f 
 
 TAYLOR to BOONE : "I have the honor to report that our pickets were 
 attacked between Charlestown, Va., and the river, at the crossing of the Keys 
 Ferry and Kabletown roads, yesterday morning at 6 o clock by what is supposed 
 to be a portion of Mosby s command, numbering from 40 to 80 men. The force 
 passed to the left of the vedette on the Kabletown road, seen by them, but sup. 
 posed to be a reserve from Charlestown, they being dressed in our uniform. 
 The mistake was not discovered until the rebels had obtained a position and 
 fired a volley into the reserve at less than lorods distant, completely surprising 
 
152 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Mosby was very active in searching for and breaking up 
 distilleries. He would send details of men to destroy the 
 stills and empty out the liquor. They were also sent to 
 places where liquor was kept for sale, with orders to pour 
 out all liquor found on the prernises. This was done not 
 only on account of the demoralizing influence the traffic 
 would have upon his men, but also on account of the scarcity 
 of grain, all of which was needed to supply food for man 
 and beast. 
 
 Downey s still-house in Loudoun, near the Potomac river, 
 will be remembered as a notorious place, being quite 
 a resort for the Federal soldiers stationed along the river. 
 A party of " Mosby s Men " sent there on one occasion de 
 stroyed the still and emptied the liquor into the creek. The 
 Downeys, in revenge for this, concealed a number of Federal 
 soldiers in the house, and shortly afterwards, when our 
 Quartermaster, Captain James, John Boiling and Major 
 Hibbs, who were pressing corn and bacon in Loudoun, went 
 to the house to collect their quota, they were seized by 
 the enemy and carried prisoners across the Potomac to 
 Berlin. [See Chapter XXVIL] 
 
 them. The loss at the reserve post is I killed and 4 wounded, and 2 lieutenants 
 and ii privates missing. 
 
 "After the attack they retreated with great rapidity by the way of Kabletown, 
 recrossing at Sampson s Ford, about 3 miles this side of Snicker s Ferry, except 
 small parties, which went to the right below Kabletown, crossing near and at 
 Snicker s Ferry. Major Sullivan, commanding picket, pursued the enemy with 
 9 men, overtaking them at Kabletown ; found them concealed behind an old 
 building, from which they fired a volley, killing Major Sullivan and 2 privates, 
 and severely wounding Lieutenant Baker, all of the First New York Veteran 
 Cavalry. The balance of the reserve, under Lieutenant Conway, numbering 
 about 50 men, came up a few moments after, but failed to overtake the enemy. 
 The firing was distinctly heard at this place, and the entire force ordered out. 
 Lieutenant Wyckoff, with 15 men, got to the ford just as they had succeeded in 
 crossing. Anticipating an attack, I sent Lieutenant Wyckoff to Charlestown on 
 the evening of March 9, informing Major Sullivan of the probability of an 
 attack, ordering him to strengthen his pickets and order them to keep on the 
 alert, which I learn he did. I also informed him that I had 150 men in readi 
 ness to re-enforce him at any moment. I learn that there were a number of 
 shots fired by the vedette at the post attacked between the hour of 3 and the 
 time of the attack. 
 
 " I forbear to express an opinion as to where the blame should attach until 
 I can further investigate the matter." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 153 
 
 One day a detail was sent to a certain house with the usual 
 instructions to pour out all liquor found on the premises. 
 They were met by an old lady who told them she was very 
 poor : that she had no other means of gaining a living, and 
 it was hard to lose her stock in trade. The boys relented, 
 but the Colonel s orders were plain and imperative. At 
 last one said : 
 
 " Old woman, have you a big wash tub ? " 
 
 u Yes," she answered. 
 
 " Bring it here, then." 
 
 It was accordingly brought and the liquor poured into it. 
 
 " The Colonel said we must pour out the liquor, but he 
 didn t say where we should 
 pour it." 
 
 Filling a canteen for them 
 selves, they went on their way, 
 not only rejoicing themselves, 
 but leaving the old lady to re 
 joice also. 
 
 Friday, March 25 As Mosby , 
 with 6 men, was returning from 
 a scout in the Valley, with 4 
 prisoners and horses, he stopped 
 at a house a few miles below 
 Paris, leaving Lieut. Wrenn 
 in charge of the prisoners while 
 he went into the house. Among 
 the prisoners were Sergeant 
 Weatherbee, of Company B, and 
 
 Corporal Simpson, of Company H, Griswold Light Cavalry, 
 Twenty-first New York. Corporal Simpson, who had been 
 watching his opportunity, pretended to fasten his horse to 
 the stile, but really put his foot in the stirrup, suddenly 
 sprang upon the horse belonging to Mosby, drew a pistol 
 from the holster, fired at Lieut. Wrenn and galloped 
 off. Weatherbee made his escape at the same time on 
 another horse. They were followed to Paris,- but it was 
 snowing so heavily at the time that it was impossible to see 
 fifty yards ahead, and once fairly started the prisoners were 
 
 DR. J R. SOVv ERS. CO. 1). 
 
154 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 safe from capture. Mosby regretted the loss of his noble 
 gray horse, which* was a fine animal and a great favorite, 
 more than he did the loss of the prisoners. 
 
 Monday, March 28. At a meeting held at Paris, Company 
 D was organized. R. P. Montjoy was chosen Captain ; Al 
 fred Glascock, First Lieuten 
 ant ; Charles E. Grogan, Sec 
 ond Lieutenant, and William 
 Trundle, Third Lieutenant. 
 
 Capt. R. P. Montjoy was a 
 Mississippian and entered the 
 army as a private in an infantry 
 regiment from his native State, 
 but he afterwards obtained a 
 transfer to Mosby s command. 
 Lieut. Alfred Glascock, of 
 Fauquier, first entered the army 
 as a private, but was promoted 
 to a lieutenancy in Capt. (after 
 wards General) Turner Ashby s 
 Cavalry Company. After the 
 death of Ashby he joined 
 Mosby, where by his gallant 
 conduct he soon attracted the 
 attention of his superiors as 
 well as of his comrades. 
 
 Lieut. Charles E. Grogan was born in Clarke County, Vir 
 ginia, but made his home in Maryland. In July, 1861, he 
 crossed the Potomac into Virginia and enlisted in Capt. 
 William H. Murray s Company, First Maryland Regiment, 
 under Colonel, afterwards Gen. George H. Stewart ; was 
 first under fire at the Battle of Bull Run ; afterwards acted 
 as aid to Gen. I. R. Trimble, and received his first wound 
 at Chancellorsville, where he was officially commended for 
 conspicuous service by Gen. R. E. Colston, who in that 
 battle commanded General Trimble s Division, Trimble at 
 the time being disabled from a wound received at the second 
 battle of Manassas. In the battle of Gettysburg, Grogan was 
 twice wounded while acting as aid to General Trimble. 
 
 CAPT. ALFRED GLASCOCK, CO. D. 
 
 From a Photograph taken whon he was a 
 
 Lieutenant under Gen. Turner Ashby. 
 
MO SBYS RANGERS. 
 
 155 
 
 When Lee fell back he was left wounded in hospital near 
 Gettysburg, and after some weeks was sent with Trimble 
 and other prisoners, first to Fort McHenry and thence to 
 Johnson s Island on Lake Erie, from which place he made 
 his escape, and after f a long and 
 tedious journey succeeded in 
 reaching Virginia, where he 
 joined Mosby. 3 
 
 Lieut. William Trundle was 
 a Mary lander, a brave soldier, 
 who had by his daring exploits 
 won the esteem of the command 
 and of his commander. 
 
 In Company A, Harry Hatch 
 er, formerly of the Seventh 
 Virginia Cavalry, was elected 
 Third Lieutenant to succeed 
 Nelson, who had been pro 
 moted to the position filled by 
 Lieutenant Hunter, who had in 
 turn succeeded to the vacancy 
 occasioned by the death of 
 Lieutenant Turner. 
 
 On the day previous to the election in Company D, 
 Lieutenant Trunnell went over into the Shenandoah Valley 
 on a scout with John S. Russell, John Castleman and a man 
 named Coyle, of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry. On the night 
 of March 27th, near Bunker Hill, they were fired upon by a 
 party of Federal soldiers in ambush, and Coyle and Trun 
 nell were killed, but Russell and Castleman escaped. The 
 fact of Trunnell s death was not known until after the elec 
 tion, and then David S. Briscoe, of Baltimore, was chosen to 
 fill the office. 
 
 Wednesday, April 13. A young man named M. W. Flan- 
 nery, belonging to Company A, was killed to-day near 
 Catlett s Station. He had already been twice in the Federal 
 camp, and was approaching a picket with the intention of 
 capturing him when the picket ordered him to halt. While 
 parleying with the soldier a sudden gust of wind blew open 
 
 z See account of Lieut Grogan s escape, p. 482 in Appendix. 
 
 LIEUT. CHARLES E. GROGAN, CO. D. 
 From a Photograph taken during the War. 
 
5 6 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 his overcoat, exposing his gray uniform, and the soldier 
 fired at him, the ball entering his breast. Flannery thrust 
 his handkerchief into his bosom to staunch the flow of 
 blood, and drawing his pistol, fired twice at the picket, and 
 raised the weapon to fire a third time, but fell to the ground 
 before he could pull the trigger. He was a determined man 
 and a brave soldier. 
 
 Tuesday, April 19. It was now rumored that the Federal 
 forces camped around Warrenton were contemplating a raid 
 through " Mosby s Confederacy," and with the Cornwell 
 
 and Binn s raids fresh in their 
 memory, our men were deter 
 mined to give them a warm 
 
 ^^gPH^ reception. Mosby ordered 
 
 the command to assemble at 
 
 fill **9& & Somerset Mills, on the road 
 
 from Piedmont to Paris. 
 Soon after dark we moved, 
 with 1 80 men, to the woods 
 near Mrs. Shacklett s, about 
 a mile from Piedmont, where 
 we lay concealed, awaiting 
 the approach of the raiders. 
 Pickets were placed to warn 
 us of their coming; wire was 
 LIEUT. DAVID s. BRiscoE, co. D. stretched across the road to 
 From a Photograph. drag them from their horses, 
 
 as they were expected to dash 
 
 along the road. Every description of old firearms shot guns 
 and muskets, were brought out and heavily loaded with shot 
 and slugs. In many cases it was, no doubt, as fortunate for our 
 own men as for the enemy that these guns were not dis 
 charged. Each man then had his revolvers to finish up the 
 work of destruction. We waited until daylight, when we 
 were dismissed, with instructions to meet again at night 
 (April 20th). This we did, and with 220 men went through 
 the same performance, which was also repeated on the 
 night following (April 2ist). But the enemy failed to mate 
 rialize. Whether they had friends among us Avho gave them 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 157 
 
 warning, or whether they were content to rest on their 
 laurels rather than risk their lives by attempting- another 
 such raid we knew not we only knew that they did not 
 come. 
 
 Friday, April 22. Mosby, with 30 men, attacked a picket 
 post near Hunter s Mill, in Fairfax. Mosby dismounted his 
 men, leaving a few in charge of the horses, and charged on 
 foot, killing I and capturing 5 prisoners and 18 horses. Most 
 of the Federals escaped in the darkness. 
 
 After the capture Lieutenant Hunter was ordered to take 
 the command back to Fauquier, while Mosby went on a 
 scout with Bush. Underwood. 
 
 In the meantime, some of the fugitive pickets had notified 
 the Federal cavalry at Vienna of the attack on the post, and 
 Colonel Lowell started a detachment of the California Bat 
 talion in pursuit of the Rangers, who were overtaken near 
 Aldie, on the Little River turnpike. 
 
 As soon as the Federals came in sight, Hunter sent for 
 ward the prisoners and horses under guard, and with Lieu 
 tenant Nelson halted his command and boldly charged upon 
 the enemy. The contest was a sharp one, but the forces 
 being too unequal in point of numbers, the Rangers were 
 defeated. Lieutenant Hunter of Company A, was riding a 
 fine4ooking gray horse, which had been captured at the 
 picket post. In the fight the horse fell and Hunter endeav 
 ored to make his escape on foot, but was taken prisoner. 
 Nelson, in attempting to save Hunter, was shot in the hip, 
 but made his way out, and was taken to Sam Craig s, in the 
 Bull Run mountains. Welt Hatcher was also wounded 
 slightly. All the prisoners and horses were brought out. 4 
 [See Mosby s Report, Appendix, IX, p. 412.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, \ 
 Vienna, Va., April 23, 1864. j" 
 
 LOWELL to LA MOTTE : " I have the honor to report all quiet in this vicinity. 
 The pickets near Hunter s Mi. Is were attacked about 4 A. M. to-day by a dis 
 mounted party, with a loss of 9 horses and 3 men captured and I man wounded. 
 No resistance was made by the pickets, only 3 shots being fired. A party 
 started out about reveille this morning, as soon as the news of the attack reached 
 camp, and, after finding the trail, started after the party in rapid pursuit, came 
 
158 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 In April Lieut. A. E. Richards was promoted to the com 
 mand of Company B, as appears by the following order : 
 
 SPECIAL ORDER, ) HEADQUARTERS 430 BATTALION, 
 No. . j PARTIZAN RANGERS. 
 
 April 26, 1864. 
 
 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 dis 
 played in action, will be respected and obeyed accordingly. 
 JOHN S. MOSBY, 
 
 Lieut. -Colonel Commanding. 
 
 Friday, April 29. A detail of our men being down in 
 Loudoun on a foraging expedition, Colonel Lowell started 
 from Vienna with a brigade of cavalry, supported by Gen 
 eral Tyler s brigade of infantry 
 from Fairfax C. H., to drive 
 rjMMfr, them out and " gobble up " 
 
 Bit Mosby. A body of the Federal 
 
 / cavalry came up to Leesburg 
 
 and moved on to Middleburg, 
 where they were joined by the 
 larger force, and together they 
 scoured the country around for 
 three or four days. Being so 
 vastly superior to us in num 
 bers, we could not risk an open 
 
 -_ -^ field fight, but by hovering 
 
 MAJOR ADOLPHUS E. RICHARDS, around their camps, making sud- 
 
 Forty-third Battalion, Virginia Cavalry. ^ ^^ ^ fi - Qn ^^ 
 
 From a Photograph taken when Cap- , , f ,. 
 
 tain of company B. we kept them from straggling 
 
 and doing more damage. Some 
 
 sharp skirmishes took place at times, in which quite a num 
 ber were lost on both sides. 
 
 in sight of them about 10 miles of Aldie, and chased them up the pike through 
 the town, the rebels scattering in all directions. 
 
 "Lieut. W. L. Hunter, of Co. A, Mosby s Battalion, was taken prisoner dur 
 ing the chase and brought to this camp. Two* horses were re-taken and I shot. 
 One man was wounded slightly. The party consisted of 50 men, under the com 
 mand of Mosby himself. They came down to the vicinity of the picket and 
 crossed the creek mounted, where a portion of them dismounted and advanced 
 on foot to the attack." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 159 
 
 When the Federal cavalry entered Leesburg tnere were 
 about a dozen of " Mosby s Men " in town. A number were 
 in and around the hotel, with their horses standing- in. the 
 street. The Federals were within two hundred yards of 
 the hotel when their approach was first noticed by a group 
 on the veranda. Ewell Atwell and Thomas Flack rushed to 
 their horses, mounted and dashed off, with the enemy in hot 
 pursuit. Flack was shot on the edge of town. Atwell, 
 finding his pursuers gaining on him, abandoned his horse 
 and jumping through an 
 Osage orange hedge, made 
 his escape. Will. Devine 
 and - King ran through 
 the hotel and out into the 
 back yard, the former taking 
 refuge in the house of a 
 friend of Union sympathies 
 and the latter in the Episco 
 pal church ; both escaped. 
 All who were in the bar-room 
 were captured except John 
 P. DeButts of Company A. 
 He had stopped in Leesburg 
 to have his horse shod and 
 being cut off from the black 
 smith s shop, attempted to 
 fight his way to his horse, 
 but was shot through the 
 breast and captured. He 
 
 was taken to Fort Delaware, where he was kept a prisoner 
 for eleven months. 
 
 DeButts joined Mosby soon after he started out as a 
 Partisan and some months before his first company was or 
 ganized. He was one of . the 29 who raided Fairfax Court 
 House and captured General Stoughton. In the early part 
 of the war DeButts served in the First Virginia Cavalry, 
 under Col. R. Welby Carter. He was one of 35 men of 
 Company H of that regiment who made the famous charge 
 near the Henry House at the first battle of Manassas, in 
 
 JOHN P. DEBUTTS, co. A. 
 
 From a Photograph taken in 1868. 
 
i6o 
 
 MOSBYS RANGERS. 
 
 |* 
 
 which 8 men were killed and the majority of the company 
 wounded ; he having his pistol shot out of his hand and a 
 finger taken with it. 
 
 Flack was a member of Company D. His remains were 
 taken to his home in Baltimore by his brother a few days 
 after his death. 
 
 The Federal Cavalry marched through Bloomfield, by 
 Wernels, Quaker Lane and Trapp road to Upperville, cap- 
 ^ turing on their way Ed 
 
 win Rowzee, George H. 
 Ayre, Champ Fitzhugh 
 and others. Captain 
 Richards followed in 
 their rear with about 40 
 men and charged them 
 near Loughborough s, 
 killing one and wounding 
 several, and capturing 
 one man with his horse 
 and equipments. 
 
 The Federals then went 
 to Holland s Factory, 
 where they destroyed 
 and carried off a quan 
 tity of wool, and after 
 wards came back to 
 Upperville, camping at 
 night near Hatcher s 
 Mills, a short distance 
 below town. 
 
 One of our men named 
 Ware was shot in the hip while running- up the mountain 
 above Upperville. 
 
 Saturday, April 30. Mosby returned to-day from Fair 
 fax, where he had been scouting with Walter Whaley, 
 bringing with him 2 prisoners, a lieutenant and a private, 
 with their horses and accoutrements. Lieutenant Glasscock 
 came in from the Valley with three prisoners and their 
 horses. 
 
 COL. CHARLES RUSSELL LOWELL, JR., 
 
 Second Massachusetts Cavalry. 
 
 Killed at Battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19, 1864, while 
 
 commanding Reserve Cavalry Brigade of 
 
 Sheridan s Army. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 161 
 
 Giving no heed to the presence of the enemy, Mosby, 
 taking a few men with him, went over into the Shenandoah 
 Valley on a scout. 
 
 Our men still hung around the Federals, watching their 
 manoeuvres and occasionally exchanging shots. Edward 
 Smith, of Company B, was killed near Melton s. 
 
 The Federals on their route seized a wagon loaded with 
 bacon, the property of Mr. George Calvert, an old resident 
 of Upperville. When in the vicinity of that town the negro 
 teamster turned the horses loose and they were driven home 
 by his dog. 5 
 
 5 Federal Reports. 
 
 Fairfax Court-House^ May 1, 1S64. 
 
 TYLER to TAYLOR : "The cavalry, Colonel Lowell, have returned to Vienna, 
 after visiting Leesburg, Upperville, Rectortown, &c. They bring 23 of Mosby s 
 Men prisoners, 3 blockade runners, 20 to 25 horses, some wool, tobacco and 
 other contraband goods. Colonel Lowell lost one sergeant and 2 privates 
 killed, 2 wounded and 4 prisoners. Mosby lost 2 killed and 4 wounded (2 pris 
 oners). The body buried at Upperville was brought to Vienna, where it is sub 
 ject to order." 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, / 
 Vienna, Va., May 1, 1804. J 
 
 LOWELL to LA MOTTE : " I have the honor to report return of the cavalry scout 
 sent out on Thursday after visiting Leesburg, Upperville, Paris, Bloomfield, 
 Union and Rectortown. No force but Mosby was found there. We searched 
 most of the houses designated by General Auger, and have brought in quite a 
 number of arms and contraband goods ; also 21 of Mosby s Men and 2 block 
 ade runners (besides i of Mosby s Men and I blockade runner turned over by 
 Colonel McMahon), and from 20 to 25 horses. A report in full from the Pro 
 vost Marshal will be forwarded to-morrow. We brought off a portion of the 
 wool indicated in the letter to General Auger, and supplied the command pretty 
 well with tobacco. It was impossible to get teams to haul the remainder of the 
 wool. The houses where the bulk of the tobacco must have been stored we did 
 not visit, as the direction of some was given erroneously in the letter, and a 
 good deal of time thus lost. Those below Salem must be left for another visit. 
 
 " We lost i sergeant killed, i prisoner and 2 wounded of Second Massachu 
 setts Cavalary, 2 privates killed and 3 prisoners Sixteenth New York Cavalry ; 
 i of the killed and all of these prisoners were straggling away from the com 
 mand improperly. We killed i of Mosby s Battalion and i of Sixth Virginia 
 Cavalry, serving with Mosby; wounded 2, besides 2 wounded brought in." 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 May, 1864 The Federal Army under General Grant Moving towards Fredericksburg -Mosby in 
 their Rear Captures Wagon Train near Belle Plain Richards and Chapman in the Valley 
 in Sigel s Rear Skirmish with the " Loudoun Rangers " atWaterford " Mosby s Men " 
 in the Valley Capture of Picket Post at Guard Hill. 
 
 The Federal Army under General Grant was now moving 
 towards Fredericksburg, their cavalry had all left the neigh 
 borhood of Warrenton, and the terrible struggle in the 
 Wilderness had already commenced. 
 
 The command assembled at Rectortown on Saturday, May 
 7th, and bivouacked, awaiting the return of Mosby, who 
 was on a scout near Brandy Station. He returned before 
 noon on the 8th and issued his orders to the command. 
 Lieutenant Hatcher was sent down Fairfax with a small 
 party, but accomplished nothing worth noting. Captains 
 Richards and Chapman, with 15 to 20 men each, were in 
 structed to operate in the Shenandoah Valley. Major Hibbs, 
 with a detail, was sent down to Loudoun to press corn for 
 the use of the Battalion, while Mosby, with about 50 of 
 the best mounted men, started towards the Rappahannock 
 and the rear of Grant s army. 
 
 Mosby left Salem about 5 P. M., halting at Warrenton for 
 supper. Near Rappahannock Station 1 we came upon a de 
 serted camp. The old roads were blockaded with felled 
 trees, new roads had been cut, and owing to the darkness we 
 had some difficulty in getting through the barricades. At 
 last we halted in a thick body of pines, and haltering our 
 horses to the trees, lay down beside them until morning. 
 At times, when there were no convenient places to fasten 
 our horses, we would throw the bridles over the horses 
 heads, and putting one hand through the bridle, fold our 
 arms and stretch ourselves on the ground, sometimes finding 
 our tired animals sleeping by our sides when we awoke. 
 
 1 Now called Remington. 
 
 162 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 163 
 
 At daylight on the morning- of the 9th we were again on 
 our road, passing through an old camp which a sign-board 
 informed us had been honored with the name of " Liberty." 
 The logs and stone chimneys of the roofless huts remained 
 standing, and scattered around were coffee pots, tin cups 
 and cans, old clothing, etc., left by the late occupants. The 
 old guard-house and the officers quarters could be easily 
 distinguished among the ruins. We halted in the pine 
 woods about a mile and a half from the railroad, while 
 Mosby and Sergeant Johnson 
 went along the line of the road 
 to reconnoitre. In the evening 
 he returned, and taking 35 men 
 proceeded towards Fredericks- 
 burg. 
 
 The remainder of the men, 
 under Sergeant Johnson, were 
 ordered to burn two bridges 
 near Bealeton Station, and on 
 the night of the Qth started to 
 perform that task. Going 
 through an abandoned camp, 
 each man in obedience to or 
 ders dismounted and picked up 
 an empty box, numbers of 
 which were lying around, to be 
 used in firing the bridges. The 
 night was dark, and after riding 
 two or three miles, the guide 
 said : " Put down your boxes and go back." 
 his way. 
 
 Reaching a piece of woods, the party lay by their horses 
 to await the coming of day to see where they were, and in 
 the morning found themselves within half a mile of the start 
 ing place of the previous night. The guide said that 
 though born and reared within three miles of the place, the 
 whole face of the country was so changed that he could not 
 recognize it. 
 
 SERGT. HOR ACE JOHNSON, co. B. 
 
 He had lost 
 
164 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Mosby with his party was more fortunate. Detaching- 
 about a dozen of his men to destroy some bridges in the 
 direction of Culpeper Court House, he moved on, intending 
 to strike Grant s line of communication between Fredericks- 
 burg and the Potomac river. Near Belle Plain he dis 
 covered a wagon train moving towards the Potomac. He 
 divided his command, directing Grogan to take one-half to 
 the rear of the train and counting off ten wagons, to tell the 
 
 CULPEPER COURT HOUSE IN WAR TIMES. 
 
 driver of the tenth wagon to turn off to the left that he 
 was on the wrong road. This would cause the wagons 
 behind to follow, while those in front went ahead without 
 the loss being noticed. The ruse worked well and the 
 wagons wheeled off out of the road. W. Ben Palmer was 
 then ordered to go to the front with 10 men, stop the train 
 and take the remainder of the wagons. Just as Palmer 
 started on his mission, a Federal officer rode back from the 
 front of the train and said roughly : 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 165 
 
 " Who in the hell has stopped these wagons and turned 
 them off the road?" 
 
 " Colonel Mosby," answered Palmer, covering him with 
 his pistol. 
 
 The officer gave utterance to a feeble grunt and was 
 turned over to Mosby. 
 
 Palmer then went on. The train meanwhile had come 
 to a halt, the rear wagons having been missed and the 
 captured officer being on his way back to learn the cause of 
 the stoppage. Mosby had instructed Palmer not to fire a 
 shot if he could avoid it, but some of the drivers resisted 
 and a number of shots were exchanged. It was soon over, 
 however, and all the teams were unhitched from the wagons. 
 The night was dark, with a drizzling rain, and as Palmer 
 moved off with his captures to rejoin Mosby, he found him 
 self in the vicinity of a Federal camp. The camp-fires were 
 burning and the voices of the soldiers could be plainly 
 heard. He quickly took the back track and soon heard 
 some one call him in a low tone. It was Mosby, who said : 
 
 " I heard the shooting and thought you had run into some 
 Yankee cavalry. I went to Grogan to get his men to help 
 you out." 
 
 While Mosby was on this errand, Palmer had passed by 
 and was on the road to the camp, 
 
 Twenty-five prisoners, 45 horses and 15 mules were cap 
 tured on this raid, without the loss or injury of a man. 
 
 Mosby was so well pleased with his success that on his 
 return to Fauquier he immediately called his command 
 together and with 50 fresh men and horses moved down for 
 another attack, but found the line of communication so 
 heavily guarded with cavalry and infantry that it was use 
 less to make any demonstration. 
 
 We will now return to Captains Richards and Chapman, 
 who had been detailed to operate in the Shenandoah Valley 
 in the rear of Sigel s forces, now moving up the Valley. 
 
 Crossing the Shenandoah at Berry s Ferry, Richards, with 
 16 men, on the morning of the gth of May, pushed on to 
 wards Newtown, where he lay in the woods all day, occa 
 sionally picking up a few stragglers. About noon 3 Federal 
 
1 66 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 cavalrymen were observed riding- along the pike and Rich 
 ards, with Charles H. Dear, Boyd Smith and Charles L. Hall 
 galloped out and followed them into the village. Spurring 
 their horses, they were soon beside the trio and escorted 
 them off to the woods, whence they were sent with the 
 other prisoners under a guard of 4 men to Fauquier. 
 
 Towards night Richards moved off in the direction of 
 Winchester, with 12 men, telling them to keep quiet; that 
 
 if they met any Yankees 
 he would do the talking, 
 and if only a small detach 
 ment, the Rangers should 
 ride up beside them and 
 capture them. It was 
 raining and darkness 
 soon set in. After riding 
 about three miles, the 
 tramp of horses was 
 heard on the pike and in 
 a few moments came an 
 order to halt, with the 
 query : 
 
 " Who comes there ? " 
 " First New York Cav 
 alry," replied Richards. 
 
 "All right, First New 
 York," said the Federal 
 o ffi c e r , " we are the 
 Twenty-first New York ; 
 come on. We are the 
 advance guard of a wag 
 on train." (24 men.) 
 
 Richards then learned that the train, with a heavy guard 
 of cavalry, was only a few hundred yards behind. Continu 
 ing the conversation, Richards said his party was on its 
 way to Martinsburg to telegraph to Washington that Sigel 
 had whipped the Rebs and had gone on to Staunton. The 
 Federals replied with a cheer. Richards said he had no 
 time to stop, and rode by with his men in single file. As 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL, U. S. A. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 i6 7 
 
 his twelfth man reached the head of the column, they 
 wheeled and covering the Federals with their revolvers, de 
 manded a surrender. The Rangers were proceeding to dis 
 arm them quietly, when a pistol shot was fired and the fight 
 became general. Reinforcements from the main body 
 charged up and Richards was compelled to retreat. The 
 Rangers escaped by taking to the woods. Charles H. Dear 
 was wounded, receiving a ball in his side. A number of 
 the Federals were killed and wounded. (See Mosby s Re 
 port, Appendix, X.) 
 
 Chapman, with his party, proceeded to the vicinity of the 
 Winchester turnpike, hoping to encounter one of the scout 
 ing parties of Federals in their 
 daily excursions. He overtook 
 a detachment of the First New 
 York Cavalry, and after a sharp 
 skirmish captured 6 prisoners 
 and 7 horses, but was compelled 
 to retire on the approach of 
 the regiment, bringing off his 
 captures safely- Lieut. Chap 
 man and Dr. Sowers had their 
 horses shot, but norie of the men 
 were injured. 
 
 Monday, May 16. Learning 
 that a portion of Keyes com 
 mand (the Loudoun Rangers) 
 had crossed the Potomac and 
 were then in Loudoun County, 
 Captain A. E. Richards started 
 from Bloomfield with 30 men, hoping to have a brush 
 with them. We reached Hillsborough about 10 o clock 
 at night and getting on their trail, followed on to Water- 
 ford, near which place we halted. Shortly after daylight 
 on the morning of the i/th we approached the town, 
 keeping out of sight behind a hill, while Richards with two 
 men went into town to draw the enemy out. He was soon 
 observed and fired upon, and 6 of Keyes men gave chase, 
 following nearly to where we were concealed. As Richards 
 
 CHARLES H. DEAR, CO. E. 
 From a Photograph taken during the War. 
 
1 68 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 came in sight he waved his hat and away we went, firing 
 into the advancing party. Of the 6 men but one returned 
 3 were wounded and 2 captured. We dashed through 
 the town and saw the enemy forming in a field some 
 distance beyond. We charged them with a yell and they 
 broke and ran. We kept up the chase for about three 
 miles, running them into the Kittoctan Hills, where many 
 jumped from their horses, leaving them standing while they 
 hid in the bushes. Two were killed, 4 wounded ; five pris 
 oners and 15 horses with their equipments were brought off. 
 One of the prisoners told us they had 45 men. We did not 
 have a man injured. 2 
 
 Saturday, May 21. Command met yesterday, but the 
 Shenandoah River could not be forded, owing to the recent 
 heavy rain, and we bivouacked near Mount Carmel Church, 
 crossing the river this morning with 103 men. 3 
 
 Mosby, however, crossed yesterday in a skiff with a few 
 men, swimming their horses, and went on a scout towards 
 Winchester. While riding along the turnpike, a patrol of 
 
 3 Harper s Ferry, May 17, 1864. 
 
 KELLEY to HALLECK : " A company of independent cavalry, raised in Lou- 
 doun County, Va., were attacked this A. M. near Waterford, in said county, by 
 a detachment of Mosby s Men, numbering about 100. Our men were driven in 
 here, losing 2 killed and 7 captured." 
 
 Point of Rocks, May 17, 1S64. 
 
 DUNCAN to SLOUGH : "Mosby, with his command, is in Loudoun. Had a 
 fight with Captain Keyes yesterday, killing and capturing 8. Three of Mosby s 
 officers will be married in Leesburg to-night. A great frolic. There are about 
 300 of them. A good chance to catch them." 
 
 Point of Rocks, May 18, 1864. 
 
 WHITE to BURLEIGH : "Up to the present time there has 13 men and n 
 horses come in of Captain Keyes command." 
 
 3 HEADQUARTERS, Harper s Ferry, May 23, 1864. 
 
 BURLEIGH to MAULSBY : " I hear from good authority that 150 of Mosby s 
 men have crossed into Clarke County. Send no trains out unless very well 
 guarded, as they will surely be attacked." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 169 
 
 8 men was seen approaching, and, upon being halted, told 
 Mosby to dismount and advance. " No, I will not," said he ; 
 " how do we know who you are ? " While the conversation 
 was going on, some of the Rangers manceuvered to get in 
 the front and rear. Mosby then demanded their surrender, 
 and the whole patrol was captured, without firing a 
 shot. 
 
 Mosby to-day rejoined the command, which had, in the 
 meantime, moved to a point a few miles from Guard Hill. 
 
 At Guard Hill was a picket post of about 75 men. Stop 
 ping at a house near by, Mosby questioned a man regarding 
 the position, numbers, etc., of 
 the picket. The man tried to 
 persuade him to give up the 
 idea of attack, saying that the 
 force was too heavy ; that they 
 had been reinforced ; that 
 there were 250 cavalry and 50 
 or 60 infantry at the post, 
 and that the cavalry were 
 well mounted. 
 
 " That is so much the bet 
 ter," said Mosby ; " two horses 
 apiece and good ones at that." 
 
 The post was in the pines, 
 but we did not know its exact 
 position. Lieutenants Samuel 
 Chapman and Nelson went 
 in to reconnoitre and were 
 
 r i T^. j SERGT. THOMAS BOOKER. CO. E 
 
 twice fired on. Dismounted _, ... 
 
 c rom a War-time Photograph. 
 
 men were then sent in ad 
 vance, and moving cautiously in the rear until near enough 
 to charge, the order was given. Firing a volley, we 
 dashed into the camp. The Federals fled on foot, taking 
 refuge in the thick woods. They were heard talking at a 
 short distance, when another volley silenced and scattered 
 them. The horses tied around were driven off, and the men 
 helped themselves to the spoils of the camp. Some horses 
 were left on the road, but 66 horses were brought away, 
 
170 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 together with 16 prisoners. One Federal soldier was killed 
 and one wounded. Mosby sustained no loss. 4 
 
 4 In consequence of this capture, the following orders were issued by the 
 Federal commander : 
 
 GENERAL ORDERS ) HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, 
 
 No. 31. f In the Field, near Cedar Creek, May 24, 1864. 
 
 II. Maj. Henry Roessle, Fifteenth New York Cavalry 9 having grossly neg 
 lected his duty while in command of pickets, resulting in the capture of n men 
 and 45 horses, is dishonorably dismissed the service of the United States from 
 this date, subject to the approval of His Excellency, the President. 
 
 III. It has been reported to the Commanding General that Capt. Michael 
 Auer, Company A, Fifteenth New York Cavalry, dismissed yesterday for the 
 same offense, behaved bravely when aroused, and exerted himself to rally his 
 surprised pickets. Personal bravery is indispensable in a good soldier, but 
 cannot be urged as an excuse for gross neglect of a vital duty, thus endanger 
 ing the lives of thousands of our fellow-soldiers and the welfare of the country. 
 Picket and outpost duty must be attended to with the greatest strictness. Care 
 less and inefficient officers must give way to trustworthy privates. 
 
 By command of Major-General Hunter. 
 
 CHAS. G. HALPINE, 
 
 Assistant A djutant- General, 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 May and June, 1864 The Shenandoah Valley General Hunter s Brutal Orders Attack Train 
 near Newtown Mosby s Confederacy " Bounds Prescribed The Old Battle Field of 
 Bull Run Capture Federal Cavalry near Chantilly Fight near Charlestown--Capture 
 of Duffield Depot The Return from the Raid. 
 
 The Shenandoah Valley was now the theatre of active and 
 earnest war. In the early part of May General Sigel was 
 sent with a large force up the Valley, but meeting with de 
 feat at New Market, he \vas superseded by General Hunter, 
 who undertook an expedition against Lynchburg. Being 
 compelled to retreat by General Early, who followed up his 
 advantage by invading Maryland and threatening Washing 
 ton, Hunter was in turn displaced by General Sheridan, to 
 whom was entrusted the command of the Federal forces in 
 the Valley. 
 
 Saturday, May 28. The command met at Rectortown, 
 and Mosby with 144 men marched off, passing through 
 Markham and Linden, and bivouacked in a field a short dis 
 tance from Front Royal. About midnight a wagon loaded 
 with corn was brought in and the men were roused to feed 
 their horses. Soon the poor animals were contentedly 
 munching their corn, while their masters lay around on the 
 grass and in the fence corners. 
 
 Next morning (29th) we crossed the Shenandoah river and 
 moved on towards Strasburg, halting about a mile or two 
 from the town, where we remained nearly the whole day. 
 Colonel Mosby and a few men who were watching the road 
 saw a train of wagons passing along, but it was too heavily 
 guarded to be attacked. Later in the day about 100 cavalry 
 passed by, but as they were supposed to be on their way to 
 escort a train they, too, were suffered to pass unmolested. 
 
 In the evening we moved off, keeping a line parallel with, 
 but out of sight of the turnpike leading from Winchester to 
 Strasburg, and halted near Middletown. At this place the 
 Federals had been butchering cattle, and our noses were 
 greeted with a horrible stench from the heads, feet, paunches 
 and entrails scattered around- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 On the morning of the 3Oth we marched down the Valley 
 turnpike, entering Middletown about daybreak. Few of the 
 inhabitants were then stirring, and quiet reigned in the little 
 town. Occasionally a face would appear at some half-opened 
 
 window and then suddenly dis- 
 
 - - appear, after which the door 
 
 would open and a fair lily-of- 
 the- Valley would be seen com 
 ing forward with a supply of 
 bread and milk, which was very 
 acceptable to our hungry men. 
 At one house a door was opened 
 and a man stepped out. He 
 looked as though he had but 
 recently left his bed. Rubbing 
 his eyes, he gazed at us in sur 
 prise, as if unwilling to believe 
 his senses, then suddenly ex 
 claimed " Rebels, by God!" 
 His evident surprise and the 
 earnest manner in which it was 
 expressed were amusing, and 
 
 caused a ripple of laughter along our line. As we ap 
 proached Newtown, Mosby and a few men, riding in 
 advance, captured a picket of 3 men. 
 
 Between Middletown and Newtown 1 we saw the smoking 
 remains of a train of wagons which had been captured and 
 burned by Major Harry Gilmor during the night. Near 
 by a heavy smoke rolled upward from a barn, the property 
 of a lady. It had been set on fire by the Federals in re 
 taliation for the destruction of the train. 2 
 
 1 Newtown was formerly called Stephensburg, after Peter Stephens, its 
 founder. It is now called Stephens City. It is 8 miles south of Winchester. 
 Middletown is 5 miles south of Newtown. 
 
 OSCAR DECATUR MILLER, CO. E. 
 
 2 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, ) 
 In the Field, at Rude s Hill, Va., May 30, 1864. f 
 Major T. QUINN, Commanding First New York Cavalry : 
 
 MAJOR : You will detail from your command 200 men, with the proper com 
 plement of commissioned officers, to proceed to Newtown to-morrow morning 
 at 3 o clock, for the purpose of burning every house, store and outbuilding in 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 173 
 
 General Hunter, commanding the Federal forces in the 
 Valley, had in the latter part of May issued a proclama 
 tion, in which he said : 
 
 " For every train fired or soldier assassinated, the house 
 and other property of every secession sympathizer residing 
 within a circuit of five miles shall be destroyed by fire ; and 
 for all public property taken or destroyed, 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 of- 
 ence was committed." 
 
 These citizens upon 
 whom Hunter proposed 
 to retaliate were no more 
 responsible for our acts 
 than the most loyal citi 
 zen of the North, and 
 they were powerless to 
 prevent them. This 
 brutal edict was in keep 
 ing with other acts of 
 Hunter. General Early, 
 in his " Memoirs," enu 
 merates some of the 
 barbarous outrages of 
 Hunter, such as the 
 burning of the Military 
 Institute at Lexington, 
 with its contents, including its library and scientific appara- 
 
 MAJ.-GEN. DAVID HUNTER, U. S. A. 
 
 that place, except the churches and houses and outbuildings of those who are 
 known to be loyal citizens of the United States. You will also burn the houses, 
 etc., of all rebels between Newtown and Middletown. You will spare the house 
 and premises of Dr. Owens, at Newtown, he having been very kind to our 
 wounded soldiers ; and where the burning of the house of a rebel would en 
 danger the property of a loyal citizen, the house or outbuildings of the rebel shall 
 not be burned. You will report back to these headquarters, making a written 
 report of the expedition. 
 
 This by command of the major-general commanding. 
 
 I am, Major, very obediently, yours, 
 
 P. G. BIER, Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
174 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 tus ; the plundering- of Washington College, and the burning 
 and plundering of private houses. On page 43, he says : 
 
 " On this day (July 2d) we passed through Newtown, 
 where several houses, including that of a Methodist min 
 ister, had been burned by Hunter s orders, because a part of 
 
 Mosby s command had attacked 
 a train of supplies for Sigel s 
 forces at this place. The orig- 
 inal order was to burn the whole 
 town, but the officer sent to exe 
 cute it had revolted at the cruel 
 mandate of his superior and 
 another had been sent who but 
 partially executed it, after having 
 forced the people to take an oath 
 of allegiance to the United States 
 to save their houses. Mosby s 
 Battalion, though called guer 
 rillas by the enemy, was a regu 
 lar organization in the Conled- 
 erate army, and was merely 
 serving on detached duty under 
 General Lee s orders. The at 
 tack on the train was an act of 
 legitimate warfare, and the or 
 ders to burn Newtown and the 
 burning of the houses mentioned 
 were most wanton, cruel, unjust 
 ifiable and cowardly." 3 
 
 We were now ordered to leave the pike and go into a 
 piece of woods a short distance off, as a train was observed 
 coming up the turnpike. Mosby and a few men. went out 
 on the pike for the purpose of drawing the cavalry from the 
 train. Company A was then to charge them in front and 
 Companies B and C to cut them off and attack them in the 
 rear. Captain Chapman, with 40 men, was in the meantime 
 to charge on the train, drive off the remaining guards and 
 secure the horses, etc. 
 
 The cavalry advanced and fired on Mosby, but when 
 
 COL. HARRY W. GILMOR, C. S. A. 
 
 Second Maryland Battalion. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
 3 A Memoir of the Last Year of the War for Independence in the Confederate 
 States of America. By Lieutenant-General Jubal A. Early. New Orleans: 
 Published by Blelock & Co. 1867. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 1/5 
 
 Company A charged we found the Federal cavalry in full 
 retreat. 
 
 Captain Richards, with Company B, on emerging from 
 the woods found himself opposed to a force of infantry drawn 
 up in line in a field and along a stone fence on the road side. 
 When he saw the array, he drew off his men, but not before 
 they had received the fire of the infantry, which killed Wm. 
 M. Embrev, of Company B, and wounded a man named 
 Hine. Two horses were killed. 
 
 Captain Chapman, coming out with his men, found the 
 wagons traveling with all speed back to Winchester with a 
 portion of the infantry, while the rest were going down 
 the turnpike at a double quick. He fired on them, killing 2. 
 Five prisoners, with their horses and equipments, were cap 
 tured. We then burned 8 wagons which Gilmor had failed 
 to destroy. 
 
 Although the train was not captured, these attacks had the 
 effect of compelling Hunter to send heavy guards with all 
 his trains, and at that time, as all his supplies had to 
 be sent by wagons from Martinsburg, a large force was 
 thus kept from the front. (See Mosby s Report, Appen 
 dix, X.) 
 
 Wednesday, June 22. A meeting was called at Rectortown. 
 Two hundred men were present. General orders were read, 
 in which bounds were prescribed, within the limits of which 
 the men were to remain when not on duty. They were as 
 follows : From Snickersville, along the Blue Ridge Moun 
 tains to Linden ; thence to Salem (now called Marshall) ; to 
 The Plains ; thence along the Bull Run Mountains to Aldie, 
 and from thence along the turnpike to the place of begin 
 ning, Snickersville. The section thus mapped out was 
 known as " Mosby s Confederacy." 
 
 No member was to leave these bounds without permission. 
 Roll was to be called at each meeting, and any man absent 
 from two successive meetings, without satisfactory reason, 
 was to be sent back to regular service. 
 
 After all business had been attended to, the command 
 moved on to The Plains and through Thoroughfare Gap, 
 near which we halted for the night. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 1/7 
 
 The next morning (23d) we saddled up, and after grazing 
 our horses for awhile, started about sunrise in the direction 
 of Fairfax. The roads were dusty and the heat was intense. 
 We passed over the old battlefield of Bull Run, marked on 
 every side by soldiers graves ; the bodies had been but 
 slightly covered, and here and there portions of the skele 
 tons were exposed some with feet or arms sticking out. 
 One was nearly bare of earth, his belt and cartridge-box still 
 on, but the clothes rotted ; on our shaking his belt the bones 
 rattled. Old rusty guns and bayonets, canteens, cartridge 
 and cap boxes, rotten from exposure, were lying around. 
 We halted on the field to rest our horses, and then, passing 
 by Manassas Junction, halted about midnight near Union 
 Mills. 
 
 On the morning of the 24th, as we neared Centreville, one 
 of our scouts, Walter Whaley, brought us information that 
 a party of 50 or 60 cavalry, a portion of the Sixteenth New 
 York Regiment, was at that place. Company A was sent 
 forward to attack them, but when we arrived at Centreville 
 they had left. Learning that they had gone out on the road 
 leading to Chantilly, we pushed forward with all speed and 
 came out on the Little River turnpike below Chantilly, and 
 advanced to that place to await their arrival, while scouts 
 were sent out to give notice of their approach. Soon a cou 
 rier came in and said the whole party had been captured. 
 
 After the departure of Company A, Companies B, C and 
 D were proceeding slowly along, when some of the men, 
 going to a tree by the roadside to gather some cherries, dis 
 covered the Federal cavalry feeding their horses in a field 
 near by. A portion of the command was detached, and 
 charged in among them, killing and wounding 6 and captur 
 ing 31 prisoners and 38 horses. Mosby sustained no loss 
 whatever. 4 (See Mosby s Report, Appendix, X.) 
 
 4 Colonel Lowell s (Federal) Report. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE. \ 
 
 Near Fall s Church, Va. , June 25, 1864, 11 a. m. f 
 
 LOWELL to TAYLOR : " Major Forbes has just returned from Centreville, and 
 I am able to send a clearer account of Lieutenant Tuck s affair. It seems that 
 Mosby came down on Thursday evening to near Union Mills with about 200 
 
1/8 MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 Tuesday, June 28. Command met at Upperville in the 
 evening. Company A being ordered off, crossed the Shenan- 
 doah river at Shepherd s Mill, and marched to within about 
 two miles of Charlestown, where we halted for the night. 
 Companies B, C and D, with a howitzer, crossed during the 
 night, and in the morning were in the neighborhood but did 
 not join Company A, which was left at Charlestown to watch 
 the road leading from Harper s Ferry, while the other com 
 panies moved on to Duffield Depot on the Baltimore and 
 Ohio Railroad. 
 
 Company A, passing through Charlestown, halted a short 
 distance from town on the Harper s Ferry road. While 
 there the ladies brought and sent out bread, meat, pies and 
 an abundance of milk, and for a time we had quite a picnic. 
 William Walston and the writer were placed on picket on a 
 hill near by, but while our eyes were watching the road, our 
 
 men and an iron gun drawn by 6 horses. Thursday p. m. a small squad of 
 Kincheloe s men took two of Colonel Lazelle s patrol, as reported last night. 
 When Mosby, with a few men, came down to spy out the land, he learned this, 
 and concluded that there would be too much stir for him to carry out his plan, 
 whatever it was. He returned, therefore, to Union Mills Friday morning and 
 marched his column back through Centreville about 10:30 a. m. Half an hour 
 previously Lieutenant Tuck, with his 40 men, had passed through Centreville 
 going toward Little River Pike, and had stopped about one and a half miles 
 north in a field of newly cut hay to feed. Citizens report that the horses were 
 unbitted, some of the men in cherry trees on the other side af the road, some 
 asleep. There was one man on picket sitting on the fence, but in a very poorly 
 chosen position. Mosby, learning about Mr. Tuck in Centreville, sent part of 
 his men rapidly on, who dashed into the field, shooting the man on post and 
 making such a panic that no resistance was attempted. It is said that a couple 
 of men who had gone to a neighboring house for breakfast and saw Mosby s 
 Men going past did the only firing that was done on our part. Three wounded 
 men (2 dangerously) were brought in by Major Forbes, and 5 men are reported 
 to have returned to camp on foot. All the horses and the rest of the men and 
 arms are believed to have been captured. Mosby lost no time, but went right 
 across to the Little River Pike and up toward Aldie. He was on the pike near 
 the double toll-gate at noon. 
 
 " The strength of Mosby s column was estimated by Dr. Hart and Mr. Mel- 
 len (good Union men), both of whom saw it pass, and another citizen says Lieu 
 tenant Frank Fox told him as he passed they had about 200. 
 
 " Major Nicholson with his 150 men returned with Major Forbes and reached 
 Centreville yesterday p. m. Got the impression that Mosby was from 400 to goo 
 strong and remained there, sending party to camp to report what he had 
 learned." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 179 
 
 hearts and our thoughts were constantly turning back to 
 the fair ladies of Charlestown and the rich fare our more 
 fortunate comrades were enjoying. A cloud of dust rising 
 on the road leading to Harper s Ferry warned us that the 
 enemy was approaching, and soon a dark blue line fringed 
 the edge of the woods. 
 
 " They are coming, Walston," said I. 
 
 " Yes," said Walston ; " you go in and tell Nelson and I 
 will stay here and watch them." 
 
 I galloped in and finding Lieutenant Nelson, reported to 
 him. 
 
 " You get the men in line, 
 while I go out and see what 
 force there is," said Nelson. 
 
 He rode off, but soon came 
 back, saying : " Boys, I can 
 whip them if you will only 
 stand by me." 
 
 " How many are there ? " 
 asked one of the men. 
 
 " There are about 60, but we 
 can whip them, I know. Two 
 of you men ride out there and 
 draw them up the pike." 
 
 We then formed behind a 
 little hill, while the two men 
 went out, and soon we heard 
 the yells and shouts of the 
 Federals as they came dashing up the pike. Nelson ordered 
 us to draw our pistols and move off at a walk. We did so, 
 riding through a narrow strip of woods in a line parallel 
 with the road and towards the advancing enemy. We 
 moved off by twos, instead of fours as we usually charged, 
 so that by lengthening out our line we made our force ap 
 pear as large as possible. As we commenced moving, the 
 Federal column appeared, rushing over the hill, and seeing 
 us then for the first time, they reined up and gazed at us in 
 amazement. No doubt the small force advancing against 
 them aroused their suspicions. A number of our men had 
 
 JAMES J. WILLIAMSON, CO. A, 
 From a Photograph taken in 1865. 
 
i8o 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 gone into Charlestown, and others were scattered among 
 the houses in the neighborhood, so that we had only 23 men 
 then with us. For only a few seconds the enemy hesitated 
 and at the command raised their carbines and fired a volley, 
 doing no other damage than to shower a few leaves on our 
 heads from the trees beside us. Being on the hill and we 
 below them, when they hastily raised their pieces the shots 
 naturally went over our heads. 
 
 " Now, boys," said Nelson ; " charge them ! " and before 
 they could drop their carbines and draw pistols, we dashed 
 
 with a yell in amongst 
 
 ^^^^ them, firing in their faces. 
 
 They turned their horses, 
 
 ^& jfgb, an d a s those in front 
 
 pressed on the ones behind 
 them, the whole body be 
 came panic stricken and 
 retreated in the utmost 
 disorder. Back over the 
 hill they went, and when 
 we reached the top we saw 
 them descending the other 
 side, a struggling mass of 
 men and horses. Those 
 behind the hill seeing the 
 head of our column driving 
 back their comrades, did 
 not wait to ascertain our 
 force, but joined in the 
 headlong flight. We 
 dashed on at their heels, 
 firing into them, and fol 
 lowed them closely to 
 Halltown. The pike was 
 
 smooth and clear a good road for a chase and we gave 
 them no time to rally. 
 
 Nelson did not have a man injured, while the Federals lost 
 3 killed, a number wounded, 25 prisoners and 28 horses. 
 One Federal soldier who was wounded fell from his horse. 
 
 J. W. HAMMOND, CO. B, 
 (Light Coat), 
 
 and 
 JOHN B. PROUT, CO. A, 
 
 (Dark Coat), 
 From a Photograph taken in March, 1863. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. l8l 
 
 His foot caught in the stirrup and as he fell he grasped 
 at the stirrup leather to release his foot, but fell back. 
 The horse continued galloping on, and at every jump the 
 soldier s head would bounce upon the road and strike 
 against the horse, which would then kick him with its 
 heels. I was not close enough to catch him, but shouted 
 to two Federal soldiers who had halted by the road 
 side and were awaiting my approach, with their hands 
 thrown up : 
 
 " Catch that horse ! Don t you see it is killing one of your 
 men ? " 
 
 " We surrender ! We surrender ! " was their only 
 reply. 
 
 " Throw down your arms and catch that horse ! " I yelled ; 
 but before they could comprehend what to do, the horse was 
 beyond their reach. It was afterwards secured, but not until 
 the man was dead. In the excitement of a fight we were ac 
 customed to shoot and kill without giving time to reflection, 
 but in this case, to see a fellow creature dragged to his death 
 in what seemed to me an unnatural manner, made me forget 
 for the moment that he was an enemy, and my only thought 
 was to save him. 
 
 After we had given up the pursuit and returned to 
 Charlestown with prisoners and captured horses, and were 
 drawn up in line, one of the prisoners, looking at our small 
 force, with evident surprise, said : 
 
 " Why, we had men enough to have whipped you 
 fellows ! " 
 
 A courier now came up and announced that Mosby had 
 captured Duffield Depot with its stores and the force there 
 stationed, and in a short time the companies came in sight, 
 having hurried on to join us, anticipating an attack on our 
 little band from Harper s Ferry. 
 
 Mosby waved his hat and slapping Nelson on the shoulder, 
 said : 
 
 " Good, Joe ! Good for old Company A ! " 
 
 It was Mosby s intention to capture a train on the Balti 
 more and Ohio Railroad at Duffield Depot, but the train was 
 
i82 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 behind time, and after waiting some time, Mosby concluded it 
 had passed, so he determined to capture the garrison and de 
 stroy the stores. 
 
 Sending out parties to cut the telegraph wires, in order to 
 prevent the garrison from communicating with the sur 
 rounding forces, he posted his men, placed his gun in posi 
 tion and then sent Captain Richards with a flag of truce to 
 demand the surrender of the post. The force, consisting of 
 45 infantry, surrendered without firing a shot. Our men 
 took what they wished from the captured stores and then 
 set fire to the camp and store-houses. (See Mosby s Report, 
 Appendix, X.) 
 
 After our forces had united, quite a large body of troops 
 was sent out from Harper s Ferry. They followed us for 
 some distance, and we twice formed in line of battle expect 
 ing an attack, but each time they de 
 clined an engagement. Sending the 
 ! % prisoners and horses forward with 
 
 the other companies, Company A fol- 
 K lowing as a rear guard, we returned 
 \ unmolested. 
 
 Mosby, who with a few men re 
 mained behind in the neighborhood 
 of Charlestown, saw a party of / 
 Federal cavalry approaching. They 
 charged Mosby, who returned the 
 compliment, severely wounding 2 of 
 JAMES N. MILLER, co. D. them and capturing 4, together with 
 
 From a Photograph. .. , ^, T^ i i -11 
 
 6 horses. 1 he rederals said they 
 
 had been sent out on picket, but they were no doubt sent 
 to watch our movements. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 3Oth we returned home by 
 way of Paris. The men had brought a large quantity of dry 
 goods, coffee, etc., from the captured stores at Duffield 
 Depot, and these looked charming to the eyes of the poor 
 people of the " Confederacy," who had not seen the inside 
 of a store for two or three years. The long line of prisoners 
 and captured horses and equipments, and the large United 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 183 
 
 States flag- from the camp at Duffield Depot trailing at the 
 gun, all united to form a picturesque scene. 5 
 
 5 Retort of Brig .-Gen. Max Weber, U, .V. A., Commanding at Harper s Ferry. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, \ 
 
 Harper s Ferry, IV. Va., June 30, 1864. f 
 
 WEBER to MEYSENBURG : "I have the honor to report that on the morning of 
 the 2gth instant I received reliable information to the effect that Mosby with a 
 considerable force was in the vicinity of Charlestown, W. Va., and reported the 
 fact by telegraph to division headquarters at 10.30 a. m. Between i and 2 
 p. m. the wires between this post and Martinsburg were cut and communica 
 tion ceased. About 3 o clock an attack was made upon my picket-line toward 
 Charlestown, and during the afternoon there was heavy skirmishing along my 
 whole line of pickets on that front. Later in the day a report was received from 
 the commandant of the forces at Duffield Station that he was attacked by su 
 perior numbers of the enemy at that point and calling for reinforcements. I at 
 once sent 50 cavalry toward Duffield s to feel the enemy and watch their move 
 ments, and 300 infantry were ordered to that point. Subsequently information 
 was received that the enemy had routed our men ; had plundered and burned 
 the camp, stores and storehouses at Duffield s, had retired without doing further 
 damage, and moved in the direction of Key s Ford, intending to cross there. 
 I sent the 300 infantry at once to Key s Ford, where they remained until 7 this 
 a. m., when they returned without seeing any thing of the enemy. Our loss, as 
 nearly as can be now ascertained, is 38 in killed, wounded and missing. The 
 force of the enemy was not far from 400 men, with two pieces of artillery. From 
 all the reports received it appears that the force at Duffield s had not even a 
 picket out, were surprised, and consequently retired with hardly a show of re 
 sistance. The matter will be carefully investigated. Allow me once more to 
 express the opinion that a permanent force of good cavalry are necessary at this 
 point, as the enemy are constantly crossing and recrossing near here, and from 
 Harper s Ferry cavalry can act with promptness and effect." 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 July, 1864 Fourth of July at Point of Rocks Crossing the Potomac Under Fire Capture Camp- 
 Cut Off Telegraph and Railroad Communication with Washington Along the Potomac 
 not "All Quiet" Federal Cavalry Cut Off Mosby s Retreat and have Him just where 
 they Want Him, but when they met, wished Him in some other place Fight at Mount 
 Zion Defeat and Capture of Major Forbes Mosby in Maryland Burning Block 
 Houses, Etc. 
 
 The Fourth of July, 1864, was celebrated by our com 
 mand at the Point of Rocks on the Potomac. General 
 Early having driven General Hunter out of the Valley, was 
 now preparing to invade Maryland and threaten Washing 
 ton, and Mosby proceeded to operate on the line of com 
 munication between the capital and Harper s Ferry. 
 
 The command met at Upperville on Sunday, July 3d ; 
 about 250 men present. We started at noon with one 12- 
 pounder Napoleon gun, and the day being very warm, 
 marched leisurely along by way of Bloomfield, camping at 
 night near Wheatland. 
 
 Continuing our march on the morning of the 4th, we 
 reached the Potomac, opposite and in view of Berlin. We 
 then moved along the river to a ford about a mile from 
 Point of Rocks. At this place was a force consisting of two 
 companies of cavalry, the Loudoun Rangers, commanded by 
 Captain Keyes, and two companies of infantry. As we ap 
 proached the ford, the sharpshooters who were concealed in 
 the bushes along the shore, opened fire, and the cavalry 
 drew up in line near the town. Mosby ordered a few men 
 with long-range guns to the river bank, and for some time a 
 brisk fire was kept up, with but little damage to either side- 
 certainly none to us. Lieutenant Chapman now placed his 
 Napoleon in position on a hill opposite the town, supported 
 by Company C, and sent a shell across the river into the 
 bushes. A second shot had the effect of quieting them a 
 little. 
 
 Our sharpshooters advanced to a little island in the mid 
 dle of the river, from which they had dislodged the enemy, 
 
MOSBYS RANGERS. 
 
 I8 5 
 
 and we were ordered to cross. Captain Richards, with 
 Company A, then dashed into the river, followed by Com 
 panies B and D, carbineers wading on our flanks, the Feder 
 als firing on us from the opposite shore. Another shell 
 went screaming overhead, and away went the Federals 
 scampering along the tow-path. 
 
 Once across the river we pushed ahead on the tow-path, 
 but when opposite the Point of Rocks were forced to come 
 to a halt. The Federals, after crossing the bridge over the 
 canal, had torn up the flooring so that it was impossible to 
 cross. On a hill near the 
 
 camp was a small earthwork -j 
 
 which commanded the 
 bridge, and from this shelter 
 the enemy kept up a brisk 
 fire. Richards immediately 
 set men at work tearing 
 boards from an old building 
 near by, with which to repair 
 the bridge. In the meantime 
 Lieut. Harry Hatcher ran 
 across on the bridge tim 
 bers, hauled down the flag 
 from the flag-staff in the camp 
 and brought it over in tri 
 umph, amid a shower of 
 balls. Men were then dis- LIEUT. HARRY. HATCHER, co. A. 
 
 mounted and, Under Capt. From a Photograph taken during the War. 
 
 A. E. Richards, crossed the 
 
 bridge in like manner and drove the Federals from their 
 
 entrenchments. 
 
 By this time planks had been laid and the command 
 swept over to the town and set fire to the camp and to a 
 canal-boat. The Federal forces fled the cavalry in the di 
 rection of Frederick and the infantry concealing themselves 
 in the mountains, so that but few were captured. 
 
 We cut down telegraph poles and cut the wires, breaking 
 the communication between Harper s Ferry and Washing 
 ton. A quantity of goods was taken from the stores in the 
 
1 86 
 
 MUSHY S RA.MiKKS. 
 
 town, but a great portion of them was returned or sold for 
 
 the benefit of the owner. Although this was a hazardous 
 
 enterprise, we sustained no injury. 
 
 While we were in possession of the town a train of cars 
 
 came along the railroad, but the gun was brought into play 
 
 and the train sent back. 
 
 The telegraph operator ran off and hid in the mountains, 
 
 where he remained until we had all left. He afterwards re 
 turned and sent off several des 
 patches. Finding himself unable 
 to give all the details in a teleg 
 ram, he wound up by saying " the 
 devil was to pay generally." 1 
 
 On the 5th we remained along 
 the river the greater part of the 
 day, making demonstrations as if 
 to cross, and sharp-shooters were 
 kept busy on the river banks. The 
 Federal forces on the Maryland 
 side meanwhile had been rein 
 forced by 230 men of the Eighth 
 Regiment Illinois Cavalry, under 
 Lieut. -Col. Clendenin. 
 
 Sergt. Charles L. Hall, with 12 
 men, crossed over a short distance 
 below, and near Monocacy cap 
 tured and brought off a few 
 prisoners. 
 In the evening we moved off in the direction of Leesburg, 
 
 within a few miles of which place the command halted, and 
 
 after feeding our horses, unsaddled and prepared to pass the 
 
 SERGT. CHARLES LANDON 
 HALL, CO. C. 
 
 From a Photograph taken during the 
 War. 
 
 1 Monocacy, July 5, 1864. 
 
 TYLER to LAWRENCE : " The Rebel cavalry left Point of Rocks last even 
 ing after robbing the people and stores of money and such goods as they 
 wanted to carry into Virginia. They were Mosby s men and were not over 120 
 strong. Our scouts saw them leaving and could count them. We can get 
 nothing from Harper s Ferry. The Washington troops I sent to Monrovia to 
 be armed and supplied with ammunition there, were in no condition for service 
 on their arrival here." 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. iS/ 
 
 night. A very short time, however, had elapsed when Lieu 
 tenant Hatcher, John Thomas and C. Albert Fox, who had 
 gone to Leesburg, returned with the intelligence that a large 
 force of Federal cavalry was at that place ; that they had 
 told some of the citizens that Mosby was in Maryland and 
 they had cut off his retreat that they had him just where 
 they wanted him. 
 
 Orders were given to saddle up, and we moved off, pass 
 ing around Leesburg and halting near Waterford. Carlisle 
 and Puryear were sent as scouts to Leesburg. On their re 
 turn they reported the force there to be portions of the 
 Second Massachusetts and Thirteenth New York Cavalry, 
 under Major Forbes " Colonel Lowell s fighting Major," as 
 he was called 250 in number. We then had only about 175 
 men, as many had left for home during the day. 
 
 On the morning of the 6th we marched to Leesburg. 
 Forbes had left, going towards Oatland. Mosby then 
 pressed on, thinking to cut them off "at Ball s Mill, on 
 Goose Creek, but on reaching the ford, found that they had 
 already crossed and gone in the direction of Mount Zion 
 on the Aldie turnpike. Mosby came out on the pike near 
 the toll-gate below Mount Zion. The Federals had been 
 feeding their horses opposite Skinner s house below Mount 
 Zion, but were preparing to move on. Our carbineers, 
 under Lieutenant Hatcher, advanced and opened fire on 
 them from a body of woods, as they came out on the pike. 
 The gun was then brought up and a shell fired, which did 
 no other damage than to give them a fright. They formed 
 in a field near the house and we charged them in front and 
 on their flank. Unable to stand the shock, they broke and 
 ran some distance, but rallied and formed again behind a 
 fence. They rallied and attempted to form three times, but 
 Mosby pressed on and drove them in disorder each time. 
 Some of our men followed the fugitives to Sudley, and two 
 were killed near that place. 
 
 Major Forbes, who was in command, fought gallantly, and 
 was always in the thickest of the fight, encouraging and 
 endeavoring to rally his men. Thomas W. T. Richards, 
 brother of Capt. A. E. Richards, at last singled him out, and 
 
1 88 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 a fierce hand-to-hand struggle took place between them. 
 Forbes made a savage cut with his sabre at Richards, inflict 
 ing a severe wound on his shoulder, but Richards finally 
 forced him to surrender. The Federals were all well armed 
 and fought desperately. 
 
 Mosby had 7 men wounded : Henry Smallwood, mor 
 tally ; William Davis, Thomas Lake, Hugh T. Waters, 
 Frank M. Woolf, Thomas W. T. Richards and Robert S. 
 Walker. 
 
 Forbes lost 17 killed, about 40 wounded 12 or 15 mor 
 tally, and 57 prisoners. 2 Over 100 horses were captured. 
 A number of horses were wounded, and 12 were left dead 
 
 on the field, which presented a 
 sad sight. The ground was 
 strewn with guns, pistols, blank 
 ets and equipments of all kinds ; 
 dead and wounded were lying 
 around ; horses, wounded and 
 maddened with pain and fright, 
 dashed wildly over the battle 
 ground, while others lay trem 
 bling, or rearing and falling, 
 unable to stand. Skinner s 
 house was used as a hospital, 
 and Doctors Dunn and Sowers 
 were busily engaged in attend 
 ing to the wounded. We re 
 mained until near midnight, 
 when we moved off to Middle- 
 burg. 
 
 Colonel Lowell came up to Mount Zion the day after the 
 fight with a force and buried the dead Federals and carried 
 off the wounded. Four dead soldiers, however, were found 
 
 FRANK M. WOOLF, CO. A. 
 Shot through the hand Dec. 22, 1863 
 wounded in the knee, July 6, 1864 
 shot though the neck, Sept. 4, 1864. 
 
 2 The Massachusetts Official Reports give the following names of the killed 
 in this fight belonging to the Second Massachusetts Cavalry: Corporal Sam. C. 
 Hanscom, San Francisco ; Corporal James McDonald, San Francisco ; Privates 
 Owen Fox, Braintree, Mass.; John Johnson, Spencer; Patrick Riordan, Scitu- 
 ate; Chas. W. Rollins, Boston; Cornelius Tobin, Marlborough, and Wm. F. 
 Dumasey, Warwick. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 189 
 
 several days after the fight and were buried by the citizens. 3 
 July 9. Command met at Upperville, and proceeding- 
 down Loudoun, pressed a quantity of corn, which was sent 
 back for the use of the battalion. On the i ith we marched 
 to the Potomac and crossed at Conrad s Ferry into Mary 
 land. We moved on to Poolesville, burning some block 
 houses on our way. On the I2th we went to Seneca Mills, 
 
 3 Report of Col. Charles R. Lowell, Jr., Second Mass. Cavalry, Commanding 
 
 Brigade. 
 
 Near Falls Church, V a., July 8, 1864. 
 
 COLONEL : I have the honor to report Major Forbes scout as complete as is 
 yet possible. I have not talked with Lieutenant Kuhls or Captain Stone, who is 
 badly wounded, but send what I learned on the ground. 
 
 Major Forbes left here with 150 men (100 Second Massachusetts Cavalry, 50 
 Thirteenth New York Cavalry) Monday, p. m. Tuesday, a. m., went through 
 Aldie, and found all quiet toward the 
 Gaps. Tuesday, p. m., went by Ball s 
 Mill to Leesburg. Heard of Mosby s 
 raid at Point of Rocks, and learned that 
 he had sent four or five wagons of plun 
 der through Leesburg, under a guard of 
 about 60 men, the afternoon before. 
 Heard nothing of any other force this 
 side of the ridge. He returned that 
 night to the south of Goose Creek, as di 
 rected, and, on Wednesday, a. m., went 
 again by Ball s Mill to Leesburg. Still 
 heard nothing of Mosby or any force. 
 From what I learn from citizens, I think 
 Mosby passed between Leesburg and 
 the Potomac some time on Tuesday, 
 crossed Goose Creek, and moved west 
 ward toward Aldie on Wednesday ; 
 learned of Major Forbes second visit 
 to Leesburg, and laid in ambush for him 
 at Ball s Mill. Major Forbes returned 
 from Leesburg by Centre s Mill (4 miles 
 above), came down by Aldie, and halted 
 for two or three hours about one and a 
 half miles east, on the Little River Pike ; 
 when Mosby learned this he moved 
 
 south and struck the pike about one and a quarter miles east of the Major s 
 position, being hidden till he had reached about half a mile west on the pike. 
 Major Forbes was duly notified by his advance guard, mounted his men, and 
 moved them from the north to the south of the pike. As the rear was crossing, 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. DAVID R. CLENDENIN, 
 
 Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 
 
190 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 thence to Muddy Branch, where we found a deserted camp 
 of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry from which the forces had hur 
 riedly departed, leaving tents standing, with bales of hay, 
 bags of oats, saddles, bridles, and every description of camp 
 equipage lying around. These we burned, together with 
 
 F 
 
 Mosby fired one shell from his 12-pounder (the only time it was fired), 
 which burst entirely too high. As Major Forbes formed on the south, his 
 advance guard, which had dismounted and fired as Mosby came up, fell back, 
 still keeping a little north of the pike, and took an excellent position some 
 what on the flank. Up to this time, I think, all the dispositions were admir 
 able. Major Forbes two squadrons 
 were formed, his third squadron and 
 rear guard not formed but nearly so, 
 and no confusion. Mosby s men, who 
 were not in any order, but were down 
 the road in a " nick," had just reached 
 the fence corner some 225 yards off, and 
 a few had dismounted, under a fire 
 from the advanced guard, to take down 
 the fence. When two panels of fence 
 were down the men trotted through for 
 about 75 yards, and came gradually down 
 to a walk, and almost halted. Major 
 Forbes first platoon was ordered to fire 
 with carbines. Here was the first mis 
 take. It created confusion among the 
 horses, and the squadron in the rear 
 added to it by firing a few pistol shots. 
 Had the order been given to draw sabres 
 and charge, the rebels would never 
 have got their gun off, but I think Major 
 Forbes, seeing how uneasy his horses 
 
 were at the firing, must have intended to dismount some of his men. At any 
 rate, he attempted to move the first squadron by the right flank. The rebels 
 saw their chance, gave a yell, and our men, in the confusion of the moment, 
 broke. The two rear squadrons went off in confusion. Attempts were made, 
 with some success, to rally parts of the first squadron in the next field, and 
 again near Little River Church, one mile off. 
 
 Captain Stone was wounded here, and I believe all the non-commissioned 
 officers of A and L Companies present wounded or killed. There was little 
 gained. I have only to report a perfect rout and a chase for five to seven 
 miles. We lost Major Forbes, Lientenant Amory, and Mr. Humphreys (Chap 
 lain), from Second Massachusetts, and Lieutenant Burns, Thirteenth New York 
 Cavalry, prisoners, all unhurt. Captain Stone, Second Massachusetts, and 
 Lieutenant Schuyler, Thirteenth New York, very badly wounded. Lieutenant 
 Kuhls alone came safely to camp. Of men, we lost, killed outright : 7, Second 
 
 CAPT. SAMUEL C. MEANS, 
 
 Independent Loudoun (Virginia) Rangers. 
 
 (Federal.) 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 19! 
 
 a large block-house and frame building connected with the 
 camp. We also captured 30 head of fine cattle left behind 
 by the enemy, and then recrossed the river, camping at 
 night near Dranesville. (See Mosby s Report, Appendix, 
 
 IX-) 
 
 Massachusetts ; 5, Thirteenth New York. Wounded, we brought in 27 and 
 left 10 too bad to move. I fear of the wounded at least 12 will die. About 40 
 others have come to camp half mounted, and Mosby was reported to have 44 
 prisoners ; quite a number, you will see still unaccounted for. Some of them 
 are probably wounded, and some still on their way to camp, and others will be 
 made prisoners. 
 
 Mosby went up toward Upperville with his prisoners and his dead and 
 wounded about midnight Wednesday. I reached the ground about 11.30 a. m. 
 and remained in plain sight for about three hours ; then searched through all the 
 woods and moved to Centreville, where I again waited an hour in hopes some 
 stragglers would join us. We only picked up half a dozen, however. 
 
 The soldiers and the citizens all speak in high terms of the gallantry of the 
 officers ; Major Forbes especially remained in the first field till every man 
 had left it, emptied his revolver, and, in the second field, where Company A 
 tried to stand, he disabled one man with his sabre, and lunged through Col 
 onel Mosby s coat. His horse was then killed and fell on his leg, pinning him 
 till he was compelled to surrender. 
 
 More than 100 horses were taken. Accoutrements, arms, etc., will also be 
 missing. I cannot yet give the precise number. 
 
 Mosby s force is variously estimated at from 175 to 250, Mrs. Davis and her 
 daughter putting it at 250 to 300 men. I think he had probably about 200. 
 What his loss was I cannot say, as he picked up all his dead and wounded and 
 took them off in the night. The Union people in Aldie report that he took 
 them in five wagons. A wounded sergeant reports hearing the names of 3 or 4 
 spoken of as killed ; one mortally wounded man was left on the ground. I 
 think the chance was an excellent one to whip Mosby and take his gun. I have 
 no doubt Major Forbes thought so, too, as the wounded men say there was not 
 enough difference in numbers to talk about. The chance was lost. I have 
 scouting parties out to Centreville to watch Thoroughfare Gap and the country 
 south, but have not at present any party to the north beyond Chantilly and 
 Dranesville. A part of my picket-line had not been relieved for two days. I 
 shall try to see the General this p. m. for a few minutes, if there is nothing 
 new here, and if the orderly brings word that he has returned to the city. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. R. LOWELL, JR., 
 Col, Second Mass. Cav, Comn? a g Brigade. 
 
 Lieut.-Col. JOSEPH H. TAYLOR, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 July, 1864 General Early Falls Back from Maryland The Federal Forces under General Crook 
 Follow Through Loudoun Capture Picket Post at the "Big Poplar "Outrages in 
 Loudoun The Sixth Corps (Gen. Wright) Falling Back to Washington " Mosby s 
 Men on their Track. 
 
 After invading Maryland and threatening Washington, 
 General Early, on the I4th of July, recrossed the Potomac 
 at White s Ford, and, resting near Leesburg, on the i6th 
 marched to the Shenandoah Valley through Snicker s Gap 
 in the Blue Ridge. General Hunter united with Sigel at 
 Harper s Ferry, and the combined forces, under General 
 Crook, moved into Loudoun, following closely in Early s 
 rear. 
 
 General Early presented Mosby with a small rifled can 
 non, at the same time complimenting him highly on the 
 energy and bravery of his command. 
 
 While the Federal forces were passing through " Mosby s 
 Confederacy," in pursuit of Early, detached parties under 
 Mosby, Richards, Chapman, Glasscock and others hovered 
 around, continually harassing them, attacking their outposts 
 and assailing them whenever an opportunity offered. (See 
 Mosby s Report, Appendix, IX.) 
 
 On the 1 8th Averell s troopers endeavored to cross the 
 Shenandoah at Castleman s Ferry in Early s rear, but were 
 driven back with heavy loss, leaving some of their flags float 
 ing in the stream. Capt. A. E. Richards with 10 men, being 
 sent to the vicinity in quest of information, came upon a 
 party of Federal cavalry near Snickersville. A sharp skir 
 mish took place, resulting in favor of " Mosby s Men," who 
 killed 5, wounded 2, and captured 4 prisoners and n horses 
 with their equipments. 
 
 General Duffie, with his whole force of cavalry, with 
 artillery and ambulances, passed through Upperville and 
 Paris and camped on the night of the 1 8th near the entrance 
 
CAPT. D. K. DUFF. i 4 TH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY. 
 
 Wounded and captured in Mt. Carmel fight, February 19, 1865. by C. H. Dear. 
 
 I A5HBY 5GAP, 2. BIG POPLAR. 3 PAWS. 4 ROAD TO UPPERVILLE. 5 SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN 
 
 ASHBY S GAP. 
 View taken from the Blue Ridge two miles south of the Gap. 
 
 The "Big Poplar" was burned down earl} in the summer of 1908. Dr. Settle 
 was having the water piped to his house from a spring on the top of the 
 mountain It is supposed the workmen on that job, eithef by accident or 
 design, set fire to the tree. 
 
MOSBY S RANCHERS. 
 
 193 
 
 of Ashby s Gap. On their march a caisson exploded, kill, 
 ing- one and wounding 5 men and 2 horses. 
 
 A large tree, known as the " Big Poplar," marks the cor 
 ner where the three counties of Loudoun, Fauquier and 
 
 BREVET MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE CROOK, U. S. A. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
 Clarke unite in the Gap, and at this place the Federals 
 posted a picket of one squadron from the Twentieth Penn 
 sylvania Calvary. Capt. Wm. H. Chapman, of Company 
 C, after reconnoitering the position, divided his command, 
 and with Lieutenant Fox attacked the post, killing and 
 
194 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 wounding several and capturing about 60 men, with horses 
 and equipments. 1 Chapman lost one man, C. Bohrer, of 
 Georgetown, D. C., who was thrown from his horse in the 
 charge, and died from his injuries a few days after. 
 
 While the Federal troops were in the vicinity, 5 of our 
 men were captured, and one, Keene, was killed near Upper- 
 ville. Along the line of march a number of defenseless 
 women were shamefully ill-treated by the Federal soldiers, 
 whose officers did not attempt to restrain them either 
 from pillage or from their disgraceful assaults. At the 
 house of Mrs. O Rear, above Paris, although she pleaded 
 that she was a widow and alone, they struck her, choked and 
 threatened her ; took her provisions, killed her stock, broke 
 up her furniture, and took her bedding and wearing apparel. 
 Her feather beds and pillows they cut open and threw into 
 the filth of the stable. This case was but one of many. Mrs. 
 Doctor Payne, at Paris, and a lady at a mill near Upperville 
 were struck and threatened by them. 
 
 Company B was sent down Fairfax, but accomplished 
 little, only capturing 5 prisoners and 7 horses near the Court 
 House. 
 
 Wednesday, July 20. Mosby, with Companies A and D, 
 moved down through Loudoun, getting in the rear of the 
 Federal forces. On coming around near Snickersville, a 
 large train was seen in camp Avith a heavy cavalry guard. 
 Mosby made several ineffectual attempts to draw out a por 
 tion of the guard. A few of our men would ride out in full 
 view of the camp and after showing themselves, retreat. 
 Then they would ride closer and fire on the guards. Find 
 ing all efforts to entice them away from the train fruitless, 
 Mosby started off, saying he would go back and bring on 
 the remainder of the command, with whom he would meet 
 
 1 General Duffie, in his report, says : " I regret to report that through the 
 shameful mismanagement and neglect of the officer in command Captain Mont 
 gomery, Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry one squadron, which was picketing 
 the rear of the Gap, and within one mile of my command, was captured by 
 Mosby s guerrillas, with all their horses, arms and equipments. The loss by the 
 capture was 2 commissioned officers, 50 enlisted men and about 55 horses. I 
 have recommended the officer commanding this squadron for dismissal." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 195 
 
 us about two o clock next morning, and that he would then 
 push on and attack the train just before daylight. 
 
 After dark we moved off, and when near the Leesburg 
 and Snickersville pike the command was halted. Lieutenant 
 Nelson galloped out 
 towards the road, on 
 approaching which 
 he was saluted with 
 three or four shots. 
 He then discovered 
 that a train was pass 
 ing along the road, 
 but too heavily guardr 
 ed to be attacked with 
 our small force. Cav 
 alry flankers were out 
 on either side of the 
 road, some of whom 
 passed near enough 
 to Lieut. Samuel 
 Chapman to have 
 touched him, he hav 
 ing crept out to the 
 roadside and con 
 cealed himself iri a 
 bush to observe the 
 passing train. The 
 infantry were firing 
 into the woods as 
 they passed along, 
 
 either at imaginary enemies, or to frighten away any real 
 ones who might venture to approach. We moved along 
 and tried to cross the road at another point, but found it 
 blocked with infantry. At several places where we at 
 tempted to cross, the road was also filled with troops. 
 Not being able to fathom the mystery surrounding us, 
 it was decided to fall back from the road and wait until 
 daylight, when the meaning of the manceuver would be 
 revealed. 
 
 MAJ.-GEN. HORATIO G. WRIGHT, U. S. A. 
 
196 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 We traveled all the rest of the night, crossing Short Hills, 
 and on the morning of the 2ist of July halted at the foot of 
 the mountains, where we fed our horses, while scouts 
 were sent out to the turnpike. They soon reported that 
 the Sixth Corps, under General Wright, was marching back 
 to Washington. 
 
 Lieut. Harry Hatcher, with 15 men, started off immedi 
 ately, while the rest of the command were ordered to 
 follow as soon as the horses were given a little rest. 
 
 When we came out on the grade we found Hatcher with 
 83 prisoners that he had picked up on the road. The men 
 with broken down horses were sent back with the prisoners 
 and we moved along the turnpike to Purcellville. The 
 Federals had all passed and the road bore evidence of their 
 passage : fences destroyed ; the cavalry had ridden through 
 corn fields, trampling down the corn and feeding their 
 horses on the tops ; skins of calves and hogs, with heads and 
 feathers of poultry, etc., were scattered around, with now 
 and then a dead horse. We picked up a few more prison 
 ers, mostly stragglers, and at dark moved on to Union, and 
 thence home. 
 
 During the day 104 prisoners, in all, were gathered up by 
 our men and sent South. 
 
 THE NIGHT MARCH. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 July, 1864 General Early again in Maryland Company E Organized Artillery Company 
 Organized The Adamstown Raid Capture of Picket Post at Mouth of Monocacy 
 Federal Troops Stirred Up along the Potomac Trying to Cut Off " Mosby s Men " at the 
 Fords Company E in a Tight Place. 
 
 After the battle of Kernstown the Federal forces were 
 driven back to Harper s Ferry, General Early again ad 
 vanced to the Potomac, and on the 2Qth of July McCaus- 
 land crossed above Williamsport and moved on to Cham- 
 bersburg, in Pennsylvania. 
 
 On Thursday, July 28th, at a meeting held at Upperville, 
 Company E was organized. Samuel F. Chapman was 
 elected Captain ; Fountain Beattie, First Lieutenant ; Wil 
 liam Martin, Second Lieutenant, and W. Ben Palmer, Third 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 William H. Mosby, brother of Colonel Mosby, was ap 
 pointed Adjutant of the Battalion, in place of Samuel F. 
 Chapman, now Captain of Company E. 
 
 Up to this time Lieutenant Samuel Chapman always had 
 charge of the artillery, but soon after his promotion to the 
 captaincy of Company E an artillery company was regularly 
 organized, with the following officers: Captain, Peter A. 
 Franklin; First Lieutenant, John J. Fray 1 ; Second Lieuten 
 ant, John P. Page ; Third Lieutenant, Frank H. Rahm. 
 
 About dusk we moved off with 200 men and 3 small 
 pieces of artillery, halting at Green Garden Mill to feed our 
 horses, and between 8 and 9 o clock continued our march 
 down Loudoun, camping at night near Purcellvilie. The 
 29th was a very warm day and we traveled slowly, halting 
 in the middle of the day and passing the night near Morri- 
 sonville. 
 
 On the 3oth we proceeded to the Potomac river, and at 
 
 1 Lieutenant John J. Fray, previous to joining Mosby, commanded a bat 
 tery of artillery at Yorktown. After the war he removed to Raleigh. N.C., 
 where he established a prosperous school known as the Raleigh Male Acad 
 emy. He died December 23, 1884. 
 
198 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Cheek s Ford Companies A and D were ordered to cross. 
 Carbineers were dismounted to wade the river on our 
 flanks, and by the time they reached the river bank we 
 heard the sharp crack of carbines. The command " For 
 ward ! " was given by Lieutenant Nelson and we dashed 
 into the water ; the head of the column was on the towpath 
 before the sharpshooters had crossed. There were but 7 
 Federal cavalrymen on picket at the Ford one had gone to 
 the blacksmith s shop to have his horse shod and the re 
 maining 6 were captured. Along the towpath we went at a 
 
 gallop, the dust rising in such 
 a cloud that I could not see 
 the man riding in advance of 
 me. 
 
 When we reached Noland s 
 Ferry we saw Company B 
 in the river in the act of 
 crossing. We then moved 
 on to Adamstown, at which 
 place there were a couple of 
 stores, over which Lieuten 
 ant Nelson placed a guard 
 and allowed nothing to be 
 disturbed. Telegraph poles 
 were cut down and wires cut. 
 Here we separated. Com- 
 
 CAPT. SAMUEL F. CHAPMAN, CO. E. P an J B > after Oving down 
 From a Photograph taken during the War. towards MonOCaCy , returned 
 
 and recrossed the river. 
 
 Companies A and D pushed on to within a mile and a half 
 of Barnesville, and -by the Sugar Loaf to the Mouth of 
 the Monocacy, where there was a picket post of the Eighth 
 Illinois Cavalry of about 35 men We now learned that 
 the Federal forces were on our trail and would seek to cut 
 us off from the river. 
 
 Coming in sight of the picket post, Lieut. Harry Hatcher, 
 with 25 men, was sent around to get in their rear. While 
 Hatcher s party moved off to accomplish the task assigned 
 to them, Lieutenant Nelson with the rest of our men pro- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 199 
 
 ceeded slowly along to the river, to draw the attention of 
 the enemy. 
 
 The picket post was on a high bluff overlooking the road 
 and commanding the ford. As AVC came in sight the pickets 
 opened fire and we remained for a time in the road, an ex 
 posed target, unable to return their fire. They were armed 
 with carbines and from their position were able to fire 
 directly down on our ranks, while, even had we possessed 
 carbines, our shots would have fallen harmless or passed 
 over their heads. One of our men, John H. Alexander, was 
 struck in the side of the head by one of the balls which whis 
 tled around our ears, or struck the ground under our horses 
 feet, knocking up the dust in a 
 lively manner. Being thus 
 placed under fire for a good 
 purpose, though an honorable 
 position, was a very uncomfort 
 able one. We soon heard a yell 
 over the hill, and the sharp 
 cracking of pistols, which an 
 nounced the arrival of Hatcher 
 among them. We could see 
 those who were on the edge of 
 the bluff firing at us, turn in 
 their saddles, fire a few shots 
 and then scamper off. Four or 
 five Federals were killed in the 
 attack and 22 prisoners were 
 brought off. Hatcher had no 
 one hurt, but several horses be 
 longing to his party were shot one killed. One of our 
 men, Cunningham, fell from his horse ; the horse came out, 
 but the rider was left behind. We recrossed the river, 
 bringing 40 horses more than we took over with us. 2 
 
 LIEUT. JOHN J. FRAY, 
 
 Artillery Company t 430! Battalion Virginia 
 Cavalry. 
 
 *Poolesville, July 31, 1864. 
 
 WAITE to RAYMOND "Cheek s Ford, first above Monocacy, where Mos1>y 
 crossed yesterday, is unguarded, leaving my right exposed. When 18 of my 
 men were fighting Mosby s whole command yesterday, I am informed, Major 
 Thompson was within supporting distance. My loss in that affair Lieutenant 
 
2OO 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 In a very entertaining sketch of this little raid, written by 
 John H. Alexander, of Company A, and recently published 
 in the Leesburg Mirror, he says in conclusion : 
 
 We then pushed on up the river to reach the ford at 
 Noland s Ferry before another detachment of Yankees, who 
 
 were coming down the river, 
 should get there. We barely 
 made it, too. I crossed over 
 with the prisoners among the 
 hi st. But the enemy came up 
 in time to make it hot for 
 our rear guard. Cab. Maddux, 
 even in those days, made a 
 rather attractive mark, but as 
 the bullets were splashing the 
 water around him, his charac 
 teristic solicitude for others 
 was manifested. Seeing a 
 comrade in arms struggling 
 through the waves some dis 
 tance off and not receiving that 
 attention from the Federal sol 
 diers which he thought due to 
 his rank, Cab. cried out at the 
 top of his voice, " Hurry up, 
 Major Hibbs ! Come along, 
 Major ! " The Yankees at once 
 
 transferred their shower baths from Cab. to the Major, 
 who showed his appreciation of the former s self-sacrifice 
 
 by spluttering out to him that he was " respectful 
 
 all at once." 
 
 As Dr. Sowers was dressing my wound at a farm house 
 on this side of the river (the Virginia side) Harry Hatcher 
 
 Delaney wounded, 2 men killed, 3 wounded, 7 or 8 prisoners and about 25 horses 
 and equipments captured." 
 
 CAPT. PETER A. FRANKLIN, 
 
 Artillery Company, 
 43d Battalion Virginia Cavalry. 
 
 Monocacy, July 31, 1S64. 
 
 TYLER to WALLACE : " By the disgraceful conduct of Lieutenant Van Ness, of 
 the Third New Jersey Infantry, in charge of the detachment guarding the Poto 
 mac from the mouth of Monocacy to the Point of Rocks, one man was killed 
 [and] a lieutenant [and] 15 men of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry captured near 
 Noland s Ferry yesterday by Mosby s thieves. It is reported they captured 
 about 200 horses from citizens on this side. Colonel Clendenin reports the con 
 duct of the lieutenant as cowardly in a superlative degree. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 2O I 
 
 came up and offered this consolation : " Never mind, 
 nie, old boy ; I killed one of them Yankees for that." 
 
 When we returned to the Virginia side we found that 
 Company E had crossed in our absence. Men came in say 
 ing they had been cut off and had lost a great number of 
 men. This, however, proved to be an exaggeration. It ap 
 peared that the Federals had been stirred up by Nelson and 
 Hatcher and wished to cut off their retreat by taking pos 
 session of the fords in the neighborhood. Company E was 
 proceeding along when they 
 discovered a force of Fed 
 eral cavalry immediately in 
 their front. Seeing the 
 force was too strong for 
 them and advancing rap 
 idly, they turned back to 
 the ford. They now found 
 that another detachment 
 was hurrying on to reach 
 the ford in advance of them 
 and cut them off. Both par 
 ties then had a race for the 
 ford. Company E had no 
 time to spare, for as they 
 were in the river in the act 
 of crossing, the Federals 
 were firing at them from 
 the shore. One man fell 
 from his horse and was 
 drowned. Several sprang 
 
 from their horses and swam over, catching their horses as 
 they came out on the Virginia shore. 
 
 When the companies had all united, a report was brought 
 in that the Federal troops had crossed the river and were 
 following us. A halt was ordered and the Battalion drawn 
 up in line of battle. It was now about dusk. The guns 
 were unlimbered, and one of the howitzers was placed in 
 the road, the other in a field so as to command the road. 
 The companies were posted on either side of the road, a 
 
 LIEUT. FRANK H. RAHM, 
 
 Artillery Company 430! Battalion Virginia Cavalry. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
202 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 portion of them in a cornfield. After waiting some time ex 
 pecting an attack, scouts came in and reported that no force 
 had crossed the river. We then quietly resumed our homer 
 
 ward journey. (See 
 Mosby s Report, Ap 
 pendix, X.) 
 
 Sunday, July 31. 
 Sent off prisoners, 22 
 in all, and led horses. 
 Orders were sent for 
 remainder of com 
 mand to meet at Up- 
 perville and join us. 
 At night we camped 
 near Hillsborough, 
 tying our horses to 
 the fences, and lay 
 down to rest. We 
 were now in a land 
 of plenty, with good 
 blue grass and corn 
 for our horses, and 
 bread, meat, cheese, 
 pies and milk for 
 ourselves. So we 
 rested until Monday 
 evening, when we 
 moved off to Snick 
 er s Gap, crossed the 
 Shenandoah at Cas- 
 
 tleman s Ferry and camped for the night about two miles 
 from the river. 
 
 Tuesday, August 2. We went through Kabletown and 
 thence to Charlestown. Mosby with two or three men 
 started off towards General Early s headquarters and we re 
 turned home. 
 
 JOHN C. KANE, CO. D. 
 
 (light suit) 
 JAMES C. KANE, CO. D. 
 
 (dark suit) 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 August, 1864 General Early in Maryland Once More Sheridan Assumes Command in the 
 Valley Mosby on the Potomac In Fairfax Capture of Pickets Skirmish near Fairfax 
 Station Death of Captain Flcmming Fight near Berryville Defeat of General Kenly 
 and Capture of Sheridan s Supply Train The Largest Capture Ever Made by Mosby 
 Exciting Scenes The Paymaster s Greenbacks Were There, but We Didn t Know It 
 The Result of the Capture A Heavy Blow to Sheridan, Compelling Him to Fall Back 
 to Harper s Ferry Vigilance and Activity of " Mosby s Men" Capture of the New 
 York Tribune Correspondent Lieutenant Walker and All His Escort Killed or Captured 
 "Mosby s Men" in the Valley Capture Picket Post near Castleman s Ferry House- 
 burners at Work Federals have no Mercy for Helpless Women and Children Rangers 
 give no Quarter to Incendiaries. 
 
 General Early s retreat ended at Strasburg. Turning 
 upon his pursuers, he drove Crook and Averell down the 
 Valley and soon the Confederate cavalry were crossing the 
 borders and again carrying the War into Pennsylvania. 
 
 On the ;th of August, 1864, under orders from the War 
 Department, Washington, General Sheridan assumed com 
 mand of the Middle Department, with headquarters at Har 
 per s Ferry, 1 and on the same day Grant wrote Sheridan : 
 
 " Do not hesitate to give commands to officers in whom 
 you repose confidence, without regard to claims of others 
 on account of rank. If you deem Torbert the best man to 
 command the cavalry, place him in command and give 
 Averell some other command, or relieve him from the expe 
 dition, and order him to report to General Hunter. What 
 we want is prompt and active movements after the enemy, 
 in accordance with instructions you already have. I feel 
 every confidence that you will do the very best, and will 
 leave you as far as possible to act on your own judgment, 
 and not embarrass you with orders and instructions." 
 
 In accordance with instructions, Sheridan at once moved 
 
 1 GENERAL ORDERS, ) WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL S OFFICE, 
 
 No. 240. \ Washington, August 7, 1864. 
 
 1. The Middle Department and the Departments of Washington, of the 
 Susquehanna, and of West Virginia will constitute the Middle Military Division. 
 
 2. Maj. Gen. P. H. Sheridan is assigned by the President to the temporary 
 command of the Middle Military Division. 
 
 By order of the Secretary of War. 
 
 E. D. TOWNSEND, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
204 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 against Early with the entire force which had been concen 
 trated at Harper s Ferry, and the Confederates again fell 
 back up the Valley. 
 
 Saturday, August 6. Command met at Upperville, and 
 Mosby, with about 250 men and 4 small pieces of artillery, 
 moved off through the little town of Union and down to the 
 Potomac, halting about midnight. We found the fords along 
 the river all strongly guarded, and large bodies of cavalry 
 moving towards Harper s Ferry on the Maryland side. 2 
 
 We made no attempt to cross the river, and on Sunday, 
 August /th, the artillery was sent back. Mosby then took 
 Company A for a raid into Fairfax, leaving the remainder 
 of the command to press corn along the river. 3 
 
 Mosby proceeded with Company A down Fairfax, and 
 camped in a piece of woods about three miles below Centre- 
 ville. Walter Whaley, with 7 men, went on a scout towards 
 Annandale. They returned about 8 o clock on the morning 
 of Monday, August 8th, bringing in 3 prisoners and 4 horses, 
 captured near Burke s Station. There were 4 men on 
 picket, but one of them, a corporal, had gone to a spring near 
 by to get a drink, and so escaped capture. 4 
 
 2 Major Waite, of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, was then guarding the river 
 from Point of Rocks to Edward s Ferry, with 600 men. 
 
 General Grant, in a despatch to Hunter, dated August 5, 1864, ordering him 
 to concentrate all his available force in the vicinity of Harper s Ferry, says 
 " The brigade of cavalry now en route from Washington, via Rockville, may 
 be taken into account. There are now on the way to join you three other 
 brigades of the best of cavalry, numbering at least 5,000 men and horses." 
 
 3 Point of Rocks, Md., August 7, 1864. 
 
 COOK to BURLFIGH : " Captain Hewett, provost-marshal, Berlin, reports 
 Mosby, from 400 to 500 strong, in his front. Their pickets extend down to 
 near this point. They are pressing teams and removing forage, probably their 
 only object." 
 
 4 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, ) 
 
 Near Falls Church, Va.,Aug. S, 1864. f 
 
 LAZELLE to TAYLOR : " I have the honor to report all quiet in this vicinity. 
 A picket post, supplied from the detachment of the Sixteenth New York Cav 
 alry, at Annandale, consisting of one corporal and three men, stationed on the 
 old Braddock Road, about 3 miles southeast of Annandale, was surrounded and 
 captured by a party of about 15 rebels this morning between 5 and 6 o clock. 
 Four horses and three of the men were taken by the enemy. The corporal 
 alone escared to bring the tidings to camp. I have nothing to report from ad 
 vance scouts. 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 20; 
 
 Lieutenant Nelson, taking 15 or 20 men, started to capture 
 two picket-posts on the old Braddock road. One of these, 
 suspecting an attack, moved off, but the second party was 
 attacked and pursued by Nelson to within 3 miles of Alex 
 andria. Three only, with their horses, were captured. 5 
 
 Mosby said the Federals 
 would come out to look 
 after their pickets and then 
 he would attack them. 
 
 After Nelson s depart 
 ure, Mosby moved on 
 with the remainder of the 
 command, 38 men in all. 
 While riding along 
 through the pines, a party 
 of the Thirteenth New 
 York Cavalry, who were 
 in ambush, fired from 
 their place of concealment 
 on our vedettes, Walter 
 Whaley and George M. 
 Slater, wounding Slater 
 in the leg, and his horse 
 in the neck. After firing, 
 the Federals fled in the di 
 rection of Fairfax Station, 
 where they united with 
 
 a company of the Sixteenth New York Cavalry and thus re 
 inforced, they thought themselves more than a match for 
 Mosby. 
 
 As Mosby came up with them, he heard the Federal 
 officer give orders to his men to deliver a fire with their 
 carbines and then charge with sabres. Mosby did not 
 
 5 Alexandria August 9, 1SG4. 
 
 WELLS to TAYLOR: " About 40 guerrillas attacked my pickets near the 
 telegraph road last night at u o clock. Charged on a small reserve and cap 
 tured 2 horses and 2 men of the Sixteenth New York. They then retreated 
 toward Burke s Station. I am not yet satisfied that the officer in charge of the 
 picket or the men composing the reserve did their duty, but am investigating 
 and shall report to-day." 
 
 LIEUT. GEN. JUBAL A. EARLY, C. S. A. 
 
206 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 wait for them, but immediately gave the order to charge, 
 and our men, drawing their pistols, dashed on with a yell 
 The Federals fired a volley (wounding Frank Turner) and 
 then fled. They were completely routed and lost 6 killed, 
 including Capt. J. H. Flem 
 ming, of the Sixteenth New 
 York, who was in command ; 
 Captain McMenamin, of the 
 Thirteenth New York, a lieuten 
 ant, and a number of privates 
 were wounded. Twenty-seven 
 prisoners were captured, with 
 37 horses. 
 
 (See Mosby s Report, Appen 
 dix, XL) 
 
 Friday, August 12. Command 
 met at Rectortown, and passing 
 through Snicker s Gap, Mosby 
 crossed the Shenandoah with 
 
 GEORGE Al. SLATER, CO. E. 
 abOUt 330 men and 2 Small hOW- From a War-time Photograph. 
 
 itzers. Scouts brought in the 
 
 intelligence that a large train with supplies for Sheridan s 
 army, with a heavy guard of cavalry and infantry, was on 
 its way from Harper s Ferry to Winchester. 
 
 After marching all night, on the morning of the I3th we 
 moved out in the direction of Berryville. A portion of the 
 train had just hauled out of park near a stream, where it 
 had been halted to water the animals. A fog, which the 
 morning sun had not yet dispelled, partially concealed us 
 from the enemy and gave time to bring up our little force. 
 
 The plan of attack was for the artillery, two mountain 
 howitzers and about 30 men, under the immediate command 
 of Captain Peter A. Franklin, to open fire, after which the 
 cavalry, in two columns, were to charge and pursue the 
 train guard, consisting of a brigade of infantry and a small 
 body of cavalry. The First Squadron, under Captain A. 
 E. Richards, was to move out toward Berryville to attack 
 the head of the train, while Captain William Chapman, 
 with the Second Squadron, was to strike the train from 
 
MOSBY S RAXGKRS. 2O/ 
 
 the point he occupied to the right of the artillery. Mean 
 while, Captain Sam Chapman, with Company E, \vas to be 
 kept behind the hill, out of sight of the pike, to support 
 the guns. 
 
 As the curtain of fog lifted, the Federals could plainly 
 see us, being only a little over 200 yards distant, but evi 
 dently mistook us for their own men. 
 
 Captain Franklin decided to use only one gun in the 
 initial attack and to advance the other piece with the 
 cavalry. The order to unlimber and commence firing was 
 given As there was some slight delay about unlimbering 
 the gun, Captain Franklin jumped from his horse and put 
 the gun into action. The first shot, a shell well aimed, 
 struck a forge in the road and burst right in a mass of the 
 enemy s troops ; the second exploded in the midst of the 
 wagons and caused a stampede of the drivers. The third 
 shot was followed by a charge. 
 
 Leaving the gun in command of Lieutenant Fray, Frank 
 lin, with the other gun, advanced with the cavalry. The 
 infantry broke in great disorder toward the south along the 
 road and southwest over the fields, some taking refuge in 
 the woods and behind a stone fence and other obstructions, 
 from which they kept up an incessant fire until dislodged 
 by a charge or a shell. 
 
 Captain Franklin then took position on a hill the enemy 
 had just evacuated and which protected the road the cavalry 
 would have to take on its return. Behind some stone fenc 
 ing about 150 or 200 yards in front, quite a number of the 
 infantry had rallied, while to the left there were others who 
 had taken shelter behind houses, etc. From these sources 
 a galling fire was opened on the artillery position. Captain 
 Franklin ordered everyone off the hill and called for two 
 men, one to bring a charge for the gun and the other to 
 bring a friction primer. Ben Thrift brought up the 
 charge, and Frank Geschky, better known as "Zoo," 
 brought up the primer. Franklin sighted the gun and the 
 first shot exploded on the top of the stone fence behind 
 which was the massed infantry It demoralized them. 
 The gun was then rapidly worked and those of the enemy 
 not immediately in front, seeing the stout resistance of the 
 
208 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 howitzer and its accurate work, broke again and were soon 
 followed by those from the stone fence. 6 
 
 Captain Franklin, of the artillery, with Lieutenants Fray 
 and Rahm and Sergeant Babcock, handled the gun well 
 and did good service. 
 
 6 Ben Thrift, now a resident of Washington, D. C., speaking of the Berry - 
 ville fight, said: "It was just about daybreak. After the guns were in 
 position, loaded and ready to fire, one of the men stepped out and fired his 
 
 gun. Mosby said, What d fool is that? The man said, I want to shoot at 
 
 them. We were in a yellow jackets 
 nest, Captain Franklin and I were 
 together; we both got stung severely, 
 but after we fired the first gun we 
 didn t feel the stings. Whether they 
 were frightened away or we were 
 too excited to feel them, will never 
 be known. 
 
 "There were about six shots 
 fired; all aimed by Capt. Franklin. 
 The first shot struck a wagon, par 
 tially turning it around; the second 
 upset it altogether. We were under 
 a hot fire from the Yankees who 
 were behind a stone fence when 
 Capt. Franklin called for the charge. 
 I brought up the shells, crawled 
 under the gun and put them in; 
 "Zoo" brought the friction primers, 
 Franklin aimed the gun and these 
 shots demoralized the Yankees. 
 
 "All I can now recall in regard 
 to the organization of the Artillery," 
 continued Thrift, "is this little in 
 cident: After forming the men in 
 line, Mosby said Here are your 
 officers. Anyone who does not want 
 to serve under these men will step 
 
 BEN. THRIFT, Artillery Co. 
 Mosbv s Command. 
 
 From photograph taken in 1865. 
 
 out. 
 
 "At Annandale we had the cannon. Very little was done there. 
 
 "We also had the artillery at Salem and shelled them there and drove them 
 off to Rectortown We were on many raids without the cannon. In the 
 Adamstown raid I was guide, being familiar with that locality. We had a 
 lively little fight there." 
 
 Col. Gansevoort, commanding Cavalry camp near Forth Buffalo, Ya., in 
 his report dated August 18, 1864, says: "Two escaped prisoners, one of the 
 First U. S. and the other of the First New York Dragoons, came in here day 
 before yesterday. They report that Mosby on Sunday morning last attacked 
 the wagon train of the First Cavalry Division and Sixth Corps." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 209 
 
 One party sought refuge in a brick church in the suburbs 
 of Berryville, from which they for some time kept up a 
 murderous fire, killing Welby H. Rector, of Mid die burg, and 
 wounding Lieutenant Wrenn and killing his horse. Sergeant 
 Edward Rector, of Company A, was also wounded. The 
 howitzer was brought to bear 
 upon the church and the enemy 
 were forced to retire. A body 
 of infantry on the right took up 
 a position behind a stone fence, 
 and in an orchard, and seemed 
 determined to hold their ground, 
 but Captain Chapman charged 
 and drove them out. Lewis 
 Adie, a gallant young soldier, of 
 Leesburg, was killed in the 
 charge, and C. H. Walker, of 
 Company C, severely wounded. 7 
 
 The head of the train was at 
 Berryville and extended for a 
 long distance along the pike. 
 Mules were taken from the 
 wagons and the wagons then set on fire. The whole line 
 presented a scene of the wildest confusion. The booming 
 of cannon, the bursting shell, the rattling of musketry 
 and the sharp crack of the pistols mingled with the yells and 
 curses of the contending forces ; the braying of mules and 
 the lowing of cattle were heard together with the cries 
 and groans of the wounded. In the road, horses and mules 
 were dashing wildly about like mad ; wagons upset some 
 blazing or smoking. Teams running off at a furious pace, 
 which it was impossible to check, would attract the notice 
 of some of our men, who, riding alongside, would set fire to 
 the wagon, and as the smoke curled up. the frightened mules 
 
 7 Lieut. Edward F. Thomson, speaking of this affair, said: "Louis Adie 
 was killed in the first charge by the infantry behind the stone fence. Welby 
 Rector was killed by my side at the old church, and Philip Smith and I car 
 ried him to a nearby house and left him, telling the ladies to care for him until 
 his father came, and we dashed off amid flying bullets." 
 
 CHAS. H. WALKER, CO C. 
 Wounded at Berryville, August 13, 1864. 
 
210 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 rushed frantically along until they fell exhausted or were 
 released by dashing the wagon against a tree or some ob 
 stacle in the road. 
 
 Over 500 mules, 36 horses, 200 head of fine cattle, 208 
 prisoners and 4 negroes were captured. A great many 
 Federals were killed and wounded and nearly 100 wagons 
 were destroyed, with their contents. 
 
 The prisoners and mules were sent out to Culpeper on 
 the 1 4th, with a guard of 20 men, under Lieut. Frank Fox. 
 The cattle were put into a field to rest for a few days as 
 they had been driven hard and the weather was very warm 
 many would have been unable to stand the trip. The 
 prisoners said it was the finest lot of cattle that had ever 
 been sent to the army. 
 
 In one of the wagons was a box which was thrown out on 
 the ground by the roadside with other boxes and trunks 
 containing officers baggage, and was passed unnoticed 
 among these rich prizes by our men, who afterwards learned 
 to their regret that this box was filled with greenbacks to 
 pay off Sheridan s troops. 8 The Federals, however, came 
 back after our departure and secured the box and contents. 
 
 The u Return from the Raid " has already been made the 
 subject of the artist s pencil, but it is impossible to faithfully 
 portray the reality of that scene as it appeared on that sum 
 mer day. The long line of prisoners, mules, horses and 
 cattle stretched out along the road. Our men, wild with 
 excitement and elated with their success, gave vent to their 
 feelings with shouts and yells and merry songs, the braying 
 mules and lowing cattle joining in the chorus. The bright 
 new captured uniforms of the Federal officers transformed 
 our dusty rebel boys for the time into the holiday soldiers of 
 peaceful days ; and the citizens along our route, though well 
 used to raids and the passing of armies through the country, 
 gazed on the scene in mute astonishment, seemingly at a loss 
 whether to stand or run on the approach of the cavalcade. 
 
 This was a severe blow to Sheridan, who, crippled by the 
 loss of his supplies and fearful of another attack, fell back 
 to his old position. 9 (See Reports in Appendix.) 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 211 
 
 Stevenson, in his History of the First New York (Lincoln) 
 Cavalry, referring to this affair, says : 
 
 The watchful Mosby had struck Sheridan s wag-on train 
 at Berry ville on the I3th of August 
 and captured and destroyed nearly 
 the whole train, carrying off all the 
 baggage of the cavalry corps and 
 causing considerable commotion at 
 headquarters. The train was guarded 
 by Kenly s Maryland Brigade of 100 
 days men and they offered but feeble 
 resistance. 
 
 " General Sheridan was not yet 
 acquainted with Mosby s strength <^^^f^^ 
 and tactics and deemed it prudent 
 
 to fall back from his advanced posi- B RIG,GEN. JOHN R. KENLY. 
 tion to avoid a repetition of the raid u. s. A. 
 
 upon his trains." 
 
 Encouraged by the success which had crowned his efforts. 
 Mosby determined to continue his assaults on Sheridan s 
 lines and thus cripple his movements. A number of small 
 detachments were sent out by Mosby in various directions, 
 and their vigilance and activity is shown by the tenor of 
 the dispatches taken from the Records of the War Depart 
 ment at Washington. 8 
 
 8 General Max Webei*, Harper s Ferry, Aug. nth, to Captain Parsons, 
 Sheridan s Assistant Adjutant- General, says : " Mosby is already between Har 
 per s Ferry and your command, and last night captured and paroled the Tribune 
 correspondent." 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, Chief of Staff, Washington, Aug. I2th, to Brig 
 adier-General Wilson : " The major general commanding directs that you hold 
 in readiness a good and reliable regiment of your command to escort Colonel 
 Chipman, Aide-de-Camp, bearer of dispatches, to Major-General Sheridan." 
 
 Chipman to Secretary Stanton, Aug. I4th, says : " Arrive*! this a. m., 6 
 o clock, having marched 90 miles in 24 hours. Mosby s gang hung on our flank 
 between Goose Creek and Snicker s Gap, firing into our rear at the Gap." 
 
 Captain Harrison, at Martinsburg, Aug. I4th, to General Kelley, says: "Sev 
 eral ot our scouts here say they cannot get through to Sheridan, Mosby having 
 driven them back." 
 
 Major Waite, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, Aug. I4th, writing to Washington 
 says : "A number of squads of rebel cavalry seen on the Virginia side to-day, 
 all along my line, from Monocacy down as far as Great Falls. Think they are 
 watching for stragglers or orderlies with dispatches." 
 
 Colonel Chipman, Harper s Ferry, Aug. i6th, to Secretary Stanton : " Guer- 
 
212 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 On the 1 5th of August Capt. A. E. Richards, while scout 
 ing with a squad of men on the turnpike between Charles- 
 town and Berryville, fell in with a party of Federal Cavalry, 
 consisting of First Lieutenant J. S. Walker, First U. S. 
 Cavalry brigade commissary, bearer of dispatches, with an 
 escort of 5 men. In the fight which ensued Lieutenant 
 Walker was killed, and First Lieutenant Philip Dwyer, reg 
 imental commissary, Fifth U. S. Cavalry, wounded and 
 taken prisoner. Only one of the escort escaped. 
 
 Friday, August 19. Scouts having been sent in advance, 
 we crossed the Shenandoah river at Castleman s Ferry. 9 
 
 rillas infest the country between here and Winchester. Trains require strong 
 escorts. A little party, 20 minutes ahead of my escort, was attacked beyond 
 Charlestown. The lieutenant and 2 men killed and 6 captured ; I escaped." 
 
 Colonel Edwards, Aug. i6th, to Major Whittier : " I have the honor to report 
 that 160 to 200 of the enemy, accompanied by Mosby himself, and clothed in 
 the uniform of the U. S. troops, are now a short distance to the left and rear of 
 Middletown. One of the party has been within the limits of our camps to 
 day " 
 
 Sheridan to Grant, Aug. 1 7th : " Mosby has annoyed me and captured a few 
 wagons. We hung I and shot 6 of his men yesterday." 
 
 Averell to Stevenson, Aug. lyth: " General Duffle s Division was at Berry 
 ville yesterday evening ; 200 of my command have been sent to communicate with 
 him, and to capture, kill or disperse the guerrillas at Charlestown. They should 
 have arrived before this. I have also scouts in that direction. If they do not 
 succeed in clearing out the place, I will send more." 
 
 Stevenson to Averell, Aug. lyth : " Mosby with his command is waiting to 
 attack train and will capture it if possible. The supplies are needed at the front 
 and should be put through by all means." 
 
 Stevenson to Sheridan, Harper s Ferry, Aug. 17th: " Finding all trains threat 
 ened by guerrillas, and that they are in force, largely increased by a concentra 
 tion of several organizations under Mosby, making the vicinity of Charlestown 
 their theater of operations, I am of opinion that the only safety of our trains 
 and couriers is the posting of a force at Charlestown, with General Duffie at 
 Berryville, and 1,000 of Averell s force at Charlestown, with orders by constant 
 scouting to keep the country clear. I think we can send forward everything 
 without loss. As matters now stand, no small party of trains with small guard 
 is safe." 
 
 General Sheridan s position at this time is thus given in his communica 
 tion to General Augur, dated Charlestown, August 18 : 
 
 " The position of my troops is as follows : 4 brigades of cavalry in front, 
 at Berryville and well up toward Winchester, at the crossing of the Opequon ; 
 i division of cavalry at Summit Point ; infantry at Clifton, and in rear of 
 Clifton. I am in telegraphic communication with Averell, who is at Martins- 
 burg." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 213 
 
 Mosby divided his force as follows : Company B, under 
 Capt. A. E. Richards, moving off in the direction of Charles- 
 town ; Companies C, D and E, under Capt. Wm. H. Chap 
 man, to operate in the neighborhood of Berryville ; while 
 he (Mosby) proceeded with Company A to the road be 
 tween Harper s Ferry and Charlestown. 
 
 Our scouts, in their search for information, captured a 
 picket-post of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, near Castleman s 
 Ferry, There were but 4 men 
 on post: i was killed, i wounded 
 and the remaining 2 captured. 
 
 As Captain Chapman moved 
 on with his command, he saw 
 the house of Mr. McCormick in 
 flames, and McCormick and his 
 wife, with fright and astonish 
 ment, watching the wanton de- 
 destruction of their home and 
 powerless to check or resist 
 the brutal incendiaries. McCor 
 mick informed Chapman that 
 the house had been fired by the 
 Federal soldiers in retaliation for 
 the killing of the picket. The 
 same party had also set fire to 
 Colonel Ware s house. 
 
 A little farther on, the Ran 
 gers came upon another scene 
 of incendiarism the residence 
 of Mrs. Sowers. Here the 
 
 women and little children were gathered in a forlorn and 
 weeping group in a corner of the yard, gazing on the blazing 
 pile of what was once their happy home. As our men rode 
 up and looked upon the pale, upturned, pleading faces and 
 met the looks of utter despair there pictured, they felt that 
 it would be mockery to offer sympathy or express regret, 
 and driving their spurs into their horses, they dashed on in 
 pursuit of the destroyers. On they went, like bloodhounds 
 on the trail. Soon they came in sight of the houseburners, who 
 were then in the act of destroying the residence of Colonel 
 
 JOHN A. SAUNDERS, CO. D. 
 
214 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Morgan. They had already burned the hay, wheat, barn, 
 etc., and had set fire to the house. Worked up to madness 
 by this scene, as well as what they had just witnessed, the 
 Rangers closed in on the enemy and neither asked nor gave 
 quarter. 10 
 
 (See Mosby s Report, Appendix, XI.) 
 
 The man who could stand within the glare of burning 
 dwellings, and witness unmoved the pitiful spectacle of 
 pleading mothers with their frightened little ones clinging 
 around them, and see the merciless savages who wrought 
 this ruin gloating over the wreck they had made, and pro 
 ceeding to a repetition of their cruel deeds of incendiarism, 
 and not feel an impulse which would drive him to avenge 
 such savagery, would not deserve the name of man. It 
 seems hardly credible that men could be found in a civilized 
 
 10 The New York Times, of Aug. 25, 1864, in a letter from its War Corres 
 pondent, dated Berry ville, Aug. 21, gives the following account of this affair: 
 
 " He (General Custer) issued an order directing Colonel Alger, of the Fifth 
 Michigan, to destroy 4 houses belonging to well-known secessionists, in retalia 
 tion for the men killed, captured and wounded on Thursday night. This order 
 was promptly carried into effect by a detachment of 50 men, under Captain 
 Drake and Lieutenants Allen, Lounsberry and Bivvins, who were particularly 
 charged to inform all citizens met with the cause for destroying the property, 
 The expedition was accompanied by Dr. Sinclair, and the work was thoroughly 
 and effectually done, but unfortunately not without serious loss of life. Captain 
 Drake, leaving the main part of the command under Lieutenant Allen in line near 
 one house which had been fired, took a few men and proceeded to fire another 
 house about 100 rods distant. While thus engaged 200 rebels suddenly emerged 
 from a ravine and made a furious charge upon the force under Lieutenant 
 Allen before due preparation could be made to receive them. 
 The command was charged while forming to resist an attack. The men, over 
 whelmed by numbers, broke and fled in confusion. This occurred on the Shep- 
 pard s Mill road, not far from the Berryville and Snicker s Gap pike. There 
 are numerous stone fences running at right angles with the road and the way 
 open for retreat was down the road which had been barricaded by our own 
 men, and the only way to get around this was by a narrow passage way through 
 a stone wall, at the side of the road, going around the barricade and through 
 the wall again into the road. As only one horse at a time could go through this 
 narrow passage it was impossible for all the men to escape in that way. The 
 enemy were upon them, and no mercy being shown, a majority of the men 
 ran along a fence running at right angles with the road, hoping to find another 
 passage, but finding none and reaching a corner, surrendered as a last resort. 
 Several squads were cornered in this way, and in every instance the men who 
 surrendered were killed after they had surrendered, or were left for dead. 
 * * * * * 
 
 " Casualties in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry in the massacre, August 19, 
 1864: Killed Sergeant E. S. Fields; Corporals C. C. Craft, Alph. Day; 
 Privates H. Wittington, John G. Lutz, James Kennicut, Oliver Warner, Alfred 
 A. Henry, Clark Osborn, S. R. Epler, Eaton Lewis, Peter Castor, Chas. B. 
 Clyde. Wounded S. D. Eldred, mortally ; Ab. B. Shaffer, mortally ; John 
 Connell, hand ; Samuel K. Davis, nose; Corporal F. M. Wright, face." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 215 
 
 age, so lost to all sense of humanity as to thus rival the 
 savage cruelties of Indian warfare. 11 
 
 As the killing of the picket was made the pretext for the 
 order of Custer to burn the houses of five prominent citi 
 zens in that district, I wrote to Colonel Chapman, who was 
 in command of this detachment of Mosby s men, in order 
 to get a correct statement of the affair, and he gave me a 
 full account, not only of the killing 
 of the picket, but also of the occur 
 rences which took place from that 
 time on, including the fight at Colonel 
 Morgan s. This will be found in the 
 Appendix. 
 
 When you surprise a camp you 
 necessarily begin by disposing of the 
 pickets, either by capture or killing. 
 A picket is a part of every army its 
 outpost, and as much an object of at 
 tack as any other part. It is just as 
 legitimate an act of war to kill an 
 armed picket who refuses to surren 
 der as to kill a soldier in the full tide 
 of battle. In this case it was Col. 
 Chapman s purpose to capture not 
 to kiil-the picket in question, and ] HN 
 upon his refusal to surrender, he was From photograph taken shortly 
 killed. He had the choice to surren- after the close cf the war. 
 der or fight. 
 
 In the fight at Col. Morgan s, Chapman s command came 
 upon the detachment of Federal soldiers whilst they were 
 engaged in burning one of the houses, and attacked them. 
 
 11 In reply to my letter asking the name of a man who belonged to the same 
 company, John F. (Dadge) Lynn, formerly of Mosby s command and now a 
 wealthy resident of Iowa, said- I only knew him as Larry. I remember 
 him well on account of an incident which took place in the Valley, when we 
 were on the track of the party who were burning houses of citizens. When 
 we came to the house of Mrs. Sowers, where the house was in flames; the 
 women and children exposed without shelter to the pitiless storm; the out 
 buildings, barn and stables all destroyed Larry, with that characteristic im 
 petuosity of an impulsive, bisf-hearted Irishman, exclaimed Jasus, if that 
 wouldn t make a man fight, I don t know what would, and he dashed on to 
 l he attack, his every vein and muscle standing out, showing the tension that 
 was upon us." 
 
2l6 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 They formed a regular line of battle and delivered a volley 
 as Chapman charged in column. It would have been im 
 possible for Col. Chapman or anyone else to restrain the 
 men under the circumstances that is, with the scenes of 
 distress exposed to their view especially when supported 
 by the general order to all Confederate soldiers, that sol 
 diers found burning houses were not to be taken prisoner, 
 and no quarter was to be given. This order was known 
 to the soldiers of both armies, and the Federal general, by 
 giving the order for the burning, placed his soldiers with 
 out the protection of the Military Code. 
 
 I received a rough sketch 
 of the following incident con 
 nected with this encounter: 
 Three of the Federal cavalry, 
 being hard pressed, left the 
 main body and attempted to 
 make their escape. Two of 
 them jumped a fence on the 
 extreme left and made their 
 way across the field, pursued 
 by Wm. W. Patteson of Com 
 pany C. Patteson s horse fell 
 in jumping the fence, and be 
 fore he could get the animal 
 up, the third trooper attacked 
 him with his carbine. Before 
 WM. w. PATTESON, co. c. the Federal cavalryman could 
 
 get in another shot, Patteson killed him with a shot from 
 his revolver. The man carried in a bundle a quantity of 
 silverware and jewelry which he had taken from some of 
 the burned dwellings. 
 
 Mosby recrossed the Shenandoah and again crossed at 
 Rock Ford. Here he divided Company A into three 
 parties, one under Hatcher, another under Wiltshire, and 
 one he reserved for himself. All returned to Fauquier, 
 after operating on the Federal outposts, bringing prisoners 
 and captured horses, without loss or injury to themselves. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 August and September, 1864 Burial of Lieutenant William Martin Channing M. Smith Attack 
 Camp at Annandale Shelling Federal Camp The Federals "Hold the Fort" The 
 Eighth Illinois Sent Out to Exterminate Guerrillas Sheridan Expresses the Hope that 
 They Have " Cleaned Out the Loudoun Valley " Another and More Formidable Expedi 
 tion PlannedThe Eighth Illinois and Sixteenth New York Raid Loudoun Poor Result 
 Aftei All In the Valley Chapman, with the Second Squadron, Routs the Sixth New York 
 Cavalry near Berry ville Lieutenant Palmer Distinguishes Himself Jarman and Iden 
 Killed, and Lieutenant Frank Fox and Clay Adams Mortally Wounded Myers 1 Ford First 
 Squadron Surprised by Blazer Wounding of Lieutenant Nelson Mosby and Richards 
 Operating in Sheridan s Rear Joseph W. Owen Captures Two Ambulances Loaded with 
 Federal Infantry Crook s Ambulance Train Stampeded by Six of " Mosby s Men." 
 
 Sunday, August 21, 1864. Lieut. William Martin, of Com 
 pany E, was buried to day at Upperville. He was accident 
 ally shot by a comrade while riding along 1 the road, the ball 
 passing through his breast, from left to right. He was a 
 brave young soldier his daring at times seeming reckless. 
 He had many friends, both in the command and among the 
 citizens, and his death was a regret to all. 
 
 Channing M. Smith was soon after chosen as Third Lieu 
 tenant of Company E, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the 
 death of Lieutenant Martin. 
 
 Before joining Mosby s command Channing M. Smith had 
 served in Company H, Fourth Virginia Cavalry. While 
 acting as scout, his gallant conduct had received the recog 
 nition and praise of both Generals Lee and Stuart, as will be 
 seen by the following report and endorsement : 
 
 HDQRS. CAV. CORPS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 
 
 April W, 1864. 
 Lieut.-Col. W. H. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 COLONEL : I have the honor to report the following affair 
 (petite guerre] , which occurred in the operations within the 
 enemy s lines near Catlett s Station on the i6th instant: 
 
 Privates Channing M. Smith, Richard Lewis, and Love, 
 of Company H, Fourth Virginia Cavalry, acting as scouts 
 in Fauquier County, met and attacked a party of 5 of the 
 enemy, killing 4, the other escaping. This affair reflects 
 great credit on the valor and skill of the gallant scouts who 
 executed it, and too much praise cannot be awarded them. 
 
2l8 MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 Their operations serve to inspire confidence in our cause 
 and keep our enemies in a state of constant and wholesome 
 terror. The attention of the commanding general is called 
 to these young men, who are continually giving evidence 
 of their gallantry and daring by similar exploits. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient 
 
 Servant J. E. B. STUART, Major-General. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, April W, 1864. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded for the information of the De 
 partment. 
 
 I have on several previous occasions called the attention 
 of the Secretary of War to the gallantry of Channing JVL 
 Smith and other young scouts of this army. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 Tuesday, Aiigust 23, 2864. Command met at Rector- 
 town. We moved off at noon with about 300 men and one 
 section of artillery, crossed the Bull Run Mountains and 
 pushed on under cover of night to the Federal position at 
 Annandale. The fort, occupying the crest of an eminence, 
 first came into view from the top of a hill about half a mile 
 distant, the intervening space being a valley The plan of 
 attack was for the artillery consisting of one three-inch rifle 
 and one six-pound howitzer, under the command of Capt. 
 Peter A. Franklin, to open fire while the cavalry sought 
 good position for action. 
 
 The rifle gun took position on the hill and immediately 
 opened fire. The howitzer advanced with the cavalry, 
 Capt. Franklin leaving orders for the rifle to cease firing 
 and follow as soon as he had opened with the howitzer from 
 the base of the hill upon which the fort was situated. This 
 order was obeyed, driving the enemy into their bomb- 
 proofs. The commander of the fort could be heard order 
 ing his men to mount the breastworks. His orders were 
 not obeyed. 
 
 Capt. Montjoy was sent with a flag of truce, demanding 
 surrender. The reply sounded as though the commander 
 said, "A German commands this fort and he will never sur 
 render." Col. Mosby ordered Franklin to set fire to a 
 small building inside the fort, but as the guns were firing 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 2I 9 
 
 at an angle of about 40 degrees the shells went over the 
 structure, which was in the rear and could not be seen from 
 the position occupied by the gun. Seeing this Franklin 
 ordered grape and shrapnel to be used. This did consider 
 able damage, besides killing several horses; the men took 
 refuge in the bomb-proofs. Lieut. Hatcher was sent with a 
 second flag of truce, again demanding surrender. The reply, 
 which could be distinctly heard, was, Tell Colonel Mosby 
 I will not surrender, and if he sends that rag up here again 
 
 1 SCHNEIDER to LANSING : " Inclosed I have the honor to forward a report of 
 the repulse of Mosby s forces in an attack on the stockade at Annandale, Va. : 
 Wednesday morning, at 13 minutes to 5 o clock the camp was alarmed by 3 
 shots fired by the picket on the Fairfax Court House road ; immediately after 
 which the rebels who had taken the picker, consisting of i sergeant and 3 men, 
 fired about 3 shells into our camp ; 
 then a detachment of about 100 
 men charged up toward our en 
 trance ; being received there by 
 a volley, they swerved to the 
 south, surrounding the south and 
 east side of our camp. A flag 
 of truce was sent, demanding, in 
 Colonel Mosby s name, the sur 
 render of our camp. Under 
 cover of this flag of truce they 
 advanced their 2 pieces (field) to 
 within 300 or 400 yards of our 
 camp one on the southwest, the 
 other on the northwest corner. 
 The question of surrendering 
 being answered in the negative in 
 the most decisive terms, they 
 commenced to bombard our camp 
 in good earnest, one piece throw 
 ing shell, the other one grape. 
 After firing nearly a dozen more 
 shots, they sent another flag of 
 truce on the northwest side, 
 where Captain Mickels had 
 charge of the defenses, who told them not to come with any more flags of 
 truce, as he would not respect them, which same answer two bearers of flags 
 of truce received from me on the east side of the camp during a tour of inspec 
 tion I made around the abatis. Finding their persuasions, both in shelling and 
 negotiating, of no account, they, being probably warned of the approach of re 
 enforcements, after some further demonstrations, sent their field-pieces up the 
 Fairfax Court House road, and then they themselves slowly retired. I had 
 seen about 250 or 300 men and had no means of ascertaining thoir correct 
 number, and thought it only a feint when they left ; therefore I did not make 
 
 LOUIS REARDON, CO. E. 
 
220 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 I ll shoot it to hell." Don t do that," said Hatcher, "it s 
 the only handkerchief I ve got." 
 
 All this time the Federal commander was trying to rally 
 his men, but failed to do so. Mosby meanwhile was search 
 ing for an opening to enter the fort, but the entrance was 
 strongly defended by the abattis and Annandale being one 
 of the system of works protecting the city of Washington, 
 it was known that reinforcements would be despatched to 
 the relief of the garrison when the sound of the guns was 
 heard. The artillery withdrew in the same manner it had 
 advanced, sending the rifle back to protect the howitzer s 
 withdrawal. 
 
 any demonstration to pursue 
 them, although Companies B 
 and C had their horses in 
 readiness. The attack lasted 
 nearly one hour and a half, 
 and they fired from thirty to 
 forty cannon shots, besides 
 some small -arm practice. 
 They wounded 2 horses of 
 Company A and deranged 
 some of our quarters and Com 
 pany C s stable (old barn). 
 The casualties on the rebel 
 side, as far as we can learn, 
 were one man and 3 horses 
 killed and 3 men wounded. 
 We also learned that their 
 force was over 400 men when 
 they passed the Court House. 
 Mrs. Tennison, who lives east 
 of the camp, refused the laun 
 dresses to come in her house, 
 and told them to get away 
 from here into your camp, 
 harboring at the same time 
 some of the rebel leaders with 
 whom she was acquainted. 
 Finally, I have to state, that both officers and men, with but very few excep 
 tions, behaved splendidly 
 
 " N. B. The re-enforcements arrived too late to be of any service to us, as it 
 was two hours and ten minutes from the first shot to their arrival, under Major 
 Horton, Sixteenth New York Volunteer Cavalry." 
 
 COLONEL WILLIAM GAMBLE and 
 MAJOR HENRY W. SAWYER. 
 
 Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 
 From a War-time Picture. 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. 22 I 
 
 Although we failed in our attempt to capture the fort, 
 one point at least in our mission had been gained: The 
 enemy were well stirred up, as will be noted from the 
 Federal official reports here given, and reinforcements for 
 the Valley were not likely to be taken from this part of 
 the line. 1 
 
 The Eighth Illinois was undoubtedly at the time the best 
 cavalry regiment in the Army of the Po.tomac, and General 
 Sheridan, with the view of driving out Mosby, ordered all 
 the cavalry of that regiment to concentrate at Muddy Branch 
 to operate in Loudoun and as he stated in his orders to 
 General Augur " exterminate as many of Mosby s gang as 
 they can." 
 
 On the 2oth of August they left their camp at Muddy 
 Branch and crossed the Potomac with 650 men, the special 
 object of the scout being, as stated in orders to Major Waite, 
 " to break up and exterminate any bands or parties of M osby s, 
 White s or other guerrillas which may be met." They 
 marched up through Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville to 
 Snicker s Gap, thence to the Potomac, and back to their 
 camp. On their way they picked up and carried off a num 
 ber of citizens ; at Upperville, among others, Rev. Mr. Harris 
 and Rev. Mr. Gallagher and Geo. Brown. This was in accord 
 ance with the instructions of General Grant to Sheridan. 2 
 
 LANSING to LYELL, Thirteenth New York Cavalry, at Levvinsville : 
 "Another attempt will doubtless be made somewhere along our line, eithei 
 during the day or to-night. The point selected will probably be at your stockade. 
 The colonel commanding directs me to tell you to caution your pickets and your 
 men to be on the alert, and assure yourself that they are, especially toward day 
 break to-morrow, should an attack not come sooner. Keep 2 horses saddled in 
 the stockade all the day and to-night, and in case of an attack let us know here 
 at once by sending out two in different directions. This will make sure of one 
 of your messengers reaching us. Colonel Lazelle directs you not to surrender 
 your command under any consideration or emergency." 
 
 2 GRANT to SHERIDAN, Aug. 16, 1864 : " If you can possibly spare a division 
 of cavalry, send them through Loudoun County to destroy and carry off the 
 crops, animals, negroes and all men under fifty years of age capable of bearing 
 arms. In this way you will get many of Mosby s men. All male citizens 
 under fifty can fairly be held as prisoners of war, and not as citizen prisoners. 
 If not already soldiers, they will be made so the moment the rebel army gets 
 hold of them." 
 
222 MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 On the return of the Eighth Illinois to its camp, General 
 Sheridan, in a communication to General Augur, August 
 24th, expresses the hope that " the Eighth Illinois has cleaned 
 out the Loudoun Valley." Yet this fond hope was not real 
 ized, and another and more formidable expedition was 
 planned. The Eighth Illinois was to start from its camp 
 at Muddy Branch, August 29th, to be joined at Aldie by the 
 Sixteenth New York Cavalry, from Fairfax, and " move 
 rapidly on Upperville and Middleburg, surprising any force 
 of guerrillas lurking in that vicinity." They were to arrest 
 and bring in all males between the ages of 1 8 and 50 ; impress 
 all wagons and bring them in loaded with forage ; destroy 
 all hay, oats, corn and wheat they could not bring in, and 
 seize all horses. Attention was also called to " Mosby s 
 headquarters." 3 
 
 The result, however, was summed up in the following 
 
 3 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, 
 
 220 ARMY CORPS. 
 
 TAYLOR to WAITE : " The major general commanding directs that you move 
 August 2gth with your regiment, leaving on the left bank of the river only your 
 camp guard and the detachment protecting the telegraph station at Darnestown. 
 Your march will be via Aldie, and so timed that you reach that place before 
 12 m., August 30. At Aldie you will meet the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, 
 commanded by Major Horton, who will report to you. Assuming command of 
 the two regiments, you will move rapidly on Upperville and Middleburg, sur 
 prising any force of guerrillas lurking in that vicinity. The special object of 
 your scout is to destroy, as far as practicable, the sources from which Mosby 
 draws men, horses and support. To this end you will arrest and bring in all 
 males capable of bearing arms or conveying information, between the ages of 
 eighteen and fifty, excepting those mentioned in the enclosed list; impress all 
 wagons and bring them in loaded with forage; destroy all crops of hay, oats, 
 corn and wheat which you cannot bring in, and seize all horses. When horses 
 are taken from Union men, make memoranda to that effect, in order that the 
 horses may be identified or the owners indemnified. Collect all information 
 within reach of the movements of the enemy and embrace it in your report; any 
 which you may regard as of great importance should be sent in by a small 
 party of trusted men. Mosby s headquarters are reported as alternating between 
 the houses of Mr. Blackwell and Mr. Turner, near Upperville, Middleburg, and 
 their vicinity. On your return it is desired that you come in by the way of Falls 
 Church. After the rations you carry for men and animals are exhausted, 
 live on the country. Inclosed find memorandum for guidance in particular 
 cases. Report departure and effective strength. The necessary instructions 
 have been given Major Horton." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 223 
 
 brief communication from General Augur to General Sher 
 idan, September i, 1864: 
 
 " Major Waite has returned from Upperville, in the vicin 
 ity of Snicker s Gap ; reports no rebel forces in that vicinity 
 except Mosby s. He brought in 30 men and 30 horses, and 
 destroyed a good deal of property. No wagons can be 
 found to bring off supplies in any quantity." 
 
 Saturday, September 3. Command met at Rectortown. 
 Mosby divided his force, reserving the First Squadron for 
 himself, while the Second Squadron, under Capt. Wm. H. 
 Chapman, moved off through Ashby s Gap and halted for 
 the night near Shepherd s Mill. John Russell was sent on 
 a scout to Berryville, from which 
 place he returned before midnight 
 
 with the report that a heavy force j^^SStt^ 
 
 of Federal cavalry had passed 
 through Berryville, going towards 
 Front Royal. Chapman deter 
 mined to follow them up, not know 
 ing that the Federals had met with 
 a repulse and that Anderson with 
 Kershaw s division had driven them 
 back. 4 
 
 As Chapman approached the 
 pike a short distance above Berry- -.^f. 
 
 ville, he saw a cavalry skirmish line UUT w BEN pALMER> CQ 
 
 along the top Of a hill in hlS front. From a Painting made during the War. 
 
 The country was rolling and the 
 
 main body was completely shut out from view. Captains Wm. 
 
 H. and Samuel Chapman, with Company C, moved off to the 
 
 4 It was decided that Anderson must return to Winchester, and start for 
 the Blue Ridge again by a more southerly road, carrying him past the Union 
 left. Early therefore withdrew his whole army across the Opequon after a 
 spirited skirmish at Berryville, in which Torbert, returning from the left, was 
 involved Anderson s trains going first. The Eighth Corps had that morning 
 been ordered to fall back to Clifton ; and five days after, with Custer s and 
 Lowell s brigades of Merritt s division, it was sent across to Summit Point, to 
 assure the right flank and the communications with Harper s Ferry. Crook s 
 ambulance train, during these operations, was, in Sheridan s language, "at 
 tacked and badly stampeded by six of Mosby s Men." The Shenandoah Valley 
 in 1864. By George E. Pond. New York: Charles Scribner s Sons, 1883. 
 
22 4 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 right, iii order to see what force there was behind the hill, leav 
 ing Lieutenant Palmer, with Company E, in a little lane facing 
 the skirmishers. Captain Chapman told Lieutenant Palmer 
 to remain where he was and await orders, whilst he went off 
 some distance, but still keeping in sight. He soon sent back 
 Frank Angelo to Palmer with orders to charge the skirmish 
 line, as well as the regiment on the other side of the hill ; 
 that he (Chapman) would charge down the pike at the same 
 time. Palmer quickly led his men through the lane, at the 
 end of. which was a closed gate. He ordered Robt. Jarman 
 to get down and open the gate. As Jarman attempted to 
 swing back the gate he was killed by a shot from one of the 
 
 skirmishers in front. Palmer 
 then ordered Ben. I den to dis 
 mount and open the gate ; he 
 
 ^MH^^ met the same fate as Jarman. 
 
 j^HHlfl A third man was ordered to 
 
 ^RlMfe open the gate, but he hesitated. 
 
 H^:,-J5 As there was no time for delay, 
 
 Palmer sprang from his horse, 
 threw open the gate, and, 
 quickly remounting, led Com 
 pany E over the hill, driving in 
 the skirmish line and charging 
 the regiment, which proved to 
 be the Sixth New York. Cap 
 tain Chapman came ^up at the 
 same time with Company C, 
 and the Federals, who were 
 marching in a column of fours, 
 had no time to reform before 
 they were attacked. Their com 
 mander called out to his men : 
 
 " Fall back to the woods and we will give them hell there ! " 
 They retreated toward the woods and attempted to rally, 
 but Chapman and Palmer pushed them so hard that they 
 broke and fled in disorder. They were pursued for a mile, 
 having a number killed and wounded ; 30 prisoners and 38 
 horses, with equipments, were captured. Our loss was Jar- 
 
 LIEUT. FRANK. FOX, CO C. 
 
 Mortally wounded September 3, 1864, in a 
 
 fight with the Sixth New York Cavalry. 
 
 From a Photograph taken in the early 
 
 part of the War. 
 
MOSBV S KANCiKRS. 
 
 225 
 
 EDWARD (BUB) SHACKLETT. 
 
 CO. C. 
 From a war-time picture. 
 
 man and Iden, killed ; Lieut. Frank Fox and Clay Adams, 
 
 mortally wounded, and several 
 
 others slightly wounded. 
 
 Lieut. Frank Fox, of Fairfax, 
 
 was wounded in the arm and his 
 
 horse carried him into the ranks 
 
 of the enemy, where he was 
 
 taken prisoner and carried to 
 
 Harper s Ferry. His arm was 
 
 amputated, and he died some 
 
 days after at Sandy Hook. He 
 
 was not only a brave officer, but 
 
 his genial nature had won him 
 
 many friends His loss was 
 
 deeply felt by all. 
 
 Clay Adams, being deaf, was 
 
 exempt from military duty, but 
 
 he entered the service and 
 
 proved a brave and faithful soldier. He was shot through 
 
 the body and had his 
 lower limbs paralyzed. 
 John Russell and a few 
 companions went over 
 the river at night and 
 brought him to the 
 house of his father, at 
 Paris (near Ashby s 
 Gap), Avhere he lingered 
 for some months, when 
 death came to his relief. 
 General Torbert s 
 cavalry came in sight 
 before the fi^ht was 
 
 o 
 
 fairly over, but a few 
 shells from Anderson s 
 batteries sent them 
 scampering off. 
 
 We will now re 
 turn to Mosby. After 
 leaving Rectortown 
 
 MAJ.-GEN. ALLIED T. A. TUKuEKT. U.S.A. 
 
226 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 with tKe First Squadron, numbering about 90 men, he had 
 proceeded by way of Bloomfield to Snicker s Gap. A heavy 
 rain came up, which lasted all night, and, the road being 
 rough, we traveled slowlv and halted on the top of the 
 mountain, where we lay until daylight on the morning of the 
 4th, and then moved off to Myer s Ford, on the Shenandoah. 
 Mosby, with 15 men, crossed the river on a scout, leaving 
 the squadron, under Lieutenant Nelson, in a piece of woods 
 near the Ford. Captain Richards, taking a few men, also 
 crossed, but learning that a Federal scouting party was on 
 the east side of the river, he recrossed, and, taking Company 
 B, started in pursuit. He followed the trail until it crossed 
 our track of the previous night, when they turned and 
 crossed the river. Thinking the Federals had all returned to 
 the Valley, Richards sent back Company B to Nelson and 
 started off with 5 or 6 men on a scout toward Rippon. 
 
 i had been on picket at the Ford, and when relieved re 
 joined the command in the woods, took off my bridle, loos 
 ened the saddle girth, and, haltering my horse to a tree, with 
 a bunch of fodder before him, lay down to sleep beside him. 
 I did not imagine there was an enemy on our side of the 
 river and thought the only danger would be from the other 
 side, at the Ford, where I had been stationed, and of which 
 our pickets could give us ample warning. 
 
 I was suddenly awakened by the report of firearms and 
 saw our men rushing to their horses. Looking out into the 
 open ground from the woods, I saw Lieutenant Nelson, of 
 Company A, and Sergeant Horace Johnson, 5 of Company B, 
 rallying the men, while a body of Federal cavalry was charg 
 ing around the point of woods. For a second 1 hesitated 
 whether to mount my horse as he was or to put on the bridle, 
 but soon decided. Hastily putting on my bridle, I sprang into 
 the saddle^nd as I did so felt a crushing blow in my right side, 
 which for the moment deprived me of breath. The ball was 
 
 5 Horace Johnson first served in the Black Horse Cavalry, but afterwards 
 joined Mosby and was made Sergeant of Company B. He died at his resi 
 dence, near Remington, Virginia, on the 2Othof October, 1894, in the 73d year 
 of his age, and his body was borne to its last resting-place by his old comrades 
 of the Black Horse Cavalry. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 227 
 
 partly spent, and must have been fired by some one far in 
 the rear of a party who were then advancing through the 
 woods. It passed through my jacket and, striking the ribs, 
 glanced off. Wm. Walston, who was beside me, said : " Are 
 you much hurt?" Just at the time I could hot speak, but 
 after catching my breath, said: " I don t think it is much." 
 Looking around, I saw a body of our men running down hill 
 towards a gap in the fence, 
 closely followed by the enemy, 
 who were firing on them. 
 
 Seeing our men were com 
 pletely demoralized and flee 
 ing in all directions, our only 
 alternative was to get out as 
 best we could, so, both being 
 well mounted, we rode down 
 with a pack of blue coats at 
 our heels, and leaping the 
 fence to the left of the gap, 
 were soon making our way 
 across the field, while our pur 
 suers turned and rode through 
 the gap. This lengthened the 
 distance between us, yet they 
 kept on our track, yelling and 
 shooting. The bullets whis 
 tled sharply in our ears, but 
 this only urged our horses 
 to redoubled speed. " Hold 
 on to old Bob," said Walston, " and he will bring you out 
 all right." After we had cleared a second fence, our pur 
 suers again turning off to go through an opening, we felt 
 ourselves comparatively safe. 
 
 We afterwards learned the attacking party was Captain 
 Blazer s Independent Scouts. 6 He had been informed that 
 we were at the ford, and came upon us unawares. Lieu 
 tenant Nelson and a few men, who were first in their saddles, 
 
 WM. R. STONE, CO A. 
 
 Wounded at Myer s Ford, Sept 4, 1864. 
 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
 See Blazer s Reports in Appendix. 
 
228 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 met his advance and drove them back ; but he renewed his 
 assault, at the same time sending a party of dismounted men 
 through the woods with their seven-shooters to fire on our 
 men exposed in the open field. This, together with the 
 wounding of Lieutenant Nelson, who was in command, threw 
 us in such confusion that it was impossible to rally the men. 
 They gave way and scattered, each one to save himself as 
 best he could. Our loss was : McKim, who broke his neck ; 
 Mallory, mortally wounded ; Lieutenant Nelson, Com 
 pany A, and Frank M. Woolf, William S. Flynn, W. R. Stone, 
 F. M. Yates, wounded, and 5 captured, among them Geo. 
 Skinner and Richard Moran. Although the affair resulted in 
 favor of Blazer, his loss was, except in prisoners, as heavy 
 as our own. 
 
 William R. Stone was struck on the head with a carbine and 
 left for dead on the field. After recovering conscious 
 ness, he went off toward the river to wash the blood from his 
 face. On his way he met Yates, who was wounded and had 
 also been left for dead. As the two reached the river, they 
 found one of our men lying with his head resting on some 
 alders, which kept his face out of water, with his feet on the 
 bank. They pulled him out, and, making a rude litter, car 
 ried him to a house near by, where they left him and pro 
 ceeded to a place of safety. This will probably account for 
 three of our men among the list of killed reported by Blazer. 
 
 When Mosby reached the turnpike in Sheridan s rear, he 
 found trains and ambulances moving along with but fe\v 
 men to guard them, and, thinking it a good field to operate in, 
 sent Harry Heaton and Captain Kennon to Myer s Ford to 
 bring up Nelson with his squadron. In the meantime, conceal 
 ing his men in the woods, Mosby went out on the turnpike 
 with Joseph W. Owen to reconnoiter. On reaching the pike, 
 they saw two cavalrymen riding along toward them, who sur 
 rendered on demand. An ambulance was now observed com 
 ing down the pike, and Mosby, taking charge of the two 
 prisoners, told Owen to bring in the ambulance. On nearer 
 approach, Owen saw it was filled with infantry, their guns 
 resting between their knees. He rode back to Mosby, say 
 ing he thought they were too strong for him. " Try them," 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 22 9 
 
 said Mosby. Owen again rode out, whistling- one of the 
 airs then popular among the soldiers, and as they came up, 
 presented his pistol and called on them to surrender. They 
 appeared astonished and hesitated. 
 
 " Talk it out quick," said Owen, " or I will open on you." 
 
 A voice replied : " I surrender, sir." 
 
 " What do you all say in the wagon ? " asked Owen. 
 
 " We surrender ; we surrender," came a chorus of voices 
 from the inside. 
 
 Owen then told one man to get out, the others to hand 
 their guns out one at a time, and made the man bend them 
 over the stone fence and drop them on the other side, he 
 keeping the party covered with his pistol. 
 
 He then made the driver take the ambulance and 
 prisoners to the woods, where he told Mosby to take them 
 quickly ; that he saw another 
 
 ambulance about half a mile p - n 
 
 distant. As he had taken the 
 first so easily, it encouraged 
 him to attempt the capture 
 of the second. He rode up 
 laughing, as he called on 
 them to surrender, and they 
 seemed to regard it as a joke, 
 for they, too, laughed as they 
 gave up their arms and joined 
 their fellow prisoners. 
 
 There were 14 prisoners 
 in all, among them one 
 gaudily dressed lady, who 
 said she had married General 
 Banks Corps Commissary, 
 at Baton Rouge, La., six 
 months before. She was 
 much frightened, drew out 
 her purse, and told Owen to take all she had, if he would 
 only release her. 
 
 " I do not rob women," said Owen. 
 
 There was also a boy riding a cream-colored horse 
 
 JOSEPH W. OWEN, CO. B. 
 
 From a Photograph taken when a Member of 
 
 Mosby s Command. 
 
230 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 and carrying the United States mail, accompanying the 
 ambulance. 
 
 Mosby sent off his prisoners with the 2 ambulances and 7 
 captured horses under guard, in charge of Owen. In cross 
 ing the mountain, one of the ambulances upset, and one of 
 the prisoners broke his neck ; another escaped in the dark 
 ness. 
 
 Mosby s force was now reduced to 5 or 6 men. While wait 
 ing for the squadron to come up, a train of ambulances ap 
 proached. The temptation was too strong to resist, and 
 Mosby, with his few men, made a dash, which not only threw 
 the train into confusion, but also spread consternation in a 
 large train parked near by. While Mosby s men were in 
 dustriously unhitching teams, a body of Federal cavalry 
 came up, and Mosby was driven off, after securing 13 
 horses. 7 
 
 Captain Richards found the road in the neighborhood of 
 Rippon in the same unprotected condition that Mosby dis 
 covered lower down, and after capturing a few prisoners and 
 mules, trotted off to Myer s Ford to bring up Companies A 
 and B, but when, he reached the Shenandoah and learned of 
 Nelson s surprise, he returned to Fauquier. 
 
 7 SHERIDAN to HALLECK, Sept. 8th : "There is no truth in the newspaper 
 report of the loss of Crook s ambulance train. Only one ambulance was lost 
 and some 12 or 13 horses. The train was attacked and badly stampeded by 6 of 
 Mosby s men" 
 
 Brigadier-General WILSON to Captain RENO, Chief of Staff, Sept. 5, 1864 : 
 " I have investigated the matter of the stampede in the wagon train yesterday 
 and find the facts to be as follows : 
 
 " The train had been parked properly and the guards posted in the most ad 
 vantageous manner, when doctors, ambulance men and others from General 
 Crooks ambulance train, then a mile and a half nearer Kabletown, dashed into the 
 park of our train with the report that Mosby had taken their train or attacked it. 
 This spread through our train and before anything could be done the whole 
 thing was in confusion. It was, however, promptly suppressed and without 
 communicating it in any way to the troops. Captain Hull, commanding 
 Second New York, was prompt and vigorous; went to the assistance of General 
 .Crooks train and rescued 5 ambulances. Two wagons and 3 ambulances are 
 there yet deserted. The affair was disgraceful, but not to the troops or officers 
 in charge of the train, they having done all in their power to correct the evil." 
 
CHAPTER XVII. y 
 
 September, 1864 Company F Organized John Russell s Attempt to Capture General Sheridan 
 Mosby in Fairfax Enters Camp near Falls Church Mosby Again Wounded, but Brought 
 Out Safely Colonel Gansevoort s Report of his Scout in Search of Mosby General 
 Chapman s Raid Chapman vs. Chapman Skirmish in Snicker s Gap and Recapture 
 of Prisoners Captain William Chapman in the Valley With Lieutenant Fray, Ed. Hurst 
 and a Few Other Bold Rangers Makes a Series of Captures " Gobbles Up" a Squad of 
 Federal Officers and Gathers in Sutlers. 
 
 Tuesday, September 13 . Company F organized, at Pied 
 mont, by electing Walter E. Frankland, Captain ; Walter 
 Bowie, First Lieutenant; James F, Ames (Big, Yankee), 
 Second Lieutenant ; and Frank Turner, Third Lieutenant. 
 
 Captain Frankland in his reminiscences of his early days 
 with Mosby in Chapter II., has omitted to mention an inci 
 dent which occurred about April 5, 1863, when he, with 
 Tom Turner and W. L. Hunter, were surprised at Charles 
 Utterback s, near Warrenton. Turner attempted to fight 
 his way out, but was mortally wounded and carried to 
 Kinloch, the residence of his father, near The Plains, where 
 he died. Hunter and Frankland were captured and Carried 
 to General Davis s headquarters at Payne s farnv where 
 Frankland was compelled to "walk a circle " for hours be 
 cause he refused to betray Mosby. He was exchanged and 
 again captured within a month ; again exchanged and back 
 to his command and on duty all in less than three months. 
 
 In Company C, John S. Russell was elected Third Lieu 
 tenant to fill a vacancy. 
 
 Lieutenant Russell was not 21 years of age. He joined 
 the command when only 19, but having a thorough knowl 
 edge of the Valley section, had acted as guide and scout for 
 Mosby. He was bold and shrewd, and in the performance 
 of his duty had many exciting adventures and narrow 
 escapes. 
 
 On one occasion, when General Sheridan was at the house 
 of Haight Willis, in Jefferson County, Russell with 6 men, 
 well mounted, and a spare saddle horse, undertook to cap 
 ture the General. Sheridan was in the house with two of 
 
 231 
 
232 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 his officers, having a sentinel at the front gate and another 
 at the rear of the house. Russell s plan was to take the 
 sentinel quietly from his post, and then, while two of his 
 companions covered the two officers with their pistols, three 
 of the Rangers were to take Sheridan out, mount him on 
 the spare horse and ride off as quickly as possible. They 
 crept stealthily out of the thicket, but one of the men, being 
 too hasty, advanced on the soldier when he should have 
 waited until his back was turned, and was challenged. 
 When he attempted to seize the trooper s carbine the man 
 
 r-.T - ^, pulled the trigger and the report 
 ^^^ brought a score of cavalrymen of 
 
 Sheridan s escort to the scene and 
 Russell and his party scampered 
 off, with bullets whistling around 
 them. They were well acquainted 
 with the country, however, and 
 once under cover had no difficulty 
 in making their escape. 
 
 After the election, several de 
 tachments were sent out ; one, 
 under Lieutenant Russell, going to 
 the Valley, while Mosby took out a 
 party for a scout in Fairfax. 
 
 In the neighborhood of Falls 
 Church, Mosby thought to capture 
 a quartermaster s establishment. 
 
 While reconnoitering the camp with two men, he discovered 
 a butcher sleeping beside a beef he had killed. The man was 
 brought out, with his horse, in spite of his vigorous protest 
 against what he thought was a joke played on him by some of 
 the " funny boys " in camp. The camp being poorly guarded, 
 Mosby sent a party to bring out a number of horses, but 
 before this could be accomplished the camp was alarmed 
 and the attempt was abandoned. 1 Mosby then sent all the 
 
 1 LAZELLE to TAYLOR, Sept. isth ; " I omitted to state in last evening s report 
 that a party of 8 guerrillas had found its way night before last into the slaughter 
 yard attached to the brigade commissary department, carrying off with them 
 one man and one horse." 
 
 LIEUT. JOHN S. RUSSELL, 
 
 CO. C. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 233 
 
 men back to Fauquier, with the exception of Guy Broad- 
 water and Thomas Love. 
 
 The Thirteenth New York Cavalry was at this time re 
 turning from a scout to Aldie in search of Mosby, and 
 Colonel Gansevoort learning that Mosby was in the vicinity, 
 endeavored to intercept him on his way homeward. Mosby 
 and his two companions came upon five of the men who had 
 been selected for the duty of taking him. Mosby was rec 
 ognized by the Federal cavalrymen, being in full uniform, 
 as he always appeared when on duty, and made a shining 
 mark. Being within a few yards of each other, all fired at 
 the same time. One ball shattered the handle of Mosby s 
 pistol and another entered his groin. He was able to keep 
 his saddle and ride, with difficulty, until his companions pro 
 cured a light wagon to carry him off. Two horses belong 
 ing to the Federals were killed at the first fire and fell with 
 their riders under them. The other three Federals fled, 
 pursued by Love and Broadwater until they were called 
 back to assist their wounded commander. 2 
 
 Mosby was taken to The Plains, where he was kindly cared 
 for by the family of Major Foster until he could be removed 
 to Lynchburg. 3 
 
 2 LAZELLE to TAYLOR, Sept. 22d : " I herewith inclose an extract from the 
 report of Colonel Gansevoort, Thirteenth New York Cavalry, referring to a fight 
 between Mosby and a small party detached from his main column on the last 
 scout of the regiment. Not much confidence was placed in the report at the 
 time of its receipt, but I now consider it certain that Mosby was really wounded 
 in this fight in the groin and cheek, and I deem it just that the Thirteenth 
 Regiment should have the credit attached to the affair. Private Henry Smith, 
 of Company H, Thirteenth New York Cavalry, is the man who wounded him." 
 
 3 HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, 
 
 Near Falls Church, Va., Sept. 15th, 1864. 
 
 GANSEVOORT to LANSING : "I have the honor to report that according to 
 orders from headquarters cavalry brigade, a portion of the regiment, numbering 
 210 dismounted and 63 mounted men, including the brigade scouts, moved, 
 under my command, on scout on the night of the 8th of September, 1864. The 
 column crossed Fox Ford, on Difficult Run, on the morning of the gth of Sep 
 tember, after a march of 13 miles, in which vicinity it encamped. At night 
 fall of the gth of September it moved 12 miles to the vicinity of Coleman s, near 
 Horse Pen Run, and during the night of the loth of S -ptember bivouacked, 
 after a march of five miles, on the road to Good Hope Church, near Broad Run, 
 
234 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Thursday, September 75.-Gen. Geo. H. Chapman, with about 
 400 men of the Third Indiana and Eighth New York Cavalry, 
 raided along the Blue Ridge mountains from Snickersville 
 to Paris. On their route they killed sheep, poultry, etc., 
 and carried off a number of men and horses ; passing on 
 through to Upperville and back to Snickersville, where the 
 main body halted and a squadron of the Eighth New York 
 Cavalry, numbering about 60 men, was sent on ahead into 
 the Gap with prisoners and captured horses. 
 
 its farther progress being delayed by a severe storm. On the night of the nth 
 of September the column encamped beyond Red Hill, after a march of 10 
 miles, and reached one mile and a half of Aldie, at a covered point at the inter 
 section of the Aldie pike and the Carolina road, on the night of the I2th of 
 September. Here the command was concealed, and at daybreak of the i3th of 
 September the town was entered by the mounted men, the roads in the vicinity 
 having been ambuscaded during a portion of the night. Nothing was, how 
 ever, accomplished. Information having been gained that Mosby, with a force, 
 had gone down the Aldie pike the night of, but before, the arrival of the column 
 at Aldie, it was deemed best to move after him. The column reached Chantilly 
 after a march of 16 miles, and encamped on the night of the I4th, ambuscading 
 all the roads in the vicinity. 
 
 "On the morning of the I5th of September it resumed its march toward 
 Fairfax, all indications and reports of scouts kept on the Centreville road and 
 roads to left of the turnpike tending to show that Mosby, with a large force, 
 but in divided parties, was on the left of the turnpike and between Vienna and 
 Frying Pan. The scouts were driven from Flint Hill, but those at Fairfax re 
 ported that Mosby had been seen to pass through the Court House toward 
 Centreviile a short time previous, with two men. I dispatched 5 men to the 
 Centreville road, about 3 miles distant, to intercept the party, fearing that more 
 men might fail of an approach. Near Germantown 3 of this number returned 
 and reported a fight with Mosby, in which 2 of the men had lost their 
 horses and had taken to the woods, and that large parties of guerrillas were 
 now on the right. On the return of the other men it was definitely ascertained 
 that Mosby, or a person resembling him, had been wounded and had escaped. 
 Mosby had certainly been in vicinity of Fairfax just previous to the action and 
 had gone towards Centreville. People on the road had seen him, and from 
 the description of his person and recognition of his picture by parties engaged, 
 there seems to be some color for the report that he was in the action and was 
 wounded, as he or the person in question was seen, before riding off, to throw 
 up his hands and give signs of pain. This could be observed, as the action was 
 at very close quarters. I dispatched a squadron to the scene shortly after and 
 moved to Fairfax Court House, sending a party of 30 dismounted men through 
 Vienna to Lewinsville. The regiment reached camp at Falls Church after a 
 march that day of 15 miles from Chantilly." 
 > " During this scout the weather was almost constantly rainy, and violent 
 
MOSBY S 
 
 235 
 
 Capt. William H. Chapman, collecting about 40 men, 
 reached Upperville some hours after the Federals had left, 
 and cutting- across the mDuntains, attacked the party in the 
 Gap, killing and wounding a number, recapturing all the 
 
 BRIG.-GEN. GEORGE H. CHAPMAN AND STAFF. 
 From a War-time Picture. 
 
 prisoners and most of the horses, and also capturing 18 
 prisoners and 40 horses from the enemy. 
 
 When the main body at Snickersville heard the firing, 
 they hurried on to the scene of conflict, and Captain Chap 
 man drew off his men, bringing out all his captures safely. 
 
 storms prevented speedy movement which would perhaps have brought the 
 column to Aldie in time for some success, and prevented a movement towards 
 Middleburg and Rector s Cross-Roads, as intended. After th.2 third day the 
 men and horses subsisted on the country, as directed. Twelve horses were 
 taken from suspected rebel citizens, and all suspected houses searched on the 
 line of march." 
 
 i 
 
2 3 6 
 
 MOSBY s RANGERS. 
 
 He lost one man, Joseph Johnson, of Leesburg, killed, and 
 3 wounded. He also had 2 horses killed. 4 
 
 4 HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, 
 
 September 17th, 1864. 
 
 CHAPMAN to SIEBERT : " I have the honor to report that with 400 men of 
 this command, I started from this camp on the evening of the I5th instant at 
 10 o clock, on an expedition to Ashby s Gap for the purpose of developing what 
 force of the enemy were rendezvoused there or in that vicinity. Crossing the 
 Shenandoah River at the ford near Snicker s Gap, I there detached 55 men, 
 under Captain Compson, Eighth New York Cavalry, with instructions to pro- 
 peed up the river on this side the ridge and across the mountain into Ashby s 
 Gap, while with the ma,in"bpdy, I crossed through Snicker s Gap and proceeded 
 " along the eastern base of the mountain 
 
 BBMBBKgBII to Paris, which place I reached shortly 
 
 after sunrise. Soon after arriving at 
 Paris small parties of the enemy s 
 horsemen began to show themselves on 
 the surrounding heights, but at safe 
 distance, and they continued to watch 
 my movements during the day. Once 
 they charged upon my rear guard, but 
 were easily driven off. Returning, I 
 passed through Upperville and reached 
 Snickersville at 2 p. m., where, the 
 men being much fatigued, I ordered 
 an hour s halt, sending forward one 
 squadron of the Eighth New York, Cap 
 tain Bliss commanding, into the gap. 
 Captain Compson was also in the gap, 
 having crossed from Ashby s to Snicker s 
 Gap by a road on the mountain ridge. 
 About an hour had elapsed and the men 
 had mostly fallen asleep, when they were 
 suddenly charged upon by a force of 
 from 50 to 80 of the enemy, and, being 
 stampeded by the surprise, a number 
 were killed, wounded and captured before I reached the scene of the encounter 
 with the main body. They had approached the Gap across the mountains and 
 charged down an easy slope, and they retired by the same way, pursued for 
 two miles by my men. It was near sundown, and in the exhausted state of 
 men and horses I did not deem further pursuit expedient. 
 
 "Captain Compson had captured 12 of the enemy, but they were recaptured. 
 From citizens I ascertained that Mosby was wounded some time ago, and had 
 gone to Richmond. Judging from indications, I should estimate the force oper- 
 ing under Mosby and his colleague at from 200 to 250. If they have any en 
 campment it must be in the neighborhood and beyond Upperville." 
 
 ED. HURST, CO. A. 
 
 From a Photograph taken in the early part 
 of the War. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 237 
 
 Wednesday, September 21. Capt. William H. Chapman, 
 with Lieutenant Fray, Ed. Hurst-" and 5 others, went on 
 a scout to the Shenandoah Valley. On the Harper s Ferry 
 and Winchester road they saw a supply train with a heavy 
 guard, which they followed for some distance, picking up a 
 commissary and 2 cavalrymen. As night came on, they ap 
 proached a house, around which were a number of horses. 
 Leaving his men, Chapman went forward and inquired if he 
 could get accommodated for the night. He was told the 
 house was full, but that he might go to the stable yard, 
 where he would find an army wagon, and could probably 
 turn in with the driver. Chapman then went back and 
 brought up his men, sending Lieutenant Fray with 2 men to 
 the house, while he went with the others to the stable yard. 
 Lieutenant Fray discovered that the inmates had been 
 alarmed and had all left the house, so he rejoined Chapman. 
 While the mules were being taken from the wagon, a party 
 of Federal officers rode up, one of whom called out : 
 
 -Who is that?" 
 
 Chapman answered that one of the Sixth Corps wagons 
 had broken down ; and riding in among them with his men, 
 the officers, with one exception, were captured without any 
 resistance. The officers captured were Major Fry, of the 
 Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry ; Captain Brown and Lieu 
 tenants Stone and Pressy, of the First New Hampshire Cav 
 alry. Lieutenant Oilman, of the First New Hampshire, 
 made his escape in the darkness, and returned to Win 
 chester. 6 
 
 As Chapman was returning with his prisoners and cap 
 tures, he was halted by a sentinel on the roadside. He dis 
 covered that a Federal detachment with 2 sutlers wagons 
 had camped for the night, and as the sentinel was made 
 prisoner, the rest were " gobbled up " without difficulty. 
 The Federals, supposing that all of Chapman s party, in 
 eluding prisoners, were Confederates, thought themselves 
 
 5 Ed. Hurst was wounded seven times ; twice in one fight at Warrenton 
 Junction, May 3, 1863. 
 
 6 Lieutenant Mclntire, reporting this affair to Captain Barney, says : 
 " We reached General Sheridan s headquarters near Strasburg. September 21, 
 
238 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 outnumbered and that it was useless to resist ; while the 
 prisoners first captured were under the impression that 
 Chapman had carried them into a Confederate camp. Un 
 der cover of night, these little delusions were readily en 
 couraged and converted into practical helps by our daring 
 Rangers. Eighteen prisoners, together with 22 horses and 6 
 mules, were brought out by Chapman and his little party on 
 this occasion. 
 
 and turned over our command. The 
 Major said to us that an escort was 
 going on to Washington with the cap 
 tured colors, and we would return to 
 Winchester and there await its coming. 
 Major Fry, Captain Brown, Lieuten 
 ants Stone, Oilman, Mclntire and Pres- 
 sey returned to Winchester; I became 
 separated from the party in Winchester, 
 but saw the escort come into town, and 
 reported to the commanding officer. 
 He requested me to look my party up, 
 as he said they were to start in half an 
 hour. I tried to find them, but could 
 not. I find, on getting down to Har 
 per s Ferry, that Major Fry, Captain 
 N. H. Brown, Lieutenants F. P. Stone, 
 A. E. Oilman and Geo. H. Pressey, 
 hearing the escort had passed through 
 Winchester by the Martinsburg road, 
 galloped on (as they supposed) after 
 them, and about 5 miles from Win 
 chester were attacked by Mosby s men, fired upon, and all but Lieutenant Gil- 
 man killed or made prisoners; he escaped by returning to Winchester. It was 
 just dark as they started from Winchester. In looking for the party in the 
 morning, not knowing then what had become of them, although I heard a 
 rumor in Winchester that a party of officers were captured by some of Mosby s 
 men the night before, and also 2 sutlers wagons destroyed, I found myself 
 left by the escort, and came on to Harper s Ferry alone, unmolested, and 
 reported to General Stevenson. From Harper s Ferry I came with my horses 
 to Camp Stoneman ; found Lieutenant Gilman here." 
 
 W. F. LINTZ, CO. C. 
 
 From a Photograph taken after the War. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 September, 1864 Capt. Samuel Chapman in the Valley Fight near Chester Gap Death of a 
 Brave Federal Officer Six of " Mosby s Men " Murdered at Front Royal " Bob Ridley " 
 
 . % . and his Dutch Prisoner Capt. Win. H. Chapman s Fight with a Detachment of Seven 
 teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry Raiders at Piedmont Burning of Joe Blackwell s House, 
 "Mosby s Headquarters" Examining the Manassas Gap Railroad Raiding Parties 
 Searching for Mosby They take a Sick Man Out of Bed, Strip Him and Examine Him 
 for Wounds " Mosby s Men " in the Valley. 
 
 Thursday, September 22. Command met at Piedmont, and 
 Capt. Samuel Chapman with about 120 men proceeded to 
 the Valley with the intention of capturing a picket post of 
 the Sixth New York Cavalry, which was said to be stationed 
 in Chester Gap. Camping for the night a short distance 
 south of Front Royal, he learned that there was no picket 
 at the place named, and was also informed of the repulse of 
 the Federal cavalry by the Confederates. 
 
 Friday, September 23. Early in the morning Captain Chap 
 man, with a few men, went out to reconnoitre. Learning 
 ing that an ambulance train, with an escort of about 200 
 men, was moving down toward Front Royal, he determined 
 to attack it. 
 
 Dividing his command, he sent Captain Frankland, with 
 45 men, to attack the train guard in front, while he with the 
 other portion was to fall upon the- rear. From his position, 
 which was nearer than Frankland s to the approaching train, 
 Chapman could see the force following, and noting the 
 heavy body of cavalry advancing (which proved to be the 
 Reserve Brigade of Merritt s Cavalry Division returning 
 from their unsuccessful move on Milford), he ordered Lieu 
 tenant Hatcher to fall back with all speed in the direction 
 of Chester Gap, while he went around to Captain Frank- 
 land to prevent his making the attack. But before reach 
 ing him, Frankland had already charged the escort in front 
 and was driving them back on the ambulances. 
 
 " Call off your men ; you are attacking a brigade ! " said 
 Chapman, as he met Frankland. 
 
 239 
 
240 ICOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 u Why, Sam, we ve whipped them," returned Frankland, 
 as he reluctantly obeyed orders. 
 
 Alternately fighting and retreating, Chapman fell back 
 towards Chester Gap, the heavy mass of cavalry pressing 
 on all sides, as if to overwhelm the little band. A Federal 
 officer, Lieutenant McMaster, of the Second U. S. Cavalry, 
 with a small party, had approached by the Chester Gap 
 road, with the intention of cutting off some of our men 
 who were seeking to escape by crossing Hominy Hol 
 low, and as they made their appearance in our front, Lieu 
 tenant McMaster waving his sabre and urging his men 
 
 to follow, our men naturally sup 
 posed the enemy were seeking to 
 throw a force in our front, to cut off 
 
 \ 
 
 all avenues of retreat. As they wildly 
 rushed on, McMaster s horse w^as 
 killed and he, a brave, dashing fellow, 
 fell riddled with bullets from our 
 rough-riders, who rode over him in 
 mf their flight. Fifteen or 20, in all, 
 of the Federals were killed and 
 wounded. Two of Chapman s men 
 were wounded, and 6, Thomas 
 
 THOMAS E. ANDERSON, E. Anderson, Carter, William 
 
 Thomas Overby, Lucien Love, 
 
 One of the six Mosby s Men / . 
 
 Killed at Front Royal b y Henry C. Rhodes, and David L. 
 
 custer s command. Jones, were taken prisoners and 
 
 afterwards barbarously hung or shot by their captors in 
 
 retaliation for the death of the Federal officer (McMaster), 
 
 who, they alleged, was killed after he had surrendered. 
 
 Lieutenant McMaster was killed in the excitement of a 
 fight, by men who were seeking to escape from a superior 
 force, and who were fighting for their lives. It is hardly 
 possible at such a time to say whether he had an opportunity 
 of surrendering, for the affair was only of a few moments 
 duration. The 6 unarmed, defenseless men who were after 
 wards murdered were put to death in cool, calm moments 
 by men who had time to deliberate, and the act was sanc 
 tioned by the Federal officers in command. Three were 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 2 4 I 
 
 taken out and shot, while 2, Overby and Carter, were hanged 
 in sight of Front Royal, and a paper pinned on the breast 
 of one read: "Such is .the fate of all of Mosby s gang." 
 
 The sixth and the last victim was Henry C. Rhodes, a 
 boy of 17 years of age. He was dragged through the 
 streets of Front Royal between two cavalrymen, tied to 
 the rear straps of their saddles. A witness of the scene, 
 said the horses were walking fast and the boy could scarcely 
 keep up ; he was almost unconscious ; his head fell limp to 
 one side and his mouth was open. As he was taken through 
 the streets his old mother ran out and clasping her arms 
 around his neck, pleaded with all 
 the eloquence of a mother s love 
 that they would spare his life. 
 But, deaf to her entreaties, they 
 rudely unclasped her arms, and 
 pushing her roughly aside, carried 
 their prisoner outside of the town 
 and put him to death. 
 
 Some citizens afterwards brought 
 in his body on a wheelbarrow A 
 gentleman came out and spread a 
 sheet over the body and in that 
 way it was taken to his mother. 
 
 Mrs. Davis-Roy, writing of this 
 affair, says: "The dark day of 
 1864, is indelibly photographed on my memory. I have 
 often wished I could blot it out, for it clouded my child 
 hood. I saw my father appeal to the officer in command 
 in behalf of Mr. Overby and young Carter. While he 
 listened patiently, he would not yield ; and well do I remem 
 ber the picture: Overby, with head erect, defiant, and Carter 
 overcome and weeping ; and as they were marched off, the 
 band played a dirge Henry Rhodes s last moments were 
 mocked by strains of sweet music, as the soldiers marched 
 around and around their victim. The band played con 
 tinually on the spot, and many sleepless hearts mourned. 
 The song played over and over again, was Love Not, the 
 One that You Love May Die, one I can never hear now 
 without living over that night of agony." 
 
 WILLIAM THOMAS 
 OVERBY, CO. D. 
 
242 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Our men were much excited when they heard of this 
 outrage, and some of the more impulsive proposed retaliat 
 ing upon some prisoners then in our hands. The prisoners, 
 justly fearing an immediate resort to retaliatory measures, 
 entreated to be spared. The men agreed to wait until 
 Colonel Mosby returned, before acting in the matter, and 
 the prisoners were sent off to Richmond. 1 
 
 See * Front Royal Affair" in Appendix. 
 
 William Thomas Overby, was born in April, 1837, in Dinwiddie County, 
 Virginia. His parents moved to Coweta County, Georgia, At the breaking 
 out of the war he came out in one of the first companies, Company A, Seventh 
 Regiment Georgia Infantry. At the second battle of Manassas he was 
 wounded. When he was sufficiently recovered he joined Mosby s command; 
 he was a member of Company D. 
 
 CARTER. There were six men captured in the fight which took place be 
 tween a part of Mosby s command, under Captains Chapman and Frankland, 
 and the advance of the First Division Federal Cavalry. Those six defenceless 
 prisoners were taken out and brutally murdered four were shot to death and 
 two were hanged. We have the names of five of which there is not the slightest 
 doubt Anderson, Love, Rhodes, Overby and Jones. As to the sixth, to 
 whom the name of Carter has been given, I have made inquiry wherever I 
 thought there was a possibility of ascertaining any fact which might give a 
 clue to his identity, but have concluded this must always remain a mystery. 
 
 The following letter is of interest in this connection: 
 
 My dear Sir . Orange, Va., October 20, 1908. 
 
 Yours of the 24th received and cordially acknowledged. I have made 
 several unsuccessful attempts to have the error in the history of Mosby s com 
 mand corrected, in regard to one of the men slaughtered at Front Royal by 
 General Custer s orders, being named Carter. I belonged to Company D 
 (Montjoy s), and was within a few yards of Tom Anderson when his horse fell; 
 and soon after mine fell and threw me off, but Joe Millan, a member of my 
 company, took me out to a piece of woods where I got off and made my escape. 
 
 I was four days getting back across the mountains, and found my horse in 
 possession of one of our men at Capt. Bailey s, and then I heard the report 
 that I had been hung at Front Royal, which was very natural to suppose, as 
 my horse was found there and I was missing. I certainly was not hung at 
 Front Royal, as I am now living at Orange, Va., and am 62 years old. 
 
 Your old comrade, 
 
 THOMAS W. CARTER 
 
 1 In a letter written to Capt. Walter E Frankland, Thomas Moss of Alexan 
 dria makes mention of this affair as follows : 
 
 "I remember distinctly the charge and driving back the Yankees, and whilst 
 shooting the best I could, I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard these words: 
 For God s sake, come out from here! I can almost feel the touch and hear the 
 words now. On looking around I found it was you. There was not another one 
 of our comrades in view We passed through a small piece of woods and on 
 coming out to the opening I saw the main column of our boys passing through 
 a gap in the fence I went to the left and jumped the fence. Harry Hatcher 
 called out to form on the hill. He, with Fount. Beattie, Ab. Minor and myself 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 2 43 
 
 Among the "characters " in the Battalion was one Robert 
 VV. Eastham, familiarly known as * Bob Ridley." Of a rest 
 less, roving disposition, he was never idle. A fight or a 
 foot race, a fox hunt or a raid, were equally gratifying to 
 him. He would often start off with two or three compan 
 ions, and seldom returned without prisoners and horses. 
 
 On the day previous to the fight near Chester Gap he 
 was scouting in Custer s rear with Joseph Foy, John 
 Kirwin, Frank Kennerly and Joseph Griffin Near Guard 
 Hill they captured 2 couriers with dispatches for General 
 Custer. A little further on, they saw a Federal soldier rid- 
 
 fell in line. It was then that a regiment of the enemy came in between us and 
 our main body. We passed down the hill and came upon about 20 of the enemy 
 in charge of prisoners. We charged and routed the guards, and I was fortunate 
 
 in saving Beattie s life by shooting a man 
 who had his pistol within 12 inches of 
 Beattie. I then caught a horse, which I gave 
 to Overby, but before he could mount he was 
 captured. Beattie and I then ran down 
 the road a short distance and turned and 
 went up into a piece of pine woods. While 
 there the enemy sent out a picket of 40 
 men, who stopped just below where we 
 stood. Beattie told me to remain and 
 watch until he could collect some of our 
 men and capture the picket post befors 
 reinforcements could be sent from Front 
 Royal. I remained there nearly all day, 
 until after the enemy had left. I could see 
 there was something going on in Front 
 Royal and heard the shots, but did not learn 
 until afterwards the fate of our comrades. 1 
 Dr. R. C. Buck, of Orlean, Va., in reply 
 to my letter, wrote : 
 
 " I saw this fight, and from a distance 
 saw the killing of Rhodes, who was a friend 
 and playmate of mine. I saw Overby and 
 Carter just before they were hung. They 
 were taken by their captors to Petty s wagon 
 
 yard, and as I passed by them Gen. Custer and staff rode along the street. The 
 Yankees were taunting the poor fellows, who stood up proud and defiant and 
 apparently unmoved. I recollect the appearance of Overby; he was standing 
 with his hat and coat off, his wavy black hair floating in the breeze. I never 
 saw a finer specimen of manhood." 
 
 R. VV. EASTHAM, " BOB RIDLEY," 
 
 CO. D. 
 From a Photograph. 
 
244 MOSBYS RANGERS. 
 
 ing along with half of a sheep before him on his horse. 
 " Bob " suddenly started from behind a bush and presenting 
 his pistol, called on the man to surrender. He was a Dutch 
 man, and afterwards in relating the story of his capture to 
 one of our men, said : 
 
 " You see, der General he kill a sheep unt I put me half 
 on my horse, unt as I vash ride along a man he put a pistol 
 in my face unt he say : Surrender, you tarn Dutchman ! 
 Unt I say Yaas. Unt he make me gif up my gun, unt 
 my pistol, unt my sabre. Den I tells him der gooverment 
 sharge me for dem. But he would take dem. He only 
 laugh at me." 
 
 Returning on the Gooney Manor road toward Front 
 Royal, Eastham learned that a party of 37 Federal cavalry 
 had passed but a little while before. As he had been joined 
 by 4 troopers belonging to the Twelfth Virginia cavalry, 
 he left John Kirwin in charge of the 3 prisoners and started 
 in pursuit of the Federal cavalry. As soon as they came in 
 sight Eastham and his little party charged with a yell. In 
 the cloud of dust which enveloped them, the surprised and 
 startled Federals could form no estimate of the number of 
 their assailants, but naturally supposing the force superior to 
 their own, broke and ran at break-neck speed. At a turn in 
 the road one of the enemy s horses fell with its rider, and 
 Eastham being too near to stop, attempted to jump over the 
 prostrate horse and rider. As he did so, the horse started 
 to rise, and threw Eastham s horse down the bank, both 
 horse and rider being lamed in the fall. The pursuit was 
 continued for some distance. Eastham then returned to 
 Front Royal with the prisoners and 17 horses. 
 
 Sunday, September 25. Capt. William Chapman, with a 
 small party, returned to-day from a scout in the Valley, 
 bringing 23 prisoners and 27 horses. 
 
 They encountered a detachment of the Seventeenth Penn 
 sylvania Cavalry on the Valley turnpike, and after a sharp 
 little skirmish routed them completely. (See Appendix.) 
 
 Colonel Edwards, in his report, dated Sept. 24, says . "A detachment of 
 the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry were sent out on the Berryville turn- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 245 
 
 Monday, September 26. A force of about 500 Federal 
 cavalry from Fairfax, came up to-day as far as Piedmont. 
 They burned the house of Joseph Blackwell, near Piedmont, 
 with the barns and outhouses. The Federals had learned 
 that the house was used by Mosby as headquarters. Some 
 ammunition and equipments, including a uniform coat be 
 longing to Colonel Mosby, fell into their hands, and a quan 
 tity of arms and ammunition which was concealed in the 
 buildings, and some forage was destroyed. 
 
 This body of Federal cavalry came up as an escort to Mr. 
 Bartram, an engineer sent to make an examination of the 
 Manassas Gap railroad. 3 
 
 pike half a mile beyond the Opequon to ascertain whether any of our wounded 
 officers and men were, as reported, at that point. This party, consisting of 
 two commissioned officers and 50 men, were attacked by a band of the enemy s 
 guerrillas, numbering 150 or 200, and, although well disposed for a fight, com 
 pletely routed, but 4 of them having as yet reported. When the news of the 
 disaster reached this post, the entire regiment was at once dispatched to the 
 point where it occurred, the whole country was thoroughly scouted, 2 of our 
 own dead and i of the enemy s that fell in the engagement were discovered, 
 but no further information as to the whereabouts of the enemy or the further 
 extent of the loss could be ascertained, except that they saw a squad cutting 
 their way through and moving in the direction of Harper s Ferry. Mosby is 
 hovering around this vicinity with at least 400 men. Two hundred men of the 
 regiment of cavalry on duty at this post are new recruits, and, I think, with an 
 increase of force he could be probably either captured or used up." 
 
 Again, September 26th, he says : "The two commissioned officers who had 
 charge of the detachment of cavalry, reported in my communication of yester 
 day as having been attacked by the enemy, and 7 enlisted men have returned. 
 They were entirely cut off from their command and pursued as far as Charles- 
 town. There are now but 24 out of the detachment of 46 that are unaccounted 
 for." 
 
 3 HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH NEW Y-lRK CAVALRY, \ 
 
 Near Falls Church, Va., September 28, 186 J^. J 
 
 GANSEVOORT to LANSING : " I have the honor to state that the escort of 500 
 men under my command moved on the evening of the 24th of September 
 through Centreville, and thence through Thoroughfare Gap, striking and fol 
 lowing the line of the Manassas Gap Railroad through Rectortown to Pied 
 mont. Near Piedmont the house of Joseph Blackwell was burned, as directed, 
 together with the barns and extensive outhouses. A large quantity of amuni- 
 tion, artillery harness and equipments was destroyed, including a large quan 
 tity of pistols and carbines, which were concealed from search in the house and 
 whose destruction was only known by their reports. This evidently was Col. 
 Mosby s arsenal and headquarters, as was shown by some articles of clothing 
 
246 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The news of the wounding of Mosby having by this time 
 reached the Federal lines, raiding parties were sent through 
 the country hoping to capture him. 4 
 
 Friday, Sept. 30. A party of 75 Federal cavalry, supposed 
 to be Blazer s scouts, entered Upperville before sunrise and 
 searched the town for Mosby, whom they understood was 
 lying wounded in that place. They compelled one man, 
 Turner Holmes, who was lying sick in bed, to get up and 
 strip, and examined him for wounds. They carried off 4 
 horses, but no men, although there were several in town at 
 the time. 5 
 
 and equipments. Near this point, having heard the condition of the railroad 
 beyond Piedmont, the engineer, to whose wishes by order I was subordinate, 
 stated that he had sufficient information and desired to return as soon as possi 
 ble in order to make his report. Having ascertained by moving in close prox 
 imity to Manassas Gap that there was no regular force, if any, in the Gap, I 
 pursued the enemy by a detachment a mile beyond Piedmont and returned by 
 the way of Middleburg and Aldie to this camp. The railroad was found to be 
 in good repair, except the growth of grass on track to Piedmont ; beyond it 
 was ascertained to be torn up and in need of repair. Nothing of interest oc 
 curred en route excepting frequent skirmishes with and charges on the enemy. 
 I desire to mention Lieutenant Farrell, Sixteenth New York Cavalry, for his con 
 duct in charge of the rear guard near RectortOwn. There are conflicting reports 
 regarding Colonel Mosby some stating that he is dead ; all that he is severely 
 wounded and below Charlottesville, Va." 
 
 4 General Stevenson, in a dispatch to Secretary Stanton, September 28th, says: 
 " If a cavalry force could be sent from Washington with speed to Upperville, 
 
 Mosby could be captured. I have information that I consider reliable that he 
 is in a house in Upperville, too badly wounded to be moved ; that the report of 
 his being sent to Richmond is false, intended to divert attention. If I had 
 a force of cavalry "to use I should send them at once. All my cavalry is 
 compelled to go to front escorting supplies." 
 
 5 The following dispatch from Stevenson to Stanton, dated September 2yth, 
 shows how actively our scouting parties were at that time operating in 
 Sheridan s rear : 
 
 " Both of my last courier parties were attacked by rebel cavalry ; dispersed 
 part of them, capturing the first party at Strasburg, the second at a point 
 between Charlestown and Bunker Hill. Message No. 31 was sent by both 
 parties, and both have failed. I shall try another duplicate to-night. The 
 country between this and Sheridan yesterday and to-day seemed to be alive 
 with parties of rebel guerrillas and cavalry. Last night they attacked ambulances, 
 with escort of 17 men, between this and Charlestown ; severely wounded 
 surgeon of Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry. I doubt if we shall be able to get any 
 dispatches thiough without sending much larger body of cavalry than I can get 
 hold of. I have but small force for such duty, and it is badly worn down." 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 October, 1864 Attempt to Reconstruct the ManassasGap Railroad" First Completely Clean Out 
 Mosby " Mosby Returns to his Command, though not Entirely Recovered from his 
 Wounds Pushing Forward Federal Troops on the Railroad Fight at Salem and Flight 
 of Federals to Rectortown Lieutenant Grogan Captures Picket at Rectortown Shelling 
 Camps Driving Back Trains Tearing up and Destroying Tracks as Fast as Relaid 
 General Augur Arrives on the Scene Heavy Force of Cavalry to Reinforce the Federal 
 Infantry Death of Lieutenant Ames (Big Yankee) Capture of Courier and Escort with 
 Dispatches in Ashby s Gap Death of Lieutenant Bowie Mosby Still Annoys the 
 Enemy Road in Working Order to Piedmont, but Very Slow Work Trains Thrown 
 Off the Track Attacks on Foraging Parties Mosby Narrowly Escapes Capture. 
 
 Sheridan, in moving up the Valley, felt that it was im 
 possible to keep open his line of communication and main 
 tain his supplies. Writing- Grant from near New Market, 
 he says: 
 
 " I am now 80 miles from Martinsburg and find it exceed 
 ingly difficult to supply this army." 
 
 On the 22d of September General Grant wrote to General 
 Halleck : 
 
 " Will it not be practicable to open in a short time the 
 railroad from Washington to Strasburg?" 
 
 To this General Halleck replied, September 23 : 
 
 " I now learn that the Manassas Gap Railroad can be 
 put in running order to Piedmont, 16 miles from Front 
 Royal, in 3 days. From there to Front R.oyal all the iron 
 of the track has been carried away, and it will require about a 
 week to replace it. From Front Royal to Strasburg all the 
 bridges, which are very long, have been destroyed and the 
 rails removed ; but it is thought that Front Royal will serve 
 all the purpose for the defense of the Valley that Strasburg 
 would, a pontoon bridge being established across the river 
 at that place. Before any decision is arrived at in regard to 
 the location of a depot, a competent engineer officer should 
 be sent to examine the relative merits of Front Royal and 
 Strasburg." 
 
 General Halleck accordingly directed General Augur to 
 furnish 
 
 " a sufficient cavalry escort to accompany the engineer 
 officer who has been directed to examine the Manassas Gap 
 Railroad." 
 
248 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Colonel Lazelle says, September 23 : 
 
 " I have communicated with the engineer sent and have 
 informed him that in my opinion it would be extremely haz 
 ardous to send a force of 350 men farther than the vicinity 
 of Piedmont." 
 
 General Augur then wrote Lazelle : 
 
 " Send the escort, and make it as strong as you deem 
 necessary." 
 
 Lazelle thereupon issued orders to Colonel Gansevoort 
 
 " to proceed with the escort of 500 men under your com 
 mand to escort Mr. Bartram, the engineer sent to make an 
 examination of the Manassas Gap Railroad." 
 
 General Meigs to General Grant, September 27 : 
 
 " We wait military protection to open the Manassas Gap 
 Railroad. Reports of time needed say 3 days to Piedmont, 
 7 days to Front Royal, 14 days to Strasburg." 
 
 Grant to Halleck, October 2 : 
 
 " Please direct the construction party at work on the rail 
 road to open the road to Front Royal." 
 
 Grant to Sheridan, October 3 : 
 
 " I will direct the railroad to be pushed toward Front 
 Royal, so that you may send your troops back that way." 
 
 Troops were then moved forward on the railroad, as will 
 be seen by the following : 
 
 General Slough to Taylor, October 3 : 
 
 " Colonel Gallupe telegraphs me from Manassas this even 
 ing that the Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery is at Gaines 
 ville ; that he will advance it 17 miles to-morrow, and move 
 the Two Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Vol 
 unteers to Gainesville. Had I not better move to-morrow 
 the 6 companies of the Two Hundred and First Regiment 
 to Manassas Junction ? " 
 
 General Augur to Colonel Gansevoort, October 3 : 
 
 " You will prepare one company of your regiment at once 
 for detached service, and send it to Alexandria, to reach that 
 point by 10 a. m. to-morrow. On his arrival there the com 
 manding officer will draw ten days rations of subsistence 
 and forage for his command, and take the cars to the front, 
 to join the Construction Corps on the Manassas Gap Rail- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 249 
 
 road. This company is to act as couriers between the tele- 
 
 fraph office with the Construction Corps and Major-General 
 heridan s headquarters. You will, therefore, select the 
 company whose commanding officer and men are most reli 
 able, and who are best fitted for this very important duty." 
 
 In all this preparation to reconstruct the Manassas Gap 
 Railroad (which had been destroyed by Stonewall Jackson) 
 and thus open communication between the army of Sheridan 
 in the Shenandoah Valley and the Army of the Potomac by 
 way of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, Mosby was 
 not forgotten. Kalleck to Grant, October 4, says : 
 
 " In order to keep up com 
 munication on this line to 
 Manassas Gap and the Shen 
 andoah Valley it will be 
 necessary to send South all 
 rebel inhabitants between 
 that line and the Poi.omac, 
 and also to completely clean 
 out Mosby s gang of robbers 
 who have so long infested tJiat 
 district of country, and I 
 respectfully suggest that 
 Sheridan s cavalry should be 
 required to accomplish this 
 object before it is sent else 
 where. The two small regi 
 ments under General Augur 
 have been so often cut up by 
 Mosby s band that they arc 
 cowed and useless for that pur 
 pose." 
 
 General Stevenson pro 
 posed using Cole s cavalry 
 for their destruction, and wrote from Harper s Ferry to 
 General Halleck : 
 
 " There is a body of about 400 guerrillas ( Mosby s and 
 White s bands) infesting the country around Berryville, and 
 between Bunker Hill and Winchester, cutting off small par 
 ties and threatening our trains. I have here (dismounted) 
 the First Maryland Cavalry. They are about 500 strong. 
 They are good men, and as I have placed their worthless 
 colonel in Coventry, I think if they were armed with Spen 
 cer rifles or carbines, well mounted, and make these guerrillas 
 
 BRIG.-GEN JOHN D. STEVENSON. 
 District of Harper s Ferry. 
 
250 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 their specialty, we could effectually destroy them. The 
 men were all raised in this vicinity, are familiar with the 
 country, and are the right troops for such service." 
 
 In the latter part of September, Mosby returned to Fau- 
 quier, although not entirely recovered from his wounds and 
 still compelled to use crutches. He ordered a meeting of 
 the command at Piedmont, intending to strike Sheridan in 
 the Valley, but on learning of the advance of a body of Fed 
 eral troops from Fairfax, he sent out scouts and on Monday, 
 October 3, 1864, started from Piedmont with about 300 men 
 and two pieces of artillery, marching by way of Plains to 
 Thoroughfare Gap in the Bull Run Mountains. We passed 
 through Thoroughfare Gap a little after dark. A sharp 
 firing in our front soon warned us of the presence of the 
 enemy. We turned off to the left and moved along, hug 
 ging the mountain, until we reached Craven Kings, where 
 we halted for the night. Our scouts reported that they had 
 been fired on near Gainesville by Federal infantry advancing 
 along the railroad towards the Gap. 
 
 Tuesday, October 4- Moved off early towards the railroad, 
 where we found a construction train, with infantry and cav 
 alry guard. 1 The infantry opened fire on us and continued 
 firing on our rear as we fell, back, crossing the Bull Run 
 mountains at Hopewell Gap, and camped at Blackwell s, 
 near Piedmont. 
 
 Wednesday, October 5. With about 200 men, Mosby ad 
 vanced on Salem. 3 Placing his two howitzers in position on 
 Stevenson s Hill, a little south of Salem and overlooking the 
 Federal camp, he opened fire on it, our sharpshooters at 
 
 1 General SLOUGH to General AUGUR, Oct. 4 : " Colonel Gallupe telegraphs 
 me that the train guard has been fired into by about 200 of the enemy about two 
 miles east of Gainesville. No particulars received. The cavalry company has 
 arrived, forty strong, in command of First Lieut. H. F. -Pugh, Company E, 
 Thirteenth New York Cavalry." 
 
 2 Colonel Gallupe telegraphs General Slough, October 5th: "The T\vo 
 hundred and first Pennsylvania is at Manassas Junction and Gainesville, 3 com 
 panies at each place ; 2 companies Two hundred and second Pennsylvania at 
 Thoroughfare Gap, 8 companies at Plains ; I battalion Fifth Pennsylvania 
 Heavy Artillery at Salem, one between Salem and Rectortown, and one at Rec- 
 tortown ; the cavalry with the telegraph construction train." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 251 
 
 the same time being pushed forward. Our guns no sooner 
 Dpened fire than the Federals left their camp and fled to 
 wards Rectortown, leaving behind their tents and camp 
 equipage. In possession of the camp, our men took what 
 they wished and set fire to and destroyed the remainder. 
 Men were put to work tearing up the railroad and undoing 
 the labors of the construction party. 3 
 
 Our First Squadron, about 80 men, was ordered to follow 
 on after the retreating Federals. Their trail was easily fol 
 lowed, for as they tied they threw away everything likely to 
 inpede their flight clothing, arms and ammunition, and 
 equipments. In the pursuit 40 prisoners, including 2 lieu 
 tenants, were captured. Coming to a turn in the road near 
 Rectortown, we found the infantry drawn up inline. They 
 opened a brisk fire as we dashed forward, but Mosby called 
 out : u Come back, men ; come back ! " Before the order 
 was obeyed we had two men shot, Ed. Anderson and Stinson. 
 
 When the Federals found they had checked Mosby s ad 
 vance, they again started at a double quick and never halted 
 until they joined their forces with those at Rectortown. 4 
 
 At night we bivouacked between Rectortown and Salem. 
 
 Colonel Mosby ordered Lieutenant Grogan to go to Rec 
 tortown to ascertain if the infantry had halted there or had 
 fallen back beyond that point. Grogan approached the rail- 
 Mt 
 
 3 Chaffin s Bluff, Oct. 9, 186$. 
 
 General LEE to Secretary SEDDON : " Colonel Mosby reports that a body of 
 about 1,000 of the enemy advanced up the Manassas road on the 4th with trains 
 of cars loaded with railroad material and occupied Salem and Rectortown. He 
 attacked them at Salem, defeating them, capturing 50 prisoners, all their 
 baggage, camp equipage, stores, etc., and killed and wounded a considerable 
 number. His loss, 2 wounded. Enemy is entrenched at Rectortown with 2 
 long trains of cars. The railroad is torn up and bridges burned in their rear 
 and all communications cut. 
 
 4 General SLOUGH to Headquarters, Washington, Oct. 6 : "A telegram 
 from Colonel Gallupe, just received, announces an attack of the enemy, with 
 over 400 men and 2 pieces of artillery, near Salem. The account is so con 
 fused that it is hard to tell the result. His communication with his command 
 beyond is cut. He has 800 men with him. He asks for artillery and cavalry. 
 I have instructed him to hold his position, if possible ; if not, to fall back in the 
 direction of Manassas Junction. A later dispatch, just received, announces 
 that cannonading is now going on. What shall I do ?" 
 
252 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 road station through a tract of woodland, dismounted, tied his 
 horse to a tree, and in advancing on foot up the hill near the 
 station, saw in the darkness (it was raining slightly) shown 
 in relief against the sky to his left, an object so motionless 
 that he thought it was a high-cut stump or a dead tree. 
 Keeping his eyes fixed upon this object, he cautiously ad 
 vanced, when to his surprise a sentinel stepped from beneath 
 a small tree on his right and approaching, said : 
 
 " Is that you, Captain ? " 
 
 Grogan was startled, but instantly recovering his presence 
 of mind, said : 
 
 61 Yes. Why are you not walking your beat, sir? " 
 
 Drawing his revolver, Grogan thrust it in the face of the 
 
 THOROUGHFARE GAP. 
 
 astonished sentinel, saying : " One word and you are a dead 
 man. Put down your gun, sir." 
 
 Taking the man by the arm, he led him off, telling him 
 Mosby had him. The man was frightened and became so 
 unsteady in his gait that Grogan asked him if he had been 
 drinking. He recovered his speech sufficiently to answer 
 " No." Going to the place where he had left his horse, 
 Grogan took his prisoner to Glen Welby and delivered him 
 to Colonel Mosby, who questioned him and obtained the de 
 sired information from him. 
 
MUSHY s UAXG::RS. 
 
 253 
 
 As all were weary after the day s work, they slept to 
 gether in a hay loft. The only order given the prisoner 
 was to go to sleep and not turn over once in the night ; that 
 if he did, he would get a ball through him. It is supposed 
 he obeyed this injunction to the letter. If he did not, no 
 one knew it, for all slept soundly, and in the morning the 
 prisoner had to be 
 aroused to take his 
 departure with the 
 rest of the party. 
 
 Thursday, October 
 6. We moved on 
 to Salem. A gun 
 was placed on a hill 
 to command the 
 railroad, and men 
 were set to work 
 destroying the 
 track. A train at 
 tempted to come 
 up from the Plains, 
 but was driven 
 back. A second 
 attempt was made, 
 and as the train 
 drew near, the in 
 fantry left it and 
 formed along the 
 edge of a body of 
 woods, their glit 
 tering bayonets 
 glancing in the sun. Our shell falling short, the gun was 
 brought closer and we were formed near the edge of the 
 town to support the gun. The infantry then boarded the 
 train and hurried off. 
 
 We now moved off to Rectortown, where the Federals 
 had entrenched themselves, opened fire on their camp with 
 rifle piece and howitzer, and shelled them until evening. We 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL C. C. AUGUR, U. S. VOLS. 
 Commanding Department of Washington. 
 
254 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 were then dismissed, to meet the next morning at Black- 
 well s, near Piedmont. 5 
 
 Friday, October 7. The command met at Blackwell s and 
 moved off toward Rectortown with 4 guns. We still kept 
 up the work of shelling and driving back trains ; tearing up 
 and demolishing the track as fast as it was relaid, and an 
 noying the invading force by every means at our command. 
 The main body of the Federals took up its line of march 
 toward Salem. We followed, harassing them as they 
 marched, until they reached Salem, when they took up a 
 strong position on Stevenson s Hill, from which it was im 
 possible to dislodge them. We had one sharpshooter 
 wounded and the firing was at times quite brisk. 
 
 General Augur to-day arrived at the Plains, where he 
 awaited his cavalry. 6 
 
 Saturday, October 8. The infantry here were now rein- 
 
 5 Manassas Junction, Oct 6, 1864. 
 
 McCRiCKETT to McCALLUM : " Rebel force on the Gap Road at Salem, be 
 tween us and construction corps. All the material forwarded since yesterday 
 morning is still this side of Plains. Have just returned here from Plains, where 
 I saw Colonel Gailupe with 600 men, who was compelled to fall back from Sa 
 lem and intrench at Plains. He ordered all trains to be sent this side of 
 Thoroughfare Gap or to Manassas. Four succeeded in reaching here, and one 
 engine and three cars are now on the way between the Gap and Manassas. It 
 is just reported that engine Grapeshot and 12 cars of railroad material are 
 a perfect wreck at Thoroughfare Gap. Report says the track was blown up, 
 but I think the train ran off the switch. The construction corps is out of mate 
 rial. Colonel Gailupe says he will endeavor to advance early in the morning, 
 but he will take the pike road. This course will not assist us much, as the rebel 
 fore 2 at Salem is supposed to have destroyed the track. A strong force should 
 advance on the railr >ad and hold Salem until a connection is made with the con 
 struction corps. My first endeavor will be to clear the track at Thoroughfare 
 Gap." 
 
 6 AUGUR to WAITE (Muddy Branch) Oct. 6 : " Collect all your cavalry as 
 soon as possible, leaving only a guard to protect your camp, and proceed with 
 it to Middleburg and thence to Rectortown, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, 
 where I will meet you. It is possible you may have to fight Mosby on the roa d 
 about Middleburg. Be prepared for him. Be in haste." 
 
 AUGUR (Plains) to HALLECK, Oct. 7 : "I arrived here at 7 this morning. 
 The telegraph is just completed to this point. Mosby had possession of 
 Salem for a while, and is said to have destroyed a good deal of the track there. 
 The construction train is now at Rectortown, with the Fifth Pennsylvania 
 Heavy Artillery, well protected. It is said Mosby shelled them a while last 
 night. Nothing is heard of him this morning. I have sent 5 co-r.panies 
 
. MOSBV S RANGERS. 255 
 
 forced by a strong force of cavalry, 7 and Mosby had to 
 operate with more caution. The artillery was concealed in 
 the mountains. Captain Chapman, with a portion of the 
 command, was sent to operate south of the railroad ; Capt. 
 A. E. Richards crossed over into the Shenandoah Valley, 
 while Mosby himself, with another portion of the command r 
 kept on the north of the railroad. 
 
 Sunday, October 9.- As one of our men was riding along 
 the road near Piedmont, he saw a Federal soldier robbing 
 the body of a dead Confederate. Levelling his pistol he 
 fired, mortally wounding the Federal. Then riding up, he 
 discovered the Confederate to be Lieutenant Ames of Com 
 pany F, familiarly known as " Big Yankee," from his having 
 deserted from the Fifth New York Cavalry. He had long 
 been a brave and faithful follower of Mosby. His death 
 was regretted by all, as he was a universal favorite with the 
 command. He was buried close to the spot where he met 
 his death. 
 
 A lieutenant with an escort of 16 men from the Second 
 Ohio Cavalry, carrying dispatches to Winchester, arrived 
 in Upperville this morning. John Thomas, C. A. Fox, John 
 Hern, Jas. Keith and a few others were sent in pursuit and 
 overtook the party in Ashby s Gap near the toll-gate. In 
 the encounter, 9 of the Federals and 1 6 horses were captured. 
 The remaining 7 fled to the mountains, but before night all 
 
 from here to Salem, and requested the construction train to return there and re 
 pair the road. There is a large and heavy train off the track at Thoroughfare 
 Gap, which will not be cleared away before this afternoon so that trains can 
 pass. As soon as the cavalry arrives, all will be well here. 
 
 7 RAYMOND to AUGUR, Oct. 7: " Major Ludlam reports that at noon to 
 day he will move with 7 companies of Eighth Illinois Cavalry to Rectortown, 
 via Middleburg." 
 
 LAZELLE to TAYLOR, Oct. 7: "Colonel Gansevoort left Alexandria this 
 morning with 625 men, for Rectortown." 
 
 McCRiCKETT, Superintendant, to General McCAUUM, Oct. 7: "The 
 wreck at Thoroughfare Gap is clear and track repaired, and three trains have 
 arrived at Plains. It is reported that considerable track is destroyed between 
 Salem and Rectortown. Colonel Gallupe, commanding at Plains, has sent 
 word to Mr. Wentz of the condition of the road at Salem. 800 cavalrymen, 
 with horses, etc., have been forwarded from here by train since 9 a. m. I 
 -expect to have 1,200 on the way before dark, and one traia railroad material." 
 
256 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 came into Paris and gave themselves up. The dispatches, 
 which were in cipher, were sent to Richmond. 
 
 Lieut. Walter Bowie, of Company F, a Marylander, with 
 Jas. G. Wiltshire, Charles Vest, - Ratcliffe, George Smith, 
 G. M. O Bannon, Haney and J. Randolph, made a daring 
 little scout through Maryland. They crossed the Potomac 
 at Matthias Point, and going to Port Tobacco, captured 
 17 Federal soldiers and 8 horses. Paroling the prisoners, 
 they took the horses and went to the vicinity of Annapolis, 
 which place Bowie entered and rode through the streets. 
 From thence they went to Sandy Springs, two miles from 
 
 Rockville. While in a thick body 
 of pines feeding their horses, they 
 heard voices outside saying : 
 " They re in here," and found they 
 had been tracked by a citizen, with 
 a party of cavalry. Leaving their 
 horses, they charged out on foot, 
 firing as they came out. The Fed- 
 erals fled. Bowie, mounting his 
 horse, started off in pursuit before 
 -yX the others could get their horses. 
 
 Two shots were heard and when 
 his comrades got out on the road 
 
 LIEUT. WALTER BOWIE, ^ ^ Bowie lying Qn the 
 
 From a war-time Photograph. ground, a ball haying struck him 
 
 near the eye, passing out the back 
 
 of his head. He was taken to a house near by, where he 
 soon died. His brother, who had joined the party en route, 
 remained with him. After the death of Bowie, his compan 
 ions crossed the Potomac at Cheek s Ford, and soon were 
 safe in " Mosby s Confederacy." (See Appendix.) 
 
 On the loth of October, 50 prisoners, chiefly infantry, 
 which had been picked up in small parties along the Ma- 
 nassas Gap Railroad, were sent South. 
 
 By this time trains were running to Piedmont, and this 
 was as far as the Federals succeeded in running their trains. 
 At Piedmont the road crosses Goose Creek, which is here 
 *~uite a stream and required a bridge, which was never built. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 257 
 
 i 
 
 Mosby still continued to annoy the Federals along the road. 
 The cars were compelled to run at a very low rate of speed, 
 as it was feared Mosby, 
 by some strategy, would 
 throw them off the 
 track. The trains were 
 sometimes escorted by 
 infantry guards, who 
 walked by the side of 
 the cars. With all of 
 these precautions, mis 
 haps would often occur. 
 On the morning of Oc 
 tober loth, Lieutenant 
 Glascock, with a small 
 party, displaced a few 
 rails and lay in wait for 
 a train. It came slowly 
 along and was allowed 
 to pass ; then a volley 
 was fired into the rear 
 of it. The engineer im 
 mediately put on steam, 
 running ahead to escape, 
 when a general smash- 
 up was the consequence. A number of Federal officers were 
 on the train, some of whom were killed. Four Confederate 
 prisoners were on the train and in the confusion escaped, all 
 unhurt except William Fred, who had his arm broken. 6 
 
 8 AuGUR to HALLECK, Oct. 10 : "I have just learned that a rail was taken up 
 about a mile this side of Plains, and a return train from here run off the track, 
 and then fired upon by men concealed in a thicket on the side. I have not 
 learned the amount of damage done. Simply patrolling the track and guarding 
 the bridges is not going to be sufficient on this road ; it must be literally guarded 
 the whole way. I am sending back a battalion of cavalry to remain in the 
 vicinity of Plains and thoroughly search the vicinity of track." 
 
 SLOUGH to Headquarters, Washington, Oct. 10 : "The rebels displaced a 
 rail a short distance beyond White Plains this morning, throwing a train off the 
 track ; they then fired into it. Mr. McCrickett, assistant superintendent of the 
 railroad, and several others, are reported killed." 
 
 PHILIP B. EASTHAM, CO. B. 
 
258 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 A party of about 100 Federal cavalry went to the farm 
 of Major Richard H. Carter, " Glen Welby," about 2 miles 
 from Salem, for the purpose of getting- hay. As they were 
 leaving, each man mounted with a bundle of hay piled up 
 before him, Lieutenant Grogan with about 20 men suddenly 
 charged them in a narrow lane, killing one and wounding a 
 number, besides capturing 10 horses. The Federals were 
 taken by surprise and burdened with their plunder, fled, 
 scattering their hay as they ran. 
 
 On the following day Mosby had a narrow escape. While 
 in the woods near the Plains with Montjoy s company, he 
 rode out with 13 men in sight of a Federal camp. A body 
 of about 50 cavalry started out in pursuit, but instead of 
 charging, they dismounted and took up a position behind a 
 stone fence, to fight at long range. Mosby then sent for 
 Montjoy, and fell back to the woods to draw the enemy out. 
 The Federals followed, thinking he was retreating. Mosby 
 then turned and charged them, when they, no doubt fearing 
 an ambuscade, wheeled and fled. A Federal cavalryman, 
 whom Mosby had passed in the chase, shot his horse and 
 the animal fell, pinning Mosby to the ground in the midst of 
 his enemies. Seeing his situation his men hastened to release 
 him and he came out safely, riding behind one of the men, 
 his only injury being a sprained ankle. Montjoy charged 
 and drove off the Federals, who lost 6 killed and wounded. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 October, 1864 Richards in the Valley Capture of Ambulance and Escort Colonel Tolles, 
 Sheridan s Chief Quartermaster, and Dr. Ohlenschlager, Medical Inspector, Mortally 
 Wounded "Jessie Scouts" "The Greenback Raid" Letting a Train Down Easy 
 Capture of Major Moore and Major Ruggles with $168,000 in Greenbacks Paymasters 
 Alarmed -Captain Chapman in Maryland Alarm Along the Potomac Skirmish with 
 the Loudoun Rangers Immense Loss to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Capture of 
 Mosby s Artillery Mosby in Fairfax Annandale Falls Church. 
 
 Tuesday, October 11, 186Jf>. Capt. A. E. Richards, with 32 
 men, being on a scout in the Valley, espied an ambulance 
 driven by a likely negro boy, with two Federal officers, and 
 escorted by a detachment of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
 Cavalry, passing along the Valley turnpike from the direc 
 tion of Winchester. Near Newtown, Richards suddenly 
 charged upon their rear, and only 2 escaped of the entire 
 party 4 were killed, 6 wounded, and 19 prisoners and 23 
 horses captured. The ambulance was also brought out, 
 together with a quantity of papers, vouchers and documents, 
 which were forwarded to Richmond. 
 
 Among the Federal wounded was Lieut. Col. Cornelius 
 W. Tolles, who had been General Franklin s Chief Quarter 
 master on the Peninsula, and was at this time serving in the 
 same capacity with General Sheridan ; also, Emil Ohlen 
 schlager, Assist. Surgeon and Medical Inspector on Sheri 
 dan s staff both mortally. 1 
 
 1 Gen. W. H. SEWARD to General STEVENSON, Oct. 12: "Captain Alex 
 ander, assistant-quartermaster, General Torbert s staff, just from the front, re 
 ports that Lieutenant-Colonel Tolles, chief quartermaster, and Dr. Ohlen 
 schlager, with an escort of 25 men, who started from Winchester for the front 
 yesterday morning, were attacked by a party of guerrillas, variously reported 
 from 50 to 100, three miles this side of Middletown. Colonel Tolles and Dr. 
 Ohlenschlager were both mortally wounded, the former in the head and the 
 latter in the bowels ; last report no hopes of their recovery. Four of the escort 
 were killed and 5 or 6 wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Tolles and Dr. Ohlen 
 schlager were taken to General Sheridan s headquarters, which are now 
 located one mile this side of Cedar Creek." 
 
 The Seventeenth Pennsylvania was reprimanded for the conduct of the 
 escort, which was unjust, as may be seen by reference to the following : 
 
 Colonel EDWARDS to Major RUSSELL, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Oct. 14: "As 
 
260 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Wednesday, October 12. Mosby crossed the Shenandoah 
 just after nightfall, with 84 men, and moved off towards 
 Bunker Hill, in Sheridan s rear. All day on the i3th we 
 lay near the Valley turnpike, picking up an occasional 
 straggler, until near evening, when we saw a detachment of 
 cavalry, dressed in gray, coming from the direction of Win 
 chester. We viewed them with suspicion for some time, 
 and finally Colonel Mosby ordered Lieutenant Grogan to 
 take a few men and meet them. Discovering them to be 
 " Jessie Scouts," Grogan called out to his men: 
 
 " Come on, boys ; we ll ride over them." 
 
 But the " Jessies " did not wait to be ridden over ; they 
 broke and ran, with a loss of only 2 of their number one 
 being killed by Charles Dear and one captured by Jas. G. 
 Wiltshire. 2 
 
 After the return of Grogan and his party, Mosby marched 
 off towards Duffield, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 
 Harry Heaton, one of our Valley scouts, having reported a 
 good opening in that quarter. We halted about 10 o clock 
 at night about two miles east of Kearneysville, at a deep cut 
 
 Major Durland has shown to me your reprimand to his regiment, I feel called 
 upon to state that I have never seen a better disciplined cavalry regiment than 
 the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. They have been worked very hard on 
 escort duty, and of all the dispatches carried by them, but one has been lost. 
 The escort in charge of the dispatch I refer to was in charge of a sergeant who 
 cut his way through and arrived at Edenburg safely, where he was furnished 
 an escort from the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry to proceed to Harrisburg. 
 That escort was captured, together with the sergeant and his dispatches. In 
 every other case they have cut their way through twice their number and safely 
 delivered their dispatches. The escort accompanying Lieutenant Colonel 
 Tolles I think was ready to do all that men could do. I learn that the rear 
 guard gave timely notice of the approach of the guerrillas, that the lieutenant in 
 charge wished to turn and meet them, that Colonel Tolles gave him orders not 
 to do so, but to move on at a steady trot. This enabled the enemy to come 
 close enough to charge, and they being much better mounted were able to 
 charge into the midst of the escort. Perhaps the lieutenant should have com 
 manded his escort in his own way, but I do not consider him much to blame. 
 I have felt called upon to write this in justice to the Seventeenth Pennsylvania 
 Cavalry, and though Major Durland requests to be ordered to the front, I trust 
 he will not be relieved." 
 
 2 SEWARD to STEVENSON, October 14 : " So far as I can learn, all small 
 parties on the Winchester pike yesterday were attacked. " 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 26l 
 
 in the road near Brown s Crossing, which Nature seemed to 
 have provided for our undertaking. The men were dis 
 mounted and Lieut. Harry Hatcher, with a few men, was 
 sent forward to displace a few rails in this cut, where the 
 cars could be thrown from the track with the least injury to 
 the passengers. 
 
 It was a clear, starlight night, the air was chilly, and the 
 men hurried through their work and lay down by the road 
 side. Soon the sound of an approaching train broke on the 
 stillness. Every one was on the 
 alert, but the train rushed by, 
 leaving the astonished Rangers 
 looking after it as it sped on 
 ward, as though uncertain 
 whether to mount their horses 
 and start in pursuit, or simply 
 to sit down and " cuss." Only 
 one track had been obstructed, 
 and the east-bound train had 
 passed safely on its way. Both 
 tracks were now effectually 
 blocked, by elevating a rail of 
 each track at an angle sufficient 
 to enable the engine of the 
 coming train to turn over 
 gracefully and nestle gently in 
 the cut. Then we again waited, 
 but not long. Between 2 and 3 
 
 o clock in the morning (i4th) the west-bound train came 
 rattling along at customary speed, and the engine per 
 formed the turn-over trick quite to our most sanguine 
 expectations, only one man, the engineer, being injured. 
 
 As soon as the train came to a halt, James Wiltshire and 
 Charles Dear ran down the bank and boarded the train. 
 They separated, Wiltshire entering the car on his left and 
 Dear the car to his right. As Dear entered, he saw the car 
 was filled with passengers ladies and gentlemen and a 
 few soldiers. As he demanded a surrender, a soldier in the 
 far end of the car arose from his seat and drew his pistol. 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. CORNELIUS W. 
 
 TOLLES, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster of Sheridan s Army. 
 
 Killed near Newtown, in the Shenandoah 
 
 Valley, October n, 1864. 
 
262 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Dear fired on him and he fell. Noticing a group of five 
 officers around the stove, Dear walked up to them and 
 ordered them to surrender. He attempted to take a satchel 
 from one of the officers, and as the man refused to give it up 
 his fellow officers told him he had better give it up or they 
 would be killed. The cause of his reluctance to part with 
 the satchel was apparent to Dear when he marched his pris 
 oners from the train and turned them over to Colonel 
 Mosby. To his surprise, he then learned that it was filled 
 with greenbacks ; that among his prisoners were Major 
 Moore and Major Ruggles, paymasters, with their funds. 
 The other officers were 2 captains and i lieutenant. 3 
 
 Before setting fire to the cars Mosby ordered all the pas- 
 
 8 General STEVENSON to ST ANTON, Oct. 14 : " General Seward reported by 
 telegraph this morning that the express train going west was captured at a 
 point two miles east of Kearney sville by a party of rebel raiders 100 strong. 
 
 The passengers were robbed and train burned. Major Moore, paymaster, 
 with his funds, was captured. As soon as they destroyed the train, he reports 
 that they moved off in the direction of Winchester. I immediately sent toward 
 Charlestown, to endeavor to intercept them, all the cavalry at this post about 
 loo, poorly mounted and have but little hopes of their coming up with the 
 enemy. General Seward also dispatched two detachments in pursuit. I have 
 not heard from any of them up to this hour. Trains have been sent to the point 
 of attack to repair damages, the track being partially destroyed. Will advise 
 you of all particulars as soon as received." 
 
 STEVENSON to STANTON, Oct. 14: "Just heard from captured train. The 
 attacking party was part of Mosby s command. They removed a rail, causing 
 train to be thrown off the track, then robbed passengers and burned the train. 
 The point of attack was about 2 miles east of Kearneysville, about 2.30 a. m. 
 Paymasters Moore and Ruggles, with their funds, were captured and carried off. 
 The whole affair did not last more than one hour, the enemy retiring in great 
 haste in direction of Winchester. General Seward telegraphs that his courier 
 parties were attacked last night twice by Mosby s command, between Bunker 
 Hill and Winchester, and dispersed. Says Mosby with his entire command is 
 between Winchester and Bunker Hill, with view to capture small parties and 
 attack trains. I have no cavalry force here to operate with. Colonel Edwards 
 has a regiment at Winchester, and will doubtless make an effort to disperse 
 them. I shall send orders to him to do so at ance. My pursuing party not 
 heard from." 
 
 STEVENSON to STANTON, Oct. 14 : " The cavalry sent out in pursuit of 
 Mosby s guerrillas who burned the train have returned. Report that they failed 
 to overtake them. They learned that they moved off in the direction of the 
 Shenandoah, and, having several hours start, succeeded in getting away with 
 their prisoners and plunder." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 263 
 
 sengers out. In one of the cars were a number of emigrants, 
 who could not or would not understand the orders to vacate 
 the premises. There being a quantity of newspapers 
 weeklies and dailies in the hands of the newsvender on the 
 train, they were used to make a light blaze and a great 
 smoke in the car. This was a language perfectly intelligi 
 ble to the unlearned and the unruly, and caused a general 
 stampede from the car. 
 
 The cars being emptied of their human freight, Mosby 
 gave orders to burn the train. At the same time he told 
 Grogan to take Dear and Wiltshire, with the greenbacks, 
 and cross the river as speedily as possible. One of the 
 horses stumbled or fell over a stump in the darkness, and 
 the package was broken open in the fall. Relating this cir 
 cumstance to me afterwards, Grogan said : 
 
 " We gathered it up hastily. As to the loss, if any, we 
 knew little and cared less, as a few thousand out of the pile 
 was of small concern to us. We soon crossed over the river 
 and slept the remaining hours of that night in a mountain 
 cabin, quite regardless of newly acquired wealth. 
 
 " All met next day at Bloomfield in Loudoun County, ex 
 amined into the condition of our Sub U. S. Treasury, and 
 finding there a net surplus of $168,000, the same was divided 
 among our stockholders ($2,000 each) and circulated so 
 freely in Loudoun that never afterwards was there a pie or 
 blooded horse sold in that section for Confederate money." 
 
 This expedition was always spoken of as the " Greenback 
 Raid."* 
 
 General Lee reported this affair to Secretary Seddon, as 
 follows : 
 
 " On the i4th instant Colonel Mosby struck the Baltimore 
 and Ohio Railroad at Duffield s ; destroyed U. S. military 
 train consisting of locomotive and 10 cars, securing 20 pris 
 oners and 1 5 horses. Among the prisoners are two paymas 
 ters with $168,000 in Government funds." 
 
 4 General SEWARD wrote General STEVENSON : Some of the paymasters 
 are much alarmed, but I guess I can take care of them." 
 
 That they were alarmed, is evident from this : 
 
 Martinsburg, Oct. 14, 1864. 
 
 Paymaster LADD to Major BRICE : "I have my funds in the parlor of the 
 United States Hotel here, guarded by a regiment. The express train was 
 
264 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Friday, October 14- Capt. William Chapman, with about 
 80 men, crossed the Potomac at White s Ford, four miles 
 below the Mouth of Monocacy, and moved up the tow- 
 path, burning eight or ten canal boats with their freight, after 
 first securing the horses and mules ; passing through Licks- 
 ville to Adamstown, cutting the telegraph wires along the 
 route. 
 
 Chapman s object was to strike the Baltimore and Ohio 
 Railroad near this point, but learning that, owing to the 
 capture of the train near Duffield by Mosby, no trains would 
 come from Harper s Ferry, he set out to return, as his pres 
 ence was now known to the Federal troops, which occupied 
 all the principal points along the river, and they would seek 
 to intercept him on his way home. A company of Loudoun 
 Rangers, under Captain Grubb, camped at Adamstown^ 
 drew up in line, and as Chapman moved off, followed at a 
 safe distance. Capt. Wm. Chapman said to his brother 
 Samuel, who urged him to start in pursuit of them : * Sam, I 
 
 burned 8 miles west of Harper s Ferry between 2 and 3 o clock this a. m. 
 Major Ruggles clerk escaped, and is now with me. He reports Major Rug- 
 gles and money taken. I also have the fact of his and Major Moore s capture 
 from other passengers on the train. Cannot say certainly about Major Moore. 
 It is reported that Major Ruggles is recaptured, and is safe at Harper s Ferry. 
 Was up most of last night. General Seward, who is in command here, says he 
 will use all his efforts to protect us and our money. I shall make no move 
 until I can do so with safety, and in the meantime wait orders from yourself 
 and Major Paulding. Please show this to him." 
 
 The moral effect of this capture was not confined to paymasters alone, as 
 will be seen by the following : 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL S OFFICE, 
 
 Washington, Oct. U, 1864. 
 Brigadier-General L. THOMAS, 
 
 Adjutant-General U. S. Army, 
 
 (with 6 regiments of colored troops en route for Baltimore), 
 
 Wheeling, W. Va. , Balto. and Ohio Depot : 
 
 A part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, between Martinsburg and Har 
 per s Ferry, is broken by Mosby s guerrillas, who may attack other parts of 
 the line. The Secretary thinks it may not be safe for your troops to come over 
 it. He says you are not restricted to that road, and if you send the troops over 
 it, you must be sure proper precautions are taken for their safety. Answer. 
 
 E. D. TOWNSEND, 
 Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 265 
 
 haven t time to stop and go off on a fox-hunt after Grubb," 
 and ordered his men to move off at a trot. Grubb s men, 
 mistaking- this for a hasty retreat, came trotting on at a 
 lively pace. When they were within striking distance, Chap 
 man suddenly turned and charged them, killing and wound 
 ing 4 or 5, capturing 7, with their horses and equipments, 
 and scattering the rest. 
 
 Reaching the canal, Chapman found a detachment of in 
 fantry tearing up the bridge and throwing the timber into 
 the canal. He quickly dispersed them, relaid the bridge 
 and crossing the Potomac at Cheek s Ford, reached the 
 Virginia shore in safety, without having a man injured. 6 
 
 5 Capt. James W. Grubb was born 
 near Lovettsville, in Loudoun County, 
 Va., August 17, 1839; enlisted in 
 Cole s Maryland Cavalry as a private 
 in September, 1861 ; was commissioned 
 Captain of Company B, Independent 
 Loudoun (Virginia) Rangers, Capt. 
 Samuel C. Means commanding, about 
 November, 1863, Captain Grubb died 
 March 5, 1895, at Bolivar, West Va. 
 
 6 W. P. Smith wrote J. W. Garrett, 
 President of the Baltimore and Ohio 
 R. R., Oct. 15: "The two affairs 
 (Duffield and Adamstovvn) have badly 
 deranged the working of the road, and 
 will involve an immense loss to the 
 company in every way." 
 
 STEVENSON to STANTON, October 
 14 : " The force of the enemy that 
 crossed the Potomac to-day were a 
 portion of Mosby s command, about 
 250 strong. They crossed at White s 
 Ferry, about 5 miles below the mouth 
 
 of the Monocacy; moved out to Adamstown, at which point they were met by 
 the Loudoun County Rangers, and finally driven back across the river. The 
 loss on our side reported 4 men ; enemy s not known. They burned 5 canal 
 boats and stole a few horses. Their purpose was evidently a raid, including an 
 attack on railroad trains." 
 
 BURTNETE (Point of Rocks) to STEVENSON, Oct. 14: " Two men have this 
 moment come in from Adamstown. Rangers charged and drove enemy, who 
 in turn charged and scattered our force. I have sent to have Grubb rally and 
 keep his men together at all hazards. I have no horse, or I would go. First 
 
 CAPT. JAMES W. GRUBB, 
 
 Independent Loudoun (Virginia) Rangers 
 
 (Federal.) 
 
266 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 While Colonel Mosby was absent with one portion of the 
 command on the " Greenback Raid " in the Valley, Captain 
 Chapman, with another portion, in Maryland and along the 
 
 Potomac, and other 
 details scouting in 
 Fairfax and in the 
 Valley, Capt. Frank 
 lin hid the artillery 
 at Emory s, a se 
 cluded spot on the 
 Cobbler Mountain, 
 and Sergeant A. G. 
 Babcock, with a few 
 trusty men, were left 
 as guards. One John 
 H. Lunzeford, who 
 was detailed to act as 
 guide and to assist in 
 concealing the bat 
 tery, afterwards de 
 serted and piloted 
 Colonel Gansevoort, 
 with the Thirteenth 
 and Sixteenth New 
 York Cavalry and 
 two companies of the Fifth Pennsylvania Artillery, to the 
 place of concealment. The four guns, together with the 
 guard, consisting of Sergeant Babcock, John L. Aylor, E. 
 M. Jones, Nathaniel Pontier, D. L. Smith and A. G. Whar- 
 
 train got through, but the second is just now back. There certainly are from 
 200 to 300." 
 
 BURTNETE to STEVENSON, Oct. 14. Later: "Captain Grubb, Loudoun 
 Rangers, 100 men, sent back for reinforcements. Reports 250 of the enemy s 
 cavalry between Adamstown and Monocacy River stealing horses. General 
 Tyler, at Monrovia, has been informed; Government wires cut. I have directed 
 Grubb to follow up and pitch into them at the first opportunity; at all events, 
 to hold the enemy and annoy him until further developments. Will wait direc 
 tions from you. Spence caught the operator, and he will keep him." 
 
 STEVENSON to BURTNETE, Oct. 14 : "Dispatch received. All right. What 
 force is it ? Send word to Grubb to give them no rest. Direct cavalry scout 
 
 COL. HENRY S. GANSEVOORT, 
 Thirteenth New York Cavalry. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 267 
 
 ton, were all captured and carried off by Colonel Gansevoort. 
 Babcock and his companions were afterwards brought from 
 prison, put into a box-car next to the locomotive, and sent 
 up and down the railroad from Rectortown to Alexandria 
 for five weeks, to deter Mosby from throwing trains off the 
 track. 7 
 
 sent down from here to unite with Grubb s conynand and give all assistance 
 possible. Shall send down to-night additional cavalry." 
 
 BURTNETE to STEVENSON: " Captain Grubb returned here half an hour since, 
 and said the enemy were retreating toward the river, but he thought best not to 
 follow. I ordered him immediately back. Since then 2 of his men have come 
 in who followed the enemy and saw about 100 of them cross. Grubb has lost 
 3 or 4 men ; the enemy s loss is not known. They have all doubtless crossed 
 by this time. Becoming alarmed, Grubb is reprehensible for this retiring, and 
 he met my order on the way coming in. I have sent down the infantry as a 
 precautionary movement. I would not advise the sending of any further force. 
 They are supposed to be Mosby s Men. " 
 
 SPENCE to STEVENSON, Oct. 14: "The rebels reported crossing at White s 
 Ferry, and moving toward Frederick, the boatmen say, with a large force. I 
 have sent the Loudoun Rangers to meet them. " 
 
 STEVENSON to SPENCE: " Move out with all your infantry force to assistance 
 of Captain Grubb. If there are not more than 250 cavalry you ought to whip 
 them easily." 
 
 SPENCE to STEVENSON: " I moved down the canal to cut them off." 
 
 STEVENSON to Major FRENCH, commanding Remount Camp, Pleasant 
 Valley, Md. : " Move with all your available cavalry at once to Point of Rocks, 
 Md. ; unite your force with the forces in that vicinity, and attack a body of rebel 
 cavalry near Adamstown. The rebel force is reported to be between 200 and 
 300. If they have moved from that point, follow them up and capture or 
 destroy them." 
 
 BURTNETE to STEVENSON, Oct. 14: "All quiet on the Potomac. They have 
 all recrossed. Passenger trains east have gone on. Have directed Grubb to 
 remain at river until further orders. Captain Spence s command are now here, 
 but in readiness. He deserves credit for his promptness in the matter. Will 
 return on next freight train, unless otherwise ordered." 
 
 7 Colonel Gansevoorts Report. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, 
 
 Near Piedmont, Va., Oct. 15, 1864. 
 
 GANSEVOORT to AUGUR : "I have the honor to state that the portion of the 
 Sixteenth New York under my command, being 2 squadrons, moved, as ordered, 
 at an early hour this morning, by way of Orlean to Plains to report to Colonel 
 Albright. This leaves the entire force under my command, four squadrons of 
 my regiment, Thirteenth New York Cavalry. .The movement last night, 
 T^hich resulted in the capture of Colonel Mosby s pieces, was engaged in by my 
 regiment, two squadrons of the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, and two com- 
 
268 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Colonel Mosby sent the following report to General Lee 
 announcing- the capture of his artillery : 
 
 Near Upperville, Va., October 23, 1864. 
 GENERAL: I desire to make an explanation in reference 
 to the capture of my artillery, which you have probablv 
 seen in Secretary Stanton s official bulletin. After the enemy 
 had accumulated such a force on the Manassas road that I 
 could no longer oppose-their progress in front, I withdrew 
 my command inside their lines north of the road, in order 
 to be in a position to assail both Sheridan s communications 
 in the Valley and also to strike the road whenever oppor 
 tunity offered. My artillery was sent out to a place of con 
 cealment in Fauquier. Unfortunately, one of my men, 
 deserted and guided the enemy to where it was. They cap 
 tured no men or horses with it. Since their advance up the 
 railroad, we have killed and captured over 300 of them. 
 My loss so far has been only four wounded and one cap 
 tured. 
 
 panics of the Fifth Pennsylvania Artillery. My surmise that this artillery was 
 concealed in the long range of mountains called the Cobblers, was confirmed by 
 a statement drawn from a prisoner, and it was determined to develop the 
 locality. At 9 p. m. i4th instant, the above force was moved over very intricate 
 roads to a point at the base of the mountains, where a sort of bivouac was sur 
 prised and 9 members of the battery captured, including Babcock, late captain 
 C S. Army, in charge of the artillery. This determined but little the localities 
 of the pieces, and some time was vainly spent in skirmishing the mountain 
 with my dismounted cavalry and Company E, Fifth Artillery. The localities 
 of the pieces was even a secret not imparted to many of Mosby s men. By 
 intimidation, however, when almost relinquishing the task, a driver of the 
 artillery was forced to discover the trail of the pieces. By deploying skir 
 mishers and moving up the precipitous side of the mountain, covered with 
 heavy undergrowth, for about a mile and a half, and following its summit for 
 some distance, the three-inch ordnance gun, 12-pounder howitzer, and two small 
 mountain howitzers, with limber of caisson, sets of harness, and ammunition, 
 were discovered in a dense thicket. These were drawn down the stony sides 
 of the mountain to the command below, and thence to Piedmont, reaching 
 camp at 6 a. m. to-day. I desire to mention Lieutenant Revell, Thirteenth 
 New York Cavalry, and Captain Anderson, Company E, Fifth Artillery, who 
 rendered valuable assistance. As desired, I have dismounted the pieces with 
 the exception of the small mountain howitzer, weighing only 250 pounds which 
 I have repaired, replenished with ammunition, and would respectfully ask per 
 mission to retain with my regiment till it returns to camp. I have it drawn 
 by two horses, and manned by old artillerists. The other three pieces are sent 
 by train as you directed. Prisoners, seven of whom I send, report that a force 
 is expected here from the rebel column in the Valley, 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 269 
 
 To which General Lee replied : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, / 
 
 October 29, 1864. f 
 
 COLONEL: Your letter of October 23d has been re 
 ceived. I regret the loss of your artillery and will endeavor 
 to have it supplied as soon as 
 practicable ; but owing to re 
 cent heavy losses of artillery 
 in the Valley, there may be 
 considerable delay. Mean 
 time I hope you may be able 
 to capture some from the 
 enemy. I am sincerely grati 
 fied at the energy, boldness, 
 and success with which you 
 have so unceasingly oper 
 ated. I hope you will con 
 tinue to damage the enemy 
 on the Manassas railroad as 
 much as possible. As your 
 command increases it will be 
 necessary to be extremely 
 watchful as to the character 
 of the men you enlist. Spare 
 no pains to interrupt the work 
 and use of the railroad. 
 
 The quiet which reigned 
 at Rectortown was so un 
 usual that General Augur 
 
 communicated the fact to General Halleck, at Washington, 
 in this brief epistle : 
 
 Rectortown, October 15, 186 4. 
 
 AUGUR to HALLECK : " The train from Alexandria ar 
 rived and reported on time to-day and without interference 
 from guerrillas. Nothing heard from General Sheridan. 
 
 On the day following (i6th) he reports the arrival of 
 General Sheridan at Rectortown. 
 
 Sunday, October 16. Command met at Bloomfield. Com 
 panies C, E and F remained to operate along the rail 
 road, while Mosby, with Companies A, B and D, went 
 down in Fairfax to attack a large wagon train between 
 Burke s Station and Fairfax. We were too late, how- 
 
 DR. EMIL OHLENSCHLAGER, 
 
 Medical Inspector on General Sherdian s Staff. 
 
 Killed near Newtown, October n, 1864. 
 
270 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 ever, as the wagons had gone into camp, with a heavy 
 infantry guard. 8 
 
 We then moved towards Centreville, built fires in the pines 
 and camped for the night. On the i/th we went to Annan- 
 dale. Two men were sent to take pickets and draw out the 
 cavalry. One of the pickets was taken and the other es 
 caped to camp. The cavalry came out. We halted and 
 remained in sight for some time, but as they made no de 
 monstration, Companies A and B advanced towards them, 
 when they hurried inside of their fortifications. 9 Compa 
 nies A and B then proceeded along the Ox Road in the 
 direction of Frying Pan, and thence home. 
 
 General Augur had been notified of Mosby s presence in 
 Fairfax, and while Augur s cavalry were being sent to 
 
 8 TAYLOR to SLOUGH, Oct. 15 : " It is reported that a train of quartermasters 
 wagons (100) between Burk s Station and Fairfax are exposed to surprise from 
 guerrillas. Please take such measures as will insure the safety of the train." 
 
 SLOUGH to TAYLOR : " Nothing to report this evening except that 200 men 
 have been sent to guard the quartermaster s train of wagons." 
 
 SLOUGH to TAYLOR, Oct. 17 :" Colonel Barnes, at Fairfax Station, has satis 
 fied himself that 200 or 300 rebel cavalry are now south of him near Braddock 
 Road. The telegraph is not working beyond Manassas. Have you any cavalry 
 to send out in direction of Burk s ? Anticipating Mosby s next appearance at 
 this end of the line I have strengthened it very much." 
 
 9 TAYLOR to AUGUR, Oct. 17 : " It is reported that Mosby has driven in 
 Lazelle s pickets and is moving on Annandale and Fort Buffalo, camps of the 
 Sixteenth and Thirteenth, with 600 men. The number must be exaggerated. 
 Infantry has already moved from De Russy s line to Buffalo, and I have ordered 
 Slough to send at once the Fifth Wisconsin to Annandale." 
 
 TAYLOR to General DE RUSSY, Oct. 17 : " Your dispatch received. I have 
 telegraphed General Slough to send at once 500 infantry to Annandale. A small 
 infantry force at either place, at Annandale or Buffalo, will be sufficient to drive 
 off Mosby, who cannot have 100 men." 
 
 LAZELLE to DE RUSSY, Oct. 17 : "In reply to your verbal message by the 
 messenger sent you, I have the honor to inform you that the disposition sug 
 gested by you has already been made. I received about half an hour since a 
 message from Captain Schneider, commanding at Annandale, to the effect that 
 a large force of cavalry, estimated at about 400 to 600, had been seen in his 
 vicinity ; his picket posts had been driven in, etc. He says he will do his best 
 to hold his stockade. Mosby was in Fairfax Court House this afternoon, and 
 it is believed had a large force with him. Another messenger just arrived from 
 Annandale. Captain Schneider again has reported that a large force of the 
 enemy s cavalry are about him. I recommend that Annandale be reinforced as 
 soon as possible. I will send half a squadron to Annandale at once from 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Fairfax in pursuit, Mosby was quietly marching back to 
 Loudoun. 10 
 
 Montjoy, with Company D, and with Bush. Underwood 
 as guide, moved off towards Falls Church, and at night pre 
 pared to attack the camp. The pickets were captured, and 
 some of our men were leading horses out of the stables, 
 when the camp was aroused. The blowing of a horn, which 
 at first was thought by our men to denote the assembling of 
 a party of coon hunters, was discovered to be a signal given 
 by a citizen named Reed to alarm the camp. Reed was shot 
 by one of our men. The enemy, now thoroughly aroused, 
 opened fire, which in the darkness did no damage. Three 
 or four negro infantry were killed ; 6 prisoners and 7 horses 
 were brought out. 11 
 
 here. I recommend that a company of infantry be sent here to supply their 
 place. But I can hold this point, I think, against everything that Mosby has. 
 I will have 150 men left here." 
 
 10 AUGUR to TAYLOR, Oct. 18 : " I have sent the Eighth Illinois down 
 through Centreville to find Mosby s force." 
 
 TAYLOR to LUDLAM, Oct. 18 : "Mosby passed through Falls Church last 
 evening toward Vienna with perhaps 250 men. The Eighth Illinois Cavalry has 
 been detached from Rectortown in pursuit." 
 
 11 BIRDSALL to TAYLOR, Oct. 19 : " About 2 a. m. on the morning of Oct. 
 18, a force of Mosby s men, estimated at 75, entered Falls Church village, 
 halted at the church (brigade hospital), and after breaking open the barn of Mr. 
 Sines, a citizen who lives opposite, and taking therefrom 5 valuable horses, 
 passed up the Alexandria and Lewinsville pike toward Vienna. The post at the 
 junction of the Lewinsville road with the pike, consisting of one corporal and 
 three men of the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, was captured, with one horse. 
 A negro named Frank Brooks, belonging to the citizens home guard of the vil 
 lage, was shot dead while attempting to assist the picket in making a defense. 
 Mr. J. B. Reed, a citizen and a member of the same guard, with one of his ne 
 gro employes, were taken prisoners at the same time. Mr. Reed was after 
 wards brutally murdered by the party who captured him, in a dense pine wood 
 near Hunter s Mill, and his body has been found and brought into his house. 
 An attempt to kill the negro taken with Mr. Reed was also made, and the reb 
 els, supposing him dead, left him in the woods. He escaped afterwards, how 
 ever, and has but a slight wound in the head, with the loss of an ear, blown off 
 by a pistol shot. There is no doubt concerning the murder of Mr. Reed, as 
 the surgeon, who has made an examination of the body, states that the skull at 
 the base of the brain is blown to atoms, and the flesh about the wound is filled 
 with powder, as if the pistol had been placed close to the head. The negro who 
 escaped brings information that at or near Vienna, the force which visited Falls 
 Church was joined by a reserve party of 100 or more men." 
 
CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 October, 1864 Camping Out Shebangs Running Citizens and Guerrillas on the Railroad 
 General Augur Unable to Protect and Run the Road, with all the Force at his Com 
 mandKilling of Jamieson Ashby Mosby s Letter to General Lee Indorsement by 
 General Lee and the Secretary of War Attack on Foragers on the Piedmont Road- 
 Richards in the Valley Leslie s Special Artist Loses his Pie Mosby in Sheridan s 
 Rear Capture of General Duffie Attack Wagon Train on the Winchester Pike - 
 Captain Frankland s Fight with the Eighth Illinois near Upperville Repulse of 
 " Mosby s Men" Atkins, Davis, Gulick and Carrington Killed Murphy Takes his 
 First Lesson from Harry Hatcher. 
 
 While the forces of General Augur were in possession of 
 the railroad, but few of our men would sleep in houses, 
 owing to the danger of being surprised. Many of the men 
 put up little shelters, or " shebangs," as they .were called, in 
 the woods and in hollows where they could not be seen 
 from the roads. These were made of poles, covered with 
 brush or cornstalks ; and when the floor was spread with 
 dry leaves and covered with blankets, afforded a comfort 
 able lodging place. Our horses being haltered to the trees 
 near by, with bunches of hay to munch on during the night, 
 we slept as soundly in our little " shebangs " as in feather 
 beds, except when some careless, sleepy fellow forgot to 
 take off his spurs, and in drawing up or stretching out his 
 feet under the blankets, would rake the shins of his unfor 
 tunate neighbor. But these little troubles were soon for 
 gotten. Some few continued to sleep in doors, but nearly 
 all had hiding places, entered by trap doors or secret panels, 
 in which they could find refuge in case the enemy came. 
 Mosby and one or two companions would frequently mount 
 their horses after dark and go to the house of some friend 
 near a Federal camp, and remain there all night, deeming 
 that the safest place for a good night s sleep. 
 
 Even citizens or non-combatants, particularly those living 
 in exposed places, were compelled to leave their houses at 
 night and " camp out." The Federal forces on the railroad 
 had carried off a number of citizens, many of them old men, 
 
 272 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 2/3 
 
 and kept them running up and down the railroad, in order 
 to deter Mosby from throwing off the trains. 1 
 
 In a conversation with Colonel Mosby one day, he said : 
 " The Yankees are worse than Chinese, but no matter 
 what they do, I Avill not swerve one inch from my path of 
 duty. They might as well place women and children in 
 front of their lines of battle. My mode of warfare is just as 
 legitimate as that of the army fighting in their front. I am 
 placed here to annoy them and interrupt their communica- 
 
 1 With all the force at his command General Augur found himself unable to 
 open and guard his road. In a dispatch to Halleck he says : " Simply patrolling 
 he track and guarding the bridges is not going to be sufficient on this road; it 
 must be literally guarded the whole way." 
 
 AUGUR to HALLKCK, Oct. 10: " I shall commence building small stockades, 
 which will be so near each other as to command the entire track. This will 
 economize men. If this does not answer I think I shall have to adopt some 
 thing like Washburn s plan and fit up on each train quarters for prominent 
 secessionists to accompany it." 
 
 HALLECK to AUGUR, Oct. n: "Your plan of putting prominent citizens on 
 trains is approved, and you will carry it into effect. They should be so con 
 fined as to render escape impossible, and yet be exposed to the fire of the 
 enemy." 
 
 HALLECK to MCCALLUM, Oct. 12 : " The Secretary of War directs that in 
 retaliation for the murderous acts of guerrilla bands, composed of and assisted 
 by the inhabitants along the Manassas Gap Railroad, and as a measure neces 
 sary to keep that road in running order, you proceed to destroy every house 
 within five miles of the road which is not required for our own purposes, or 
 which is not occupied by persons known to be friendly. All males suspected of 
 belonging to, or assisting the robber bands of Mosby will be sent under guard 
 to the provost-marshal at Washington, to be confined in the Old Capitol Prison. 
 The women and children will be assisted in going north or south, as they may 
 select. They will be permitted to carry with them their personal property and 
 such provisions as they may require for their own use. Forage, animals and 
 grain will be taken for the use of the United States. All timber and brush within 
 musketry fire of the road will be cut down and destroyed. Printed notices 
 will be circulated and posted that any citizens found within five miles of the road 
 hereafter will be considered as robbers and bushwhackers and be treated accord 
 ingly. Copies of these instructions will be sent to General Augur and General 
 Sheridan with orders to give you all possible military aid for the accomplishment 
 of these objects. The inhabitants of the country will be notified that for any 
 further hostilities committed on this road or its employes an additional strip of 
 ten miles on each side will be laid waste and that section of country entirely 
 depopulated." 
 
 WINSHIP to TAYLOR, Oct. 16: "I have turned over to General Slough 8 guer 
 rillas to be placed on the trains running to the front." 
 
274 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. 2/5 
 
 tion as much as possible. This I intend doing, and should I 
 again have an opportunity of throwing off a train I will do 
 it, even if I knew my own family were upon it." 
 
 Under the orders received, General Augur arrested a 
 number of prominent citizens, among them Jamieson, Sam 
 uel and Albert Ashby, relatives of the renowned Gen. Turner 
 Ashby, and these old men were taken to Rectortown and 
 placed on the cars running up and down the road. While 
 in the hands of the Federals, Mr. Jamieson Ashby was shot 
 in the head by one of the guards on the cars ; he was carried 
 to the hospital in Alexandria, where he died. 
 
 These and other important matters under consideration 
 at the time, led Colonel Mosby to address the following com 
 munication to General Lee. The indorsements and instruc 
 tions of General Lee and the Secretary of War are sufficient 
 evidence of their approval of Mosby s acts : 
 
 Near Middleburg, October 29, 1864. 
 General R. E. LEE, 
 
 Commanding Army of Northern Virginia. 
 
 GENERAL: I desire to bring, through you, to the notice 
 of the Government the brutal conduct of the enemy mani 
 fested toward citizens of this district since their occupation 
 of the Manassas road. When they first advanced up the 
 road we smashed up one of their trains, killing and wound 
 ing a large number. In retaliation they arrested a large 
 number of citizens living along the line, and have been in the 
 habit of sending an installment of them on each train. As 
 my command has done nothing contrary to the usages of 
 war, it seems to me that some attempt at least ought to be 
 made to prevent a repetition of such barbarities. 
 
 During my absence from my command, the enemy cap 
 tured 6 of my men near Front Royal; these were immediately 
 hung by order and in the presence of General Custer. They 
 also hung another in Rappahannock. It is my purpose to 
 hang an equal number of Custer s men whenever I capture 
 
 NOTE : The names of those shown in the Group of Mosby s Men on the 
 opposite page are the following, counting from left to right : 
 
 1 John T. Dickson. 5 James Jackson Mitchell. 
 
 2 J. R. Watkins. 6 D. G. Carlisle. 
 
 3 Col. John S. Mosby. 7 Sergt. John \V. Corbin. 
 
 4 Daniel L. Thomas. 8 Richard McVey. 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. 2/7 
 
 them. There was passed by the last U. S. Congress a bill 
 of pains and penalties against guerrillas, and as they profess 
 to consider my men within the definition of the term, I think 
 it would be well to come to some understanding with the 
 enemy in reference to them. The bearer of this, my adju 
 tant, will give all information you desire concerning the en 
 emy in this county. Of course, I did not allow the conduct 
 of the enemy toward citizens to deter me from the use of 
 any legitimate weapon against them, but after throwing off 
 the train they guarded the road so heavily that no oppor 
 tunities were offered for striking any successful blow, and I 
 thought I would be more usefully employed in annoying 
 Sheridan s communications. I received the list of deserters 
 you sent me. I will do what I can toward arresting them, 
 but none are with my command. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 
 [First Indorsement.] 
 
 Respectfully referred to the honorable Secretary of War 
 for his information. 
 
 I do not know how we can prevent the cruel conduct of 
 the enemy toward our citizens. I have directed Colonel 
 Mosby, through his adjutant, to hang an equal number of 
 Custer s men in retaliation for those executed by him. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 [Third Indorsement.] 
 
 November 14, 186^. 
 
 General Lee s instructions are cordially approved. In 
 addition, if our citizens are found exposed on any captured 
 train, signal vengeance should be taken on all conductors 
 and officers found on it, and every male passenger of the 
 enemy s country should be treated as prisoners. So instruct. 
 
 J. A. S[EDDON], Secretary. 
 
 Monday, October 17. Towards evening a foraging party of 
 Federal cavalry came out from their camp near Piedmont, 
 and going to the farms around, supplied themselves liberally 
 with food for man and beast. One had the carcass of a calf 
 on his saddle ; another a live lamb ; chickens and other 
 poultry were plentifully distributed throughout their ranks. 
 As they started to return to camp, each took a bundle of^ 
 hay in front on his horse. Capt. William Chapman, who 
 had been watching his opportunity, suddenly charged them 
 
2 7 8 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 in front at Mrs. Fletcher s, on the road leading from Pied 
 mont to Paris, while Capt. Sam. Chapman, with his com 
 pany, kept on their flank, shooting into their ranks. En 
 cumbered as they were with plunder, they could offer but 
 poor resistance to the impetuous charge of Mosby s men. 
 When Chapman first attacked them, they were huddled up 
 so closely that a great many were killed and wounded by 
 
 the close and rapid firing. 
 Twenty prisoners and 30 
 horses were captured, and 
 15 or 20 horses which es 
 caped in the darkness and 
 confusion, were picked up 
 the following day. 
 
 General Seward, writing 
 General Stevenson from 
 Martinsburg, October 
 2ist, says : 
 
 11 Mosby, with 75 or 100 
 men, lay within 300 yards 
 of the pike when our train 
 for the front passed yester 
 day. The guard being 
 unusually strong, they 
 thought best not to attack, 
 but remained quietly un 
 til the train had passed and 
 then started toward Smith- 
 field. This was on the 
 Winchester road, about 
 half a mile on the other 
 side of Darkesville. They 
 captured a butcher, who was in advance of the train, 
 and let him go again before dark. He says that Mosby 
 questioned him very closely in regard to the number of 
 troops stationed here, also in regard to our pickets." 
 
 When this train left Martinsburg, Frank Leslie s Special 
 War Artist with Sheridan in the Valley, then on his way to 
 the front, accompanied it, as a matter of safety, it being very 
 heavily guarded. As the hour of noon approached, this 
 worthy artist, disdaining the humble fare of the poor soldier 
 
 JAMES CHANCELLOR, CO. D. 
 
 Captured by the Eighth Illinois Cavalry in the 
 
 Fight near Upperville. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 2/9 
 
 (hard tack and bacon), and longing for the dainty food which 
 he knew could be procured at the farm house of one David 
 Stewart, in the hollow on the pike between Bunker Hill 
 and Bucklestown, proposed to a lieutenant of the artillery 
 and three or four cavalrymen that they leave the train and 
 push ahead so as to make sure of some of Mrs. Stewart s 
 famous pies before the train came up. 
 
 While our knight of the pencil and brush stood on the 
 porch bargaining with the good lady for a pumpkin pie, he 
 
 
 ARTIST TAYLOR LOSES HIS PIE. 
 
 cast his eyes down the hollow to the east and saw several 
 horsemen leaning forward on their horses and scudding 
 along a little lane which led directly to the pike. One 
 glance he gave at the gray uniforms ; then hastily dropping 
 his pie, he called the attention of the lieutenant to the swiftly 
 approaching riders. In an instant Red-straps vaulted the 
 fence and sprang into the saddle, the others following, and 
 up the pike the whole party sped, in the direction of the 
 escort, who were not yet in sight. Our artist being poorly 
 mounted, brought up the rear, but a friendly stone fence be 
 tween him and the graybacks served as a shield and pre- 
 
280 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 vented his being cut off. He has ever since cherished a 
 more than kindly feeling toward " stone-fences. * 
 
 11 If you fellows had caught me then and killed me, who 
 would have made your pictures for this book, you tarnal 
 old rebel ? said my friend James E. Taylor, whose name 
 will be found on these illustrations, and who is the same 
 worthy artist mentioned above. A drawing made by him 
 self, showing his lucky escape, both for him and me, will be 
 found on the preceding page. 
 
 " Sorry we made you lose your pie that time, old boy," 
 said I. 
 
 No, you didn t," replied Taylor ; " I went back and got 
 it after you fellows left." 
 
 General Seward s letter, here alluded to, while in the 
 main correct, is inaccurate in some few details. He says : 
 " Mosby, with 75 or 100 men, lay within 300 yards of the 
 pike," etc. While the number is so vastly exaggerated 
 (which is excusable, as General Seward did not see our 
 men), Mosby himself was not at that place at the time, al 
 though his brother, Adjutant William H. Mosby, was present. 
 The party was commanded by Capt. A. E. Richards, who 
 with Adjutant Mosby, Dr. Dunn, George Slater and a small 
 party, was scouting along the Valley turnpike.* 
 
 While watching the pike, they captured a newsboy, Avhom 
 they held as prisoner for awhile, lest he might give informa 
 tion of their presence. The little fellow watched their op 
 erations closely, and appeared to look with eagerness for 
 the approach of a straggling cavalryman or a few Federal 
 troopers. When our men started in pursuit, he would view 
 the chase with great interest ; and, when the capture was 
 made, would clap his hands with delight. 
 
 Monday, Oct. Command met at Bloomfield; nearly 
 400 men reported for duty. Intending to strike another 
 blow at Sheridan s communications, Mosby crossed the 
 
 2 Harper s Ferry, Oct. 23, 
 STEVENSON to HALLECK : " Mosby s guerrillas are the only rebels in 
 force left in this end of the Valley. If I could remount Cole s Cavalry and arm 
 them with the Spencer carbine, I can safely say that in 60 days I can get rid 
 of this quasi-military pest." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Shenandoah at Castleman s Ferry about dusk and halted for 
 the night near Summit Point. 
 
 We moved off soon after sunrise on the morning of the 
 25th, halting near the Martinsburg and Winchester turn 
 pike, about 6 miles from the latter place. Leaving the com 
 mand concealed, Mosby took a few men and went out to 
 reconnoitre the road. He observed a two-horse ambulance 
 with an escort of 12 or 15 cavalrymen coming from the di 
 rection of Winchester, and immediately started his men out 
 to bag them. When they saw our men approaching, the 
 driver of the ambulance put on 
 all speed to get away, as did the 
 escort. A long train was seen 
 in the distance, coming from 
 Martinsburg, and their efforts 
 were directed to reach it. See 
 ing this, and fearing they would 
 escape, Boyd Smith, who with a 
 few others were riding in a field 
 almost abreast of the ambulance, 
 which they were seeking to head 
 off, shot one of the horses. This 
 checked the progress of the 
 wagon, and he and John T. Dick- 
 son jumped their horses over 
 the stone fence, into the road, 
 capturing the ambulance and 
 occupants one General, a Cap 
 tain, and a civilian, who was driving and also carrying the 
 mail. Three only of the escort were captured. Some of 
 them retreated to the main body of the escort, who, learn 
 ing of the disaster, betook themselves back to Winchester. 
 The others pushed on to the train. 3 The capture took 
 place within a few hundred yards of the approaching train, 
 and as Boyd Smith and John T. Dickson were hastening 
 
 BOYD SMITH, CO. E. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
 3 SEWARD to STEVENSON, Oct. 25: "General Duffie was captured five 
 miles beyond Bunker Hill last evening by Mosby. Colonel Edwards reports 
 that Mosby had from 300 to 4oo-men, and started in the direction of Smith- 
 
282 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 back to the command they met Mosby bringing up his men 
 to attack the train. 
 
 " Colonel, here s your General," said Smith, as he saw 
 Mosby advancing. 
 
 field, sending 5 men as a guard 
 to Gen: Duffie. I have notified 
 the troops along the railroad. 
 The express from the east has 
 just arrived all right." 
 
 Colonel EDWARDS to FORSYTH, 
 Oct. 25 : "I have the honor to 
 report that at about 9 a. m. the 
 escort that came from Martins- 
 burg last evening wiih General 
 Neill left this post to return. 
 This escort consisted of 50 men, 
 30 of whom were from the 
 Twenty - second Pennsylvania 
 Cavalry, under command of Sec 
 ond Lieut. B. F. Hasson, Twenty- 
 second Cavalry. Gen. A. N. 
 Duffie, with his two- horse light 
 spring wagon, and Captain 
 Roome, assistant adjutant gen 
 eral, Second Brigade, First Di 
 vision, Sixth Corps who was heie 
 wounded, with the headquarters 
 light wagon of that brigade, 
 accompanied it, on its return. 
 When about 5 miles from this 
 place, General Duffie, with 10 
 men from the escort, with his 
 
 light wagon pushed ahead, and when about one mile and a half beyond 
 the main body was attacked by a party from Mosby s or Gilmor s band 
 of guerrillas and captured. The wagon was run off to the side of the 
 road and is supposed to have been taken away. A courier from the escort 
 brought in the news of the disaster, and the other light wagon returned. I im 
 mediately sent out the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and the 
 Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry to hunt up the enemy. The commanding 
 officer of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, having ascertained that the 
 party went off toward Snicker s Ferry, immediately put off in that direction and 
 has not, as yet, returned. The enemy s force is supposed to have been some 
 where in the neighborhood of 300 men. Major Durland, commanding Seven 
 teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, has since returned and reports that he followed 
 this force by a circuitous route as far as Seiver s Ford, on the Opequon, and 
 that they received reliable information from citizens along the route that Gen- 
 
 BRIG.-GEN. ALFRED N. DUFFIE, 
 U. S. A. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 283 
 
 Looking towards the General, Mosby said : 
 
 " Who are you ? " 
 
 " General Duffie," replied that worthy gentleman. 
 
 u Take him to the rear," said Mosby as he galloped out 
 to the road. 
 
 The train was a large one and had started from Martins- 
 burg early in the morning with a guard composed of Cur- 
 rie s brigade, together with the Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, 
 the Ninth New York Artillery, and a force of cavalry made 
 up of several detachments, all under command of Colonel 
 Currie. 4 
 
 Not being fully aware of the length or strength of the 
 train and escort, Mosby hurriedly disposed his force for the 
 assault Chapman and Montjoy, with one squadron to charge 
 in front, while he, with Richard s squadron, were to assail the 
 rear. The cavalry were easily driven back, but the infantry 
 proved too strong, and when the artillery opened fire Mosby 
 drew off his men, hoping the cavalry would follow him up 
 so that he could fall upon them when at a safe distance from 
 the infantry and artillery. But this they would not do. 
 The escort seemed to understand that their duty was to 
 guard the train and they stuck to it. 
 
 Poor Duffie was not only a prisoner, but his misfortune 
 drew no word of sympathy from his superior officer. Gen 
 eral Sheridan, in his report to General Halleck announcing 
 the fact, says : 
 
 " Brigadier-General Duffie was captured between Win 
 chester and Martinsburg. I respectfully request his dis 
 missal from the service. I think him a trifling man and a 
 poor soldier. He was captured by his own stupidity." 
 
 eral Duffie s spring wagon, with himself and one other officer inside, had 
 passed the vicinity of Brucetown. I will await further orders as when to for 
 ward the next." 
 
 4 WATKINS to CURRIE, October 24 : " You will have your brigade in readi 
 ness to move at 5:30 a. m. to-morrow, provided with three days rations. 
 The Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, Colonel Allen ; Ninth New York Artillery, 
 Captain Lamoreaux, and several detachments of cavalry, will be ordered to 
 report to you at that hour. You will have command of the entire escort for the 
 train, which will be on the Winchester pike, near town, at the hour before men 
 tioned." 
 
284 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Richards, with the First Squadron, was sent back to The 
 Plains in Fauquier, while Mosby, with the remainder of the 
 command, proceeded to the vicinity of Winchester, where 
 he captured a train of 7 wagons 5 with 6 mules and 2 with 
 4 horses each, together with 54 infantry who were guarding 
 the train. He then returned, bringing with him 60 prison 
 ers (including one general 
 and one captain), 45 horses 
 and mules, without having 
 a man lost or injured. 
 
 Several small scouting 
 parties were scattered 
 through the Valley, all of 
 whom were successful in 
 capturing prisoners and 
 horses. 
 
 Saturday, October 29. A 
 strong detachment of the 
 Eighth Illinois Cavalry was 
 sent from Rectortown on a 
 scout towards Upperville. 
 Capt. Walter E. Frankland, 
 with about 100 men, struck 
 their trail and followed, 
 finding them at Hatcher s 
 Mill, dismounted and feeding their horses. He waited 
 in the woods until they had resumed their march, when he 
 again started on their track. Meanwhile he had been joined 
 by Colonel Mosby, Harry Hatcher and a number of others 
 who had also been watching the Federal cavalry. Mosby 
 ordered Frankland to intercept them on their return to get 
 between them and their camp. 
 
 " I want you to make it a second Dranesville," said Mosby. 
 " I will do the scouting and will keep you informed of the 
 enemy s movements." 
 
 From Upperville the Eighth Illinois struck across a 
 stretch of level land in the direction of Rectortown. As 
 they drew near the house of Henry Dulaney, about a mile 
 from Upperville, Frankland determined to attack them in 
 
 LIEUT. ALBERT WRENN, CO. B. 
 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 2 8 5 
 
 the open field. Dividing his force between Lieut. Albert 
 Wrenn and Lieutenant Grogan, he, with Lieutenant Wrenn 
 and the larger portion, was to attack in front, while Grogan 
 was to march off to the right and strike on their flank. 
 
 The Federals formed in three squadrons. Frankland in 
 his charge broke and drove back the first squadron, but the 
 other two remained firm and poured their fire into his party 
 and also into Grogan s men, who now charged on their left. 
 Between Grogan and the Eighth Illinois there was a ditch 
 and also a high rail fence. In the charge he was compelled 
 to take him men through 
 
 a gate in this fence, --, 
 
 which not only delayed 
 but also confused their 
 movements, and in con 
 sequence Frankland was 
 beaten off before Grogan 
 could unite with him. 
 The squadron in front of 
 Dulaney s house showed 
 signs of wavering, but 
 the Federals on the right 
 of the gate sat quietly on 
 their horses and poured 
 a steady fire into Gro 
 gan s flank. 
 
 Though our loss was 
 severe, it is surprising 
 that it was no greater. 
 Had the Federals charged 
 us when crowded in pass 
 ing through the gate 
 way, or cut us off in the inner field, many more would have 
 been lost. 
 
 Luther Carrington and George Gulick were killed ; John 
 Atkins and Edgar Davis mortally wounded, both dying soon 
 after the fight. Thos. Adams, Geo. Turberville, Maddux and 
 Shaw, wounded. James Chancellor, John Munson, J. J. Will- 
 iams,C. H. Mclntosh and Dennis Darden were taken prisoners. 
 
 J. J. WILLIAMS, SERGEANT CO. F. 
 
 Captured near Upperville in the Fight with the 
 Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 
 
286 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The Eighth Illinois lost but few, yet they pressed into 
 service a wagon and an ox-cart to carry off their dead and 
 wounded. 6 
 
 John Atkins was an Irish gentleman, who, having heard 
 of Mosby s exploits, left home and country to join his for. 
 
 tune with ours. He was brave, 
 generous, of good education, 
 agreeable in his manner, and 
 had in the short time he was 
 with us made many friends. 
 Poor fellow, he suffered greatly, 
 but when death came it was 
 not that grim monster usually 
 pictured, but a kindly spirit, 
 which transported him in his 
 last moments from scenes of 
 blood and carnage back to home, 
 and friends ; and as he mur 
 mured faintly the words " Oh, 
 my poor mother ! " he sank to 
 rest. He was buried in the 
 little cemetery at Paris. 
 
 At one time when Atkins 
 was in Richmond on leave of 
 
 absence, an alarm was sounded that the enemy was about 
 making an attack on the city. Guards were placed on the 
 streets and the provost guard picked up all officers and sol. 
 diers absent from their commands, sending them out to the 
 trenches to check any advance. Atkins was arrested and 
 taken to the Soldiers Home and handed a musket. This 
 was too much for his good nature, even. " Let me go back 
 to my command," said he ; " when I am at home I have my 
 horse to ride and boots up to my middle, and I am not go 
 ing out to the trenches to shovel dirt." He was released on 
 
 6 AUGUR to HALLECK, October 30 : "A portion of the Eighth Illinois had 
 a brush with Mosby yesterday, near Upperville, and whipped him badly, killing 
 7 or 8, and capturing 9. The track will be taken up half way between this 
 (Salem) and Rectortown to-day. They are getting on very slowly as fast, 
 however, as they possibly can. I go to Plains this morning," 
 
 SE^GT. EDGAR DAVIS, CO. E. 
 
 Mortally wounded in the Fight with the 
 
 Eighth Illinois Cavalry near Upperville. 
 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 287 
 
 the following day, through the good offices of Capt. Ed. 
 Hudson, of General Elzey s staff. 
 
 Edgar Davis was thought to be but slightly wounded, 
 but from the first he persisted in saying he would die. He 
 lingered a few days. His horse was shot, as was also the 
 horse of his brother William. Davis was a very quiet, un 
 assuming man and his loss was much regretted. 
 
 Lieut. John N. Murphy of Company G was, with a few 
 others, at the house of Captain Richards near Upperville. 
 He had just reached there from the Northern Neck had 
 not taken off his saddle when the word came : " There are 
 the Yankees ! " He and his companions mounted and 
 quickly rode out to the turnpike just as the fight commenced. 
 Murphy had been a captain in the regular service before 
 joining our command, but this was his first experience in our 
 mode of fighting. Seeing the men scattered over the field 
 in every direction, he was confused. He recognized Lieut. 
 Harry Hatcher dashing across the field at full speed, and 
 being well mounted, on a daughter of the famous old race 
 horse Bailey Peyton, Murphy spurred on and overtook him. 
 
 " Which are our men and which are the Yankees ? " asked 
 Murphy. 
 
 Harry s reply was: " Damn the difference! Go right 
 in ! " Then, turning with his head toward Murphy, he said : 
 " There s a Yankee, right by you now ! " As Murphy 
 turned toward s him, the man wheeled his horse, threw back 
 his hand and fired, the ball from his revolver striking the 
 ground a few feet from Murphy s horse. He then dashed 
 off and rejoined the men of his squadron near Dulaney s 
 house. 
 
 NIGHT ON BATTLEFIELD. 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 November, 1864 The Hanging of Willis Letter of Instructions to Mosby Hipkins Saved by 
 Half a Mule Retaliation Drawing Lots The Drummer Boy The Execution Escape 
 of Two of the Prisoners Mosby Sends a Letter to General Sheridan by Lieut. John 
 Russell Mosby s Letter The " Black Flag." 
 
 Sunday, November 6, 1864. Meeting of the command at 
 Rectortown. Capt. A. E. Richards returned yesterday from 
 the Valley, where he had been scouting with a party of 9, 
 bringing in 14 prisoners, with horses and equipments. 
 These, with prisoners brought in by others, made up a total 
 of 27 men, all belonging to Custer s Cavalry. It was de 
 cided that 7 of them should be taken and executed, in retal 
 iation for the 6 men of our command hung or shot at Front 
 Royal after the fight with Custer s Division, and for another, 
 A. C. Willis, of Company C, who was hung by Col. William 
 H. Powell at Games X Roads, on the i3th of October. 1 
 
 The circumstances in this latter case were as follows : 
 When the Federal raiding parties were passing through our 
 section, they sent a spy ahead to learn where fine cattle and 
 
 1 ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL S OFFICE, ) 
 Richmond, Va. t Xov. 19, 1864. J 
 General R. E. LEE, 
 
 Commanding Army of Northern Virginia : 
 
 GENERAL: I am directed by the Secretary of War to inform you your instruc 
 tions to Lieutenant-Colonel Mosby to hang an equal number of Custer s men in 
 retaliation for those of his command executed by General C. are cordially ap 
 proved by the Department. He instructs me to say in addition that if our citi 
 zens are found exposed upon any captured train signal vengeance should betaken 
 upon all conductors and officers on it, and every male passenger of the enemy s 
 country should be treated as a prisoner. 
 
 Very respectfully, General, your obedient servant, 
 H. L. CLAY, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS. Nov. 21, 1864. 
 Respectfully referred to Colonel Mosby for his government. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 (See Mosby s letter to Lee, Chapter XXL, with endorsements.) 
 
 288 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 289 
 
 horses were to be found, and their hiding places when the 
 raiders were about. This man passed himself off on the 
 farmers as a Confederate soldier, who had escaped from 
 Federal prison. Some of our men discovered his true char 
 acter and making search for him, found 
 him at the residence of Mr. Chancellor. 
 After questioning him and satisfying 
 themselves as to who and what he was, 
 they took him out and shot him. In 
 retaliation for this, General Powell not 
 only burned the house, barn and all 
 outbuildings on Mr. Chancellor s prem 
 ises, but also hung Willis. 3 
 
 The 27 prisoners were drawn up in 
 single line. Among them were two 
 
 sJ* AV t n BRIG.-GEN. WILLIAM 
 
 officers, one being Captain Brewster, H . POWELL. 
 
 commissary of subsistence, of Custer s 
 
 command, and the other a lieutenant of artillery. Twenty- 
 seven pieces of paper, seven of which were numbered and 
 the remainder blanks, being put into a hat and the hat 
 shaken up, each prisoner was required to draw. The num- 
 
 2 General Powell, in his report of operations, Oct. 27th, says : " October 
 13, having learned of the wilful and cold-blooded murder of a U. S. soldier by 
 two men (Chancellor and Myers, members of Mosby s gang of cut-throats and 
 robbers), some two miles from my camp, a few days previous, I ordered the 
 execution of one of Mosby s gang whom I had captured the day previous at 
 Gaines Cross-Roads, and placing the placard on his breast with the following 
 inscription : " A. C. Willis, member of Company C, Mosby s command, 
 hanged by the neck in retaliation for the murder of a U. S. soldier by Messrs. 
 Chancellor and Myers." I also sent a detachment, under command of 
 Captain Howe, First West Virginia Cavalry, with orders to destroy the resi 
 dence, barn, and all buildings and forage, on the premises of Mr. Chancellor, 
 and to drive off all stock of every description, which orders were promptly car 
 ried out." 
 
 From a letter to Lieut. W. Ben Palmer of Company E, I take the following : 
 " Young Willis was captured at Gaines X Roads on the evening of Oc 
 tober 13, 1864, by General Powell s command, then camped on the Marlow 
 farm, in Rappahannock Co., at the foot of the Blue Ridge, on the graded road 
 leading to Chester Gap. On the following morning I was captured by the 
 Federal troops and taken to the Marlow farm. I did not see young Willis, but 
 was within a short distance of him and heard the Federal officers and soldiers 
 talking. They said they had one of Mosby s men at General Powell s head- 
 
2QO 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 bered pieces meant death by hanging, and the blanks 
 Richmond and Libby prison. 
 
 It was a painful scene, and one never to be forgotten. It 
 was not merely in a spirit of revenge that these men were 
 condemned, but it was a measure to which Mosby was 
 forced to resort, by the brutal acts of Custer and Powell. 3 
 One of the captives laid his head on the shoulder of a com 
 rade and wept like a child. Another prayed earnestly until 
 it came his turn to draw, which he did with trembling 
 hand. Holding up the paper and looking at it, his eyes 
 brightened as he exclaimed : " Blank, by God ! I knew it 
 would be so/ One said to a more fortunate companion: 
 
 quarters, and did not know whether they 
 would hang him, shoot him or cut his 
 throat. They hung him about n o clock 
 a. m., on a large poplar tree standing by 
 the roadside on the Marlow farm, and his 
 body was taken down by Messrs. John P. 
 Ricketts, Robert Deatherage and William 
 Bowling, and carried to the Baptist Church 
 in the town of Flint Hill ; he was buried 
 on the following day. On his breast a card 
 was found, saying that he was hung in re 
 taliation for a Union soldier said to have 
 been killed by one of Mosby s command. 
 
 "J. D. BAGGASBY. 
 "To W. BEN PALMER, Richmond, Va." 
 
 In conversation with the Rev. Fred. S. 
 Hipkins, formerly of Company C, Mosby s 
 Battalion, concerning this affair, he said : 
 
 " It was half a mule that saved my neck 
 that time. After we had returned from a 
 raid in the Valley, I was one of the men 
 detailed to take the prisoners South a job 
 I did not like. When the captures were 
 divided, there was a horse and half a mule 
 to each man that is, a horse to each man 
 and one mule to each two men. Half a 
 mule was of no use to me, and as Willis 
 
 thought he could get more work out of a whole mule, he agreed to go out with 
 the prisoners in my stead if I would give him my half mule ; and by putting 
 the two halves together he would have a full mule. It was while taking out 
 these prisoners that he was captured and hung." 
 
 8 Mosby was compelled to adopt this course, not only on account of 
 
 FRED S. HIPKINS, CO. C. 
 Now Rev. F. S. Hipkins, an Episcopal 
 
 Minister. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 291 
 
 " Tell my mother I died like a man. Some could not over 
 come their feelings, and begged piteously for their lives. 
 
 Among the prisoners captured by Richards in the Valley 
 were a newsboy and a drummer boy. The newsboy had 
 been captured by our men on more than one occasion and 
 had always been released ; 
 claiming his usual privi 
 lege, he was allowed to go 
 free. The drummer boy 
 was well grown, and but 
 for a circumstance appar 
 ently trivial in itself, might 
 have passed as a full- 
 fledged soldier. He was 
 mounted on a very sorry 
 horse, which lagged be 
 hind in coming off the field, 
 and Lieutenant Murphy, 
 who was in the rear in 
 charge of the prisoners, 
 rode beside him. The boy 
 told him an artless story, 
 that he was a drummer 
 boy ; and showed a little 
 silver badge with his drum 
 and sticks upon it, which 
 he said his mother had 
 
 given him. He asked Murphy if he would not be allowed 
 to keep this token that we might take everything else. 
 Murphy told him to hide it in his boot and no one would 
 see it. 
 
 Seeing this boy among the condemned, Murphy immedi 
 ately went to Richards and told him the story, saying he 
 
 BVT.-MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE A. CUSTER, 
 
 U. S. A. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
 these acts of Custer and Powell, but also by the action of the higher 
 powers. 
 
 GRANT to SHERIDAN, Aug. 16, 1864 : " Where any of Mosby s men are 
 caught, hang them without trial." 
 
 SHERIDAN to GRANT, Aug. 17 : Mosby has annoyed me and captured a 
 few wagons. We hung i and shot 6 of his men yesterday." 
 
292 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 did not think Mosby wanted to hang a drummer boy, and 
 asked Richards to intercede for him. He did so, and the 
 boy was saved. It may be said that he owed his life really 
 to his poor, old, tired horse. 
 
 Mosby said the drummer boy should not have been al 
 lowed to draw, and that there must be another drawing to 
 procure a substitute for the boy, who was released. 
 
 Again the prisoners were placed in line and compelled to 
 go through the same trying ordeal ; this time there being 
 only one number in the hat. Captain Brewster again 
 escaped, but the lieutenant of artillery was not so fortu 
 nate to him the unlucky number fell. His face grew pale 
 and for a moment his voice quivered, as he said : " And 
 must I be hanged ? " 
 
 The 7 unfortunate prisoners were then sent off under 
 guard, in charge of Lieut. Ed. F. Thomson, with orders 
 to execute them on the Valley turnpike as near General 
 Sheridan s headquarters as possible. 
 
 While passing through Ashby s Gap, the party met Cap 
 tain Montjoy returning from the Shenandoah Valley with 
 some prisoners. Being the ranking officer, he assumed the 
 responsibility of releasing the lieutenant of artillery and one 
 other prisoner and substituted two of the soldiers captured 
 by him. 
 
 According to the instructions, the men were to have been 
 executed on the Valley turnpike, near Winchester, but when 
 they reached the turnpike near Berryville, the night being 
 dark and rainy, one of the prisoners had escaped in the 
 darkness ; and fearful of meeting with further mishap, it 
 was decided to carry out the sentence there. Five men were 
 executed, and the supply of rope having given out, the execu 
 tioners determined to shoot the sixth man, when he asked 
 for more time to pray. Lieutenant Thomson ordered the 
 men not to shoot until he gave the word, and then told the 
 man to pray as long as he wished. The prisoner by some 
 means untied his hands and suddenly struck Thomson, who 
 stood in front of him, a blow which knocked him down ; 
 then jumping over his prostrate body, he darted off into the 
 wood and was lost to sight. It was an easy matter to escape 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 293 
 
 in the darkness. The man closely hugged a large tree until 
 his pursuers were at a safe distance, when he climbed the 
 tree and quietly waited until they left, and then descended 
 and made his way to Winchester. 
 
 A note written by Colonel Mosby and pinned to the cloth 
 ing of one of the men hung, read : 
 
 " These men have been hung in retaliation for an equal 
 number of Colonel Mosby s men hung by order of General 
 Custer at Front Royal. Measure for measure." 4 
 
 4 HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, ) 
 Winchester, Va. t November 7, 1864. ] 
 
 Colonel EDWARDS to KINGSBURY, JR. : "I have the honor to state that G. H. 
 Soule, Company G, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, this day entered our lines from the 
 direction of Berry ville and reported as follows: He was taken prisoner by sol 
 diers of Mosby s command on the 
 macadamized road near Nevvtown, 
 and by them taken to a camp on the 
 Winchester and Berryville turnpike. 
 There he was placed with a squad of 
 Federal prisoners, numbering about 
 22, and with them compelled to draw 
 lots for the purpose of determining 
 upon a certain number who should 
 be hung. Of the 23 prisoners 7 were 
 to be executed in retaliation for a like 
 number of Mosby s command who 
 were hung by General Custer. Of 
 the 7 upon whom the lot fell, 3 were 
 hung, 2 shot and 2 escaped. The 
 wounded men, one of whom escaped 
 alive by feigning death, are being 
 cared for by Union families in the 
 vicinity of the camp. The men who 
 escaped have reported at this post. 
 The accompanying note was found 
 by a citizen who cut down and buried 
 
 the bodies, pinned to the clothing of LIEUT ED. F. THOMSON, CO. H. 
 
 one of the men who were hanged. 
 
 Captain Brewster, commissary of subsistence of General Custer s command, 
 was among the parties captured. The name of one of the men hanged was 
 ascertained to be George L. Prouty. He was a member Company L, Fifth 
 
 Michigan Cavalry." 
 
 [Inclosure.] 
 
 "These men have been hung in retaliation for an equal number of Colonel 
 Mosby s men hung by order of General Custer at Front Royal. Measure for 
 measure. 
 
294 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The place of this hanging was Beemer s Woods, not a 
 hundred yards from the entrance to the grounds of the She- 
 nandoah Driving Park, now a popular racing resort near 
 Berryville. 
 
 After the prisoners had been sent off for execution, Col 
 onel Mosby, looking toward Lieutenant Grogan, said ; 
 u Grogan, I want you to take a letter to General Sheridan, 
 notifying him of the hanging of these men." 
 
 Grogan regarded it as an extra hazardous enterprise at 
 that time to venture into Sheridan s presence with such a 
 letter, as such an act would probably place the neck of the 
 bearer also within the coils of a halter. Therefore, thinking 
 the Colonel wished to perpetrate a joke at his expense, he 
 quickly answered : 
 
 " Oh, no, Colonel ; I don t want to get a rope around my 
 neck yet awhile." 
 
 Had Grogan thought for a moment that the Colonel was 
 serious, he never would have made the reply, as he was one 
 who never shirked a duty and whose courage had often 
 been proved. 
 
 The Colonel then turned to John Russell, who always 
 took a plain matter-of-fact view of things, and who never 
 stopped to consider the risk when an order was given him. 
 He was entrusted with the delivery of the following letter to 
 General Sheridan : 
 
 November 11, 1864. 
 Major-General 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 Brigadier-General Custer. Since then another 
 (captured by a Colonel Powell on a plundering expedition 
 into Rappahannock) shared a similiar 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 700 prisoners, 
 including many officers of high rank, captured from your 
 army by this command, have been forwarded to Richmond., 
 but the execution of my purpose of retaliation was deferred 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 295 
 
 in order, as far as possible, to confine its operation to the 
 men of Custer and Powell. Accordingly, on the 6th instant, 
 seven of your men were by my order executed on the Val 
 ley Turnpike, your highway of travel. 
 
 Hereafter any prisoners falling into my hands will be 
 treated with the kindness due 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. 
 
 This was not without its good effect, and Mosby was 
 spared the painful duty of resorting to such measures there 
 after. 
 
 The Black Flag. At one time there was a report widely 
 circulated, both North and South, that Mosby was " fight 
 ing under the black flag," that he had " hoisted the 
 black flag." Prisoners who 
 were captured expressed sur 
 prise that they were taken 
 alive, unless it were our pur 
 pose to reserve them for some 
 worse fate than a speedy 
 death. Others, as an apology 
 for resisting capture, said they 
 were told that u Mosby s 
 Men" took no prisoners. 
 Among Southern soldiers the 
 report gained credence, and 
 even among members of our 
 command the matter was 
 often the subject of conversa 
 tion. Some of the old veterans 
 would regale a new recruit 
 with blood-curdling stories of 
 the men who were fighting 
 under the " black flag," until 
 
 the poor fellow really felt himself already dangling from 
 some forest tree. Others, while not lacking moral or physical 
 courage, could not shake off a little of that natural repug 
 nance to the barbarous and savage cruelties which are some- 
 
 MAJ.-GEN. PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, 
 
 U. S. A. 
 
 Commanding Middle Military Division. 
 
 From a Photograph taken just before leaving 
 
 the Shenandoah Valley. 
 
296 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 times practiced in war by even so-called civilized Christian 
 nations feeling that if the report were accepted as true by 
 our enemies, it would be used as an excuse for the perpetra 
 tion of atrocious acts under the plea of retaliation. 
 
 The whole story, so far as I have been able to trace it, had 
 its origin its birth, life and death in the following corres 
 pondence, taken from the official records : 
 
 ADJUTANT GENERAL S OFFICE, ) 
 Washington, October 87, 1864. ( 
 Brig.-Gen. E. B. TYLER, Commanding. 
 
 SIR : It has been stated in the papers that a black flag, 
 captured between Harper s herry and Martinsburg by one of your 
 scouts from some of Mosbys guerrillas, has been presented by 
 you to the City of Philadelphia. All flags, munitions of 
 war and public property taken from the enemy belong to 
 the United States, and such flags when captured should be 
 forwarded to the Adjutant General. 
 
 Please report, for the information of the Secretary of 
 War, whether the statement in the papers is correct ; and, 
 if it is, cause the flag to be obtained and forwarded to this 
 office, to be deposited in the archives of the War Depart 
 ment. 
 
 I am, sir, etc., E. D. TOWNSEND, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 HDQRS. FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADE, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS, ) 
 
 Relay House, Md., Nov. 9, 186 4. j 
 General E. D. TOWNSEND, 
 
 Assistant djutant General, Washington, D. C. 
 GENERAL : In compliance with the directions of the 
 Secretary of War, I forward to you the " black flag " cap 
 tured by Detective C. H. Marsh from General Early s Com 
 mand, Monday night, August i, 1864, while in their lines 
 near North Mountain. The flag was in charge of two rebels 
 and set up against a tree. One of the rebels went in search 
 of water ; Marsh, who had been watching the flag from 
 nightfall, determined to get it, if possible, sprung upon the 
 man left alone, secured him, took the flag from the pole, 
 and brought the flag and prisoner safely through within our 
 lines. 
 
 I am, general, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 E. B. TYLER, Brigadier General. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 297 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL S OFFICE, i 
 
 Washington, Nov. 11, 1864. ( 
 Brig.-Gen. E. B. TYLER, U. S. Volunteers, 
 
 Relay House, Md. 
 
 SIR : I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Qth 
 instant and the " black flag " accompanying it. The Secre 
 tary of War has directed that a medal of honor be given to 
 Detective C. H. Marsh for capturing it. Please give me 
 such description of Marsh as will enable me to have the 
 medal properly engraved. If in service, the company and 
 regiment to which he belongs ; if not, the state that he is 
 from, etc. 
 
 I am, sir, etc., E. D. TOWNSEND, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 So we were not in it, after all ! 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 November, 1864 Giving up the Attempt to Reconstruct the Manassas Gap Railroad, and Remov 
 ing the Rails to Repair the Winchester and Potomac Road Powell s Raid Inspection 
 of "Mosby s Men" at Rectortown Company D in the Valley Skirmish between Win 
 chester and Newtown Attacked by Blazer Death of Braxton and Bredell Blazer s 
 Command, Who They Were The Struggle for the Mastery The First Squadron Sets 
 Out in Search of Blazer Fight Near Kabletown Defeat and Capture of Blazer Charles 
 McDonough Death of Lieutenant Cole Prisoners to Richmond Lieutenant Frank 
 Turner in the Valley Companies C and E in the Valley Capture and Recapture of 
 Trains Narrow Escape of Mosby Frank Angelo Company D in Loudoun Chase of 
 the Loudoun Rangers Death of Captain Montjoy Disbanding of Artillery Company 
 Organization of Company G. 
 
 The attempt to reconstruct the Manassas Gap Railroad 
 was now being abandoned and the rails were removed to be 
 used in repairing the Winchester and Potomac Road. 1 
 
 General Stevenson, in a dispatch to General Sheridan, No 
 vember 2, said that a force of 3,000 men would be necessary 
 to protect the road, otherwise portions would be destroyed 
 as fast as constructed. Sheridan then issued an order that 
 if the railroad was interfered with, all male secessionists in 
 Charlestown, Shepherdstown, Smithfield and Berryville, and 
 adjacent country should be arrested and sent to Fort Mc- 
 Henry, their stock driven off and subsistence destroyed. 2 
 
 1 See Mosby to General Lee, Appendix, XIII. 
 
 - GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. MIL. DIST. OF HARPER S FERRY, 
 
 No 23. \ Harper s Ferry, Va., Nov. 17, 1864. 
 
 The general commanding publishes this order for the information of all 
 whom it may concern : 
 
 The Government of the United States having rebuilt the railroad from Har 
 per s Ferry to Winchester, Va., to protect the same from molestation from 
 guerrillas and disloyal citizens along the line of the same, the general com 
 manding is instructed by the major-general commanding, in the event that 
 the operations of said railroad are interfered with by guerrillas or disloyal 
 
 citizens 
 
 To arrest all male secessionists in the towns of Shepherdstown, Charlestown, 
 Smithfield and Berryville, and in the adjacent country, sending them to Fort 
 McHenry, Md., there to be confined during the war ; and also to burn all grain, 
 
 29 8 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 299 
 
 On the morning of November /th General Powell s Di 
 vision of Cavalry came through Manassas Gap on a raid, 
 passing Markham, Piedmont, Rectortown, Upperville, and 
 Paris. They returned to their camp by way of Ashby s 
 Gap, on the 9th, carrying off all the horses, cattle and stock 
 they could find in the section of country traversed by them. 3 
 
 Friday, November 11. The command was called together 
 at Rectortown for inspection. Five hundred men reported 
 for duty. Captain Meade, of General Early s staff, was the 
 inspector. A number of men had joined the battalion whose 
 names were on the rolls of the regular army. For the pur 
 pose of weeding these out, and ridding the command of 
 some unruly and negligent members, Mosby had requested 
 this inspection. As the names were called, these men ap 
 peared before Colonel Mosby and the Inspector, their names 
 were stricken from our rolls, they were deprived of their 
 arms and placed under guard, to be turned over to the Pro 
 vost-Marshal at Gordonsville, Major Boyle. . Captain Meade 
 reported ours as the best mounted and equipped body of 
 men he had ever inspected. 
 
 Tuesday, November 15. Company D met at Paris, and 
 under command of Captain Montjoy, moved off through 
 Ashby s Gap about noon, crossing the Shenandoah at Island 
 Ford, about a mile from Berry s Ferry. Proceeding cau 
 tiously in the direction of Winchester, Montjoy concealed 
 
 destroy all subsistence, and drive off all stock belonging to such individuals, 
 turning over the stock so seized to the Treasury agent for the benefit of the 
 Government of the United States. 
 
 Upon the contingency arising requiring the execution of the instructions 
 herein set forth, the same shall be executed promptly and thoroughly. 
 By order of Brigadier-General Stevenson : 
 
 S. F. ADAMS, 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
 3 SHERIDAN to HALLECK, Nov. 10 : "I have had a small division of cav 
 alry operating on the east side of the mountains in the vicinity of Upperville, 
 Paris, Bloomfield, and surrounding country. No enemy found there, nor had 
 anything been in that section except Mosby s command. A lot of stock, horses, 
 sheep and cattle were brought in by this force, and the grain, barns, subsist 
 ence, etc., so far as practicable, were destroyed. Any reports that you may 
 have heard or received within the last few days of large raiding parties of the 
 enemy, and of a concentration of Mosby near Berry ville, are untrue." 
 
3 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 his men in a piece of woods until daylight (i6th), when he 
 again started. On the road from Winchester to Newtown, a 
 force of Federal cavalry was observed carelessly approach 
 ing, apparently unconscious of danger. Montjoy formed 
 his men behind a hill and awaited their coming. When they 
 reached the position occupied by the Rangers, a charge was 
 ordered ; the astonished Federals fled in confusion, leaving 
 a number of dead and wounded on the field, and 17 prison 
 ers and horses in the hands of Company D. 
 
 When Montjoy reached Berryville, he allowed such of 
 his command as resided in Loudoun to cross the river at 
 Castleman s Ferry, while with about 30 men and the pris 
 oners, he moved along the river, 
 intending to cross at Berry s 
 Ferry. About two miles irom 
 the Ferry, near the residence of 
 Mr. Frank Whiting, he was at 
 tacked by Captain Blazer. At 
 Whiting s house Edward Bre- 
 dell was killed. He was from 
 St. Louis, Mo., and although he 
 had been a lieutenant in the 
 regular service, he was serving 
 as a private in Company D. 
 Montjoy and Grogan endeav 
 ored to rally the men, who were 
 now retreating toward the river, 
 and at the Vineyard, the resi 
 dence of John Esten Cooke, 
 sought to make a stand ; but 
 
 Blazer had the " bulge " on them, as we termed it, and all 
 efforts to stem the tide were unavailing. William Arm- 
 stead Braxton, of King William Co., Va., was mortally 
 wounded in the retreat and was taken to the Vineyard, 
 where he died. Some 4 or 5 of Company D were wounded, 
 among them Nottingham, of Maryland. All the prisoners 
 and horses were recaptured. Bredell was buried at mid 
 night in a sand shoal of the Shenandoah, and his remains 
 were afterwards removed to a churchyard near Piedmont. 
 
 CAPT. RICHARD BLAZER, 
 
 Commanding Independent Scouts. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 3<DI 
 
 Blazer s command was organized by Gen. Crook while 
 campaigning in West Virginia, to hunt and destroy the 
 irregular bands of mountaineers who were annoying him in 
 that wild region. Capt. Blazer had at one time been 
 in charge of a steamboat on the Ohio River, and had 
 distinguished himself as a soldier and scout. It was this 
 chosen body of fighting men that Sheridan selected to 
 * clean out Mosby s gang." 4 By raiding through the moun 
 tains and attacking small scouting parties and detachments, 
 they had captured some of " Mosby s Men" and a number 
 of men belonging to other commands. Capt. Blazer was 
 not only a brave man and a hard fighter, but by his humane 
 and kindly treatment, in striking contrast with the usual 
 conduct of our enemies, he had so disarmed our citizens 
 that instead of fleeing on his approach and notifying ail sol 
 diers, thus giving them a chance to escape, but little notice 
 was taken of him. Consequently many of our men were 
 " gobbled up " before they were aware of his presence. 5 
 
 4 SHERIDAN to AUGUR, August 20 : "I have 100 men who will take ihe 
 contract to clean out Mosby s gang. I want 100 Spencer rifles for them. Send 
 them to me if they can be found in Washington." 
 
 6 Captain Blazer s Report, 
 
 HEADQUARTERS INDEPENDENT SCOUTS, 
 Middleto-wn, Va. Oct. 2J^ 1864. 
 
 SIR : I have the honor of submitting the following report of the operations 
 of my command since the i8th of August : 
 
 On the i8th, learning that a party of Mosby s guerrillas were in the vicin 
 ity of Myerstown, I proceeded to that place and overtook them near the Shen- 
 andoah river, and, alter a chase of three miles, I drove them across the river, 
 capturing one prisoner. The army having fallen back to Halltown on the 25th. 
 according to your orders, I went into Loudoun County, and after operating for 
 several days I killed five of Mosby s gang and captured three prisoners. The 
 army having again advanced to Berryville, on the night of the 3d of Septem 
 ber I learned that Mosby, with a considerable force, was at Snickersville. 
 Early on the morning of the 4th I crossed the river at Backus Ford and moved 
 up the river to where I could get up the mountain through the woods. I 
 struck the pike east of the top of the mountain, and moved on their camp. 
 Finding that he had left during the night in the direction of Charlestown, I de 
 termined to follow. I recrossed the mountain through Lewis Gap, and, by a 
 forced march, I overtook them about 2 p. m. at Myer s Ford, and, after a spir 
 ited fight for several minutes, I completely routed them, with a loss on his nart 
 of 13 killed, 6 wounded, 5 prisoners and 17 horses. My loss was I killed and 
 6 wounded. Since that I have had several small affairs with them, in which I 
 
302 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 After the disastrous affair at Myer s Ford, where our First 
 Squadron was so badly used up by Blazer, the men were 
 anxious to wipe out the stain which they felt marred their 
 fair fame. The cutting words used by Mosby when he 
 heard of the defeat of his old Company A, still rang in their 
 ears: 
 
 " You let the Yankees whip you ? I ll get hoop skirts for 
 you ! I ll send you into the first Yankee regiment we come 
 across !" 
 
 At last the opportunity was given them to win back their 
 lost laurels. On the i/th of November the First Squadron 
 (Companies A and B) under command of Capt. A. E. 
 Richards, met at Bloomfield and started out to hunt up 
 Blazer. One hundred and ten men were present. Scouts 
 were sent out, who reported the enemy at Snickersville, 
 but when we reached there the birds had flown. We then 
 crossed the Shenandoah below Castleman s Ferry and halted 
 for the night in Castleman s Woods. Scouts coming in re 
 ported Blazer to have been at Hillsborough, in Loudoun, 
 at i p. m., which place he left and crossing the river, 
 reached Kabletown before daylight. 
 
 Early on the morning of the i8th, Puryear and Mc- 
 Donough, who were scouting near Kabletown, ran into a 
 party of Blazer s men in the fog and Puryear was captured. 
 
 have always defeated them, except twice. On the 2Oth, Lieutenant Evving, with 
 five men, was attacked on the Berryville pike, near the Opequon, by a superior 
 force, and all were captured except himself. On the 23d, Sergeant Fuller, of the 
 Fifth Virginia Infantry, with ten men, was attacked near Summit Point by fifty 
 or sixty guerrillas. He fought them until he was overpowered and four of his 
 men were killed, one wounded and the rest all captured but three, who made 
 their escape. 
 
 Having learned that a man by the name of Marshall was recruiting a com 
 pany in the vicinity of Ashby s Gap, and that they were to organize on 
 the 25th, I proceeded to their reported rendezvous, near White Post, and com 
 pletely surprised them, getting Marshall and four of his men, and capturing 
 all of his papers. In another affair below Front Royal I left eight of his mur 
 derers to keep company with some that (were) left by General Custer ; these, 
 with a number of others that I have picked up through the country, make an 
 aggregate, in killed, 44 ; wounded, 12, and prisoners, including two captured 
 in the advance to Cedar Creek the first time, 12. 
 
 My entire loss is 5 men killed, 7 wounded and 8 prisoners. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 303 
 
 McDonough, who had been placed under the ban by the 
 Federal authorities, 6 refused to allow the strangers to ride 
 up to him, made his escape, and brought in the news of Pur- 
 year s capture. 
 
 We now moved down the west side of the river. Cap 
 tain Richards said : " Blazer is now camped near Kable- 
 town ; as soon as you come in sight of his pickets, draw 
 your pistols and move off at a gallop, but don t fire a shot or 
 raise a yell until you hear the shooting in front. Don t 
 shoot until you get close to them, among them. They ve 
 got Puryear and 4 other prisoners and you may kill some of 
 them." 
 
 We moved quietly along and soon came in sight of the 
 blue smoke curling up in the woods near town. When the 
 woods were reached, the command moved on at a gallop 
 and dashed, into the camp, but found it deserted. The 
 fires, still burning, a huge pile of corn in the center of the 
 camp, and a bundle of newspapers lying unopened near by, 
 showed that the enemy had left but a short time before. A 
 halt was ordered and scouts were sent out. They soon re 
 turned, bringing word that Blazer had passed on but a few 
 moments previous to our coming, and was moving toward 
 the river in search of Richards, who he now knew to be in the 
 neighborhood. A person we met said in reply to a question 
 concerning their number : " There are 105 of them, with 
 5 prisoners." One of Blazer s men, either a straggler or a 
 scout, came leisurely along, walking his horse, and was 
 made prisoner. 
 
 As we moved along the road, a couple of Federal caval 
 rymen were observed dashing across a field from one piece 
 
 6 STEVENSON to HARDIE, Oct. 22 : "I have this morning received positive 
 information of the fate of Captain Buchanan and his orderly. He was mur 
 dered by his captors near Brook s Furnace, on the Shenandoah River, by two 
 men by the name of Charles McDonough and Wirt Ashby, who had captured 
 him. I can recover the bodies at any time. I have the papers found upon the 
 body of Capt. B., fully identifying him." 
 
 Indorsement : " Capt. Evan M. Buchanan, commissary of subsistence, 
 Third Division, Sixth Corps, was murdered on the 3Oth day of September, 1864, 
 by a party under the leadership of Charles McDonough, of Charlestown, Vi , 
 a bushwhacker and assassin." 
 
304 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 of woods to another, and the whole rolumn soon came in 
 sight, moving slowly along. They also saw us as we 
 marched and followed on, no doubt thinking that Richards 
 wished to avoid a fight. 
 
 Turning off from the road near Myerstown through a little 
 skirt of woods, Richards drew up his men in a hollow in the 
 center of an open field facing the woods, which hid them 
 from the view of those in the road. The Federals followed 
 closely after us. Captain Richards and his brother, Thomas 
 Richards, remained in the edge of the woods, watching 
 their movements. Carlisle, who had been imbibing a little, 
 being in a good humor for fighting, amused our boys while 
 
 we were awaiting the onset, by 
 r-~s dashing into the woods and 
 looking at the enemy and then 
 galloping back. He fired a shot 
 at them, and on coming back 
 Lieutenant Hatcher said : " Car 
 lisle, what doyou mean by shooting 
 about here ? " "I saw Puryear," 
 said Carlisle, " and he told me to 
 j shoot. Harry, if you will go with 
 ! me we can whip them." 
 Seeing Blazer s men taking 
 
 SYDNOK G. FERGUSON, co. B. down the fence and dismounting, 
 
 From a war Photograph. Captain Richards thought their 
 
 intention was to dismount and 
 
 fight us at long range, which would give them every advan 
 tage, with their guns they being sheltered by the woods 
 and we being exposed to their fire in the open field. 
 
 Richards called out to Lieutenant Hatcher : " Harry, they 
 are dismounting." Hatcher started a few men to pull down 
 a gap in a fence in our rear, and Company A was ordered 
 to move off as if retreating. This ruse had the desired 
 effect, for we had scarcely moved off from the head of our 
 line when Richards again called out : " Harry, they are 
 charging." 
 
 Company B was still in line, but as we wheeled we saw 
 tnem charge up to the woods. Company A, led by Hatcher, 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 305 
 
 now swept over the intervening space at full speed and 
 dashed with the fury of a tornado on the flank -of the Fed 
 eral column. Blazer s men used their carbines at first, until 
 we got fairly among them, when they drew their revolvers. 
 They fought desperately, but our men pressed on, broke 
 them and finally drove them from the field. The road for a 
 distance of several miles bore evidence of the deadly con 
 flict, as well as the discomfiture of the Federals. One tall 
 fellow, who bore the not uncommon name of Smith, was 
 pursued by Captain Hamner. Hamner fired at him repeat 
 edly, especially each time that Smith would turn in his sad 
 dle and put up his carbine to get a shot at him. In lieu of 
 bullets, Smith sent back volleys of curses at each shot, but 
 refused to surrender, until a pistol was snapped in his face 
 and he found escape impossible. 
 
 Blazer used every endeavor to rally his flying followers ; 
 but seeing the utter destruction of his command, and being 
 well mounted, he endeavored to make his escape. Onward 
 he dashed, steadily increasing the distance betwen himself 
 and most of his pursuers, but a young man named Fergu 
 son, 7 mounted on his fleet mare " Fashion," followed close 
 on Blazer s heels. After emptying his pistol without being 
 able to hit or halt the fugitive, he drove spurs into his horse 
 and urging her alongside the Captain, dealt him a blow with 
 his pistol which knocked him from his horse and landed 
 him in a fence corner. 
 
 " Boys," said Blazer, when able to speak, 4< you have 
 whipped us fairly. All I ask is that you treat us well." 
 
 His wounded head was tied up with a handkerchief, and 
 he soon appeared somewhat reconciled to his fate. 8 
 
 Twenty-four Federals were killed, a number wounded 
 many mortally and 62 prisoners taken. Fifty horses, with 
 their equipments, were captured. 
 
 7 Rev. Sydnor G. Ferguson, a Methodist minister of Fredericksburg, Ya. 
 
 8 After his release from prison, Blazer returned to his regiment, the Ninety- 
 first Ohio. After the war he lived at Gallipolis, Ohio, until 1878, when he con 
 tracted yellow fever from the victims of the ill-fated steamer " John Porter," 
 and died. See "Blazer Affair" in Appendix. 
 
306 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Richards had one man, Hudgins, from Rappahannock, 
 mortally wounded, and a number of others wounded, but 
 not seriously among them Charles McDonough, Richard 
 Farr, William Trammell, C. Maddux, and Frank Sedg- 
 wick. 9 
 
 In connection with the wounding of McDonough an inci 
 dent occurred which may be unknown to many of our men. 
 In a hand-to-hand fight with one of Blazer s men, Mc 
 Donough had fired his last shot, killing his enemy s horse. As 
 he fired he said : " Harrell, you - - , I am going to kill 
 you." He then called to one of our men, John Foster, who 
 was passing : " John, lend me a pistol." Knowing that Mc 
 Donough had sworn never to be taken or to take a prisoner, 
 Foster said, " Go on, and I ll take him." " No," said Mc 
 Donough ; " the - has shot me." Knowing that some 
 of the Federals in that fight had resumed hostilities after sur 
 rendering, Foster took it for granted that this one had done 
 tue same, and handed McDonough a pistol. McDonough 
 snapped it three times at the man as he lay pinned to the 
 ground by his dead horse. At the third trial the weapon 
 exploded and the ball struck him in the top of the head, the 
 blood spurting up like a fountain. It was afterwards 
 learned that this man, whom McDonough had recognized in 
 
 9 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF HARPER S FERRY. 
 
 Harper 1 s Ferry, Nov. 19, 1864. 
 
 STEVENSON to FORSYTH : " Two of Captain Blazer s men came in this 
 morning, privates Harris and Johnson. They report that Mosby, with 300 
 men, attacked Blazer near Kabletown yesterday about n o clock. They say 
 that the entire command, with the exception of themselves, was either 
 captured or killed. 
 
 I have ordered out Major Congdon, with 300 Twelfth Pennsylvania Cav 
 airy, to Kabletown, to bury dead and take care of wounded, if any, and report 
 all facts he can learn. Shall immediately furnish report as soon as received." 
 
 CROWNINSHIELD to DANA, Nov. 20 : " Mosby has not troubled us yet. On 
 the i8th instant Mosby had a fight with a Captain Blazer, who commands an 
 independent company of scouts, and defeated him, taking the captain and most 
 of his men prisoners. Three of Blazer s men came into my camp. I sent 
 them to Harper s Ferry. The fight took place near Kabletown. I suppose 
 Mosby recrossed the river at Smither s Ford. He is reported to have had 
 about 300 men." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 307 
 
 the fight, was a deserter from his regiment in the regular 
 service. 10 
 
 The 5 prisoners who had been picked up by Blazer were, 
 of course, released. Puryear was in the rear, under guard, 
 when the charge was made. He had a stout stick in his 
 hand, which he had provided for use, knowing that the 
 party would be attacked, but which he pretended to need 
 to urge his horse forward. As soon as the chase com 
 menced he turned his attention from his horse to his captors, 
 one of whom he belabored to his heart s content, until he 
 procured a pistol, with which he joined in the pursuit. 
 
 There have been so many different statements made con 
 cerning the killing of Lieutenant Cole that, while not myself 
 a witness to the occurrence, although a participant in the 
 fight, I wish to give what I believe to be the correct ver 
 sion. It was written by one who was an eye-witness, and 
 whom I know to be thoroughly reliable. It is from an ac 
 count of the fight published in the Richmond Times, written 
 by John H. Alexander. I have always felt that the killing 
 of this man, a defenseless prisoner, was unjustifiable and 
 deserving of the severest censure. 
 
 Speaking of Puryear s treatment while in the hands of 
 the Federals, he says : 
 
 P was a brave youth, who bore a heart always 
 
 ready for a soldier s fate, and he bowed to the inevitable 
 with the best grace he could. But an experience awaited 
 him of which he, poor fellow, little dreamed. When he was 
 carried by his captors back to Lieutenant Cole, the second 
 in command to Blazer, and who had charge of the scouts, 
 
 10 McDonough s life had been a desperate one, and his end was tragic. After 
 the surrender, the Federal soldiers were hunting him. One day in the month 
 of June a body of Federal cavalry was seen by McDonough and a companion, 
 coming down the pike in the neighborhood of Middleburg. McDonough gal 
 loped up to them by the Plains road, fired several shots at them and then turned 
 to run. After running 200 or 300 yards, his horse ran over a hog in the road 
 and, falling, threw him. He then ran into a grove, pursued by the Federals, 
 one of whom, at the first fire, shot off McDonough s trigger finger. They im 
 mediately closed in around him in the grove. Seeing that there was no chance 
 of escape, and having sworn no Federal should ever take him, he took his pis 
 tol in his left hand and, placing the muzzle in his mouth, fired, killing himself 
 instantly. 
 
308 
 
 that officer of course questioned him as to the whereabouts 
 of our command, and equally, of course, he refused to give 
 any information. Lieutenant Cole should not have ex 
 pected it from him. But I suppose he was a man who 
 looked upon war as a barbarous business, anyhow, and con 
 sidered barbarous means justifiable for the achievement of 
 
 a military success. At any rate, he insisted upon P s 
 
 betraying his comrades, and when threats of instant death 
 failed to move the loyal-hearted lad, he proceeded appar 
 ently to put his threats into execution. A rope was placed 
 around the prisoner s neck and he was suspended from a 
 tree until nearly unconscious, and then lowered and again 
 questioned. Once, even twice, was this repeated. But the 
 boy still refused to answer, and the brutal torture was 
 stayed. Possibly the exigencies of the hour were more re 
 sponsible for it than any spirit of relenting on the part of 
 Lieutenant Cole. 
 
 As to the capture and killing of Cole he says : 
 
 As the rout passed Myer s shop I saw a Federal officer 
 strike out from the main body of flying men, evidently to 
 seek his own salvation. My horse, which was strong and 
 fleet, made after him, and in less than a hundred yards run, 
 I was alongside of him. On my call to surrender he halted 
 and raised both hands. I saw that his pistols were in his 
 holster, and leaned over to unbuckle his belt and secure 
 them. As I was bent over my attention was attracted by 
 the sound of horses feet, and I raised my head to see 
 P - rein up behind us. His face was distorted with 
 anger or excitement, and he was pointing a cocked pistol 
 at the officer s head. 
 
 He was, of course, released from his captivity as soon as 
 Blazer s column broke. I learned afterwards that he had at 
 once fell upon his guard and wrested his revolver from him 
 and fell into the chase. Lieutenant Cole became the single 
 object of his pursuit, and, his eye once falling upon him, he 
 had followed him like a Nemesis throughout the whole des 
 perate race until he came up with him in my possession. 
 
 I raised my hand and said : " Don t shoot this man : he 
 has surrendered." 
 
 P - answered, with an oath: " The rascal tried to hang 
 me this morning." I knew that he had been in the enemy s 
 hands, and asked the prisoner if what he charged was 
 true. There was a moment s hesitation, and no response ; 
 then the crack of a pistol, and Lieutenant Cole fell against 
 my side and rolled to the ground between his horse and 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 309 
 
 mine. I dismounted and took his belt, with a pair of re 
 volvers, from around him. Let me pay this tribute to his 
 memory both pistols were empty. I believe I failed to 
 state that when I overtook him he was bleeding profusely 
 from a wound in the breast, which he had received in the 
 fight. As I moved away he rolled his dying eyes toward 
 me with a look I shall never forget and I would gladly have 
 tarried to give him such comfort as I could. But this was 
 no time for sympathy, and I hurried back to the road. 
 
 The prisoners were sent South under guard of 4 men. 
 
 Returning from Richmond after delivering our prisoners 
 at Libby prison, we met near Rapidan Station a party of 19 
 prisoners and 17 mules, under guard of 5 men, captured 
 
 PROVOST MARSHAL S OFFICE, A. "N. VA., 
 
 PaS3 
 
 By order of Gen. 11. E. LEE-. 
 
 NrTa.rooroa.^rCrordonswlIe 
 
 by Captain Montjoy near Winchester. Farther on, we met 
 a squad of 8 prisoners captured by Lieutenant Frank Turner 
 near Summit Point. At Culpeper Court House wefell in 
 with a guard and 23 prisoners that had been captured by 
 Captain Chapman in the Valley. From this one can form 
 some idea of the number of prisoners that, when the armies 
 were in motion, were captured daily by Mosby s Rangers. 
 Sunday, November W. Company F met at Paris. Lieut. 
 Frank Turner was sent to the Valley with a detachment of 
 32 men. Within one mile of a brigade camp near Summit 
 Point he captured 8 men and an equal number of horses and 
 mules. He sent out his captures under guard and then 
 moved off toward Winchester. 
 
3io 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 After marching around through rain, snow and sleet for 
 two days, on the 22d he met Company K (52 men) of the 
 Twelfth New York Cavalry on the turnpike about 2 miles 
 below Charlestown. He routed them, killing and wounding 
 several and capturing 14 prisoners and 12 horses with their 
 equipments. He returned to Fauquier on the 2^d, without 
 loss or injury, except one horse wounded. 
 
 Wednesday, November 23. About 65 men of Companies 
 C and E met at Paris. Led by Lieut. John Russell, they 
 
 crossed the Shenandoah at 
 Berry s Ferry to wards even 
 ing and moving off in the 
 jr direction of White Post, lay 
 
 in the woods until midnight, 
 when Mosby and Capt. Will 
 iam Chapman joined them. 
 On the morning of the 24th, 
 while out with a scouting 
 party, Chapman captured 5 
 prisoners, who were sent off 
 ^ in charge of Frank M. An- 
 
 IV JjH| gelo- Seeing a foraging 
 
 party with a small train of 
 wagons, Chapman hastened 
 J| back to the command with 
 
 this information and Mosby 
 started in pursuit. The 
 wagons were overtaken 
 just as they met another 
 
 train coming from camp. As a charge had been ordered 
 before the approach of the second train had been noticed, 
 the men dashed on and, scattering the guards, drove them 
 into the brigade camp. For a time everything was in con 
 fusion, but the Federals rallied and the Rangers were 
 compelled to beat a hasty retreat. Mosby was riding a 
 young horse, which broke its bit and become unmanageble. 
 By the coolness of his men and his own presence of mind he 
 was enabled to escape. Captain Chapman had his horse 
 killed, but John Kirwin, of Company C, dismounted and gave 
 
 LIEUT. W. GARLAND SMITH, CO. G. 
 From a recent Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 311 
 
 his horse to Chapman, while he jumped up behind a com 
 rade and made his way out. 
 
 Frank M. Angelo, while proceeding along with his pris 
 oners, fell in with a party of the Federals who had struck 
 across the country to cut our men off from the river, and 
 was captured. He was taken to Martinsburg and put in jail. 
 On the first night of his imprisonment he opened the jail door 
 and boldly walked out, reaching Fauquier safely on the fol 
 lowing day. (See Appendix, XLI.) 
 
 Sunday, November 27. Captain Montjoy, with Company 
 D, went down into the lower part of Loudoun, in search of 
 the Loudoun Rangers. Not finding them at Waterford, 
 one of their favorite resorts, he proceeded in the direction 
 of Leesburg. At Goresville he fell in with a detachment 
 under the command of Lieutenant Graham, who had been 
 on a raid to Leesburg, where they had captured Fred. Smith 
 and Cleveland Coleman. As soon as attacked, Keyes men 
 started on a run, one party, under Graham, making for the 
 Potomac, while the other, under Lieutenant Rhodes, rushed 
 wildly along toward Leesburg. They lost about 20 in all, 
 killed, wounded and captured ; among the prisoners were 
 Lieutenants Graham and Rhodes. 11 
 
 11 BURTNETE to STEVENSON, Nov. 28 : "I have been in Loudoun 4 miles. 
 Mosby is in command. His force is scattered in squads from 25 to 150. About 
 100 turned off at Hamilton toward Fauquier County ; the balance came this way 
 (Point of Rocks) in detachments. Lieutenant Graham, of Keyes Cavalry, with 
 34 men, went out this morning at 6 o clock beyond Leesburg and captured the 
 assistant adjutant general of General Gordon and one private. Returning he 
 met the enemy at Goresville in force. Graham s command was cut in the cen 
 ter certain, were driven within 2 miles of this place, and Lieutenant Graham 
 captured ; the other made for Leesburg, with Lieutenant Rhodes ; these have 
 not been heard from. But 16 of the command have come in ; what has be 
 come of the remainder is unknown. Mosby has returned toward Hamilton, 
 and will in all probability remain there for the night. A force of 200 cavalry 
 from Mouth of Monocacy, 14 miles from Hamilton, and an equal force from 
 Harper s Ferry, 18 miles from there, could use up Mosby s command. I can 
 send Keyes to Monocacy to pilot the 200 stationed there to Hamilton. Captain 
 Keyes has 25 men for duty." 
 
 KEYES to ADAMS, Nov. 29 : "I have the honor to report that a detachment 
 of this command of 34 men, under the command of Lieutenant Robt. Graham, 
 left camp on the 28th instant, between 5 and 6a.m., crossed the river at 
 Cheek s Ford, proceeded toward Leesburg, crossed the Leesburg road at Big 
 
312 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 As Captain Montjoy, with Lieutenant Grogan, was lead 
 ing his men in the pursuit, he was killed by a chance shot 
 fired by one of the fugitives near the " Burnt Chimney." 
 One of the Federals, without even looking behind, put his 
 pistol over his shoulder and fired, the ball striking Montjoy 
 
 in the head. He was a 
 brave, dashing young offi 
 cer. The following order, 
 issued by Colonel Mosby, 
 shows the esteem in which 
 he was held. He was 
 buried in the cemetery at 
 Warrenton. 
 
 " GENERAL ORDERS, J 
 
 No. -. f 
 
 " HEADQUARTERS 430 } 
 BATTALION P. R. V 
 December 3, 186 J^. ) 
 " The Lieutenant-Colonel 
 commanding announces to 
 the Battalion, with emo 
 tions of deep sorrow, the 
 death of Captain R. P. 
 Montjoy, who fell in action 
 near Leesburg on the 2/th 
 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." 
 
 Spring, there struck the Catoctin Mountain, crossed the Winchester pike at 
 Clark s Gap, then proceeded to Dry Mill, south of Leesburg, there took the road 
 to Leesburg ; heard that a small force of 15 or 20 rebels were in town ; charged 
 through the town and captured Captain Smith, adjutant-general on Major- 
 General Gordon s staff ; also captured one private belonging to the Loudoun 
 Cavalry. Left Leesburg and took the road leading to Point of Rocks. Met 
 Mosby s command at Goresville, numbering from 150 to 200 men, where a 
 small skirmish took place. Lieutenant Graham and Lieutenant Rhodes and 5 
 or 6 privates are still missing. 
 
 " The loss of the enemy was Captain Montjoy killed, who, it was said was in 
 command ; one lieutenant wounded, and 2 privates killed." 
 
 BURTNETE to STEVENSON, Dec. 6 : " Information from various sources, 
 
 CAPT. R. P. MONTJOY, CO. D. 
 Killed near Goresville, Loudoun Co., Va. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 After Montjoy s death, Lieut. Alfred Glascock was ap 
 pointed Captain of Company D. 
 
 The Artillery Company was disbanded, pursuant to the 
 following order issued by the War department : 
 
 SPECIAL ORDERS, ) 
 No. 261. f 
 
 ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL S OFFICE, ) 
 Richmond, Nov. 2, 1864. f 
 
 XVII. The company of artillery attached to the command 
 of Lieut. Col. John S. Mosby and organized under the au 
 thority of the Secretary of 
 War, is hereby disbanded. 
 The men will be incorpo 
 rated into the other com 
 panies of the command or 
 be forwarded to Camp Lee 
 for general assignment as 
 conscripts. 
 
 By order of the Secretary 
 of War. 
 
 JOHN W. RIELY, 
 Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 On Monday, November 
 28, the Artillery Company 
 met for reorganization and, 
 as Company G, elected as 
 Captain, Thos. W. T. Rich 
 ards, brother of Capt. A. E. 
 Richards. The other offi 
 cers were not elected until 
 some time after, when John 
 N. Murphy was chosen First 
 Lieutenant, W. Garland 
 Smith, Second Lieutenant, and John W. Puryear, Third 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 At the breaking out of the war, Capt. T. W. T. Richards 
 left Washington City, where he was a student in Colum- 
 
 each not cognizant of the other, satisfies me that Mosby with 300 men, was to 
 day at Dry Mill, 2| miles westward from Leesburg. He has Lieutenants 
 Graham and Rhodes, of Keyes Cavalry, and several prisoners from General 
 Merritt s command. He has informed citizens that he intends to hang Lieu- 
 
 LIEUT. JOHN N. MURPHY, CO. G 
 
 From a Photograph taken when Captain of 
 
 Co. C, gth Virginia Cavalry. 
 
314 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 bia College, enlisting first in the Eighth Virginia Infantry, 
 and afterwards serving in the Seventh Virginia Cavalry- 
 He joined Mosby, and in the fight on May 3d, 1863, 
 at Warrenton Junction, was wounded and taken prisoner; 
 he returned to his command after an imprisonment of 
 12 months. The letter here given, from General Lee to 
 Secretary Seddon, is a guarantee of his fitness for the 
 position. He went to the Northern Neck, but did not meet 
 the success anticipated and again returned to his command. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 
 
 August 9, 186 4. 
 Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR, Rick mond. 
 
 SIR: When applied to some time ago to devise some 
 mode to relieve the people of the Northern Neck and the 
 
 South side of the Rappahannock 
 from outrages by the enemy, I ad 
 vised that all citizens capable of 
 bearing arms be organized for the 
 defense of their property and fam 
 ilies. At the same time I inquired 
 of Colonel Mosby if he could recom 
 mend some one, experienced in the 
 kind of service which the necessities 
 of the exposed districts will require, 
 to aid in organizing the citizens and 
 controlling their operations. He 
 has recently replied to my letter 
 and recommended very highly the 
 
 CAPT. T. w. T. RICHARDS, bearer of this, Mr. Thomas W. Rich- 
 co. G. ards, as a man of approved courage, 
 
 From a War-time Photograph. of good character, and fitted by ex 
 perience for the duty. I therefore 
 
 respectfully advise that you send Mr. Richards to the country 
 in question, with a letter to the most prominent citizens, ex 
 planatory of his object, and asking their co-operation, at the 
 same time giving him authority to raise a command for local 
 defense in conformity to law, but strictly prohibiting him 
 from receiving any absentees from the army or persons 
 
 tenant Graham as a deserter from the C. S. Army. Graham s term of service 
 was out before his term of service, one year, had expired. You may rely upon 
 this information as correct. Cannot something be done to take Mosby s com 
 mand ? Corporal Tretapoe, who took French Bill, shot one of Mosby s men 
 yesterday ; he died this morning at Lovettsville. He is out again after more." 
 
MOSBYS RANGERS. 315 
 
 liable to enrollment in the general service. I think such a 
 command, well managed, will contribute greatly to the 
 security of the people and their property. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 August 10, 1864. 
 
 Grant such authority as is recommended by General Lee. 
 Let the officer have a certified copy of this letter from Gen 
 eral Lee, which will be his best recommendation to the 
 citizens of the Northern Neck. Refer him, too, to General 
 Kemper, to whom he will report for the present, and will 
 co-operate with the reserves. 
 
 J. A. S., Secretary. 
 
 Lieut. John N. Murphy first enlisted in the Ninth Virginia 
 Cavalry, in which regiment he was promoted to the cap 
 taincy of Company C. Owing to poor health, he was kept 
 away from his company, and being unwilling to deprive his 
 officers of the promotion they merited by continual ser 
 vice, he resigned. On recovering, a captain s commission 
 was given him to recruit a company in the Northern Neck. 
 He there experienced the same difficulties that Richards 
 did, and joined him in forming Company G. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 November and December, 1864 General Merritt s Raid Through Loudoun Laying Waste 
 " Mosby s Confederacy "Sheridan s Orders to Merritt The Work of Destruction- 
 Burning and Plunder Robbing the Poor-House Welt Hatcher Shoots a Federal Officer 
 in the Midst of his Men Merritt s Report Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Crowninshield . 
 
 On the 28th of November, 1864, while a little party of 
 us were sitting around the fireside after dinner, at the hos 
 pitable mansion at Ayreshire, near Upperville, the residence 
 of Mr. George S. Ayre, our host came in and said : 
 
 " Boys, I don t know that there is anything wrong, but I 
 think you had better be out and looking around. One of 
 the black boys says he heard a number of shots out toward 
 Upperville, and heard some one calling out Halt." 
 
 We immediately went to the stable and got up our horses. 
 While doing so we heard several shots fired. Soon a boy 
 rode up to the gate, pale with fright, and asked how he 
 could get to the mountains, saying : " The Yankees are in 
 Upperville !" 
 
 We soon saw flames bursting out in the direction of town, 
 from burning hay-stacks, barns and stables. Later we 
 learned that two brigades of Federal cavalry, under General 
 Merritt, had crossed the Shenandoah at Berry s Ferry and 
 advanced through Ashby s Gap ; that they had come over 
 for the purpose of laying waste the country. As an excuse 
 for this savage and barbarous proceeding, they claimed to 
 do so with the object of driving Mosby from the country. 
 Mosby, however, remained and was among those least 
 affected by the burning. 
 
 At night the Federal forces camped near Upperville, while 
 around them on all sides the dull fires blazed lazily. Ever 
 and anon, as the night wind stirred up the dying embers of 
 the result of some poor farmer s toil, the bright flames would 
 shoot up for a few moments, illuminating the scene and then 
 again relapsing into darkness. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 317 
 
 Early on the morning- of the 2Qth we arose, hoping to find 
 the enemy leaving, after their acts of the previous day. 
 But it was a vain hope we found their work of destruction 
 was only commenced. Another brigade of Federal cavalry 
 crossed the Shenandoah and marched through Snicker s 
 Gap to join the force of military incendiaries. Soon the 
 curling smoke was rising in dense volumes, streaming heav 
 enward, as if appealing to God for mercy, or invoking His 
 vengeance upon the authors of these foul deeds, while 
 around the fires dark forms were flitting, like demons let 
 loose to perform on earth their hellish work. As the fires 
 became more numerous, the heavy mass of smoke spread 
 out and settled over the Valley like a thick fog, obscuring 
 the view so that at one time, while riding along with a few 
 of our men, we could distinctly hear the voices of our ene 
 mies in conversation, although we could not see them. 
 
 The Federals separated into three parties, one of which 
 went along the Bloomfield road and down Loudoun, in the 
 direction of the Potomac ; another passed along the Pied 
 mont pike to Rectortown, Salem and around to Middle- 
 burg ; while the main body kept along the turnpike to Aldie, 
 where the} struck the Snickersville pike. Thus they 
 scoured the country completely from the Blue Ridge to the 
 Bull Run mountains. 1 
 
 1 As all efforts made to drive out or destroy Mosby and his command had 
 so far proved fruitless, Halleck sent the following dispatch to Sheridan : 
 
 HALLECK to SHERIDAN, Nov. 26 : 4t It seems to me that before any cavalry 
 is sent away, Mosby s band should be broken up, as hejs continually threaten 
 ing our lines." 
 
 "SHERIDAN to HALLECK, Nov. 26: "I will soon commence work on 
 Mosby. Heretofore I have made no attempt to break him up, as I would have 
 employed ten men to his one, and for the reason that I have made a scape-goat 
 of him for the destruction of private rights. Now there is going to be an in 
 tense hatred of him in that portion of this Valley, which is nearly a desert. 
 I will soon commence on Loudoun County, and let them know there is a God 
 in Israel. Mosby has annoyed me considerably, but the people are beginning 
 to see that he does not injure me a great deal, but causes a loss to them of all 
 they have spent their lives in accumulating. Those people who live in the 
 vicinity of Harper s Ferry are the most villainous in this Valley, and have not 
 yet been hurt much. If the railroad is interfered with, I will make some of 
 them poor. Those who live at home, in peace and plenty, want the duello part 
 of this war to go on ; but when they have to bear their burden by loss of prop 
 erty and comforts, they will cry for peace." 
 
 In his determination to rid himself of his troublesome enemy, Sheridan is- 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 319 
 
 From Monday afternoon, November 28th, until Friday 
 morning, December 2d, they ranged through the beautiful 
 Valley of Loudoun and a portion of Fauquier County, burn- 
 sued these orders to Major-General Merritt, commanding First Cavalry Divi 
 sion, under date of Nov. 27th : 
 
 "You are hereby directed to proceed to-morrow morning at 7 o clock with 
 the two brigades of your Division now in camp to the east side of the Blue 
 Ridge, via Ashby s Gap, and operate against the guerrillas in the district of 
 country bounded on the south by the line of the Manassas Gap Railroad as far 
 east as White Plains, on the east by the Bull Run range, on the west by the 
 Shenandoah River, and on the north by the Potomac. This section has been 
 the hot-bed of lawless bands, who have, from time to time, depredated upon 
 small parties on the line of army communications, on safe-guards left at houses, 
 and on all small parties of our troops. Their real object is plunder and high 
 way robbery. To clear the country of these parties that are bringing destruc 
 tion upon the innocent as well as their guilty supporters by their cowardly 
 acts, you will consume and destroy all forage and subsistence, burn all barns 
 and mills and their contents, and drive off all stock in the region the bounda 
 ries of which are above described. This order must be literally executed, bearing 
 in mind, however, that no dwellings are to be burned and that no personal vio 
 lence be offered to the citizens. The ultimate results of the guerrilla system of 
 warfare is the total destruction of all private rights in the country occupied by 
 such parties. This destruction may as well commence at once, and the respon 
 sibility of it must rest upon the authorities at Richmond, who have acknowl 
 edged the legitimacy of guerrilla bands. The injury done this army by them is 
 very slight. The injury they have indirectly inflicted upon the people and upon 
 the rebel army, may be counted by millions. The Reserve Brigade of your 
 division will move to Snickersville on the 2gth. Snickersville should be your point 
 of concentration, and the point from which you should operate in destroying 
 toward the Potomac. Four days subsistence will be taken by the command. 
 Forage can be gathered from the country through which you pass. You will 
 return to your present camp, via Snicker s Gap, on the fifth day." 
 
 In addition to Merritt s three brigades, Colonel Stagg was ordered to send 
 out 4 regiments : 
 
 DANA to STAGG, Nov. 28 : "You will detail two regiments to march to-mor 
 row morning at daylight, one on the crest of the mountains, the other along the 
 foot, to Paris. These regiments will, when practicable, keep up communication 
 with each other by a line of mounted men, who will pay particular attention to 
 securing the stock which is said to be secreted on the mountains. Both regi 
 ments will carry out previous orders in regard to destroying, etc. Send two 
 other regiments at the same time to Millville, and, if possible, to Middleburg, 
 for the purpose of completing unfinished work in that country, as well as to de 
 stroy a quantity of rebel government pork said to be secreted at or near Mill 
 ville. The commanding officers of these regiments will use their best endeav 
 ors to discover any work remaining unfinished and give the finishing stroke. 
 All four regiments will concentrate near Philomont in the afternoon, and by 
 patrols and pickets watch the mouth of Loudoun Valley along the pike from 
 this place to Middleburg, securing all stock left behind and any that is being 
 driven away, before the return march of General Devin. They will remain on 
 this duty until the return of General Devin, provided he returns by 4 p. m.; if 
 not, they will march to camp. Let them use every exertion to kill or capture 
 any guerrillas that may be seen, by decoying them into ambush or in some 
 other way." 
 
 Stevenson, in order that no loop-hole for escape should be left, and anxious 
 to lend a helping hand, wrote Sheridan, Nov. 28 : 
 
 " Mosby is lying with his command to-night in the neighborhood of Hamil- 
 
320 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 ing and laying waste. They robbed the people of everything 
 they could destroy or carry off horses, cows, cattle, sheep, 
 hogs, etc. ; killing poultry, insulting women, pillaging 
 houses, and in many cases robbing even the poor negroes. 
 
 ton, and between there and Waterford. If Snicker s Gap could be occupied, I 
 will send Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry to Gregory s Gap and Hillsborough 
 crossing, and hold Keyes Gap with infantry, so that Merritt might use up the 
 concern. Their only chance of escape would be by Leesburg. Of course, 
 Merritt should be notified. If this programme suits you, I will carry it out. 
 My information in regard to Mosby s command is reliable." 
 
 SHERIDAN to STEVENSON, in reply : 
 
 "Snicker s Gap will be occupied early to-morrow morning, and Merritt will 
 be notified to-night. Go on with your programme/ 
 
 Stevenson thereupon issued the following orders to Colonel Pierce of the 
 Twelfth Pennsylvania and Colonel Peale of the Eighteenth Connecticut : 
 
 " Colonel Pierce will move promptly at 4 o clock to-morrow morning with his 
 regiment, every man with 60 rounds of ammunition, two days rations and for 
 age, so as to occupy Gregory s Gap and the Hillsborough crossing of the Blue 
 Ridge by daylight to-morrow morning. Send out pickets along the top of the 
 mountain to cover the mountain paths ; cross Shenandoah River at Kabletown. 
 This part of a combined movement must not fail. Snicker s Gap and Keyes 
 Gap will be occupied by other troops. There will be a grand drive for Mosby 
 on east side of ridge, and he must not be permitted to escape by either Greg 
 ory s Gap or Hillsborough road crossing. Connect your command with pick 
 ets along the top of the mountain from Gregory s Gap to Hillsborough road. 
 The command will remain at these gaps until Thursday morning unless ordered 
 to return to camp sooner. A proper camp guard will be left in the camp at 
 Charlestown. 
 
 Colonel Peale will move at daylight to-morrow morning promptly, with 350 
 men of his command, to Harper s Ferry, each man to have 40 rounds of ammu 
 nition and two days rations, leaving the balance of his command as camp 
 guard. These men are to be used as part of a combined movement to catch 
 Mosby, and therefore there must be no failure to be on prompt time." 
 
 This formidable array was still thought insufficient to drive out the little 
 band of " Mosby s Men," and General Augur ordered Colonel Gamble to send 
 800 cavalry to unite with Merritt : 
 
 AUGUR to TAYLOR, Nov. 29 : " Direct Gamble to send 800 cavalry, under 
 Sweitzer, to report to General Merritt, near Snickersville, with 5 days rations 
 and as much forage as is necessary. They must procure corn from the country. 
 They should leave to-morrow morning and by the route indicated in General 
 Sheridan s dispatch." 
 
 Yet this "combined movement," powerful as it was, did not drive out 
 Mosby and his men, who continued to occupy the same ground until after the 
 surrender of General Lee. 
 
 Report of Brevet Major- General Wesley Merritt, commanding First Cavalry 
 
 Division. 
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, 
 
 December 6, 1864. 
 Major WILLIAM RUSSELL, JR., 
 
 Asst. Adjt.-Gen., Hdqrs. Cavalry, Middle Military Division. 
 MAJOR : In compliance with instructions received direct from army head 
 quarters, I marched with the division, via Ashby s Gap, to the east of the Blue 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 They burned all the mills and factories, as well as hay, 
 wheat, corn, straw and every description of forage. Barns 
 and stables, whether full or empty, were burned. At Mrs. 
 Fletcher s (a widow), where the hogs had been killed for her 
 
 Ridge, for the purpose of destroying all mills, barns, forage, driving off stock, 
 and capturing and dispersing the guerrilla bands in a district of country de 
 scribed in orders. After passing through Ashby s Gap, two regiments of the 
 Second Brigade were ordered to move to the north, along the foot of the moun 
 tains, spreading out well over the country toward Bloomfield, carrying out the 
 orders, while a regiment of 
 the First Brigade, for the 
 same purpose, was sent, via 
 Grigsby s store, to the west of 
 Piedmont. These regiments 
 were ordered to meet the 
 division the same evening 
 near Upperville, where it en 
 camped on the night of the 
 28th of November. 
 
 The following morning the 
 First Brigade was ordered to 
 march to Rectortown, whence 
 it was ordered to send out 
 strong columns to Salem and 
 White Plains, and, marching 
 across the country, collect its 
 strength at Middleburg, the 
 forces from White Plains and 
 Salem to pursue separate 
 routes to that place. From 
 Middleburg the entire force 
 was to move to Philomont, 
 and thence to Snickersville, 
 keeping out strong flanking 
 
 columns on the right toward Millville and to the left through Bloomfield, to 
 the foot of the mountains. In this manner the country as far north as the 
 Little River turnpike was thoroughly swept over and destroyed by the evening 
 of the second day. 
 
 Early on the morning of the third day the Second Brigade was ordered to 
 march via Philomont, Circleville, Hamilton, Waterford, and along the Catoc- 
 tin Creek to the Potomac, and meeting, at Lovettsville, a force of the Reserve 
 Brigade which was ordered to move east of the Blue Ridge and between the 
 ridge and Short Mountain to the Potomac, both columns to return along the 
 pike from Lovettsville through Hillsborough and Purcellville. Both these com 
 mands reached Snickersville on the evening of the fourth day. On the third 
 day a force of the Reserve Brigade was ordered to march down the Shenan- 
 doah, between that stream and the Blue Ridge. This force went a 1 : far down 
 
 MAJ.-GEN. H. W. HALLECK, U. S. A. 
 
322 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 winter s supply of meat, the soldiers made a pile of rails 
 upon which the hogs were placed and burned. They even 
 went to the Poor House and burned and destroyed the sup 
 plies provided for the helpless and dependent paupers. On 
 various previous occasions, however, the Alms House had 
 been visited by raiding parties, so that at this time there was 
 but little left, but of that little the larger portion was taken. 
 Colonel Mosby did not call the command together, there 
 fore there was no organized resistance, but Rangers man 
 aged to save a great deal of live stock for the farmers by 
 driving it off to places of safety. In many instances, after 
 the first day of the burning, we would run off stock from 
 
 the river as Rock Ford. The First Brigade marched on the third day, with its 
 collected cattle, to Snickersville, from Philomont sending out parties to com 
 plete the work of destruction. 
 
 On the morning of the fourth day, four regiments of the First Brigade were 
 detached, two in the direction of Millville and Middleburg, to complete any un 
 finished work in that country, and the other two to move, one on the crest of 
 the mountains and the other along the foot, keeping up connection, when pos 
 sible, by a line of mounted men and marching as far as Ashby s Gap. These 
 regiments were ordered to return across the country to the pike near Philo 
 mont, and watch the mouth of the valley until the return of the columns from 
 the Potomac, making dispositions to capture or destroy any guerrillas who 
 might be moving in advance of these columns. 
 
 In all these movements the orders from army headquarters were most fully 
 carried out ; the country on every side of the general line of march was in 
 every instance swept over by flankers from the columns, and in this way the 
 entire valley was gone over. The guerrillas were exceedingly careful to avoid 
 any encounter with any of the parties, even the smallest, that were out on this 
 duty. Efforts were made to run them down or capture them by stratagem, but 
 these in most instances failed. The sides of the mountain bordering Loudoun 
 Valley are practicable throughout their entire extent for horsemen, and the 
 guerrillas, being few in numbers, mounted on fleet horses and thoroughly 
 conversant with the country, had every advantage of my men. 
 
 I transmit herewith reports of brigade commanders, as also tabular state 
 ments of the destruction done and cattle driven off. Large numbers of the 
 cattle were destroyed or consumed. Most of the fatted hogs were destroyed on 
 the march to camp. W. MERRITT, Brevet Maj. -Gen. Comdg. 
 
 Report of Lieut. -Col. Casper Crownin shield, commanding Reserve Brigade. 
 Pursuant to instructions received from the brevet major-general commanding 
 the Cavalry Corps to move my brigade to Snickersville and communicate with 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 323 
 
 the path of the raiders into the limits of the district already 
 burned over, and there it was kept undisturbed or in a situa 
 tion where it could be more easily driven off and concealed. 
 We also annoyed the raiders considerably by hovering 
 around them in small squads and suddenly dashing in among 
 them, whenever an opportunity offered, shooting on all 
 
 Brevet Major-General Merritt, I 
 broke camp at Stephenson s De 
 pot on the 29th of November at 3 
 a. m. and marched to Snickers- 
 ville. Leaving the Sixth U. S. 
 Cavalry and 30 men of the Sec 
 ond Massachusetts Cavalry to 
 hold the gap, I marched to Bloom- 
 field, expecting to meet Brevet 
 Major General Merritt near that 
 point. At Bloomfield my ad 
 vance guard was fired apon by 
 some of Mosby s men, and 2 of 
 the First U. S. Cavalry were 
 slightly wounded. Here I learned 
 that our cavalry had moved to 
 ward Union. I followed on to 
 Union, thence to Philomont, and 
 finally joined Brevet Major- 
 General Merritt at Snickersville, 
 where the brigade encamped 
 that night, picketing the gap, the 
 mountain road, the Bloomfield 
 road, and to the left as far as 
 the Snickersville and Aldie pike. 
 3Oth ; the Second Massachusetts 
 and Second U. S. Cavalry were 
 sent through Wood Grove and 
 Hillsborough to Cave Head, on 
 the Potomac, and thence along 
 
 the river road to Lovettsville, destroying all grain, forage, mills, distilleries, 
 etc., and driving in all stock in that part of the country ; at Lovettsville they 
 joined Brevet Brigadier-General Devin s brigade. The Sixth U.S. Cavalry was 
 sent upon the west side of the Blue Ridge, between the ridge and the river, 
 going as far as Rockford, and returning at night to Snicker s Gap, where they 
 remained. The balance of the brigade remained in camp and guarded the herds 
 which had thus far been driven in. 
 
 December i, the First andSixth U. S. Cavalry drove the herds across the 
 river and went into camp near the river. The Second U. S. and Second 
 
 BVT. BRIG.-GEN. THOMAS C. DEVIN, 
 U. S. A. 
 
 From a Photograph taken during the War. 
 
324 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 sides and then scampering- off. In this way quite a number 
 were killed and wounded. 
 
 Welt Hatcher, seeing an officer riding along in the midst 
 of his men, thought he was General Custer, and riding up, 
 fired, mortally wounding him. The officer s men pressed a 
 carriage into service and took him to the Pot House, where he 
 died. After shooting, Hatcher escaped uninjured, although 
 fired upon from all along the line. 
 
 Massachusetts returned to Snickersville and went into camp. 2d, the Second 
 U. S. and Second Massachusetts Cavalry rejoined the brigade. One regiment of 
 the brigade assisted in driving the herds and the balance of the brigade 
 marched in the rear of the division. The brigade went into camp with the 
 division near Stone Chapel and picketed the country in its front, connecting 
 on the left with General Devin s and on the right with Colonel Stagg s pickets. 
 During the march one of the First U. S. Cavalry, who had straggled from the 
 column, was killed by a bushwhacker near Berryville. 3d, marched in the 
 same order as yesterday and went into camp near Kernstown. 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 December, 1864 Fight with a Detachment of Fourteenth Pennsylvania near Millwood Death 
 of Captain Miles Mosby Returns from Richmond a Full Colonel William H. Chapman 
 now Lieutenant-Colonel and A. E. Richards, Major Underwood Operating in Fairfax 
 Mosby again Wounded Left by the Federals, who Supposed his Wounds Mortal, he is 
 Carried off to a Place of Safety Federal Report of the Affair Raiders Searching for 
 Mosby Close of the Year 1864. 
 
 In December, 1864, Col. Mosby went to Richmond to 
 confer with the authorities about the organization of his 
 battalion, leaving- Capt. Wm. H. Chapman in command. 
 The portion of the Federal army in and around Winches 
 ter sent daily a scouting party of about 100 men to the 
 Shenandoah River. Sometimes they would come by way of 
 Millwood and return by way of Whitepost or vice versa. 
 
 Capt. Chapman determined to undertake the capture of 
 this scouting psrtv. He assembled, late on Dec i6th, about 
 1 30 of his men and camped tor the night on the side of the 
 Blue Ridge Mountain. Next morning he crossed the river, 
 where he divided his men, sending one half of them under 
 Capt. Richards to watch the Millwood road, a-nd with the 
 remainder he took his position near the Whitepost oad. 
 His plan was to let the e^emy pass them, no matter by 
 which road they approached, and then charge them simul 
 taneously in front and rear. Capt. Richards concealed his 
 men in a wooded ravine about a half mile from Berry s 
 Ferry on the road to Millwood. 
 
 During the forenoon a detachment of about 100 men from 
 the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Capt. W. H. 
 Miles, approached by way of the Millwood Turnpike. Hav 
 ing been informed that Mosby s Men had been seen in the 
 vicinity, Capt. Miles advanced cautiously with a large ad 
 vance guard and flankers thrown well out on either side of 
 the road. Although Richards had his men fully three hun 
 dred yards from the road, these flankers saw his vedettes 
 and started to give the alarm. Richards immediately or 
 dered a charge, and his men dashed out part of them 
 
 325 
 
326 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 turning towards the advance guard, and part towards the 
 main body of the enemy. Capt. Miles was riding with his 
 advance guard The Captain made a gallant fight but 
 fell mortally wounded. The entire advance guard of about 
 20 men was either killed, wounded or captured. 
 
 The main body of the Federals had not passed when 
 Richards made his attack, which prevented carrying out 
 Capt. Chapman s plan. After the shock of the first on 
 slaught, this main body gave way slowly at first but soon 
 the rout was complete, the enemy fleeing on the road 
 toward Millwood. They were closely pursued by the 
 Confederates, who used their pistols upon them at short 
 range. One hand-to-hand encounter occurred between 
 Robert Walker and a Federal soldier, in which Walker 
 was victorious. The pursuit was continued through the 
 village of Millwood, when it was stopped by order of 
 Capt. Richards in person. He took his men back, gather 
 ing up the prisoners and horses of the Federals. When 
 near Berry s Ferry he met Capt. Chapman with the other 
 division of the command, who, having heard the firing, 
 hastened to the scene but was too late to participate in the 
 fight. Richards explained why he had not been able to 
 carry out his instructions Capt. Chapman was dis 
 appointed at the failure of his plan, but was satisfied when 
 he learned of the result. Richards had not lost a man, 
 while 26 of the enemy were killed, 54 taken prisoners and 
 about 80 horses captured. 
 
 The success of the engagement was due largely to the 
 skill and gallantry of Lieut. John S. Russell, who led that 
 portion of the men making the first charge upon the main 
 body of Federals. 
 
 1 Gen. TIBBITS to Major RUSSELL : " The party sent to Millwood have just 
 returned, having gone to the river at Berry s Ferry. The patrol under Captain 
 Miles was attacked by about 300 men 2 companies of Mosby s command and 
 a detachment from McCausland s command. Captain Miles was killed, I lieu 
 tenant wounded, and I lieutenant captured. Our loss besides was 10 killed, 
 17 wounded, with 20 prisoners. The enemy immediately after making the at 
 tack, recrossed the river and could not be overtaken. The citizens report that 
 only 20 men were taken across the river as prisoners." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 327 
 
 A few days after this, Mosby, who had been on a visit to 
 Richmond, returned to the command, wearing three stars 
 on his collar, showing- that he was now a full colonel. Capt. 
 William Chapman was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant- 
 Colonel, and Capt. A. E. Richards to that of Major. This 
 was in accordance with the following recommendation of 
 Colonel Mosby : 
 
 December 6, 186 4. 
 Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War : 
 
 SIR: I beg leave to recommend, in order to secure greater 
 efficiency in my command, 
 that it be divided into two bat 
 talions, each to be command 
 ed by a major. The scope of 
 duties devolving upon me 
 being of a much wider extent 
 than on officers of the same 
 rank in the regular service, 
 but small time is allowed me 
 to attend to the details of or 
 ganization, discipline, etc. I 
 am confident that the ar 
 rangement I propose would 
 give me much more time, 
 both for planning and execut 
 ing enterprises against the 
 enemy. I would recommend 
 Capt. William H. Chapman 
 (commanding Company C, 
 Forty-third Virgina Partizan 
 Rangers Battalion) and Capt. 
 Adolphus E. Richards, com 
 manding Company B, same 
 battalion, for the command 
 of the two battalions pro 
 posed. They have both on 
 many occasions been distin 
 guished for valor and skill, 
 to which my reports bear 
 witness, especially so in en 
 gagements with the enemy at Dranesville, Aldie, Charles- 
 town and Newtown. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Lieut. -Colonel. 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN, 
 43d Battalion Virginia Cavalry (Mosby s 
 
 Rangers). 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
328 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 After the promotion of Richards, Robert S. Walker was 
 selected for the post of Captain in Co. B a well-merited 
 tribute to his gallant record. 
 
 On the iQth of December, Bush. Underwood, while scout 
 ing in Fairfax with a detachment of about 20 men, saw an 
 ambulance and two wagons with an escort equal in numbers 
 to his own force, about a mile and a half from Vienna. Un 
 derwood instructed O. S. Newcomb to charge the rear of 
 the escort with a portion of the men, while he attacked them 
 in front with the remainder. The men, with the exception 
 of 2 or 3, misunderstanding the order, followed Newcomb, 
 leaving Underwood to fight with his few comrades. With 
 out hesitation Underwood boldly charged, driving back the 
 escort. Before recovering from their surprise they were 
 attacked in the rear by Newcomb and routed. Three men 
 and 7 horses were captured and 3 or 4 of the guards 
 wounded. None of Underwood s party was injured. In 
 the ambulance was Colonel Sweitzer and Captain Gaylord, 
 of the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, both of whom escaped 
 by jumping from the ambulance and running off through 
 the pines, leaving their effects behind. 2 
 
 On the 2 ist of December, while Col. Mosby was at the house 
 of Joseph Blackwell, in Fauquier, attending the wedding of 
 J. Lavender, our ordnance sergeant, word was brought that 
 a body of Federal cavalry was advancing on the Salem 
 road, a few miles distant. Without interrupting the wed- 
 
 2 Colonel WELLS to TAYLOR, Dec. 19 : "I have just received a telegram 
 from the provost-marshal at Fairfax Court House, stating that 30 rebels at 
 tacked an ambulance containing Colonel Sweitzer, Sixteenth New York Cav 
 alry, and Captain Gaylord, same regiment ; wounding I man of the escort 
 and capturing I wagon and 7 horses. Colonel Sweitzer and Captain Gay- 
 lord escaped. The affair occurred i^ miles from Vienna. Our men are in hot 
 pursuit. Result as yet unknown. The provost-marshal at Vienna reports that 
 it is reported that Colonel Schweitzer has been recaptured." 
 
 GAMBLE to RAYMOND, Dec. 20 : " Your telegram received. Colonel Sweit 
 zer is safe. I have just received his report of the affair, which will be for 
 warded the first opportunity. He had 3 men wounded and 3 horses captured 
 of his escort. His regiment turned out and scoured the country to Aldie. 
 The cavalry ordered from your headquarters last night will leave here in an 
 hour, under Lieutenant-Colonel Clendenin, for the Loudoun Valley." 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 329 
 
 ding feast, Mosby, with Thomas Love, rode out to recon 
 noitre. He came up with the Federals on the road to Rec- 
 tortown, and seeing them building fires, concluded that they 
 were going into camp. Instead of doing so, they had only 
 halted to warm themselves and to rest. Sending a man to 
 notify Chapman and Richards to get their men together so 
 as to be ready to attack 
 them in the morning, he 
 started off with Love to 
 make arrangements for the 
 morrow. 
 
 As they were passing the 
 house of Ludwell Lake, 
 Mosby concluded to stop 
 and get supper. Leaving 
 their horses tied at the 
 front gate, they entered 
 and were soon seated at 
 table, enjoying a cup of 
 coffee and a warm supper. 
 In the room with Mosby 
 was Mr. Lake and his 
 daughter, Mrs. Skinner. 
 
 Hearing the tramp of 
 horses around the house, 
 Mosby opened the door 
 leading to the back yard 
 and saw there a number 
 of cavalrymen. He hastily 
 closed the door and turned 
 to the other door, which 
 
 then opened and a party of Federal officers and soldiers 
 entered. Mosby s hat, overcoat and cape were lying in a 
 corner of the room. As the soldiers entered, he put up his 
 hands to his coat collar to hide the stars, the emblem of his 
 rank, as he knew his chances of escape would be better if he 
 could conceal his identity. 
 
 Just then shots were fired from the back yard, and a ball 
 
 MAJOR A. E. RICHARDS, 
 43d Battalion Virginia Cavalry (Mosby s 
 
 Rangers). 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
330 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 passing through the window, struck him in the stomach. 
 " I am shot ! " exclaimed Mosby. As the firing was contin 
 ued, the Federal officers and soldiers hurried out of the 
 room to escape being shot by their own men, leaving Mosby 
 in the room with Love, Lake and his daughter. He was 
 faint, and was bleeding profusely from his wound, but 
 stepping from the dining room into an adjoining bedroom, 
 he pulled off his coat with the tell-tale stars, and hiding 
 it under a bureau, fell on the floor as if dead. 
 
 In a few moments the officers returned and struck a light. 
 They asked Mrs. Skinner who he w^as. She replied that he 
 
 Avas a stranger to her. They then 
 asked Mosby his name. He gasped 
 a few words, saying he was Lieuten 
 ant Johnson of the Sixth Virginia. 
 They opened his pants, pulled up 
 his shirt, which was saturated with 
 blood, and the doctor examined the 
 wound, pronouncing it mortal. They 
 then stripped him of his boots and 
 pants and left the room. 
 
 When Mosby felt satisfied that 
 they had all left, he got up and 
 walked into the room where Lake 
 and his daughter were sitting by 
 the fire, to their great astonishment, 
 for they supposed him dead. In 
 deed Mosby himself at the time thought his wound mortal. 
 The bullet was in him and he thought his intestines were 
 cut. 
 
 When Mr. Lake regained sufficient composure to realize 
 the situation, he called a couple of negro boys to get up an 
 ox-cart and a pair of oxen, to remove Mosby to a place of 
 safety, in case the enemy should return. He was rolled up 
 in blankets and carried to the house of widow Glascock. 
 
 A courier was sent to carry the news to the wedding party 
 at Blackwell s, and soon a number of the men and two doctors 
 came over. At Glascock s Mosby found George Slater, 
 
 COL. NELSON B. SWEITZER 
 1 6th New York Cavalry. 
 From a War-time Picture. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 331 
 
 one of our men, and knowing that he was present when 
 General Stuart was shot, Mosby said : " George, look at 
 my wound ; I think I am shot just like Stuart." Slater 
 pulled up Mosby s shirt and examined the wound. He said 
 he thought the ball had passed around from left to right, 
 which was so. It lodged in the right side, and was extracted 
 in the morning. Major Richards sent out couriers and or 
 dered the men to meet in the morning at Chappalear s. 
 Pickets were placed on all the roads , and at the door of 
 the house where Mosby lay wounded, an ambulance stood, 
 day and night, with mules harnessed, ready to be driven off 
 at a moment s warning. In about a week he was removed to 
 his father s, near Lynchburg. 
 
 The cavalrymen Mosby had observed and followed the 
 night before were detachments of the Thirteenth and Six 
 teenth New York, under command of Major Frazar. 
 
 Adjutant Wm. H. Mosby, with Sergeant H. M. Mcll- 
 hany, John H. Foster, and four others, learning that the 
 Federal cavalry were in the neighborhood, started out to 
 harrass them on their march. They came up with them at 
 the railroad crossing near Salem, and Adjutant Mosby, see 
 ing the force was so large, gave orders to fall back. In 
 doing so, Willie Cocke, a youth of about 17, was thrown 
 from his horse. Thinking the boy would be killed, Sergeant 
 Mcllhany gave him his left arm and stirrup and finally suc 
 ceeded in getting him up behind him, in the meanwhile firing 
 on the charging squadron and endeavoring to reach cover 
 in Bishop s woods. In jumping a fence, his horse fell and 
 he and Cocke were captured. 
 
 When the Federals reached Rectortown, two more of 
 Mosby s men, Richard Buckner and Robert Parrott, were 
 added to the number of prisoners. The cavalry then di 
 rected their course toward Middleburg, stopping at Lake s, 
 where Colonel Mosby was wounded, as stated, and Thomas 
 Love was taken prisoner. At Col. Hamilton Roger s, 2 
 miles below Middleburg, they joined the Eighth Illinois 
 Cavalry, about 1 1 p. m. Major Frazar and his officers gath 
 ered around the prisoners at the camp-fire and exhibited 
 
332 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Colonel Mosby s elegant light colored hat with gilt cord 
 and tassels, with one side turned up a <d ornamented with a 
 star, together with his overcoat, cape and boots, and tried 
 in vain to have any of the prisoners acknowledge that it be 
 longed to Mosby. The Federals professed great admiration 
 for him, and said if they could be assured he was the wounded 
 man, they would send back their surgeon to attend him. 
 The next morning, when marching down the turnpike, Col 
 onel Clendenin sent for Mcllhany and had him ride beside 
 him until they reached Fairfax, questioning him regarding 
 the identity of Mosby and the condition of his command, to 
 all of which Mcllhany gave evasive answers. 3 He then tried 
 Love, but with no better success. 
 
 At Lake s front gate, hitched to the old-time horse rack, 
 stood Colonel Mosby s fine sorrel, and Love s bay mare. 
 Their equipments were all new and similar to those used by 
 Federal Officers, hence it was supposed that as each man 
 rode off he thought that there were two of his own party 
 
 A 
 I- 
 
 1 
 
 3 Mcllhany, giving an account of his 
 treatment, says : " On arriving at 
 Fairfax Court House, the prisoners 
 were placed in the old county jail and 
 the next day sent to the Old Capitol at 
 r Washington, where there were about 
 
 v^^P*^ 75 of Mosby s men confined. We were 
 
 kept there until February 6, 1865, when 
 86 of Mosby s men were handcuffed in 
 pairs and, under guard of a lieutenant 
 and 28 muskets, marched to the Balti 
 more and Ohio Depot and taken thence 
 to Fort Warren, Boston Harbor. A 
 more enraged set of men were never 
 seen than these, when standing on Cap 
 itol street, handcuffed together. When 
 Clark, the superintendent of the Old 
 Capitol prison was asked for a reason 
 for such treatment, he said it was a 
 shame, but believed the officer was 
 afraid and unwilling to start on the 
 journey unless they were handcuffed. 
 
 One of the hardships at the Old Capitol was the quality of the food, as well as 
 the quantity. The barrels of beef and mess pork were branded I. C./ which 
 
 
 SERGT. H. M. McILHANY, CO. F. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 333 
 
 behind, owners of the horses, for they remained undisturbed 
 after the cavalry had all left. 
 
 When the Federals discovered that it was Mosby whom 
 they had let slip through their hands, they made every ex 
 ertion to discover his whereabouts and capture him, and 
 parties were sent through the country in all directions 
 searching for him. 4 
 
 signified Inspected and con 
 demned. When we arrived at 
 Fort Warren, the officer in com 
 mand would not receive us until 
 the handcuffs were removed. 
 The treatment and food at Fort 
 Warren were far superior to that 
 at the Old Capitol, though bad 
 enough. We were not released 
 until June 15, 1865." 
 
 H. M. Mcllhany, formerly 
 of Warrenton, now residing at 
 Staunton, Va., joined Mosby s 
 command in 1864. He had been 
 assistant to Longstreet s chief 
 quartermaster, with the rank of 
 captain, hence the three bars on 
 his collar when this picture was 
 taken. At the organization of 
 Company F he was elected first 
 sergeant, but owing to the death 
 of Lieutenant Bowie while on a 
 raid in Maryland, he usually acted 
 as lieutenant, until his active- 
 career was cut short by his capt 
 ure near Salem. 
 
 ADJUTANT WM. H. MOSBY, 
 
 43(1 Battalion Virginia Cavalry, C. S. A. 
 
 From _ War-time Photograph. 
 
 4 GAMBLE to TAYLOR, Decem 
 ber 27th : "I have been collect 
 ing from various sources all the 
 
 information possible in regard to Mosby being wounded. The wound 
 ing of the rebel major mentioned in Lieutenant- Colonel Clendenin s 
 report occurred, as I am informed, in this manner : Major Frazar, with a 
 part of the Thirteenth and Sixteenth New York Cavalry, while passing a farm 
 house in the vicinity of Middleburg, saw a saddled horse fastened to a fence 
 and went to the house. A rebel officer inside came to the door with his boots 
 off and fired his revolver at our men. The men, of course, returned the fire and 
 the officer was shot in the body. Major Frazar did not search the officer for 
 
334 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The news of the wounding of Colonel Mosby spread rap 
 idly, in spite of the efforts made to keep it secret, and it was 
 
 papers, nor inquire who he was from the people in the house ; neither did he 
 search the house ; and, although two ambulances and a medical officer were with 
 the command, the wounded rebel officer v, T as not examined or brought in ; all 
 of which, in my opinion, any good, efficient officer should have done. I am 
 also informed that Major Frazar was too much under the influence of liquor to 
 perform his duty at that time in a proper manner. Whether the rebel officer 
 observed to be shot in this house was Mosby, or that Mosby was in the same 
 room at the time with this officer and wounded by the fire of our men into the 
 room, I am as yet unable to ascertain with any degree of certainty, because I 
 have heard so many conflicting accounts in regard to it. Under the circum 
 stances, I have deemed it best to send Major Frazar, with 300 men, to scour 
 that neighborhood and ascertain if possible something definite about it, he be 
 ing the officer present at the time the rebel officer was shot in the house where 
 it is supposed Mosby was wounded. I have considered it my duty to report 
 all the information I have yet been able to obtain, as stated before, in regard to 
 the matter." 
 
 TAYLOR to GAMBLE, Dec. 27: "The major of rebels reported wounded 
 by Colonel Clendenin was Mosby. He is in the vicinity of the place where he 
 was shot. Let the party now out endeavor to find him. The information is 
 undoubted." 
 
 GAMBLE to TAYLOR, Dec. 27 : " Reports have been received from Fairfax 
 Station and Vienna. All quiet. No reports from Col. Gansevoort at Prospect 
 Hill, although I have repeatedly ordered him to send his reports at the proper 
 time. The scout under Capt. Sargent, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, sent out last 
 night, has returned. He arrived at Thoroughfare Gap two hours too late, and 
 only captured two prisoners, who escaped in the darkness by the negligence of 
 Lieut. Kennedy, Eighth Illinois. I will send out Major Frazar, Thirteenth 
 New York Cavalry, and 300 men, to-morrow at dark, so as to make a night 
 march unobserved, to the vicinity of Middleburg, to ascertain about the 
 wounded rebel officer mentioned in your telegram of to-day." 
 
 STEVENSON to SHERIDAN, Dec. 29 : "I have very satisfactory evidence that 
 Mosby was actually shot in a house near Middleburg. He is not dead, but se 
 verely or mortally wounded. He was lying in Middleburg arid is either there 
 yet or at the house of a man by the name of Joe or Jim Blackwell, about 5 miles 
 from Piedmont, to which my informant thinks he has been removed. The 
 story of his death is not true, but given out to prevent his capture while 
 wounded. He stays at Middleburg at the house of a man by the name of 
 Rogers." 
 
 SHERIDAN to STEVENSON, Dec. 29 : " Mosby was shot by a party from 
 Gen. Augur s command at Rector s Cross-Roads. There were 2 or 3 men in 
 the party ; they fired at Mosby and some of his men through the windows, 
 wounding Mosby in the abdomen. He was then moved to the house of Widow 
 Glascock. Torbert tried to catch him there, but he had been taken away in an 
 ambulance. Torbert searched the house of Rogers, at Middleburg. but he was 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 335 
 
 a source of much regret to both citizens and soldiers. His 
 wound, though painful, was not dangerous, although at first 
 it was reported to be mortal. 
 
 not there. Mosby s wound is mortal. He and his party were eating supper 
 when the attack was made on the house by Augur s men." 
 
 SHERIDAN to EMORY, Dec. 31 : " How are you getting along ? This storm 
 is unfortunate. I have no news to-day, except the death of Mosby. He died 
 from his wounds at Charlottesville." 
 
 Fairfax C. H. , December 31, 1864. 
 
 Colonel WILLIAM GAMBLE, Commanding Cavalry Brigade : 
 
 COLONEL : In obedience to your command, I have the honor to report con 
 cerning the wounding of Colonel Mosby. He was shot by a man of my ad 
 vance guard under Captain Brown, in Mr. Lake s house, near the Rector s 
 Cross-roads, on the evening of the 2ist instant, about 9 p. m., at which time I 
 was in command of the Sixteenth and Thirteenth New York regiments. Sev 
 eral shots were fired, and I was informed that a rebel lieutenant was wounded. 
 I immediately dismounted and entered the house and found a man lying on the 
 floor, apparently in great agony. 
 I asked him his name he an 
 swered, "Lieutenant Johnson, Sixth 
 Virginia Cavalry." He was in his 
 shirt-sleeves a light blue cotton 
 shirt no hat no boots no insignia 
 of rank ; nothing to denote in the 
 slightest degree that he was not 
 what he pretended to be. I told 
 him I must see his wounds to see 
 whether to bring him or not. I 
 opened, myself, his pants and found 
 that a pistol bullet had entered the 
 abdomen about two inches below and 
 to the left of the navel ; a wound 
 that I felt assured was mortal. I 
 therefore ordered all from the room, 
 remarking, " He will die in twenty- 
 four hours." Being behind time on 
 account of skirmishing all the after 
 noon with the enemy, I hurried on to 
 meet Lieutenant Colonel Clendenin SERGT ROBERT B PARROTT, CO. F. 
 at Middleburg, according to orders From a War Picture, 
 
 received. Nearly every officer of 
 
 my command, if not all, saw this wounded man, and no one had the slightest 
 idea that it was Mosby. Captain Brown and Major Birdsall were both in the 
 room with me when this occurred. After arrival at Middleburg I reported the fact 
 of having wounded a rebel lieutenant to Lieutenant-Colonel Clendenin. As soon 
 
33 6 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 General Torbet had started from Winchester on the 19th 
 of December, with Merritt s and Powell s Divisions of Cav 
 alry, numbering about 5,000 men, and crossed the Blue 
 Ridge at Chester s Gap, with the intention of breaking up 
 the Virginia Central Railroad at Gordonsville. Without 
 effecting his object he was compelled to retreat and fall 
 back to the Valley. 
 
 as the camp fires were lit so that things could be seen, an orderly brought me Mos- 
 by s hat dressed with gold cord and star. I then immediately knew it to be a field 
 officer. I took the hat and went immediately among the prisoners, eight in 
 number, of Mosby s men that I had captured, and told them the man who wore 
 that cap was shot dead, and asked them if it was Mosby or not ; it was no use 
 to conceal it if it was, as he was shot dead. They all said " no," that it was 
 not Mosby, that he never had such a hat, etc., etc. Some of them said it was 
 Major Johnson, Sixth Virginia Cavalry, home on leave. In the morning I re 
 ported the facts and showed the cap to Colonel Clendenin and Mr, Davis, the 
 guide ; all this, while I considered, as did all my other officers, that the wound 
 was mortal. From Middleburg I came to camp. On this scout, from which 
 I have just returned to-day, I have the honor to state that the man shot in 
 Lake s house was Colonel Mosby. He was moved half an hour after he 
 was shot to Quilly Glascock s, about a mile and a half distant, where he re 
 mained three days and had the ball extracted, it having passed around or 
 through the bowels, coming out behind the right thigh. I conversed with sev 
 eral persons who saw him. He was very low the first two days, the third 
 much better. I tracked him to Piedmont, thence to Salem, and out of Salem 
 toward the Warrenton pike. I met pickets in various parts of the country, and 
 understood that until within the last night or two they had extended as far down 
 as Aldie. Various signalizing was carried on by means of white flags above 
 Piedmont. Several persons who saw him in the ambulance report his spit 
 ting blood, and it seems to be the general impression that he cannot live. There 
 is no doubt in my mind but what he is yet in the country, concealed ; seriously, 
 if not mortally wounded. In both expeditions I lost neither man nor horse 
 and captured 9 prisoners. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Major Commanding. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADE, 
 
 Fairfax Court-House, Va., January 1, 1865. 
 Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters. 
 
 I exceedingly regret that such a blunder was made. I have given direc 
 tions that all wounded officers and men of the enemy be hereafter brought in, 
 although I thought any officer ought to have brains and common sense enough 
 
 to do so without an order. 
 
 W. GAMBLE. Colonel, Commanding Brigade. 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. 337 
 
 On their return march (December 26th and 27th) the two 
 divisions passed through Fauquier County by different 
 routes. Having heard of the wounding of Mosby, they 
 made diligent search for him, some of them even going to 
 the house where he was being cared for. They did not find 
 him, however, as he was placed in the ambulance on their 
 approach and driven into the woods, where he was kept 
 concealed until they left the vicinity. 
 
 During the passage of this expedition, a number of horses 
 and cattle were taken from the farmers. Many of the Fed 
 eral cavalry were killed and wounded in skirmishes with 
 Mosby s men. 5 Our men not only harrassed them through 
 
 FAC-SIMILE OF A CALL FOR MEETING OF COMMAND. 
 
 the day while on the march, but at night Lieutenant Beattie, 
 with a few men, hung around their camp, sending up rock 
 ets and annoying them, to prevent sleep. 
 
 On the 29th of December, a detachment of about 300 Fed 
 eral cavalry, under Major Frazar, came up from Fairfax in 
 search of Mosby, expecting to find him wounded in some of 
 the farm houses. They scoured the country around in the 
 neighborhood of Middleburg, Piedmont and Salem for two 
 days and returned as they came. 
 
 6 The itinerary of this expedition states that of the Reserve Brigade " some 
 13 enlisted men were captured and shot by guerrillas." 
 
338 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The year 1864 closed with a gloomy outlook for the Con 
 federacy. Sherman had reached the coast safely. The 
 news from Hood was unfavorable, although the South 
 ern newspapers endeavored to make the reverse appear. 
 The winter in Virginia was very severe and the ground 
 was covered with snow and sleet for the greater part of the 
 season. 
 
 CHARLES E. BIEDLER, CO. C. 
 From a Photograph taken during the War. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 January and February, 1865 Rumors of Peace and War Companies C, E, F and G Sent to 
 Northern Neck of Virginia Richards on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Dash into Reno 
 Camp of the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry Bush. Underwood s Adventure in Fairfax 
 Federal Cavalry from Camp Averell (near Winchester), Under Major Gibson, Cross into 
 Loudoun and Fauquier They Visit Major Richards Home Narrow Escape of the Major 
 and his Companions from Capture The Federals Divide their Force One Party, Loaded 
 Up with Apple Jack, was Sent Back to Their Camp The Other, Less Fortunate, Badly 
 Used Up at Mount Carmel. 
 
 Although the war was waged as earnestly, and the South 
 ern people were as true to their cause, as at any time since 
 the commencement, still one could see that there was a long 
 ing for peace. Nothing showed this under-current of feel 
 ing more plainly than the avidity with which people would 
 grasp and disseminate the peace rumors afloat at this time, 
 no matter how absurd or contradictory they might be. 
 
 One report was that the Confederate Peace Commission 
 ers Stephens, Hunter and Campbell had been received in 
 Washington with great rejoicing at the prospects of peace. 
 That Colonel Mosby, who was absent in the South, had sent 
 orders to Major Richards that no more raids should be un 
 dertaken and that all prisoners on hand (not sent South) 
 should be set free intimating that an armistice had been 
 agreed upon. 
 
 Another was to the effect that France and England had 
 recognized the independence of the Confederacy, and 
 declared war against the United States. 
 
 Still another rumor was that Lincoln and the United 
 States Congress had agreed to recognize the independence 
 of the Confederacy, with the understanding that both North 
 and South would unite and join forces against Maximillian 
 in Mexico, and that no foreign power was to be allowed a 
 foothold on this Continent. 
 
 Tuesday, January 3, 1865. Companies C, E, F and G met 
 at Salem, and under command of Lieut.-Col. William H. 
 Chapman, started to the Northern Neck of Virginia. It 
 had been determined to winter a portion of the Battalion 
 
 339 
 
340 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 there, in order to lighten the burden of the people within 
 the limits of " Mosby s Confederacy," who, owing to the 
 scarcity of food and forage after the wanton destruction of 
 Merritt and Custer, were in many instances barely able to 
 provide for themselves the necessaries of life. The other 
 companies remained, and were under the command of 
 Major Richards, during the absence of Colonel Mosby. 
 
 On the 3Oth of January Major 
 Richards started from Bloom- 
 -gjAjf field with 30 men for a raid on 
 
 the Baltimore and Ohio Rail 
 road, between Harper s Ferry 
 and Winchester. When he 
 reached the road, about 11 
 o clock p. m., he found it heavily 
 guarded by infantry and pa 
 trolled by cavalry, so that he 
 could accomplish nothing. He 
 sent a portion of his men back, 
 but kept with him James and 
 Charles Wiltshire, Charles Dear, 
 Joseph Bryan, Edwin Gipson, 
 Will. Sheppard, Bartlett Boll- 
 ing, John Hearn, and a few 
 others, in all about 15 of his 
 best men, and moved off toward 
 Charlestown. He endeavored 
 to cross the railroad, but could 
 not do so without giving an 
 alarm. Charles Dear and James Wiltshire were sent to 
 quietly scout along the road, and soon returned with 2 of the 
 mounted patrols. Richards questioned them, and then turned 
 them over to Dear and Wiltshire to get the countersign. The 
 men were questioned separately, and on finding their answers 
 the same the word being " Clear " Richards sent Charles 
 Wiltshire and Will Sheppard down the railroad to test the 
 countersign. They came back with 2 prisoners from the 
 Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 
 
 DURANL) SHACKLEFORD, CO. E. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 341 
 
 Among the prisoners was a very communicative Dutch 
 man. After talking with him a while, Richards determined 
 to pay a visit to Reno Camp of the Twelfth Pennsylvania. 
 Taking the Dutchman for a guide, the entire party moved 
 on toward the camp. On the road they were met and 
 halted by a patrol of 4 men, and in reply to the query as to 
 who they were, Richards answered, " Twelfth Pennsyl 
 vania, Captain Cook s Company." " All right," said the pa 
 trol, and as they advanced they were captured. Richards 
 sent off his prisoners under guard, but kept the Dutchman 
 with him. His force was now re 
 duced to 10 men, and with these he 
 entered the camp. The camp was 
 laid out with cabins on one side, 
 covered with canvas, and opposite 
 were the stables with the horses. 
 As the party rode along, the sen 
 tinels were walking their beats, 
 and a soldier coming out of one 
 of the cabins to replenish the fire 
 was captured by Charles Wilt 
 shire. While some of the men 
 were loosing the horses, Bartlett 
 Boiling rode up to a sentinel a short 
 distance off and demanded his sur 
 render. The sentry replied with 
 a shot, which Boiling returned, 
 bringing the man to the ground. 
 The camp being aroused, Richards 
 
 was compelled to get out in a hurry, firing into the cabins as 
 his party retreated. He brought off 8 horses. 
 
 As Richards retreated through Charlestown, the enemy 
 opened quite a brisk fire, but all escaped without injury. 
 
 Sunday, February 5. Bush. Underwood returned to-day 
 
 1 Edwin Gipson was a promising young lawyer who at the close of the war, 
 having earned the reputation of a good soldier, settled down to the quiet prac 
 tice of his profession. He was bitten by a snake on his farm in 1876, and died 
 from its effects. 
 
 EDWIN GIPSOX, 1 CO. D. 
 From a Photograph. 
 
342 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 from a scout in Fairfax, bringing in 6 prisoners, with their 
 horses and equipments. 
 
 Being in the neighborhood of Vienna, with a few men, he 
 left his companions concealed in the pines, while he and 
 William Trammell rode off to a house at some distance in 
 quest of information. A party of Federal Cavalry, which 
 had been sent out in search of him, dashed up to the house 
 before he was aware of their approach. Underwood and 
 Trammell hastily mounted their horses and rode off, closely 
 pursued by the enemy. Reaching Broad Run at a place 
 where the bank formed a steep bluff, they gave their horses 
 the spurs and took a flying leap, leaving their pursuers hesi 
 tating on the brink, uncertain whether to shoot or jump. 
 They fired a few shots after the retreating Rangers, which 
 did no harm. Joining his companions, Underwood returned 
 and attacked the party, capturing 6 cavalrymen with their 
 horses and equipments. 
 
 Sunday, February 19. I was aroused from my sleep early 
 in the morning by one of the little black boys clattering up 
 the stairs his feet being encased in a pair of old shoes 
 many sizes too large for him. At every step he called out 
 at the top of his voice : " Yankees ! Yankees ! " Jumping 
 out of bed, I soon slipped on my clothes and stepped into 
 the hall, fastening my belt with pistols around my waist as 
 I went out. In the dim light I saw a soldier running up the 
 stairs, clad in a heavy overcoat with cape. My first thought 
 was that the enemy had surrounded and were searching the 
 house, but as he came closer I recognized Captain Walker, 
 of Company B. 
 
 " The Yankees have been at Richards house " (the adjoin 
 ing farm), " and are now on their way to Upperville," said 
 he. " Go off toward Bloomfield and send all the men you 
 find out on the turnpike, as they will most likely cross the 
 river at Berry s Ferry." 
 
 My horse being in the stable, I was soon in the saddle and 
 on my road, stopping at each house to inquire whether any 
 of our men were about, and, if so, directed to hurry them 
 out to the turnpike. At Bloomfield I turned and went back 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 343 
 
 along the Trap road, under cover of the mountain, gather 
 ing up all the men on my way and coming out on the pike 
 at the upper end of the town of Upperville. 
 
 We now found Richards had already passed, on the track 
 of the enemy. Following on, we came up with him as he 
 was about making a charge on the Federal cavalry, which 
 was then entering the Mount Carmel road. 
 
 A body of 250 Federal cavalry, consisting of detachments 
 of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania and Twenty-first New York 
 Cavalry, guided by a Confederate deserter named Spotts, 
 crossed the Shenandoah river at Shepherd s Mill ford, and, 
 passing through Ashby s Gap, divided at Paris. 2 
 
 2 Report of Major Thomas Gibson, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, com 
 manding Expedition . 
 
 GIBSON to RUMSEY, Feb. 20, 1865 : " I have the honor to report that, 
 agreeable to directions from the Brigadier-General Commanding, I left camp 
 at 6 p. m. for the purpose of crossing the Blue Ridge and making arrests and 
 seizures of certain enemies and public property of the enemy agreeable to in 
 formation received from two deserters ffom Mosby s command. I had with 
 me 125 men and 3 officers of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and 100 
 men of the Twenty-first New York Cavalry, under command of Captain 
 Snow, of the same regiment. There were 150 men detailed from the Four 
 teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry ; six of the number were not furnished in time, 20 
 were directed to return to camp by the Assistant Inspector-General of the bri 
 gade, because of the non-efficiency of their horses. This reduced the number 
 furnished by that regiment to 124 men, and making the total of the troops en 
 gaged 224 enlisted men. 
 
 About ii p. m. I crossed the Shenandoah river at Shepherd s Ford. The 
 expedition was accompanied by Captain Martindale and Lieutenant Baker, 
 both of the staff of the major-general commanding Cavalry Corps. Captain 
 Martindale was accompanied by 6 scouts. Lieutenant Draper, of the Twenty- 
 first New York Cavalry, was detailed to accompany the expedition in charge 
 of all the scouts ; 4 enlisted men of the Twenty* first New York Cavalry were 
 detailed as scouts and ordered to report to Lieutenant Draper. 
 
 Before starting from camp, having crossed the Shenandoah river, I ordered 
 that when the command had reached Paris, all the scouts accompanying the 
 command, except 2, should report to Lieutenant Draper ; that Captain Snow, 
 with the Twenty-first New York and one of the deserters from Mosby, should 
 move in the direction of Upperville. Agreeable to the instructions of the briga 
 dier-general commanding, I directed that Captain Snow should give due 
 consideration to all information and suggestions tendered by Lieutenant 
 Draper with regard to roads, etc. ; that Lieutenant Draper should be governed 
 to such an extent as he should deem proper by the information received from 
 
344 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 One party of 100 (Twenty-first New York) came to Up- 
 perville before daylight, from which place they sent a de 
 tachment to the house of Jesse Richards (father of Major 
 Richards) and surrounded it. There were in the house at 
 the time Major Richards, Capt. Robert S. Walker and pri 
 vate John Hipkins. Hearing a rap at the door, Captain 
 
 the deserter who accompanied him ; that Lieutenant Draper and Captain 
 Snow, with that portion of the command, should be at Upperville one hour be 
 fore daylight on the igth. 
 
 I stated that the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry would meet them there 
 and if either regiment should fail to be there at the appointed hour, the one on 
 the ground should await the arrival of the other until half an hour after day 
 break. If at half an hour after daybreak either portion of the command pres 
 ent, they should move across the Shenandoah and camp. Before reaching Paris 
 
 Captain Martindale expressed himself of 
 _^ the opinion that Piedmont would be the 
 
 better point to meet at. I accepted Cap 
 tain Martindale s opinion because I had 
 
 4*\ always understood that he was well in 
 
 formed regarding the geography of the 
 country, while I am not. I sent for Lieu 
 tenant Draper, who was near me, in order 
 to commuicate my change of the place of 
 rendezvous. I sent for him and directed 
 him to communicate my change of orders 
 to Captain Snow, because the command 
 was obliged to march by file, and Captain 
 Snow, who was the rear, would find it 
 very difficult to pass the column, We 
 were near Paris and time was precious. 
 I told Lieutenant Draper that he would 
 be held reponsible for the communication 
 of my orders. When I reached Paris, 
 Captain Snow s column took the proper 
 route ; I think the Fourteenth Pennsylva 
 nia Cavalry, 2 scouts and Captain Martin- 
 dale and Lieutenant Baker, moved to the 
 right of Paris. I proceeded to search such 
 houses as were pointed out by the deserter 
 
 from Mosby, who accompanied me, as the homes of Mosby s men and officers 
 and the places used for storage of the enemy s supplies. At the first house I or 
 dered to be searched, Lieutenant Jones, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
 whom I had ordered, with 25 men, to search all houses which I thought should 
 be searched, was left with 2 men. Before he had finished searching, I moved 
 
 BUSHROD UNDERWOOD, CO. A. 
 Drawn from an old Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 345 
 
 Walker got up and was about to open it, when one of the 
 Federal soldiers, growing impatient, thundered away at the 
 door with the butt of his carbine. Walker immediately 
 went back and he and the others hid themselves. Upon 
 forcing open the door, the Federals struck a light and 
 
 the column, presuming Lieutenant Jones would follow the course the regimer 
 had taken. Lieutenant Jones mistook the route taken by the regiment and 
 failed to overtake it. I moved by way of Markham Station to a point on the 
 road from Upperville to Piedmont, and 2 miles from the latter point. I arrived 
 at this point at 6 30 a. m. I sent a patrol consisting of a sergeant and 10 men 
 from the point to Piedmont. I sent a verbal 
 message by the sergeant to Captain Snow to 
 move immediately to my position, it being 
 on the direct road to Winchester by way of 
 Ashby s Gap. I directed the sergeant to 
 move there and back rapidly. The sergeant 
 having arrived at Piedmont, found that the 
 Twenty first New York Cavalry was not 
 there and had not been there. Thinking i_ 
 Captain Snow might have pursued my first ; 
 instructions to meet me with his command \ 
 at Upperville, I expected to find that he had 
 remained there until half an hour after day 
 light, and consequently he would not be far 
 ahead of me. 
 
 On arriving at Upperville, I was aston 
 ished to find that Captain Snow had left that 
 place at 5 o clock that morning, instead of 
 
 the later hour I had directed. Small parties CApTj ROBERT s . WALKER, CO. B. 
 of the enemy continually harassed our rear, From a War . time photograph. 
 
 and threatened our front and flanks. On ar 
 riving at Paris, they made strong demonstra 
 tions, and as we passed through that place the command was harassed by 
 musketry from behind a stone wall. The stone wall was on elevated ground 
 protected by natural obstacles from an attack from cavalry and protected per 
 fectly from our fire. I succeeded in marching the command through the town 
 without sustaining any loss. Up to this time I had captured 18 of the enemy, 
 including Mosby s quartermaster and one lieutenant of the line, together with 
 about 50 horses. 
 
 On arriving at a point on the road from Paris to Berry s Ferry where the 
 road to Shepherd s Ford turns off, it became necessary to march the command 
 by file, owing to a narrow passage through the rocks, of the path known as the 
 road to Shepherd s Ferry. I halted the command to put everything in the 
 best order, lest we should be attacked while in the path. 
 
 The following was the disposition of my command at the time : Lieutenant 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 searched the house, but did not succeed in finding Richards 
 or his companions, though they got most of their clothes. 
 They ransacked every drawer and closet in the house, taking 
 silverware and everything they fancied. The most serious 
 loss to the Major, however, was a handsome new dress uni 
 form and overcoat, which he had just received from Balti 
 more. 
 
 After leaving Richards house, the detachment of Federal 
 cavalry returned to Upperville to rejoin their companions, 
 
 
 Jones was missing from the 
 night before ; Lieutenant Ne- 
 smith, Fourteenth Pennsylva 
 nia Cavalry, had been seriously 
 wounded the preceding night , 
 Captain D. K. Duff, Four 
 teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
 and myself were the only offi 
 cers present for duty. I placed 
 Captain Duff in charge of the 
 rear guard, which consisted of 
 40 men. The advance and 
 main portion of the command 
 consisted of 50 men. The 
 prisoners and led horses un 
 der guard of 25 men were in 
 the advance of Captain Duff s 
 portion of the command and in 
 the rear of the main body. I 
 made the rearguard so strong, 
 in proportion to the size of 
 my command, owing to the 
 enemy s repeated and vigor 
 ous attacks on it. I was at the 
 head of the column. I turned 
 around in order to observe 
 the condition of the column, 
 
 and looking to the rear, which had not entered the new direction, I observed 
 several men hold up their hands and make gestures which I supposed were 
 intended to inform me that the rear was attacked. I immediately ordered the 
 command " right into line," ordered the prisoners and led horses to be moved 
 forward quickly into the path and to follow the extreme advance, which I did 
 not recall. 
 
 No sooner had I issued these commands, than I saw Captain Duff and his 
 
 J. L. MOON, CO. D. 
 
 From a Photograph taken when a Cadet at the Virginia 
 Military Institute. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 347 
 
 to find them all gloriously drunk thoroughly saturated 
 with apple-jack. In their search for rebels, they found two 
 barrels of the enemy and in their encounter with old jack 
 they were completely overcome, so that their commander 
 was compelled to withdraw his forces, carrying off his 
 wounded and leaving his dead on the field unburied. Five 
 or six of the New Yorkers were so stupidly drunk that they 
 could not get away. The others were taken across the 
 Shenandoah river and returned to their camp. 
 
 party at the rear of the small party who marched in the rear of the led horses. 
 Captain Duff s command was coming at a run. I saw rebels among and in the 
 rear of his party, charging. I ordered the command forward, fired a volley 
 and ordered a charge, which the men did not complete. Captain Duff in the 
 meantime was trying to rally his men in the rear of my line. Before his men 
 had reloaded their pieces, I had fired another volley and ordered a second 
 charge. All the prisoners and led horses had not yet entered the path. The 
 charge was met by one from the enemy and the command was broken. The 
 men had no weapons but their carbines and these were extremely difficult to 
 load, and inefficient in the melee that ensued. I made every effort, as did 
 Captain Duff and Captain Martindale and Lieutenant Baker, of the corps 
 staff, to reform the men, but our efforts were fruitless. The rebels had very 
 few sabres, but were well supplied with revolvers, and rode up to our men and 
 shot them down, without meeting more resistance than men could make with 
 carbines. There was a small ridge overlooking both parties, through which 
 the path led. I rode up the side of this and formed the advance guard, which 
 had returned to aid me. The enemy were amidst the men, and both parties were 
 so mixed up that it was impossible to get the men in line. As fast as the men 
 could force their horses into the path, where many of the men were crowded to 
 gether, they broke for the river. I waited until I was surrounded, and only a 
 half a dozen men left around ; the balance had retreated toward the river, 
 or were killed, wounded or captured. Captain Martindale, as he left, said to 
 me : "It is useless to attempt to rally the men here ; we ll try it farther on." 
 I tried to ride to the front. The prisoners had placed the horses they were on 
 and leading, across the path, so as to prevent the escape of the men. Men 
 were crowded into the path by twos and threes where there was really only 
 room for one to ride. Men were being thrown and being crushed as they 
 lay on the ground, by others ; they were falling from their horses from the 
 enemy s fire in front and rear of me. I rode past about 20 of the men and 
 again tried to rally the men, but all my efforts were fruitless. 
 
 I remained at this point until nearly all of our men were past me. I rode 
 ahead of a portion of the command again and begged them to stop, but I 
 couldn t rally them. My right leg was rendered useless by my horse falling over 
 another, and, as he rose, a man riding fell against me, the whole weight of his 
 animal being precipitated against my leg. A couple of rebels were standing fir- 
 
348 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Major Gibson, with his detachment of 150 of the Four 
 teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, went along the mountain road 
 to Markham and Piedmont and thence to Upperville, where 
 they expected to join the Twenty-first New York, but not 
 finding them, and seeing little parties of our men watching 
 their movements from the surrounding hills, they became 
 alarmed and pushed on rapidly toward Ashby s Gap. 
 
 Sam. Alexander, George Triplettand Clem. Edmonds were 
 sleeping in their little " shebang " when they heard the Fed- 
 ing at me, and my pistol was un 
 loaded. I turned and passed a 
 number of the men. I again at 
 tempted to rally them. I told them 
 that there were only a few following 
 us, and they could be easily taken. 
 My horse had been wounded and 
 my leg was altogether useless. I 
 waited until the last of our men, 
 mixed up with a large number of 
 escaped, led and riderless horses, 
 passed me. I was ordered to sur 
 render, two of the enemy in advance 
 endeavoring to beat me off my 
 horse with their pistols. I suc 
 ceeded in again passing a number 
 of the men and tried to rally them, 
 but it was impossible ; they were 
 panic-stricken ; one of my own 
 men, as I presented my empty 
 revolver at the head of another, 
 trying to stop him, ran between us 
 and knocked that out of my hand. 
 Again, the rear of the command, 
 now reduced to about 24 men and 
 
 about 60 horses and mules, passed me, and I was unarmed and alone in the 
 rear. I passed several of the men and endeavored to persuade them of the 
 weakness of the enemy, their unloaded pistols, etc., but it was fruitless ; com 
 mands and persuasions were disregarded. 
 
 I suffered terribly from physical pain and could do little to stop them by 
 physical force. I reached the river ; my horse fell several times in it, but at 
 last I got across. Captain Martindale forced most of the men across to halt 
 and form here, and cover the crossing of the few who had reached the river. 
 Captain Martindale, myself, 2 scouts and 12 men were saved. We awaited 
 to see if more would come, but none came ; S had crossed and arrived at 
 
 SAM. ALEXANDER, CO. B. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 349 
 
 eralsat Mrs. Betsy Edmonds house. Mounting their horses, 
 they rode out and gave the alarm. At Brown s they found 
 Lieutenant Wrenn, and picking up men as they moved on, 
 followed the Federals, keeping them well closed up, but not 
 yet strong enough to make an attack. At Upperville Wrenn 
 was joined by Major Richards, who had donned a suit of 
 his father s clothes and started in pursuit of the Federals. 
 
 Richards force now numbered 43 men, and he decided to 
 attack the Pennsylvanians in the Gap. He overtook them 
 at Mount Carmel, in Ashby s Gap, where the road to Shep 
 herd s Mill leaves the turnpike, and charged them on sight. 
 They attempted to form and delivered a volley with their 
 carbines ; but the carbine was no match for the revolver at 
 
 camp before us. I was placed in a sleigh and arrived at camp at 4.30 p. m. this 
 day. 
 
 I ascribe the disaster to, ist, Captain Snow, commanding Twenty-first New 
 York, failing to go to Piedmont as ordered through Lieutenant Draper, or to 
 Upperville, as I ordered him personally, and to remain at either of the places 
 until half an hour after daybreak. One of Captain Snow s command, who had 
 been drunk and was left by the command, confirmed the information I re 
 ceived from negroes and citizens that Captain Snow left Upperville at 5 a. m. 
 instead of half an hour after daybreak ; 2d, to Captain Duff s rear guard being 
 pushed into the rear of the column before I knew he was attacked ; 3d, to the 
 paucity of officers detailed with the command, and the large number of men 
 engaged who were new recruits ; 4th, to the men having neither sabres nor re 
 volvers and consequently being unable to engage in a melee successfully with an 
 enemy armed with at least 2 revolvers to the man ; also, I didn t know of the 
 attack until I observed the rear guard coming in at full flight, mixed up with 
 and pursued by the enemy. I don t think the enemy s force exceeded between 
 60 and 75 men. 
 
 Lieutenant Jones and 10 men with him have returned to camp safely. The 
 loss is one officer, Lieutenant Nesmith, wounded ; Captain Duff, Lieutenant 
 Baker, corps staff, and 78 men missing. I returned to camp by way of Berry- 
 ville. 
 
 I forward, enclosed, the report of Captain Snow, which is incorrect as far as 
 it differs from this. I have not yet received the report of Lieutenant Draper. 
 I feel satisfied that I did all I knew how to make the movement a success, and 
 it having failed and proved a disaster, I earnestly request to be allowed to ap 
 pear before a court of inquiry to prove that I am not responsible for the failure. 
 A man has just arrived who hid in a thicket and says he saw a party of about 
 600 of the enemy moving toward Shepherd s Ford. 
 
 I have omitted heretofore to state that a party under Lieutenant Baker, of 
 the Corps headquarters, captured a quartermaster s camp of Mosby s com- 
 
35 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 close quarters, and our men broke and routed them com 
 pletely. The road from Mount Carmel to Shepherd s Mill, 
 along which the Federals fled, was very narrow, and on either 
 
 side was a thick growth of 
 trees and brush. It was 
 literally strewn with 
 
 ;.;,: Aiv , -1 
 
 hats, belts, carbines, tur 
 keys and chickens both 
 living and dead clothing 
 | ^ and plunder of all kinds, 
 
 which the pillagers in 
 their flight had thrown 
 away. The blood from 
 the wounded men and 
 horses crimsoned the 
 snow along the road. 
 
 Thirteen Federals were 
 <J killed and a great number 
 
 wounded ; 63 prisoners, 
 including several officers, 
 were captured, with 90 
 horses. Five or six horses 
 
 A. LEE PATTESON, CO. C. ,.,, , XT . 
 
 - w . were killed. Nineteen 
 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
 prisoners, which the Fed 
 erals had picked up on their road, were released, and a num 
 ber of horses were recaptured and restored to their owners. 
 
 mand. There was no property but one wagon and one ambulance, 2 horses 
 and 6 mules in it. We brought the horses and mules along, but they, with the 
 rest, were lost in the fight. 
 
 Trusting, general, that you will grant me the court of inquiry at the earliest 
 practicable moment, I remain your obedient servant, 
 
 THOS. GIBSON, Major Commanding Detachment. 
 Major WILL RUMSEY, A. A. G., Second Cav. Division. 
 
 Report of Capt. Henry E. Snow, Twenty-first A r . Y. Cavalry. 
 
 CAMP TWENTY-FIRST N. Y. VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. 
 
 CampAvcrcll, Va., Feb 18 (19), 1865, 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to report that I was detailed yesterday, the i8th 
 instant, to take command of 100 men of the Twenty-first (Griswold s Light) 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 351 
 
 The only loss on our side was John Iden, of the regular 
 army, who was accidentally killed in the excitement of the 
 chase by one of our own men ; and Dr. Sowers, who was 
 slightly wounded. 
 
 Efforts were made to capture the deserter, Spotts, but 
 being well mounted, he fled at the first attack and escaped. 
 
 In the latter part of the month of February, Colonel 
 Mosby returned from the South to the command. 
 
 New York Cavalry, and report to Major Gibson, of the Fourteenth Penn 
 sylvania Cavalry for scout. Left camp at 6. p. m., the i8th instant, crossed 
 the Shenandoah River at Shepherd Mills Ford near Paris, Loudoun County, 
 Virginia ; received orders from Major Gibson to take the road leading to 
 Upperville; and search all houses between Paris and Upperville ; also, to 
 give the latter place a thorough searching. While he would take the road 
 leading to the right to Piedmont, I was to remain at Upperville until one hour 
 before daybreak, where he was to join me. If he did not arrive, on no account 
 was I to remain there longer than half an hour before daybreak, but start with 
 my command to camp. Agreeable to instructions I proceeded to Upperville, 
 and gave the houses there a thorough searching, and in the vicinity, finding 3 
 Confederate soldiers, one belonging to Mosby s command and two to the 
 Fourth Virginia Cavalry. About 3.30 this a. m. I took 10 men to search 
 Major Richards house, one mile from Upperville, leaving Lieutenant Mel- 
 drum, Twenty-first New York (Grisvvold s Light) Cavalry, in command until 
 my return, with strict orders to keep the men in column and be in readiness 
 for any .emergency. On my return I found about one-third of the men very 
 much under the influence of liquor, they having found two barrels of liquor dur 
 ing my absence. Started for camp and arrived at Paris at daylight, return 
 ing by the way of Berry s Bridge. Arrived in camp at 10.30 a. m. 
 
 Six of my men were left in Loudoun ; they were so intoxicated that it was 
 impossible to get them along. The horses, arms and accoutrements were 
 brought in by the rear guard. 
 
 I have the honor to be, most respectfully, etc., 
 
 HENRY E. SNOW, 
 
 Capt. A. Co., Twenty-first N . Y. Vol. Cav., Commanding Detail. 
 
 To MAJOR GIBSON, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 
 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 March, 1865 Battalion Sent Down into Loudoun Glascock Routs Patrol in Fairfax Lieutenant 
 Thomson Captures Patrol Raiders from Rappahannock Passing Through Fauquier 
 Death of John Waller Lieut. Harry Hatcher Taken Prisoner Surrenders Himself to 
 Save His Friend Colonel Reno with a Force from Harper s Ferry Sent to Drive Mosby 
 from Loudoun Fight near Harmony Following up Raiders Through Loudoun Capture 
 of Quartermaster James A. Daring Federal Officer Lieutenant Ferris Fight with 
 Mosby s Men Death of Wiltshire and Gill. 
 
 Monday, March 6. The Battalion assembled at Upper- 
 ville, and marched down to the lower part of Loudoun, in 
 order to protect the Quartermaster and his details of men, 
 who were gathering up corn and other supplies, and at the 
 same time, by keeping the command there for a short time, 
 relieve that portion of the county, which had been so over 
 run by Federal raiding parties. 1 
 
 Sunday, March 12. A detachment of between 40 and 50 
 men, under Captain Glascock, from the command quar 
 tered in Loudoun, was sent to Fairfax to attack a cavalry 
 patrol. 
 
 Arriving at a point on the road near Lewinsville, where it 
 was expected the patrol would pass (a little hollow in the 
 pines), Captain Glascock, Bush. Underwood and Thomas 
 Moss went to the edge of the pines to watch the road. The 
 patrol, numbering 22 men from the Thirteenth New York 
 Cavalry, soon came along. Moss was sent back with orders 
 to bring forward 10 men, who were put in charge of Bush, 
 Underwood with instructions that, as soon as the enemy 
 
 1 STEVENSON (Harper s Ferry) to Brig. Gen. MORGAN, Cumberland, March 
 8, 1865 : " I have a number of persons from Loudoun County here who came 
 in last night. Mosby, with considerable force, represented to be at least 500 
 strong, was at Waterford last night. He is conscripting all the inhabitants 
 capable of bearing arms. He is represented to have a light battery of 4 guns 
 (doubtful). I am putting down a pontoon bridge and think a cavalry force 
 should be sent over there sufficiently strong to drive him from the country. I 
 have only the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry ; not reliable." 
 
 STEVENSON to SEWARD (Martinsburg), March 8, 1865 : " Mosby crossed 
 the Shenandoah to-day with 300 men, crossing at Snicker s Ferry. Reno 
 thinks he went to White Post. I thought I would advise you to be on the look 
 out for a raid." 
 
 352 
 
MOSBYS RANGERS. 353 
 
 passed, to cross over in their rear, in order to pick up any 
 who might escape Captain Glascock, who would attack in 
 front. 
 
 The Federals, seeing us, halted, but mistaking us for 
 some of their own men, again 
 moved on. Glascock, thinking 
 they were about to retreat, or 
 dered a charge, and the fight 
 which ensued being in a narrow 
 road, at close quarters, was very 
 destructive to the enemy, 12 of 
 whom, dead or wounded, lay 
 on the ground at the close, 
 together with 6 horses killed. 
 Nine prisoners were taken. 
 Our loss was one man, Francis 
 Marion Yates, of Rappahan- 
 nock, who was accidentally 
 killed by our own men in the THOMAS MOSS, co. D. 
 
 Charge. From a Photograph taken during the War. 
 
 Ed. O Brien was wounded in 
 
 the leg, and Thomas Moss was injured by his horse falling 
 with him. Zach. F. Jones had his horse badly wounded. 
 
 John Hipkins was with the party sent to cut off the retreat 
 of the enemy, and his pistol failing to fire, he threw it at one 
 of the Federals across the road and knocked him from his 
 horse. 8 
 
 Ed. Thomson, with 30 picked men, among them Charles 
 Dear, J. Willie Dear, John Newcomb, Crawford, James 
 
 2 GAMBLE to TAYLOR, March 12, 1865 : "COLONEL : The patrol i officer, 
 sergeant and 20 men, Thirteenth New York Cavalry was attacked by guer 
 rillas at I p. m. about 2 miles beyond Vienna, this side of Peach Grove stock 
 ade. Lieutenant Cuyler was with the party and reports by signal from Vienna 
 2 men killed, 5 wounded, 6 horses killed, and I wounded. The balance of the 
 patrol came into Vienna. A detailed report will be sent so soon as received. 
 I have ordered a squadron from Prospect Hill to march through the woods one 
 mile on the flank of the daily patrol until the cavalry now out returns, when 
 the country in front will be swept by the whole cavalry force at night, and 
 every house examined from here to Bull Run Mountains at the same time, 
 where the guerrillas stop at night." 
 
354 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Lowndes, J. S. Mason and L. R. Mason, was sent on a scout 
 from Loudoun. They went through the enemy s lines to 
 Munson s Hill, capturing a patrol of 10 men, whom they 
 met on their route, with their horses and equipments, 
 and afterwards cutting their way through the lines near 
 Springfield Station, returned to the command without 
 loss. 3 
 
 Wednesday, March 15. A detachment of the Eighth Illinois 
 Cavalry, on their return march from a raid into Rappahan- 
 
 nock, passed through Fauquier 
 County. Near The Plains they 
 came upon John T. Waller of 
 Company A and Harry T. Sin- 
 nott of Company B, who being 
 penned up in Fishback s lane, 
 were called upon to surrender. 
 Waller replied by opening fire 
 on the enemy. The Federals 
 returned the fire and Waller 
 was shot through the head and 
 instantly killed. Sinnott jumped 
 the fence and made his escape. 
 One of the Federal officers told 
 George Fishback that Waller 
 was the bravest man he ever saw. 
 He was buried at The Plains, 
 and after the war his remains 
 was removed to Lynchburg. 
 Lieut. Harry Hatcher, with a few men, followed the Fed 
 eral cavalry down the turnpike below Aldie, when, thinking 
 they had gone back, he returned to the house and went to 
 bed. In the room with him was a young man who was to 
 be married in a few days. 
 
 A party of the cavalry that had been sent back sur 
 rounded the house. Hatcher, hearing the bustle outside, 
 
 3 TAYLOR to GAMBLE, March 12, 1865 : " Guerrillas carried off last night 
 a citizen and 7 horses from the vicinity of Upton s Hill. Your people must be 
 kept on the alert and make continual scouts. Have you heard from the de 
 tachment sent to Warrenton and Sperryville?" 
 
 FRANCIS MARION YATES, CO. D. 
 
 KilleJ March 12, 1865, in skirmish with 
 
 patrol of i6th N. Y. Cavalry. 
 
MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 355 
 
 put his head out of the window and seeing- a number of sol 
 diers around, asked : 
 
 " Boys, are the Yankees about ? " 
 
 "We are Yankees," replied one of them, " come down." 
 
 "Wait till I get my clothes 
 on," said Hatcher. 
 
 Then turning to the young 
 man, he said in a low voice : 
 " Hide yourself and I will go 
 down. Tis better for them to 
 take me than you." 
 
 When he opened the door they 
 asked if there were any more 
 rebels about. " No," said Hatch 
 er; and they went on their way, 
 taking him along as a prisoner. 4 
 
 Monday, March 20. A report 
 was brought in by our scouts 
 that a large body of Federal 
 troops had crossed the river at 
 Harper s Ferry and were then 
 camped at Hillsborough. This 
 force we afterwards learned was 
 composed of the Twelfth Penn 
 sylvania Cavalry, Colonel Reno, 
 
 and a regiment of infantry under Colonel Bird, and 
 was sent over to drive Mosby s Rangers out of Loudoun 
 County. Colonel Mosby immediately dispatched couriers 
 to order a rendezvous at Hamilton. 
 
 Tuesday, March 21. Command met at Hamilton, or as it 
 was more frequently called, Harmony, in the Quaker Settle 
 ment. One hundred and twenty-eight men were present 
 
 * Lieut. Harry Hatcher died April 23, 1895, at his residence, about 3 miles 
 from Middleburg, in Fauquier County. He was paralyzed about a year pre 
 vious to his death. Though a great sufferer, he remained cheerful and enjoyed 
 the society of his friends and old comrades to the last. 
 
 5 Harry T. Sinnott was a member of Company E, Forty-fourth Virginia 
 Infantry. He joined Mosby in June, 1863; was a member of Company A until 
 the organization of Company B, when he was transferred to that company and 
 so remained up to the surrender. 
 
 HARRY T. SINNOTT, CO. B. 5 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
356 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 v^ 
 
 and we moved off to the Quaker church. The Battalion 
 had left but a short time when the Federal forces occupied 
 the town and a portion of their cavalry came in sight of the 
 church, but soon retired. We again moved off, and halted 
 about one mile south of Hamilton on the road to Silcott 
 Springs. Captain Glascock, with Company D and a por 
 tion of Company A, was posted in a piece of woods to the 
 left of the road. Six well mounted men were then ordered 
 to ride forward and attack the enemy s advance and then 
 fall back past the woods in which Glascock s men were 
 concealed, in order to draw out the cavalry from the in 
 fantry. The ruse succeeded and the whole cavalry force 
 started in pursuit of the 6 men, who fled wildly, as though 
 surprised and terror-stricken. On came the Federal cavalry, 
 shouting and yelling, and their advance swept by before 
 they noticed us. As they approached, orders were given 
 to fall back a little from the road, so as to keep out of sight 
 as much as possible. Some of the men in the rear, not un 
 derstanding this movement, created some little confusion in 
 the ranks. Noticing this, Captain Glascock said : Come, 
 Company D ! Come on, Company A ! " and dashed on, fol 
 lowed by his men. 
 
 Referring to this fight, Lieut. Channing Smith wrote : 
 
 " I was sitting on my horse in the edge of the field near 
 Colonel Mosby and saw the whole affair, ft was my first 
 experience with the Rangers and I eagerly and excitedly 
 watched the movement. The Captain (Glascock) at the 
 head of his men came trotting out of the woods, and as he 
 struck the open, gave the command to charge and the 
 whole band broke into a gallop and hurled themselves upon 
 the flank and front of the astonished foe. They stood for a 
 short while, but only for a few minutes, then gave way and 
 fled back towards Hamilton pursued by Glascock and his 
 men, who rained bullets among them. Not far from the 
 woods the road entered a narrow lane, with a high, steep 
 bank on each side. Into this lane the panic-stricken men 
 jammed themselves men and horses pressed so tightly to 
 gether that some time elapsed before they could get for 
 ward. The Colonel sat upon his horse in the field on top of 
 the bank, his eyes flashing, his long black plume tossing in 
 the wind, waving on his men, who with loud cheers followed 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 357 
 
 up the chase. When the retreating Federals reached a 
 piece of woods close to Hamilton, they attempted a rally, 
 and for a few seconds there was a hand to hand fight be 
 tween us. Here was where we suffered the slight loss of 
 men. But, again breaking, they resumed their flight, and 
 some of them never stopped until safe across the Potomac 
 River, some 25 miles away. 
 
 " On the left of the woods, where they made their brief 
 stand, behind an osage orange hedge, was posted the in 
 fantry, and but for their fire the pursuit would have been 
 continued, and but few of the cavalry would have escaped. 
 Practically, not more than 60 of our command took part in 
 the fight, as owing to the narrowness of the road the men 
 could not get at them until the fight was over. 
 
 " When they made their second stand at the edge of the 
 woods, very few of our men had gotten up, and for a brief 
 space those engaged fought heavy odds. The fight was 
 sharp and desperate so far as we were concerned, but the 
 enemy quickly gave way. 
 
 " Having been appointed to the vacancy in Capt. Sam. 
 Chapman s Company (E) in place of Lieutenant Martin, who 
 was killed accidentally by one of his own comrades, and my 
 company not being present, I acted independently in this 
 fight and had good opportunity to see and judge of the 
 fighting qualities of Mosby s men, and came to the conclu 
 sion that the conscientious, brave soldier who loved the fierce 
 excitement and danger of battle could be accommodated as 
 well with Mosby on the Border as in the ranks of the regu 
 lars who followed the lead of Stuart. And the impression 
 then made upon me of the coolness, presence of mind and 
 courage of Colonel Mosby has never been effaced." 
 
 When the Federals were crowded in the lane, Lieutenant 
 Smith was near the Colonel on the bank and fired six shots 
 into their ranks. Then, following Mosby, he galloped along 
 their flank up to the woods, and was soon exchanging shots 
 at close range. Spurring his horse out into the road, he 
 was attacked by two of the enemy, one of whom he killed, 
 when the other wheeled and ran off. The fire of the infan 
 try then became so hot that Colonel Mosby ordered the 
 men to fall back. Some, not hearing or heeding the order, 
 went through both cavalry and infantry and back again 
 safely to the command. 
 
 Fifteen of the Federals w r ere killed and a number 
 
358 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 wounded, some mortally. Thirteen, including one lieuten 
 ant, were captured, together with 15 horses. 
 
 Our loss was 2 killed, 
 James Keith and Wirt 
 M. Binford. 6 John A. 
 Chew, 7 Ben. Fletcher, 
 Manning, Shipley and 
 two or three others 
 were wounded. 
 
 Mosby drew off his 
 men and halted in a field 
 in full view of the Fed 
 eral cavalry. The men 
 cheered, waved their 
 hats, and used every 
 means to draw the cav 
 alry away from the in 
 fantry. Some of our 
 men, venturing too 
 close to the enemy s 
 lines, were fired on, and 
 one, Joseph Griffin was 
 wounded and his horse 
 was killed. He attempted to gain the shelter of the woods, 
 but was pursued and captured. 8 
 
 The Battalion being ordered to meet next morning about 
 three miles from Hamilton, moved off towards North Fork. 
 The men scattered about in small squads and remained at 
 farm houses in the neighborhood. Pickets were placed 
 
 6 Wirt M. Binford was a youth but little over 17 years of age. His body 
 was taken to Richmond after the war and buried in Hollywood Cemetery. 
 
 7 John A. Chew was transferred from Chew s Battery to Mosby s Rangers 
 in November, 1864. In the fight at Hamilton he was badly wounded and has 
 never been able to walk since; otherwise he is in good health. 
 
 8 "While engaged in equipping and disciplining this force for active move 
 ments, either up the Valley or wherever it might be ordered, I had detachments of 
 cavalry out daily, scouting the roads south from Winchester ; and with the in 
 tention of destroying supplies said to be collected at Upperville, I directed 
 an expedition to that point under Col. M. A. Reno, of the Twelfth Pennsylva 
 nia Cavalry, composed of his own regiment and the First Regiment, First 
 
 COLONEL MARCUS A. RENO, 
 
 i2th Pennsylvania Cavalry. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 359 
 
 near and around the town to watch the movements of the 
 enemy, who went into camp. In the evening a heavy rain 
 storm set in and continued all night, accompanied with 
 thunder and lightning ; the wind blew with great force, 
 throwing down trees and fences. Shortly before daylight 
 the storm ceased, and the sun arose in a cloudless sky. 
 
 Wednesday, March 22. The command met at Hatcher s, 
 3 miles from Hamilton, and was joined by the Little Fork 
 Rangers, Captain Kincheloe, numbering 25 men. With this 
 reinforcement Mosby again moved forward to Hamilton, 
 but the Federals had gone to Snickersville. On nearing 
 that place we learned they had marched on to Bloomfieid. 
 Here our scouts came up with the enemy, and for a time 
 quite a brisk fire was kept up. They then fell back toward 
 Snickersville and went into eamp. 
 
 Mosby halted on a hill overlooking the camp, and again 
 tried to draw the cavalry away from the infantry. Failing 
 to do this, and night coming on, the command was dis 
 missed, with orders to meet in the morning before sunrise at 
 Eure s Mill, near the turnpike. 
 
 At this time Company A was under the command of 
 Sergeant Corbin, who had but a short time previous been 
 released from Federal prison. All the commissioned, as 
 well as non-commissioned officers of our company, except 
 Corbin, being either killed, wounded or captured, the 
 offices were filled, temporarily, by privates. 
 
 On the morning of the 23d, the Federals broke camp and 
 started before sunrise. Without waiting for all the men to 
 assemble; Mosby moved on after them with about 50 men. 
 He was soon joined by others, until his force amounted to 
 between 1 50 and 200 men. 
 
 At Upperville, where the Federals halted, an attempt was 
 made to cut off their pickets. Lieut. Frank Turner was 
 
 Corps, under Col. Bird. Col. Reno crossed the Shenandoah at Harper s Ferry, 
 and encountered the enemy, about 300 strong, under Mosby at Hillsborough. 
 According to the reports received by me, Mosby drove the cavalry back in dis 
 order, but hastily retired when he met the infantry skirmishers. The expedition 
 returned, having accomplished much less than I had expected it to do." Gen 
 eral Hancock s Report, See also Appendix, XXXIX. 
 
360 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 sent with a squad of men for that purpose, but being seen 
 before he was near enough to prevent their reaching the 
 main body, only one was captured, the others all escaping 
 into town. 
 
 As the Federals proceeded down the turnpike, we fol 
 lowed close at their heels, to Middleburg. As they would 
 ascend one hill, we would take up a position on the one be. 
 hind them. On coming to Goose Creek the infantry crossed 
 first, the wagons and cavalry bringing up the rear. After 
 the infantry had crossed, Mosby attempted to attack the 
 cavalry while the wagons were on the narrow bridge, when 
 it would be difficult for the cavalry to get over. But as he 
 moved around and charged on them, the last of the cavalry 
 was seen dashing over the bridge. Finding it impossible to 
 separate the cavalry from the infantry, Mosby thought to 
 charge the former, and, by driving them into the latter, 
 throw both into confusion ; but they, probably divining his 
 intention, took care to keep the infantry at all times be 
 tween our men and their cavalry. 
 
 A continual fire was kept up between the skirmishers on 
 both sides, and a number of Federals were seen to fall from 
 their horses. John H. Foster, of Company A, was wounded 
 near Middleburg. At that place Reno s forces turned off 
 from the turnpike, taking the road to MountviUe, where 
 they were joined by a large body of cavalry, which had 
 been sent up from Fairfax. Toward night our command 
 was dismissed, Mosby giving orders that the men should 
 not sleep in houses that night, owing to the risk of being 
 captured by searching parties. The Federals went into 
 camp, and the next day pursued their course homeward. 
 
 Thursday, March 30. The command again proceeded to 
 the Quaker settlement in Loudoun, and the business of press 
 ing corn was continued. A detachment of Federal cavalry 
 yesterday crossed the Potomac and picked up 7 of Mosby s 
 men, 3 at Downey s still house and 4 at Waterford, among 
 them our Quartermaster, Wright James. (See Chapter 
 IX). 
 
 Among those who had attracted the notice of Colonel 
 Mosby in the fight at Hamilton by their gallant bearing was 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 3 6l 
 
 Charles B. Wiltshire, a veteran in the regular service. He 
 
 had been wounded on three occasions : first, at Manassas, 
 
 then at Kernstown, and again, with General Rosser, in West 
 
 Virginia. The last was a 
 
 disabling wound, and he 
 
 was retired. When he 
 
 joined Mosby he came with 
 
 one crutch, which he broke 
 
 over the head ol a Federal 
 
 cavalryman on the Valley 
 
 pike while on a scout. 
 
 About the latter part of 
 March, Mosby told Wilt 
 shire of his intention to 
 make him a lieutenant in 
 Company H, which he pro 
 posed soon to organize, and 
 at the same time ordered 
 him to take a few men for a 
 scout in the Valley, on the 
 Winchester and Potomac 
 Railroad. Wiltshire accord 
 ingly started on the 3Oth of 
 March, with John Orrick, 
 George Murray Gill and 
 
 Bartlett Boiling, to fulfil his mission. On the road he met 
 Philip and Robert Eastham (" Bob Ridley ") who were on 
 their way with a message to Colonel Mosby, then in Lou- 
 doun. 
 
 Leaving Philip Eastham to deliver the message, Robert 
 Eastham joined Wiltshire and his little party. They went 
 by way of Berryville, near which place Eastham and Boi 
 ling stopped at a house to make some inquiries, while Wilt 
 shire, Gill and Orrick rode on ahead. When Fastham and 
 Boiling reached the top of a hill, in view of the residence of 
 Col. Daniel Bonham, they saw their three companions dash 
 ing off at full speed toward the house, while two Federal 
 soldiers, one of whom they afterwards learned was Lieut. 
 Eugene Ferris, of the Thirtieth Massachusetts Infantry, were 
 
 JOHN H. FOSTER, CO. A. 
 Wounded March 23, 1865, in a skirmish near 
 
 Middleburg. 
 From a Photograph taken during the War. 
 
362 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 running from the house to the stable. Spurring their horses, 
 they galloped on, but before they reached the gate which 
 led to the stable they heard a pistol shot and saw Charles 
 Wiltshire fall. He was at the stable door, with his pistol 
 pointed in the door. Then several shots were fired in rapid 
 succession, and as they went through the gate they met Gill 
 and Orrick, both of whom were wounded. Ferris had come 
 out from the stable, and unharmed by the shots of Eastham 
 and Boiling, secured Wiltshire s pistols and mounted Wilt 
 shire s horse, while his orderly, in obedience to his command, 
 mounted, and leading Ferris s horse, the two started for the 
 gate. By this time Boiling also was wounded, but he with 
 Eastham started to follow the retreating Federals. In the 
 road Boiling seized the orderly and pulled him from his 
 horse. Ferris turned on Eastham, who fired, inflicting a 
 slight wound and then raised his pistol to knock him from 
 his horse, but Ferris avoided the blow and set off in the 
 direction of his camp, followed by Orrick and Boiling. 
 Eastham endeavored to cut him off by getting around in his 
 front, but he made his escape. Eastham went back to look 
 after Wiltshire, but was told he was dying, and a young 
 lady handed up his belt and holsters. Just then Orrick and 
 Boiling came riding up, shouting, " Get out quick, Ridley ; 
 the Yankees are coming!" and the three Rangers started 
 on the home stretch. 
 
 After the encounter Gill attempted to return to Upper- 
 ville, but from loss of blood was compelled to stop at a 
 house in the Blue Ridge Here he was joined by his cousin, 
 John Gill, who found his wound a serious one. Realizing 
 the danger, John Gill started for a physician immediately. 
 After riding all night he returned the next day to find his 
 cousin a corpse. He was buried in a little graveyard on 
 the mountain side. The last words he uttered were, <T die 
 at least in a good cause." 
 
 George Murray Gill was a Baltimorean, who had entered 
 the Confederate army in the early part of the war and had 
 served both in the infantry and cavalry before his transfer 
 to Mosby s command. He participated in many of the great 
 battles and was everywhere conspicuous for the highest 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 363 
 
 qualities of a soldier. The day after the second battle of 
 Manassas he received a severe wound in a skirmish on the 
 Little River turnpike, which compelled him to absent him 
 self from the army until the middle of November. From 
 that time until after the 
 battle of Gettysburg he 
 served with Stuart s cav 
 alry. He was taken pris 
 oner at Hagerstown on 
 the retreat of Lee s army 
 and spent five months in 
 prison, first at Fort Dela 
 ware and then at Point 
 Lookout. At the end of 
 that time he rejoined his 
 regiment, from which he 
 was transferred to Mos- 
 by s Partisan Rangers. 
 
 JOHN GILL. In making up 
 the Company Rolls I found there 
 was some controversy as to his 
 having been a member of the 
 Forty-third Battalion. In a little 
 volume of personal memoirs 
 published by him since the war, 
 he settles the question himself by 
 giving a very interesting account 
 of his experience when with "Mosby s Men," and while his statement does not 
 bear out the assertion that he was actually enrolled, it shows that our claim for 
 comradeship was not altogether without some grounds to build upon. The 
 short period he was acting with us was sufficient to show that he possessed all 
 the qualities of a good and brave soldier, so that we may be pardoned for giving 
 expression to the wish which was father to the thought and led us to claim 
 him as a comrade. 
 
 After relating his experience while accompanying Captain Glascock on his 
 raids, he adds: "After this little engagement and my participation in the 
 Harmony fight, which took place a few days later, Captain Glascock suggested 
 that I be made a lieutenant in Baylor s company, then organizing, if I would 
 remain with Mosby s command. It was quite flattering to me to be offered this 
 position and I should have been only too well pleased to accept it and serve 
 under so gallant a soldier as Baylor, but I was still under orders from Gen. 
 Fitz Lee, and it was my duty to return to that command at the earliest possible 
 moment. I was particularly desirous to be back with my old cavalry chief, 
 and, if surrender had come, to surrender with those with whom I had been 
 associated for several years." 
 
 GEORGE MURRAY GILL, CO. D. 
 From a war-time picture. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 April, 1865 Company H Organized It Starts out to Distinguish Itself Attack and Rout the 
 Loudoun Rangers News of the Fall of Richmond and Surrender of General Lee Captain 
 Robert S. Walker Sent South to Learn the True State of Affairs Companies A and B 
 in the Valley Capture Pickets near Berry ville Companies D and H in Fairfax Skirmish 
 at Arundels Pursued by the Eighth Illinois, they Lose Several Men The Last Fight of 
 the War in Virginia Ends on the Banks of Bull Run, a Stream made Memorable as the 
 Scene of the First Great Battle of the War. 
 
 On the 5th of April, at North Fork, in Loudoun Count} 7 , 
 Company H was organized by electing George Baylor, 
 Captain ; Edward F. Thomson, First Lieutenant ; James G. 
 Wiltshire, Second Lieutenant, and B. Frank Carter, Jr., 
 Third Lieutenant. 
 
 Captain Baylor, though but a youth, had already won 
 distinction in the regular service, first in the Stonewall Brig 
 ade and afterwards in the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry in 
 which he had been promoted to a lieutenancy. 
 
 Lieutenant Thomson was attached to Capt. M. D. Ball s 
 company when it was captured in Alexandria, May I, 1861, 
 and after his exchange acted as guide and scout for Gen. 
 J. E. B. Stuart until the Fall of 1862, when he enlisted in the 
 Fifth Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Rosser. In 
 1864 the Fifth and Fifteenth regiments were consolidated 
 and Thomson afterwards obtained a transfer to Mosby s 
 command. He had been entrusted with many important 
 missions, all of which he performed in such a creditable 
 manner that he was deemed worthy of the position to which 
 he was now assigned. 
 
 Lieutenants Wiltshire and Carter had both established 
 reputations in the command by their gallant conduct, and 
 their promotion was regarded by all as a fitting recognition 
 of their worth. 
 
 After the election, Colonel Mosby complimented the men 
 on their choice of officers and told them they could now go 
 and do something to distinguish themselves. 
 
 364 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 365 
 
 Captain Baylor moved off with his company, numbering 
 52 men, through Snicker s Gap, thence along the Shenan- 
 doah river to Rock Ford, where he crossed, swimming the 
 horses. 
 
 Learning that the Loudoun Rangers were camped near 
 Halltown, Baylor was not long in making up his mind to 
 
 give them attention. 
 Reaching their camp, 
 he led his men to 
 the attack and was 
 soon in possession, 
 capturing 45 pris 
 oners and over 70 
 horses, together with 
 arms and camp equi 
 page. Baylor had one 
 man w o u n d e d 
 Frank Helm, of War- 
 renton, while the Fed 
 erals lost 5 or 6 killed 
 and wounded. 1 (See 
 Colonel Clendenin s 
 Report, Appendix, 
 XXXYIII.) 
 
 About this time 
 news was received of 
 the fall of Richmond 
 and the surrender of 
 Lee s army. This cast 
 
 a gloom over all. Some were hopeful and still looked for 
 ward to something, they knew not what, which should bring 
 about a change in the existing state of affairs and lead to a suc 
 cessful result. The rumors of recognition and intervention 
 which had been circulated were now eagerly caught up by 
 
 1 " On the 6th of April a body of Mosby s guerrillas surprised the camp of 
 the Loudoun County Rangers near Charlestown, capturing a number of men 
 and nearly all their horses." Report of Major- General W. S. Hancock. 
 
 General MORGAN, Chief of Staff . Harper s Ferry, Va., April fi, 1865. 
 
 Mosby surprised camp of Loudoun Rangers near Keys Ford and cleaned 
 
 CAPTAIN GEORGE BAYLOR, CO. H. 
 
 From a Photograph taken after the War. 
 
366 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 persons who in despair were ready to give credence to any 
 thing- which might afford the faintest ray of hope. Nearly 
 all were astounded when they heard of the surrender of 
 Lee s army, which was looked upon as the shield and armor 
 of the Confederacy. So often successful and deemed almost 
 invincible, it was conceded to be a hopeless content when it 
 had failed. 
 
 The London Times, speaking of this army, said : 
 Not even the Grand Army of Napoleon himself could 
 count a series of more brilliant victories than the forces 
 which, raised chiefly from the high spirited population of 
 Virginia, have defeated so many invasions of that state and 
 crushed the hopes of so many 
 National generals. Chiefs and 
 soldiers have now failed for the 
 first and last time. They were 
 victorious until victory was no 
 longer to be achieved by human 
 valor, and then they fell with 
 honor. Theirs has been no gradual 
 decay in courage or discipline, no 
 demoralization, the result of suc 
 cessive defeats. What they were 
 at the Chickahominy and Chan- 
 cellorsville, they were on the day 
 when the overpowering forces of 
 Grant and Sheridan forced them 
 back from their defenses at Peters 
 burg. If Stonewall Jackson had 
 been alive to witness the ruin of 
 the army which he had so often 
 helped to victory, he would have 
 
 no reason to be ashamed of its conduct in its latest 
 hour. 
 
 them out. Made the attack about 10 o clock. I have sent out some infantry. 
 When I get a report will send you particulars. Respectfully, 
 
 JOHN D. STEVENSON, Brigadier-General. 
 
 LIEUT. B. FRANK CARTER, JR., 
 
 CO. H. 
 
 From a Photograph taken during the 
 War. 
 
 General MORGAN, Chief of Staff : 
 
 Harper s Ferry, April 6, 1865. 
 
 The force that attacked camp of Loudoun Rangers was a part of Mosby s 
 command. They captured 25 men of the Rangers, a small party of the Fifth 
 New York guarding baggage; also some horses. The number of attacking 
 force was about 100 men. They crossed at one of the upper fords of the Shen- 
 andoah and recrossed at Keys Ford. 
 
 JOHN D. STEVENSON, Brigadier-General. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. . 367 
 
 The first news of the surrender of General Lee was ac 
 companied by a report that Gen. Joe Johnson had defeated 
 General Sherman, and was marching- on to reinforce Gen 
 eral Lee. There being so many conflicting- rumors, and 
 being without official information, Colonel Mosby sent Capt. 
 Robert S. Walker with a few men, to Gordonsville to learn 
 the true state of affairs. 
 
 Saturday, April 8. Command met at Upperville. Com 
 panies D and H were sent off to operate in Fairfax, while 
 Mosby, with Companies A and B, marched through Ashby s 
 Gap and crossed the Shenandoah river at Burrell s Island, 
 swimming our horses, as the river was very high. We 
 halted near Ferguson s, and Colonel Mosby, taking 10 men, 
 went off on a scout. He learned that a division of cavalry 
 was camped below Berryville ; that 200 or 300 were at 
 Berryville with a picket of 8 men on the road above the 
 town. Lieut. John Russell, with a few men, approached 
 these and was ordered to halt. 
 
 " Oh, pshaw ! " said Russell ; " what s the matter with 
 you ? Don t you know who we are ? " 
 
 Russell still advancing, the picket again challenged, and 
 the same response was given. By this time Russell was 
 close enough to see the men sitting around, and the man on 
 post cocked his pistol. Our men then rushed forward, firing 
 into the group, 2 of whom were killed, 3 wounded and 3 cap 
 tured, with 7 horses and equipments. We remained some 
 time within 6 miles of Berryville, expecting a force would be 
 sent out in search of the party who had made the attack, 
 but none came and we moved on. 
 
 On the Qth Lieut. Albert Wrenn, Lieut. Frank Turner and 
 Edward Hurst, each with detachments, were sent out, but 
 accomplished nothing of importance, and we all returned 
 to Fauquier. Lieutenant Wrenn s party found itself in close 
 proximity to a Federal camp, from which it was neces 
 sary to depart in haste, with a large following. When 
 he crossed the Shenandoah, the Federal cavalry ap 
 peared oh the opposite shore, but made no attempt to 
 cross. 
 
 Companies D and H were less fortunate. Leaving Up- 
 
368 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 perville on the 8th, they marched to The Plains and dis 
 persed, with orders to meet next morning 1 . 
 
 On the morning of the Qth (Sunday) they met and remained 
 at The Plains until afternoon, when Captain Baylor gave 
 orders to march, and they set out for Fairfax, intending to 
 capture a train hauling 
 wood to Alexandria. 
 Rain set in about dark 
 and continued all night. 
 On the morning of the 
 loth, learning that the 
 train would not come 
 out, Baylor started on 
 his return to Fauquier. 
 
 The Federal com 
 mander at Fairfax Sta 
 tion, Colonel Albright, 
 was apprised of their 
 presence, and imme 
 diately despatched a 
 force in pursuit. 8 
 While partially dis 
 mounted at Arundel s, 
 Companies D and H 
 were attacked by a de 
 tachment of the Eighth 
 Illinois Cavalry, under 
 
 Captain Warner. Lieutenants Thomson and B. Frank 
 Carter, with about 30 men, charged and checked the 
 advance, causing them to waver, but seeing our men in 
 confusion, they rallied and drove us back. In the retreat 
 which followed a few determined men, among them Lieut. B. 
 
 JOSEPH BRYAN, CO. D. 
 
 2 HEADQUARTERS FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADE, 
 
 Fairfax Cou;-t House, April 10, 1865. 
 Lieut. -Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff : 
 
 COLONEL : The detachment of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry which went out 
 this morning, as previously reported, from Fairfax Station, met Mosby s bat 
 talion from the Northern Neck, under Captain Baylor, and as usual whipped 
 it like the devil. The Eighth captured a number of horses and some prisoners. 
 
MOSBYS RANGERS. 
 
 369 
 
 Frank Carter, Lieut. James G. Wiltshire, Sergeant Mohler, 
 Joseph Bryan, Thomas Kidd, B. B. Ransom, H. C. Dear and a 
 
 few others, formed a rear 
 guard and saved many from 
 death or capture. This brave 
 little band, for four or five 
 miles of the chase, exposed 
 themselves, with reckless dar 
 ing, to save their comrades. 
 Mohler s horse was shot 
 and floundered in the mud 
 near a sharp curve in the 
 road. With the Federal cav 
 alry pressing hard in their rear, 
 and a party seeking to cut 
 them off by crossing the field, 
 so as to come out on the road 
 in their front, they could not 
 get him up behind them, but 
 Wiltshire and Bryan, each 
 H. c. DEAR co D 3 taking one of Mohler s hands, 
 
 carried him along between 
 
 their horses until they overtook a riderless horse, which 
 they caught and gave to Mohler, and then turned to fire on 
 
 Had a few men wounded and half a dozen horses killed. A detailed report will 
 be made as soon as practicable. WM. GAMBLE, 
 
 Colonel Commanding Brigade. 
 
 April 10, 1865. 
 Colonel GAMBLE : 
 
 I have just come into camp from a fight with a battalion of Mosby s Men 
 under command of Captain Baylor. I whipped him like thunder, captured 
 a number of horses and some provisions. Had a few men wounded and half 
 a dozen horses killed. Will send a full account at an early hour. 
 
 CHAS. ALBRIGHT, Colonel. 
 
 3 In his letter enclosing pictures of himself and J. W. Dear, Mr. H. C. Dear 
 wrote : " I send you a picture taken in Waterford a few days after the fight at 
 Hamilton. I was with a little scouting party. We entered the town and took 
 turns standing guard while each had his picture taken, and then raced from the 
 town, pursued by Means Men. 
 
 " My brother J. W. Dear and Tom King were captured by Means Men 
 
3/0 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 the party seeking to cut them off. After Wiltshire delivered 
 his fire, he saw the horse which they had given to Mohler 
 pass by without a rider, and saw that Mohler was a prisoner, 
 having been captured before he could mount. 
 
 The halter strap on Captain Baylor s horse got loose, and 
 as the frightened beast plunged madly on, it was trailing 
 under foot, tripping the animal. Young H. C. Dear, seeing 
 his leader s dilemma, spurred on and secured the strap so 
 that it would not interfere with the horse s movements. 
 
 Besides Mohler, the Federals captured Thomas F. Harney, 
 of the Torpedo Bureau, on Special Duty with Mosby, Rich 
 ard McVey, Edward Heffiebower and Samuel Rogers. 
 McVey was badly wounded. 
 
 The Federals continued the pursuit until they reached 
 Wolf Run Shoals ; and here ended the last fight of the war 
 in Virginia. 4 
 
 near our home in the vicinity of Mt. Gilead, in February, 1865. They were be 
 trayed by a treacherous negro. They had just decked themselves out in their 
 new $200 suits smuggled from Baltimore, to call on some ladies in Leesburg, 
 when the enemy came upon them. They took to the woods, but finding escape 
 impossible, made a stand-up fight before surrendering. Willie had previously 
 been shot in the leg. For their gallant resistance they were sent to Fort Mc- 
 Henry, not to be exchanged during the war. 
 
 " I went to Captain Glascock after I saw my brother captured, and asked 
 to be allowed to take his place in Company D. He refused on account of 
 my youth (I was then but a school-boy), but finally gave me permission to go 
 with the Company, which I did, up to the close of the war. Through the 
 kindness of the men I was given a place behind my big cousin, Charlie Dear, 
 which always brought me in the second or third fours in time of danger." 
 
 4 April 10, 1865. Skirmish near Burke s Station and at ArundeFs Farm, 
 Va. Report of Col. Charles Albright, Two hundred and Second Penn- 
 svlvania Infantry, Commanding Post at Fairfax Station. 
 
 April 10, 1865 
 Captain WICKRRSHAM : 
 
 CAPT : I have the honor to report that this morning I received information 
 through a source I consider reliable, that a force of rebel cavalry was south of 
 this post, moving toward Burke s Station, for the purpose of capturing trains 
 at work there. I immediately ordered out all of the cavalry I have under my 
 command and started in the direction indicated. About 3 miles from here I 
 came upon the trail of the enemy and followed it toward Burke s Station, in 
 the neighborhood of which place some shots were exchanged between the 
 enemy and a detachment of Company K, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, The rebels, 
 upon being discovered, beat back into the woods, and upon my recovering of the 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. . 3/1 
 
 Lieutenant Wiltshire, calling my attention to this circum 
 stance, remarked : 
 
 " Has it never struck you as being a notable fact that the 
 first big fight of the war occurred on Bull Run and the last 
 
 trail, again followed, taking with me Lieutenant Hupp s command. At Arundel s 
 I discovered them formed in line, and behind the house, barn and fences. I 
 
 ordered my men into line as rapidly as I 
 could, advanced and opened fire. The 
 rebels broke and I charged after them. 
 We drove them to Wolf Run Shoals and saw 
 their rear cross. I did not deem it prudent 
 to follow any further, from the fact that our 
 horses were pretty well exhausted and the 
 column pretty well scattered along the 
 road The enemy s force was a battalion 
 of Mosby s command, Companies D and 
 H, Captain Baylor in command Captain 
 Briscoe was in command of Company D 
 numbering altogether about 150 men. 
 They started from Upperville Saturday 
 morning last. 
 
 The casualties are as follows : Company 
 
 A G, 2 men slightly wounded, 3 horses killed 
 
 < and 3 wounded. Company H, I horse 
 
 LIEUT. JAMES G. WILTSHIRE, killed. Company K, I horse killed and i 
 
 CO- H wounded. 
 
 From a War-time Picture. List of prisoners and property capt 
 
 ured : Richard McVey (wounded severely), 
 
 Edward Hefflebower, Thomas F. Harney, Engineer Bureau, Lieutenant Com 
 pany F, Sixth Missouri brought ordnance to Colonel Mosby and joined his 
 command ; First Sergeant David G. Mohler, Company H, Samuel Rogers. Six 
 horses captured. Six or 8 horses killed ; 7 complete sets of horse equipments. 
 The road from Mr. Arundel s to Wolf Run Shoals was strewn with blankets, 
 hats, caps, etc. I have no doubt a number of the enemy were wounded and 
 probably some killed that were got away through the woods. 
 
 I cannot speak too highly of the gallantry of Captain Warner, Lieutenants 
 Brooks and Hupp, and also of their men. It is also my duty to add that the 
 information was brought me from Arundel s, a heretofore suspected rebel fam 
 ily. Shall I send the prisoners over ? 
 
 I have the honor to be, very truly, your obedient servant, 
 
 CHARLES ALBRIGHT, 
 
 Col. 202d Regiment Pennsylvania Vols. , Commanding Post. 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HDQRS. SEPARATE BRIGADE, 
 Fairfax C. H., April 10, 1865, 
 
 Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters. 
 Credit is due to Colonel Albright for his energy in obtaining the information 
 
372 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 shots of the war in Virginia were fired on the banks of that 
 same stream ? " 
 
 And it was Wiltshire s lot to shoot the last man who was 
 wounded in this fight. 
 
 and especially to Captain Warner, who commanded and led the detachment 
 Eighth Illinois Cavalry in his usual way. Captain Warner is and always has 
 been an excellent fighting officer and is eminently worthy of his position and 
 the regiment he belongs to. 
 
 W. GAMBLE, Colonel Commanding Brigade. 
 
 Washington, April 11, 1865. 
 General MORGAN, Chief of Staff : 
 
 A scout just in reports that Mosby with one battalion crossed the Blue 
 Ridge to the Shenandoah Valley April 8th, to prey upon trains. An affair 
 between another portion of Mosby s force and a detachment of Eighth Illinois 
 cavalry occurred April loth, near Burke s Station. Five of Mosby s men 
 killed. Our loss, 2 slightly wounded. C. C. AUGUR, Major-General. 
 
 Fairfax Court House, April 11, 1865. 
 Major-General AUGUR, Commanding, etc.: 
 
 GENERAL : The captured prisoners stated that they did not belong to 
 Chapman s command, but were sent by Mosby to capture the quartermaster s 
 animals at Burke s Station, and that Chapman himself is expected in this 
 vicinity every day. From the conflicting accounts that have reached me I am 
 led to believe that Mosby s entire command consists of 2 battalions of 4 com 
 panies each, and 2 additional companies, newly organized, 10 companies in all, 
 numbering between 800 and 1,000 men. That 4 companies under Mosby him 
 self crossed the Blue Ridge on Saturday to plunder weak guarded trains south 
 of Winchester. One company sent to Maryland to plunder banks; one com 
 pany sent to steal horses from my lines, beside the battalion from Northern 
 Neck. W. GAMBLE, Colonel Commanding Brigade . 
 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 April, 1865 Companies C, E, F and G Return from Northern Neck General Hancock Calls on 
 Colonel Mosby to Surrender with his Command Circular Issued by General Hancock 
 Colonel Chapman Sent to the Valley with a Flag of Truce A Truce Between the Federals 
 and "Mosby s Men" Arranging for Surrender Correspondence Between Mosby and 
 the Federals Colonel Mosby Visits Millwood and Confers with the Officers Sent by 
 General Hancock to Meet Him. 
 
 The companies which had been sent to the Northern Neck 
 to winter now returned, having done very little except to 
 recruit their horses. 1 
 
 At one time a large force of infantry, with about 250 cav 
 alry, prepared to make an extensive raid through that sec- 
 lion of Westmoreland County where Mosby s men were 
 quartered. While on the march, Capt. Samuel Chapman 
 made an attack on their rear and after a sharp engagement, 
 in which a number of the Federals were killed and wounded, 
 they retreated and the force was taken on transports to 
 Point Lookout. Captain Chapman was wounded and John 
 Horsley had his nurse t>uoc. At the time of the fight the 
 night was so dark that it was hard to distinguish friend 
 from foe. (See Col. Chapman s account in Appendix.) 
 
 1 HEADQUARTERS, March 27, 1865. 
 Col. JOHN S. MOSBY (Care Major Boyle) : 
 
 Collect your command and watch the country from front of Gordonsville to 
 Blue Ridge, and also Valley. Your command is all now in that section and 
 the General will rely on you to watch and protect the country. If any of your 
 command is in Northern Neck, call it to you. 
 
 W. H. TAYLOR, Assist. Adjt. Gen. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 
 
 March 27, 1865. 
 Gen. J. A. EARLY : 
 
 From reports received Sheridan is now probably on Grant s left. I desire, 
 if possible, to collect cavalry here sufficient to resist his and Gregg s combined 
 forces. I know the need of troops with you, but have thought you might per 
 haps spare one of Lomax s brigades. If so, send Lomax with it to this point. 
 If one is sent it would be better perhaps to retain Imboden in the Valley where 
 Lomax is. I have ordered Dorsey s (Maryland) cavalry from Gordonsville to 
 Fitz Lee and directed Mosby to collect his command south and protect the 
 country from Gordonsville west. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 373 
 
374 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Capt. Thomas Richards, of Company G, charged into 
 Williamsburg one night, driving out the garrison and kill 
 ing and wounding some 12 or 15 Federals. 
 
 Mosby and his command had always been a thorn in their 
 side and the Federal authorities were in a state of uncer 
 tainty regarding them, as will be seen by the correspondence 
 herewith. 2 
 
 2 WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 10, 1865. 
 Lieut.-Gen. GRANT : 
 
 Rosser and the troops operating about Loudoun form part of the Army 
 of Northern Virginia reporting to Lee. Are they included in the surrender, or 
 only those under Lee s immediate personal command ? The troops in Western 
 Virginia have also gone as part of the Army of Northern Virginia. 
 
 EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. 
 
 Prospect Station, April 10, 1865. 
 Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War : 
 
 The surrender was only of the men left with the pursued army at the time 
 of the surrender, All prisoners captured in battle previous to the surrender 
 stand same as other prisoners of war, and those who had escaped and were 
 detached at the time are not included. I think, however, there will be no 
 difficulty now in bringing in on the terms voluntarily given to General Lee all 
 the fragments of the Army of Northern Virginia, and it may be the army under 
 Johnson also. I wish Hancock would try it with Mosby. 
 
 _____ U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-GeneraL 
 
 Richmond, April 10, 1865. 
 Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT : 
 
 The people here are anxious that Mosby should be included in Lee s 
 surrender. They say he belongs to that army. 
 
 G. WEITZEL, Major-General. 
 
 Washington, D. C., April 10, 1865. 
 Major-General HANCOCK, Winchester, Va.: 
 
 The Secretary of War directs that you will have printed and circulated the 
 correspondence between Generals Grant and Lee on the surrender of the Army 
 of Northern Virginia. All detachments and stragglers from that army will, 
 upon complying with the conditions agreed upon, be paroled and permitted to 
 return to their homes. Those who do not so surrender will be brought in as 
 prisoners of war. The guerrilla chief, Mosby, will not be paroled. 
 
 H. W. HALLECK, 
 Major-General and Chief of Staff. 
 
 Winchester, Va., April 12, 1865. 
 Major-General H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff : 
 
 In accordance with the instructions of General Grant, I yesterday sent a 
 communication to Mosby offering to receive the surrender of his command on 
 the same terms as indicated in General Grant s dispatch to General Lee. I have 
 as yet no answer. It is quite as likely that Mosby will disband as that he will 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 375 
 
 On Wednesday, April i2th, Colonel Mosby received a 
 despatch from General Hancock, commanding the forces in 
 the Valley, calling- on him to surrender his command on the 
 
 MAJ.-GEN. W. S. HANCOCK AND HIS DIVISION GENERALS. 
 Gens. Francis C Barlow, David B. Birney and John Gibbon. 
 
 formally surrender, as all his men have fine animals and are generally armed 
 with 2 pistols only. They will not give up these things, I presume, as long as 
 they can escape. I will employ the cavalry force here in hunting them down. 
 
 W. S. HANCOCK, Major-General. 
 
 HDQRS. MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 April 15, 1S65. 
 Major T. W. LUSK, Charlestown, Va.: 
 
 Mosby s Men can surrender on the same terms as Lee s men and go to their 
 homes. It is only necessary that they deliver up their arms and horses and 
 take a parole not to take up arms again unless regularly exchanged. 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, Brevet Brigadier-Central. 
 
37 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 same terms which had been accorded General Lee by Gen 
 eral Grant. At the same time a circular addressed to the 
 citizens in the vicinity of his lines was sent over : 
 
 HEADQ RS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 Winchester, Va., April 10, 1865. 
 
 The Major General commanding announces to the citizens 
 in the vicinity of his lines that General Robert E. Lee sur 
 rendered with the Army of Northern Virginia yesterday to 
 Lieutenant General Grant near Appomattox Court House. 
 
 The arms, artillery, and baggage were delivered up, the 
 Confederate officers being allowed to retain their side-arms 
 and private property. Officers and men were all paroled 
 not to take up arms against the United States until regu 
 larly exchanged, and were allowed to return to their homes 
 once more, there to remain without molestation from the 
 authorities of the United States so long as their parole is 
 kept inviolate and they respect the laws in force where 
 they reside. 
 
 All detachments and stragglers from the Army of North 
 ern Virginia will, upon complying with the above condi 
 tions, be paroled and allowed to go to their homes. Those 
 who do not so surrender will be brought in as prisoners of 
 war. The guerrilla chief Mosby is not included in the 
 parole. 
 
 The Major General Commanding trusts that the people 
 to whom this is sent will regard the surrender of General 
 Lee with his army as Lee himself regards it, as the first great 
 step to peace, and will adapt their conduct to the new con 
 dition of affairs and make it practicable for him to exhibit 
 towards them every leniency the situation will admit of. 
 Every military restraint shall be removed that is not abso 
 lutely essential, and your sons, your husbands, and your 
 brothers shall remain with you unmolested. 
 
 It is for you to determine the amount of freedom you are 
 to enjoy. The marauding bands which have so long in 
 fested this section, subsisting on the plunder of the defense 
 less, effecting no great military purpose, and bringing upon 
 you the devastation of your homes, must no longer find 
 shelter and concealment among you. Every outrage com 
 mitted by them will be followed by the severest infliction, 
 and it is the purpose of the Major General Commanding to 
 destroy utterly the haunts of these bands if their depreda 
 tions are continued. W. S. HANCOCK, 
 
 Major-General U. S. Vols. 
 
 Official : GEORGE LEE, Asst. Adjt. G -//. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 377 
 
 A circular was also received which had been issued by 
 General Augur, declaring Mosby an outlaw ; that " the 
 guerrilla chief, Mosby, would not be paroled under any cir 
 cumstances." 
 
 General Hancock sent the following communication to 
 Colonel Mosby : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 April //, 1865. 
 Col. JOHN S. MOSBY, Commanding Partisans : 
 
 COLONEL : I am directed by Major-General Hancock to 
 inclose to you copies of letters which passed between Gen 
 erals Grant and Lee on the occasion of the surrender of the 
 Army of Northern Virginia. Major-General Hancock is 
 authorized to receive the surrender of the forces under your 
 command on the same conditions offered to General Lee, 
 and will send an officer of equal rank with yourself to meet 
 you at any point and time you may designate, convenient 
 to the lines, for the purpose of arranging details, should you 
 conclude to be governed by the example of General Lee. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, 
 Bvt. Brig.-Gen. and Chief of Staff. 
 
 In reply Colonel Mosby now despatched Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Chapman, Dr. A. Monteiro, Surgeon of our com 
 mand, Adjutant William H. Mosby and Capt. Walter E. 
 Frankland, under flag of truce, with the following letter : 
 
 April 15, 1865. 
 Major-General W. S. HANCOCK, Commanding, Etc.: 
 
 GENERAL : I am in receipt of a letter from your chief of 
 staff, Brigadier-General Morgan, enclosing copies of corres 
 pondence 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 popula 
 tion any unnecessary distress, I am ready to agree to a sus 
 pension of hostilities for a short time, in order to enable me 
 to communicate with my own authorities, or until I can ob- 
 
378 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 tain 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. 3 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN S. MOSBY, Colonel C. S. A. 
 
 Dr. Monteiro, in his interesting volume of " Reminiscen 
 ces," gives the following account of the interview with Gen 
 eral Hancock : 
 
 " We passed into the hall of a large brick house and were 
 informed that the General was in his room, and would soon 
 grant us an audience. We were introduced to his adjutant, 
 whom we found a very agreeable and pleasant fellow. In a 
 few moments conversation with this polite officer, we were 
 much impressed with his good manners and obliging disposi 
 tion. He sent a messenger to the General s room to inform 
 him that Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman and Surgeon Mon 
 teiro, of Mosby s command, were waiting to see him. We 
 had no well-digested plan of action in the event the General 
 refused our petition, and we were not so sure he would 
 have much regard for our flag of truce. Indeed, we were 
 really at the mercy of our old enemy, and felt no certainty 
 that we would be permitted to return. While conversing 
 pleasantly with Colonel Russell and the adjutant, General 
 Hancock walked into the hall. We were introduced by 
 Colonel Russell. Fourteen eventful years have been gath 
 ered to Time s bosom since that interview, yet I have a 
 distinct and vivid mental vision of General Hancock as he 
 approached us and cordially grasped our hands. There 
 was a self-possession, ease and benignant dignity about him 
 that I will never forget. A benevolent expression, illumined 
 by a powerful intellect, spoke volumes of meaning from his 
 bright and handsome face. It may be that an association of 
 
 3 Winchester, Va., April 16, 1865. 
 Major-General HALLECK, Chief of Staff : 
 
 I have this day received a communication from Colonel Mosby and have had 
 an interview with Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman, of his command. I have no 
 doubt but that Mosby will surrender his whole command on the terms given to 
 General Lee. Arrangements have been made for a meeting at Millwood on 
 Tuesday noon, when I expect to receive the surrender. Meanwhile Mosby 
 agrees to refrain from any operations whatever, and I have directed no offen 
 sive operations against his command to be made. They are aware of the death 
 of the President. 
 
 WINF D S. HANCOCK, 
 Major- Gen. Commanding. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 379 
 
 ideas, caused by receiving kind expressions of sympathy 
 and regard, when 1 expected a harsh, cruel or haughty re 
 ception, impressed me so favorably with this true gentle 
 man and distinguished soldier. Be that as it may, I have 
 never met a man for whom I have a higher regard, or more 
 profound respect than I have, even at this date, for General 
 Hancock. I had never before felt at all ashamed of my old 
 gray uniform, but when this true soldier held my hand and 
 looked kindly and squarely into my face, and said, in a firm 
 and earnest voice, " I sympathize w ith you in what you be- 
 
 DR. A. MONTEIRO, 
 Surgeon, 43d Battalion Virginia Cavalry, C. S. A. 
 
 lieve to be a great misfortune. You have fought bravely 
 and have nothing to be ashamed of. You have, like gallant 
 soldiers, left your cause to the god of battles, and the arbit 
 rament of the sword has decided against you. Let us once 
 more kneel down at the same altar, and be like brothers of 
 the same household," I felt, I suppose, as the Prodigal Son 
 ought to have felt, when he dropped the corn husks and 
 abandoned his riotous living, to return once more to the 
 home of his father. On finding such a man as General 
 Hancock, a great leader, an accomplished officer and a per 
 fect gentleman, against us, I, for the first time, encountered 
 
380 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 a doubt as to the righteousness of our cause. This noble 
 old hero was so kind, considerate and gentle in his manner 
 to us, when we had so little to expect of him, that he con 
 quered me more effectually by his manly sympathy and 
 noble sentiments than could have been done by brute force 
 and military despotism." 
 
 In reply to Colonel Mosby s communication, General 
 Hancock sent the following : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, } 
 Winchester, Va., April 16, 1865. \ 
 
 To Colonel JOHN S. MOSBY, C. S. A. 
 
 COLONEL: Major-General Hancock directs me to ac 
 knowledge the receipt of your communication by the hand 
 
 of Lieutenant-Colonel Chap 
 man, of the 1 5th instant, in 
 reply to mine of the nth. 
 The General does not think 
 it 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 infor 
 mation you desire. It is not 
 practicable for you to com 
 municate with General Lee, 
 as he is no longer in authority. 
 Lieutenant - Colonel Chap- 
 mtf man, the bearer of your 
 
 communication, has been 
 furnished with such evidence 
 as will undoubtedly satisfy 
 you that further resistance 
 on the part of your command can result in no good to the 
 cause in which you have been engaged. 
 
 4 Robert Chew enlisted in Company D, Mosby s command, in April, 1864. 
 He was then seventeen years of age. He was badly wounded on Christmas 
 eve, 1864, while scouting with J. West Aldridge near Point of Rocks. He 
 rode 15 miles after being wounded. 
 
 ROBERT CHEW, CO. D. 
 From a Photograph taken in April, 1864. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS 381 
 
 In view of these facts, the General will not operate against 
 your command until Tuesday next at 12 m., 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. Lieu 
 tenant-Colonel Chapman will be able to give all the informa 
 tion you desire as to the probable terms. 
 
 If you consent to the above arrangements, please notify 
 Brigadier-General Chapman, at Berryville, as soon as prac 
 ticable. 5 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, 
 Brevet Brig.-Gen. and Chief of Staff. 
 
 Secretary Stanton could not overcome his dread of these 
 terrible guerrillas and wrote Hancock as follows : 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, 
 Washington, April 16, 1865. 
 Major-General HANCOCK, 
 
 Winchester, Va. : 
 
 In holding an interview with Mosby, it may be needless 
 to caution an old soldier like you to guard against surprise 
 
 5 Washington, D. C 1 ., April 16, 18C5. 
 Major-General HANCOCK, 
 
 ll- inchester, Va.: 
 
 Lieutenant-General Grant authorizes you to give Colonel Mosby and his 
 command the same terms as those agreed upon with General Lee. It, how 
 ever, is to be understood that permission to return to their homes does not 
 include former homes in loyal States or the District of Columbia. Persons 
 from those places must take the oath of allegiance and get special permits from 
 the War Department before they can return. 
 
 H. W. HALLECK, 
 Major- General and Chief of Staff. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 April 16, 1865. 
 Major-Gen. C. C. AUGUR, 
 
 Department of Washington : 
 
 General Hancock directs me to inform you that he expects to receive the 
 surrender of Mosby s command about Tuesday next. Mosby has agreed to 
 suspend all hostile operations whatever as soon as he can communicate with 
 
382 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 or danger to yourself; but the recent murders show such 
 astounding wickedness that too much precaution cannot be 
 taken. If Mosby is sincere, he might do much toward 
 detecting and apprehending the murderers of the Presi 
 dent. 6 
 
 EDWIN M. STANTON, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 his men, and the General requests that you will pursue a defensive course as 
 long as the agreement is respected by Mosby. The agreement includes the 
 whole Military Division. 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, 
 Brevet Brigadier-General. 
 
 Winchester, Va. , April 16, 1865. 
 Gen. WILLIAM DWIGHT : 
 
 The commanding officers are authorized to parole Confederate soldiers, 
 Mosby s men included, when they come to these lines, on the terms given by- 
 General Grant. While the strict ruling required that private horses which have 
 been used for the Government purposes should be delivered up, the General 
 will not require this as a condition to the surrender. It is, however, desirable 
 that all horses that formerly belonged to the United States should be required. 
 After being paroled, the prisoners will be allowed to return to their homes. The 
 arms of the men must be given up, unless they give evidence to show that they 
 have been lost, not secreted. All offensive operations against Mosby s men 
 will cease until further orders, as negotiations are in progress for the surrender 
 of his command. Blank paroles of the prescribed form will be furnished from 
 these headquarters. 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, 
 Brevet Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff. 
 
 6 Winchester, Va., April 17, 1865. 
 Hon. E. M. STANTON : 
 
 Although I have consulted with two of Mosby s officers here, I do not intend 
 to meet him in person at this time. General Chapman is to have an interview 
 with him to-morrow at Millwood. I have reason to believe that Mosby may 
 surrender his forces. His proposition was to suspend hostilities against him 
 until he could hear from the Confederate authorities. I have declined to enter 
 into a suspension of hostilities only until to-morrow. One of his men came in 
 to-day. If Mosby surrenders, I will endeavor to ascertain from or through him 
 something concerning the matter you especially refer to and will probably have 
 an interview with him. I have now a suitable person engaged in seeking infor 
 mation of that kind from Mosby s men. I thank you for your caution to me 
 against surprise. 
 
 WINF D S. HANCOCK, Major-Genera/, 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 3*3 
 
 The following instructions were given General Torbert : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 April 16, 1865. 
 Brevet Major-General TORBERT, 
 
 Chief of Cavalry : 
 
 The Major-General commanding directs me to inform you 
 that Colonel Mosby, C. S. Army, will be at Millwood, Tues 
 day next, the i8th 
 inst., at 12 m., for the 
 purpose of arranging 
 the surrender of his 
 command or defi 
 nitely declining; with 
 out doubt the former. 
 The General desires 
 you to send Briga 
 dier - General Chap 
 man to meet Colonel 
 Mosby and conduct 
 the negotiations with 
 him. If Mosby is 
 ready to surrender his 
 command on Tues 
 day, the General 
 desires General Chap 
 man to finish up the 
 matter. Blank par 
 oles will be furnished 
 him in sufficient num 
 ber for that purpose. 
 
 The General de 
 sires Colonel Mosby CORPL. GEORGE SKINNER, co. A. 
 to have a muster roll 
 
 of his command, a duplicate of which is to be retained by 
 General Chapman. The officers and men are to be paroled 
 individually, in duplicate, the duplicate forms being for 
 warded to the Provost-Marshal at these Headquarters. The 
 enlisted men are to turn in their arms and all Confederate 
 States horses or horses formerly belonging to the United 
 States. The General will not demand the surrender of 
 their private animals. If Colonel Mosby has any artillery 
 or public transportation (captured or otherwise) it is to be 
 included in the surrender. The paroles being given, the 
 officers and men will be allowed to return to their homes. 
 The Major-General Commanding wishes General Chapman 
 
384 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 to impress very clearly upon Colonel Mosby s mind the 
 great necessity that with this surrender all guerrilla opera 
 tions should cease. There are known to be some independ 
 ent parties operating from the vicinity of the Blue Ridge, 
 and it will be for the interest of Mosby s men to hunt them 
 out, as they can only bring further distress upon the people. 
 It would also be well for General Chapman to say that 
 people, refugees from the country he has occupied, must be 
 allowed to return to and remain at their homes unmolested, 
 and that the army will be used effectually, if necessary, to 
 secure this. 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, 
 Brevet Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff. 
 
 Monday, April 17. The command met to-day at Salem. 
 The men were drawn up in line and Colonel Mosby ad 
 dressed them. He said they would disperse until further 
 orders ; that there was a truce between us and the Federals, 
 and that for the honor of the command and with due regard 
 for his authority he requested they would respect it. We 
 were then dismissed. 
 
 Tuesday, April 18. Colonel Mosby, with a number of his 
 officers and men, met to-day at Paris and proceeded to Mill 
 wood to confer with an officer appointed by General Han 
 cock, in accordance with the terms of the truce. 7 He 
 
 T HEADQUARTERS SECOKD CAVALRY DIVISION, 
 MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 Near Berryville, Va. , April 18, 1865. 
 
 Brevet Brigadier General MORGAN, Chief of Staff, 
 
 Winchester, Va.: 
 
 GENERAL : I have the honor to report that agreeable to instructions I met 
 Colonel John S. Mosby, C. S. Army, commanding Forty-third Virginia 
 Battalion, to-day at Millwood, under a flag of truce, to confer with him touching 
 the surrender of his command, and to conclude the details, should he have 
 decided to surrender upon the terms offered him. He declined to surrender at 
 this time, for the reason that his command was not in immediate danger and 
 that he had not such information as yet as would justif)- him in concluding the 
 " Confederate Cause" altogether hopeless. He expressed himself as anxious 
 to avoid any useless effusion of blood or destruction of property, and desirous 
 therefore of the suspension of hostilities for a short time until he could learn 
 the fate of * Johnson s Army." Should that be defeated or surrender, he said 
 he should regard the " Confederate Cause " as lost and would disband his 
 organization. He does not propose even in that event to surrender them as an 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 385 
 
 reached Millwood about a half hour before the time ap 
 pointed for the expiration of the truce, and met General 
 Chapman and Staff, with a number of Federal officers, await 
 ing his arrival. The interview was conducted with mutual 
 courtesy. Colonel Mosby asked an extension of the time of 
 the truce, to enable him to communicate with the Confeder 
 ate authorities or learn the exact condition of affairs in the 
 South. General Chapman stated that he had no power to 
 alter the terms fixed by General Hancock, but would assume 
 the responsibility of arranging another truce to expire on 
 the 2oth of April at 12 m., and would also submit to General 
 Hancock for approval the following agreement : 
 
 organization for parole, but to disband the battalion, giving to each individual 
 to choose his own course. He informed me he had already advised his command 
 that those who chose to do so could 
 go and give their parole. For him 
 self, he said, he had no favors to ask, 
 being quite willing to stand by his 
 acts, all of which he believed to be 
 justifiable ; and in the course of my 
 conversation with him, he remarked 
 that he did not expect to remain in the 
 country. I made an agreement with 
 him for a suspension of hostilities 
 for forty-eight hours longer, expiring 
 at noon on the 25th, and a conditional 
 agreement for a further suspension for 
 ten days. These agreements are here 
 with enclosed, and I will inform 
 Colonel Mosby of the action of the 
 General commanding, as soon as ad 
 vised. I did not give him to hope 
 that this agreement for a ten days 
 suspension would be concurred in. I 
 regret that I have not the pleasure of 
 communicating the surrender of this 
 force, but trust my action in the prem 
 ises will meet your approval. The 
 interview throughout was character 
 ized by good feeling. Perhaps I 
 ought, in justice to Colonel Mosby 
 
 and his officers, to state a universal regret was expressed because of the assas 
 sination of the President. 
 
 I am very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 GEORGE H. CHAPMAN, Brigadier-General. 
 
 JOHN T. BEAL, CO. D. 
 
 From a Photograph taken when a member of 
 
 Co. C, igth Virginia Infantry. 
 
386 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 " 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 com 
 manded 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) days, com 
 mencing on the 2Oth of April at 12 m. and ending on the 3Oth 
 at 12 m. 
 
 " Colonel Mosby to be notified at Millwood of the ap 
 proval or disapproval of this agreement, by 12 noon of April 
 
 2Oth. 
 
 " Colonel Mosby to use his authority and influence to pre 
 vent any acts of hostility being perpetrated or attempted by 
 any bands or organizations of Confederate soldiers operat 
 ing 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 Bat 
 talion). 
 
 " GEO. H. CHAPMAN, Brig.-General, U. S. Vols. 
 " JOHN S. MOSBY, Colonel, C. S. A. 
 
 " Millwood, April 18th, 1865: 
 
 General Hancock confirmed the extension of the truce 
 until the 2Oth, but refused to grant further time, as will ap 
 pear by the following letter : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, ) 
 
 April 19th, 1865. \ 
 
 COLONEL: . Major-General Hancock, commanding Middle 
 Military Division, directs me to say that he has confirmed 
 the extension of the cessation of hostilities until noon of the 
 2Oth, arranged at Millwood on the i8th, between Brigadier- 
 General Chapman, U. S. Volunteers, and yourself ; but 
 General Hancock can see no sufficient reasons why the ces 
 sation of hostilities should be continued. The truce will, 
 therefore, cease at noon on the 2oth between the forces com 
 manded 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 Lieuten- 
 ant-General Grant, which are enclosed. 
 
 The officer bearing the flag will wait at Millw.ood until 12 
 m. to hear your decision. Unless you then announce your 
 immediate surrender, he will return. In case of your sur 
 render, the arrangements will be immediately perfected at 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 387 
 
 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 Han 
 cock is commanded not to offer you or your men terms 
 again, s 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. G. MITCHELL, Brevet Colonel and A. D. C. 
 
 To Colonel JOHN S. MOSBY, C.S. A., 
 
 Commanding, etc., Millwood, Va. . 
 
 8 Winchester, Va., April 19, 1S65. 
 Maj.-Gen. H. W. HALLECK, 
 
 Chief of Staff: 
 
 Colonel Mosby asks for a suspension of hostilities for ten days to learn the 
 fate of Johnson. He says if Johnson surrenders or is beaten he will 
 disperse his command 
 and leave the country. 
 He has already notified 
 his men that they might 
 individually come in 
 and be paroled if they 
 desire. Some of them 
 are coming in. The 
 officers of his com 
 mand, 15 or 20 in 
 number, yesterday uni 
 versally expressed re 
 gret at the death of the 
 President. The people 
 are all anxious for 
 Mosby to surrender. 
 If the authorities at 
 Washington think it 
 advisable to allow a 
 truce of ten days, I 
 should like to be noti 
 fied to-day; otherwise 
 the truce will end with 
 him to-morrow at noon. 
 W. S. HANCOCK, 
 
 Major- General. 
 
 Washington, 
 April 19, 1865. 
 Major-Gen. HANCOCK, 
 
 Winchester, Va.: 
 If Mosby does not avail himself of the present truce, end it and hunt him 
 
 FRANK M. ANGELO, CO. C. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
388 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 On Thusday, April 2oth, Colonel Mosby, accompanied by 
 a number of his officers and men, as before, proceeded to 
 Millwood. The officer delegated to confer with him handed 
 Mosby the following communication from General Hancock: 
 
 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 19, 1865. 
 " To Major-General HANCOCK : 
 
 " You mav receive all rebel officers or soldiers who sur- 
 
 and his men down. Guerrillas, after beating the armies of the enemy, will not 
 be entitled to quarter. 
 
 U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant- General. 
 
 Winchester, April 19, 1865. 
 Lieutenant-General GRANT: 
 
 GENERAL: I have your dispatch concerning Mosby. I have already 
 informed him that there would be no more truce with him after 12 m. to-morrow, 
 and if he then surrenders there would only be a truce at the point of surrender 
 sufficiently long to have him sign the parole. 
 
 W. S. HANCOCK, Major-General. 
 
 Winchester, April 20, 1865. 
 Major-General AUGUR: 
 
 Major-General Hancock directs me to say that the truce with Mosby ended 
 at noon to-day. He did not surrender. I believe his command will disperse, 
 but it will be well to be on the watch for him. 
 
 W. J. MITCHELL, 
 
 Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 April 20, 1865. 
 Major-General AUGUR, 
 
 Commanding Defenses of Washington : 
 
 GENERAL: Major-General Hancock directs me to say that Colonel Mosby 
 was met in person at Millwood to-day at 12 m., when the truce ended with him. 
 He stated, and it appears to be true from the corroboration of Confederate 
 officers and soldiers who have surrendered, and citizens, that his command has 
 disbanded, with the exception of a few officers and soldiers. The Confederate 
 officers and soldiers and citizens are hostile to him. General Hancock will hunt 
 him up if he is in Loudoun Valley. The worst band of guerrillas in Loudoun 
 County (Mobberly s) have all been killed or surrendered. 
 Respectfully, 
 
 W. G. MITCHELL, 
 Brevet General and Aide-de-Camp. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 389 
 
 render 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 com 
 pliance with the amnesty proclamation. Maryland, Ken 
 tucky, Delaware and Missouri are such States. They may 
 return to West Virginia on their parole. 
 
 " U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General" 
 
 I am, Colonel, very respectfully, 
 
 C. McK. GROSER, A. A. A. G. 
 
 Colonel JOHN S. MOSBY, C. S. A. 
 
 Dr. Monteiro describes this final interview as follows : 
 
 We met at Paris a half hour later than at the previous 
 visit, and consequently arrived at Millwood almost at the 
 exact hour that the second truce expired. We found 15 
 Federal officers again awaiting us. They were seated in a 
 large room, called a parlor, in the only hotel in the little vil 
 lage of Millwood. Mosby walked in rapidly, followed by 
 20 of his officers. Taking a seat by one of the Federal offi 
 cers, whose name I have forgotten, he entered into an ear 
 nest conversation with him. The first words were spoken 
 in such low tones that, though sitting near them, I did not 
 hear what they said. 
 
 While we were engaged in this interesting interview 
 within doors, some excitement was going on outside The 
 irrepressible Hern had accompanied us, without any special 
 invitation. He was a rough diamond in his own way, and 
 did not recognize the difference between a diplomatic mili 
 tary mission and a regular raid. Hern had formed some 
 acquaintance with the Yankee soldiers immediately on his 
 arrival, and his ruling passion for the turf prompted him at 
 once to propose a horse race with his new made acquaint 
 ance. The challenged Yank accepted, and a spirited race 
 was the immediate result. Hern had a vague suspicion 
 that the Yankees had planned this meeting for the purpose 
 of capturing Mosby and his officers. He had never men 
 tioned his suspicions to any one ; but in the race with his 
 Yankee competitor an event occurred that ripened his sus 
 picion into a certainty true as " proof of holy writ." Hern 
 and his rival turfman, after testing the speed of their horses 
 nearly a mile, ran into the solid ranks of a Federal brigade. 
 No sooner did this faithful and zealous soldier discover the 
 hostile array of blue uniforms than his suspicion of foul play 
 became a fixed conviction. He abandoned the race and 
 returned, with an earnestness and speed that would -have 
 
390 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 reflected some credit upon the Knight of De La Mancha in 
 his memorable charge upon the insolent wind-mill. Hern 
 was a rough but ready partisan. Like many other people, 
 he was not handsome, neither did he dress well. No care 
 ful observer would ever discover any very striking re 
 semblance between Solomon in all his glory and my fellow- 
 soldier Hern. Yet he was faithful, reliable and earnest ; 
 determined, daring and brave. When he rode into a strong 
 body of Yankee cavalry just beyond the limits of Millwood 
 he felt sure he had made a far more wonderful and important 
 discovery than Christopher Columbus or Isaac Newton ever 
 did. He came back breathless, excited and alarmed for the 
 safety of his admired and beloved leader. Just as Mosby 
 and the Yankee General had entered upon the most inter 
 esting and important phase of their mission, with the strained 
 attention of 30 or 40 officers bearing upon them, eagerly 
 catching every word that escaped their lips ; just as the 
 potent and grave representative of Yankee authority an 
 nounced to Mosby the fiat of his omnipotent judgment ; just 
 
 Key to group on opposite page : 
 
 1. Lee Howison. 
 
 2. Lieut. W. Ben. Palmer. 
 
 3. Lieut. John W. Puryear. 
 
 4. Sergt. Thomas Booker. 
 
 5. Sergt. A. G. Babcock 
 
 6. N. V. Randolph. 
 
 7. Lieut. Frank H. Rahm. 
 
 8. Sergt. Robert B. Parrott. 
 
 9. Thomas Throop. 
 
 10. John W. Munson. 
 
 11. Col. John S. Mosby. 
 
 12. Noel. 
 
 13. Charles Quarles. 
 
 14. Walter W. Gosden. 
 
 15. Harry T. Sinnott. 
 
 16. O. L. Butler. 
 
 17. 1. A. Gentry. 
 
I 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 391 
 
 as he announced the imperative decree (looking 1 the subtle 
 and active guerrilla chief full in the face) : " The truce has 
 ended ; we can have no further intercourse under its terms " 
 at this moment Hern rushed into the room. With frantic 
 gestures and hasty speech he reported the important result 
 of his personal observations. " Colonel, Colonel," he ex 
 claimed ; " the infernal devils have sot a trap for you ; I jist 
 now run out about a mile and I found a thousand uv um a 
 hidin in the bushes ! They re in ambush! Less fight um, 
 Colonel ; darn um ! It s a trick ; it s a trick to capture us, 
 by God, it is ! " 
 
 Taken altogether, the several incidents of this remarkable 
 interview in the parlor at Millwood were well calculated 
 to test the moral courage, determined pluck or military 
 skill of any leader. With the significant voice of the 
 great mouth-piece of Federal power imparting the irri 
 table intelligence that we were no longer protected by the 
 flag of truce, simultaneously with this bad news came the 
 startling apparition of the rough and clumsy Hern, an 
 nouncing outside perils of our alarming situation. With a 
 look that I shall never forget, Mosby sprang to his feet, in 
 stantly grasping one of the murderous weapons in his belt 
 and glaring upon the Yankee officers with an expression 
 that reminded me more of a tiger crouching to spring upon 
 his prey than anything I have ever seen appertaining to the 
 human race, he said in a loud and sharp voice : 
 
 u Sir, if we are no longer under the protection of our 
 truce, we are, of course, at the mercy of your men. We 
 shall protect ourselves." 
 
 With that inimitable sign and gesture that so often had 
 sent his gallant followers like a thunderbolt into the serried 
 ranks of the foe, he led the way with long and rapid strides 
 to the door, closely followed by twenty silent but as deter 
 mined officers as ever bore a military commission. It was 
 a scene difficult to describe, but never to be forgotten. 
 Every partisan was well prepared for instant death and 
 more than ready for a desperate fight. Had a single pistol 
 been discharged by accident, or had Mosby given the word, 
 not one Yankee officer in the room would have lived a 
 minute. With Hern s warning voice ringing in our ears, 
 we mounted our horses in silence and Mosby led the way. 
 His only word of command was "Mount and follow me." 
 We galloped rapidly from Millwood to the Shenandoah 
 River, closely followed by a cloud of Yankee cavalry. 
 
CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 April, 1865 Disbanding of " Mosby s Men " Mosby s Farewell to his Men Parting of Old 
 Friends and Comrades To Winchester to be Paroled Our Reception by the Federals 
 Mosby goes South, but Finding the Cause Hopeless, Accepts the Situation and is 
 Paroled. 
 
 On Friday, April 2ist, the command met at Salem (now 
 called Marshall;. The men came in slowly. It had rained 
 in the early part of the morning, and a thick fog hung like 
 a pall over the face of the country. The damp, raw air did 
 not strike the feelings with a more chilling influence than 
 that which was sent to the heart by the gloomy aspect 
 which every object seemed to wear. Not a smile was to 
 be seen on any of the faces around all looked sad. Mosby 
 was walking up and down the street, occasionally stopping 
 to speak to one or another of the men as they rode in. 
 
 About noon the order was given to mount, and the com 
 panies formed. The whole command was drawn up in line 
 on the green, north of the town. Well-mounted and equip 
 ped, the men presented a magnificent appearance, and as 
 Mosby rode up and down the line he might well feel proud 
 of this gallant band, whose courage and devotion had stood 
 the test on so many occasions. As he glanced from man to 
 man, each familiar face recalled to memory recollections of 
 some deed of daring, some hard fought field, some brilliant 
 victory or some trying hour of defeat. 
 
 When all preliminaries were arranged, Mosby s Farewell 
 to his command was read by the commander of each squad 
 ron to his men : 
 
 Fauquier County, April 21, 1865. 
 SOLDIERS : 
 
 1 have summoned you together for the last time. The 
 vision we cherished of a free and independent coun 
 try 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 
 
 392 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 393 
 
 commander. After an association of more than two event 
 ful years, I part from you with a just pride in the fame of 
 your achievements, and grateful recollections of your 
 
 fenerous kindness to myself. And now, at this moment of 
 idding you a final adieu, accept the assurance of my un 
 changing confidence and regard. Farewell! 
 
 JOHN S. MOSBY, COLONEL. 
 
 GEN. R. E. LEE, C. S. A. 
 
 While the address was being read, a profound silence 
 reigned ; and when the word " farewell " was uttered, it fell 
 like a knell upon the ears of the assembled band. They 
 gave Mosby three hearty cheers and the order was given to 
 
394 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 break ranks. Then ensued a scene trying to all. The men 
 who had fought side by side, who had endured so many 
 hardships and passed through so many dangers together, 
 were now to separate, probably never to meet again. Amid 
 all the surrounding gloom, there was not one cheering 
 thought, save the reflection that they had done their duty. 
 The men pressed forward around their officers to bid them 
 adieu, and soon hardly a dry eye could be seen. Strong 
 men, who had looked unmoved on scenes which would have 
 appalled hearts unused to the painful sights presented on 
 the field of battle, now wept like little children. Mosby 
 stood beside a fence on the main street and took the hands 
 of those who gathered around him. His eyes were red, and 
 he would now and then dash aside the struggling tears 
 which he was unable wholly to suppress. Men would 
 silently grasp each other s hands and then turn their heads 
 aside to hide their tears ; but at last it became so general 
 that no pains were taken to conceal them. It was the most 
 trying ordeal through which we had ever passed. A num 
 ber of ladies who had assembled to witness the disbanding 
 of the command were apparently as much affected as we 
 were. 
 
 On the 22d of April, it being announced that Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Chapman intended going to Winchester to accept 
 the parole, and would meet at Paris such of the men as 
 wished to accompany him, about 200 men assembled, includ 
 ing Captains Frankland, Glascock and Samuel Chapman ; 
 Lieutenants Nelson, Puryear and other officers. 1 
 
 Crossing the Shenandoah at Hilton s Ford, the cavalcade 
 
 1 Winchester, Va., April 22, 1865. 
 Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War: 
 
 Nearly all Mosby s command has surrendered, including nearly, if not quite, 
 all of the officers, except Mosby himself, who has probably fled. His next in 
 rank, Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman, surrendered with the command. He is as 
 important as Mosby, and, from conversation had with him, I think he will be 
 valuable to the Government hereafter. Some of Mosby s own men are in pur 
 suit of him, for a reward of $2,000, offered by me. As near as I can tell, 
 about 380 of Mosby s men were paroled. Colonel Reno has paroled about 
 1,200 or 1,500 men at Newmarket, and has sent down for more blanks. Heave 
 here for Washington city to-morrow morning. 
 
 W. S. HANCOCK, Major-General. . 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 395 
 
 moved on toward Winchester. At Millwood we were halted 
 by the Federal picket, but after a little delay passed on. 
 About 2 miles from Winchester we were again halted by 
 pickets for about 20 minutes, when we again moved on until 
 we came in sight of the camps, about a mile outside of town. 
 Colonel Chapman with some 15 or 20 men then went on to 
 Winchester, while we remained until the Provost Marshal 
 came out with our paroles. 2 By the Federal officers we 
 were received without any manifestations of exultation ; 
 their manner toward us was gentlemanly and courteous. 
 
 Many of the men, thinking their horses would be taken 
 from them, procured horses for the occasion from the far 
 mers around some lame, others blind and the majority 
 afflicted in some way. After taking a careful survey of a 
 group of Rosinantes, one of the Federal soldiers remarked : 
 
 " These are not the horses you boys have been chasing us 
 up and down the Valley with ? " 
 
 Another jestingly inquired of a Ranger, who sat quietly 
 smoking his pipe : 
 
 " Say, Johnny, when were you paid off last ? " 
 
 " Well," replied he, " not since we ran off that train on 
 
 2 " The surrender of General Lee s Army to General Grant, April gth, 1865, 
 rendered further preparations for moving unnecessary. A force was sent up the 
 Valley to parole such detachments of the enemy as might desire to avail them 
 selves of the terms proposed. Mosby, the guerrilla chief was at first excepted 
 from the offer of the parole by instructions from the War Department, but 
 afterwards, by direction of General Grant, he was tendered the parole by a staff 
 officer whom I sent to meet him at Millwood, for that purpose, but not receiving 
 a favorable reply from him, I arranged to move a large force of infantry and 
 cavalry into Loudoun County, which, co-operating with a force which was to 
 march from Washington City, would, I had every reason to expect, break up 
 Mosby s command entirely, as I had accurate information as to their haunts, 
 habits, places of concealment, etc. It was my intention, also, at the same 
 time to have punished severely those of the inhabitants who harbored or 
 assisted him, but the assassination of President Lincoln occurring on the night 
 the force from Washington was to have marched (i-jth of April, 1865), the move 
 ment was temporarily postponed, and before preparations to put it into opera 
 tion had again been completed, the majority of Mosby s forces, commanded by 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman, came into Winchester and were paroled (April 21, 
 1865). Mosby, and a few of his followers, refused to surrender and moved off, I 
 was informed, in the direction of Lynchburg." Report of Major-General W. S. 
 Hancock, U. S. A., Commanding the Middle Military Division Department West 
 Virginia and the Middle Department. 
 
396 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad" alluding- to the 
 " Greenback Raid" and capture of the two paymasters, 
 with $168,000. 
 
 A Federal officer was afterwards sent to Millwood, where 
 a number of the men went and were paroled. 
 
 LIEUT.-GEN. U. S. GRANT, U. S. A. 
 
 After the disbanding of the command at Salem, Col. 
 Mosby, with about 30 or 40 men / started South with the 
 intention of joining the army under Gen. Joe Johnson in 
 North Carolina, if it was still in fighting trim. 
 
 The little band marched down to Culpeper and thence 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 397 
 
 to Orange. Here Col. Mosby picked out seven men and 
 told the rest to remain in the neighborhood of Orange 
 Court House and Gordonsville. With these seven men 
 Col. Mosby went down to Mr. Allen s farm, called Tucka- 
 hoe, about 1 3 miles above Richmond and on the old James 
 River Canal. The day before Mosby reached the Allen 
 farm he sent John Munson into Richmond for information. 
 While sitting near the banks of the Canal, after eating 
 breakfast and giving their horses a square feed of corn and 
 hay, a canal boat came along. There were two or three 
 Federal officers sitting on the deck of the boat, some of 
 them reading newspapers. They were going to a place 
 called Manakin. Some ne 
 groes were troublesome and a 
 regiment had been sent up 
 there the day before. Col. 
 Mosby said to Palmer, "Ben, 
 drop off your pistols and run 
 down on the towpath and ask 
 one of them for a paper." 
 Palmer did so, and one threw 
 him a paper and said in a 
 loud voice,. Johnson has sur 
 rendered. All over now." 
 
 Munson came out the same 
 evening and reported the same 
 thing, and he had taken out 
 his parole. The next morning 
 Munson and all the men except Palmer went into Rich 
 mond Col Mosby and Palmer then rode up to Vest s 
 where there were a number of the men, and the next day 
 all started for Capt. Walker s home in Orange. 
 
 From Walker s Col Mosby sent Lieut. Wiltshire and 
 John Hipkins to Richmond, to Mr. Palmer (father of Lieut. 
 Palmer), to have him see Gen. Canby, who had charge 
 there, and was a distant relative of Palmer. This was the 
 Last Scout. 
 
 Mosby being refused a parole insisted on the men leaving 
 him and going to their homes, while he started out to the 
 vicinity of Lynchburg, where he had relatives and many 
 
 BUSHROD UNDERWOOD, CO. A. 
 
 From a late photograph kindly loaned by 
 
 his widow. 
 
398 MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 friends some of his old command, all ready to warn him 
 of approaching danger. 
 
 Finding his capture a more difficult task than they had 
 bargained for, the Federal authorities sent word to Gen. 
 Gregg, commanding the district, that if Mosby would come 
 in he would be paroled. In consequence of this order 
 Mosby went into Lynchburg, where he was quickly sur 
 rounded by friends all eager to greet him, while the Federal 
 soldiers crowded around anxious to look upon the man of 
 whom they had heard so much. 
 
 In the meantime orders came by telegraph countermand 
 ing the former order and instructing Gen. Gregg to send 
 Mosby to Washington. He went to the Provost Marshal s 
 office and asked if the report was true, and being told it 
 was so, he accused them of treachery. The Marshal said he 
 would inform Gen. Gregg and await his orders. Gen. 
 Gregg, being an honorable soldier, said that while he could 
 not go back of the orders of the Secretary of War, yet as 
 Col. Mosby had come into the city upon his assurance that 
 a parole would be granted, he would allow him to return 
 from whence he came unmolested. The next day parties 
 of. cavalry scoured the country in all directions in search 
 of Mosby but were unable to discover his whereabouts. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 Brevet Major-General TORBERT, April 28, 1865. 
 
 Commanding, Winchester, Va.: 
 
 Major Parsons can return of course, now that Booth has been caught. The 
 General wishes you to try and hunt up Mosby. If more money is needed, it can 
 be had. C. H. MORGAN, Brevet Brigadier-General. 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, 
 Washington City, April 10, 1865. 
 Major-General HANCOCK, Winchester: 
 
 There is evidence that Mosby knew Booth s plan and was here in this city 
 with him ; also that some of the gang are endeavoring to escape and by cross 
 ing the upper Potomac to get with Mosby or the Secesh there. Atzerodt or 
 " Port Tobacco," as he is called, is known to have gone to Rockville Saturday 
 to escape in that direction. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 4, 1865. 
 Major-General HALLECK, Richmond, Va.: 
 
 I gave General Hancock several days ago, verbal instructions to treat all 
 men in arms in Virginia as you propose to notify them you will do. I wish you 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 399 
 
 Secretary Stanton was unwilling to let Mosby slip through 
 his hands without a squeeze. An attempt to connect him 
 with the assassination of President Lincoln, however, proved 
 a failure, and the matter was dropped with but little com 
 ment. 
 
 Efforts to capture him being unsuccessful, the following 
 order was issued : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 May 3, 1866. 
 Brevet Major-General TORBERT, 
 
 Commanding Army of the SkenandoaJi, 
 
 Winchester, Va.: 
 
 Major-General Hancock directs that you offer a reward 
 of $5,000 for the apprehension and delivery at any military 
 post, of Colonel John S. Mosby, C. S. Army. The money 
 will be paid at once. This to include reward of $2,000 pre 
 viously offered by the General. 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, 
 
 Brevet Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff. 
 Mosby, however, was too wily to be caught, and the sil 
 ver bullets proved as harmless as the paper pellets hurled 
 after him. from the War Department. 
 
 would have efforts made to arrest Smith, Hunter, Letcher and all other particu 
 larly obnoxious political leaders in the State. I would advise offering a reward 
 of $5,000 for Mosby if he is still in the State. 
 
 U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General. 
 
 Richmond, May 16, 1865. 
 Gen. J. A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff : 
 
 Will Mosby be admitted to parole with the other officers of Rosser s com 
 mand, to which he belongs? The question is asked to determine the action of 
 Mosby and some others who would probably follow him out of the country if he 
 goes. Shall a definite answer be given, or shall it be said that he and others 
 would learn the action of the United States Government after they acknowledge 
 its authority? GEORGE H. SHARPE, Brevet Brigadier-General. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE JAMES, 
 
 Richmond, Va., May 18, 1865. 
 Commanding Officer, Charlottesville: 
 
 If John S. Mosby, the Guerrilla Chief, does not surrender himself by the 2Oth 
 of this month, offer a reward of $5,000 for his capture. Also publish the follow 
 ing reward for the Rebel Governor, William Smith, known as " Extra Billy " : 
 
 "$25,000 REWARD. 
 
 " By direction of the Secretary of War a reward of $25,000 is hereby offered 
 for the arrest and delivery for trial of William Smith, Rebel Governor of 
 Virginia." H. W. HALLECK, 
 
 Major- General Commanding. 
 
400 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Toward the latter part of June, however, orders came 
 from Washington to parole Mosby if he would yield him 
 self up to the authorities, and he again came into Lynch- 
 burg and was paroled. 
 
 In Burr and Hinton s Life of General Sheridan, from 
 which I have already quoted, I find the following, with 
 which I close this work : 
 
 "Here let us pause. The years have passed, summer and 
 winter. Each season in its appointed time has held in its 
 embrace the Northland and the Southland alike. The shell- 
 shattered tree, the cannon-rifted earth, the torn bastions, 
 the fields ploughed by "war s dread enginery," have all 
 changed their rude, sad features. The tender touch of 
 Nature has shrouded in moss, creeper and verdure the riven 
 tree. The broken earth has been brought by industry into 
 smiling places of plenty. The wild flowers bloom where 
 the deadly missiles hurtled fast and furious. Dear Nature 
 has kissed alike the graves of Union and Confederate, and 
 her robes of verdure or of snow are the proofs of loving im 
 partiality. But memories live. The "boys" came home 
 again North and South but, alas! not all of them." As 
 Francis A. Durivage so simply and pathetically sings: 
 
 " There hangs a sabre, and there a rein, 
 With rusty buckle and green curb chain ; 
 A pair of spurs on the old gray wall, 
 And a mouldy saddle well, that is all. 
 
 " Come out to the stable ; it is not far, 
 The moss-grown door is hanging ajar ; 
 Look within! There s an empty stall, 
 Where once stood a charger and that is all. 
 
 "The good black steed came riderless home, 
 Flecked with the blood-drops, as well as foam. 
 Do you see that mound, where the dead leaves fall? 
 The good black horse pined to death that s all. 
 
 " All ? O, God ! it is all I can speak. 
 
 guestion me not I am old and weak, 
 is saddle and sabre hang on the wall, 
 And his horse pined to death I have told you all." 
 
i 
 
 J 
 
 From a recent photograph. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 Report of John S. Mosby, Virginia Cavalry. 
 
 Fauquier Co., Va., Feb. 4, 1863. 
 Major General J. E. B. STUART : 
 
 GENERAL: I arrived in this neighborhood aoout one week ago. 
 Since then I have been, despite the bad weather, quite actively 
 engaged with the enemy. The result, up to this time, has been the 
 capture of 28 Yankee Cavalry, together with all their horses, arms, 
 etc. The evidence of parole I forward with this. 1 have also paroled 
 a number of deserters. Col. Percy Wyndham, with over 200 cavalry, 
 came up to Middleburg last week to punish me, as he said, for 
 my raids on his picket line. 1 had a slight skirmish with him, in 
 which my loss was 3 men captured by the falling of their horses ; the 
 enemy s loss, i man and three horses captured. 
 
 He set a very nice trap a few days ago to capture me in. I went 
 into it, but contrary to the Colonel s expectations, brought the trap 
 off with me, killing i, capturing 12, the balance running. The extent 
 of the annoyance I have baen to the Yankees may be judged of 
 by the fact that, baffled in their attempts to capture me, they threaten 
 to retaliate on citizens for my acts. 
 
 I forward to you some correspondence I have had on the subject. 
 The most of the infantry have left Fairfax and gone towards 
 Fredericksburg. In Fairfax there are 5 or 6 regiments of cavalry ; 
 there are about 300 at Dranesville. They are so isolated from the rest 
 of the command that nothing would be easier than their capture. I 
 have harassed them so much that they do not keep their pickets over 
 half a mile from the camp. There is no artillery there. I start on 
 another trip day after to-morrow. 
 
 I am most respectfully yours, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY. 
 
 [Indorsements.] 
 
 Feb. 8, 1863. 
 Respectfully forwarded as additional proof of the prowess, 
 
402 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 daring, and efficiency of Mosby (without commission) and his band of 
 a dozen chosen spirits. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, Major-Gen. Comdg. 
 
 Feb. u, 1863. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant and Inspector-General as 
 evidence of the merit of Captain Mosby. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 II. 
 
 Report of Capt. John S. Mosby, Virginia Cavalry, including operations, 
 March i6tk to April i, 1863. 
 
 Fauquier Co., Va., April 7, 1863. 
 Gen. J. E. B. STUART: 
 
 GENERAL : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 operations of the cavalry under my command since rendering my last 
 report : 
 
 On Monday, March 16, I proceeded down the Little River pike 
 to capture two outposts of the enemy, each numbering 60 or 70 men. 
 I did not succeed in gaining their rear as I expected, and only 
 captured 4 or 5 vedettes. It being late in the evening and our horses 
 very much jaded, I concluded to return. I had gone on over a mile 
 back when we saw a large body of the enemy s cavalry, which, 
 according to their own reports numbered 200 men, rapidly pursuing. 
 I feigned a retreat, desiring to draw them off from their camps. At a 
 point where the enemy had barricaded the road with fallen trees, 
 I formed to receive them, for with my knowledge of the Yankee 
 character, I knew they would imagine themselves fallen into an 
 ambuscade. When they had come within 100 yards of me I ordered 
 a charge, to which my men responded with a vim that swept every 
 thing before them. The Yankees broke when we got within 75 
 yards of them, and it was more of a chase than a fight for 4 or 5 miles. 
 We killed 5, wounded a considerable number and brought off i 
 lieutenant and 35 men prisoners. I didn t have over 50 men with me, 
 some having gone back with the prisoners and others having gone on 
 ahead when we started back, not anticipating any pursuit. 
 
 On Monday, March 31, I went down in the direction of Dranesville 
 to capture several strong outposts in the vicinity of this place. On 
 
APPENDIX. 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 403 
 
 reaching there I discovered that they had fallen back about 10 miles 
 down the Alexandria pike. I then returned 6 or 8 miles back and 
 stopped about 10 o clock at night at a point about 2 miles from 
 the pike. 
 
 Early the next morning one of my men, whom I had left over on the 
 Leesburg pike, came dashing in and announced the rapid approach of 
 the enemy. But he had scarcely given us the information, when the 
 enemy appeared a few hundred yards off, coming up at a gallop. At 
 this time our horses were eating ; all had their bridles off, and some 
 even their saddles ; they were 
 all tied in a barn-yard. Throw 
 ing open the gate, I ordered 
 a counter charge, to which 
 the men promptly responded. 
 The Yankees, never dream 
 ing of our assuming the 
 offensive, terrified at the 
 yells of the men as they 
 dashed on, broke and fled in 
 every direction. We drove 
 them in confusion 7 or 8 miles 
 down the pike. We left on 
 the field 9 of them killed, 
 among them a captain and 
 lieutenant, and about 15 too 
 badly wounded for removal ; 
 in this lot, 2 lieutenants. 
 We brought off 82 prisoners, 
 many of these also wounded. 
 I have since visited the scene 
 of the fight. The enemy sent 
 up a flag of truce for their 
 dead and wounded, but many 
 of them being severely 
 
 wounded, they established a hospital on the ground. The surgeon 
 who attended them informs me that a great number of those who es 
 caped were wounded. 
 
 The force of the enemy was 6 companies of the First Vermont Cav 
 alry, one of their oldest and best regiments, and prisoners informed me 
 that they had every available man with them. There were certainly not 
 less than 200 ; the prisoners say it was more than that. I had about 65 
 men in this affair. In addition to the prisoners, we took all their arms, 
 and about 100 horses and equipments. 
 
 Privates Hart, Hurst, Keys, and Davis were wounded. The latter 
 
 LIEUT. W. BEN PALMER, CO. E, 
 Drawn from a painting taken during the war. 
 
404 MQSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 has since died. Both on this, and several other occasions, they have 
 borne themselves with conspicuous gallantry. In addition to those 
 mentioned above, I desire to place on record the names of several 
 others, whose promptitude and boldness in closing in with the enemy 
 contributed much to the success of the fight ; they are Lieut. (Wm. H.) 
 Chapman (late of Dixie Artillery), Sergeant Hunter, and Privates Wel 
 lington, Harry Hatcher, Turner, Wild, Sowers, Ames, and Seibert. 
 There are many others, I have no doubt, deserving of honorable men 
 tion, but the above were only those who came under my personal 
 observation. 
 
 I confess, that on this occasion, I had not taken sufficient precau 
 tions to guard against surprise. It was ten (o clock) at night when I 
 reached the place where the fight came off, on the succeeding day. We 
 had ridden through snow and mud upwards of 40 miles, and both men 
 and horses were nearly broken down ; besides, the enemy had fallen 
 back a distance of about 18 miles. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Capt. Comdg. 
 
 [Indorsements.] 
 
 APRIL u, 1863. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded as in perfect keeping with his other bril 
 liant achievements. 
 
 Recommended for promotion. J. E. B. STUART. 
 
 APRIL 13, 1863. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded for the information of the Department. 
 Telegraphic report already sent in. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 APRIL 1 8, 1863. 
 Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. 
 
 II. L. CLAY, A. A. G. 
 
 Nominated as Major, if it has not been previously done. 
 
 J. A. S. (SEDDON), Secretary. 
 
APPENDIX. 405 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 III. 
 
 Sttiart to Mosby. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAMP PELHAM, April 26, 1863. 
 
 MAJOR: There is now a splendid opportunity to strike the enemy 
 in the rear of Warrenton Junction. The trains are running regularly 
 to that point. (It may be, by the time you get this, the opportunity 
 may have gone.) Capture a train, and interrupt the operation of the 
 railroad. Stoneman s main body of cavalry is located near Warrenton 
 Junction, Bealeton 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 greatest im 
 portance 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. 
 Wishing you all success, I am, 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 J. E. B. STUART. Major General. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Major John S. Mosfy s Report of Operations in Virginia, 
 August 24 to September 30, 1863. 
 
 Fauquier Co , Va., Sept. 30, 1863. 
 
 MOSBY to STUART : I have the honor to submit the following report 
 of the operations of the force under my command from about August 
 2oth to the present time; 
 
 On the morning of August 24, with about 30 men, I reached a point 
 (Annandale) immediately on the enemy s line of communication. 
 Leaving the whole command, except 3 men who accompanied me, in 
 the woods, concealed, I proceeded on a reconnoissance along the rail 
 road to ascertain if there were any bridges unguarded. I discovered 
 there were three. I returned to the command just as a drove of horses 
 with a cavalry escort of about 50 men was passing. These I deter 
 mined to attack and to await until night to burn the bridges. I or 
 dered Lieutenant Turner to take half of the men and charge them in 
 front, while with the remainder I attacked their rear. 
 
 In the meantime the enemy had been joined by another party, mak 
 ing their number about 63. When I overtook them they had dis- 
 
406 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 mounted at Gooding s Tavern to water their horses. My men went at 
 them with a yell that terrified the Yankees and scattered them in all 
 directions. A few taking shelter under cover of the houses, opened 
 fire upon us. They were soon silenced, however. At the very mom 
 ent when I had succeeded in routing them, I was compelled to retire 
 from the fight, having been shot through the side and thigh. My 
 men, not understanding it, followed me, which gave time to the Yankees 
 to escape to the woods. But for this accident, the whole party would 
 have been captured. As soon as I perceived this, I ordered the men 
 to go back, which a portion of them did, just as Lieutenant Turner, 
 who had met and routed another force above, came gallantly charg 
 ing up. 
 
 Over loo horses fell into our possession, though a good many were 
 lost in bringing them out at night; also 12 prisoners, arms, etc. 1 
 learn that 6 of the enemy were killed. 
 
 Lieutenant Smith, of the Black Horse, then on duty with me, acted, 
 as he always does, with conspicuous gallantry. Lieutenant Turner, on 
 whom the command devolved, showed himself fully competent for 
 the trust. 
 
 In this affair my loss was 2 killed and 3 wounded. Among the 
 killed was Norman E. Smith, who, thus early terminating a career of 
 great usefulness and brilliant promise, has left the memory of a name 
 that will not be forgotten till honor, virtue, courage, all, shall cease 
 to claim the homage of the heart. 
 
 I afterwards directed Lieutenant Turner to burn the bridges. He 
 succeeded in burning one. 
 
 During my absence from the command, Lieutenant Turner attacked 
 an outpost of the enemy near Waterloo, killing 2 and capturing 4 men 
 and 27 horses. 
 
 About September 15 he captured 3 wagons, 20 horses, 7 prisoners 
 and a large amount of sutlers goods near Warrenton junction. 
 
 On the 2oth and 2ist instant, I conducted an expedition along the 
 enemy s line of communication, in which important information ob 
 tained was forwarded to the army headquarters, and I succeeded in 
 capturing 9 prisoners and 21 fine horses and mules. 
 
 On the 27th and 28th instant, I made a reconnoissance in the 
 vicinity of Alexandria, capturing Colonel Dulany, aide to the bogus 
 Governor Peirpont, several horses, and burning the railroad bridge 
 across Cameron s Run, which was immediately under cover of the 
 guns of two forts. 
 
 The military value of the species of warfare I have waged is not 
 measured by the number of prisoners and material of war captured 
 from the enemy, but by the heavy detail it has already compelled him 
 to make, and which I hope to make him increase, in order to guard 
 
APPENDIX. 407 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 his communication and to that extent diminishing his aggressive 
 strength. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. UOSB\ r , Major. 
 
 [Indorsements.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, October 5, 1863. 
 Respectfully forwarded, and recommend that Major Mosby be pro 
 moted another grade in recognition of his valuable services. The 
 capture of these prominent Union officials, as well as the destruction 
 of bridges, trains, etc. was the subject of special instructions which he 
 is faithfully carrying out. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, Major -General. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, November 17, 1863. 
 Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 Major Mosby is entitled to great credit for his boldness and skill in 
 his operations against the enemy. He keeps them in constant appre 
 hension and inflicts repeated injuries. I have hoped that he would 
 have been able to raise his command sufficiently for the command of 
 a Lieutenant-Colonel, and to have it regularly mustered into the ser 
 vice. I am not aware that it numbers over 4 companies. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 V. 
 
 Affair near Annandale, Va. Report of Major John S. Mosby. 
 
 Loudoun Co., October 19, 1863. 
 
 GENERAL: I did not receive your letter of instructions until late 
 last Tuesday night, on my return from an expedition below. 
 
 I collected as many men as I could at so short notice, and on Thurs 
 day, ii>th, came down into Fairfax, where I have been operating ever 
 since in the enemy s rear. 
 
 I have captured over 100 horses and mules, several wagons loaded 
 with valuable stores, and between 75 and 100 prisoners, arms, equip 
 ments, etc. Among the prisoners were 5 captains and i lieutenant. 
 
 I had a sharp skirmish yesterday with double my number of cavalry 
 near Annandale, in which I routed them, capturing the captain com 
 manding and 6 or 7 men and horses. I have so far sustained no 
 loss. It has been my object to detain the troops that are occupying 
 Fairfax, by annoying their communications and preventing them from 
 
408 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 operating in front. Yesterday two divisions left Centreville and went 
 into camp at Fox s Mill. There are 3 regiments of cavalry at Vienna. 
 I contemplate attacking a cavalry camp at Falls Church to-morrow 
 night. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBV, Major. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 Respectfully forwarded. Major Mosby and command continue to do 
 splendid service. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART. 
 
 Scout about Catlett s Station Report of John S. Mosby. C. S. A. 
 
 Fauquier Co., Nov. 6, 1863. 
 General J. E. B. STUART : 
 
 GENERAL : I returned yesterday from a scout in the neighborhood 
 of Catlett s. I was accompanied by Captain Smith and 2 men of my 
 command. We killed Kilpatrick s division commissary * and cap 
 tured an adjutant, 4 men, 6 horses, etc. Kilpatrick s Division (now 
 reported unfit for duty) lies around Weaverville. About one brigade 
 of infantry in the vicinity of Catlett s. A good deal of artillery moved 
 forward from Warrenton on the 4th. Sedgwick still remains there. 
 I sent 5 r ou 4 cavalrymen on Wednesday captured by my scouts. 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Major. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Mosby s Operations in Virginia. Report of Major Mosby, Commanding 
 Virginia Cavalry Battalion. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS 430 VA. CAVALRY BATTALION, 
 
 NOV. 22, 1863. 
 
 GENERAL : Since rendering my report of the 5th inst. we have cap 
 tured about 75 of the enemy s cavalry, over 100 hundred horses and 
 mules, 6 wagons, a considerable number of arms, equipments, etc. 
 
 It would be too tedious to mention in detail the various affairs in 
 
 1 Lieut. Timothy Hedges, Second New York Cavalry, acting commissary of subsistence Kil 
 patrick s division, was " wounded by guerrillas near Catlett s Station, Nov. 3, 1863. "War Records. 
 
APPENDIX. 409 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 which these captures have been made, but I would omit the perform 
 ance of a pleasant duty if I failed to bring to your notice the bold 
 onset of Capt. Smith, when, with only about 40 men, he dashed into 
 the enemy s camp of 150 cavalry near Warrenton, killed some 8 or 10, 
 wounded a number and brought off 9 prisoners, 27 horses, arms, equip 
 ments, etc. In various other affairs several of the enemy have been 
 killed and wounded. I have sustained no loss. Capt. Chapman and 
 Lieut. Turner, commanding their respective companies have rendered 
 efficient services. 
 
 Gregg s Cavalry division now guards their rear, being distributed 
 along the road leading from Bealeton to Warrenton and thence to 
 the Sulphur Springs. It is very difficult to do any thing on the railroad, 
 as they have sentinels stationed all along in sight of each other, in 
 addition to the guards on each train. Rest assured that if there is 
 any chance of effecting anything there, it will be done. 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, Major, etc. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 
 
 November 25, 1863. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 Major Mosby is very vigilant, very active. The importance of his 
 operations is shown by the heavy guard the enemy is obliged to keep 
 to guard the railroad from his attacks. Particular attention is called to 
 the gallant exploit of Captain Smith, late Second Lieut. Company H, 
 Fourth Virginia Cavalry. This officer promises to distinguish himself 
 highly as a partisan leader. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, Major General. 
 
 Noted with satisfaction and appreciation of the energy and valor 
 displayed. 
 
 J. A. SEDDON, Secretary. 
 
410 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Report of Major John S. Mosby, 43^ Virginia Cavalry Battalion, includ 
 ing skirmish, January \vth, at Loudoun Heights. 
 
 February I, 1864. 
 
 MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
 operations of this command, since rendering- my report of January 4. 
 
 On Wednesday, January 6, having previously reconnoitered in per 
 son the position of the enemy, I directed Lieutenant Turner, with a 
 detachment of about 30 men, to attack an outpost of the enemy in the 
 vicinity of Warrenton, which he did successfully, routing a superior 
 force of the enemy, killing and wounding several, and capturing 18 
 prisoners and 45 horses, with arms, equipments, etc. 
 
 On Saturday, January 9, having learned through Frank Stringfellow 
 (a scout of Gen. Stuart), that Cole s (Maryland) Cavalry was encamped 
 on Loudoun Heights, with no supports but infantry, which was about 
 one-half mile off, I left Upperville with about 100 men, in hopes of 
 being able to completely surprise his camp by a night attack. By 
 marching my command by file, along a narrow path, I succeeded in 
 gaining a position in the rear of the enemy, between their camp and 
 the Ferry. On searching this point, without creating any alarm, I 
 deemed that the crisis had passed, and the capture of the camp of the 
 enemy a certainty. I had exact information up to dark of that evening 
 of the number of the enemy (which was between 175 and 200), the posi 
 tion of their headquarters, etc. When within 200 yards of the camp, I 
 sent Stringfellow on ahead with about 10 men to capture Major Cole 
 and staff, whose headquarters were in a house about 100 yards from 
 their camp, while I halted to close up my command. The camp was 
 buried in profound sleep ; there was not a sentinel awake. All my 
 plans were on the eve of consummation, when suddenly the party sent 
 with Stringfellow came dashing over the hill toward the camp, yelling 
 and shooting. They had made no attempt to secure Cole. Mistaking 
 them for the enemy, I ordered my men to charge. 
 
 In the meantime the enemy had taken the alarm, and received us 
 with a volley from their carbines. A severe fight ensued, in which 
 they were driven from their camp, but, taking refuge in the surround 
 ing houses, kept up a desultory firing. Confusion and delay having 
 ensued from the derangement of my plans, consequent on the alarm 
 given to the enemy, rendered it hazardous to continue in my position, 
 as reinforcements were near the enemy. Accordingly, I ordered the 
 
A1TKXDIX. 4 11 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 men to retire, which was done in good order, bringing off 6 prisoners, 
 and between 50 and 60 horses. 
 
 My loss was severe ; more so in the worth than the number of the 
 slain. It was 4 killed, 7 wounded (of whom 4 have since died), and i 
 captured. A published list of the enemy s loss gives it at 5 killed and 1 3 
 wounded. Among those who fell on this occasion were Capt. William 
 R. Smith and Lieutenant Turner, two of the noblest and bravest officers 
 of this army, who thus sealed a life of devotion and of sacrifice to the 
 cause that they loved. 
 
 In numerous other affairs with the enemy, between 75 and 100 horses 
 and mules have been captured, about 40 men killed, wounded and cap 
 tured. A party of this command also threw one of the enemy s trains 
 off the track, causing a great smash up, 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, 
 
 Major Commanding. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, 
 
 February 9, 1864. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 The conduct of Major Mosby is warmly commended to the notice 
 of the commanding general. His sleepless vigilance and unceasing 
 activity have done the enemy great damage. He keeps a large force of 
 the enemy s cavalry continually employed in Fairfax in the vain effort 
 to suppress his inroads. His exploits are not surpassed in daring and 
 enterprise by those of petite guerre in any age. Unswerving devotion 
 to duty, self-abnegation, and unflinching courage, with a quick percep 
 tion and appreciation of the opportunity, are the characteristics of this 
 officer. Since I first knew him, in 1861, he has never once alluded to 
 his own rank or promotion ; thus far it has come by the force of his 
 own merit. While self-consciousness of having done his duty well is 
 the patriot soldier s best reward, yet the evidence of the appreciation 
 of his country is a powerful incentive to renewed effort, which should 
 not be undervalued by those who have risen to the highest point of 
 military and civic eminence. That evidence is promotion. If Major 
 Mosby has not won it, no more can daring deeds essay to do it. Capt. 
 W. R. Smith, late lieutenant of Black Horse, has been long distin 
 guished as one of the best cavalry leaders we have. Lieutenant Turner 
 has won an enviable name. Both had inscribed their fame in old Fau- 
 quier imperishably, in the blood of her enemies. All honor to the 
 glorious dead. 
 
 J. E. B. STUART, Major-General. 
 
412 MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Report of Lieut. -Col. John S. Mosby, 43^ Battalion Virginia Cavalry, 
 including operations to May i. 
 
 September n, 1864. 
 Lieut.-Col. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 COLONEL: I have the honor to submit, for the information ot 
 the commanding general, the following brief report of the operations 
 of this command since the first day of March last. 
 
 On March loth (Qth) with a detachment of about 40 men, I defeated 
 a superior force of the enemy s cavalry near Greenwich, severe 
 ly wounding 3, and capturing 9 prisoners, 10 horses, arms, etc. On 
 the same day Lieut. A. E. Richards, with another detachment of 
 about 30 men, surprised an outpost of the enemy near Charles- 
 town, killed the major commanding and a lieutenant, several privates, 
 and brought off 21 prisoners with their horses, arms, etc. In neither 
 engagement did my command sustain any loss. 
 
 During the months of March and April but few opportunities were 
 offered for making any successful attacks on the enemy, the continual 
 annoyances to which they had been subjected during the winter 
 causing them to exert great vigilance in guarding against sur 
 prises and interruptions of their communications. During most of 
 these months I was myself engaged in scouting in the enemy s rear 
 for Major-General Stuart and collecting information which was 
 regularly transmitted to his headquarters, concerning the movements, 
 numbers and distribution of the enemy s forces both east and west of 
 the Blue Ridge. During this time my men were mostly employed in 
 collecting forage from the country bordering on the Potomac. 
 
 About April 15, Captain Richards routed a marauding party of the 
 enemy s cavalry at Waterford, killing and wounding 5 or 6 and 
 bringing off 6 or 8 prisoners, 15 horses, arms, etc. 
 
 About April 25 I attacked an outpost near Hunter s Mills, in Fair 
 fax, capturing 5 prisoners and 18 horses. The prisoners and horses 
 were sent back under charge of Lieutenant Hunter, while I went off 
 on a scout in another direction. The enemy pursued and captured 
 the lieutenant and 6 of the horses. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient ser 
 vant, 
 
 JOHN S. MOSBY, Lieut. Col. Commanding. 
 
APPENDIX. 4H 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 X. 
 
 Colonel Mosbys Report of his Operations from March I. 
 
 September n, 1864. 
 Lieut.-Col. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant General : 
 
 COLONEL: I have the honor to submit for the information of the 
 commanding general the following brief report of the operations of 
 this command since the first day of March last. 1 
 
 About May ist, with a party of 10 men, I captured 8 of Sigel s 
 wagons near Bunker Hill, in the valley, but was only able to bring off 
 the horses attached (34 in number) and about 20 prisoners. The 
 horses and prisoners were sent back, while with another detachment 
 of 20 men who had joined me I proceeded to Martinsburg, which 
 place we entered that night, while occupied by several hundred 
 Federal troops, and brought off 15 horses and several prisoners. 
 
 Returning to my command, I learned that General Grant had crossed 
 the Rapidan. With about 40 men I moved down the north bank of 
 the Rappahannock to assail his communications wherever opened, 
 and sent two other detachments, under Captain Richards and Chap 
 man, to embarrass Sigel as much as possible. Captain Richards had a 
 skirmish near Winchester (then the enemy s rear) in which several of 
 them were killed and wounded. Captain Chapman attacked a wagon 
 train, which was heavily guarded, near Strasburg, capturing about 30 
 prisoners with an equal number of horses, &c. Near Belle Plain, in 
 King George, I captured an ambulance train and brought off about 75 
 horses and mules, and 40 prisoners, etc. 
 
 A few days after, I made a second attempt near the same place, but 
 discovered that my late attack had caused them to detach such a heavy 
 force to guard their trains and line of communication that another 
 successful attack on them was impracticable. 
 
 About May 10 1 attacked a cavalry outpost in the vicinity of Front 
 Royal, capturing i captain and 15 men and 75 horses and sustained 
 no loss. 
 
 About May 20, with about 1 50 men, I moved to the vicinity of Stras 
 burg with the view of capturing the wagon trains of General Hunter, 
 who had then moved up the valley. When the train appeared I dis 
 covered that it was guarded by about 600 infantry and 100 cavalry. A 
 slight skirmish ensued between their cavalry and a part of my com 
 mand, in which their cavalry was routed with a loss of 8 prisoners and 
 
 1 For portion here omitted see Appendix. IX. 
 
4H MOSBYS RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 horses, besides several killed, but falling back on their infantry, 
 my men in turn fell back, with a loss of i killed. While we did not 
 capture the train, one great object had been accomplished the 
 detachment of a heavy force to guard their communications. After 
 the above affair, only one wagon tram ever went up to Hunter, which 
 was still more heavily guarded, He then gave up his line of com 
 munication. 
 
 After the withdrawal of the enemy s forces from Northern Virginia , 
 for several weeks but few opportunities were offered for any successful 
 incursions upon them. Many enterprises on a small scale were, how 
 ever, undertaken by detachments of the command, of which no note 
 has been taken. 
 
 About June 20! moved into Fairfax and routed a body of cavalry 
 near Centreville, killing and wounding 6 or 8, and capturing 31 prison 
 ers, securing their horses, etc. 
 
 A few days afterward we took Duffield s Depot, on the Baltimore 
 and Ohio Railroad ; secured about 50 prisoners, including 2 lieuten 
 ants and a large amount of stores. The train had passed a feu- 
 minutes before we reached the place. On my way there I had left 
 Lieutenant Nelson, commanding Company A, at Charlestown, for the 
 purpose of intercepting and notifying me of any approach in my rear 
 from Harper s Ferry. As I had anticipated, a body of cavalry, largely 
 superior in numbers to his force, moved out from that point. 
 Lieutenant Nelson gallantly charged and routed them, killing and 
 wounding several and taking 19 prisoners and 27 horses. We sus 
 tained no loss on this expedition, 
 
 On July 4, hearing of General Early s movement down the Valley, I 
 moved with my command east of the Blue Ridge for the purpose of 
 co-operating with him, and crossed the Potomac at Point of Rocks, 
 driving out the garrison (250 men, strongly fortified) and securing 
 several prisoners and horses. As I supposed it to be General Early s 
 intention to invest Maryland Heights, I thought the best service 
 I could render would be to sever all communications both by railroad 
 and telegraph between that point and Washington, which I did, keep 
 ing it suspended for two days. 
 
 As this was the first occasion on which I had used artillery, the 
 magnitude of the invasion was greatly exaggerated by the fears of 
 the enemy, and panic and alarm spread through their territory. I de 
 sire especially to bring to the notice of the commanding general the 
 unsurpassed gallantry displayed by Captain Richards, commanding 
 First Squadron. Our crossing was opposed by a body of infantry 
 stationed on the Maryland shore. Dismounting a number of sharp 
 shooters, whom I directed to wade the river above the point held by the 
 enemy, I superintended in person the placing of my piece of artillery 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 415 
 
 CONFEDERATE RETORTS, ETC. 
 
 in position, at the same time directing Captain Richards whenever 
 the enemy had been dislodged by the sharpshooters and artillery, to 
 charge across the river in order to effect their capture. The enemy 
 were soon routed and Captain Richards charged over, but before he 
 could overtake them they had retreated across the canal, pulling up 
 the bridge in their rear. My order had not, of course, contemplated 
 their pursuit into their for 
 tifications, but the destruc 
 tion of the bridge was no 
 obstacle to his impetuous 
 valor, and hastily dismount 
 ing and throwing down a 
 few planks on the sills, he 
 charged across, under a 
 heavy fire from a redoubt. 
 The enemy fled panic- 
 stricken, leaving in our 
 possession their camp equi 
 page, etc. 
 
 Captain Richards has on 
 this, as well as on many 
 other occasions, shown him 
 self worthy to wear the 
 honor bestowed upon him 
 by the Government when, 
 disregarding the rule of 
 seniority, it promoted him 
 for valor and skill to the 
 position whose duties he so 
 ably discharges. 
 
 On the morning of July 6, while still encamped near the Potomac, 
 information was received that a considerable force of cavalry was at 
 Leesburg. I immediately hastened to meet them. At Leesburg I 
 learned that they had gone toward Aldie, and I accordingly moved on 
 the road to Ball s Mill in order to intercept them returning to their 
 camp in Fairfax, which I succeeding in doing, meeting them at Mount 
 Zion Church, and completely routing them, with a loss of about 80 of 
 their officers and men left dead and severely wounded on the field, be 
 sides 57 prisoners. Their loss includes a captain and lieutenant killed 
 and i lieutenant severely wounded ; the major commanding and 2 lieu 
 tenants prisoners. We also secured all their horses, arms, etc. 
 My loss was I killed and 6 wounded none dangerously. 
 
 After this affair the enemy never ventured, in two months after, the 
 experiment of another raid through that portion of our district. 
 
 LIEUT. JOSEPH H. NELSON, CO. A. 
 Drawn from a Photograph taken soon after the War. 
 
416 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 A few days afterward I again crossed the Potomac, in co-operation 
 with General Early, and moved through Poolesville, Md., for the 
 purpose of capturing a body of cavalry encamped near Seneca. They 
 retreated, however, before we reached there, leaving all their camp 
 equipage and a considerable amount of stores. We also captured 30 
 head of beef cattle. 
 
 When General Early fell back from before Washington I recrossed 
 the Potomac, near Seneca, moving thence to the Little River pike in 
 order to protect him from any movement up the south side of the 
 river. The enemy moved through Leesburg in pursuit of General Early 
 and occupied Ashby s and Snicker s Gaps. I distributed my command so 
 as to most effectually protect the country. These detachments under 
 Captains Richards and Chapman and Lieutenants Glascock, Nelson 
 and Hatcher while they kept the enemy confined to the main 
 thoroughfares and restrained their ravages, killed and captured about 
 300, securing their horses,etc. My own attention was principally directed 
 to ascertaining the numbers and movements of the enemy and for 
 warding the information to General Early, who was then in the valley. 
 
 At the time of the second invasion of Maryland by General Early, I 
 moved my command to the Potomac, crossed over 3 companies at 
 Cheek s and Noland s Fords, while the remaining portion was kept in re 
 serve on this side with the artillery, which was posted on the south bank 
 to keep open the fords, keeping one company, (B), under Lieutenant 
 Williams, near the ford on the north bank. Two were sent under 
 Lieutenant Nelson, to Adamstown, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 
 for the purpose of intercepting the trains from Baltimore, destroying 
 their communications, etc. Apprehending a movement up the river 
 from a considerable body of cavalry which I knew to be stationed be 
 low, I remained with a portion of the command guarding the fords. 
 Lieutenant Nelson reached the road a few minutes too late to capture 
 the train, but destroyed two telegraph lines. On his return he met 
 a force of the enemy s cavalry, near Monocacy, which was charged 
 and routed by the gallant Lieutenant Hatcher, who took about 15 men 
 and horses, besides killing and wounding several. 
 
 We recrossed the river in the evening, bringing about 75 horses and 
 between 20 and 30 prisoners. 
 Our loss, 2 missing. 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. 
 
APPENDIX. 417 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Report of Lieut. -Col. John S. Mosby, Forty-third Virginia Cavalry 
 
 Battalion. 
 
 HDQRS. 43d VIRGINIA PARTISAN RANGER BATTALION, 
 
 September 1 1 , 1 864. 
 
 COLONEL : I have the honor to submit, for the information of the 
 commanding general, the following brief report of the operations of the 
 command since the ist day of March last. 
 
 On August 9, with a detachment of 37 men, I defeated a body of 100 
 cavalry at Fairfax Station, killing the captain commanding and 6 men, 
 and capturing 21 prisoners and 34 horses. Two detachments sent out 
 at the same time in Fairfax brought in 6 more prisoners and horses ; 
 another detachment of 5 sent to Duffield s Depot, brought in 10 pris 
 oners with their horses, etc. 
 
 On the morning of August 13 I attacked, near Berryville, the 
 enemy s supply train, which was guarded by some 700 or 800 infantry 
 and cavalry, under command of Brigadier-General Kenly. Completely 
 routed the guard, with a loss of over 200 prisoners, including 3 lieu 
 tenants, besides several killed and wounded. Captured and destroyed 
 75 loaded wagons, and secured over 200 head of beef-cattle, between 
 500 and 600 horses and mules, and many valuable stores. My loss, 2 
 killed and 3 wounded. My force numbered something over 300 men, 
 with two mountain howitzers. One howitzer became disabled before 
 being brought into action, by breaking of a wheel ; the other after fir 
 ing a few rounds was rendered useless also, by breaking of the carriage. 
 
 Too much praise cannot be awarded to Captains Richards and Wil 
 liam Chapman, commanding their respective squadrons, for the bravery 
 with which they scattered largely superior forces of the enemy. The 
 gallant Captain Sam. Chapman, commanding Company E, although 
 burning for the strife, was prudently held in reserve. 
 
 A few days after this, Lieutenant Glascock, with 14 men, captured 29 
 prisoners, including several officers, with their horses, arms, etc., near 
 Kernstown. At the same time Captain Richards, with a small squad, 
 killed a captain and captured 7 or 8 men and horses near Charles- 
 town. 
 
 About August 20 I crossed with my command at Snicker s Gap, the 
 enemy being near Berryville, sending the larger portion, under Capt. 
 William Chapman, to operate around Berryville and restrain the enemy 
 from devastating the country. With a small detachment I went to 
 their rear, near Charlestown, and captured 12 prisoners and 10 horses. 
 Captain Chapman, coming upon a portion of the enemy s cavalry 
 
4i 8 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 which was engaged in burning houses, attacked and routed them. 
 Such was the indignation of our men at witnessing some of the finest 
 residences in that portion of the State enveloped in flames, that no 
 quarter was shown, and about 25 of them were shot to death for their 
 villainy. About 30 horses were brought off, but no prisoners. 
 
 On Friday, September 3, with a squad of 6 men, I attacked the en 
 emy s outposts in Fairfax, mortally wounding i and capturing 6 men 
 and ii horses. 
 
 On Sunday, September 5, I sent Capt. Sam. Chapman, in command 
 of Companies C and E, to harass the enemy around Berryville, while 1 
 made a detour to gain their rear near Charlestown. Arriving at the 
 river, I left the two companies that were with me (A and B), under 
 Lieutenant Nelson, on the east bank of the river, while, with 6 men, I 
 went on a reconnoissance across, previous to carrying my whole force 
 over. Some time after, a force of the enemy s cavalry crossed the moun 
 tain in their rear, surprised and stampeded them, killing i, wounding 3 
 and capturing 3. One of the enemy s cavalry was killed and 5 wounded. 
 With the 6 men with me I succeeded in capturing and bringing out 
 safely about 25 prisoners, 2 ambulances, and 18 horses. Captain 
 Chapman routed a largely superior force near Berryville, killing and 
 wounding some 15 or 20, besides securing over 30 prisoners, including 
 a captain and lieutenant, with their horses, arms, etc. 
 
 On September 8, with about 30 men, having gained a position in the 
 enemy s rear near Charlestown, I divided the command, for greater 
 safety. One portion, under Captain Richards, captured a captain and 
 12 men, with their horses, etc.; with mine I captured a lieutenant and 5 
 men, with their horses, etc. 
 
 I have made no attempt, for it would be impossible, to embrace in 
 this report a full recital of the innumerable affairs with the enemy in 
 which the heroism of both men and officers of this command has been 
 illustrated ; yet the fame of their deeds will still live in the grateful 
 remembrance of those whose homes and whose firesides their valor 
 has defended. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very repectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JNO. S. MOSBY, 
 
 Lieutenant- Colonel, Commanding. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel TAYLOR, 
 
 Assistant Adjtttant General. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 
 
 September 19, 1864. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant and Inspector General, for 
 the information of the Department. 
 
A1TKNDIX. 419 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 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 20 men, 
 he has killed, wounded and captured during the period embraced in 
 the report about 1,200 of the enemy and taken more than 1,600 horses 
 and mules, 230 beef-cattle, and 85 wagons and ambulances, without 
 counting many smaller operations. The services rendered by Colonel 
 Mosby and his command in watching and reporting the enemy s move 
 ments have also been of great value. His operations have been highly 
 creditable to himself and his command. 
 
 R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 Report of Gen. R. E. Let . 
 
 C/iaffin s Bluff, August 16, 1864. 
 
 Colonel Mosby reports that he attacked the enemy s supply train 
 near Berryville on the i3th ; captured and destroyed 75 loaded wagons 
 and secured over 200 prisoners, including several officers, between 500 
 and 600 horses and mules, upward of 200 beef-cattle, and many 
 valuable stores. Considerable number of the enemy killed ana 
 wounded. His loss, 2 killed and 3 wounded. 
 
 R. E. LEE. 
 Hon. J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War. 
 
 XII. 
 
 The following letter was published in the Washington Star, having 
 been captured by a Federal officer: 
 
 Letter from Lee to Mosby Lee Approves Guerrilla Warfare. 
 
 HEADQR S ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, \ 
 \<)th September, 1864. \ 
 
 Lieut.-Col. JOHN S. MOSBY, Commanding, etc. : 
 
 COLONEL Your report of the operations of your command from 
 the ist March to nth September, is received. 
 
 I am much gratified by the activity and skill you have displayed, 
 and desire to express my thanks to yourself and the brave officers and 
 men of your command for the valuable services to the country. 
 
 The smallness of your loss, in comparison with the damage inflicted 
 upon the enemy, is creditable to your own judgment, and to the intel- 
 
420 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 CONFEDERATE REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 ligence and courage of those who executed your orders. I hope you 
 will continue to harrass the enemy s troops as much as possible, and 
 restrain his efforts to exercise civil authority in the counties in which 
 you are operating. I enclose copy of a letter written some time since, 
 in case the original should not have reached you, and call your atten 
 tion to the instructions it contains. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 R. E. LEE, General 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Mosby to General Lee, 
 
 Xear Uppcrville, Xov. 6, 1864. 
 General R. E. LEE, 
 
 Commanding Army of Northern Virginia : 
 
 GENERAL : The enemy is engaged in removing the rails from the 
 Manassas road for the purpose of reconstructing the Winchester and 
 Potomac. The latter is already completed to Charlestown, though it 
 is considered doubtful whether they will proceed further. On the 4th 
 instant, Merritt s division of cavalry passed through Charlestown 
 toward Harper s Ferry. Indications are that the larger portion of 
 Sheridan s army will be transferred to Grant s. I returned from the 
 Valley last night, and send out to-day 28 cavalrymen captured there. 
 I shall send over another detachment to-day, From the time of their 
 occupation, to the abandonment of the Manassas road, my command 
 killed and captured about 600 of the enemy, about an equal number of 
 horses, 10 wagons, etc. ; my total loss did not exceed 25. I hope you 
 will not believe the accounts published in the Northern papers, and 
 ccpied in ours, of my robbery of passengers on the railroad train I cap 
 tured. So far from that, I strictly enjoined my officers and men that 
 nothing of the kind would be permitted. That a great many of the 
 passengers lost their baggage it is true, because the proximity of a con 
 siderable force of the enemy allowed us no time to save it, but I ex 
 plained to the passengers that persons traveling on a military road 
 subjected themselves to the incidents of war. I have sent out a party 
 to plant the torpedoes you sent me. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN S. MOSBY, Lieut. Colonel. 
 
APPENDIX. 421 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 April 3 to 6, 1863 Scout from Fairfax C. H,to Aliddleburg. 
 
 Fairfax C. H,, April 11, 1863. 
 
 STAHEL to HEINTZLEMAN : I have the honor to report with regard 
 to the reconnoissance under command of Brigadier-General J. F. Cope- 
 land, which left this place on the 3d day of April, and returned here 
 early on the morning of the 6th inst., that it proceeded as far as Middle- 
 burg, and searched diligently through that whole section of country 
 without meeting any enemy in force, or ascertaining definitely the 
 whereabouts of Mosby. Small detachments of rebels, however, were 
 occasionally seen, but scattered on the approach of our troops. 
 
 On the 4th instant, early in the morning, in front of Middleburg, a 
 collision cccurred between one of his pickets and some of the enemy s, 
 resulting in the death of one and wounding of another on each side. 
 During the expedition, there was captured and arrested 61 prisoners, 
 citizens and soldiers, 53 horses, 2 mules, aquautity of wheat, 3 wagons, 
 saddles, bridles, guns, sabres, etc., all of which were turned over to the 
 provost-marshal of this place, and by him to Col. (Lafayette C.) Baker, 
 Washington, a copy of whose receipt is enclosed within. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Washington, August 4, 1863. 
 Brigadier-General KING : 
 
 The major-general commanding, desires that you send two parties 
 of cavalry, of 60 or 70 men, to scout and beat up thoroughly the county 
 in the vicinity of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, one party taking 
 the north and the other the south side. The party going south should 
 call upon Stiles, the guide in Alexandria, through Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Wells, provost-marshal-general. 
 
 No mercy need be shown to bushwhackers. These guerrillas must 
 be destroyed. 
 
 J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff. 
 
MOSEYS RANGERS. 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XVI. * 
 
 HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 
 
 August 1 8, 1863. 
 
 Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff : 
 
 GENERAL: General Kilpatrick reports that some of his pickets saw 
 upwards of 2,000 cavalry passing down the right bank of the Rappa- 
 hannock yesterday at daylight. Had 8 or 10 wagons with them. He 
 has sent a party down the river to watch them. He also sends two 
 letters and a Richmond paper, which are enclosed, that were captured 
 yesterday from a rebel mail carrier. Six rebel soldiers were also 
 captured. 
 
 The brigade of General Gregg at Warrenton has 100 men on Watery 
 Mountain, who picket well toward Salem; another force of loomen at 
 New Baltimore, who picket and patrol toward White Plains; a regi 
 ment which pickets and patrols to Waterloo, Orlean, and the mill 
 beyond on Thumb Run. The pickets report but few of the enemy to be 
 seen, and in small parties. Two regiments have also gone direct to 
 Salem, Markham and Manassas Gap, to return by way of Barbee s 
 Cross-roads and Orlean. 
 
 General Merritt reports that a rebel patrol had been at Union Mills, 
 in the direction of Dumfries, just before his scouting party arrived 
 there yesterday. All else quiet. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 A. PLEASONTON, Major-General Commanding. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 HDQRS. ELEVENTH CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 
 
 September 6, 1863. 
 Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff : 
 
 Captain Sharra, commanding detachment of First Indiana Cavalry, 
 just returned from the neighborhood of Aldie, captured 3 of Mosby s 
 men near Cool Spring Gap, who will be sent to general headquarters 
 to-morrow. No signs of any raid. Mosby not dead, but wounded at 
 Culpeper. The men think he will be fit for duty in six weeks. 
 
 O. O. HOWARD, Major-General. 
 
APPENDIX. 423 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH CORPS, 
 
 September 13, 1863. 
 
 Major-General SEDGWICK, Commanding Sixth Corps : 
 
 GENERAL: 1 send my orderly to you. Will you have the kindness 
 to notify me if you move anywhere, or if the enemy makes any raid to 
 ward New Baltimore ? I have had sundry intimations, but do not 
 deem them altogether reliable, that the rebels contemplate a raid on 
 some of our depots. The work of to-day may prevent it. 
 
 I sent out several scouting parties yesterday. One near White 
 Plains met some of Mosby s men and had a skirmish. One of our 
 party was severely wounded and left at a house at White Plains. 
 
 I still have a regiment at Greenwich, a brigade at Bristoe, and two 
 brigades here. My force is very small. I will leave my orderly with you 
 till tomorrow. Please send him with everything important. When 
 it is not smoky, I communicate directly with Watery mountain, 
 and, by telegraph, with headquarters. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 O. O. HOWARD, Major-General. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Manassas Junction, Sept. 22, 1863. 
 General KING: 
 
 Two officers and 15 men, in pursuit of a lost horse, came upon what 
 they supposed to be a company of cavalry, which they were informed 
 was a part of Mosby s force, near the house of one H. Mathews, on the 
 road from Centreville to Gainesville. They were informed by a man 
 named Settle that there was a regiment of cavalry encamped on the 
 old Bull Run battlefield. My horses becoming unmanageable when 
 the firing commenced, I lost five men with horses and equipments. 
 
 My horses are too green to be serviceable as cavalry. I send this 
 information that you may take such action as you deem nec 
 essary. 
 
 ALFRED GIBBS, Colonel. 
 
424 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XX. 
 
 GENERAL ORDERS, ) HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, 
 
 No. 42. } November 5, 1863. 
 
 The loss in officers and men sustained in this corps at the hands of 
 guerrillas during the past few days demands the careful attention of 
 all to prevent a recurrence in the future. The command is admon 
 ished that we are here in the field for military and not social purposes. 
 Visiting in the families of the country in which our operations are 
 conducted, riding for pleasure, either alone or in small parties, or even 
 any unnecessary exposure when in the line of duty, are directly in 
 violation of every recognized military principle. They will, therefore, 
 be abstained from in future. Every house within or without the 
 lines of the army is a nest of treason, and every grove a lurking place 
 for guerrilla bands. They are on that account, to be watched and 
 avoided. 
 
 Division commanders are expressly directed to give to this matter 
 their earnest attention. 
 
 In the transmission of orders or the conduct of the public business, 
 care will be taken that individuals or small parties are not unneces 
 sarily exposed and every effort will be made to confine all officers and 
 men to such close attention to their immediate command. 
 
 Any infringement of the spirit of this order will be reported to these 
 headquarters, that the appropriate remedy for such neglect of duty 
 may be promptly applied. 
 
 By command of Major-General Pleasonton. 
 
 C. C. SUYDAM, Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND Div., CAVALRY CORPS, 
 Near Fayetteville, Va., Nov. 16, 1863. 
 
 Capt. H. C. WEIR, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division : 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to report all quiet along my lines this morn 
 ing. Night before last, shortly after the line of pickets was established, 
 near Warrenton, 4 men and a corporal were found to be missing; no 
 alarm was given. Last night several shots were fired at the vedettes 
 along the whole front of my lines, but no serious attacks were made. 
 
 The guerrillas around Warrenton are very troublesome, always 
 attacking my pickets after nightfall. The citizens do all in their 
 
APPENDIX. 425 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 power to help and encourage these people, and I fancy that by putting 
 a section of my battery into position, about i^ miles this side of the 
 town, with orders to open upon this place in case we are disturbed, no 
 guerrilla raids will hereafter be made upon my lines. We are very 
 short of forage. The missing men belong to First Rhode Island 
 Cavalry. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. P.TAYLOR, 
 Colonel Commanding First Brigade. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION, 
 
 November 17, 1863. 
 Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 To comply with the instructions to "picket beyond Warrenton," 
 it is found necessary to completely envelop that town, so as to bring 
 it within our lines and cut off communication between its disloyal 
 inhabitants and the guerrillas who infest the country about. These 
 two classes of people, not being permitted to have intercourse, are 
 very angry, and it results from this that the line of pickets is con 
 stantly threatened, both m front and rear, and its maintenance will 
 occasion the loss of men, as in this instance 
 
 D. McM. GREGG, 
 Brig. Gen. of Vols., Commanding Second Division. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Cumberland, Md., Dec. 18, 1863. 
 Brig.-Gen. G. W. CULLOM, Chief of Staff: 
 
 General Sullivan reports that a cavalry scout has just returned from 
 Loudoun County, commanded by Captain Keys, of the Twenty-second 
 Pennsylvania. Near Upperville, he captured Colonel Carter, of the 
 First Virginia Cavalry, 5 men and 6 horses. Key s loss, i man killed 
 and 2 captured Enemy s, i man and 2 horses killed. 
 
 B. F. KELLEY, Brigadier General. 
 
426 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 IlKADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 
 
 December 25, 1863. 
 Colonel TAYLOR, Commanding Second Divison Cavalry : 
 
 Dispatch just received states that Mosby has made great preparations 
 to have a frolic, with his principal officers, at the house of Dr. Bispham 
 and Mrs. Murray, in Salem, to-night. Dr. Bispham s is the second 
 house as you go in the village from Warrenton, and Mrs. Murray lives 
 about the middle of the street, in a large white house. The major- 
 general commanding directs that you send a party from the brigade 
 which is at Warren+own, under the command of a smart and compe 
 tent officer, to capture them. 
 
 E. B. PARSONS. 
 Captain, Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Skirmish near Aldie, Va. Reports of Brig. Gen. Robert (). Tyler, 
 
 U. S. Army. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, 
 
 February 6, 1 864. 
 Lieut. -Col. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff: 
 
 I have the honor to report all quiet. The scouting party sent out 
 yesterday returned this afternoon from Aldie and Middleburg. Their 
 rear guard was attacked yesterday noon by 8 of " Mosby s Men ; " 
 they were dispersed and the leader, who proved to be William E. 
 Ormsby, who deserted from the Second Massachusetts Cavalry on the 
 night of January 24, was captured, and is now being tried by drum 
 head court-martial. Two men of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry 
 and 3 rebels were wounded. Five citizens were arrested under suspi 
 cious circumstances. No evidence was found of any force being in 
 
 the vicinity. 
 
 R. O. TYLER, Brigadier-General Commanding. 
 
 Fairfax Court House, February 7, 1864. 
 Lieut.-Col. J. H. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff: 
 
 I have the honor to report all quiet. The deserter [Ormsby] from 
 the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, captured in arms against the 
 United States, was convicted by drum-head court-martial and shot at 
 1 2 this noon. R.O.TYLER, 
 
 Brigadier- General Commanding. 
 
APPENDIX. 427 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, 
 
 Falls Church, Va., June 5, 1864. 
 Lieut.-Col. J. H. TAYLOR, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff : 
 
 COLONEL : I have the honor to report everything quiet in this 
 vicinity during the last 24 hours. Major Forbes returned with his 
 mounted party from Middleburg and Rector s Cross-Roads last night, 
 bringing 5 rebel hostages (Hamilton Rogers, Dr. Powell, Gurley R. 
 Hatcher, Noland, and Hooper). This party did not see a single guer 
 rilla. The dismounted party which acted with it met a squad of 5 
 rebels and wounded 2 of them, but they got off. This party has not yet 
 returned ; it was to bring in more hostages from above Dranesville. 
 The regular scouting party which was relieved this p. m. brought in 
 Fenton Beavers and the two Gunnells, of Mosby s command, who 
 have been making themselves very obnoxious recently as horse- 
 thieves. Beavers is the same man who feigned desertion from Mosby 
 some two months ago, and, after taking the amnesty oath and spying 
 about Alexandria and Vienna, returned to the enemy. These 3 men, 
 with two Bowies from Maryland and a man named Campbell, are the 
 party which, under orders from Mosby, seized Walters and Dr. 
 Lloyd. I think that these gentlemen will both be back within a day 
 or two. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 C. R. LOWELL, JR., 
 Col. Second MassacJiusetts Cavalry, Comd^. Cav. Brig. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Report of Federal Scouting Party in the Shenandoah Valley. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS SIXTH WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY, 
 
 Camp near Bolivar, June 8. 1864. 
 Lieut.-Col. F. W. THOMPSON, 
 
 Commanding Sixth West Virginia Cavalry : 
 
 SIR : I have the honor to report that agreeably to orders, I started yes 
 terday at 3 a. m. in command of 83 select men, of whom 38 were from the 
 Sixth West Virginia Cavalry, 25 from the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cav 
 alry, and 20 from First New York Veterans. I adopted the following 
 order of march : First. F. A. Warthen, Company D, of your regiment, 
 dressed in full Confederate uniform, as scout, followed by an advance 
 
428 
 
 MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 of 8 men familiar with the country. Second. The detachment in the 
 order in which I have stated them. Third. Rear guard of one corpo 
 ral and 3 men. I proceeded up the Berryville turnpike road, avoiding 
 Charlestown by passing around to the left, then following the turn 
 pike for about 12 miles. From this place, finding myself ahead of 
 time, I turned my command off the turnpike by a road leading to the 
 Martinsburg turnpike road for about one-half mile, where 1 rested for 
 about 2 hours. I then resumed the march to the point indicated on 
 the map furnished me by Colonel Pierce, where, turning to the left, 1 
 
 followed a country road, which 
 soon took me to the houses of 
 Mr. Castleman and his neighbor, 
 Mr. DeRue, whose houses I 
 approached unobserved and 
 promptly surrounded at n a. m. 
 The information relative to the 
 wedding to come off at Mr. De- 
 Rue s was incorrect. The young 
 lady whom report made the bride 
 of the occasion had gone to the 
 blacksmith s shop at Myerstown, 
 riding, as I was credibly informed, 
 "an old black horse for the pur 
 pose of getting him shod to visit 
 this place to-day," and from the 
 uncomely appearance of her par 
 ents, the buildings and their sur 
 roundings, I think Miss Castleman 
 will never be the bride of a Con 
 federate officer connected with 
 the proud Early family, until their 
 pride shall have been subdued by 
 
 the whipping which awaits them and all other Southern traitors. Feel 
 ing somewhat foiled and desiring to accomplish some good before I 
 returned, I concluded to advance to Snicker s Ferry, 5 miles beyond, 
 where I learned that a small party had crossed the evening before en 
 route for Lee s army. I returned by an obscure road, using all the 
 skill I could command in ferreting out rebel hiding-places, frequently 
 stopping my command to make excursions to the flanks with my 
 scouts and advance party. When within 2 miles of Kabletown, I suc 
 ceeded in capturing 2 rebel soldiers at the house of Henry Castleman, 
 respectively of the names of William Gibson and G. E. Cordell, Com 
 pany B, Twelfth Virginia (rebel) Cavalry. I also captured 2 serviceable 
 horses and equipments, which I shall turn over for the use of the cav- 
 
 NORMAN V. RANDOLPH, CO. E. 
 From a War-time Photograph. 
 
APPENDIX. 429 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 airy service to some officer competent to receipt for the same. These 
 young men are intelligent ; were enlisted at Charlestown, and are con 
 nected with prominent rebel families of that place. During the day 
 I made diligent inquiry of the strength and position of Mosby s com 
 mand. I was not able to get very definite information, but from all I 
 heard I am disposed to think he is in the vicinity of Berry s Ferry 
 with about 80 men, and would respectfully suggest that by sending a 
 party, say of 100 men, properly officered, directly up the Shenandoah 
 to some point beyond Berry s Ferry, and another similar party to the 
 right of the Winchester railroad, equally as high up the Valley, the 
 two parties, by the use of scouts and conjoint action ought to, as they 
 return, capture Mosby and the greater part of his command. I fear 
 our scouting parties are too much in the habit of following the public 
 roads and going to villages, instead of selecting the most obscure 
 routes and camping concealed in groves. I would suggest that 
 scouts be instructed to obtain information from children and servants 
 instead of adult white members of families. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. H. SIIUTTLEWORTH, 
 First Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Regulations to Guard Against Surprises. 
 
 CIRCULAR] HEADQUARTERS DE RUSSY S DIVISION, 
 
 Arlington, Va., June 9, 1864. 
 
 In view of the possibility of demonstrations on the part of the rebel 
 cavalry, having for their object a diversion in front of the lines de 
 fending the Capital, and perhaps contemplating an attack, with the 
 hope of surprise, it becomes the duty of all officers, especially of the 
 post commanders, to resort to unusual vigilance to prevent the suc 
 cess of the enemy in any such endeavor. The picket will, therefore, 
 be required to perform their duties most strictly. One company of 
 infantry will bivouac in each of the forts at night, except such as are 
 garrisoned by one company only, and in these the guards will be 
 strengthened. The gates will habitually be kept closed after retreat 
 and all other precautions taken. Among these the garrisons will be 
 required to be under arms and in their forts at 3 a. m., the artillery at 
 the guns, and they will so remain until sunrise, when the sentinels on 
 the parapets can overlook and clearly see the country in front of 
 them. In case of an alarm there must be no confusion ; each company, 
 
430 MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 or portions of a company, should have its station designated and 
 understood before nightfall. The limbers of light artillery pieces 
 in the forts will at once be filled, and at least 4 extra rounds of canis 
 ter per gun for the light guns will be placed on hand. The equip 
 ments for the guns will be left with them after retreat until morning. 
 At retreat each night the garrison will be told off into detachments 
 for the guns and will be required to return to these stations in case of 
 alarm at night. The supernumeraries will defend the approaches with 
 musquetry, taking position on the banquettes between the guns. 
 By command of Brigadier-General De Russy : 
 
 THOS. THOMPSON, 
 Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Attack on Sheridan s Supply Train near Berryville, Aug. 13, 1864. 
 Copy of the Original Order issued by Gen. Kenly, to be executed in 
 guarding trains. 
 
 ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS KEXLY S BRIGADE, 
 
 Halltawn, Va., August 12, 1864. 
 
 The brigade will march at once to escort the trains of the army to 
 Winchester, by the Berryville pike. The trains will march in the fol 
 lowing order: First, trains of the Sixth Army Corps; second, trains 
 of the Nineteenth Army Corps ; third, trains of the army of West 
 Virginia; fourth, trains of the Cavalry Corps ; fifth, trains of Kenly s 
 brigade. The troops will march, and be distributed in the following 
 order : 
 
 1. Two companies of the Third Maryland Potomac Home Brigade, 
 and the remaining companies of this regiment between every 20 wag 
 ons of the train. 
 
 2. The One hundred and forty-ninth Regiment Ohio National Guard 
 will be distributed by company between every 30 wagons, next follow 
 ing those guarded by the Third Maryland Regiment. 
 
 3. The One hundred and forty-fourth Regiment Ohio National 
 Guard will be distributed in the following manner Two companies 
 to follow the rearmost wagon as a rear guard, and the remaining com 
 panies between every 20 wagons, counting from the rearmost. 
 
APPENDIX. 431 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 Should the battery belonging to General Emory s command report 
 for duty, it will march as follows : One section in rear of the two leading 
 companies ; one section in the center of the train, in rear of a company of 
 infantry, and one section in the rear of the train, in front of the two 
 rear companies of the One hundred and forty-fourth Ohio National 
 Guard. Commanding officers of regiments, and the officer command 
 ing the battery, will personally attend to the posting and^ distribution 
 of their commands in accordance with these orders, and will give their 
 personal supervision to the safe escort of the train to Winchester. For 
 this purpose they will have entire control of the march of the train 
 under their escort, subject to the orders of the brigadier-general com 
 manding, who will be habitually at the head of the train. 
 
 It is of importance that the train should reach Winchester as 
 speedily as possible. Commanding officers will be held responsible 
 that no unnecessary delays occur. Should the train be attacked, or 
 any serious obstacle intervene to its march, regimental commanders 
 will transmit the intelligence promptly to the brigadier-general com 
 manding, and give to each other such support and assistance as may 
 be needed. 
 
 Bv command of Brigadier-General Kenly. 
 
 WILL W. PEABODY, 
 Captain and Acting (Assistant] Adjutant General. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Report vf Major \Villiani E. Beardsley, Sixth Ne-w York Cavalry. 
 
 Winchester, Va. Aug. 14, 1864 
 
 COLONEL: I have the honor to report the arrival in this place with 
 all of our brigade train, but about 8 or 10 wagons. We were attacked 
 by Mosby at daylight yesterday morning in Berryville (en route for 
 Winchester) and a disgraceful panic ensued, resulting in the entire de 
 struction of the Reserve Brigade s train and a portion of ours with 
 battery forges, etc., the running off of nearly all the mules, the capture 
 of a large number of prisoners, killing of 5 men of ours, with many 
 wounded ; among the latter is Captain McKinney, flesh wound in right 
 thigh; he is here and doing well. After emptying my pistol in ex 
 change with an officer, and being hard pressed, without a single man 
 as support,! dashed off and checked the guard (100 days men), but 
 failed to get them back until, finding Mason and one man of the old 
 Sixth with a carbine, we deployed as skirmishers, and returned 
 to the head of our train, where a party was applying the torch 
 
43 2 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 and, by the use of the one carbine, succeeded in driving off the 
 enemy and secured the paymaster s treasure-chest and trunk of pay 
 rolls, which we carried on our horses to a place of security, when I 
 succeeded in rallying- about twelve muskets, under a sergeant, who ad 
 vanced as skirmishers, when a single volley saved all our train but 8 
 wagons which were already burned. Lieutenant Allyn had charge of 
 200 head of cattle ; all missing from the rear of the train. I sent for cav 
 alry, and shortly the First Rhode Island arrived, but about 30 minutes 
 too late, the enemy having disappeared with their booty in the direc 
 tion of Snicker s Gap, and they did not pursue. I sent to this place for 
 ambulances and have the wounded here. General Kenly, command 
 ing here, sent down his teams, and our brigade train is now here 
 without teams, except 9 wagons, including your wagon and the two 
 regimental ones. Now, what shall we do ? No guard furnished us, 
 neither teams with which to proceed. Major Sawyer is here and 
 anxious to pay. His money, $112,000, is also safe. I have no hesita 
 tion in saying that with 50 good men of the Sixth New York I could 
 have repulsed the thieves. Mr. Evarts now informs me that for lack of 
 teams, he was obliged to abandon all the forage and 7 wagons and 3 
 battery forges, all in good condition, now at Berryville, which, for lack 
 of guards, cannot return for them. The infantry here are only in 
 the way. We shall remain here until we hear from you. I am my 
 self still quite sick. 
 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. E. BEARDSLEY, 
 Major Sixth New York Cavalry. 
 
 Col. THOMAS C. DEVIN, Commanding Second Brigade, First Cavalry 
 Division. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Report of Captain E. P. McKinney. 
 
 Harper s Ferry, West Va., August 16, 1864. 
 Capt. W. H. H. EMMONS, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General, Reserve Brigade, Calvary Corps. 
 SIR: I have the honor to report that on Friday, the i2th instant, 
 I started from this place with 5 days rations for 2,250 men and extra 
 stores for sales to officers, in wagons. The wagon train of this 
 brigade was composed of a few wagons carrying forage, 10 wagons 
 carrying subsistence stores, and the various regimental and head 
 quarters wagons, and was in the rear of the entire train, which 
 
APPENDIX. 433 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS ETC. 
 
 was commanded by Captain Mann, assistant quartermaster. From one 
 mile this side of Charlestown the train was accompanied by a guard ol 
 infantry, said to be a brigade. About 2 a. m. of the I3th instant the 
 rear of the train, /. e,, the wagons belonging to the brigade, after much 
 trouble, caused by the inexperience of the drivers and the newness of 
 the mules to harness, went into park with the rest of the train (infantry 
 and cavalry) at the stream this side of Berryville. It was daybreak in 
 the morning before the first part of the train had hauled out of the 
 park, and the wagons of the Second Brigade, which immediately pre 
 ceded those of this brigade, were beginning to cross the stream when 
 a few shots were fired by light howitzers from, I should think, a 
 quarter of a mile distant into the part of the train which was 
 yet in park, which were almost instantly accompanied by a small 
 number of mounted men, charging as foragers, dressed in gray 
 uniforms and carrying only revolvers, which they used with more 
 noise than precision. The charge and also the howitzer shots 
 came from the side of the road toward Snicker s Gap. The guards 
 who accompanied us, as far as I could see, threw down their arms and 
 ran away without firing a shot. The party that made the attack 
 took away all the mules and fired the wagons which they could not 
 get off, and escaped without any molestation, All the wagons of this 
 brigade were captured or destroyed, as far as I could learn, with 
 the exception of one wagon, carrying officers baggage of the 
 First U. S. Cavalry. My opinion is that a company of 50 men might 
 have saved the train without loss, if they had made a stand in 
 time. The property lost, for which I am responsible, was 5 days 
 rations for the brigade, stores destroyed for officers supplies, all the 
 quartermasters and commissary property pertaining to the sub 
 sistence department of the brigade, and all my papers and vouchers 
 of last month, and this including books, ration returns, invoices and 
 receipts, receipts for payments of commutation of rations, etc. A 
 wound received at the time the train was attacked prevented my 
 making an earlier report. 
 
 Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, 
 
 E. P. McKINNEY, 
 Captain and Commissary of Subsistence, Reserve Brigade. 
 
434 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Testimony of Capt. J. C. Mann, Quartermaster First Division Nineteenth 
 Army Corps, before the Board of Inquiry. 
 
 On receiving orders from chief quartermaster, I ordered the several 
 trains to hitch up in readiness to move. There were in the neighbor 
 hood of 525 wagons in the train to go for 
 ward. The advance left Harper s Ferry about 
 10.30 a. m., August 12, and, from some reason 
 unknown to me, the cavalry trains did not 
 follow promptly. We marched until about 
 1 1 p. m. without feeding or watering men or 
 animals, when we arrived at a small creek 
 about one mile this side of Berryville. At 
 that point Captain McGonnigle, acting chief 
 quartermaster Middle Military Division, was 
 present, and ordered the trains to be parked 
 long enough to water the animals, and make 
 coffee for the men. The Sfxth Corps train 
 parked on the right side of the road ; the 
 Nineteenth on the left; the Army of West 
 Virginia, Eighth Army Corps, on the right of 
 the Sixth Corps, I think ; the Cavalry Corps to 
 the rear of the place where the Sixth Corps 
 had parked, and partially on the same ground. 
 The train required about two and a half hours 
 to pass a given point. The Sixth Corps train 
 moved out between 12 and i a. m., leaving, 
 consequently, before the cavalry train arrived. 
 They were followed by the Nineteenth Corps 
 in regular order, and this followed by the 
 train of the Army of West Virginia. When 
 the train commenced moving General Kenly 
 gave me the following orders, in presence of 
 Captain McGonnigle, chief quartermaster : " 1 
 consider this the most dangerous point in 
 
 the route. I desire you to remain here, therefore, until every wagon 
 has passed." When the wagons of the Army of West Virginia were 
 moving out, my chief wagon-master reported to me that the cav 
 alry trains were unhooked, and feeding their stock. I immediately 
 went to those trains, roused the officers in charge, ordering them 
 to hook up their teams and start immediately, telling them we were in 
 danger of an attack. Upon passing among the trains, I discovered one 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. CASPER 
 CROWNINSHIELD. 
 
 zd Massachusetts Cavalry. 
 
 From a Photograph taken 
 
 when a Lieutenant. 
 
APPENDIX. 435 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 train that was not being hooked up, and I endeavored to find some 
 officer in charge, but without effect. I then passed through the train 
 again to find a wagon-master, but was unable to do so. It was now 
 nearly daylight, and I dismounted and woke up the drivers myself, one 
 by one, ordering them to immediately hook up their teams. I am under 
 the impression that the animals of this train were unharnessed, but I 
 am not positive. The drivers were so long in getting this train ready, 
 that the sun had fairly risen when the enemy opened fire upon us, 
 throwing 3 shells. Upon the explosion of the second shell, I reported 
 to the lieutenant-colonel commanding the rear guard for instructions. 
 At this time the train was not entirely hooked up, the lead and swing 
 mules being harnessed to their wagons, and the wheel mules in the 
 act of being hooked. Upon the explosion of the first shell, many of 
 the drivers mounted their saddle mule, which was ready saddled, and 
 fled. When I reported to the lieutenant-colonel, he was rallying his 
 men and forming them in line. I should think there were about 75 
 of them. I reported to the lieutenant-colonel that it was impossible 
 to move the train to corral it, and asked for instructions. He replied 
 he had none to give. I told him the rebel guns held the road, and if 
 he had no instructions for me, I would go around the hill and hurry 
 the balance of the train away. He said, " Very well/ By this time 
 the enemy s cavalry, clothed mostly in blue, led by a man in civilian 
 dress, wheeled into line from sets of fours and commenced firing with 
 carbines, and advancing toward the train. At this point I left the 
 train, passed around the hill, and rejoined the balance of the train be 
 yond Berryville. About three miles beyond Berryville, I met 2 squad 
 rons of cavalry going toward Berryville upon a trot. I gave them what 
 information was in my power, and hurried on with the balance of the 
 train, which I reported to General Kenly near Winchester. 
 
 I am unable to give an accurate statement of the losses, as I had no 
 report from the officer in command of the train lost, and did not again 
 visit the place of disaster. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, 
 Near Fort Buffalo, Va., August 25, 1864. 
 
 Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR, 
 
 Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General : 
 
 COLONEL: 1 have the honor to report that the party under Colonel 
 Gansevoort returned early this morning. Colonel Gansevoort ob- 
 
436 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 tained positive information that there is no force at either War- 
 renton or Culpeper; that squads of 50 and 100 men frequent 
 ly come up on the railroad and pass through Culpeper on their way 
 to join the main command in the Valley, and that a large force 
 consisting of over 10,000 infantry and cavalry, passed through 
 Warrenton about a week since. This is probably the force of which 
 you have already been informed. The usual small parties of guerrillas 
 were met with. The party captured and brought in 5 prisoners 
 (2 soldiers and 3 citizens), 40 horses, i mule, 
 horse equipments, and harness leather. A num 
 ber of rebel uniforms were found in a house near 
 Warrenton and burned. A picket-post, consist 
 ing of a corporal and 3 men (near this camp) of 
 the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, was attacked 
 at 2 a. m. to-day by a party of mounted rebels ; 4 
 horses and 2 men were taken ; i man badly 
 wounded and the corporal escaped. Augustus 
 Klock, a citizen living near Falls Church, was 
 arrested by Mosby yesterday near Vienna, and 
 was released this morning. He states that Mosby 
 j. R. BEAL CO. D on releasing him told him to inform me that he 
 (Mosby) had sent Major W. H. Forbes and Captain 
 
 Manning, Second Massachusetts Cavalry, to the penitentiary, in retalia 
 tion for the confinement of Jack Barnes and Phil Trammell, two of 
 Mosby s men. Both were tried by a court-martial in Washington and 
 sentenced to the Albany penitentiary. Barnes, I believe, was tried for 
 violation of the oath of allegiance and stealing horses ; Trammell for 
 being a guerrilla. It has been ascertained quite positively that the 
 person alluded to by you in your communication of August 24, as in the 
 habit of visiting a female in the vicinity of Vienna is not an officer, but 
 a non-commissioned officer of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, who 
 was yesterday relieved and ordered to rejoin his regiment. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 H. M. LAZELLE, 
 Col. Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade. 
 
 P. S. I forgot to state that Colonel Gansevoort brings information 
 that the rebels obtain their supplies by the way of Thornton s Gap 
 and Sperryville. The Warrenton route is used but little. 
 
APPENDIX. 437 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 XXXIII. 
 
 April 8-10, 1865. Scout from Vienna into Loudoun County, Va. Report 
 of Col. Nelson B. Sweitzer, Sixteenth N. Y. Cavalry. 
 
 HDQRS. SIXTEENTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, 
 
 Vienna, Va., April n, 1865. 
 
 CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report that agreeable to orders No. 
 71, headquarters First Separate Brigade, I proceeded with 412 men, 
 by roads on the right of the Little River turnpike, and on reaching 
 Aldie sent a squadron into the town. Here I learned that the Eighth 
 Illinois had passed in the direction of Middleburg. I also learned that 
 Mosby had been quartered near Harmony with his men in the neigh 
 borhood, for some time. Crossing the Bull Run mountains about 
 three miles north of Aldie, I proceeded toward Snickersville and 
 turned toward Harmony. I did not see any guerrillas until near Aldie, 
 where several shots were exchanged; between Aldie and Harmony 
 several charged by my flankers and one rebel shot. Reaching Har 
 mony I found that Mosby had left two days before with all his men 
 quartered in that vicinity, to rendezvous at Upperville, for a raid sup 
 posed to be on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. I found that the 
 men conscripted lately by Mosby had left, and that his band is be 
 coming very obnoxious to the citizens ; that the recent victories ot 
 our armies were creating an active, outspoken Union sentiment. The 
 desire is for peace with coffee, sugar, etc. Returning by Leesburg, I 
 found the citizens quite sociable the formerly cold and distant seces 
 sion element quite anxious that we would accept some token of their 
 hospitality, and the Union men, formerly whispering, now quite in 
 dependent. I think the political health of this department is rapidly 
 improving. 
 
 A great deal of rain having fallen during the scout, I found Goose 
 Creek flooded. I, however, succeeded in crossing the command with 
 out loss, though a number were carried past the ford by the current. 
 My men brought me quite a number of prisoners, but I could find 
 nothing to justify me in retaining them having no arms, and not 
 having been taken in any hostile act. The race of guerrillas is rapidly 
 returning to their former pursuits, the hatred of the Yankee invader 
 not being such now as to incite a population to arms and individual 
 desperation. I had no loss in my command. 
 Very respectfullv, 
 
 N. B. SWEITZER, 
 
 Col. Sixteenth N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, Comdg. Regiment. 
 Capt. C. I. WICKERSHAM, A. A. G. 
 
438 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 April 8-10, 1865. Scout from Fairfax C. H. into Loudoun County, Va. 
 Report of Lieut. Col. David R. Clendenin, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 
 
 Fairfax C. H. April 11, 1865. 
 
 SIR: In compliance with instructions from Brevet-Brigadier- 
 General Wm. Gamble, I left this place on the evening of the 8th, with 
 400 men of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, for the purpose of scouring 
 Loudoun Valley, south of the Snickersville pike, in search of Mosby s 
 command. Marching at night, I arrived in the Valley about i a. m., 
 half my force passing through Cool Spring Gap, and the other half 
 through the gap at Aldie. 
 
 Spreading over the country, the houses were searched for concealed 
 soldiers, but not one was found. One half went three miles north of 
 Goose Creek on the Snickersville pike, and the whole force concen 
 trated near Middleburg at daylight. The only intelligence thus far 
 obtained was that Mosby had concentrated his forces at Upperville on 
 the 8th and moved away. 
 
 Arriving at Upperville, I learned that Mosby had been there the 
 day previous, as reported, with considerable force, variously estimated, 
 ranging from 400 to 900 men. From the best information I could 
 obtain, one company was sent to Maryland for the purpose of robbing 
 a bank ; another company under Bush. Underwood, was sent down to 
 operate on this line ; Mosby, with the balance of his command, crossed 
 over into the Shenandoah Valley to operate against Hancock s forces. 
 
 On the 6th, 40 Federal prisoners passed through Upperville, having 
 been taken by Mosby s Men, near Harper s Ferry. These prisoners 
 were reported to belong to the Loudoun Rangers. 
 
 From Upperville I moved in 3 columns, scouring the country, and 
 encamped between Rectortown and White Plains, from which place I 
 marched to camp yesterday. 
 
 During the whole trip not over 15 rebels were seen by the entire 
 command, two of them being captured near Sudley s Mills, and they 
 belonged to White s Battalion ; about half a dozen more were seen in 
 that vicinity. I brought in 22 horses, 17 of them U. S. horses; they 
 were found in the woods principally 9 were found in one place, 7 of 
 them being branded. Two were found near Broad Run, with old U. S. 
 saddles on, bridles tied up, etc. They belonged to the two men after 
 wards captured, who had in the meantime provided other horses. 
 
 Twenty-two horses, 4 saddles, 3 revolvers and holsters and 2 belts, 
 comprise the captured property. They are subject to your order. 
 
 D. R. CLENDENIN, Lieut. -Col., Comdg. 
 
 Capt. C. I. WlCKERSHAM. 
 
APPENDIX. 439 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Reports on Affair at Harmony. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 March 22, 1865. 
 Gen. C. C. AUGUR, Commanding Dept. Washington : 
 
 The regiment of infantry and cavalry under Colonel Reno found 
 Mosby near Harmony, with about 500 men, and had a skirmish, in 
 which we lost about 20. Some of the rebel wounded, including two 
 officers, fell into our hands and Mosby fell back to Upperville, where 
 it is reported he has collected considerable stores. 
 
 The river is still high, and Mosby must go down toward White 
 Plains or disperse, as Reno will follow him as far as Ashby s Gap, at 
 least. He has collected quite a large force for a raid, some of our 
 informants putting it as high as 700, including White s battalion, but 
 500 is thought a large number. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, Bvt. Brig.-Gen., etc. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPT. WASHINGTON, 
 TWENTY-SECOND ARMY CORPS, 
 Washington, D. C., March 22, 1865. 
 Colonel GAMBLE, Commanding Fairfax Court House : 
 
 The force sent out by General Hancock had a fight yesterday with 
 a party of rebels, about 500 strong. I wish you to send out about 500 
 men to-morrow to the vicinity of Upperville, where General Hancock s 
 party has gone. Let your party look out for them and not mistake 
 them for rebels or rebels for them. The expedition to Northern Neck 
 is abandoned for the present. Colonel Sweitzer will be out in the 
 morning train. 
 
 C. C. AUGUR, Major-General Commanding. 
 
 Harper s Ferry, W. Va., March 22, 1865. 
 Brigadier-General MORGAN, Chief of Staff : 
 
 Just received the following despatch for the Major-General Com 
 manding, from Colonel Reno : 
 
 Near Harmony, Va., March 22, 1865. 
 
 GENERAL: I have the honor to state that I arrived at this place 
 last evening and had a slight skirmish with the enemy, resulting 
 in the following casualties to them : 2 captains wounded, 2 privates 
 
44 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 killed, and 2 wounded; all fell into our hands. I have not found 
 many supplies yet, but have burned those I have found. I am in 
 formed there are large stores at Middleburg, Upperville and Paris, 
 which places I expect soon to reach. 
 
 M. A. RENO, Colonel Commanding. 
 
 Eleven of our wounded (slight) have arrived ; i rebel captain 
 wounded ; 4 seriously wounded of ours left near the field. We had i 
 officer killed. Our total loss reported by wounded officer of Reno s 
 command, 20. 
 
 The enemy were commanded by Mosby in person and were about 
 500 strong. They fell back toward Upperville. This information is 
 derived from our wounded officer. 
 Respectfully, 
 
 J. D. STEVENSON, Brig.-Gen. Commanding. 
 
 Fairfax Court House, Va., March 24, 1865. 
 Lieut. -Col. TAYLOR, Chief of Staff, etc: 
 
 1 have just returned with detachment of the Eighth Illinois 
 Cavalry after a march of 60 miles in two days. I connected with the 
 command of Colonel Reno yesterday at 6 p. m., at Mountville, on the 
 Snickersville Pike. Colonel Reno, with his command, 300 cavalry and 
 700 infantry, started at 8 a. m., on his return through Snicker s Gap, 
 stating that he had a sufficient force to cope with all that Mosby 
 could bring against him. A detailed report will be forwarded to 
 morrow. W. GAMBLE, Colonel Commanding Brigade. 
 
 Harper s Ferry, I a., March 25. 1865. 
 General MORGAN, Chief of Staff : 
 
 Just received the following from Colonel Reno for you : 
 
 Purcellville, Loudoun Cour.ty, Va., March 25, 1865., 
 GENERAL : I arrived at this point last night and will be in camp 
 with my command to-night or to-morrow. I shall delay here for 
 some time to pick up some wounded men of mine. I have destroyed a 
 good deal of corn and some of Mosby s men. Will report details on 
 my return. M. A. RENO, Colonel Commanding. 
 
 The Loudoun County Rangers brought in this dispatch. Did the 
 General design this command to report back to me on return of the 
 expedition? JOHN D. STEVENSON, Brigadier-General. 
 
 Winchester, Va., March 22, 1865. 
 
 Maj.-Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff : 
 
 1 sent an expedition into Loudoun composed of one regiment of 
 
APPENDIX. 441 
 
 FEDERAL REPORTS, ETC. 
 
 infantry of the First Veteran Corps, and about 500 cavalry, all under 
 Colonel Reno. Last night, near Harmony, he encountered Mosby, who 
 had about 500 men, and had a slight skirmish, losing about 20 men. The 
 enemy s dead and wounded fell into our hands and Reno moved on to 
 Upperville and Middleburg, where it is reported considerable stores 
 are collected. 
 
 W. S. HANCOCK, Major-General Commanding. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, 
 
 Stephenson s Depot, March 28, 1865. 
 Brigadier-General MORGAN, Chief of Staff : 
 
 Captain Inwood, just returned, reports guerrilla band of 26, under 
 a Lieutenant Russell. Tracked them to Bunker Hill anc Srmthneld, 
 thence in the direction of Charlestown. They were recognized by 
 citizens as men from Jefferson County, part of Mosby s original gang 
 but now under command of Ross, who is said to have 500 of these 
 robbers, divided up into small parties. At Bunker Hill they robbed 
 the post-office, and committed many other robberies along the line of 
 march. W. H. EMORY, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Comdg. 
 
 HDQRS. MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, 
 
 March 28, 1865. 
 General TORBERT : 
 
 A party of guerrillas, estimated at about 50, attacked the wood 
 party near Stephenson s this p. m., wounding several men, but were 
 driven off. They retreated toward Smithrleld. The general desires an 
 energetic pursuit or attempt to recapture some of them by the party 
 sent out. Colonel Reno will send out a party from his camp toward 
 Smithfield and Bunker Hill. 
 
 C. H. MORGAN, Bvt. Brig. Gen. 
 
44 2 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Copy of Letter Inclosing Captain Flint s Picture to James E. Taylor. 
 
 Craftsbury, Vt.,Jan. 15, 1894. 
 Comrade JAMES E. TAYLOR : 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Your communication to Commander of Flint Post was re 
 ceived, requesting a photograph of Captain H. C. Flint. I am Senior 
 Vice in our Post and have a photo, of our Captain, which I will send 
 you, trusting that you will return the same. I was a member of Cap 
 tain Flint s Company, and was in the First Vermont Cavalry three 
 years. Was not in the fight where our Captain was killed, which we 
 always called the fight at Broad Run. I was with the detachment at 
 Dranesville at that time, but was sent to Washington with a despatch 
 the night before that fight took place. 
 
 I know a few things about " Mosby s Men," as I carried despatches 
 from our Brigade Headquarters. I used to be sent up and down the 
 Valley and across the Mountains, through Snicker s, Ashby s and 
 Thoroughfare Gaps, and " Mosby s Men " were our eternal torment. 
 
 We have a man in our post who had a bullet put straight through 
 his lung at the Broad Run fight ; he was left to die at Miskell s, but 
 he did not die, but is alive to-day. 
 
 I would like to have Mosby or some of his men write up the little 
 engagement near Bealeton Station, where he fired the railroad train, 
 and we chased him into the mountain and captured his little brass 
 gun, and drove them till they did not have two men together. 
 
 And another in Throughfare Gap, where they fired on us from the 
 rocks each side of the road. 
 
 And another where twenty of us went from Fisher s Hill to Har- 
 pers s Ferry, as ambulance guard with a wounded General, and they 
 pitched into us after we had got almost to Bolivar Heights. 
 
 Pardon me, but all of these things come to my mind when I think 
 about Mosby. 
 
 Our gallant Captain Flint died, as you perhaps know, with six 
 bullets shot through him, which shows that they meant him, anyway. 
 
 I am no lover of Colonel Mosby or his way of fighting, and can see 
 but little honor in bushwhacking, but am willing to send you the 
 photo, and our Post will be glad of the design, if you will please send 
 it at your convenience. 
 
 Yours in F., C. and Sc., 
 
 A.E. COWLES, 
 Flint Post No. I 5, Craftsbury, Vt. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 443 
 
 A Modern Rob Roy. 
 
 [Editorial from the New Yo.k Herald, November 27, 1863.] 
 
 In another column will be found a letter which will have a novel in 
 terest for our readers, having been penned in the saddle en route for 
 Richmond, by one of the Herald correspondents recently captured by 
 the guerrilla chief, Major Mosby. It was written by the latter s per 
 mission and forwarded to us by his "special express." What that is 
 we are left in ignorance of, but that it does not keep pace with the 
 rapidity of the Major s other movements may be seen by the date, 
 which is November i. Our correspondent speaks in the highest 
 terms of the treatment which he and his companion received from 
 their captor, who, like his famous Scotch prototype of the Scottish 
 Border, can, it appears, be very much the gentleman when he chooses. 
 He did all he could to make them comfortable, and they seem to have 
 had a capital time with him, all things considered. The only property 
 belonging to them that he appropriated were the animals that they 
 rode " those gay Herald horses " as he styled them. He promised 
 them others, however, in their stead, which for a guerrilla was, we 
 consider, behaving very handsomely. The Major has evidently a high 
 opinion of our judgment in horseflesh and thinks he is paying us a 
 compliment in adding to his stud these specimens. We trust that his 
 fancy for the /fer#/</ breed will stop there, as it is rather a heavy item 
 of expenditure to our establishment, these latest captures making 
 nearly a dozen animals that have already been taken from us. 
 
 Our Captured Correspondents. 
 
 Letters from them Written en route to Richmond. Importance of Mosby s Raids 
 to the Rebels. His Fancy for Horses from the Herald Stud, etc. 
 
 We have received the following from Mr. George H. Hart, one of 
 our correspondents, who was recently captured by the guerrilla chief, 
 Mosby, in Virginia. It was accompanied by a private letter from 
 another of our correspondents, who happened to be with Mr. Hart at 
 the time and who, of course, also fell into the hands of the rebels. 1 
 
 HEADQUARTERS IN THE SADDLE, 
 EN ROUTE TO RICHMOND UNDER MOSBY S ESCORT, 
 
 White Plains, Va.,Nov. I, 1863. 
 
 Early in the morning Major Mosby, accompanied by several of his 
 men, suddenly made his appearance at the house of Mr. McCormick, 
 
 1 See mention of capture, Chapter V., page 104. 
 
444 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 in the town of Auburn. Quietly reposing and totally unconcious of 
 danger, were two of your correspondents in the house alluded to. 
 
 One of them was your humble servant, myself, the other name I 
 omit at his request, on his family s account. 
 
 The first intimation we received of the presence oft his formidable 
 and almost mythical individual, the mysterious and ubiquitous Mosby, 
 was the scream of the ladies which apprized us of the fact. Shortly 
 after we were summoned to open the door, which we reluctantly 
 obeyed, and found two gentlemen courteonsly tendering us the contents 
 of two revolvers if we did not surrender. To resist was out of the 
 question, the odds being too great, as the house was surrounded and 
 the only weapon in the party being a small pocket pistol. To escape 
 was likewise impracticable, not to speak of the uncertainty of the at 
 tempt. So the only remaining alternative was accepted and we sur 
 rendered. 
 
 The ladies implored and entreated in our behalf, but Mosby was 
 unrelenting, and finding their efforts abortive, the ladies threatened 
 them with General Lee s displeasure, as we acted in the capacity of 
 protectors to the domicile, but all to no avail, and we inarched off in 
 triumph I mean to Mosby s triumph on our own horses, or I should 
 have said those belonging to the Herald, then in our possession. We 
 rode along leisurely, Major Mosby opening the conversation, which 
 soon became highly interesting. We soon discovered that the Major 
 was a very different personage from what he is described. 
 
 In his address and demeanor he is a perfect gentleman, and his re 
 lations with ourselves was highly courteous. He is about twenty- 
 eight years of age, of prepossessing appearance and certainly the re 
 verse of the picture drawn of him in the newspapers generally. He 
 wears the uniform of a Major in the regular rebel service. By pro 
 fession he is a lawyer, and with a considerable share of native shrewd 
 ness combines the acquired tact of the professional attorney. In his 
 movements he displays great energy and as an evidence of his powers 
 of endurance accompanies his men on all their expeditions. On this 
 occasion the object of his visit to Auburn was to make a reconnois- 
 sance, as he frequently does prior to the period he contemplates mak 
 ing a strike. I understand that General Lee was supplied with the 
 information by Major Mosby which induced him to make his last ad 
 vance, and his movements for acquiring knowledge of the movements 
 of the Union army at any time are perfect. 
 
 As an instance : When the pontoon bridges were in transit to Gen 
 eral Meade s army some two or three weeks since, Mosby had con 
 veyed information of the fact to General Stuart before the bridges 
 reached the army. Hence his services are almost invaluable. 
 
 Originally, with a force of sixty or seventy, he has increased it to 
 some two hundred or three hundred men, and with these he annoys 
 our army, which he assails in all positions, and by his frequent cap- 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 445 
 
 
 tures of valuable and necessary supplies, has rendered himself a person 
 of considerable importance to the rebels. He sent to General Stuart 
 some few days since, one hundred and three mules captured from the 
 Union army, and for 
 which the Quarter 
 master paid him in 
 rebel funds, $300 per 
 head. 
 
 Mosby s men, such 
 as I have seen, are 
 intelligent beyond the 
 average, and seem to 
 revere their leader, 
 who, to use their own 
 words, can wear out 
 any four of them by 
 his labors. 
 
 My fellow-prisoner 
 and myself have 
 naught to complain 
 of, save an unceremo- 
 n i o u s disturbance 
 from a sound sleep 
 and a warm bed at a 
 disagreeably early 
 hour in the morning, 
 and a cold ride of 
 some eighteen miles. 
 T o counterbalance 
 this, we have the ap 
 parent prospect of a 
 winter residence at 
 one of the most fash- JAMES j. WILLIAMSON, co. A. 
 
 ionable Cities of the From a recent Photograph. 
 
 South fair Rich 
 mond a privilege certainly denied to many eager thousands of the 
 Union army. We are told that the Hotel de Libby, in its capacity, 
 number of guests, and extent of reputation, exceeds any hotel in 
 Richmond, and, it is added, that rooms there are prepared for us in ad 
 vance. What distinguished attention from entire strangers! Who, after 
 this, can doubt Major Mosby s courtesy? 
 
 Nothing of interest transpired on the road from Auburn to White 
 Plains, which, to use a bull, was not the road, but the fields and the 
 woods. Arriving at this point, the Major invited us into the residence 
 of a gentleman residing in the vicinity, to whom we were formally in 
 troduced, and afterwards invited to partake of a warm and bountiful 
 
44-6 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 breakfast, which we cordially accepted and did ample justice to. The 
 breakfast was rendered more agreeable by the presence of four very 
 agreeable ladies. After breakfast, we smoked a cigar tendered us by 
 our host and, through the further courtesy of Major Mosby, I now 
 write these particulars and forward them by his special express. 
 
 For his very marked attention, if we do not feel grateful, we feel at 
 least complimented, and bid him here accept our thanks for the many 
 kind courtesies which have so far succeeded in their intent as to make 
 us feel his companions, and not as his prisoners. 
 
 I am in hopes in my next to be able to despatch you the latest 
 news from Stuart s headquarters, which, if it be not important, will 
 certainly have a claim to one merit novelty. 
 
 A Federal Scouting Party Hunting for Mosby. 
 
 Stevenson, in his History of the First New York Cavalry, thus de 
 scribes the adventures of a Federal scout through " Mosby s Con 
 federacy " hunting for Mosby : 
 
 On the 8th of June, Mosby s guerrillas captured our wagon train 
 on its way to Winchester with provisions; taking 12 mules with the 
 harness and leaving the wagons and their contents in the road 
 untouched. They had evidently been frightened off by the approach 
 of some of our men. The guard, consisting of about 20 infantry, was 
 captured, however, and carried off with their mules. 
 
 On the roth, Captains Boyd and Bailey were ordered out with IOD 
 men to go through " Mosby s Confederacy," on account of the capture 
 of our train. They knew very well that they couldn t capture any 
 of the guerrillas in the daylight, so they made up their minds to 
 try it by night. They crossed the river and the mountains early 
 in the evening and commenced their search for "game" about mid 
 night. 
 
 They would noiselessly surround a house, knock at the door, 
 when a female head with nightcap on would peep out to inquire what 
 was wanted. In some cases they had to threaten to break 
 the door or burn the house in order to effect an entrance, while 
 in other cases they were admitted at once. When delayed they 
 always knew there was game inside, but they couldn t always find it, 
 as the " Johnnies " had secret hiding places in the houses which they 
 frequented. 
 
 1 u Boots and Saddles." A History of the First Volunteer Cavalry of the War, Known as the 
 First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, and also as the Sabre Regiment. Its Organization, Cam 
 paigns and Battles. By James H. Stevenson, Captain and Brevet Major, U. S. V., A. A. G. 
 Illustrated. Harrisburg, Pa., Patriot Publishing Co., 1879. 
 
APPENDIX. 447 
 
 They had taken quite a number of prisoners, but had not yet 
 reached Mosby s headquarters, which were said ta be in the house of 
 a Mr. Hathaway. Som3 of the prisoners had escaped in the darkness, 
 and fearing they might carry the alarm to their chief, Bailey set 
 out with a few of the best men and horses in the party to try 
 and effect the capture of so noted a personage. No doubt he 
 was thinking of the flaming ne.vspapar articles in which his name 
 should appear conspicuously as the capturer of Mosby, and it may be 
 that he had one eye upon promotion. 
 
 After a short ride of a mile or so, they came upon the house they 
 were seeking and quickly surrounded it. Bailey dismounted, ac 
 companied by one or two of his men, and knocked at the door, but no 
 response. He then struck the door sharply with the butt of his 
 revolver and the window was heard to go up. 
 
 "What s the matter? " said a shrill female voice from the window ; 
 evidently very much annoyed at being aroused at such an hour 
 of the night. 
 
 "Open this door quickly," said Bailey, "or we ll burst it open." 
 
 " Who are you ? " was the reply. 
 
 " Never mind who we are, but come down and let us in." 
 
 The head was withdrawn, and in a few seconds the door was opened 
 by Mr. Hathaway. On entering, Bailey inquired for Mosby s room 
 and not being answered immediately, he took a light and went 
 to look at it. 
 
 The first room he entered was Mosby s but the bird had flown, 
 leaving his mate to keep the nest warm. It was an awkward matter to 
 search the room, but it had to be done, and Mrs. Mosby offered no ob 
 jections. Nothing could be found except a pair of spurs, giving 
 no clew to Mosby s whereabouts, however, and the party was very 
 much disappointed. 
 
 It appears that Mosby had been in the house, but had got out of a 
 window into the branches of a tree, from which he was quietly watch 
 ing the party, and in the darkness he was not discovered. They got 
 his fine sorrel mare, besides about 25 other very fine horses belong 
 ing to his officers and men. I afterwards owned one of these, which had 
 belonged to a Lieutenant Beattie. Sergeant Fokey of Company D 
 owned the Mosby mare, and christened her " Lady Mosby." She was 
 a beauty, and very fast. 
 
448 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 MOSBY AND HIS MEN. 
 
 Much of the bitterness shown and expressed towards Mosby dur 
 ing the war was due to his success in his daring enterprises, or to 
 a desire for revenge by those who could not defeat him in actual 
 warfare or whose plans miscarried through his efforts. 
 
 Dr. Hepworth, in reviewing "Mosby s Rangers" in the New York 
 Herald, said: 
 
 "During the war no name evoked more terror or called for more 
 curses than that of Mosby. He and his rangers were about as 
 thoroughly hated and feared as any men could well be. We were 
 taught at the time that he and they were the very incarnation of 
 diabolism, that they killed just for the fun of killing, that they in 
 augurated a carnival of crime, and we rang the changes on their 
 
 murderous deeds until we are 
 all horror struck. The simple 
 truth is that they were a set of 
 daredevils with a daredevil for 
 leader, but they were by no 
 means as bad as they were 
 painted. 5 
 
 It was this daredevil reputa 
 tion which Mosby and his men 
 had acquired, combined with the 
 boldness and audacity of their 
 acts, that often insured success. 
 When we met men with the 
 same amount of pluck men like 
 Ferris and Blazer we not only 
 received a check at times, but 
 sometimes got worsted. 
 
 The best evidence of Mos 
 by s skill and efficiency is shown 
 by his remarkable career. Start 
 ing out as a solitary scout, he next appears at the head of a small 
 squad of detailed men, then the dashing leader of a body of cavalry 
 who not only annoyed and harassed but often crippled and embar 
 rassed the movements of the Federal commanders, and by his 
 capacity to devise and his ability to execute won for himself success 
 and gained the confidence of his superiors, who eventually intrusted 
 him with the guardianship of the whole section of country from the 
 Rappahannock to the Blue Ridge, and also the Valley. 
 
 His activity and untiring energy seemed really wonderful. After 
 marching all day he would sometimes order a halt to rest the men 
 and horses, while he would start off with one or two men, go over 
 the field of his intended enterprise and, coming back, throw himself 
 
 LIEUT. FOUNTAIN BEATTIE, CO. E. 
 
 From photograph taken 1895 
 
APPENDIX. 449 
 
 on the ground for an hour s sleep, and then off to attack or surprise 
 a Federal camp or post. 
 
 To speak of Mosby in disparaging terms because he was a partisan 
 is to asperse the fair fame of Marion, Lee, Snmter and those daring 
 leaders whose brilliant achievements are dwelt on with pride in 
 recounting the glorious deeds of our illustrious heroes of the War 
 of the Revolution. 
 
 Before commencing this article I thought to devote it entirely to 
 "Mosby," but when I started to write, found I had to change the 
 title to "Mosby and His Men" I found it was impossible to separate 
 Mosby from his men "My Men" as he still fondly calls them. It 
 was "My Men" in the dark days of the war. It was "My Men" when 
 he penned his letter to General Lee, saying the enemy captured six of 
 "My Men" near Front Royal; these were immediately hung by order 
 and in the presence of General Custer. And so it was in his letter 
 to Sheridan, notifying him that an equal number of Custer and 
 Powell s command had been executed in retaliation for "My Men" 
 hung and shot in Front Royal. At the time of the surrender he 
 advised "My Men" to accept the terms of parole, while he himself 
 went forth a wanderer, with a price set on his head. And after he 
 bade them farewell at Salem, some of "My Men" clung to their old 
 leader, unwilling to leave him content to cast their fortunes in the 
 same mold and let chance shape their futures. A faithful few still 
 followed him South. 
 
 So it was when I last saw him his mind, his memory and his 
 talk would always revert to the old theme, and in words which showed 
 plainly by their expression that they came from the heart "My Men" 
 stood in the foreground of every picture. 
 
 Col. Chapman s Account of the Killing of the Picket, Mentioned on 
 Page 213, and Events Following. 
 
 Having been the actor in that adventure and the man who killed 
 the picket in question, I will give a full account of how it occurred. 
 
 It was desirable for the success of our operations within the 
 Federal lines that this outpost should be captured, and I had under 
 taken 1 in person to perform the duty. It was my purpose to capture, 
 not to kill, the picket. To attain this object I dispatched a man to 
 approach the picket from the rear and make the capture, whilst I 
 from the front should engage his attention. This plan was frus 
 trated by the tardy movement of this man. As I approached from 
 the front I found that the soldier was on his guard. Finding that my 
 man did not come to take him in the rear, I was compelled to 
 demand his surrender, which he refused. The question then was 
 which of us should be killed. We both fired and the result was the 
 death of the picket. As the occurrence did not take place in sight of 
 any Federal soldiers the inference was drawn when the man was 
 found that he had been bushwhacked. 
 
450 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The picket was killed near Mrs. Sowers house in the early part 
 of the night of August 19, 1864, and the fight took place at Colonel 
 Morgan s house about 2 p. m. the following day. I had with me 
 portions of companies C, D and E. They were in the woods not far 
 from Mrs. Sowers house. After the killing of the picket, I moved 
 my men to a body of woods near Castleman s Ferry, on the north 
 side of the turnpike. Soon after daylight I went with John Heffle- 
 bower and G. S. Lofland in the direction of Custer s camp, which was 
 not far from Berryville. On approaching Hefflebower s father s 
 house, in plain view of Custer s camp, I left Hefflebower and Lofland 
 about 100 yards from the house in a lane, and rode up to the house 
 alone. Mr. Hefflebower, Sr., met me at the gate. I had observed 
 
 two cavalrymen approaching 
 the house on the side oppo 
 site to the camp. I engaged 
 Mr. Hefflebower in conversa 
 tion, and while talking the 
 two cavalrymen rode up in 
 front of me. I had my pistol 
 under my thigh in front of 
 me. I had on at this time 
 an old oilcloth, which pro 
 tected me from the drizzling 
 rain and concealed my uni 
 form. I demanded their sur- 
 y v render, at the same time pre 
 
 senting my pistol, and both 
 
 mjjP** to * surrendered. A few minutes 
 
 before this I had observed 
 a single cavalryman coming 
 directly from the camp 
 towards the house. I opened 
 the gate leading into the 
 
 S. B. BISPHAM, CO. D. 
 From a war-time picture. 
 
 lane where my two comrades 
 were standing, and directed the two prisoners to pass into it. They 
 were immediately met by young Hefflebower and Lofland. I then 
 turned to capture the single horseman whom I had seen approaching. 
 Not observing that I was a Confederate soldier, he dismounted from 
 his horse, threw the reins over a post to the yard fence and walked 
 up to the porch where Mrs. Hefflebower was standing. I dis 
 mounted and walked up to his side. He turned as I approached and 
 extended a plug of tobacco, asking me if it was not a good article 
 of tobacco. I told him I expected it was, but I wanted him to go 
 with me. He replied "That is all right, but I want to get some 
 tobacco for the boys first." I told him I had no time to wait 
 for that, and reached for his pistol and took it from the holster. 
 His expression showed great surprise and he exclaimed, "The devil 
 you say." He told me afterwards he thought I was one of the 
 
APPENDIX. 451 
 
 provost guard gathering up those who were straggling from the 
 camp, and as he had permission to leave camp he was not concerned 
 about my demands on him until I took his pistol. 
 
 In making my way back to where I had left my command I came 
 in full view of Col. Ware s house, which at that time was surrounded 
 by Federal cavalry. I continued riding towards them until I came 
 to the road leading from Castleman s Ferry turnpike to Harper s 
 Ferry, then turned as if going to Harper s Ferry. The soldiers 
 around Col. Ware s house called to us in a loud tone to hold up. I 
 pretended not to hear them and, seeing they were preparing to follow 
 us, we sprang into a gallop and outran them. We kept on until we 
 rejoined my men in the woods near the Ferry. I had been there but 
 a short time when I went out on the turnpike in front of us, and 
 looking in the direction of Berryville saw smoke and flames bursting 
 from the house of Mr. McCormick. With two or three men I gal 
 loped up to the house and found Mr. and Mrs. McCormick in the 
 yard in much distress, and learned from McCormick that his house 
 had been fired by the Federal soldiers by order of Gen. Custer, who 
 had given an order to burn the houses of five prominent citizens 
 because of the killing of a picket the night before. He informed me 
 that they had gone over to burn Col. Morgan s house. I learned 
 afterwards that this was the same party we had encountered at Col. 
 Ware s house. I directed one of the men with me, James A. Flint, of 
 Culpeper, to gallop back to where I had left my men and tell Capt. 
 Sam Chapman to bring the men on to Col. Morgan s, where the Yan 
 kees had gone to burn his house. The men were brought up very 
 hurriedly, and I met them just before reaching the house of Mrs. 
 Sowers, which was then in flames both the house and barn. The 
 ladies and children were in the yard, crying. When they recognized 
 us they cried out, "We are rebels still .if we are burned out of house 
 and home," and pointed to the Federal soldiers then around Col. 
 Morgan s house. We kept on at a brisk pace, believing that we could 
 get nearer to them before they discovered who we were than if we 
 traveled more rapidly. They saw us coming for some distance and 
 evidently suspected who we were, as they drew up in line of battle to 
 meet us. I gave the order to charge after getting within 100 yards of 
 them. They held their fire until we were within 40 yards of them, 
 and fortunately for us not a shot took effect. We struck their column 
 about the center and threw them into confusion, and they fled in the 
 direction of their camp. We pursued them almost to their camp. 
 Not a single man in my command was wounded. 
 W. H. CHAPMAN, 
 
 Formerly Lieut.-Col. Mosby s Command. 
 
452 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Avenged by General Mosby. 
 
 Retaliation of the Guerrilla for the Hanging of his Men. Charles Marvin tells His Story. H< 
 
 was one of the Condemned, but Escaped after he had seen all his Companions 
 
 Hanged or Shot. An Untold Chapter of War History. 
 
 [From the Washington Post, September 6, 1891. J 
 
 Chas. E. Marvin was Acting Quartermaster s Sergeant in the Second 
 New York Cavalry, " Harris Light." The following is his story of his 
 capture and escape : 
 
 About 5 o clock on the evening of the 6th of November while we 
 lay in camp near Cedar Creek, we heard a shot or two, and supposed, 
 as was frequently the case, our pickets had been driven in. A few 
 moments afterwards the bugle sounded " to horse," and supposing we 
 were going to have a skirmish, I mounted my horse and joined the 
 command. Instead of going toward the front, we started to the rear, 
 and when a short distance from Newtown we bivouacked for the night. 
 The weather was very cold and the wind blew hard, still we were com 
 pelled to stand in line all night and to build fires out of such boards 
 and rubbish as we could find close at hand. Wood was not to be had, 
 and Colonel Pennington, our commanding officer, being comfortably 
 situated, gave himself no uneasiness. 
 
 In the morning we received orders to mount, and proceeded 
 eastward, toward the Shenandoah River. We had gone but a 
 short distance when I spoke to the officer commanding our regiment, 
 and told him my horse had cast a shoe, and as I saw no prospect of 
 there being anything to do but take a long march, with his permission 
 I would return to camp and draw rations. Permission was given me, 
 when one of the men of my old company, named James Bennett, a 
 soldier of ability and as brave a boy as there was in the regiment, seeing 
 me start back, got permission from his captain to accompany me, his 
 horse being also badly used up. 
 
 We had passed through Newtown and the infantry pickets just at 
 the outskirts of the town, and had gone but a short distance, when a 
 party of Mosby s Men, wearing our overcoats, black hats and top 
 bcots, completely concealing their uniforms, rode up behind us, as if 
 
APPENDIX. 453 
 
 they, too, had just passed the pickets, but there was an elevation 
 between us so that the pickets could not see us. 
 
 They said : "Good morning!" 
 
 I replied: "Good morning, boys." 
 
 They asked : " What regiment do you belong to ?" 
 
 I replied : " Second New York cavalry, the Harris Light. What 
 regiment is yours ? " 
 
 They replied : "The Nineteenth Pennsylvania," and with that they 
 had gotten alongside of us, and two of them threw their horses right 
 square across the road in front of us, and put their revolvers, which were 
 lying in front of them on their saddles, in the faces of Bennett and me, 
 at the same time demanding our surrender. There were only two of 
 them. The man who had his revolver pointed at me showed shoot in 
 every wrinkle of his face, and he was too far from me to even make an 
 attempt to strike the pistol from his hand. He was finely mounted, 
 and I discovered at a glance (a man s mind discovers a great deal un 
 der such circumstances) that my comrade, Bennett, was in the Same 
 position as myself. I simply remarked to my captor that it was a re 
 markably cool proceeding for even this cool weather, and he replied : 
 
 " Give me that revolver, or you will be a good deal cooler in a very 
 short time." 
 
 My impulse was to draw my revolver, feeling that could I get it 
 from my holster, which was in the middle of my back, I would, at least 
 so far as shooting was concerned, have an equal chance with him. 
 But he stopped me before my hand could reach the revolver with an 
 admonition not to touch it, but to unbuckle my belt, which I did. He 
 then asked for my carbine, which was a Spencer, loaded with seven 
 balls, and was hanging to my saddle. My impulse at that mo 
 ment was to raise the muzzle to the proper angle, when all I would 
 have to do was to pull the trigger, and one of us at least would be at 
 liberty for the time being. I had barely placed my hand upon the gun 
 when he discovered my purpose and informed me that if I made 
 another false motion he would empty his revolver into my body. 
 
 Having secured my aims Bennett having given up his in the 
 same manner we were turned east and rode up on the hill to a piece 
 of woods where Captain Montjoy and his company had been watch 
 ing the command the night before, and the proceedings of the party 
 that captured us. We were divested of our overcoats, our money, 
 ( watches and even of our pipes and tobacco. 
 
 We were then taken to Captain Montjo)^ who wished to know 
 what command we belonged to, and how many there were of us, 
 where we were going, etc. I simply replied to the Captain s ques 
 tion that I was a soldier and didn t know anything. If he wanted 
 information he would have to go to somebody better posted than I 
 was. He passed me by with a smile and questioned my comrade, 
 Bennett, who remarked that he belonged to the same command that I 
 
454 
 
 MOSBV S RANGERS. 
 
 did and knew quite as little. We then started with some other 
 prisoners they had picked up, for Mosby s headquarters at Ashby s 
 Gap, which we reached in the evening about seven o clock. As 
 nearly as I can remember, we were taken to the home of a man 
 named Williams and were quartered in a cabin formerly used as 
 negro quarters. We had just hiid down on the floor, after eating 
 a small piece of corn bread and an apple, the only food we had 
 had for twenty-four hours, as we had nothing since we left camp the 
 night before, when we were aroused by the entrance of two of 
 
 Mosby s men, who ordered us 
 to get up. I, being on the 
 right, was the first one ques 
 tioned as to my command, and 
 replied that I belonged to the 
 Second New York Cavalry, 
 Custer s Division, and he said : 
 " You are the man we want." 
 Bennett was then asked the 
 same question, and replied, 
 
 " I belong to the same com 
 mand." 
 
 He said: " You are the two 
 men we are after. Come on." 
 
 We were taken down the 
 lane to the road, where we 
 found a party of Mosby s men 
 with seven prisoners tied by a 
 rope, one to the other, as con 
 victs are handled, two of whom 
 were released, and Bennett and 
 I were given their places. I 
 asked what it meant, but re 
 ceived no reply except from 
 one of the men tied with the 
 rope, who motioned to me by 
 
 drawing his hand across his throat, giving me to understand that we 
 were to be hanged. 
 
 I immediately asked to see the commanding officer. He or his 
 representative asked me what I wanted. I demanded the cause for 
 which we were to be executed. He replied that it was in retaliation 
 for seven men executed by Custer, belonging to Mosby s command, 
 some months previous. I told him that at the time that execution 
 took place my regiment was not under General Custer. and that we 
 had nothing whatever to do with it, being in a different part of 
 the country. He said it made no difference ; his orders were impera 
 tive. I then demanded to know why it was that a lieutenant of heavy 
 
 J/UCIAN LOVE, CO. D. 
 
 One of the six Mosby s Men killed at Front 
 
 Royal by Ouster s command. 
 
APPENDIX. 455 
 
 artillery had been released and I substituted, and a private in 
 infantry released and Bannett substituted. He said, " For the 
 reason, I was told that they had taken care of the property of citizens 
 in this part of the country and defended the women from insult 
 or injury." I replied : 
 
 " My life is in your hands ; if you will take me five miles in any di 
 rection from where I now stand, and I cannot find a woman that will 
 say that I have rendered her valuable assistance, I will forfeit my 
 life without a murmur." 
 
 He said he had no power to do anything of the kind, and then 
 asked : 
 
 " Are you a Mason ? " 
 
 I replied, " I am not old enough to be a Mason." 
 
 " Is your father a Mason ? " 
 
 " My father belonged to nothing but the Abolition party, to 
 my knowledge, but I have a brother-in-law who is one of the highest 
 Masons in our State, and should I live and they will accept me, I 
 expect to some day be a Mason." 
 
 He said, " I can do nothing for you but to promise you that if you 
 make an escape you will not be recaptured by me. nor by anyone else 
 if I can prevent it." 
 
 His talk was during our progress down the mountain to the 
 Shenandoah River at Berry s Ferry, where we crossed, riding horses 
 behind the party who had us in charge. 
 
 They had stopped at several houses on the way and taken bedcords 
 off the old-fashioned corded bedsteads with which to hang us. 
 
 My name was the first on the death-roll, and had any attention 
 been paid to that, I would have been the first man executed, but 
 in the search for a tree upon which to hang us, the line was placed in 
 such a position that I was the farthest man on it from the tree. The 
 first man was gotten up, his hands tied behind him, a bed-cord 
 doubled and tied around his neck ; he was marched to a large tree be 
 side the road, from which a limb projected. He was lifted in the air, 
 the rope taken by one of the men on horseback and tied to the limb, 
 and there he was left dangling. Two more were treated in the same 
 manner. 
 
 It took some considerable time and our executioners were be 
 coming uneasy, not knowing what minute a party of our troops 
 would pass that way, and they decided, as they said, to shoot the 
 balance of us, as "this hanging is too damned slow work." So they 
 immediately ordered us to get up, when to their dismay they dis 
 covered there were but three of us, where there should have been 
 four. 
 
 It afterwards turned out that one of the men had gotten loose 
 from the line, and as we passed over a ditch in a field had dropped 
 into the ditch and escaped. It was a dark and rainy night. 
 
456 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Our hands were tied behind us with a heavy bedcord. I was com 
 pletely exhausted, not feeling that it would have been possible for me 
 to have walked a hundred yards farther, but I succeeded in freeing 
 my hands, not because I expected to escape, but having seen men on 
 many battlefields who had evidently used their hands in their dying 
 moments for their comfort or relief, I thought mine might do the same 
 for me. 
 
 Having reached the tree where the three men were hanging, three 
 Confederates stepped out in front of us and said to those behind us 
 (we were now standing side by side, the three of us) : " Get away from 
 behind there, boys." When I said, " Is this all the show you are 
 going to give us?" he replied: " It is all you need, you Yankee - 
 ," when the three revolvers were placed in our faces. 
 
 The revolver on my right went off, the revolver on my left went 
 off, and the revolver that was in my face failed to explode. The click 
 of the hammer on the tube went through me like an electric shock. 
 
 I caught my breath, raised onto the balls of my feet, knocked the 
 revolver one side, hit him in the head, jumped over him as he 
 fell into the road, and as they sang out, "There goes the big Yankee 
 
 ," I seemed to find new life, and went at the speed of a 
 
 streak of lightning down the road about 100 yards, where I entered 
 the same woods they were in and climbed a shellbark hickory tree. 
 Climbing is a feat I had never been able to perform when I was 
 a boy, but I have done a great deal of hunting, and I don t think I 
 ever saw a squirrel go up a tree faster than I went up that one. 
 
 Here I remained until I heard them ride away, when I came down 
 and started for Winchester, which I gathered from their conversation 
 was directly west on the road alongside of which they had left my 
 comrades hanging or shot. I avoided the road until it began to get 
 daylight, when feeling that I was as safe in the road as elsewhere, and 
 the walking" being much better, I came out into the road proper two 
 miles from the place of the execution, where I discovered the man 
 who had been shot on my left, with a shattered elbow. 
 
 On receiving the wound, he had fallen down and they had gone off 
 and left him for dead, after kicking him in the ribs and rolling him 
 over. This man s name was Hoffnagle, of the One Hundred and Fifty- 
 third New York. He was very weak from loss of blood. I walked 
 along slowly with him toward Winchester until it got quite light, when 
 he insisted that I should go and hide myself until night, as a recapture 
 meant certain death for me, and he would make his way to some house 
 to seek assistance. I replied, " I will stay with you until I find you 
 assistance," allowing him to lean upon me. 
 
 We approached a large weather-beaten house, at the door of which 
 I knocked and demanded admittance. In answer to a query, evidently 
 from an old woman, as to who was there, I stated that I had a wounded 
 man with me, a Yankee soldier, who needed assistance. The reply 
 
APPENDIX. 457 
 
 came back, " Wait a moment and I will let you in." It was scarcely 
 more than a moment when a very old and poorly-clad woman, with a 
 saucer in which was some grease and a rag, in lieu of a better light, 
 opened the door and admitted us. I told her who we were. She said : 
 "Have no k fear ; I had three of Custer s men in my house when 
 Mosby s Men were all over it, looking for them ; and I had two of 
 Mosby s Men concealed in my house when Custer s men were here 
 looking for them. Any one who comes to me for assistance gets it, if 
 I can give it to them." 
 
 At the time of my capture I had in my possession a vest pocket 
 full of revolver caps that had become water-soaked until they had 
 become worthless. When I reluctantly parted with my other assets 
 it was with a twinge of pleasure that I gave up my water-soaked and 
 worthless pistol caps and saw them distributed among the Johnnies 
 who appeared to be greatly in need of such stores. They were greatly 
 in need of caps that would explode, but possibly not the kind I was 
 giving up. I have often thought it was more than possible that my 
 would-be executioner may have received some of these very caps and 
 placed one of them on his revolver, thereby saving my life. 
 
 I have told you about the man who was shot on my left, but not 
 about poor Bennett, who stood on my right, and whom I supposed, as 
 did Hoffnagle, had been killed. The shot Bannett received was in the 
 shoulder from a Colt s navy revolver, not more than two feet distant, 
 which he said afterward scarcely moved him, and he exclaimed : 
 
 " For God s sake kill me if you are going to ! Don t torture me to 
 death." 
 
 A pistol was then placed close to the left side of his head and fired. 
 The ball entered just at the top of his cheekbone and about half an 
 inch back of his eye, passing entirely through his head and carrying 
 out his right eye. This knocked him over, but did not deprive him of 
 consciousness ; so you can guess what kind of stuff he was made of. 
 As soon as his would-be executioners rode away, he got up, crawled to 
 a tree and supporting himself against it until morning, a man passing 
 with a little girl, found him there. The child led him to the house of 
 an ex-Confederate surgeon, who dressed his wounds and took care of 
 him until he had a chance to send him to the hospital at Winchester. 
 He got well as well as a blind man can get, who has a package of lead 
 in his body for which he has no use. He gets a pension, but his papers 
 were returned three different times, and I swore myself black in the 
 face before he got it. I finally told the examiner to write down what it 
 was necessary for me to swear to in order to get Bennett his pension 
 and I would swear to it without reading the paper. He got it. He is 
 now, or was the last I heard of him, living in Lafayette, Ind. 
 
 Mosby s letter to Sheridan shows that it was written before he was 
 aware of all the facts in the case. 
 
 The execution did not take place on the Valley pike, as he says, and 
 
458 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 we know, as told in the foregoing story, that seven men were not exe 
 cuted. 
 
 Sheridan, however, informed Mosby in reply that he did not coun 
 tenance such a mode of warfare. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 
 
 The accompanying letters were received by Comrade S. R. Arm 
 strong, of Company E, from one of our old opponents in the Four 
 teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and will be read with interest. 
 
 Clarion, Pa., Dec. 6, 1894. 
 S. R. ARMSTRONG : 
 
 DEAR SIR : Pardon me for being so tardy in answering your wel 
 come letter, which came to hand Sept. 3d. Shortly after receiving 
 it, I went to the National Encampment of the Grand Army at Pitts 
 burgh, Pa., Sept. loth. I remained there a week with my old 
 comrades and had a very pleasant time. Then came home and took 
 an active part in the political campaign to Nov. 6, 1894, helping to roll 
 up a big Republican majority in this State, and, by the way, we 
 got it. 
 
 I remember distinctly some of the engagements our regiment (the 
 Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry) had with Colonel John S. Mosby s 
 command. The first engagement you mention in your letter I took 
 part in was near "Camp Russell," Va., about 3 miles south of 
 Winchester, on the road leading from that place to Front Royal, on 
 Thanksgiving Day, November, 1864. Mosby s command made a dash 
 and captured our wagon train and a small guard protecting it, which 
 was out foraging in the direction of Millwood. After sending the train 
 and prisoners to the rear, you made another dash at our camp. We 
 were eating our Thanksgiving dinner when you made the attack. 
 We thought it very ungrateful in you to interrupt us while we were 
 enjoying the good things of the land at our annual feast. 
 
 " Boots and Saddles " were sounded and we rushed for the " horse 
 line," saddled and mounted quickly. Your command was then in line 
 just across a ravine south of our camp, perhaps 300 yards distant. 
 Our batallion was on the right of the regiment and nearest your 
 command. We commenced firing at you with our carbines from the 
 "horse line." I had fired but one or two shots when Captain Walker, 
 of Company F, dashed up and gave the command to charge. We 
 charged, with Walker leading, and drove you back with but little or 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 459 
 
 
 no resistance, and pursued you sharply to Millwood, some 7 or 8 miles 
 from camp. 
 
 In this dash John Feit, of Company K, captured one of your men, 
 a short, thick-set fellow, with plenty of pluck, who had lost his horse 
 and could not keep up with the procession any longer. On his way 
 back to camp with the prisoner, Feit met the Adjutant of the First 
 West Virginia Cavalry, on his 
 way to the front, who said to 
 Feit, " Is that one of Mosby s 
 men ? " Feit replied that he 
 was. "You must not take 
 any of them prisoners of 
 war," said the Adjutant, and 
 drawing his revolver, shot the 
 prisoner dead. 1 Feit became 
 infuriated and would have 
 shot the Adjutant if he had 
 had a load in his pistol or any 
 ammunition to put in it. No 
 braver or better soldier ever 
 wore the blue than John Feit, 
 and to this day he feels regret 
 for the killing of that pris 
 oner. 
 
 Captain Duff and Sergeant 
 McLaughlin of our Company 
 still pursued about a mile be 
 yond Millwood and captured 
 a prisoner and returned to camp with him about 6 o clock that even 
 ing. He was a large, fine-looking man, with long, black, wavy hair. He 
 claimed his home was in Richmond, and that his mother was a widow. 8 
 
 The prisoner had not been in camp long till the West Virginia 
 Cavalry found it out and demanded that he be turned over for execu 
 tion. Captain Duff said, " No, gentlemen ; I will turn him over to 
 nobody but General Tibbitts, commander of the brigade." After the 
 prisoner was given his supper he was taken to the General s head 
 quarters under a strong guard, as a prisoner of war. 
 
 In the afternoon we retook most of our wagon train which had 
 been captured in the earlier part of the day by your command. 
 
 If our command (the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry) had a 
 brush with Mosby s command at Berryville, I cannot recall it, and I 
 know I was not in it or I would remember something about it. 
 
 1 This young man who was killed was T. A. Carpenter, of Company E, Forty-third Batallion, 
 Virginia Cavalry. He is buried in the Stonewall Cemetery, at Winchester, Va. He was from 
 Madison County, Va. . 
 
 2 This captured prisoner was Frank Angelo, of Company C. 
 
 S. R. ARMSTRONG, CO. E. 
 
460 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 There were several engagements which our regiment had with 
 Mosby s command during the rebellion which I have not the time now 
 to tell you the merits or demerits of, as I saw them from our side 
 of the conflict. 
 
 Our regimental Reunion will be held next year at Harper s Ferry, 
 some time in the month of October, 1895, and I know our boys will 
 be glad to meet any of the Confederates that can be there. We want 
 to go around and see some of the old battlefields in the Valley. The 
 war is over for nearly thirty years and we are one people. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 J. J. FRAZIER. 
 
 Clarion, Pa., August 12, 1895. 
 S. R. ARMSTRONG, Woodville, Va.: 
 
 DEAR SIR: Your kind invitation to the Reunion of Mosby s 
 Men at Marshall, Va., on Wednesday, Aug. i4th, 1895, is at hand. 
 
 I can assure you that I am sorry that I cannot be with you on 
 that occasion. Not that I have any sympathy for the cause for which 
 you battled so long and hard more than thirty years ago ; but I would 
 like to look on the faces of those brave and dashing men that our old 
 regiment (the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry) met in so many well- 
 contested battles, and see what wonderful changes thirty years have 
 made upon them. 
 
 My old Captain David K. Duff, Company K, Fourteenth Pennsyl 
 vania Cavalry, was personally known to some of your command at least. 
 He was badly wounded and taken prisoner in a fight in February, 
 1865, near Snicker s Ford, on the Shenandoah, 3 and kept at a little 
 place in the mountains I think it was called Paris ; we recaptured 
 him there about ten days afterwards, and took him to Winchester, 
 where he partially recovered from his wounds. He died eight years 
 ago at his home at Elderton, Pa. No braver soldier than Duff ever 
 drew a sword. 
 
 Our regiment (Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry) expect to hold 
 their reunion this year at Harper s Ferry, some time in October. 
 I will send you the date as soon as I get it. I want to attend that re 
 union if I possibly can. 
 
 My kindest regards to you and all the old boys. 
 
 Wishing you all a happy and grand reunion, I remain, 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 J. J. FRAZIER, 
 
 Co. A , I4/// Pa. Cavalry. 
 
 8 Captain Duff was wounded in the Mt. Carmel fight. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 461 
 
 XLII. 
 
 List of " Mosbys Men " Confined in Room No. 2, Fort Warren, Boston 
 Harbor, Mass., Released J tine 13, 1865. 
 
 H. G. Harris, of Bluefield, West Va., formerly of Company D, Forty- 
 third Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, wrote as follows : 
 
 I send you a list of the boys confined at Fort Warren, Boston 
 Harbor; that is, in my 
 room, No. 2. There were 
 six rooms, in which pris 
 oners were kept, but 
 Mosby s Men were mostly 
 in Rooms Nos. i, 2 and 3. 
 I think all in my room be 
 longed to our command. 
 You know I was captured 
 the last of October, 1864 
 and was sent direct to the 
 Old Capitol Prison at 
 Washington, D. C., which 
 was a receiving prison. 
 After a sufficient number 
 were got together they 
 were sent off to other pris 
 ons. Mosby s Men were 
 considered too desperate 
 to be treated as ordinary 
 prisoners, so they w r ere 
 held until February ist, 
 when we were informed 
 that we would be sent to 
 Fort Warren. 
 
 There was some talk of 
 
 an attempt to overpower the guards between Washington and Balti 
 more and make our escape; so the next day when the guard marched 
 up, we saw that each soldier had a pair of handcuffs dangling from his 
 belt, and like a lot of criminals in the prison yard of the Old Capitol 
 we were handcuffed, two and two, and the chains were not taken off 
 until the second day after we were landed in the casemates at Fort 
 Warren. On the cars there was a guard on every other seat, and a 
 squad at each end of the car. 
 
 The only escape made while I was in prison was John Munson, from 
 the Old Capitol ; and the only death among our boys during the eight 
 
 H. G. HARRIS, CO. D. 
 
462 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 months was that of Aquilla Glascock, at the hospital at Fort Warren. 
 He and I occupied adjoining bunks. 
 
 Aylor, J, L., Slate Mills, Va. 
 
 Barr, Charles N., Herndon, Va. 
 
 Bencke, John H., Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Butler, W. B., Fairfax Station, Va. 
 
 Caldwell, C. E., Hillsboro, Va. 
 
 Chancellor, J. M., Flint Hill, Va, 
 
 Claggett, Johnson, New Baltimore, Va. 
 
 Cocke, W. S., Salem, Fauquier Co., Va. 
 
 Coons, F. A., Oak Shade, Va. 
 
 Cummings, G. W., Oak Vale, Va. 
 
 Davis, Americus, Alexandria, Va. 
 
 Davis, G. C., Flint Hill, Va. 
 
 Davis, L. M., Orlean, Va. 
 
 Delaplane, J. H., Buckland, Va, 
 
 Farr, Resin S., Buckland, Va. 
 
 Fletcher, Benton, Warrenton, Va. 
 
 Flynn, Wm. S., Salem, Fauquier Co., Va. 
 
 Follin, Ira, Vienna, Va. 
 
 Grey, Alfred, Linden, Va. 
 
 Griffin, G. C., Abingdon, Va. 
 
 Goura, J. A., England. 
 
 Harris, H. G., Scottsville, Va. 
 
 Hooe, R. M., Hillsboro, Va. 
 
 Hopkins, J. E., Bloomneld, Va. 
 
 Houdershell, R. A., The Plains, Va. 
 
 Huni;, S. W., Vienna, Va. 
 
 Hunt, Lewis, Vienna, Va. 
 
 Hunton, John W., Buckland, Va. 
 
 Hutchinson, J. R., Arcola, Va. 
 
 Johnson, James, Markham, Va. 
 
 Jones, E. M., Williamsburg, Va. 
 
 Kennedy, Thomas, Ireland. 
 
 Kephart, J. R., Belmont, Va. 
 
 Lake, Thomas W., Warrenton, Va. 
 
 Lane, D. F., Arcola, Va. 
 
 Love, Thomas R., Fairfax Court-House, Va. 
 
 McDonald, James, Scotland. 
 
 Mcllhany, H. M., Warrenton, Va. 
 
 Mclntosh, J. T., Leesburg, Va. 
 
 Marchant, John A., Charlottesville, Va. 
 
 Massie, J. R., Salem, Fauquier Co., Va. 
 
 Moran, Richard, Arcola, Va. 
 
 Muse, John, Belmont, Va. 
 
 Musser, Wm. H., Middlebrook, Montgomery Co., Md. 
 
APPENDIX. 463 
 
 Nelson, L. M., Culpeper Court-House, Va. 
 
 Nicholas, Charles, Va. (Think he was captured before he joined the 
 command.) 
 
 Oden, Archibald, Martinsburg, Va. 
 Orrison, Robert, Pleasant Valley, Va. 
 Parrott, Robert, Charlottesville, Va. 
 Pontier, Nathaniel, Baltimore, Md. 
 Price, C. D., Hillsboro, Va. 
 Price, Joseph, Harper s Ferry, Va. 
 Prosser, R. Hylton, Mississippi. 
 Reed, J. R., Oak Vale, Va. 
 Richards, Henry, Leesburg, Va. 
 Russell, T. A., Easton, Md. 
 Skillman, Samuel, Leesburg, Va. 
 Skinner, George, Aldie, Va. 
 Smith, D. L., Fredencksburg, Va. 
 Thomas, Robert, Oak Vale, Va. 
 Tongue, T. W., Warrenton, Va. 
 Wharton, H. A., Richmond, Va. 
 Williams, John, Upperville, Va. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN. 
 
 Chapman in the Miskel Fight, 
 
 In the account of the Miskel fight in Chapter III, the name of Wil 
 liam H. Chapman is not mentioned. This omission was not noticed 
 until too late for correction. Chapman not only participated in that 
 affair, but fired almost the first shot. He was made prisoner by a 
 party of Federal soldiers that he attempted to capture alone on the 
 north side of the turnpike, and about 2 miles from Miskel s house. He 
 was afterwards recaptured by four of our men, who dashed up just as the 
 party was going into the woods. Chapman snatched a pistol from one of 
 the Federals riding near him and aided in capturing 6 or 7 prisoners. 
 
 The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 22, 1895, contained the fol 
 lowing sketch: 
 
 How He Saved Boston Corbett. Internal Revenue Agent Chapman s 
 Thrilling Experience. 
 
 Mr. Chapman, the United States Internal Revenue Agent for this 
 division, whose rrvission in life just now is the enforcement of Uncle 
 Sam s tax laws, was not always a Federal official. 
 
 One bright day in June, 1863, when he was Colonel Mosby s chief 
 subordinate, Mr. Chapman then Captain and later Lieutenant-Colonel 
 
464 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 saved the life of " Boston" Corbett, the Union soldier who shot and 
 killed J. Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln. The story 
 of that day s scrimmage and its thrilling climax is one of many 
 which Mr. Chapman can tell, and it is deeply interesting. 
 
 It was in the midst of the great civil strife that the Confederate 
 Congress passed a bill authorizing Captain Mosby to organize a bat 
 talion authorized to war on the Union forces between the Potomac and 
 Rappahanock rivers, in Virginia. The troopers were daring raiders. 
 
 Mr. Chapman was a junior captain under Mosby when the Corbett 
 episode happened. The command, about sixty strong, was advancing 
 along a highway on the borders of Prince William County, Virginia. 
 Mosby and Captain Chapman were in advance, and they scoured the 
 surrounding county for signs of the enemy. Scouting parties made daily 
 excursions from the camps around Washington, D. C., to watch the 
 enemy. Mosby was looking for a brush with these small bodies, and 
 his sharp eyes were rewarded. 
 
 Near an old Southern manor, to the right of the road was a troop 
 of Federal cavalry. The horses were feasting on the new-mown hay 
 which littered the field. The soldiers were lounging about with fatal 
 indifference. Some were in the house, others in the barn, a few were in 
 the hay field and quite a number were up in the cherry trees which 
 flanked the graceful driveway leading to the house. 
 
 "Cnapman, take the men with you and catch those fellows," said 
 Mosby to his Lieutenant in a satisfied way. He had no doubt that 
 the Federal troopers could be trapped easily on account of their unsus 
 pecting conduct. Captain Chapman gave the word of command and 
 set out at a tsrrific pace for the manor gate. They wheeled into the lane 
 and forced their blooded horses at top speed, for they wished. to take 
 the enemy completely by surprise and give them not even a moment to 
 form themselves for defense. The ready weapon of Mosby s nun, the 
 revolver, was in each trooper s hand. As they advanced the surprised 
 cherry-eaters dropped out of the trees and hid in the grass. Chap 
 man left a few men behind to corral these, and he continued on toward 
 the main body. 
 
 He wheeled in front of the house and went to the right of it. He 
 led his men through the barnyard and out into the hayfield. At 
 sight of the enemy in their midst, the Union soldiers became panic- 
 stricken. They lacked organization and few of them had their weapons. 
 
 They fled precipitately, and Captain Chapman sent his men after 
 them in squads. They brought back prisoners in bunches and rounded 
 up all the chargers. But a few had scurried from the hay field into a 
 pasture to the left of the house and made for the woods. In the 
 excitement they got beyond the range of the deadly revolvers, and 
 Captain Chapman ordered " Bush." Underwood, one of the best soldiers 
 in the command, to pursue them. 
 
APPENDIX. 465 
 
 " Bush " was a brave but discreet soldier. He was born and reared 
 in the country where Mosby operated, and he knew every nook and 
 cranny on both sides of the Blue Ridge. Captain Chapman knew the 
 man and had no doubt that he would execute the command to the 
 letter. In a few minutes Underwood returned with severa? prisoners. 
 
 "Captain," said he, " there is one fellow over there that gave us 
 some trouble. He is sheltered by a persimmon tree and a small ditch, 
 and he has a seven-shooter repeating rifle." 
 
 Captain Chapman listened to this report and directed Underwood 
 to return and get the fellow. 
 
 Underwood returned with more prisoners, but the man behind the 
 persimmon tree was still at work with his rifle. Captain Chapman was 
 not pleased when Underwood reported his second failure. He knew 
 the man s courage, however, and told him to go a third time. Captain 
 Chapman went along and took about eight men with him. A body of 
 twenty men swept toward that persimmon tree. The Spencer rifle 
 cracked repeatedly, but did no damage, and in a moment the horse 
 men were on the brink of the ditch where the Union soldier was 
 concealed. 
 
 The first map to dismount was Underwood and he did so in a man 
 ner that startled Captain Chapman. The man was wild with rage at his 
 two failures to catch the fellow behind the tree, and he sprang head 
 first out of his saddle and over his horse s head. He did this by 
 bringing his charger to an abrupt stop. Underwood alighted at the 
 feet of the Union soldier, and with a quick movement he knocked the 
 Spencer rifle to the ground. At the same instant he drew his revolver 
 and pointed it at the head of the disarmed prisoner. He would have 
 blown the man s brains out, had not Captain Chapman said in a stern 
 voice : 
 
 " Don t shoot that man ! He has a right to defend himself to the 
 last ! " 
 
 Underwood obeyed and lowered his weapon. The prisoner was 
 sent to Richmond and Captain Chapman forgot the incident in the mad 
 rush of war. 
 
 Two years later Wilkes Booth killed President Lincoln and the 
 assassin fled southward from Washington. He crossed the northern 
 neck of Virginia and when a troop of Federal cavalry pressed him 
 closely, he took refuge in a barn on the south side of the Rappa- 
 hanock. The soldiers set fire to the barn and one of them shot and 
 killed Booth when he appeared in the midst of the smoke and flames. 
 That soldier was " Boston " Corbett, and he wrote his autobiog 
 raphy after he became famous. In one chapter he told of his escape 
 from death in Prince William County by the intervention of Mosby: 
 
466 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 He told of the struggle with " Bush." Underwood as it has been given 
 here, and made the mistake of thinking Chapman wasMosby. 
 
 Captain Chapman read the book and recalled the incident. Mosby 
 had not reached his soldiers when the brush with Corbett occurred. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Mosby s Scouts near Georgetown. 
 
 By JOHN H. ALEXANDER. 
 
 About daybreak one morning in the Summer of 1864, Bush. Under 
 wood aroused me from my slumbers, with an invitation to go with him 
 on a scout about the neighborhood of Georgetown. We had gone 
 into camp near Thoroughfare Gap late the night before, after which I 
 had been on picket for a couple of hours, so I felt very little like fac 
 ing the hard service which I knew would attend the proposed expedi 
 tion. But when I learned that the party had been partially made up 
 of such spirits as Charley McDonough, Hugh Waters, Harry Sinnott 
 and Bill Trammell, I recognized the compliment of the invitation and 
 accepted it. 
 
 The objects of the expedition were, generally, to gather informa 
 tion, and especially to " confiscate " a certain very fine stallion belong 
 ing to a Union man near Lewinsville. 
 
 Underwood s description of this horse, together with the very 
 recklessness of venturing so far within the enemy s lines, offered at 
 tractions irresistible to a Mosby man. Accordingly, about sunrise a 
 half dozen of us set out across the country in the direction of 
 Georgetown. 
 
 By noon we had gotten within the limits of danger, and fearing 
 that our further progress by daylight might bring us in contact with 
 a patrol or scouting party of the enemy, or even a straggling trooper 
 whose discovery of our presence would thwart our expedition, we re 
 tired to a body of pines to await nightfall. 
 
 After dark set in we resumed our march. Underwood had been 
 raised in that part of Fairfax County, and it was his boast that he 
 knew its every rabbit-path, as well as the political sentiments of all its 
 inhabitants. And his unvarying success in scouting that section 
 seemed to vindicate his claim. He was one of those bold, daring, 
 clear-headed, nervy fellows who never got " rattled," whatever turned 
 up. Perfectly fearless, he was at the same time cautious and patient, 
 and seemed to have a genius for just this sort of business. Therefore 
 we implicitly followed his lead, though we soon heard on every side 
 the noises from Federal camps and knew that the least accident or in- 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 467 
 
 advertence might at any moment bring hordes of the enemy down 
 upon us. 
 
 I suppose it was nearly bed-time, when we approached a house 
 where Bush said that he could get some information that he wanted. 
 While the rest of us remained with his horse under the shadows of 
 the neighboring trees, he cautiously made his way to the rear of the 
 dwelling. He soon returned with some biscuits and sandwiches, 
 which we proceeded "to put where they would do the most good," 
 while he unloaded his budget of news. 
 
 He had learned that the prize horse (which, by the way, I believe 
 to this day was a pure myth, conjured up by him to allure us) had been 
 sent to Washington that afternoon. But he had ascertained the loca 
 tion of the various camps in the neighborhood, with the names and 
 numbers of the different regiments composing them. This was invalu 
 able knowledge to us. 
 
 Furthermore, he informed us that there was a certain house near 
 the Big Falls of the Potomac which a number of Yankee officers from 
 a neighboring camp were 
 
 in the habit of visiting, ~ - " mm 
 
 the attraction being some 
 very fascinating girls. 
 
 There was some de 
 bate among us as to 
 whether it was exactly 
 the fair thing to break up 
 so interesting a party. 
 But the chance of carry 
 ing back with us some 
 Yankee shoulder-straps, 
 and possibly stars, not to 
 speak of fine horses, over 
 came our scruples, and 
 we determined to put in 
 an appearance there dur 
 ing the evening, even at 
 the risk of being regarded 
 as intruders. 
 
 This house, however, 
 was several miles away, |g 
 and the road to it not 
 altogether as safe and 
 open/ to travelers as it is 
 
 to-day. Nor did we go very far before our adventures began. It was 
 now considerably past midnight, and, from the fact that we had been 
 riding for some time within sound of the roar of the Big Falls I judged 
 that we were nearing our destination. 
 
 THORNTON V. LEACH, CO. F 
 
468 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Ws had been following our leader in perfect silence, and I confess 
 that my meditations were not altogether cheerful. Here we were, a 
 half dozen foolish boys, forty miles from our comrades, surrounded 
 on all sides by enemies military and non-combatant and liable 
 at any moment to stir up a hornet s nest. Should our leader and 
 guide fall in a night skirmish, or by any chance become separated 
 from us, the brightest prospect that awaited us would be to ride 
 humbly into the nearest camp, and take our chances at being received 
 and treated as prisoners of war. 
 
 It turned out that I was not the only one in the party whose reso 
 lution was being " sicklied o er by the pale cast of thought." Pres 
 ently Hugh Waters, who was riding by my side, leaned toward me and 
 said, in tones of becoming seriousness : 
 
 " Johnny, I have got a presentiment. I feel that I am going to be 
 killed to-riight. " 
 
 The fact is, I felt very much that way myself and possibly I 
 would have said it, if he had waited a little while. But he spoke first, 
 and gave me the start on him. As much to hide my own weakness as 
 to banter him, I answered : 
 
 " Oh, pshaw, that s all stuff. We ll be talking to pretty girls 
 directly." 
 
 " Now Johnnie, don t laugh at me. You know I am not afraid" 
 (I wasn t so sure of that judging him by myself). " But I am serious ; 
 I know that I am not going to get home, and there are some things I 
 want you to attend to for me." 
 
 Then he proceeded to make his will and appointed me his Ex 
 ecutor. He divided out his few assets " the spoils of many a chase " 
 among his relatives and friends, no doubt very judiciously. Finally 
 he came to the mare he was riding. She was a superb animal, hand 
 some as a picture and distinguished among the boys for her speed and 
 endurance. 
 
 " And Bess," he continued, patting her upon the neck, " I want 
 you to try and carry her out with you and give her to Mollie L." 
 
 This last request aroused my interest. 
 
 "To Mollie L. ? " I asked; "why, what s your reason for that?" 
 
 " Well, I suppose I ll have to tell you, as it won t make much dif 
 ference now." And his voice became a shade more doleful. " Well, 
 the truth is, I am in love with her and she s my sweetheart ! " 
 
 " The mischief you say ! You are not engaged to her ? " 
 
 " Yes, I am, Johnnie, old fellow. You see I had to tell you, although 
 I promised her not to." 
 
 " By George ! I am engaged to her myself !" I answered, an incipi 
 ent feeling of rivalry imparting some warmth to my tones, perhaps, 
 in spite of the solemn business we had in hand. 
 
 Just at this interesting point our conversation was interrupted by a 
 pistol shot, and Underwood, who had paced some distance ahead of us 
 
APPENDIX. 469 
 
 up the hill which we were ascending, came dashing back, lying flat on 
 his horse. As we wheeled around, our movements were expedited by 
 some shots from a party of men who now appeared on the brow of the 
 hill. They did not follow us very promptly, however, and after run 
 ning a few hundred yards we pulled off into an old field and huddled 
 behind a clump of bushes to await developments. 
 
 In a short while the squad of Federals, who, we supposed, were a 
 patrol upon their rounds, passed leisurely along the road in front 
 of us, and we picked up such scraps as these from their con 
 versation : 
 
 " Where the devil did those fellows go ? " " They couldn t have 
 been any of Mosby s men, away down here." " No, I guess they are a 
 a lot of Eighth Illinois boys out on a lark." " Well, we turned the joke 
 upon them, anyhow." 
 
 It was no little relief to us that they took this view of the matter. 
 Nevertheless, the questions submitted to the council of war which 
 we held after they had gone, were still very serious ones. 
 
 It would not be very late in the next day when they would find out 
 their mistake, and we might expect the country to be scoured by 
 scouting parties. Especially would the situation be aggravated if we 
 persisted in our project of raiding the house on the river. Had 
 ordinary discretion presided at our council, doubtless we would have 
 set out for home and safety, forthwith. But the very foolhardiness of 
 the venture prevented any one of us from proposing a backdown, lest 
 he be suspected of weakness and we continued on our fatuous 
 course. 
 
 Finally we reached the house we were seeking. Fortunately there 
 were no dogs about the premises and we dismounted and surrounded 
 the dwelling without being discovered. Our knocking at the front 
 door brought a head out of an upper window, and a female voice 
 inquired who we were and what was our business. 
 
 " If there are any officers here, they are wanted at camp immediate 
 ly," Bush, replied. 
 
 " There are none here nor soldiers either," was the answer. " But 
 you can t come that over me, Bush. Underwood. What in the world 
 are you doing here ? " 
 
 " Hello ! that s Nannie Bell ! What luck ! Some of us boys are 
 here, hungry as wolves. Come down and let us in." 
 
 Sure enough, she was an old acquaintance. But as we heard her 
 steps descending the stairs, we took the precaution to cock our revol 
 vers for even ladies are not always to be trusted when there may be 
 a sweetheart lost or saved. But she was " true blue " or gray, 
 rather and, with the other ladies who soon joined us, gave us such 
 comfort as the unseasonable hour of our call enabled them to offer. 
 But they could not console us for the officers whom we failed to catch, 
 and we soon rode away, decidedly crestfallen. 
 
4/o MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 We were now unanimously of opinion to strike for Loudoun forth 
 with, content if we should reach there with whole hides and our stock 
 of adventures still further to be added to instead of the booty we 
 had hoped for. 
 
 We soon reached the shelter of the Big Pine Forest ; and for hours 
 threaded its obscure and devious bridle paths in single file, turning 
 and twisting and doubling, it seemed to me, long after all idea of dis 
 tance or direction had been lost. 
 
 About noon next day we came to a clearing in which stood the 
 humble abode of one of Bush s friends. They were but poor folk, 
 at best; and I doubt not that, what with the precarious means of 
 tilling their sterile soil and the frequent harrassments and depreda 
 tions to which they were subjected, Hard Times kept up a pretty 
 constant " knocking at their cottage door." But they gave us a hearty 
 welcome and we had no reason to suspect that the larder was low. 
 Often have I recalled with gratitude and something of regret the 
 sweetly cooked and daintily served ham and eggs and richly browned 
 corn-bread which that day greeted our keen appetites. 
 
 One of the sons of the family stood watch for us on a neighboring 
 hill, and we ate and baited our horses and rested in peace. After the 
 refreshment, we took up our march toward the Dranesville pike, which 
 we approached through the woods, and very cautiously, for we were 
 still within the Federal lines, and liable to run against a patrol or scout 
 ing party. Besides, we were not without hopes of picking up some 
 unwary passenger along that highway. 
 
 We reached the pike safely, and tying our horses back in the pines 
 a short distance, "laid for our luck " along the wayside. 
 
 One squad of cavalry did indeed pass along within ten feet of us, but 
 their numbers secured them undisturbed right of way. A few moments 
 after, a solitary straggler came jauntily along, sitting cross-legged on 
 his horse and inquiring at the top of his voice, " Who will care for 
 mother now ? " 
 
 Charley McDonough stepped out from behind a bush and informed 
 him that, if he had no objections, we would take care of him ; and he 
 might reasonably commit the old lady to a kind Providence or words 
 to that effect. 
 
 This matter-of-fact, not to say rude response to his sentimental in 
 quiry, evidently shocked his sensibilities; and before he recovered 
 himself he had been fully introduced to our party. We found him not 
 unworthy game. His money, jewelry, and arms were divided out 
 among the rest of us ; while his horse was assigned to Charley and 
 Bush, in joint ownership. Neither one of them, however, cared to 
 have the trouble and responsibility of getting the other one s half back 
 to Loudoun; so while the others of us kept watch, they produced the 
 inevitable "deck " and sat down there by the road side and played out 
 a game of " seven-up " to determine which should own the whole of 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 4/1 
 
 the nag. Charley won, a result which some of us had reason to regret 
 before we reached home. 
 
 By dark we had gotten well beyond the picket lines and into a sec 
 tion of country with which we all were more or less familiar. Here the 
 prisoner was paroled and turned loose, and McDonough took posses 
 sion of his hard earned 
 asset. Here, too, Un 
 derwood and Tram- 
 mell went off on some 
 affair of their own, 
 leaving the rest of us 
 to make our way 
 home. 
 
 We came out upon 
 the Little River turn 
 pike about five miles 
 below Aldie ; and as 
 our horses feet struck 
 the paved road we felt 
 that we were indeed 18 
 " almost home." But 
 when we stopped at a 
 house on the roadside 
 to get a drink of water, 
 we noticed consider 
 able restraint, to say 
 the least, in the man 
 ner of the good lady, 
 who was generally re 
 joiced to see Mosby s 
 Men. A few inquiries 
 developed the fact 
 that she mistook us -T 
 
 for Yankees, a large body of whom, she informed us, had gone up the 
 road that afternoon. 
 
 This news brought a change over our spirits and put us again on 
 the qut vive. The night was very dark and a high win was blowing. 
 This made marching on a road upon which we were liable at any time 
 to meet the enemy returning, decidedly dangerous, but we were 
 dead homesick and determined to risk it. 
 
 Sinnott and I rode about a hundred yards in advance of Charley 
 and Hugh with the led horse ; and in order that they might have a 
 
 1 " What seems to be an exuberance of stomach in this picture is an inordinate wealth of uni 
 formblockade goods purchased with some of the proceeds of the Gieenback Raid. You may 
 also recognize the tobacco pouches (gifts of our sweethearts), which we usually carried slung to a 
 buttonhole in front." J. H. A. 
 
 \ 
 
 JOHN H. ALEXANDER AND HIJOH T. WATERS, CO. A. 
 
 From a photograph taken during the War. 1 
 
472 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 better chance to escape in case of trouble, we carried our revolvers in 
 our hands, ready cocked, and it was understood that we should fire in 
 continently into anything we met. 
 
 We had ridden in this order more than a mile, and Sinnott and 
 myself, riding closely side by side, had descended into a little vale, 
 where the . darkness could almost b.e felt. Suddenly our horses 
 stopped. Straining our looks forward, we distinguished the forms of 
 men and horses, just in front of us. Our horses and theirs had been 
 stopped by touching noses. 
 
 Like a flash it came to me that they might be some of our own 
 men, scouting; and instinctively I hailed them. But Sinnott, more 
 
 obedient to instruc 
 tions, fired; and the 
 response to my chal 
 lenge was a groan, as 
 the man opposite -him 
 fell to the ground. It 
 was no time now for 
 the amenities of war; 
 the echo to the groan 
 was the report of my 
 pistol, and down went 
 my vis-a-vis. 
 
 As we turned our 
 horses, Pandemonium 
 broke loose. The flash 
 ings of pistols threw a 
 weird light on the scene, 
 while the sounds of the 
 arms and the shouts of 
 the men and the clatter 
 ing of horses hoofs, 
 " made night hideous." 
 I fired back once or 
 twice as I ran, but found 
 that my shots only be 
 trayed my whereabouts, and drew the enemy s fire upon me. So I 
 addressed all my energies to getting away from there. 
 
 When I came up to Charley he was dismounted in the road; and 
 my horse striking Hugh s just as he was turning, laid him and his 
 rider sprawling by the wayside. That was the last I saw of any of my 
 companions that night. As I subsequently learned, their experiences 
 were as follows : 
 
 McDonough had been riding the captured horse, to rest his own. 
 and when the firing commenced he jumped down to change to his 
 more reliable nag. Before he could mount, the enemy was upon him. 
 
 SERGEANT-MAJOR GUY BROADWATER. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 473 
 
 He had been outlawed by the Federal authorities for some desperate 
 deed, and to him, capture meant certain death. But with wonderful 
 presence of mind he lay flat in the road, with pistol cocked and hand 
 on trigger, ready to deliver that last shot which he always reserved for 
 his own heart as the final alter 
 native to capture. Poor fel 
 low ! before many months the 
 awful emergency came, and 
 he unfalteringly fired that 
 fatal shot. 
 
 But that night he was 
 spared, by the narrowest 
 shave. The Yankees rode 
 past him one of them whose 
 horse stumbled over him re 
 marking that " there was one 
 damned rebel they had killed." 
 At the first opportunity he 
 rolled out of their way and 
 hied off into the darkness. 
 
 When Waters was dis 
 mounted in my unfortunate 
 collision with him, he, too, 
 crept out of the road, as the 
 Federals came charging up, 
 and lay quietly in the fence 
 corner until they had gone by. 
 Then he arose and made for 
 the Bull Run Mountains. 
 
 Their horses followed Sinnott down the pike and found a safe harbor 
 in some citizen s close, until they were reclaimed. 
 
 I turned off the pike, and, coming to some convenient thickets, 
 spent the residue of the night there. With morning light I made my 
 way back to Mosby s Confederacy. 
 
 In the course of the afternoon I cleaned up, donned my " best 
 blockade goods " and rode over to Mollie L. s to seek in her gracious 
 presence refreshment from my hardships. 
 
 Imagine my surprise at finding Hugh Waters already there, en 
 sconced in the best arm chair, playing invalid over some bruises and 
 scratches which he had incurred in his fall of the night before. But 
 so far from their being a source of discomfort to him, the scamp was 
 supremely blest in the gentle ministration which they were evoking 
 from " Our Mutual Sweetheart." 
 
 He was evidently master of the situation ; and " the subsequent 
 proceedings interested me no more." 
 
 JOHN A. LLEWELLYN, CO. D. 
 
474 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 LIEUTENANT WALTER BOWIE. 
 
 Walter Bowie was practicing law in Upper Marlboro, Md., at the 
 breaking out of the war. He gave up a lucrative business, went 
 South and entered the Confederate army. In the early part of 1864, 
 he joined Mosby s command, and soon made a reputation among his 
 comrades by his indomitable courage, and his coolness and judgment 
 attracted the notice of his commander. When Company F was 
 organized he was made First Lieutenant. His scouts and bold 
 adventures were chiefly in Maryland and along the Potomac, where 
 he was on familiar ground, and it was his wild dashes and hair-breadth 
 escapes in these expeditions that made his name almost as well 
 
 known in the Federal camps as in 
 his own command. 
 
 On one of these excursions the 
 house where he was stopping for the 
 night was surrounded by Federal 
 cavalry. Blacking his face and dis 
 guising himself as a negro woman he 
 sat in a corner in the kitchen near the 
 fire. At the approach of daylight he 
 picked up a water-pail and shuffled 
 along in the direction of the spring, 
 as if to get water for the kitchen. 
 When at a safe distance from the 
 house, and but of sight of the soldiers, 
 he quickened his pace and was soon 
 beyond their reach. Not seeing the 
 supposed woman return in a reason 
 able time one of the soldiers, whose 
 suspicions had been aroused by his 
 non-appearance, said to a companion, 
 "Don t you think that was a damned 
 tall nigger?" Search was made and 
 
 CHARLES B. VEST, CO. C. 
 From a war-time picture 
 
 they found Bowie s hat, coat and pistols, but by that time he had 
 made good his escape. 
 
 The following statement is condensed from an account written by 
 Lieut. James G. Wiltshire, of Mosby s Battalion, who was with 
 Lieutenant Bowie at the time he met his death: 
 
 "About the 25th of September, 1864, Lieut. Bowie received intel 
 ligence that the White House at Annapolis, Md., was not guarded, 
 and that with a small force, the Governor could be captured and con 
 veyed to Richmond, Va. This he reported to Colonel Mosby and 
 asked for permission to capture His Excellency and hold him as a 
 hostage for friends of his in Southern Maryland, who had been 
 lodged in the Old Capitol Prison at Washington, because of their 
 Southern proclivities. This request was made with so much earnest- 
 
APPENDIX. 475 
 
 ness that the Colonel espoused the cause of the young officer at 
 once and gave him a force of twenty-five men, with orders to 
 proceed on the expedition." 
 
 Arrangements being completed, Lieutenant Bowie and his follow 
 ers met at Upperville, Va., and took up the line of march for Mat 
 thias Point on the Potomac River, via Fredericksburg and King 
 George Court House, arriving at their destination about dusk on the 
 evening of the second day. 
 
 While awaiting a favorable opportunity to cross into Maryland, 
 Bowie decided that he could conduct his expedition more success 
 fully with a smaller number of men than he started with. After 
 consulting with Randolph and Wiltshire as to the most suitable men 
 for the work before them, George O Bannon, Charles B. Vest, George 
 Smith, James E. Haney and George Ratcliffe, were selected. These, 
 with Lieutenant Bowie, John Randolph and James G. Wiltshire, mak 
 ing up a force of eight men. The others returned to Colonel Mosby. 
 
 Bowie and his companions crossed the Potomac and marched to 
 within two miles of Port Tobacco by morning and camped until the 
 following night, when they again took up their line of march for 
 Port Tobacco, arriving there between eight and nine o clock. 
 
 "There were twenty of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry quartered in 
 the Court House, and to capture them and their horses was neces 
 sary to the success of the expedition. We took up position as 
 quietly as possible under a cedar tree in front of the Court House. 
 From this point we could see the guard around the horses walking 
 his beat. Leaving the rest of the men, Bowie and I walked directly to 
 him and captured him with ease. The prisoner was put in charge of 
 George Smith and the others of the party walked briskly up to the 
 Court House door, where Charlie Vest was left with orders to allow 
 no one to pass out. Randolph, Haney, O Bannon and Ratcliffe were 
 ordered to remain with Vest until they heard the enemy stir, when 
 they were to rush in with a flurry. Wiltshire, follow me, was the 
 next command. Elbow to elbow, Bowie and I walked to the center 
 of the floor, when Bowie lighted a match, revealing the presence of 
 twenty as brave men as were in the United States army, sleeping 
 peacefully. Not a man stirred up to this moment. By the aid of 
 this and another match we found our way to the judge s stand. Here 
 the stillness of the moment was broken by a big German springing 
 to his feet and ramming his pistol against Lieutenant Bowie, ex 
 claiming By dams, me shoot. As these words issued from his lips 
 I put my pistol against his ribs, saying with a slight emphasis of 
 profane adjectives: Surrender, or I will bore you through. The 
 Teuton fell back in bed, declaring By dams me no shoot. At this 
 juncture the Big Four, rushed in, making more noise than the whole 
 of Mosby s Battalion would have done. Surrender! Surrender! ! 
 Surrender! ! ! came from the Confederates. Believing that no small 
 party would attack them, the Federals surrendered without making 
 
476 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 the slightest resistance. They were made to saddle and bridle nine 
 of their horses for our use and that of the Governor. While this 
 was being done Lieutenant Bowie was arranging a parole with the 
 Federal officer, that required the. prisoners to remain in the Court 
 House until sunrise the next morning/ Mount your horses, for 
 ward, trot, march/ ordered our commanding officer. We can make 
 the "Big Walnut" by daybreak. This, of course, was a ruse. In 
 stead of going by the Big Walnut we went in the direction of 
 Upper Marlboro, traveling hard until sunrise, when we \vent to Col. 
 W. W. Bowie s, the father of Lieut. Bowie, where w r e were joined by 
 Brune Bowie (a brother of Wat. Bowie) then home on furlough. 
 
 "At nightfall Lieut. Bowie said, Come, boys, let us get to our 
 horses and be off. Once in the saddle we drew rein for Hardesty s 
 Store, near Annapolis, where we camped in the woods for a few days 
 while Bowie and Vest scouted the Governor s house. Finding His 
 Excellency more closely guarded than had been reported, they 
 returned to camp with a sad heart to tell us of the unfruitful termina 
 tion of our raid, and that we would return to Virginia on the 
 morrow. 
 
 "At the head of the little band Lieut. Bowie took up the line of 
 march for Virginia, going around Washington, D. C, via Sandy 
 Spring. One store, owned by Mr. Alban Gilpin, supplied the good 
 people of that vicinity with the necessaries of life. We entered the 
 store and opened negotiations with Mr. Gilpin for a few of his 
 wares. He instructed his courteous clerk, Mr. Alban G. Thomas, to 
 let us have such articles as we needed. Here an episode took place 
 between Mr. Thomas and myself that doubtless inconvenienced him 
 no little at the time: My boots were run down at the heels, making 
 it very painful to me to walk. Thinking surely footwear was car 
 ried in stock, I requested Mr. Thomas to show me a pair of No. 8 
 boots. He replied, Mine is the only pair of boots in the store and 
 they are No. 7 1 /^/ I was in a dilemma. The military necessity still 
 confronted us. I insisted upon making the exchange. I lost no time 
 in adapting my No. 8 feet to his No. 7^/2 boots. That it was a close 
 fit goes without saying, and so long as I wore them I was forcibly 
 reminded of my Sandy Spring raid. We mounted our horses and 
 took up a forced march for the Potomac; but the night was too far 
 spent for us to make the haven of rest and safety. Near Rockville 
 day broke upon us, compelling us to go to the woods. Having pick 
 eted our horses and breakfasted we were sitting around the camp 
 discussing the events of the past night and the prospect of our being 
 in old Virginia again, when our attention was called to the tramp of 
 approaching horsemen and a voice saying, They have gone in here. 
 We at first thought that the Federal cavalry were on our trail, but 
 subsequent events proved that young Thomas had gotten the citizens 
 of Sandy Spring together and had come after his boots. His force 
 was ample, about forty, and well armed with shot-guns, to give us a 
 
APPENDIX. 477 
 
 great deal of anxiety. Lieut. Bowie said, Boys, we will charge them 
 on foot. 
 
 "Forming a single line we charged with a yell down the road. 
 A hot tight ensued. Several of the citizens, one of whom was Mr. 
 Thomas, had dismounted to fight as infantry, while the rest kept to 
 their horses as a reserve force. On making the road, the Lieutenant 
 mounted the first citizen s horse he came to and ordered Vest and 
 myself to mount ourselves and follow him. This we did with dis 
 patch, the rest of the men holding the ground we had gained. The 
 horse I fell heir to proved to be Thomas s. He w 7 as as swift as the 
 wind and as nimble as a cat. Hence he was not long forging his 
 way by the side of Vest, who had gotten a start of me, both gaining 
 considerably on our leader, who had just turned a bend in the road 
 when two shots were fired, striking Lieutenant Bowie in the face and 
 head with buckshot and knocking him from his horse, mortally 
 w r ounded. Henry Ent, a blacksmith in Sandy Spring, had concealed 
 himself behind a cedar tree close to the road, and as the Lieutenant 
 passed, he fired the fatal shots and then fled through the thick 
 underbrush and dense forest. Vest and I retraced our way to the 
 rest of the men with the sad news of our great loss. The command 
 now devolved upon Randolph, who, in his usual cool way, said: 
 Mount your horses, boys, and follow me. As though by a funeral 
 dirge we marched slowly to the spot where the Lieutenant lay 
 wounded. Although we were in danger of being attacked by the 
 combined forces of the soldiers and citizens, we secured from a 
 farmer near by a wagon and conveyed our wounded commander to 
 the kind man s house, where all w^as done by his brother, who 
 remained with him, and the ladies of the house, to make his last 
 moments comfortable, until death closed the scene. Brune now 
 retired to his horse and endeavored to overtake us, but was inter 
 cepted by a body of Federal cavalry and taken to the Old Capitol 
 at Washington, a prisoner, where he remained until the close of the 
 war. 
 
 "The rest of our party, now reduced to eight, our original number, 
 made our way to Virginia, taking the peak of the Sugar-Loaf Moun 
 tain as our guide and inspiration, for this overlooked our place of 
 safety Virginia." 
 
 HARROVER S ESCAPE FROM THE OLD CAPITOL PRISON 
 
 After being captured Robert M. Harrover was taken to Washing 
 ton and tried by a Military Commission "for leaving Washington City 
 after he had been enrolled and attaching himself to a band of guer 
 rillas." He was sentenced to be "shot to death by musketry" within 
 ninety days. This sentence was afterwards commuted to imprison 
 ment "in the Albany Penitentiary at hard labor for ten years." 
 
4/8 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 After sentence he was transferred from the "Carroll Prison" to 
 the "Old Capitol Prison," and put in a room with "military prison 
 ers" deserters from the Federal army, some confined for criminal 
 and others for trifling offences, and a few Confederates. 
 
 Their bunks were arranged in tiers, one above the other, and they 
 lay upon the boards with a blanket. The windows were barred with 
 iron. Guards stood outside the doors of the room in the halls, and 
 on the outside, around the entire building, sentinels paced to and fro. 
 These sentries were ordered to move with their backs to one another 
 always keeping the dead-line in view. No one was allowed to go 
 within three feet of a window. For violating this rule one poor 
 
 fellow paid the penalty with his 
 life a sentry on the outside sent 
 a bullet through his head. An 
 escape a short time before had 
 intensified the watchfulness of 
 the guards and made the chances 
 almost impossible. 
 
 Harrover and a Confederate 
 soldier named Harrison, a Missis- 
 sipian, belonging to the Jeff 
 Davis Legion, after a close exam 
 ination of their surroundings, 
 noticed that in the late hours of 
 the night or early hours of the 
 morning, the sentries appeared 
 less vigilant, and that once they 
 met at the dividing point of their 
 beats, exchanged a few words, 
 parted and moved on. This act, 
 though but a trifle in itself, inspired them with hope and encouraged 
 them to attempt the execution of a plan which they had conceived 
 but regarded as impracticable. They took an old case knife, which 
 they had procured by stealth, and creeping from their beds between 
 the hours of two and four in the morning, when all others were dead 
 asleep, sawed two of the iron bars nearly through. They did this 
 kneeling on the floor beneath the window sill, muffling the iron bars 
 to deaden the sound. For two weeks they worked patiently in this 
 way. 
 
 At nine o clock all lights were extinguished and every man was 
 expected to be in bed a guard passing around to see that this rule 
 was obeyed. In the early part of the night they employed themselves 
 in making a knotted rope from their blankets, each taking a portion 
 of his own and concealing it about his person during the day. 
 
 Night after night they watched and waited, but still no chance of 
 escape offered. At last, one very dark night, Harrison noticed that 
 the sentinels appeared rather sluggish in their movements, and the 
 
 ROBERT M. HARROVER, CO. B. 
 From a recent picture. 
 
APPENDIX. 479 
 
 two prepared to take advantage of the first opportunity for a dash 
 through the window. They fastened one end of the rope to their 
 bunk so that they could drop out through the opening they had made 
 ready by loosening the two bars. Harrover saw the two sentinels 
 on that side of the house coming toward each other, and as they 
 turned and walked off in different directions the bars were quickly 
 shoved aside, the ball of rope dropped out, and before it could unroll 
 and reach the ground Harrison was sliding down it with Harrover 
 following. Harrison was speeding away as Harrover put his feet to 
 the ground. At that moment one of the sentries reached the end of 
 his beat and turning saw Harrover. The soldier pointed his gun at 
 him and pulled the trgger, but the cap snapped and Harrover was off. 
 
 On the open space around were scattered huge blocks of stone 
 used in building the Capitol. Harrison dashed in among these and 
 ran swiftly along toward the open fields. The sentinel rushed after 
 Harrover to bayonet him, but the prisoner was too fleet-footed and 
 was soon lost in the darkness. An alarm was sounded, the prisoners 
 were ordered out of their bunks, lined up in their rooms and the roll 
 called. It was then discovered that in spite of bolts and bars and 
 guards, these two Confederates had escaped. 
 
 Coming to an old board fence Harrover jumped over and lay 
 down close to it under some weeds. He could hear his pursurers 
 passing. When it .grew quiet he came out and walked over toward 
 the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. It was now about daybreak, and he 
 crept into a clump of bushes where he remained all day and did not 
 venture out until evening. 
 
 As he walked along he saw a squad of soldiers returning to Fort 
 Totten after a day s holiday in the city, and he boldly joined them. 
 When they drew near ,to the Fort he felt it best to take leave of his 
 company, so pointing to a light a short distance off he told them he 
 lived near there and was going to stop and see a friend and bade 
 them good-night. 
 
 Approaching the light he found it coming through the window of 
 a neat little cottage. He knocked at the door and it was opened by 
 an elderly German woman. He said: "Madam, I am an escaped 
 Confederate prisoner. By stepping out of this door you can hand me 
 over to my enemies. My life is in your hands." She stood for a 
 moment gazing at him with a startled look. Then a motherly smile 
 lit up her face and a look of compassion told in language stronger 
 than words, that he had found a friend. She said little but prepared 
 a good supper and then showed him to a room and told him to go 
 to bed. He was so completely broken down with the excitement and 
 fasting that he was soon sleeping soundly. She called him before 
 daylight the next morning, and when he came down he found a 
 warm breakfast and a lunch ready to take with him. She gave him 
 directions as to his route, quietly let him out and closed the door. 
 
 The kind old woman, in the little conversation he had with her, 
 
480 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 spoke of an organization in Washington, known as the "United 
 States Christian Commission," for the purpose of supplying the 
 hospitals and sick soldiers with fresh meats, vegetables, etc. He now 
 proceeded on his way, announcing himself as one of its agents. This 
 secured him the good will of everybody. He engaged poultry, vege 
 tables and country produce of all kinds, for which he agreed to pay 
 extravagant prices. [The farmers who were to meet him and deliver 
 the goods according to appointment no doubt felt afterwards that 
 while they had sold their goods at high prices, they had sold them 
 selves very cheap.] 
 
 Before leaving prison Harrison had agreed to meet him at a cer 
 tain point, but the exact location he did not know and was afraid to 
 inquire. Going along he came to an old mill where a darkey sat upon 
 a millstone "picking" with a hammer. When Harrover told him he 
 was an agent of the "United States Christian Commission" the old 
 man regarded him as one holding an important position, and in reply 
 to his questions told Harrover all about the citizens around who 
 among them were "Union" and who were "Secesh." 
 
 When he reached Rockville he saw a government ambulance 
 standing in front of a store, and learned it was being taken to a camp 
 some distance away. He entered into conversation with the driver, 
 a soldier detailed from a Massachusetts regiment, who readily agreed 
 to give the "U. S. C. C." agent a ride. The government ambulance 
 and soldier driver were a passport for him along the closely guarded 
 road. [This is really the most remarkable feature of his adventure. 
 A prisoner just escaped from the most noted prison at the seat of 
 government, with thousands of soldiers all around, assisted in his 
 escape by a Federal soldier, driving a government ambulance and 
 team, through pickets and lines of the very troops who were 
 expected to capture him.] 
 
 After a ride of about 12 miles they came to an old Maryland 
 manor. Harrover had now reached the place he had agreed to meet 
 Harrison, and he parted from his innocent accomplice, the driver. 
 As he turned from the road into the open space in front of the house 
 he saw the yard and veranda were filled with Federal officers, but as 
 he had been driven to the gate and the ambulance had left he could 
 not turn back. He walked to and knocked at the door, which was 
 opened by an old colored woman. He asked to see the gentleman of 
 the house, but was told he had gone to Rockville. "But," continued 
 the woman, "de lady will see you. Walk in." 
 
 He was met by a lady of matronly appearance whose air of 
 benevolence soon relieved him of his embarrassment. She explained 
 the presence of the Federal officers there; that she had consented to 
 board a number of officers from a nearby camp, and found it to her 
 advantage .o do so. The situation required careful management, but 
 a woman s ready wit suggested a plan by which the difficulties were 
 overcome. "I have a brother in Virginia," she said, "and he was to 
 
APPENDIX. 481 
 
 visit us, but cannot come. For the present you and he are the same." 
 He was invited from the sitting room into supper and introduced as 
 the hostess brother. The officers were very gracious in their atten 
 tions and invited him to visit them in camp. 
 
 A few nights later he was joined by Harrison, who had been 
 expected by the family. Harrison had a narrow escape from recap 
 ture. [He was taken prisoner by an old citizen, armed with a shot 
 gun, who was on the lookout for deserters from the Federal army for 
 the sake of the reward. As the old man was taking him through the 
 woods Harrison snatched his gun and in the scuffle was shot in the 
 head. He succeeded in wrenching the gun out of his hands and broke 
 it over the old man s head, leaving him unconscious while he hurried 
 away.] They kept him secreted in his room until he recovered from 
 fatigue and the effects of his wound, then, one night, well equipped 
 for the journey, he set out in the darkness, fully posted as to his 
 route and mode of proceeding. 
 
 While sitting at the window the day after Harrison left, Harrover 
 was startled to see Col. Wood, superintendent of the Old Capitol 
 Prison, drive up the road leading to the house. He felt sure he was 
 booked to return to his old quarters. He afterwards learned that 
 Col. Wood was actually in search of him, having received a telegram 
 saying two suspicious characters had been arrested at Darnestown, 
 and, feeling sure that they were the two escaped prisoners, he set 
 out with a guard to take them back to Washington. He was dis 
 appointed when he found they were only a couple of bounty-jumpers 
 who had deserted and were going back to their homes in Pennsylvania, 
 and he became so angry that he w T ould not take his dinner at head 
 quarters but came over to the very house where Harrover was and 
 took dinner within a few feet of the man he was in search of. After 
 the war the Colonel was told of the affair and was much amused at 
 the joke on himself. 
 
 Harrover now felt it his duty that he should run no further risk 
 of compromising his kind hostess, so he took his leave. Meeting a 
 negro in the road he learned from him that there was a number of 
 Confederates some miles up the river waiting for a favorable oppor 
 tunity to cross the Potomac. Their leader was one of Bradley John 
 son s scouts, named Wilfred McLeod. He had been to Washington, 
 and while there had left his horse and equipments in care of this 
 negro, promising that on his return he would mount him and take 
 him back South. 
 
 Before attempting to get through the lines and cross the river it 
 was necessary for the party to have horses and equipments. McLeod, 
 taking Harrover and the negro, went down to a ford of a stream 
 which was often used by the Union soldiers for watering their horses 
 when returning from picket duty or foraging, and hiding in the 
 bushes near by, they would dash out suddenly on solitary riders until 
 they captured enough to mount and arm the party. 
 
482 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 It was impossible to take these prisoners with them across the 
 Potomac; they could not think of killing them, yet they must be dis 
 posed of in some way. McLeod solved the problem. He sent the 
 negro to Rockville and got a jug of whiskey. He then called up the 
 prisoners and told them if they obeyed his orders they would be in 
 camp with their comrades on the following day, with nothing to com 
 plain of but a headache and a tired, sleepy feeling, but if there \vas 
 any trouble they would all be put to death. The jug was passed 
 around again and again, and they were forced to drink until each and 
 every one of them was stupidly and helplessly drunk. Then the 
 Confederates, mounted and equipped for fight, avoiding the patrol 
 along the river, crossed the Potomac and were soon riding at a lively 
 gait along the road in old Virginia. 
 
 LIEUTENANT GROGAN S ESCAPE FROM JOHNSON S 
 
 ISLAND PRISON AND ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY 
 
 BACK TO DIXIE. 
 
 When Gen. Lee fell back from Gettysburg, Lieut. Grogan was 
 left wounded with Gen. Trimble near Gettysburg, and after some 
 weeks of hospital treatment at the Seminary Building, was sent to 
 Fort McHenry at Baltimore, and thence to Johnson s Island. This 
 prison was situated several miles northwest of Sandusky City, Ohio, 
 on Lake Erie, on a small wooded island about one hundred acres in 
 extent. 
 
 The island was strongly garrisoned by a regiment of Ohio Home 
 Guards and at the time of his imprisonment there were two thousand 
 seven hundred prisoners on the island, all commissioned officers of 
 the Confederate army. The prison was enclosed by a high plank 
 fence upon which was erected a platform where sentinels stood guard 
 with instructions to shoot any prisoner who ventured within ten 
 paces of the stockade. Prisoners were sometimes fired upon and shot 
 for no cause, owing to the fact that the sentinels were in perpetual 
 dread of an organized revolt being made by the prisoners. A gen 
 eral outbreak was once planned and attempted, though it failed in 
 execution through spies and detectives within the prison, who made 
 escape by any ordinary means impossible. Several succeeded in 
 escaping over the frozen lake, but all, save one, being overcome by 
 cold, were recaptured and returned to prison life. 
 
 Notwithstanding the insurmountable difficulties of escape, Grogan 
 was ever watchful for an opportunity to be free. One evening about 
 5 p. m., seeing a squad of prisoners under guard at the prison gate, 
 he joined the party and inquired their purpose. When informed that 
 they were going out under guard to procure straw for their prison 
 bunks, he hurried to his messroom, put on a citizen s coat and bor 
 rowing some bed ticking from one of his messmates, hastily returned 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 43, 
 
 and joined the party. The squad passed out through the prison 
 entrance and was marched by the guard to a frame building not far 
 distant on the lake shore, where the straw was to be procured. All 
 the prisoners loaded themselves 
 with straw except Grogan, who 
 quietly secreted himself in and 
 under the straw, his fellow prison 
 ers alone observing his manoeuvres 
 one of whom carelessly piled on 
 the straw completely concealing him. 
 
 The door was soon closed and 
 locked, and the prisoners loaded 
 with straw were marched back to 
 their cheerless quarters, the guard 
 not discovering the loss of this one 
 lonely rebel. The solitary prisoner 
 under the straw had now new diffi 
 culties to encounter. Being locked 
 in a new prison house he found up 
 on making a quiet reconnaissance of 
 the place that his only hope of 
 escape was to cut his way to liberty 
 with a pocket knife. This he did 
 not venture to attempt until a late 
 hour of the night, for fear of detec 
 tion by the passers-by, at this ex 
 posed position near the wharf. When everything was still the work 
 of cutting out was commenced, and every stroke of the blade seemed 
 to cut a nerve in breaking the stillness of the night. 
 
 After many weary hours of anxious and nervous toil, an opening 
 was effected and the plank removed, disclosing a scene that was truly 
 beautiful and might have been highly enjoyable but for the spectre- 
 like figure of a live sentinel doing guard duty at the wharf near by. 
 
 How to get out of that hole without detection became the question. 
 There was but one hope and chance, and it must be taken promptly, 
 by facing the danger of crawling out when the sentinel turned his 
 back in walking his beat. In crouching attitude this risk was taken 
 and accomplished. The escaped prisoner at once sprang upon his 
 feet and with a bound placed the corner of the building between him 
 self and the sentinel. He now moved rapidly westward to the near 
 est point to the Ohio shore, which was distant several miles. Here 
 he hastily constructed a raft of driftwood and fallen timber and 
 pushed his frail bark from shore to encounter the dangers of the sea, 
 with only a faint hope of being picked up by some passing sail in 
 traffic on the lake. 
 
 The hastily improvised raft proved unseaworthy and went to 
 pieces not far from shore. Fatigued by a night s wakefulness and 
 
 HON. DANIEL GIRAUD WRIGHT 
 CO. D. 
 
 Judge of Criminal Court, Baltimore City 
 
 for more than 20 years 
 From a recent picture 
 
484 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 work, friendless and alone, the utter hopelessness and despair of this 
 undertaking can hardly be described. But for the cruelties awaiting 
 a surrender to the prison authorities, he would have abandoned all 
 further attempts to escape. In a last desperate effort for liberty and 
 life he set adrift the loose material of his frail raft and made a recon 
 naissance of the island with the hope of finding better material for 
 constructing a stronger craft the following night. 
 
 Near the main entrance to the prison he found a number of men 
 engaged in carpenters work on the barrack buildings, and in con 
 versation he drew from them the information that the steamboat that 
 made daily trips to Sandusky would leave the wharf near the straw- 
 house (his late abode) at eight o clock that morning. It was already 
 seven o clock and he was then shivering with cold. The thought 
 uppermost in his mind was how he should manage to elude the 
 sentinel at the wharf or provide something in the way of a counter 
 sign in case he was challenged by him. However, he put on a bold 
 front, passed him with a military salute and went aboard without 
 being halted by him. 
 
 Another thought now serious and disturbing to his mind was the 
 dread of a very natural demand for a ticket; yet fortune seemed to 
 smile upon him in his unhappy environment. The boat being used 
 only for governmental purposes, in carrying prisoners stores, etc., 
 neither tickets nor fare were demanded, and after a half hour s voyage 
 the vessel landed at the Sandusky wharf. The fugitive walked the 
 gang-plank with a forced air of cool indifference along with the other 
 passengers and went ashore. 
 
 Fearing to take the train at the point of landing, he walked south 
 ward through the town, and proceeded in line with the railroad to a 
 way station nine miles or more from Sandusky. 
 
 About nine p. m. the southbound train appeared, and quietly and 
 comfortably seated in the train, he breathed more freely as the breach 
 widened between him and his recent island prison. Lying over that 
 night at a railroad, junction after a few hours run, and not anxious to 
 disclose his linen or the color of his cloth, he retired for the night 
 in full dress on the floor of a crowded hotel. In the morning he 
 purchased a straight through ticket to Baltimore, where he was 
 safely deposited the next day at the old Bolton Street Depot. It was 
 but a short walk to his home on Monument Street, where he directed 
 his footsteps in search of Jack Maloney, an old and trusty friend. 
 Maloney was a firm, brave man and risked exposure so often in his 
 daily walks with his guest that it excited Grogan s fears lest he be 
 discovered and returned to prison. He therefore determined to get 
 out of the city as speedily as. possible. He boarded a street car and 
 rode to the terminus at the northern boundary; from thence he 
 walked to Lexington, to the house of a relative, Mr. Tiernan Wil 
 liamson, where he remained for the night. The next day he pro 
 ceeded to Foxley, at that time the residence of Thomas Oliver, now 
 the McDonough Institute. Here he was cordially received by the 
 
APPENDIX. 485 
 
 Olivers and Harrisons, as a kinsman from the North. Under an 
 assumed family name he was unknown and consequently unsuspected 
 by the servants. 
 
 After a few pleasant days spent at Foxley he went by an unfre 
 quented road across the country to the house of Walter Dorsey. 
 Dorsey, besides being a hot-headed rebel, was also a good judge of 
 horses. He purchased for the fugitive a well-bred, high-mettled 
 young mare, fleet of foot and a most excellent animal for the needs 
 of a dashing Ranger. Here Grogan, well mounted on his newly-pur 
 chased steed, was joined by a few new recruits, and with them 
 resumed his march for old Virginia. Reaching the Potomac River 
 not far below the Point of Rocks, they aroused an old farmer from 
 his bed. This old gentleman had a son in the Confederate army and 
 knew of a certain disloyal blind ford near his farm; his son had 
 frequently used it. Under his guidance they passed between the 
 cavalry picket posts on the canal and entered the river from a steep 
 bank; passing up the river some distance they reached the ford, and 
 crossing the river under cover of night the escaped prisoner was 
 once more in Dixie. He was the only officer or soldier, save two, 
 who escaped from Johnson s Island alive during the war. Many lost 
 their lives in desperate attempts to escape the torments of that 
 hated prison, yet all failed but this determined young officer and the 
 two here mentioned. 
 
 Shortly after crossing the Potomac he met Colonel Mosby and 
 joined his command. A mutual attachment was soon formed, and 
 though he was only a volunteer in the command, Mosby frequently 
 entrusted him with small detachments and subsequently made him a 
 Lieutenant. His name is conspicuous on many pages of this book, 
 as will appear by reference to the Index. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE ATTACK ON COLE S CAMP. 
 Death of Captain William R. Smith. 
 
 On the Qth of January, 1864, Mosby s command, then composed 
 of only three companies, A, B and C, left Fauquier County about the 
 middle of the day, for the purpose of attacking, and capturing if pos 
 sible, Cole s Battalion, which was encamped at that time on the 
 eastern slope of the Blue Ridge, near Harper s Ferry. The snow was 
 quite deep, the weather intensely cold and the sufferings of the men 
 very great, many of them having their hands and feet frostbitten 
 during the night. We stopped about dusk at the home of Henry 
 Heaton, an officer in Mosby s command, and there got supper. 
 Without this the men could not have endured the intense cold of 
 that night. 
 
 Marching all night we reached the Potomac River a mile or two 
 below Harper s Ferry, and traveled along the bank of the river in 
 a northwesterly direction towards Harper s Ferry, until we were 
 between that place and Cole s encampment. Turning to the left we 
 
486 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 ascended a high hill which was very slippery and our horses with 
 difficulty got to the plateau above, and our little command was 
 strung out very much in making this ascent. 
 
 I rode a portion of the night with Captain Smith, and during the 
 evening he showed me a beautiful gold watch which his wife had 
 given to him, I think as a birthday present. We talked but little 
 
 of the prospective fight, and 
 indeed there was but little con 
 versation among the men. 
 Some kept themselves from 
 freezing by cutting a hole in 
 the center of the blanket that 
 was always carried strapped to 
 the saddle, and inserted their 
 heads through the hole, letting 
 the blanket fall over them on 
 the horses. 
 
 We reached the rear of the 
 camp just a little before day. 
 Col. Mosby detached Capt. 
 Stringfellow with a squad of 
 men to go to the house occupied 
 as Col. Cole s headquarters, for 
 the purpose of capturing the 
 commanding officer. An attack 
 was at once ordered by Col. 
 Mosby, and the command, those 
 of it who had reached the top 
 of the hill, went into the camp 
 in great style, completely sur 
 prising the men therein. The 
 eneirry were quick to return the 
 fire, many of them firing from 
 their tents as they leaped from 
 their cots, and wounded and 
 killed some of our best men. 
 The fight lasted only a few 
 minutes. At one time Mosby s 
 
 B. 
 
 SERGT. JAMES W. WREXN, CO 
 From a photograph taken about i8( 
 
 men had possession of nearly half of the camp, but on account of the 
 confusion resulting from the men with Capt. Stringfellow and those 
 with Col. Mosby mistaking each other for the enemy and firing on 
 each other, Col. Mosby, as soon as he learned of this, ordered his 
 men from the camp. Some of the men did not hear this order, and 
 hearing the cries of their wounded comrades, undertook to get them 
 off the field. I had the impression that Col. Mosby himself was 
 wounded in the camp, and w r hen Capt. Smith, whom I came up with 
 helping Henry Edmunds, a w y ounded soldier, from the camp, inquired 
 of me where Col. Mosby was, I replied I was afraid he was wounded 
 and in the camp. I proposed that we go back and find him. We rode 
 back among the tents and I recognized Lieut. Gray with two or three 
 men near a corner of the camp. Accompanied by one of these 
 soldiers, John Tyler Grayson, we rode further into the camp and dis 
 covered a soldier lying on the ground who gave his name as Paxton, 
 and begged us to remove him from the field. We sent Grayson after 
 an extra horse we noticed Lieut. Gray had. A few seconds after he 
 left there was a shot fired at us from a group not twenty steps dis 
 tant. Capt. Smith and I returned the fire, and then a volley was 
 fired at us. The flash from the volley for a moment blinded me and 
 a feeling of thankfulness that we had escaped, possessed me, when 
 
APPENDIX. 487 
 
 suddenl} Smith leaped upward from the saddle and fell on the right 
 side of his horse, his left foot drawing the stirrup over the right side 
 and both feet hung in the stirrups with his head on the snow. I 
 sprung from my horse and asked him how he was shot, but he gave 
 no reply. I endeavored to lift him into the saddle but he was too 
 heavy for me. I then thought of the watch that was in his pocket and 
 tried to unbutton his overcoat to take it from him, but my hands had 
 become so cold after removing my gloves to go into the fight that I 
 could not unbutton a single button. I knocked his feet from the 
 stirrups, mounted my horse and led his horse from the camp. I went 
 immediately to where I had left Lieut. Gray, told him what had hap 
 pened and asked him to help me to recover Smith s body and look 
 for Col. Mosby, and he then told me that we were the only men in 
 the camp; that Col. Mosby had ordered his men to leave. This was 
 the first I had heard of Col. Mosby s having withdrawn from the 
 attack. I soon overtook some of our men who were helping wounded 
 comrades. I remember seeing Lieut. Von Massow, who is now a 
 Major General in the Prussian army, struggling to put a wounded 
 man on a horse. 
 
 When I had overtaken Col. Mosby and reported to him an account 
 of Capt. Smith s death, he sent me back under a flag of truce with a 
 proposition to exchange the prisoners we then had for our men who 
 were killed or wounded. I was accompanied back to the camp by 
 Private Montjoy, later a captain, and on our way we were stopped 
 at a house not far from the camp where Lieut. Tom Turner, of 
 Mosby s command, had been carried from the camp mortally 
 wounded. I shall never forget the expression on his face as I entered 
 the door. He was lying on the bed with his head propped up facing 
 the door. The surgeons and nurses were around him; the pallor of 
 death was upon his face. Notwithstanding this he recognized me, and 
 his face lighted up for an instant and then changed. He died soon 
 afterwards. My mission was fruitless, as the commanding officer 
 refused to make the proposed exchange. 
 
 W. H. CHAPMAN, 
 
 Late Lieut. -Col. Mosby s Command. 
 
 In a letter accompanying the above personal narrative of the 
 attack on Cole s Camp and the deaths of Captain Smith and Lieu 
 tenant Turner, Colonel Chapman says: 
 
 "As I was the only person \vith Captain William Smith at the 
 time he was killed I have written an account of the fight near Harper s 
 Ferry, more particularly with reference to the immediate cause of his 
 death than to try to give a detailed account of the attempt to capture 
 Cole s Battalion. His willingness and readiness to go back into the 
 camp and rescue our commander, whom we believed had fallen in 
 the battle, deserves more than a passing notice, as he lost his life 
 trying to save his friend." 
 
 THE LAST SCOUT IN THE REAR OF SHERIDAN S ARMY. 
 
 I am indebted to Charles H. Dear for the following: 
 On the 30th of March, 1865, Colonel Mosby ordered two scouts 
 to the Valley for information. One, under Charlie Wiltshire, .toward 
 Winchester, by way of Snicker s Ferry; the other, under Lieutenant 
 Jim Wiltshire, to cross the Shenandoah River at Myers Ford, lower 
 down. There were five men in each of these scouts, composed of 
 
488 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 SERGT. DAVID. G. 
 
 MOHLER CO H. 
 
 From photograph taken 
 
 March, 1872. 
 
 some of the best material in the command. With Jim Wiltshire was 
 Ike Anderson, George O Bannon, Charlie Dear and Ned Hurst. All 
 of these men, except Dear, were from the lower Valley, and knew 
 the country. Dear had scouted it so often with Dolly Richards, the 
 two Wiltshires and John Russell, that he too had become familiar 
 with it. 
 
 We crossed the Shenandoah late in the 
 evening and waited until dark to cross the 
 railroad. Sheridan s army lay at Winchester. 
 The railroad from Harper s Ferry to Winchester 
 (Sheridan s supply road), was heavily guarded. 
 The Baltimore and Ohio, from Harper s Ferry 
 to Martinsburg, was also heavily guarded and 
 patrols were marching up and down the Valley 
 pike. There had been a number of efforts made 
 in the winter of 1864-65 to cross, most of which 
 had failed. The orders we received were im 
 perative to cross and get information. 
 
 About nine o clock at night we crossed the 
 railroad near Charlestown without making any 
 alarm. 
 
 We stopped at a farmhouse to get something 
 to eat and obtain what information we could. 
 Wiltshire announced himself as Captain Cooke, of the Twelfth Penn 
 sylvania Cavalry. Dear was introduced as Lieutenant Draper, of 
 Sheridan s scouts. The others were officers of the Twelfth Penn 
 sylvania Cavalry out on a lark. While at supper, the old farmer 
 grew quite sociable and communicative, and we drew out a good deal 
 of valuable information from him, which we acted upon. While we 
 were eating, Jim Wiltshire (alias Capt. Cooke) closed a deal for cab 
 bage, potatoes, butter and eggs, to be delivered the following day at 
 Charlestown, where the Twelfth Pennsylvania were encamped. 
 When we were leaving two young ladies followed us to the door and 
 laughed as they said: "You will never be at Charlestown to-morrow, 
 except as prisoners. We know you; we have seen you before, but 
 we will not tell, for it has b en a long time since we have seen a 
 Mosby Man. " From the conversation had with them we gleaned 
 some additional facts which assisted us materially. We then went 
 in the direction of Martinsburg, where we obtained still further 
 information from our Southern friends and did all we were ordered 
 to do in that vicinity. Going around the enemy s pickets with care 
 we left Darksville by a bridle-path, toward Bunker Hill. 
 
 After we had obtained all the information desired, we threw off 
 our previous caution. The boys knew if we were hard pressed the 
 only way to get out was to go to North Mountain, around Sheridan s 
 army, because they were now on the lookout for us in all directions. 
 We knew, too, that the mountains were infested with swamp dragons 
 
APPENDIX. 489 
 
 and Confederate deserters, who shot everything they saw in gray. 
 But Mosby s men were so accustomed to engage in bold and hazard 
 ous enterprises that they seldom stopped to consider the chances 
 of danger. We missed two of our old comrades, Joe Bryan and Ned 
 Gibson, both of whom were wounded at the time. The boys had 
 confidence in Jim Wiltshire, whom we knew would bring us out. 
 
 After consultation, we thought it best to try and cross the Rail 
 road at Summit Point. We knew the Federals would be looking for 
 us everywhere except at that place; and their cavalry guarded all 
 the roads. Summit Point was selected for the reason that there was 
 a large block-house at that place guarded by a force of infantry, and 
 we had the advantage of the woods until within about one hundred 
 yards of the place. When we arrived, the infantry were not expect 
 ing us; we caught them napping, sitting out sunning themselves, and 
 charged through them, yelling and shooting right and left. They 
 fled in every direction. A few fired at us from the block-house. 
 Jim Wiltshire s horse was shot within fifteen yards of the block-house. 
 Ned Hurst, seeing his comrade s plight, said: "Get up, Jimmie," and 
 taking him up on his horse, brought him out safely. 
 
 A singular coincidence may be mentioned in connection with this 
 affair: At the same hour, and almost the same minute that Lieut. 
 Jim Wiltshire and his men charged the infantry at the block-house 
 at Colonel Baylor s, near Charlestown, where his horse was shot, 
 his brother, Charles Wiltshire, was mortally wounded in charging 
 on a log stable at Colonel Bonham s, twelve miles distant. 
 
 We got out safely, successful as to the object of our mission, and 
 were very happy until we arrived at Castleman s Ferry, where we 
 met John Orrick (G. W. Arrington) and Bartlett Boiling, both 
 wounded. They told us of the mortal wounding of our comrades, 
 Charlie Wiltshire and George Murray Gill, two of the bravest 
 among the brave. Our joy was turned to sorrow, and we sadly 
 wended our way homeward. 
 
 This was the last scout in the rear of Sheridan s army. 
 
 LIEUT.-COL. WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN S ACCOUNT OF 
 
 OPERATIONS OF A PORTION OF MOSBY S 
 
 COMMAND IN NORTHERN NECK OF 
 
 VIRGINIA, IN 1865 
 
 I received orders from Col. Mosby to proceed, with Companies 
 C, E, F and G, to the Northern Neck of Virginia. I was also 
 directed to go to Richmond and Petersburg and receive such instruc 
 tions from General Lee as he might give concerning our operations 
 in that section. 
 
 The command left Salem, Va., January 3, 1865, in command of 
 Capt. Samuel F. Chapman, commanding Co. E, and I left for Rich- 
 
490 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 mond and Petersburg. I left the cars at Petersburg for General Lee s 
 headquarters during a hard storm of rain and sleet. I passed through 
 portions of regiments camped, not in tents but in holes or burrows 
 the soldiers had dug in the ground to find shelter from the cold 
 weather. On that day I experienced my first depression and doubt 
 of the success of our cause. 
 
 When I reached Gen. Lee s headquarters my name was taken into 
 his room and I was immediately sent for. I shall never forget the 
 feeling I had on this occasion. There was scarcely any furniture in 
 the room some chairs and a table and but little fire in the fire 
 place. General Lee talked to me more like a father than the great 
 commander that he was. He gave me instructions about taking care 
 of my men, and cautioned me to move my camp frequently, lest we 
 be surprised and captured by the enemy I saw plainly that General 
 Lee did not know how we had subsisted as soldiers in Fauquier and 
 Loudoun Counties, and I did not enlighten him for fear he might 
 interfere with the methods we had found most expedient for effective 
 service and for keeping the command together. While I was in his 
 room a courier came in for the mail and orders that were to be sent 
 out. It was raining hard and General Lee saw that the courier had 
 but little to protect him from the terrible weather, and asked him if 
 he had a coat. When the soldier replied that he had none General 
 Lee got up and taking his own gum coat handed it to the soldier. 
 I left soon after with a despondent feeling, and passed through 
 Richmond and on to Hamilton s Crossing, where I was met by some 
 of our men and went on to Northern Neck. 
 
 When I reached there I found that all the men had readily found 
 homes with the citizens. Company C was in Westmoreland Co., 
 E in Richmond and Companies F and G in Northumberland and 
 Lancaster Counties. Each company met regularly at a place desig 
 nated for a cavalry drill there was little else for us to do. We 
 could watch the gun-boats passing up and down the Potomac River, 
 and on clear days look across to Point Lookout and grieve over the 
 condition of our soldiers imprisoned there, and try to invent some 
 scheme by which to rescue them. I met some officers of the Con 
 federate Navy who were engaged in constructing small boats for 
 running the blockade across the Potomac, and discussed with them 
 plans for making an attack on Point Lookout, but the water was too 
 rough to use, in carrying out such a plan, such boats as we could 
 make and conceal. 
 
 Captain Tom Richards of Company G made a trip to Williams- 
 burg on a scouting expedition, and created considerable consternation 
 and captured a number of prisoners. 1 
 
 Headquarters Battery L, 16th New York Heavy Artillery, February 11, 1865 DUDLEY to HICKS: 
 I have the honor to state that our picket-post at Williamsburg was surprised this morning about 3 
 o clock by a party of rebel cavalry numbering from 20 to 25 men, who advanced by the Richmond road. 
 The vedette on the Richmond road challenged them and receiving no reply attempted to discharge his 
 carbine but the cap snapped. He then retreated on the reserve but was wounded in two places. The 
 enemy then advanced as far as the reserve, evidently with the design of capturing the horses there 
 
APPENDIX. 491 
 
 The command had been sent to the Northern Neck in response to 
 a request from the citizens for protection from raiding parties, and 
 also because of lack of subsistence for the whole of Mosby s com 
 mand in the country where it had been operating. On March 6th 
 I was at Fredericksburg, and going down the river about five miles 
 I saw ten transports and three gun-boats, loaded with troops, some 
 of the boats being anchored about five miles from town. After dark 
 I went with three men as near the boats as I could get, trying to 
 learn the object of this raid or expedition, and was halted by a 
 picket on shore w r ho fired at us and wounded one of my men, Pear 
 son, in the calf of the leg. On the following morning they burned 
 the depot and stores at Hamilton s Crossing and captured some Con 
 federate wagons, and then, about 3 o clock, went aboard their trans 
 ports and started for Fortress Monroe. 
 
 On Sunday morning, March 12, news reached me that the Yankees 
 were landing infantry and cavalry at Kinsale, five or six miles east 
 of The Hague. I at once sent couriers to the company commanders, 
 collected a few men in that vicinity, and started for Kinsale with 
 about 15 men. It seems that they had on several occasions landed a 
 force of troops on the Northern Neck, when they would march up 
 the Rappahannock side of the county, then across the Neck at Fred 
 ericksburg, and come back on the Potomac side, collecting all the 
 stock they could and carry it off. The citizens thought they were 
 preparing for another such raid, and, judging from past experience, 
 thought the same route would be taken. I had not gone more than 
 half a mile before I met Wat Bowie, who lived in that section, and 
 two or three others with a couple of prisoners, and was told that a 
 regiment of cavalry was just behind them. I immediately withdrew 
 from the road and took my men in the woods to conceal them, and 
 directed Bowie and his party to march on and draw their advance 
 guard as far from the regiment as possible, in order to give me an 
 opportunity to get between them and the column. Unfortunately the 
 place where I met Bowie w-as very near the point where the wooded 
 section stopped and the cleared land began on both sides of the road, 
 and it was impossible for me after getting in the w>oods to pass 
 beyond the point where I had turned in without exposing my men 
 to the view of the advancing column. When the advance guard 
 reached that point they observed our tracks and came to a halt 
 directly in front of us. There was nothing for us to do but to charge 
 them, which we did with such a yell that they must have imagined 
 we had a whole regiment. There were at last 30 men in the advance 
 
 stationed. I regret to state that they succeeded so far in their object, capturing four and killing one. 
 
 The following casualties occurred in the force stationed at the reserve: Private Hall, Co. H. 20th 
 New York Cavalry; Privates Belden and Dix, Co. G, 4th Mass. Cavalry and Private Libee. Co. D. 
 16th New York Vol. Artillery, wounded; Private Cowan, Co. D, 16th New York Vol. Artillery, killed; 
 3 hoises 4th Mass. Cavalry, captured; one horse. First New York Mounted Rifles, killed and one 
 captured. 
 
 "I have to state that as soon as the alarm was brought into camp Capt. Bouve, 4th Mass. Cavalry and 
 Lieut. David Earlc, First New York Mounted Rifles, lost not a moment in turning out their respective 
 commands." 
 
492 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 guard, who turned and ran back towards their column, while we 
 pursued as fast as possible, capturing some of them and passing many 
 of them before we met the head of the column just at the top of a 
 little hill. The head of the column was thrown into confusion by a 
 portion of the advance guard rushing back on them, and it was with 
 some difficulty that the commanding officer could prevent his men 
 from being put to flight. I was riding a mare that was very fast 
 and hard to hold when excited, and was carried into the head of the 
 column, and I distinctly heard this officer scolding his men and ask 
 ing them if they were "going to let a dozen men whip a regiment." 
 I had to pull my mare into the corner of a rail fence before I could 
 turn, and could see the splinters flying from the rails from the bul 
 lets fired at me. There were two of my men (one of them Wat 
 Bowie) just behind me. When we wheeled to go back we found 
 nearly half of the Federals we had passed in the charge without dis 
 arming, directly in front of us, and to escape them we took a road 
 leading off from the shop to the right. The regiment soon rallied 
 and started in pursuit of our men, keeping the main road, and fol 
 lowed them up to The Hague. We made a detour and reached a 
 body of woods which we kept in until we came to the road over 
 which we had passed in going into this charge and captured the 
 guard who were taking Lieut. Robinson and two other of our men 
 to the rear, and also captured two cavalrymen who were taking two 
 negroes to the rear. 
 
 The men assembled at their meeting places very quickly and later 
 in the day we got together for the purpose of opposing the forward 
 march of the Federal troops. There were 2,000 infantry and 300 
 cavalry landed from the Federal boats on March I2th. After the 
 attack at the blacksmith shop the cavalry fell back upon the infantry 
 and they moved back to Kinsale during the evening, abandoning the 
 raid which they proposed making through that section. We followed 
 closely upon their flanks and rear, and after we had gotten our force 
 together made repeated efforts to get the cavalry away from the 
 infantry. I rode in company with Serg. Biedler out in an open field, 
 exposing ourselves to plain view, thinking the cavalry would pursue 
 us, my men being in a body of woods close by ready to attack. I 
 observed some sharpshooters passing into a body of pines on my 
 left and called Biedler s attention to it and we started to move out 
 of range, just as I turned my mare a shot from one of them struck 
 her in the hind leg at the hock joint. A volley was fired at the same 
 time, and the mare while in this excited state ran for over 100 yards 
 on three legs and carried me under a hill out of range of the bullets. 
 She was the most valuable animal I owned during the war and I 
 regretted her loss very much. The infantry and cavalry kept well 
 together until they got to their boats. 
 
 While I was making a scout on their flank my brother, Captain 
 Sam Chapman, who was following closely, made an attack on the 
 
APPENDIX. 493. 
 
 rear of the column just about dark, and in this attack he was 
 severely wounded in the thigh. John Horsley had his horse shot in 
 the fight. 
 
 I watched the movements of the Federals, and during the night 
 they went aboard their vessels and sailed away from that vicinity the 
 following day. They fired a number of shots from their gun-boats, 
 some of them passing over the place where we were lying in the 
 woods, but no damage was done. 
 
 We kept up our scouting, and occasionally a gun-boat would run 
 up the Machodoc and other streams, but no attempt was made to land 
 troops. 
 
 I was ordered by Col. Mosby to move with tne troops under my 
 command to Fauquier County. We left Northern Neck on April 
 9th, reached Warrenton on the I2th, camped that night at Mr. James 
 Blackwell s, near Bethel, and I reported that night or the next day 
 to Col. Mosby. 
 
 W. H. CHAPMAN, 
 
 Late Lieut. -Col. Mosby s Command. 
 
 FIVE TO ONE FRANK WILLIAMS FIGHT NEAR ASHBY S 
 
 LANE. 
 
 In the month of June, 1863, while riding from Middleburg to 
 Scumeburg, Lieutenant Frank Williams stopped to water his horse 
 in a little stream near the Piedmont road. While thus engaged he 
 heard the clatter of approaching horses, and looking back saw two 
 Federal cavalrymen close upon him. So close w r ere they that the 
 stripes of a Sergeant were plainly visible on his arm. Just behind 
 these tw r o were three more. The rippling of the water prevented 
 him from hearing their approach until they were right upon him. 
 This made five to one in dangerously close quarters, with the 
 further knowledge that there must be more in the immediate vicinity, 
 for small parties of the enemy never ventured into the confines of 
 Mosby s Confederacy. He immediately decided to escape by flight 
 if possible, if not, to fight. To carry out his first intention, he put 
 spurs to his horse and dashed up the road leading to Mr. Jamison 
 Ashby s residence. The Federals followed in hot pursuit, firing 
 rapidly at close range. For awhile he seemed to gain on his pursuers, 
 but just then his horse was wounded. The animal slowed down and 
 began to limp. 
 
 Williams was now compelled to choose between the alternative 
 of surrendering or fighting against heavy odds. Drawing his pistol 
 he turned and faced his pursuers. Two of them were within twenty 
 feet of him; the others, a hundred yards or more away. His only 
 hope now lay in disposing of the two in front. Withholding his fire 
 until he could almost touch the one in advance he pulled the trigger. 
 His pistol snapped and the Federal cavalryman dealt him a stunning 
 
494 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 blow with his sabre across his head. The blood ran down in a 
 stream over his face and shoulders. 
 
 It was, indeed, a critical moment for Williams. His horse 
 wounded, his head badly cut, his eyes partially blinded with the blood 
 flowing from his wounds, and his pistol had snapped when he had 
 staked his life upon that shot. The trooper who had sabred him 
 was riding so fast that he was unable to check his horse until he 
 had passed him by. Williams then wheeled his horse in behind his 
 enemy and started on in pursuit, thus presenting the novel scene of 
 pursuing and being pursued at the same time. 
 
 This situation could not last and Williams knew it was nearing 
 the end. His horse was fast weakening, and to save himself he was 
 compelled again to face about. This second Federal cavalryman had 
 evidently emptied his pistol, for he attacked Williams with drawn 
 sabre. Williams gave him a shot or two at close range, which proved 
 effectual. Though not unhorsed he was disabled, and died while 
 encamped at Air. Hathaway s. 
 
 By this time the trooper in front had turned around and dashed 
 at Williams with uplifted sabre, riding up to the very muzzle of a 
 pistol aimed directly at him. This time the pistol fired clear and 
 true, and the trooper rolled from the saddle mortally wounded. So 
 close was he that as the shot was fired he gave Williams another cut 
 on the head with his sabre. As the other three Federals were but a 
 short distance off he turned and rode his limping horse away, and 
 greatly to his surprise they allowed him to ride slowly off without 
 making any effort to overtake him, as they easily could have done. 
 
 A short distance beyond the house, his horse getting down to a 
 slow walk, Williams dismounted and hid in a thicket. From his 
 hiding place he saw the Federal cavalrymen, now numbering twenty 
 or more, carry their wounded comrade to Mr. Ashby s, where he 
 died. After they left, Williams made his way to a nearby house 
 where he had his wounds dressed. Next morning he learned his 
 horse was dead. 
 
 DR. DUNN ("Our Doctor") 
 
 Dr. William L. Dunn was a universal favorite in the command. 
 He was familiarly and affectionately spoken of as "Our Doctor." 
 Colonel Mosby, speaking of a visit to army headquarters near Peters 
 burg, said: 
 
 "When I got off the train I recognized in the crowd the face of 
 an old college-mate, Dr. Monteiro, whom I had not seen for thirteen 
 years. I had changed so much he did not recognize me until I told 
 him my name. He was then a surgeon in Wise s Brigade and I told 
 him he was the very man T wanted, for the surgeon I had, Dr. Will 
 Dunn, was too fond of fighting. I wanted one that took more pride 
 in curing than in killing." 
 
APPENDIX. 495 
 
 Dr. Dunn now resides at Glade Spring, Va. In reply to my letter 
 asking for information, he says: 
 
 "Gen. William E. Jones old company was Company D, First Vir 
 ginia Cavalry, Gen. J. E. B. Stuart s old regiment. Mosby, Fount, 
 Beattie (Jasper and Davy Jones were brothers, and were cousins of 
 Gen. Wm. E. Jones), John Sanders and Dr. Wm. L. Dunn were 
 privates in that company. When Jones was promoted to Colonel he 
 made Mosby Adjutant. I was transferred to Medical Staff, stationed 
 in Officers Hospital, Richmond, Va., until August, 1863, when at the 
 request of Mosby, made to Surgeon-General S. P. Moore, was trans 
 ferred to 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry; my rank was Assistant 
 Surgeon P. A. C. S., acting as Surgeon; was promoted Surgeon on 
 March I, 1865, and no change made in my assignment; that is, was 
 left with and officially addressed from head of Medical Department 
 C. S. A., as Surgeon 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry. 
 
 "My first fight was at Billy Gooding s Tavern. \Vhen Mosby wa> 
 wounded his horse was also wounded. He called to Bush. Under 
 wood, Frank Williams and myself to go with him to the rear. Just 
 as I was done dressing his wound, parties of the enemy that had been 
 dispersed by Lieut. Tom Turner passed so near us there was danger 
 of Mosby being captured. I put him on my horse and after gathering 
 up my instruments, mounted a Yankee horse I had captured. 
 
 "The way I kept out of the affair with Blazer at Myers Ford was, 
 Mosby, after placing Joe Nelson with the command in reserve, 
 selected Joe Owen, Flynn, Theodore Mohler and a few others; then, 
 after sending out Joe Owen with a party, he had left Flynn, Mohler 
 and myself. He sent Flynn and myself to bring in some ambulances 
 passing down the pike at Halltown. When we gathered them in we 
 found they were loaded with wounded. We let them pass, and were 
 bringing in a band in a band-wagon. We had got about twenty 
 yards from the pike when Mosby sent Mohler to inform us that a 
 battalion of cavalry was after us. We broke up the slope for the 
 woods in the direction of the river. Mohler s horse gave out, and 
 Flynn and myself had a time holding them off from him until he 
 reached the woods. Mohler then dismounted, hid his gray jacket and 
 pistols under a log, pulled the legs of his tow-linen pants over his 
 boots and went back, meeting the Federal cavalry, who wanted to 
 know where he was going. His reply was, pointing to some cabins 
 on the side of the Blue Ridge, I live over thar; come over here to 
 shuck some corn. Too many soljer mans here for me; I m goin 
 home. 
 
 "They inquired, Have you seen any Rebs? 
 
 " Yes; woods full of em. He passed right through them, got 
 into a boat and crossed the Shenandoah to the Blue Ridge in safety. 
 
 "This enabled Flynn and me to retire at our leisure. We re 
 joined the command at Osborne s, where, as we rode up, Col. Mosby 
 
496 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 took off his hat, waved it and cheered us, apparently much rejoiced! 
 at our escape from what appeared to be inevitable destruction." 
 
 THE BLAZER AFFAIR. 
 
 In reporting this affair Gen. Sheridan says: 
 
 Kernstown, Va., November 21, 1864. 
 
 Sheridan to Halleck: "Captain Blazer, with his company of scouts,, 
 had a fight with Mosby on the i8th instant; killed seven or eight of 
 Mosby s men, and followed him across into Loudoun Cunty. Blazer 
 then returned and went to Kabletown. On the igth Mosby recrossed 
 the mountains and attacked Blazer; killed 16, wounded 6, and scat 
 tered the command. 29 come in; n are still missing. Blazer had 62 
 and Mosby 115 men." 
 
 Sheridan gives the number missing (prisoners) as eleven. I 
 went out to Richmond with 22 prisoners taken in this fight with 
 Blazer, and Blazer was not among them, and there was not a 
 wounded man among them. From this fact alone I know that 
 Sheridan s report is not correct, for Blazer was taken out by another 
 party; and as there were wounded men among the prisoners taken,. 
 they must have gone with Blazer and another guard. 
 
 From a letter received from Major A. E. Richards, who com 
 manded us on this occasion, in reply to one I wrote him inquiring as 
 to certain facts concerning the Blazer affair, I make the following 
 extract: 
 
 "I think your recollection of the number of men Blazer had with 
 him in his fight, is about correct. His command numbered some 
 where between 100 and 105 men probably nearer 100. Sheridan s 
 account is not correct. I continued the pursuit in person for some 
 distance beyond the Valley Turnpike. Sheridan says 29 returned. 
 He must be mistaken in the number. To the best of my recollection 
 we killed 24 and captured 62, 12 of whom were wounded, including 
 Blazer himself. I do not think more than 15 or 16 escaped. My 
 recollection is that I had just about 125 men all told. This has 
 always been fixed in my memory by the following incident: After 
 we had gotten safely across the Shenandoah River with our prison 
 ers, I had Blazer brought to the head of the column, where I rode 
 with him for some distance. During the conversation I asked hira 
 how many men he had in the fight. He answered, about 100. I then 
 asked if he did not know before the fight how many I had. He said 
 he did. "Then," I inquired, "why did you seek the encounter?" He 
 replied, with evident candor, he believed until that day that one of 
 his men could whip at least two of Mosby s. It made such an im 
 pression upon me that I have never forgotten the conversation. And 
 yet his confidence was doubtless justified by the fact that he had 
 been successful in all previous encounters with our men." 
 
 In an article written and published some ten years ago Col. 
 Mosby, speaking of this Blazer fight, says: 
 
 "In proportion to the number engaged, it was one of the most 
 destructive cavalry fights on record. As a fair and square mounted 
 combat, boot to boot and hilt to hilt, and as an illustration of pluck 
 and tactical skill, nothing in the war surpassed it. As soon as the 
 fight was over, the victors and the vanquished were on the friendliest 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 497 
 
 terms, and the exultation of the fierce warriors was tempered with 
 all the grace of chivalry. Blazer shared the contents of his canteen 
 with Harry Hatcher, and in the refreshing draught they found obliv 
 ion of all the trials and dangers of war. That night Blazer and his 
 captors had a high jinks. Richards treated him with all the courtesy 
 that the Black Prince showed to his royal captive. Blazer, too, had 
 the consolation of the fallen monarch if he had lost the battle, he 
 had not lost his honor." 
 
 In a letter I received from Dr. W. L. Dunn, he says: 
 "Did it ever occur to you what a fine officer Major A. E. Richards 
 was, and how completely he had the confidence of the men, to take 
 the same men that Blazer had surprised and routed and lead them 
 into action with Blazer again, not only willingly but anxious to try 
 it over. Richards only had Harry Hatcher, Tom Richards, two men 
 of undaunted courage, and that man of peace, Surgeon Dunn, that 
 Nelson did not have." 
 
 CHARLES A. DUNNINGTON, COMPANY D. 
 
 Charles A. Dunnington was among the first to respond to the 
 call of Virginia for troops. He came out with the Prince William 
 Cavalry, and was captured at Fairfax Court House, June i, 1861, in 
 the skirmish in which Capt. John Q. Marr was killed. 
 
 In his report of the fight, Gen 
 eral McDowell says: "Among the 
 prisoners captured was Charles 
 A. Dunnington, of the Prince 
 William Cavalry. The prisoners 
 are at the Navy Yard and do not 
 Seem to realize their position, 
 most of them appearing entirely 
 Unconcerned and having a jolly 
 time with cards, etc. Dunning 
 ton is the son of C. W. C. Dun 
 nington, formerly Chief of the 
 Capitol Police." 
 
 He afterwards narrowly es 
 caped a second term of prison 
 life. In the early part of Octo 
 ber, 1863, upon his return from 
 Richmond, where he had been to 
 deliver prisoners, he was called 
 to Fitz Lee s headquarters and 
 ordered to take a scouting party 
 
 CHARLES A. DUNNINGTON. CO. D. 
 From a war-time photograph. 
 
 to Stafford Court House, to ascertain the position of a brigade of 
 Cavalry encamped there and the feasibility of surrounding and cap 
 turing them. Crossing the river at the "Bernard House," below Fred- 
 ericksburg, after nightfall, he and four of his former men of the 
 
498 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS 
 
 Fourth Virginia Cavalry went on foot to the place. Finding that 
 there was a division instead of a brigade, and seeing no chance to 
 accomplish anything, he gave permission to his companions to visit 
 their homes and report to him the ensuing night at Hartwood Church, 
 up the river from Falmouth. 
 
 The walk had been very fatiguing and when Dunnington reached 
 the rendezvous at dark he was well worn out, so, while awaiting 
 the arrival of his companions, he concluded to rest under the 
 shelter of a large cedar tree. Sleep stole upon him unawares 
 and he was awakened at sunrise by a bugle call for reveille. Rising 
 upon his feet lie discovered hmself in the midst of Buford s Divi 
 sion of Cavalry, which had bivouacked there while he slept. For 
 a moment he stood, uncertain of the course to pursue. Then, as 
 the soldiers fell into ranks and began answering to roll-call, he threw 
 his jacket over his arm (his trousers were blue), sauntered past 
 several companies, and climbing a worm fence into a cornfield, made 
 a lively dash to a branch lined by alder bushes. Halting at the 
 head of the brook, which was fed by a fine spring, he awaited the 
 approach of a man coming from a house upon the hill for a bucket 
 of water, ascertained the command from which he had just escaped 
 and was guided to a path which led to a ridge road in the direction 
 of Falmouth; he was then enabled to recross the river and report to 
 General Lee before sundown. 
 
 Dunnington afterwards joined Mosby, and as a member of Company 
 D remained with us until the disbanding of the command. 
 
 G. W. ARRINGTON. 
 
 For the benefit of any old comrade who may fail to recognize in 
 this picture G. W. Arrington, I will 
 state that G. W. Arrington and John C. 
 Orrick are one and the same person. 
 
 There are few men, no matter how 
 short their term of service with Mosby 
 was, but knew, at least by reputation, 
 if not personally, John C. Orrick. A 
 history of his life and adventures, if 
 written, would read more like romance 
 than reality. 
 
 He had two reasons for changing his 
 name. One was that he was disinherited 
 by his grandmother, who was a staunch 
 Union sympathizer and a woman of 
 G. W. ARRINGTON (JOHN C. great wealth, and he her only grandchild. 
 ORRICK) CO. C. sh e was so i nc ensed at him because of 
 
 From photograph taken May 7, hig services in the Confederacy that she 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 499 
 
 cut him off without a cent. The other reason grew out of his con 
 nection with the Ku-Klux-Klan. Some years later he had his name 
 changed by law from Orrick to Arrington, that being his mother s 
 maiden name. 
 
 He was among the first to enter the Confederate service as a private 
 in an Alabama infantry regiment, and served with that command until 
 the battle of Gettysburg, where he was badly wounded, thought to 
 be permanently disabled, but recovered and entered Mosby s command 
 as a private. Here his bravery as a soldier and his daring and 
 strategy as a scout gained for him 
 a reputation ranking him as one 
 of the best, and this, when said of 
 one of Mosby s Men, is a distinc 
 tion to be proud of. For this lat 
 ter duty he had a peculiar fitness 
 and rendered valuable service in 
 that capacity. While scouting in 
 Maryland he several times visited 
 Baltimore and Washington, se 
 curing important information. 
 
 On one occasion Mosby sent 
 him to the vicinity of Frederick 
 City, Maryland, to ascertain the 
 Federal forces there and their 
 position. Crossing the Potomac 
 at White s Ford, he donned a 
 suit of citizen s clothes and ob 
 taining a horse and buggy from 
 a friend, started out in the direc 
 tion of the camps. Near Mon- 
 ocacy Junction there was a camp 
 and he wanted to learn the force 
 there. As he stopped by the rail 
 road the picket on post called out 
 to him and demanded his busi- G.W. ARRINGTON 4 JOHN C. ORRICK.) 
 ness. He replied that his horse From picture taken May, 1878, when Captain 
 was wild was afraid of the cars, Frontier Battalion Texas Rangers, 
 
 and he was waiting for the ap 
 proaching train to pass that he might cross the track. Then, while 
 sitting in his buggy, he busied himself in counting the tents, and by 
 reckoning six men to a tent he could figure up the strength of the 
 force at that point. Having accomplished the object of his mission 
 he returned the borrowed clothes and, putting on his uniform, 
 recrossed the river and made his report at headquarters. After the 
 surrender and the disbanding of our command he was paroled by 
 General Chapman, near Berryville, April 29, 1865. 
 
 After being paroled he went to Mexico, to join Maximillian, and 
 on his return to Alabama in the winter of 1866, he found his home 
 
500 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 enduring all the blight and misery of the reconstruction days. There 
 were few of the most prominent citizens but were virtually dis 
 franchised; civil law was only partially reestablished; the lawless and 
 disorderly element among the negroes were influenced and controlled 
 by white men of the meanest and most degraded type men, most of 
 whom had been traitors during the war and had played false to both 
 sides until, in this upheaval of society, they rose like scum to the 
 surface. He became conspicuous in the work of the Ku-Klux-Klan 
 and a reward was offered for him, dead or alive. He eluded those 
 who were seeking the reward and went to Central America in 1867. 
 
 In 1868, the situation in the South having somewhat improved, he 
 returned to this country, visited his old battle-grounds in Loudoun 
 and Clarke Counties, Virginia; then went West, and finally located 
 in Texas. In 1875 he enlisted in the Frontier Battalion of Texas 
 Rangers. He served with such distinction that he was made First 
 Sergeant, and for five years held a commission as First Lieutenant 
 and Captain. For the first three years they were fighting Indians, 
 and after stopping the Indian raids they were given civil authority 
 and set to hunting criminals. He resigned in 1882, and was .elected 
 Sheriff of Wheeler and twelve attached counties. This office he held 
 for eight years and then moved to Hemphill County, where he had 
 already established a ranch, and, having married in 1883, he thought 
 to retire from public life and devote himself entirely to his family, 
 his ranch, and his stock. 
 
 In 1896, the sheriff of his county was killed by train robbers and 
 he was again called upon to take the position. After serving out 
 nearly two years of the sheriff s term, he again retired to his ranch, 
 where he is now enjoying the quiet and comfort of home life. 
 
 "ZOO FRANK GESCHKY. (Frank Johnson.) 
 
 Lieut. W. B. Palmer, in sending me his picture, says: 
 
 "Here is a picture of old Zoo, 1 taken when he was out at the 
 Soldiers Home, Richmond. They all liked the old fellow. He was 
 the messenger for the Commander until his death, and when he 
 died and was buried I went to his funeral, and so did all of the Board 
 of Directors of the Home." 
 
 Col. Mosby, in a letter written from San Francisco, referring to 
 some pictures sent him, says: 
 
 "I recognize Zoo. I captured him with a long wagon train in 
 Fairfax, in August, 1863. He wore a Zouave cap and hence my men 
 called him Zoo. Another, Billy-Filly, was Little Yankee. Ames 
 was Big Yankee. Zoo is a Prussian. He was driving a wagon in 
 the train. I rode up to him and said Halt. Zoo gave me a military 
 salute and responded: Halt, it is. I then said: Unhitch your 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 501 
 
 mules. Zoo responded, Unhitch it is, and suited the action to the 
 word. I did not have a more faithful follower." 
 
 I have now before me a letter from 
 "Zoo," which I give without alteration: 
 
 "Bristow, Prince William County, Va. 
 
 January 16, 1902. 
 MRS. P. A. FRANKLIN: 
 
 DEAR MADAM : I received your letter an 
 was glad to hear that you had gotten the 
 box. Dear Madam I recievet a letter from 
 the Soldger Home of Richmond gisterday 
 Jry I5th, and it stated that I hav to kom tho 
 Richmond by the 28 of Jannuary. my apli- 
 cation is exseptet. Madam, i will writh to 
 you an Capt wen i gith ther. Dear Madam 
 will you be so kaind and tell the Captain to 
 pleas send me a littel Monny to by me a 
 ticket on the Tran to Richmond, giv my 
 best wishes to Capt & your 2 Sons and kip 
 the gretter part four yourself. 
 Respeckfully 
 
 JOHNSON FRANK GESCHKY, 
 
 ZOO. 
 
 In explanation of the above: The "box" 
 mentioned contained a turkey, sent about 
 the holiday season to Mrs. Franklin. Cap 
 tain Franklin had been in the habit of send 
 ing him money, and on receipt of this letter, 
 sent him some money and a railroad ticket 
 to Richmond. 
 
 FRANK GESCHKY 
 
 ("ZOO") 
 Artillery Co. 
 
 FRONT ROYAL AFFAIR 
 
 These letters will be of interest in connection with the account 
 given on pages 239, 240 and 241. 
 
 Worcester, Mass., March 3, 1902. 
 To the POSTMASTER at Front Royal, Va. : 
 
 DEAR SIR: On the day of the battle of Fisher s Hill, or on the day 
 after the battle, there were several Confederate soldiers shot in a field 
 near the town, and two were hanged on a tree between the town and 
 the river. Can you give me the names of the two men who were 
 hung? 
 
 The Union forces went up to a point called Milford, I think, to 
 
502 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 get through the mountains, under Gen. Torbert, but, not succeeding, 
 turned back to rejoin Sheridan at Fisher s Hill. Several Union 
 soldiers were found killed, who had lost their horses and loitered in 
 the rear. Several of Mosby s Men were caught, or supposed to be 
 such, and were shot and two hanged in retaliation. Can you tell me 
 their names, and if they have relatives living, and if so, where? 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 S. C. WILLIS. 
 
 Front Royal, March 17, 1902. 
 S. C. WILLIS, Worcester, Mass. 
 
 DEAR SIR: Your letter of March 3, 1902, addressed to the Post 
 master at Front Royal, Va., is handed me for reply, and in response 
 I have to state that on September 23, 1864, there were four of Mosby s 
 Men shot to death after having surrendered, and two others hanged 
 on a tree between the town and the Shenandoah river, about three- 
 quarters of a mile north of the town. The names of the men hanged, 
 as to whom you especially ask, are, viz.: one Carter, whose Christian 
 name or place of residence has never been ascertained. The other, 
 William Thomas Overby, of the State of Georgia, has a married sister 
 living in the person of Mrs. Rosa O. Christian, Palmetto, Georgia. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 H. L. COOK. 
 
 P. S. I would be glad to know what prompted your inquiry as 
 to the two of Mosby s Men hanged here? H. L. C. 
 
 Worcester, Mass., March 27, 1902. 
 H. L. COOK, Front Royal, Va.: 
 
 DEAR SIR: Many thanks for your most interesting letter of I7th 
 inst. If you will excuse me for writing of myself, will try and explain 
 my interest in the Confederate soldiers hanged in Front Royal, Sept. 
 23rd, 1864. I was a Sergeant in the First Rhode Island Cavalry, then 
 a small regiment of about 250 men. We were the escort of Gen. 
 Torbert, moving back from a place called Milford that morning. 
 Some command found some of our men with their throats cut, and 
 soon after captured some of Mosby s Men. Being questioned by 
 Torbert, and being satisfied that they were from Mosby s command, 
 he ordered them sliot then and there. At the very time these men 
 were being shot, two more were brought in, one a stout man, the 
 other a small man. They saw their comrades lying on or in the 
 field. Torbert told these men, if they would tell him the location of 
 the camp of Mosby, they would be treated as prisoners of war, if not, 
 they would be shot. They said the big man being spokesman "We 
 cannot tell that." Torbert seemed much vexed at the answer, and, 
 in the excitement, said to the Provost Marshall, "Take those men up 
 to that tree and hang them." As I was of the non-commissioned 
 staff of my regiment, my colonel said to me "Go up and witness 
 
APPENDIX. 503 
 
 that, and see if they do not recant." I went up to the knoll, and 
 when their hands were tied behind them, they were asked if they 
 would give the location of Mosby s camp, and they said, "We cannot 
 do it." The small man, when the rope was adjusted about his neck, 
 asked for time to pray, and the Captain, executing the order of Tor- 
 bert, said, "Yes, but you must hurry up." A minute or two was given 
 them, when they were drawn up and there perished. 
 
 You ask for the knowledge of my interest in these two men. 
 Well, it is this: Those men should never have been hung for not 
 betraying their Commander; they should have been protected from 
 this cruelty of hanging; they should have been kept from harm for 
 their heroic bravery. And thinking that perhaps no people of theirs 
 might know why they were hanged, and not shot, I took this way to 
 let them know I think the order of Gen. Torbert was unwise, narrow 
 and cruel in the extreme: killing one man because another has been 
 killed, is not Christian or wise, unless at least you have the man who 
 did the killing. I was commissioned and took command of my com 
 pany for meritorious conduct in battle, but I am ashamed of this act 
 of Torbert s. Brave men win the respect of brave men, though they 
 are against us, and, in my opinion, Overby and Carter rank in nobility 
 of courage and patriotism with our Nathan Hale, who grieved that 
 he had but one life to give for his country. I now am, and ever will 
 be, a Union man; I think the South was wrong and insanely mad in 
 trying to break up the government, but patriots are wrong some 
 times; brave men are out of order often. This deed was wrong on 
 our side, and how I would have stopped it if I could. 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 S. C. WILLIS. 
 
 THE FIGHT AT HAMILTON. 
 Extract from a letter of Robert Chew to an old comrade. 
 
 "The command moved from Lincoln down the old railroad grade, 
 thence across fields and took position in a strip of open woods on 
 Lincoln and Hamilton road, Captain Glascock in command. We had 
 just moved into the woods when we heard the Yankees coming. 
 Roberson rode to the side of Co. D; Charlie Dear and I being in 
 front, turned our horses facing D Company. Our object was to hold 
 the men, but they did not waver. 
 
 Charles Wiltshire with one or two men dashed by closely followed 
 by a few Yankees. The Yankees drew up and made back. After they 
 had passed us Wiltshire turned like lightning and killed the man in 
 advance. Glascock gave the order to charge. I charged. Wiltshire 
 was in advance; I saw no one but him in advance of me. We struck 
 the enemy in the road just before they reached the open woods, and 
 right there was a jam. When they began to move back and our men 
 pushing in, I noticed Wiltshire striking a Yankee with a sabre. 
 
504 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Wiltshire s horse reared and putting his forefeet on the rump of a 
 Yankee horse, walked on his hind feet and seemingly enjoyed the 
 part he took with his master in the fight. 
 
 At the next bend in the road there was another jam. At this 
 point I saw my brother John pushing through the jam and tried to 
 overhaul him but failed, and did not again see him until after he was 
 shot. Gabe Braden and I tried to lift him to a horse, but could not. 
 Our men were falling back. John told us to drag him to a fence 
 corner, which we did. He was shot within a hundred yards of the 
 infantry. But few of our men passed this point that I can recall 
 Wiltshire, Braden, Keith, Orrick, the two Vandeventers, Welt 
 Hatcher and McGinnis. Keith was killed beyond where John was 
 wounded. Charles Wiltshire struck me that day, the first and only 
 time I ever saw him in action, as a grand soldier and horseman. I 
 have given you plain facts as I saw it." 
 
 THE WOUNDING OF LIEUT. CHARLES E. GROGAN. 
 
 On the 2Oth of December, 1864, a force of 1,000 cavalry, under 
 Lieut. -Col. Clendenin, comprising detachments of 400 men of the 
 Eighth Illinois, 300 Sixteenth New York and 300 Thirteenth New 
 York, were sent from Fairfax Court House to cooperate with two 
 divisions sent by Sheridan, through Chester Gap, to capture some 
 herds of cattle that were being collected by agents of the Con 
 federate government. The best mounted men from the several 
 regiments were selected for this service. On arriving at Aldie the 
 command separated, and, taking different routes, again united at Salem. 
 
 Lieut. Grogan, with a little party of Mosby s Men, had been out 
 all night tracking the Eighth Illinois, and in the morning, seeing their 
 course led in the direction of Fairfax, concluded they were returning 
 to camp, and Grogan disbanded his party. With Billings Steele he 
 stopped at Kinloch, the residence of Mr. Edward Turner, near the 
 Plains, in Fauquier County. 
 
 While seated in the parlor waiting for breakfast, in company with 
 the young ladies, one of the house servants threw open the door and 
 said "The Y 7 ankees are surrounding the house." In the falling snow 
 they had got on the trail of Grogan and Steele. The Federals had 
 opened the front door opening into the hall and were being held back 
 somewhat by the colored girl. Grogan jumped for his pistols, which 
 he had thrown off with his belt in the hall before going into the 
 presence of the young ladies, and he and Steele retreated back to the 
 parlor and jumped out through the back window, and right into 
 the midst of their enemies. Steele, being unarmed, surrendered, but 
 Grogan refused, preferring to take the chance of death in battle 
 rather than the certainty of prison life, remembering the hardships 
 he had endured while imprisoned at Johnson s Island, and from which 
 he had once escaped. He did not stop to consider the unequal con 
 test he was about to engage in, but at once opened fire and discharged 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 505 
 
 four or five loads before turning the corner of the house in an effort 
 to get to his horse in the stable. He was shot down and almost 
 trampled to death by the enemy s horses, being entirely prostrated. 
 
 But a short time previous to this seven of Sheridan s men had 
 been executed by Mosby s orders in retaliation for the men of our 
 command murdered at Front Royal, and Grogan then believed 
 that he was about the first of 
 Mosby s Men captured after 
 that unpleasant incident, so he 
 was somewhat uncertain as to 
 what his fate would be. But 
 when he was asked as to his 
 command, he frankly owned up 
 that he was Lieutenant of Com 
 pany D, Mosby s Command. 
 True courage and honesty is 
 always recognized and admired 
 by brave men, so in this case 
 it won him sympathy and kind 
 treatment. He was taken to 
 the office building (so common 
 with such estates as Kinloch) 
 and Dr. Nelson, the surgeon of 
 the Eighth Illinois, examined 
 and dressed the wound hur 
 riedly, and making him as com 
 fortable as possible left, at the 
 same time expressing regret 
 that he could not amputate the 
 limb, and advising him that as 
 soon as he could get a surgeon he should have the leg taken off. 
 The ambulance, that was at the door ready to transport him to 
 Washington, was ordered away, as he was then thought to be per 
 manently disabled. 
 
 When Dr. Monteiro, of Mosby s Command, visited him later he 
 found him in a very unpromising condition. Both bones of the right 
 leg were broken. He examined the fracture, removed the fragments 
 of broken bone which the Federal surgeon had failed to remove and 
 which were causing him much irritation. For some months he was 
 compelled to use crutches; but he has since said to me: "Williamson, 
 if you ever come across that Yankee surgeon, give him my kindest 
 regards and tell him how thankful I am that he did not have time that 
 day at Kinloch to take my leg off; that it has done me great service 
 since then, and it is a better leg now than any one I could buy to 
 replace it." 
 
 Billings Steele was taken to Washington and was not liberated 
 from prison until after the war. He died some years after at 
 Annapolis, Md. 
 
 JOHN DUNNING, CO. D. 
 
 From picture taken in Winchester, Va., just 
 
 after being paroled. 
 
506 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 WAR SONGS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 What though no sculptured shaft 
 
 Commemorate our brave? 
 What though no monument epitaphed 
 Be built above their grave? 
 
 When marble wears away. 
 
 And monuments are dust, 
 The Songs that guard our soldiers clay 
 
 Will still fulfill their trust." 
 
 REV. A. J. RYAN. 
 
 MARYLAND LINE CAMP SONG. 
 
 We re the boys so gay and happy, 
 
 Whereso er we chance to be 
 If at home or on camp duty, 
 
 Tis the same we re always free. 
 
 So, let the guns roar as the> will, 
 We ll be gay and happy still; 
 Gay and happy gay and happy, 
 We ll be gay and happy still. 
 
 We ve left our homes and those we cherish, 
 
 In our good old Maryland; 
 Rather than wear chains we ll perish 
 
 Side by side and hand in hand. 
 
 So, let the guns roar, etc. . 
 
 Old Virginia needs assistance, 
 Northern hosts invade her soil; 
 
 We ll present a firm resistance, 
 Courting danger, fire, and toil. 
 
 So, let the guns roar, etc. 
 
 Then let drums and muskets rattle, 
 
 Fearless as our sires of yore, 
 We ll not leave the field of battle 
 
 Till we ve ransomed Baltimore. 
 
 So, let the guns roar, etc. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 SO/ 
 
 / 
 
 HENRY H. HARRISON, COMPANY B. 
 
 In reply to my inquiry I received a letter from Mr. Harrison, 
 dated Black Point, Florida, August 29, 1908, saying: 
 
 "I am a survivor of Company 
 B, Mosby s Battalion; I served a 
 short time only and knew but 
 few of the men personally. I 
 was born at Carter Hall, near 
 Millwood, Clarke Co., Va., May 
 12, 1848. My grandfather s Is 
 land Farm, in the Shenandoah 
 River, was a great resort of / 
 Mosby s Men, who usually crossed I 
 the river at Berry s Ferry or at 
 Morgan s Ford. 
 
 "In the fight with Colonel 
 Reno s Twelfth Pennsylvania 
 Cavalry near Hamilton, my horse 
 was shot and had its right fore 
 leg broken. 
 
 Somebody gave me Captain 
 Manning s horse to ride, but 
 when we passed through Hamil 
 ton on the 22d the horse was 
 called for. I got my horse into 
 the widow Rogers stable and 
 swung it up in chains to try to save it, then started on foot and 
 alone for Paris. On the way I met the Yankee column and was sur 
 rounded by the mounted men and captured. I was held a prisoner 
 of war at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, until June 9, 1865, when we 
 were all released. 
 
 "After the war I went to the University of Virginia; traveled in 
 Europe; served in the Liberating Army of Cuba, as a captain of 
 cavalry in the Brigade of Puerto Principe, in the ten years war; 
 came back to Virginia; farmed, and served in the Legislature. It was 
 too cold for me. My health failed, and in 1887 I had to leave Virginia 
 and move to South Florida." 
 
 HENRY H. HARRISON. CO. B. 
 From photograph taken in London, Eng. in 
 
 l869> 
 
 A GLIMPSE OF MOSBY S MEN. 
 The Fight with the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry, at Hamilton. 
 
 By HENRY H. HARRISON, OF Co. B. 
 Two hundred horsemen in the wood, 
 
 Waiting to strike the blow, 
 While up the road the fleet decoys 
 Have gone to draw the foe. 
 
508 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 A rattling fire, a rush of hoofs, 
 That sweep by like the wind, 
 
 Eight hundred Yankee sabres 
 That follow on behind. 
 
 Eight hundred Yankee sabres pour 
 In torrent down the hill; 
 
 Two hundred horsemen brave and true, 
 Who meet them with a will. 
 
 A rush! a yell! and from the wood 
 They charge out on the foe! 
 
 A moment and the fight is won, 
 And back the Yankees go. 
 
 Eight hundred flying Yankees 
 Dash wildly up the hill; 
 
 Two hundred rebels close behind, 
 Shooting and yelling still. 
 
 For life or death their horses 
 They urge with spur and goad. 
 
 Neath rebel blades and bullets 
 They fall along the road. 
 
 The vanquished and the victors 
 Dash madly out of sight; 
 
 But dust, and yells, and pistol shots 
 Tell of the flying fight. 
 
 All passed as swiftly as a dream, 
 And but for those who lay 
 
 Trampled and dying in the road, 
 The scene had passed away. 
 
 THE LAST PARADE. 
 
 The Disbanding of the Rangers (the 43^ Battalion Virginia Cavalry}, at 
 Salem, in Virginia, after the surrender of Gen. Lee. 
 
 By HENRY H. HARRISON, OF Co. B. 
 
 Hark! o er the hills a bugle call! a bugle henceforth dumb! 
 It bids us weep a fallen cause, a day of doom to come; 
 It tells us that thy vales, Fauquier, shall never more resound 
 With charging shout, or clashing swords, or victory s joyous sound. 
 The land we love, our beautiful, where Mosby long held sway, 
 Has fallen with the Southern Cross, is now the spoilers prey; 
 And this is why through Salem s streets to-day the Rangers ride, 
 And this is why in every heart hope s star hath paled and died. 
 
APPENDIX. 509 
 
 By every road the horsemen come, those boys so gay and bold, 
 
 But not a smile is seen to-day, each face is stern and cold, 
 
 For many a heart that erst beat high is in the dust to-day, 
 
 And many a cheek is wet with tears at doffing of the gray. 
 
 In bitter words their woe breaks forth, and shakes the manly form 
 
 That never feared to meet the foe, nor quailed mid battles storm; 
 
 The Legion knows its hour has come, its saddest and its last; 
 
 For, like the starry cross, twill soon be numbered with the past. 
 
 The bugle sounds, the ranks are formed; once more we re side by side, 
 On prancing steeds, with arms as bright as when we rode in pride. 
 And o er our heads our banner waves, blood-stained and battle torn, 
 Which through these years of glorious war to vict ry oft we ve borne. 
 All Nature wears a saddened face; dark clouds droop like a pall; 
 And overhead a murky sky hangs lowering over all. 
 The mutterings of the passing storm still lingers on our ear; 
 Around us gloom and chilling air our hearts are still more drear. 
 
 Ah! land of woe! would that the sword which often waved for thee 
 Had laid us low ere such a sight as this mine eyes should see. 
 Be still, my soul, right never dies, many brave hearts remain, 
 Who .in the time to come may prove the dead died not in vain. 
 Now see along the silent ranks our gallant leader ride 
 The victor on a hundred fields, who sooner, far, had died. 
 He gazes long upon his band, each well-known face he seeks, 
 Then dashing off the unbid tear, the dauntless chieftain speaks: 
 
 "Men of the Ranger Legion, who, through these years of blood, 
 
 Midst death and desolation, firm at my side have stood, 
 
 Once more we meet together; but not to seek the foe; 
 
 In grief I call you hither to lay your standards low. 
 
 The vision we have cherished of a Southland great and free, 
 
 Has passed before the frown of fate, our Nation may not be. 
 
 The battleborn republic in blood hath passed away. 
 
 This land for which you fought and bled, is now the spoiler s prey. 
 
 "Were every heart as stout as yours and every sword as keen, 
 The day to lower the Southern flag had not yet come, I ween; 
 The armies in the field are gone, but from each wood and hill 
 A thousand bands, as bold as ours, could hold the country still. 
 If Francis Marion lived to-day the South might still be free; 
 Better to die with sword in hand than live in slavery. 
 Our old men will it otherwise, war s wounds they seek to cure; 
 To-day we sheathe our useless swords, the brave may war no more. 
 
5IO MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 "Unconquered, but forsaken, our standards only wave 
 
 O er what was once our Nation, but now our Nation s grave. 
 
 The foemen gather round us, we, we alone are left 
 
 Of all that was the Southern host; all, all the rest are reft. 
 
 I never will surrender this Legion I have made 
 
 To those whom we have always chased; it never shall be said. 
 
 But mortal man can do no more, e en freedom to retain, 
 
 The Forty-third Virginia will never meet again." 
 
 He ceased; nor from that long array was heard a voice or sound, 
 
 Silent it hears the fatal words, the horses paw the ground. 
 
 A moment, and the ranks dissolve, and round their chief they close, 
 
 Like little children weep the men who feared not mortal foes. 
 
 A grasp for each, a word for all, at last he turns aside; 
 
 Forth to the unknown future, the young Virginians ride. 
 
 But ever on the roll of those who struggle to be free 
 
 Shall live their names who never rode except to victory. 
 
 MOSBY. 
 By II. C. BLANCHARD, Co. D. 
 
 There s a rebel guerrilla, one Mosby by name, 
 To catch U. S. horses his principal aim; 
 He proves quite a terror to his keenest foe, 
 By bagging their pickets, as many do know. 
 
 On one occasion brave Wyndham went out, 
 To catch Mosby s band he took a long scout; 
 He marched up to Warrenton, there made a halt; 
 He could not find Mosby, but twas not his fault. 
 
 He opened the stores and every hotel, 
 And faithfully searched to find the old fel ; 
 But much to the Colonel s regret, could not find 
 The plague and the terror of his picket line. 
 
 They made in the town but a short sojourn, 
 Then, mounting their horses, prepared to return, 
 Each man was so loaded he could carry no more 
 With the goods they had honestly found in the store. 
 
 As the brave little army marched back down the road, 
 Their horses exhausted quite by their large load, 
 Mosby, unthought of, turned up pretty near, 
 And made the acquaintance of those in the rear. 
 
APPENDIX. 511 
 
 The Colonel was now so enraged at his fate, 
 That he swore upon citizens he d retaliate; 
 But this did no good, for Mosby could come 
 And get their fine horses and carry them home. 
 
 There is one other circumstance I will cite 
 He went into Fairfax at a late hour of night, 
 But we who are true to the Union won t laugh, 
 For he picked up a General and all of his staff. 
 
 The General-in-chief said this never would do, 
 That it must be stopped, and ordered it, too; 
 He chose a wise course, you ll all say, I ll be bound 
 He arrested the farmers for ten miles around. 
 
 But I m afraid, after all, they have not yet found, 
 The farmers who pilot -this Mosby around. 
 For since they ve been arrested, the papers explain, 
 That Mosby has paid us a visit again. 
 
 At Herndon station a few nights ago, 
 A Major was placing his pickets, when lo! 
 Mosby came rushing up with a small squad, 
 And captured the Major and all of his guard. 
 
 Now I ask one and all if this is not rough, 
 
 It s a disgrace to our army; it has gone far enough; 
 
 To hang this vile Mosby I think that we ought, 
 
 But I believe that the hanging comes after the caught. 
 
 MOSBY S LAST RAID INTO LOUDOUN. 
 
 By H. C. BLANCHARD, Co. D. 
 
 Colonel Mosby s last order I m glad to relate, 
 A tenth of the grain from the Quakers to take; 
 And for the same purpose his battalion he brought, 
 And all over Loudoun corn and bacon he sought. 
 
 CHORUS: Oh, Colonel Mosby; Oh, Colonel Mosby, the 
 
 Quakers hard fate 
 Is pretty hard to relate. 
 
 The Yankees they thought to block this bold game, 
 So the Twelfth Pennsylvania to Harmony came: 
 But in spite of the Yankees and all their bombast, 
 Colonel Mosby will get his provisions at last. 
 
 CHORUS As above. . 
 
512 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 The Yankees they thought to draw the Rebs. out, 
 But in making the effort many went up the spout, 
 The infantry ran and the cavalry broke, 
 And they found fighting Mosby was not all a joke. 
 
 CHORUS As above. 
 
 We followed them next day until the sun set, 
 And still on the morrow we followed them yet; 
 But seeing that fighting gainst Mosby was vain, 
 They all crossed over the river again. 
 
 CHORUS As above. 
 
 I m sorry to say that some ten or fifteen 
 Of this noble battalion at Pusey s were seen; 
 They broke up the dishes and kicked up a fuss, 
 And got themselves into a terrible muss. 
 
 CHORUS: Oh, Mr. Pusey; Oh, Mr. Pusey, indeed I am 
 
 sad 
 You ve been treated so bad. 
 
 Some of the party left very soon; 
 Some went off later and each brought a spoon; 
 And one, not contented with what he had got, 
 Went back for the urn and a new coffee pot. 
 
 CHORUS: Oh, Mr. Pusey, etc. 
 
 One of the party to Leesburg then went; 
 Two of the battalion to arrest him were sent. 
 They took him to Harmony, the Colonel to see, 
 And Mosby decided to let him go free. 
 
 CHORUS: Bully for Hipkins! Bully for Hipkins! 
 To our great delight 
 He s found out all right. 
 
 Comrades, in future, when to Loudoun you re brought, 
 You must try and behave yourselves as you ought, 
 And also in future you must ever beware 
 Of visiting Pusey and flanking his ware. 
 
 CHORUS: Oh, Mr. Pusey, etc. 
 
APPENDIX. 513 
 
 MOSBY AT HAMILTON. 
 
 By MADISON CAWEIN 
 Down Loudoun lanes, with swinging reins 
 
 And clash of spur and sabre, 
 And bugling of battle horn, 
 Six score and eight we rode at morn, 
 Six score and eight of Southern born, 
 All tried in love and labor. 
 
 Full in the sun at Hamilton, 
 
 We met the South s invaders; 
 Who, over fifteen hundred strong, 
 Mid blazing homes had marched along 
 All night, with Northern shout and song, 
 
 To crush the rebel raiders. 
 
 Down Loudoun lanes with streaming manes 
 
 We spurred in wild March weather; 
 And all along our war-scarred way 
 The graves of Southern heroes lay, 
 Our guide posts to revenge that day, 
 
 As we rode grim together. 
 
 Old tales still tell some miracle 
 
 Of saints in holy writing 
 But who shall say why hundreds fled 
 Before the few that Mosby led, 
 Unless the noblest of our dead 
 
 Charged with us then when fighting? 
 
 While Yankee cheers still stunned our ears, 
 
 Of troops at Harper s Ferry, 
 While Sheridan led on his Huns, 
 And Richmond rocked to roaring guns, 
 We felt the South still had some sons, 
 
 She would not scorn to bury. 
 
 MY MARYLAND. 
 By JAMES R. RANDALL. 
 The despot s heel is on thy shore, 
 
 Maryland! 
 His torch is at thy temple door, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 Avenge the patriotic gore 
 That flecked the streets of Baltimore, 
 And be the battle-queen of yore, 
 
 Maryland! My Maryland! 
 
514 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Hark to an exiled son s appeal, 
 
 Maryland! 
 My Mother-State, to thee I kneel! 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 For life and death, for woe and weal, 
 Thy peerless chivalry reveal, 
 And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel, 
 Maryland! My Maryland! 
 
 Thou wilt not cower in the dust, 
 
 Maryland! 
 Thy beaming sword shall never rust, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 Remember Carroll s sacred trust, 
 Remember Howard s warlike thrust 
 And all thy slumberers with the just, 
 
 Maryland! My Maryland! 
 
 Come! Tis the red dawn of the day, 
 
 Maryland! 
 Come with thy panoplied array, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 With Ringgold s spirit for the fray, 
 With Watson s blood at Monterey, 
 With fearless Lowe and dashing May, 
 
 Maryland! My Maryland! 
 
 Dear Mother, burst the tyrant s chain, 
 
 Maryland! 
 Virginia should not call in vain, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 She meets her sisters on the plain, 
 Sic Semper! Tis the proud refrain 
 That baffles minions back amain, 
 
 Maryland! 
 Arise, in majesty again, 
 
 Maryland! My Maryland! 
 
 Come, for thy shield is bright and strong, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 Come, for thy dalliance does thee wrong, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 Come to thine own heroic throng, 
 
 Stalking with liberty along, 
 
 And chant thy dauntless slogan-song, 
 
 Maryland! My Maryland? 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 I see the blush upon thy cheek, 
 
 Maryland! 
 For thou wast ever bravely meek, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 But lo! there surges forth a shriek; 
 From hill to hill, from creek to creek, 
 Potomac calls to Chesapeake, 
 
 Maryland! My Maryland! 
 
 Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 Thou wilt not crook to his control, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 Better the fire upon thee roll, 
 
 Better the shot, the blade, the bowl, 
 
 Than crucifixion of the soul, 
 
 Maryland! My Maryland! 
 
 I hear the distant thunder-hum, 
 
 Maryland! 
 The Old Line bugle, fife and drum, 
 
 Maryland! 
 
 She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb! 
 Huzza! She spurns the Northern scum! 
 She breathes! She burns! She ll come! 
 She ll come! 
 
 Maryland! My Maryland! 
 
 515 
 
 THE ORIGINAL "DIXIE." 
 
 I wish I was in de land of cotton, 
 Old times dar am not forgotten; 
 
 Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land. 
 In Dixie Land, whar I was born in, 
 Early on one frosty mornin , 
 
 Look away, look away, look away, Dixie Land. 
 
 Den I wish I was in Dixie, 
 
 Hooray, hooray. 
 
 In Dixie Land I ll took my stand, 
 
 To lib an die in Dixie; 
 
 Away, away, away down South in Dixie; 
 
 Away, away, away down South in Dixie. 
 
5i6 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Old missus marry "Will de weaber," 
 William was a gay deceaber, 
 
 Look away, etc. 
 
 But when he put his arm around er, 
 He smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder, 
 
 Look away, etc. 
 Den I wish I was in Dixie, etc. 
 
 His face was sharp as a butcher s cleaber, 
 But dat did not seem to greab er, 
 
 Look away, etc. 
 
 Old missus acted de foolish part, 
 An died for de man dat broke her heart, 
 
 Look away, etc. 
 Den I wish I was in Dixie, etc. 
 
 Now here s a health to de next old missus, 
 An all de gals dat want to kiss us; 
 
 Look away, etc. 
 
 But if you want to drive away sorrow, 
 Come an hear dis nig to-morrow; 
 
 Look away, etc. 
 Den I wish I was in Dixie, etc. 
 
 Dar s buckwheat cakes an Ingen batter 
 Makes you fat or a little fatter, 
 
 Look away, etc. 
 
 Den hoe it down and scratch your grabble, 
 To Dixie s Land I m bound to trabble, 
 
 Look away, etc. 
 Den I wish I was in Dixie, etc. 
 
 THE BONNIE BLUE FLAG. 
 
 The Southern Confederacy s stirring war song, "The Bonnie Blue 
 Flag," was written by Mrs. Annie Chambers-Ketcham, just after the 
 battle of Shiloh in which her husband Leonidas Ketcham, Adjutant 
 of the Thirty-eighth Tennessee, received his death wound. 
 
 We are a band of brothers, native to the soil, 
 
 Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil; 
 
 And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far, 
 
 Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star! 
 
 CHORUS: Hurrah! hurrah! for Southern rights, hurrah! 
 
 Hurrah! for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a 
 single star. 
 
APPENDIX 517 
 
 As long as the Union was faithful to her trust, 
 
 Like friends and like brothers, kind were we, and just; 
 
 But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar, 
 
 We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand, 
 
 Then came Alabama, who took her by the hand; 
 
 Next quickly Mississippi, Georgia and Florida, 
 
 All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Ye men of valor, gather round the Banner of the Right, 
 Texas and fair Louisiana, join us in the fight; 
 Davis, our loved President, and Stephens, statesman rare, 
 Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 And here s to brave Virginia, the old Dominion State, 
 
 With the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate. 
 
 Impelled by her example, now other States prepare 
 
 To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Then here s to our Confederacy, strong we are, and brave, 
 Like patriots of old we ll fight, our heritage to save; 
 And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer, 
 So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise the joyous shout, 
 
 For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out; 
 
 And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given, 
 
 The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be Eleven. 
 
 CHORUS: Hurrah! hurrah! for Southern rights hurrah! 
 
 Hurrah! for the Bonnie Blue Flag has gained the 
 eleventh star. 
 
$18 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 LORENA. 
 (This was the great sentimental song of the war period.) 
 
 The years creep slowly by, Lorena; 
 
 The snow is on the grass again; 
 The sun s low down the sky, Lorena; 
 
 The frost gleams where the flowers have been. 
 But the heart throbs on as warmly now 
 
 As when the summer days were nigh; 
 Oh, the sun can never dip so low 
 
 Adown affection s cloudless sky. 
 
 A hundred months have passed, Lorena, 
 
 Since last I held that hand in mine, 
 And felt the pulse beat fast, Lorena, 
 
 Though mine beat faster far than thine. 
 A hundred months twas flowery May, 
 
 When up the hilly slope we climbed, 
 To watch the dying of the day 
 
 And hear the distant church bells chimed. 
 
 We loved each other then, Lorena, 
 
 More than we ever dared to tell; 
 And what we might have been, Lorena, 
 
 Had but our loving prospered well! 
 But then, tis past, the years have gone, 
 
 I ll not call up their shadowy forms; 
 I ll say to them, "Lost years, sleep on, 
 
 Sleep on, nor heed life s pelting storms." 
 
 The story of the past, Lorena, 
 
 Alas! I care not to repeat; 
 The hopes that could not last, Lorena, 
 
 They lived, but only lived to cheat. 
 I would not cause e en one regret 
 
 To rankle in your bosom now 
 "For if we try we may forget," 
 
 Were words of thine long years ago. 
 
 Yes, these were words of thine, Lorena 
 
 They are within my memory yet 
 They touched some tender chords, Lorena, 
 
 Which thrill and tremble with regret. 
 Twas not thy woman s heart which spoke 
 
 Thy heart was always true to me; 
 A duty stern and piercing broke 
 
 The tie which linked my soul with thee. 
 
APPENDIX 519 
 
 It matters little now, Lorena, 
 
 The past is in the eternal past; 
 Our hearts will soon lie low, Lorena, 
 
 Life s tide is ebbing out so fast, 
 There is a future, oh, thank God! 
 
 Of life this is so small a part 
 Tis dust to dust beneath the sod, 
 
 But there, up there, tis heart to heart. 
 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 By REV. ABRAM J. RYAN 
 Young as the youngest who donned the gray, 
 
 True as the truest that wore it 
 Brave as the bravest, he marched away, 
 (Hot tears on the cheeks of his mother lay,) 
 Triumphant waved our flag one day, 
 
 He fell in the front before it. 
 
 Firm as the firmest, where duty led, 
 
 He hurried without a falter; 
 Bold as the boldest he fought and bled, 
 And the day was won but the field was red, 
 And the blood of his fresh young heart was shed 
 
 On his country s hallowed altar. 
 
 On the trampled breast of the battle plain, 
 Where the foremost ranks had wrestled, 
 
 On his pale, pure face, not a mark of pain, 
 
 (His mother dreams they will meet again,) 
 
 The fairest form amid all the slain, 
 Like a child asleep he nestled. 
 
 In the solemn shades of the wood that swept 
 
 The field where his comrades found him, 
 They buried him there and the big tears crept, 
 Into strong men s eyes that had seldom wept, 
 (His mother God pity her! smiled and slept, 
 Dreaming her arms were around him.) 
 
 A grave in the woods with the grass o ergrown, 
 
 A grave in the heart of his mother 
 His clay in the one lies lifeless and lone; 
 There is not a name, there is not a stone 
 And only the voice of the winds maketh moan 
 O er the grave where never a flower is strewn, 
 But, his memory lives in the other. 
 
520 APPENDIX. 
 
 REUNIONS 
 Of the Forty-third Battalion Virginia Cavalry. 
 
 Nearly thirty years after the disbanding of the Forty-third Bat 
 talion Virginia Cavalry at Old Salem, the happy thought occurred to 
 a few of the old members to have a reunion of the surviving remnant 
 of the old command. After arranging some of the preliminaries the 
 following circular was sent out : 
 
 Leesburg, Va., Dec. 22, 1894. 
 
 DEAR SIR: There will be a Reunion of " MOSBY S COMMAND" 
 at Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday, January i6th, 1895. COLONEL 
 MOSBY and other officers will be present, and we have assurances of a 
 large attendance of our old companions in arms. I ask that you will 
 indicate to me promptly your determination to attend. 
 
 It is proposed to celebrate the occasion with a Banquet at 6 p 
 m., and exercises that shall make it thoroughly enjoyable. The ex 
 pense of this is estimated to be about $3.00 per capita ; but as it is 
 probable that some will wish to be present who will not be able to 
 contribute to the expenses, you are at liberty to increase your con 
 tribution as you see proper. We insist, however, that you will 
 not let your inability to contribute at all, deprive us of the pleasure of 
 your presence there. 
 
 Remittances may be sent to me or to Mr. John G. Beckham, 
 Alexandria, Va. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 JNO. H. ALEXANDER. 
 
 In response to this call there was a gathering of the old veterans 
 at Odd Fellows Hall, Columbus street, Alexandria, Va., on the i6th of 
 January, 1895. Despite the inclement weather, there were present 
 about 150 old comrades, among them many of the former officers 
 of the Battalion. 
 
 At a meeting held in the afternoon it was decided to form a 
 permanent organization to be known as the " John S. Mosby Camp, 
 Confederate Veterans," and the following officers were selected : 
 
 Commander, JOHN S. MOSBY. 
 
 First Lieutenant-Commander, JOHN H. ALEXANDER. 
 
 Second Lieutenant-Commander, JAMES WM. FOSTER. 
 
 Third Lieutenant-Commander. FOUNTAIN BEATTIE. 
 
 Adjutant, WILLIAM H. MOSBY. 
 
 Sergeant-Major and Treasurer, JOHN G. BECKHAM. 
 
 Chaplain, SAMUEL F. CHAPMAN. 
 
 Surgeon, Dr. W. L. DUNN. 
 
 Quartermaster, GEO. R. L. TURBERVILLE. 
 
 Executive Committee : J.W.HAMMOND, B. FRANK CARTER, JR., 
 J. F. FAULKNER and GEO. D. HUNT. 
 
 The first regular meeting was arranged to be held on the second 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 521 
 
 Wednesday in August, 1895, at Marshall, Fauquier Co., Va. (Old 
 Salem), the place where Mosby disbanded his command after the sur 
 render of General Lee. 
 
 The time up to the hour set for the banquet was spent in friendly 
 greetings. Old songs were sung and little groups of attentive listen 
 ers were entertained with recitals of stories of the old war times, 
 which drew forth rounds of applause or provoked loud bursts of 
 laughter. 
 
 At the banquet in the evening Major A. E. Richards acted as toast- 
 master and introduced the speakers. To the first toast, "The Forty- 
 third Battalion Virginia Cavalry," Colonel Mosby responded as 
 follows : 
 
 COMRADES : When, on April 21, 1865, I told you that I was no longer 
 your commander, and bade you what we then considered a long and 
 and perhaps an eternal farewell, the most hopeful among 
 us could not reasonably have expected ever to witness a scene like 
 this. Nearly thirty years have passed away, and we meet once more 
 on the banks of the Potomac and in sight of the Capitol, not in hostile 
 array, but as citizens of a great and united country. Gun-boats 
 no longer patrol the river there are no picket guards on its banks to 
 challenge our crossing. Your presence here this evening recalls our 
 last parting. I see the line drawn up to hear read the last order I ever 
 gave you. I see the moistened eyes and quivering lips. I hear the 
 command to break ranks. I feel the grasp of the hand and see the 
 tears on the cheeks of men who had dared death so long that it 
 had lost its terror. And 1 know now, as I knew then, that each heart 
 suffered with mine the agony of the Titan in his resignation to fate : 
 
 "The rock, the vulture and the chain 
 All that the proud can feel of pain." 
 
 I miss among you the faces of some who were present that day, but 
 have since passed over the great river, and memory brings back the 
 image of many of that glorious band who then slept in the red burial 
 of war. 
 
 Modern skepticism has destroyed one of the most beautiful crea 
 tions of the Epic ages the belief that the spirits of dead warriors meet 
 daily in the halls of Valhalla, and there around the festive board 
 recount the deeds they did in the other world. For this evening, 
 at least, let us adopt the ancient superstition, if superstition it be. It 
 may seem presumption in me, but a man who belonged to my com 
 mand may be forgiven for thinking that in that assembly of heroes 
 when the feast of the wild boar is spread Smith and Turner, Montjoy 
 and Glascock, Fox and Whitescarver and their companions will not 
 be unnoted in the mighty throng. I shall make no particular allusion 
 to the part you played in the great tragedy of war. Oui personal 
 associations were so intimate, it would not become me to do so. But, 
 standing here as I do amid the wreck of perished hopes, this much at 
 least I can say, that in all the vicissitudes of fortune and in all the 
 trials of life I have never ceased to feel, as I told you when parting, 
 "a just pride in the fame of your achievements and grateful recol 
 lections of your generous kindness to myself." 
 
 I remember and may my right arm wither if I ever forget 
 how, when the mournful tidings came from Ap pomattox that " Young 
 
522 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Harry Percy s spur is cold," you stood with unshaken fidelity to the 
 last, and never quit my side until I told you to go. 
 
 A great poet of antiquity said, as descriptive of the Romans, 
 that they changed their sky but not their hearts when they crossed 
 over the sea. As long as I lived in far Cathay my heart, untraveled, 
 dwelt among the people in whose defense I had shed my blood 
 and given the best years of my life. In the solitude of exile it was 
 a solace to hear that my name was sometimes mentioned by them with 
 expressions of good will. Nothing that concerns the honor and wel 
 fare of Virginia can ever be indifferent to me. I wish that life s de 
 scending shadows had fallen upon me in the midst of the friends and 
 the scenes I love best. But destiny not my will compels me to 
 abide far away on the shore of that sea, where 
 
 "The god of gladness sheds his parting smile." 
 
 I must soon say to you again farewell, a word that must be and 
 hath been. I shall carry back to my home by the Golden Gate proud 
 recollections of this evening. And I shall still feel, as I have always 
 felt, that life cannot offer a more bitter cup than the one I drained 
 when we parted at Salem, nor any higher reward to ambition than that 
 I received as commander of the Forty-third Battalion of Virginia 
 Cavalry. 
 
 Gen. John B. Gordon answered to " The Army of Northern Vir 
 ginia." 
 
 Senator John W. Daniel to " Gen. Robert E. Lee." 
 
 Major R. W. Hunter, "The Ladies of the South, who cheered us in 
 our victories, and wept with us in our defeat." 
 
 Mr. Joseph Bryan, "The last days of the Confederacy." 
 
 Gen. Marcus J. Wright delivered an address on the history of Mos- 
 by and his Men. 
 
 Speeches were also made by Senator Eppa Hunton, Lieut.-Colonel 
 Wm. H. Chapman, Gen. W. H. Payne, of the famous Black Horse 
 Cavalry and Dr. A. Monteiro. 
 
 The happy strains of "Dixie," "Hail Columbia," and other airs en 
 livened the company, and when the soul-stirring music of the "Star 
 Spangled Banner" fell upon their ears, there was present Billings 
 Steele (a grandson of Francis S. Key, the author of that immortal ode), 
 who had followed the banner of the Confederacy and Mosby through 
 his eventful career. 
 
 Toastmaster Major Richards announced the close of the entertain 
 ment in a brief but eloquent address, and Mosby s Men dispersed, 
 carrying with them an addition to their store of pleasant reminiscences 
 from this peaceful raid on Alexandria. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 523 
 
 Reunion at Alar shall (old Salem). 
 
 The following circular was sent out by the Committee of Arrange 
 ment : 
 
 REUNION OF MOSBY S MEN. 
 
 There will be a reunion of the surviving members of the 43d Bat 
 talion of Virginia Cavalry, better known as " Mosby s Men," at Mar 
 shall, Fauquier County, Va. (formerly called "Salem"), on Wednesday, 
 August i4th. 1895. 
 
 Every member is invited and expected to be present without fur 
 ther notice, and, as there are numbers of them whose post-office ad 
 dresses are unknown to the committee, it is earnestly requested that 
 every effort be made to give the greatest possible publicity to the 
 notice. 
 
 Therefore, all who receive a copy of this circular are urged to mail it 
 AT ONCE to some other friend or acquaintance, who was a Mosbyite, with 
 the request that HE IN TURN, SHALL "PASS THE WORD ALONG," as we 
 used to do in the old time, in order that we may have a full turn-out 
 and a royal good time. 
 
 All are invited, the only qualification being that they shall have 
 been members of Mosby s command, and they will be welcome and 
 well cared for. 
 
 Those who expect to attend will please signify the same by dropping 
 a line to one of the undersigned. 
 
 J. H. FOSTER, Marshall, Va. 
 J. M. RAMEY, Marshall, Va. 
 C. H. WALKER, Rectortown, Va. 
 H. S. ASHBY, Delaplane, Va. 
 GEO. M. SLATER, Paris, Va. 
 
 Of Committee. 
 Marshall, Va., August ist, 1895. 
 
 P. S. Every Mosby Man into whose hands this circular may fall, 
 whether he attends this meeting or not, is requested to send his name, 
 and the company he belonged to and his present post-office address 
 at once, so he may be registered on a permanent list I wish to make 
 up. Don t fail to do this. 
 
 J. H. FOSTER, Marshall, Va. 
 
 This reunion took place in a pretty little grove near the town of 
 Marshall, Virginia (formerly called "Salem"), in the rear of the field 
 where Mosby s Men were disbanded on the 2ist of April, 1865. 
 
 There were present 130 of "Mosby s Rangers" and about 3,000 
 spectators. 
 
 The meeting was opened by prayer by the Rev. Sydnor G. Fer 
 guson, the " fighting parson." Speeches were made by Capt. James 
 William Foster, J. S. Mason and Joseph Bryan. 
 
 The regret felt for the absence of Colonel Mosby was partly made 
 up by the presence of his four daughters, Mrs. R. R. Campbell, Mrs. 
 W. E. Coleman, Miss Pauline Mosby, Miss Ada Mosby, and Mosby s 
 two grandsons. 
 
524 APPENDIX. 
 
 A resolution was passed to start a subscription fund to erect a 
 monument to those of Mosby s Men who were murdered by Ouster s 
 command at Front Royal. 
 
 Another resolution was passed, that as Miss Winnie Davis was 
 known as "the Daughter of the Confederacy," Miss Pauline Mosby be 
 chosen by the Camp as "the Daughter of Mosby s Confederacy." 
 
 It was decided to hold the next reunion at Richmond, Va. 
 
 The Committee in charge, above-named, left nothing undone which 
 could contribute to the comfort and enjoyment of those present. 
 The generous people of the community had prepared a bountiful 
 repast, which furnished an abundance for all. 
 
 Mosby and his men are dear to the people of Fauquier, and on 
 this occasion they gave evidence of the sincerity of their affection for 
 them in the warm greeting extended to the survivors of that gallant 
 band. 
 
 There were no formal ceremonies, but all were left free to enjoy 
 the event in a manner most pleasing to themselves and the day was 
 indeed a happy reunion. 
 
 The Reunion at Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 1895, is 
 usually spoken of as the First Reunion of Mosby s Command, yet 
 it was not really the First Reunion of "Mosby s Men," as will be seen 
 by the following report of meeting held in Baltimore, just twenty 
 years before, and taken from the Baltimore Sun, of Jan. 8, 1875: 
 
 "Reunion of Mosby s Men. The members of the late Forty-third 
 Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (Mosby s Men), residing in Baltimore, 
 met last night at No. 66 Saratoga Street, Captain W. E. Frankland, 
 president, in the chair, John Gray, secretary. At a meeting held some 
 months since a permanent reorganization for social purposes was 
 effected, and the meeting last night was to arrange for a grand re 
 union of the entire command. There are forty-two members of the 
 command now living in Baltimore, engaged in various mercantile 
 and professional pursuits, and certainly if the Baltimore members are 
 to be taken as samples of Mosby s warriors, they were not very 
 savage in looks or manner. In point of good looks, refinement and 
 intelligence they would compare favorably with any similar assem 
 blage. 
 
 The meeting was informal, and stories of hairbreadth escapes, 
 jolly times and thrilling encounters went the rounds of the party. 
 A Committee was appointed to ascertain the names of surviving mem 
 bers of the battalion and take steps to arrange a general organization, 
 each member to pay $i initiation fee. On motion of J. H. Foster, 
 it was resolved that when the meeting adjourn it be to meet again 
 on the anniversary of the fight at Berryville, which will be in next 
 August. A committee of three was also appointed to make prepara 
 tions for the reunion and banquet, and extend invitations to all the 
 former members and officers of the command." 
 
APPENDIX. 523 
 
 1896. Mosby s Men met this year at Richmond, Va., June 30, and 
 July I and 2, during the Grand Reunion of the Confederate Veteran 
 Camps, and attended the ceremonies of laying the Corner-stone of 
 the Monument to President Jefferson Davis. 
 
 1897. Baltimore, Md., October 14. 
 
 1898. Manassas, Va., October 25. 
 
 1899. Front Royal, Va., September 23, being the anniversary of 
 the execution of six of our comrades. On this occasion the monu 
 ment erected to their memory, was unveiled in the presence of five 
 thousand Virginians and old Confederates. Nearly every Southern 
 State was represented, and some from as far north as New York. 
 Over two hundred of Mosby s Men were in attendance. The oration 
 of the day was delivered by Major A. E. Richards (formerly of 
 Mosby s command), of Louisville, Ky. 
 
 MONUMENT TO MOSBY S MEN, AT FRONT ROYAL, VA. 
 
 At the conclusion of the oration, Martha M. Strother, grand 
 daughter of Thomas E. Anderson and Mary Williamson, great-niece 
 of Henry C. Rhodes (two of the seven men to whose memory the 
 monument was erected), drew the cords which bound the veil, hiding 
 the shaft from view. 
 
 An address in acceptance was made by Hon. R. H. Downing, on 
 behalf of the ladies of the Warren Memorial Association. Thirteen 
 laurel wreaths were then placed around the base of the monument, 
 typifying the thirteen States of the Confederacy. 
 
 The monument is on an eminence in Prospect Hill Cemetery, 
 directly facing the entrance. It is a beautiful granite shaft of rough 
 hewn stone, 25 feet high. The inscription on the front reads: 
 
526 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 Erected 1899 by the Survivors of Mosby s Command In Memory 
 of Seven Comrades Executed While Prisoners of War Near this 
 Spot September 23rd, 1864. 
 
 (On the back). 
 
 In Everlasting Honor of Thomas E. Anderson, - Carter, 
 David L. Jones, Lucien Love, William Thomas Overby, Henry C. 
 Rhodes, Albert C. Willis, 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Mosby s 
 Command, C. S. A. 
 
 (On the side) 
 
 Confederate battle-flag, and the inscription, "Dulce et decorum 
 est pro patria mori." . 
 
 1900. Fairfax, Va., September n and 12. 
 
 1901. Warrenton, Va., September 14. 
 
 1902. Leesburg, Va., July 30. 
 
 1903. Culpeper, Va., August 5. 
 
 1904. Berryville, Va., August 12, it being the anniversary of the 
 raid which resulted in the capture of Sheridan s wagon train on the 
 morning of the I3th. 
 
 1905. Fredericksburg, Va., August 19. 
 
 1906. Richmond, Va., October 10. 
 
 1907. Richmond, Va., June 2 and 3. This was an informal re 
 union. It was the occasion of the dedication of the Jefferson Davis 
 Monument and the unveiling of the Equestrian Statue of Gen. Stuart. 
 A great many of our comrades were in attendance with their various 
 camps, and on one of the days they all assembled at Lee Camp Hall 
 and there had a little social reunion. 
 
 1908. Hamilton, Va., September 30. 
 
5 28 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 REUNION GROUP. 
 
 Key to Group at the Second Reunion of the 43d Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (Mosby s Rangers) 
 at Marshall (old Salem), August 14, 1895. 
 
 Copied from Photograph taken by L. C. Handy, Photographer, Washington, D. C. 
 
 1. Thomas B. Rector, 
 
 2. Lieut. Channing M. Smith. 
 
 3. J. Bowen, 
 
 4. Samuel Waggaman, 
 
 5. J. M. Johnson, 
 
 6. Benton Fletcher, 
 
 7. R. F. Heflin, 
 
 8. S. E. Rogers, 
 
 9. John W. Green, 
 
 10. J. M. Rixey, 
 
 11. J. A. Silman, 
 
 12. Frank Geschky ("Zoo") (Johnson) 
 
 13. James J. Williamson, 
 
 14. John H. Foster, 
 
 15. T. A. Russell, 
 
 16. C. H. Walker, 
 
 17. John R. Kcrrick, 
 
 18. W. P. Fugg tt, 
 IQ. Luther Hurst, 
 
 20. Frank M.Woolf, 
 
 21. James I. Seaton, 
 
 22. L. M. Davis, 
 
 23. F. T. Craig. 
 
 24. John H. Elkins, 
 
 25. J. V. Kerns, 
 
 26. J. P. Smith, 
 
 27. Win. H. Garrison, 
 28 S. R. Armstrong, 
 
 29. J. M. Ramey, 
 
 30. J. C. Burke, 
 
 31. C. T. Hawling, 
 
 32. W. P. Thomas, 
 
 33. Shelton Lunzeford, 
 
 34. F. E. Robey, 
 
 35. Thomas R. O Meara, 
 
 36. J. M. Strother, 
 
 37. Rev. Sydnor G. Ferguson, 
 
 38. E. S. Hurst, 
 
 39. Capt. James Wm. Foster, 
 
 40. Wm. H. Lake, 
 
 41. George S. Ayre, 
 
 42. J. H. Lunzeford, 
 
 43. W. B. Weir, 
 
 44. John M. Lawrence, 
 
 45. R. N. Flynn, 
 
 46. Lieut. W. Ben Palmer, 
 
 47. Charles E. Biedler, 
 
 48. L. E. Woodward, 
 
 49. J. E. Legg, 
 
 50. R. M. Mackall, 
 
 51. George R. L. Turberville, 
 
 52. Miss Ada Mosby, 
 
 53. Mrs. R. R. Campbell, 
 
 54. Mrs. W. E. Coleman, 
 
 55. Miss Pauline Mosby, 
 
 A. Spottswood Campbell, 
 
 B. Mosby Campbell, 
 
 56. Capt. Walter E. Frankland, 
 
 57. C. J. Coiner, 
 
 58. W. G. Pearson, 
 
 59. W. C. Anderson, 
 
 60. F. D. Vaughan, 
 
 61. James A. Gray, 
 
 62. Robert M. Harrover, 
 
 63. Ludwell Lake, 
 
 65. W. Cockerill, 
 
 66. Capt. Peter A. Franklin, 
 
 67. Benoni F. Nails, 
 
 68. L. F. Walker, 
 
 69. H. C. Pearson, 
 
 70. Wm. A. Anderson, 
 
 71. J. W. Hammond, 
 
 72. Benjamin Simpson, 
 
 73. John C. Utz, 
 
 74. John N. Ballard, 
 
 75. John R. Castleman, 
 
 76. Lieut. Joseph H. Nelson, 
 
 77. Thomas W. Lake, 
 
 78. Claude (son of Lieut. Harry Hatcher), 
 
 79. L. E. Hutchinson, 
 
 80. Harry T. Sinnott, 
 
 81. Henry S. Ashby, 
 
 82. Dr. J. J. Williams, 
 
 83. H. M. Mcllhany, 
 
 84. J. E. Pickett, 
 
 85. S. C. Floweree, 
 
 86. J. S. Mason, 
 
 87. J. P. Walker, 
 83. J. W. Bell, 
 
 89. F. G. Hatcher (son of R. Welt. Hatcher), 
 
 90. Charles H. Gray, 
 
 91. Lieut. B. Frank Carter, 
 
 92. Charles E. Davis, 
 
 93. II. N. Brawner, 
 
 94. D. J. Moffett, 
 
 95. B. Addison Triplett. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 529 
 
 PRESENT WHEREABOUTS OF SURVIVING MEMBERS OF FORTY-THIRD 
 
 BATTALION VIRGINIA CAVALRY (MOSBY S RANGERS), 
 
 ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 
 
 Confederate States of America. 
 
 Colonel, JOHN S. MOSBY, Assistant Attorney, Department of Justice, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN, U. S. Revenue Agent, 
 
 Richmond, Va. 
 
 Major, ADOLPHUS E. RICHARDS, City Attorney, Louisville, Ky. 
 
 Adjutant, WILLIAM H. MOSBY, Postmaster, Bedford City, Va. 
 
 Surgeon, A. MONTEIRO, Physician and Surgeon, Richmond, Va. 
 
 Assistant Surgeon, WILLIAM L. DUNN, Physician and Surgeon, Glade Springs, Va. 
 
 Aldridge, J. West, Westminster, Md. 
 
 Alexander, J., (Co. B), Warren, Albt- 
 inarle Co., Va. 
 
 Anderson, Dr. Boswell P., Resident 
 Physician, Colorado Springs, Col. 
 
 Anderson, Isaac, Airmont, Va. 
 
 Anderson, W. A., Grocer, Washington, 
 D. C. 
 
 Anderson, W. C., Markham, Va. 
 
 Angelo, Frank M., Agricult. Dept., Wash 
 ington, D. C. 
 
 Arrington, G. W. (John C. Orrick), 
 Canadian, Texas. 
 
 Armstrong, S. R., Woodville, Ya. 
 
 Ashby, Henry S., Gen. Store, Delaplane, 
 Va. 
 
 Aylor, John L., Marshall, Va. 
 
 Ay re, George H., Burchard, Xeb. 
 
 Ball, Rev. B. F., Mt. Crawford, Va. 
 Ballard.John N., Commissioner of Revenue, 
 
 Fairfax, Va. 
 
 Beal, Joseph R., Roanoke, Va. 
 Bear, Charles A., Washington, D. C. 
 Beattie, Lieut. Fountain, Internal Rev. 
 
 Service, Alexandria, Va. 
 Bell, James W., Haymarkct, Va. 
 Belvin, W. D., Johnson City, Tenn. 
 Berryman, Frank C., Carpenter, Alex 
 andria, Va. 
 
 Betts, E. R., Richmond, Va. 
 Biedler, Charles E., 104 Hopkins Place, 
 
 Baltimore, Aid. 
 
 Bishop, John H., Charlestown, West Va. 
 Blanchard, Harris C., Confederate Soldiers 
 
 Home, Pikesville, Md. 
 Boiling, Bartlett, University of Virginia, 
 
 Va. 
 
 Boiling, Samuel, Bedford City, Va. 
 Booker, Sergt. Thomas, Soldiers Home, 
 
 Richmond, Va. 
 
 Bowen, Fred. F., Lawyer, Danville, Va. 
 Bowen, James, Remington, Va. 
 Brady, A. R., Policeman, Brightwood, 
 
 D. C. 
 Brawner, H. N., Alexandria, Va. 
 
 Brent, James R., Silver City, N. M. 
 Briscoe, Lieut. David S., Lawyer, 724 
 
 Law Bldg., Baltimore, Md. 
 Broadwater, Richard F., Fairfax, Va. 
 Brock, Harry, Merc. Agency, 74 Wall 
 
 St., New York. 
 
 Brooke, William T., Norfolk, Va. 
 Brooks, Charles, Waynesboro, Va. 
 Browning, Lafayette, Amissville, Va. 
 Buckner, R. P., Washington, D. C. 
 Burke, John C., Alexandria, Va. 
 Burke, Thomas T., Barcroft, Va. 
 Burr, Tobe, Sterling, Va. 
 
 Carey, Alexander G., 2127 Maryland 
 
 Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 
 Carlisle, D. Graf ton, 1324 Myrtle Avenue, 
 
 Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Carter, Thomas W., Orange, Va. 
 Chancellor, James M., Round Hill, Va. 
 Chandler, H. H., Louisa C. H., Va. 
 Chapman, Capt. Samuel F., Office Deputy 
 
 and U. S. Marshal Western District 
 
 of Va., Staunton, Va. 
 Christian, E. W., Mobile, Ala. 
 Clark, J. J., Herndon, Va. 
 Coiner, J. Cornelius, Staunton, Va. , 
 Coiner, John Xick, Waynesboro, Va. 
 Cole, E. D., Fredericksburg, Va. 
 Coleman, W. A., Harrisonburg, Va. 
 Coons, Frank A., Culpeper, Va. 
 Coons, J. Will, Culpeper. Va. 
 Corbin. Sergt, L. A.. Ryland, Va. 
 Core, John H., Norfolk, Va. 
 Cowherd, B. R., Columbia, Va. 
 Craig, F. T., Landmark, Va. 
 Crook, Robert N., Southern Railway, 
 
 Alexandria, Va. 
 Crosen, Samuel E., Ashburn, Va. 
 
 Danne, Charles, Trevilian, Va. 
 
 Davis, H. E., Clifton, Va. 
 
 Davis, L. Morgan, Carpenter, Alexandria, 
 
 Va. 
 
 Davis, W. D., Middleburg, Va. 
 Dear, Charles H., Internal Rev. Service, 
 
 Washington, Rapp. Co., Va. 
 
530 
 
 MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 De Butts, ST., John P., Upperville, Va. 
 
 Dent, George, Pope s Creek, Md. 
 
 Dowell, Peter G., The Plains, Va. 
 
 Downing, Jack A., Hitch P. O., Va. 
 
 Drain, Albert, Sterling, Va. 
 
 Dunning, John, Confederate Soldiers 
 Home, Pikesville, Md. 
 
 Dunnington, Charles A., Library of Con 
 gress, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Early, Wiley, Fort Smith, Ark. 
 Kastham, Philip B., Flint Hill, Va. 
 Eastham, Robert W. (Bob Ridley), P. O. 
 
 Washington, Va. , 
 
 Ellis, James W., California. 
 
 Fairfax, Arthur W., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Faulkner, J. H., Winchester, Va. 
 
 Faulkner, W. W., Baltimore, Md. (Tunis 
 Lumber Co.) 
 
 Fletcher, W. A., Purcellville, Va. 
 
 Flynn, Robert N., Philomont, Va. 
 
 Ford, John M., Clifton Station, Va. 
 
 Foster, Capt. J. William, Schuyler, Nel 
 son Co., Va. 
 
 Fox, C. A., Physician, Beltsville, Md. 
 
 Franklin, Capt. Peter A. (H. B. Claflin 
 Co.), New York. 
 
 Gaines, W. H., Culpeper, Va. 
 Gale, T. B., Fredericksburg, Va. 
 Gibson, Henry C., Water ford, Va. 
 Gibson, John T., Manassas, Va. 
 Goddin, H. T., Richmond, Va. 
 Gcsden, Walter W., Richmond, Va. 
 Green, John W., Upperville, Va. 
 Grogan, Lieut. Charles E., Bailiff, Court 
 
 House, r>altimore, Md. 
 Gunnell, George W., West Falls Church, 
 
 Ya. 
 Gunnell, James N., Vale, Fairfax Co., 
 
 Va. 
 
 Hammond, John W., Mutual Ice Co., 
 Alexandria, Ya. 
 
 Haney, James E., Luray, Ya. 
 
 Harris, H. G., Scottsville, Ya. 
 
 Harrison, Henry H., Black Point, Dade 
 Co., Fla. Orange grove and real es 
 tate. 
 
 Harrover, Robert M., 1240 Ninth St., 
 N. W., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Hawling, Charles T., Leesburg, Ya. 
 
 Henson, Samuel P., Poindexters, Va. 
 
 Hill, F. L., Falmouth, Va. 
 
 Hipkins, Fred. S., New York. 
 
 Hiter, P. M., Louisa, Va. 
 
 Hitt, Burgess, Slate Mills, Va. 
 
 Hitt, E. W., Halfway, Va. 
 
 Hixson, George W., Manassas, Va. 
 
 Hoffman, J. M., Remington, Ya. 
 
 Hopkins, J. E., New Market, Va. 
 
 Horsley, John, Lovingston, Nelson Co., 
 
 Va. 
 
 Hurst, Edward S., Fairfax, Va. U;< yl 
 Hutchison, L. E., Herndon, Va. 
 Jackson, Edgar M., Leesburg, Va. 
 Jones, Zach. F., Scottsville, Va. 
 Jordan, H. C., Richmond, Va.,. ,,,,> 
 Judd, J. H., Culpeper, Va. 
 
 Kemper, Rev. J. F., Baptist" Minister, 
 
 Woodville, Va. 
 
 Kennerly, J. F., White Post, : Vi. 
 Kerrick, John P., Tryme, Madison Co., 
 Va. ;:; . 
 
 Kincheloe, W. S., Clifton Station, Va. 
 Kite, C. E., Grans Mills, Madison Co., 
 
 Va. 
 Kite, J. P., Grans Mills, Madison Co., 
 
 Ya. 
 
 Lake, Ludwell, Madison,- Va., : \ 
 Lake, Thomas W., Philomont, Va. - 
 Lambert, Charles P., Staunton, Va.- 
 Lane, Frank, Weihle, Fairfax Co., Va. 
 Leach, Thornton V., Front Royal, Va. 
 Lee. Clifton, Richmond, Va. 
 Lee, Philip, Chantilly, Va. 
 Leonard, D. Ei,; Samson, Va. 
 Lintz, William F., Jeweler, Norfolk, Va. 
 Littleton, J. T., Charlestown, West Va. 
 Locke, John W., Charlestown, West Va. 
 Lofland, George S., Earleysville, Ya. 
 Lynn, John F. (Dadge), Grundy Centre, 
 Iowa. (Farm.) 
 
 McCourt, C. A., Norfolk, Ya. 
 McCue, John W., Iron Gate, Va. 
 Mcllhany, Sergt. Hugh M., Real Estate, 
 
 23 S. Augusta St., Staunton, Va. 
 Macall, Robert M., Culpeper, Va. 
 Macoy, B. C., Culpeper, Va. 
 Mason, J. S., Farm, Marshall, Va. 
 Mason, Rev. Landon R., Richmond, Va. 
 Massie, George W., Louisa C. H., Va. 
 Melton, J. M., Greenville, Va. 
 Mercer, Corbin W., Richmond, Va. 
 Miller, James N., Slate Mills, Va. 
 Mitchell, James Jackson, 
 Mohler, Sergt. David G., Real Estate, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 Monroe, S. L., Jackson, Miss. Route 
 
 No. i. 
 Moon, Jacob L., Richmond, Va. 
 
 Nails, Btrnoni F., Culpeper, Ya. 
 
 Nott, Andrew H., Richmond, Va. (Box 
 
 10). 
 Nunn, John W., Louisa C. H., Va. 
 
 O Brien, E. H., Lumber Merch., Alex 
 andria, Va. 
 
 Orrison, Robert, Pleasant Valley, Va. 
 Owen, Joseph W., Bristol, Va. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 531 
 
 Owen, M. B., Soldiers Home, Richmond, 
 Va. 
 
 Page, Lieut. John P., Berryville, Va. 
 Palmer, Lieut. W. B., Com. Merch., 
 
 1321 E. Cary St., Richmond, Va. 
 Patteson, Dr. A. Lee, Augusta Springs, 
 
 Va. 
 Patteson, William W., Charlottesville, 
 
 Va. 
 Pearson, H. Clay, Building Contractor, 
 
 Gainesville, Va. 
 
 Pearson, W. G., Marshall, Va. 
 Pendleton, C. Mason, 2116 i8th St., 
 
 X. W., Washington, D. C. 
 Pickett, George R., Annandale, Va. 
 Pickett, James E., Waterfall, Va. 
 Pitts, J. Emery, Pocomoke, Md. 
 Powell, Rupert R., Richmond, Va. 
 Prout, John B., Govt. Navy Yard, Wash 
 ington, D. C. 
 Puryear, Lieut. John W., Gordonsville, 
 
 Va. 
 
 Rahm, Lieut. Frank H., 316 Harrison 
 Avenue, Richmond, Va. 
 
 Read, John W., 1508 Paris Road, Colum 
 bia, Mo. 
 
 Rector, Thomas B., Philomont, Va. 
 
 Ricketts, John E., Flint Hill, Va. 
 
 Richards, Capt. Thomas W. T., Real 
 Estate, Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 Rixey, James M., Alexandria, Va. 
 
 Robey, Frank E., Bluemont, Va. 
 
 Robinson, H. W., Ayletts, Va. 
 
 Rogers, Samuel E., Hamilton, Va. 
 
 Russell, Lieut. John S., Berryville, Va. 
 
 Russell, Sergt. Thomas A., Orlean, Va. 
 
 Sedgwick, Frank, Lottie, Va. 
 
 Shacklett, Edward, Gen. Store, Dela- 
 plane, Va. 
 
 Showalter, J. D., Colorado Springs, Colo. 
 
 Silman, James A., Fairfax C. H., Va. 
 
 Simpson, J. P., Falmouth, Va. 
 
 Sinclair, James W., Watson, Louisa Co., 
 Va. 
 
 Sinclair, John, Sturgeon, Mo. 
 
 Sinnott, Harry T., Nashville, Tenn. 
 
 Smith, Boyd, Louisa, Va. 
 
 Smith, Lieut. Channing M., Delaplane, 
 Va. 
 
 Smith, D. L., Fredericksburg, Va. 
 
 Smith, G. W. (Mayor), Lynchburg, Va. 
 
 Smith, J. P., Waterfall, Va. 
 
 Snead, Rev. Edwin B., Episcopal Min 
 ister, Norfolk, Va. 
 
 Sowers, Dr. John R., Warrenton, Va. 
 
 Spindle, Robert, Centerville, Va. 
 
 Spittle, William R., Carpenter, Alex 
 andria, Va. 
 
 Stone, J. E., Farr, Fairfax Co., Va. 
 Stone, William R., Druggist, Washing 
 ton, D. C. 
 
 Strother, Alfred M., Delaplane, Va. 
 Strother, Rev. Francis A., Fairfax, Va. 
 
 Tansill, W. N., Fredericksburg, Va. 
 
 Terry, R. Stockton, Lynchburg, Va. 
 
 Thomas, Daniel L., Box 391, Baltimore, 
 Md. 
 
 Thomas, W. P., Leesburg, Va. 
 
 Thomson, Lieut. Edward F., Justice of 
 the Peace, Clarendon, Va. 
 
 Thrift, Ben, Grocer, 2924 M St., N. W., 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Tillett, John R., Manassas, Va. 
 
 Trammell, William, Chantilly, Va. 
 
 Turberville, George R. L., Govt. Print 
 ing Office, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Underwood, Samuel, Sterling, Va. 
 Utz, John C., Madison, Va. 
 
 Vandeventer, Dr. Joe, Ishpenning, Mich. 
 Vandeventer, T. H., Leesburg, Va. 
 Vest, Charles B., Trevilians, Va. 
 
 Waggaman, Samuel, M. D., Phar. D., 
 Prof, materia medica, botany and toxi 
 cology, Georgetown University; also, 
 National College of Pharmacy, Wash 
 ington, D. C. 
 
 Walker, Charles H., City Treasurer, 
 Charlottesville, Va. 
 
 Walker, Lewis F., Painter, Marshall, Va. 
 
 Walker, Capt. Robert S., Orange, Va. 
 
 Walter, Henry S., 1123 B St., S. E., 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Waters, Hugh T., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Wayman, Dr. Joseph T., Staunton, Va. 
 
 White, Hugh W., Broad Run, Va. 
 
 White, John M., Judge of Albemarle Co., 
 Charlottesville, Va. 
 
 Wilbourne, Henry A., Farmville, Va. 
 
 Williams, Lieut. Franklin, Vienna P. O., 
 Va. 
 
 Williams, Rev. James T., Charlestown, 
 West Va. 
 
 Williams, J. J., Physician, Hotel Bel Air, 
 Md. 
 
 Williamson, James J., Jersey City, N. J. 
 
 Wiltshire, Lieut. James G., Physician, 
 819 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Woodward, Luke E., Rectortown, Va. 
 
 Wrenn, Lieut. Albert, Great A. & P. Tea 
 Co., Washington, D. C. 
 
 Wrenn, Sergt. James W. (G. Taylor 
 Wade), Com. Merch., Washington, 
 D. C. 
 
 Wright, Hon. Daniel Giraud, Judge 
 Criminal Court, Baltimore, Md. 
 
ROSTER 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FORTY -THIRD BATTALION VIRGINIA CAVALRY, 
 
 ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, 
 Confederate States of America. 
 
 Colonel, JOHN S. MOSBY. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel, WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN. 
 Major, ADOLPHUS E. RICHARDS. 
 
 Adjutant, WILLIAM H. MOSBY. 
 Quartermaster, J. WRIGHT JAMES. 
 
 Surgeon, DR. A. MONTEIRO. 
 
 Assistant Surgeon, DR. W. L. DUNN. 
 
 Sergeant-Major, GUY BROADWATER. 
 
 COMPANY A. 
 
 From Roll furnished by Lieut. Joseph H. Nelson; amended by John H. Foster. 
 
 Captain, James Wm. Foster. Second Sergeant, W. Ben Palmer (promoted). 
 
 First Lieutenant, Thomas Turner (killed). Third Sergeant, John E. Rowzee. 
 
 " " Wm. L. Hunter. Fourth Sergeant, John Thomas. 
 
 Second Lieutenant, Joseph H. Nelson. Fifth Sergeant, Edward Rector. 
 
 Third Lieutenant, George H. Whitescarver First Corporal, Chas. Davis. 
 
 (killed). Second Corporal, John T. Gulick. 
 
 Third Lieutenant, Harry Hatcher. Third Corporal, Geo. Skinner. 
 
 First Sergeant, John W. Corbin. Fourth Corporal, Walter Whaley. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Adams, Thomas W., Brent, James R., 
 
 Alexander, David, Brethod, Isaac, 
 
 Alexander, John H., Brewer, Charles W., 
 Ames, James F. (" Big Yankee," promoted, Broadwater, Guy (promoted), 
 
 killed), Broadwater, Richard F., 
 
 Anderson, Wm. A., Burke, Thomas T., 
 
 Ayre, Geo. H., Campbell, John W., 
 
 Bailey, John T., Carlisle, D. Grafton, 
 
 Ballard, John N., Castleman, John R., 
 
 Barnes, John H., Cocke, Wm. F., 
 
 Barr, Charles N., Cockrill, John H., 
 
 Barton Benj. (killed), Coiner, John E., 
 
 Beavers, Fenton, Coiner, John W., 
 
 Berryman, Frank C., Craig, F. T., 
 
 Belts, Edward R., Creel, Eppa H , 
 
 Bishop, George, Cromwell, Wm., 
 
 Bonnell, Dallas, Crosen, Samuel E., 
 
 Bowie, John W., Crowley, Barney, 
 
 Boyd, Henry C., Cummings, James H., 
 
 Brawner, H. N., Darden, Francis M. , 
 
 Brawner, Wm. A., Davis, John B., 
 
 532 
 
iMOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 533 
 
 Davis, Thomas F., 
 
 DeButts, John P., 
 
 DeButts, Richard E., 
 
 Donohoe, Chailes, 
 
 Dowell, Peter G., 
 
 Dulany, Daniel F. (killed), 
 
 Eliason, Thomas, 
 
 Ellis, James W., 
 
 Elzey, Wm., 
 
 Flannery, M. W. (killed), 
 
 Flynn, Wm. S., 
 
 Foster, John H., 
 
 Fox, A. G., 
 
 Fox, C. A., 
 
 Furr, Dallas, 
 
 Furr, Thompson, 
 
 Gaines, David, 
 
 Gessell, Adolphus, 
 
 Gibson, Howard, 
 
 Glascock, Aquilla, 
 
 Green, John W., 
 
 Green, T. Nelson, 
 
 Gulick, George M., 
 
 Gunnell, James N., 
 
 Hatcher, R. Welt, 
 
 Hawling, Charles T., 
 
 Heflin, John W., 
 
 Heflin, Wm. A., 
 
 Herrington, Geo. W., 
 
 Hibbs, Henry C., 
 
 Hibbs, William (" Major "), 
 
 Hooe, Robert M., 
 
 Hutchinson, Lycurgus E., 
 
 Jackson, Edgar M., 
 
 Jones, David L. (killed), 
 
 Knapp, Ludwell, 
 
 Lake, James Robert, 
 
 Lake, Ludwell, 
 
 Lake, Thomas W., 
 
 Lane, Frank, 
 
 Law, David, 
 
 Lynn, John T., 
 
 Lyons, James, 
 
 McDaniel, Mahlon T., 
 
 McDonough, Charles, 
 
 McLane, Thomas, 
 
 Maddux, H. C. (."Cab"), 
 
 Martin, T., 
 
 Mattocks, Robert, 
 
 Milier, Thomas F., 
 
 Minor, Albert G., 
 
 Moffet, Daniel J., 
 
 Mohler, Theodore, 
 
 Moore, S. H., 
 
 Moran, Richard, 
 
 Mosby, William H. (promoted), 
 
 Nelson, Lucian N., 
 
 Newland, Bushrod, 
 
 Oden, Archibald, 
 
 Page, John P. (promoted). 
 
 Page, Mortimer M., 
 
 Phillips, Wm. A., 
 
 Pool, Joshua, 
 
 Presgraves, Richard, 
 
 Priest, John H., 
 
 Prout, John B., 
 
 Puryear, John W. (promoted). 
 
 Rector, Thomas B., 
 
 Rector, Welby H. (killed), 
 
 Reed, John R., 
 
 Richards, Dulany, 
 
 Rixey, James M., 
 
 Robey, Francis E., 
 
 Robinson, John D., 
 
 Rogers, Samuel E., 
 
 Rosson, John A., 
 
 Rowzee, Geo. A., 
 
 Rudd, Royal S., 
 
 Rutter, John W., 
 
 Shaw, Christopher C., 
 
 Sherman, R. F., 
 
 Silcott, Braden T , 
 
 Simpson, Benjamin ("Tobe"), 
 
 Sinclair, James W., 
 
 Sinclair, John, 
 
 Skeldon, Nicholas B. (Buckholtz), 
 
 Smallwood, Henry (killed), 
 
 Smallwood, John L., 
 
 Spindle, Benjamin, 
 
 Spitzer, Charles H., 
 
 Stone, William R., 
 
 Strother, Francis A., 
 
 Strother, James M., 
 
 Summers, Geo. W., 
 
 Symons, John W., 
 
 Thompson, Edward, 
 
 Thompson, Wm. B., 
 
 Trammell, Wm., 
 
 Trammell, B. L., 
 
 Trundle, Wm. H. (promoted, killed), 
 
 Turberville, Geo. R. L., 
 
 Turley, Richard, 
 
 Underwood, Bushrod, 
 
 Underwood, Samuel, 
 
 Vandeventer, J. H., 
 
 Waggaman, Samuel, 
 
 Walker, George C., 
 
 Waller, John T. (killed), 
 
 Walls, Wm. A., 
 
 Walston, Wm. B., 
 
 Waters, Hugh T., 
 
 Wilbourne, Henry A., 
 
 Wild, John (killed), 
 
 Williams, Sewell, 
 
 Williamson, James J., 
 
 Wilson, J. T., 
 
 Wilson, Stephen H., 
 
 Woolf, Francis M., 
 
 Yellott, George. 
 
534 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 Have been unable to find any roll of this Company: the names here given are with the 
 assistance of Mr. John H. Foster. 
 
 Captain, William R. Smith (killed). Third Lieutenant, Robert Gray. 
 
 Adolphus E. Richards (promoted). First Sergeant, Horace Johnson. 
 
 " Robert S. Walker. Second Sergeant, James W. Wrenn. 
 
 First Lieutenant, Franklin Williams. Third Sergeant, Dorsey Warfield. 
 Second Lieutenant, Albert Wrenn. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Adrian, J. M., 
 
 Alexander, Doctor, 
 
 Alexander, John, 
 
 Alexander, Samuel, 
 
 Anderson, Ed., 
 
 Ashby, Henry S., 
 
 Barber, Slice, 
 
 Belvin, W. D., 
 
 Bowen, A. J., 
 
 Bowen, Fred F., 
 
 Bowen, James, 
 
 Brown, L., 
 
 Browning, Lafayette, 
 
 Browning, Thomas E., 
 
 Buckner, Richard P., 
 
 Chappalear, J. Pendleton (killed;. 
 
 Chew, John A., 
 
 Colston, William E. (killed), 
 
 Crawford, J. Marshall, 
 
 Crawford, Robert, 
 
 Darden, Dennis, 
 
 Downing, J. A., 
 
 Eastham, Philip B., 
 
 Edmonds, Clem., 
 
 Edmonds, John C., 
 
 Edmunds, Henry, 
 
 Embrey, William M. (killed), 
 
 Farr, Resin S., 
 
 Farr, Richard, 
 
 Ferguson, SydnorG., 
 
 Fitzhugh, Champ, 
 
 Fristoe, French, 
 
 Gillespie, John, 
 
 Gray, Charles Henry, 
 
 Gray, James A., 
 
 Hammond, J. W., 
 
 Hamner, " Captain," 
 
 Harrison, Henry H., 
 
 Harrover, Robert M., 
 
 Hudgins, (killed), 
 
 Hurst, Edward. 
 Johnson, Frank ("Zoo"), 
 
 Johnson, James M., 
 
 Kennon, " Captain " George S.. 
 
 Lambert, Charles, 
 
 Lavender, J., 
 
 Lee, Philip, 
 
 McKay, Thomas B., 
 
 McKim, (killed), 
 
 Mallory, (killed), 
 
 Mason, Charles (killed), 
 Milholland.A. V., 
 Munson, John W., (dead), 
 
 Northcraft, (from Balto.). 
 
 Ogg, Thomas J., 
 
 Orrick, John C., 
 
 Owen, Joseph W., 
 
 Pitts, J. Emery, 
 
 Renner, J. S., 
 
 Renner, J. W., 
 
 Robinson, "Captain," 
 
 Seay, Thomas R., 
 
 Sedgwick, Frank, 
 
 Settle, Albert, 
 
 Shaw, Harry, 
 
 Shriver, Chas. Eltinge (killed), 
 
 Sinnott, Harry T., 
 
 Smith, Edward (killed), 
 
 Spindle, Robert, 
 
 Spinkx, , 
 
 Stinson, , 
 
 Stratton. Dr. T. Emmett, 
 Strother, Alfred, 
 Sweeting, B. H. (Harry), 
 Triplett, Geo. W., 
 Triplett, Richard, 
 Tyler, Charles, 
 Walter, Henry S., 
 White, Hugh W., 
 Wilson, Jeremiah DeBell, 
 Withers, Henry M., 
 Withers, John. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 535 
 
 COMPANY C. 
 
 Roll furnished by John S. Russell, Lieutenant commanding. 
 
 Captain, William H. Chapman (promoted). 
 First Lieutenant, A. E Richards (promoted). 
 Second Lieutenant, Frank Fox (killed). 
 Third Lieutenant, Frank W. Yager. 
 Lieutenant Commanding, John S. Russell. 
 First Sergeant, C. Bohrer (killed). 
 
 Charles Landon Hall. 
 Second Sergeant, Charles Whiting. 
 
 Third Sergeant, L. A. Corbin. 
 Fourth Sergeant, B. Grove. 
 
 " " W. T. Biedler. 
 
 Fifth Sergeant, C. C. Horseford. 
 First Corporal, Wm. Jackson. 
 Second Corporal, P. A. Davis. 
 Third Corporal, S. B. Triplett. 
 Fourth Corporal, A. J. Hobson. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Adams, H. C., 
 Anderson, Peyton, 
 Anderson, G. W., 
 Angelo, Frank M., 
 Atwell, Ewell B., 
 Atwell, W. H., 
 Ayler, F. F., 
 Ayler, J. M., 
 Ball, B. F., 
 Balthrope, G. R., 
 Bartenstein, A. R., 
 Baylor, R. W., 
 Bear, Charles A., 
 Beckham, John G., 
 Bickers, J. M., 
 Biedler, A. J., 
 Biedler, Charles E., 
 Botts, John F.. 
 Bowen, C. O., 
 Boxley, E. S., 
 Boyd. H., 
 Bramham, N. 
 Brumback, E. T., 
 Burnley, J. N., 
 Calvert, J. C., 
 Carr, Richard, 
 Carver, Joseph M., 
 Chelf, C. F., 
 Chuning, B. F., 
 Chuning, W. S., 
 Coiner, Cornelius J., 
 Compton, J. C., 
 Conrad, G. W., 
 Conrad, M. O., 
 Crable, M. O., 
 Crigler, W. G., 
 Cunningham, G., 
 Davis, Frank C., 
 Dearmont, Washington, 
 Dent, George, 
 Divine, William, 
 Douglas, L. P., 
 Elzey, Robert, 
 
 Finley, George, 
 Fish, C. W., 
 Fletcher, Benton, 
 Fletcher, R. V. W., 
 Fletcher, W. H., 
 Fleury, Wm., 
 Flint, James A., 
 Ford, John, Jr., 
 Ford, John, Sr., 
 Forrer, E. F., 
 Forrer, Judah, 
 Garrison, W. H., 
 Garth, James H. 
 Garth, John \. , 
 Gibson, John T., 
 Gray, Thaddeus, 
 Gunnell, George W., 
 Guthrie, Samuel, 
 Hansford, C. C., 
 Harden, F. M., 
 Harn, C. T., 
 Harrell, J. C., 
 Harrell, M. D., 
 Hays, T. M., 
 Hearn, John, 
 Heflebower, John N., 
 Heflin. Robert, 
 Herning, C. M., 
 Henry W., 
 Henson, S. P., 
 Hickes, S. P., 
 Hipkins, Fred. S., 
 Hiter, P. M., 
 Hutchinson, Lewis, 
 Iden, Ben., 
 Jackson, R. A., 
 Johnson, Wm., 
 Jones, C. S., 
 Judd, James, 
 Kinsey, G. T., 
 Kinsey, G. W., 
 Kirby, J. R., 
 Kinvin, John, 
 
536 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Kite, Charles, 
 
 Kite, Martin, 
 
 Laws, J. L., 
 
 Legg, James E., 
 
 Leonard, D. E., 
 
 Lewis, J. B., 
 
 Lintz, W. F., 
 
 Lofland, G. S., 
 
 Luckett, S. T., 
 
 McCue, John B., 
 
 McKim, Allan, 
 
 Macoy, B. C., 
 
 Marcellus, J. H., 
 
 Marshall, G. R., 
 
 Marshall, J. R., 
 
 Massie, G. W., 
 
 Massie, H. L., 
 
 Miller, J. M., 
 
 Morecock, W. H. E., 
 
 Nunn, John W., 
 
 Orrick, John C., (G. W. Arrington), 
 
 Overfield, Marshall, 
 
 Patteson, A. Lee, 
 
 Patteson, Wm. W., 
 
 Pearson, Craven, 
 
 Pearson, H. C., 
 
 Pearson, John, 
 
 Pearson, Taylor, 
 
 Pendleton, C. H., 
 
 Perry, J. Taylor, 
 
 Phillips, John, 
 
 Printz, Isabeus, 
 
 Redwin, John, 
 
 Rice, Thomas, 
 
 Richards, A. J., 
 
 Richards, Henry, 
 
 Richardson, J. R., 
 
 Richardson, M. L., 
 
 Richeson, A. J., 
 
 Ritter, David H., 
 
 Robertson, W. H., 
 
 Robinson, Monroe, 
 Russell, John W., 
 Russell, H. C., 
 Sanford, E. L., 
 Shacklett, Edward, 
 Shaw, Jackson, 
 Sinclair, J. M., 
 Smith, J. M., 
 Smith, J. P., 
 Smith, R. C., 
 Spencer, J. M., 
 Starke, James, 
 Starke.J. T., 
 Storke, J. E., 
 Taylor, George, 
 Thompson, Thomas J., 
 Throop, Thomas, 
 Trenairy, J. S., 
 Triplett, B. Addison, 
 Triplett, L. B., 
 Vest, C. B., 
 Vest, Thomas, 
 Vorus, Jacob, 
 Walker, C. H., 
 Walker, C. S., 
 Walker, J. M., 
 Ward, Jerry, 
 Wayman, E. F., 
 Wayman, J. M., 
 Welch, W. R., 
 Whitescarvei, ^. _ ., 
 Whitlow, A. J., 
 Willis, A. C., 
 Wilson, A. S., 
 Wines, A. L., 
 Wines, G. S., 
 Wines, T. S., 
 Woodward, W., 
 Yager, Charles M., 
 Yowell, James. 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 537 
 
 COMPANY D. 
 
 The greater part of this list was furnished by Charles H. Dear \ John H. Foster , Zach. F, 
 Jones, J. S. Mason and John A, Saunders. 
 
 Captain, R. P. Mont joy (killed). 
 
 Alfred Glascock. 
 
 First Lieutenant, Charles E. Grogan. 
 Second Lieutenant, Magner. 
 
 Adie, Lewis (killed), 
 Aldridge, J. West, 
 Anderson, Boswell P., 
 Anderson, Thomas E . (killed), 
 Atkins, John (killed), 
 Baker, T. R., 
 Beal, John T., 
 Beal, Joseph R , 
 Best, Richard, 
 Binford, Ballard W., 
 Binford, Wirt M. (killed), 
 Bispham. S. B. 
 
 Blanchard, , 
 
 Boiling, Bartlett, 
 
 Boiling, John, 
 
 Brander, William, 
 
 Braxton, Wm. Armstead (kiHeJ\ 
 
 Bredell, Edward (killed), 
 
 Brock, George Wallen, 
 
 Brock, Harry, 
 
 Brooke, William T., 
 
 Brown (of Maryland), 
 
 Bryan, Joseph, 
 
 Burk (killed), 
 
 Campbell, Joseph, 
 Carr, Upshur, 
 Carrington, Luther (killed), 
 Carter, Thomas, 
 Chamblin, H. Clay, 
 Chancellor, James M., 
 
 Cheatwood, , 
 
 Chew, John A., 
 Chew, Robert. 
 Chilton, James V , 
 Christian, E. W , 
 Coakley, James, 
 Cochran, Frank, 
 Copley, James, 
 Core, John H., 
 Darneille, Philip A., 
 Dear, Charles H., 
 Dear, H. Clay, 
 Dear, J. Wm., 
 Delaplane, J., 
 Dorsey, Charles, 
 Dorsey, Harry, 
 
 Third Lieutenant, Wm. H. Trundle (killed). 
 " David S. Briscoe. 
 
 (Commanding at close of War). 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Dorsey, Pugh, 
 
 Dorsey, Reuben, 
 
 Dunning, John. 
 
 Dunnington, Charles A., 
 
 Eastham, Robert W. <" Bob Ridley"), 
 
 Flack, Thomas (killed), 
 
 Foy, Joseph, 
 
 Frere, George, 
 
 Gibbs, Willie A. (killed), 
 
 Gibson, Henry C., 
 
 Gill, George Murray, (killed). 
 
 Gill, John, 
 
 Gipson, Edwin, 
 
 Goldsborough, Charles, 
 
 Gray, John, 
 
 Grayson, Robert, 
 
 Griffin, Joseph, 
 
 Harris, H. G , 
 
 Heaton, Henry, 
 
 Heaton, Tiny, 
 
 Heiskell, J. Monroe, 
 
 Homer, Gus B., 
 
 Hoyle, George, 
 
 Hough, Gresham, 
 
 Hunton, Ernest, 
 
 Hunton, John W., 
 
 Jarboe, William, 
 
 Jarman, Henry, 
 
 Jarvis, B. F., 
 
 Johnson, Edward, 
 
 Jones, Philip, 
 
 Jones, Zach. F., 
 
 Jordan, H. C., 
 
 Kane, James C., 
 
 Kane, John C., 
 
 Keith, James (killed), 
 
 Kennerley, Frank, 
 
 Keblinger, C., 
 
 Keblinger, Wilber, 
 
 Lambert, M. W., 
 
 Larrabee, Harrison C., 
 
 Llewellyn, John A., 
 
 Love, Lucian (killed), 
 
 Love, Thomas R., 
 
 Low, Josiah, 
 
 Lowndes, James, 
 
 McBlair, , 
 
 McCobb, (killed), 
 
538 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Mclntosh, C , 
 Mackall, R. M., 
 Manning (" Captain " ), 
 Mason, J. S., 
 Mason, Landon R., 
 Massie, J. R., 
 Mercer, Corbin W., 
 Millan, Joseph C., 
 Miller, James N., 
 
 Mitchell, , 
 
 Moon, Jacob L. f 
 
 Moon, James M. 
 
 Moss, Thomas, 
 
 Neal, D., 
 
 Nott, Andrew H., 
 
 Nott, Roger, 
 
 Nottingham, John J., 
 
 Nottingham, Tobe, 
 
 O Brien, E. H., 
 
 Overby. William Thomas (killed), 
 
 Pattie, H. W., 
 
 Randolph, John, 
 
 Ratdiffe, , 
 
 Read, J. W., 
 RiggS Joshua, 
 
 Riley, P. O., 
 
 Robertson, , 
 
 Robinson, Claiborne, 
 Rogers, S. E., 
 Saunders, J^hn A., 
 Saunders, Thomas, 
 Saunders, William E., 
 Sealock, Thomas, 
 
 Shields, (killed), 
 
 Slater, Henry, 
 
 Smith, J. Henley, 
 
 Smith, Philip, 
 
 Sowers, Dr. J. R., 
 
 Staton, W. W., 
 
 Steele, Billings, 
 
 Thomas, W. P., 
 
 Tongue, Wm., 
 
 Vandeventer, William, 
 
 Ware, Felix H , 
 
 Weir, W. B , 
 
 White, John W., 
 
 Williams, J. F., 
 
 Wooden, Peter, 
 
 Woodhouse, W. W. 
 
 Wright, D. Giraud, 
 
 Yates Francis Marion (killed). 
 
 COMPANY E. 
 
 Copy of original Muster Roll furnished by Lieutenant ^V. Ben Palmer. 
 
 Muster Roll of Captain Samuel F. Chapman, Company E, of the 43d Battalion Virginia Cav 
 alry, Army of the Confederate States of America, Lieutenant Colonel John S. Mosby, from the 
 28th day of July, 1864, when last mustered, to the 3ist day of August, 1864. 
 
 Captain, Samuel F. Chapman. 
 First Lieutenant, Fountain Beattie. 
 Second Lieutenant, W. Ben Palmer. 
 Third Lieutenant, William Martin (killed). 
 
 " Channing M. Smith. 
 
 First Sergeant, Boyd M. Smith. 
 Second Sergeant. T. Benton Shipley. 
 
 Third Sergeant, Edgar Davis (killed). 
 Fourth Sergeant, Thomas Booker. 
 First Corporal, George L. Revercomb. 
 Second Corporal, Wm. Davis. 
 Third Corporal, Henry R. Moore. 
 Fourth Corporal, Daniel M. Mason. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Armstrong, S. R., 
 Ashby, John, 
 Ball, A. P., 
 Bayne, Richard B., 
 Bell, J. W., 
 Boiling, Samuel, 
 Boiling, W. A., 
 Brady, A. R., 
 Brown, L. B., 
 Brown, R.. 
 
 Burgess, Moses, 
 Burke, John C., 
 Butler, J. F., 
 Butler, O. L., 
 Carey, Alex., 
 Carpenter, T. A., (killed), 
 Coleman, W. A., 
 Colvin, J. B., 
 Coons, F. A., 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 
 
 539 
 
 Coons, J. W., 
 Copenhaver, G. W., 
 Cox, J. E., 
 Davis, Americus, 
 Davis, L. Morgan, 
 Dennis, C. H., 
 Dennis, W. F., 
 Detherage, R., 
 Dickson, John T., 
 Downing, W. H., 
 Edwards, Wm. H., 
 Faulkner, J. F., 
 Faulkner, W. W., 
 Flinn, R. R., 
 Flippo, A. C., 
 Floweree, S. C., 
 Flynn, J. F., 
 Flynn, Robert N., 
 Flynn. William, 
 Foreman, P. G., 
 Forrest, J. J., 
 Gentry, I. A., 
 Gibson, S , 
 Greg, H. W., 
 Hall, S., 
 Hazlett, M , 
 Heflin, H. W., 
 Horsley, John D., 
 Howison, Lee, 
 Inloes, A., 
 Jarman, Robert, 
 Jones, F. J., 
 Kirkpatrick, E., 
 Latham, Thomas R., 
 Lawrence, J. M., 
 Lyttleton, J., 
 McCourt, C. A., 
 Mclntosh, J. P., 
 McLane, T., 
 Maclay, Thomas, 
 Majors, J. B., 
 Majors, L. C., 
 Metcalfe, S. G., 
 Miller, T. A., 
 Milton, J., 
 
 Monroe, S. L., 
 Myers, J. J., 
 Nails, Benoni F., 
 Nails, E., 
 Nails, J. P., 
 Newcomb, O. S., 
 O Bannon, G. M., 
 Pendleton, C. Mason, 
 Picket, George K., 
 Picket, James E., 
 Poston, H. A., 
 Ramey, J. M., 
 Ramey, L. W., 
 Randolph, Norman V., 
 Reardon, Louis, 
 Reardon, P. J., 
 Reavercomb, P. N., 
 Redd, P. D., 
 Robinson, D. F., 
 Robinson, W. H., 
 Robson, O., 
 Rutter, H., 
 Seaton, J. J., 
 Shackleford, Durand, 
 Shackleford, Elzey D., 
 Sheafer, George, 
 Sheppard, J. W. 
 Simpson. J., 
 Slater, George M., 
 Smith, J. P., 
 Smith, R. T., 
 Stanley, Howard, 
 Sutton, Wm., 
 Terry, R. Stockton, 
 Utz, John C., 
 Vaughn, F. D., 
 Walker, J., 
 Walker, J. P., 
 Walker, L. F., 
 Watkins, J. R., 
 Weaver, James W., 
 Welch, Wm., 
 Wood, H. K., 
 Woodward, L. E. 
 
540 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 COMPANY F. 
 
 Muster Roll Company F, U3d Battalion Virginia Cavalry, C. S. A., or Mosby s Battalion, 
 1861t-65. Furnished by Capt. Walter E. Frank:and. 
 
 Captain, Walter E. Frankland. 
 First Lieutenant, Walter Bowie (killed). 
 Second Lieutenant, James F. Ames (killed). 
 Third Lieutenant, J. Frank Turner. 
 First Sergeant, H. M. Mcllhany. 
 Second Sergeant, Robert B. Parrott. 
 Third Sergeant, Thomas A. Russell. 
 
 Fourth Sergeant, John J. Williams. 
 Fifth Sergeant, James P. Triplett. 
 First Corporal, Charles W. Harris. 
 Second Corporal, James E. Haney. 
 Third Corporal, Benj. R. Cowherd. 
 Fourth Corporal, John L. Schackleford. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Alexander, B. R., 
 Austin, George B., 
 Baggasby, J., 
 Bankhead, Charles L., 
 Barker., John L., 
 Barker, L. A., 
 Bayne, John C., 
 Bayne, Washington, 
 Broadus, Wm. S , 
 Brooks, Charles, 
 Brown, Joseph D., 
 Brown, Tkomas R., 
 Burgess, Alex , 
 Burke, Arthur, 
 Burton, H., 
 Cahill, John J., 
 Carter, Isaiah, 
 Chandler, Henry H., 
 Chase, Irvin K., 
 Clarke, John J., 
 Cockrell, Wm., 
 Conner, F. M., 
 Coode, Demetrius, 
 Cooksey, Morgan, 
 Corder, Butler, 
 Crawford, George Wm., 
 Crow, T. W., 
 Crook, Robert N., 
 Crum, C. A., 
 Crutchfield, Edgar M., 
 Culbreth, John, 
 Daniel, Peter M., 
 Danne, Charles, 
 Davis, Alexander, 
 Dawson, Reuben, 
 
 Deems, , 
 
 Dunnaway, Roger W., 
 Dunton, King Agrippa, 
 Eastham, Bird, 
 Eubank, Frederick D , 
 Flynn, Robert N., 
 Franklin, Benjamin, 
 Gaskins, Hezek.ah, 
 
 Gayle, J. P., 
 Gayle, Mordecai J , 
 Gayle, Thomas B , 
 Goddin, I. H., 
 Gooch, James J., 
 Goodall, Abner, 
 Gooding, Lewis E., 
 Gore, Jesse P., 
 Gresham, James R., 
 Griffith, John B., 
 Hill, Francis L., 
 Hockman, Noah, 
 Hopkins, H. H., 
 Howard, Reuben F., 
 Hunton, Isaiah, 
 Imboden, Jacob, 
 Jennings, Matthew, 
 Johnson, C. W., 
 Jones, A. H., 
 Jones, Montgomery A. 
 Kelley, John C., 
 Keyseear, Hugh P., 
 Kite, James P., 
 Kite, Thomas O., 
 Knott, Richard, 
 Lacy, M. P., 
 Landrum, Willis J., 
 Leach, Thornton V., 
 Leavell, Edmund G., 
 Lee, Clifton, 
 Limbrick, J. W., 
 Lowe, Daniel W., 
 Lucas, Fielding, 
 McKenney, John, 
 Manley, Wm. L., 
 Melton, J. M., 
 Meredith, S. E., 
 Miller, Oscar D., 
 Myers, Eleamander, 
 Norris, Williamson, 
 Parr, Thomas, 
 Payne, John R., 
 Peebles, James A., 
 
MOSBY S RANGERS. 54 r 
 
 Porter, John J., Smith, Edward T., 
 
 Powell, H. F., Smoot, J. G., 
 
 Powell, Rupert R., Sours, W. S , 
 
 Priest, George H., Spottswood, F., 
 
 Prince, John W., Strother, James W., 
 
 Pritchard, John T., Swan, Baynard, 
 
 Reeves, David, Taylor, William, 
 
 Reiley, Thomas H., Thomas, Daniel L., 
 
 Ricketts, John E., Thompson, Alfred, 
 
 Ridgeley, T. R., Towles, E. M., 
 
 Rollins, Sanders B., Travis, Alonzo, 
 
 Rosan, , Viers, Charles O., 
 
 Royston, John W., Walker, Chas. P., 
 
 Scott, Robert, Wayman, N. B., 
 
 Scurry, Matthew V., Weems, G. W., 
 
 Silman, James A., Wheatley, John W., 
 
 Silman, John A., Winzelle, A. F., 
 
 Sinclair, John C., Yerby, Wm M. 
 
 COMPANY G. 
 
 Names chiefly furnished by John H. Foster, PI. G. Harris and Lieutenant John N. Murphy. 
 
 Captain, Thomas W. T. Richards. Second Lieutenant, W. Garland Smich. 
 
 First Lieutenant, John N. Murphy. Third Lieutenant, John W. Puryear. 
 
 IIclVATES. 
 
 Anderson, Wm. C., Dorrity, J. W., 
 
 Armstrong, J. A., Follin, Ira, 
 
 Bainbridge, A. R., Garnett, , 
 
 Barr, H., Golding, T. R., 
 
 Bayne,H. T., Golding, W., 
 
 Bencke, JohnH., Grey, Alfred, 
 
 Birney, , Griffin, G. C., 
 
 Bradshaw, , Hackley, George, 
 
 Brown, F. S., Hardwick, G. B., 
 
 Burgess, M. M., Hogg, , 
 
 Caldwell, C. E., Hopkins, J. E., 
 
 Carr, Lawrence, Homer, R. C., 
 
 Carroll, , Homes, Thomas, 
 
 Claggett, Johnson, Houdershell, Rufus A., 
 
 Clark, Joseph B., Hughes, , 
 
 Claybrook, F. W., Hume (Lieut.), 
 
 Cloyd, , Huntt, Lewis, 
 
 Crabbe, George, Huntt, G. W., 
 
 Crews, , Hutchinson, J R., 
 
 Cross, Charles, Jackson, W. E.,, 
 
 Cummings, G. W., Jett, Lucius Leland, 
 
 Dealman, , Jett, William, 
 
 Dickell, C., Johnson, James, 
 Dishman, S., Kennedy, Thomas, 
 
542 APPENDIX. 
 
 Kennedy, W. H., Perron, S., 
 
 Kephart, J. R., Price, C. D., 
 
 Kerrick, John R., Prosser, R. Hylton, 
 
 King, Thomas, Reamy, Ashton, 
 
 Legg, James L. Reamy, Robert, 
 
 McDonald, James, Renwick, J., 
 
 Marchant, John A., Riddick, C., 
 
 Marmaduke, M. W. Ridgeway, 
 
 Menefee, H. S., Rixey, R., 
 
 Mitchell, James Jackson, Shumate, B. J., 
 
 Moyo, Wm. % Sidnor, G., 
 
 Murphy, R. W., Skillman, Samuel, 
 
 Muse, John, Smoot, W. F., 
 
 Musser, Wm. H., Talliafero, L., 
 
 Newbil, , Thomas, Robert, 
 
 Newell, , Thompson, Gilbert, 
 
 Norfolk, George, Turner, John W., 
 
 O Brien, John, Washington, G., 
 
 O Neil, John, Wheelwright, , 
 
 Orrison, Robert, White, John W , 
 
 Parker, J. H., Wiltshire, Charles, 
 
 Parrow, , Winder, , 
 
 Perron, , Lieut., Yerby, Albert. 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 This list is very imperfect, as the Company was organized but a feiv days before the surren 
 der. Many of the names are no doubt included in the rolls of the other companies. Most 
 of Capt. J. C. Kincheloe s men (Capt. Brawners old company) ivere transferred to 
 Company H, and Mr. W. S. Kincheloe furnished a list of these. 
 
 Captain, George Baylor. Third Lieutenant, B. Frank Carter. 
 
 First Lieutenant, Edward F. Thomson. First Sergeant, David G. Mohler. 
 
 Second Lieutenant, James G. Wiltshire. 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 Anderson, Isaac, Kiddi Thomas, 
 
 Bell, , Kincheloe, J. C., 
 
 Brawner, Richard, Kincheloe, Redmond, 
 
 Butler, Charles, Kincheloe, W. S., 
 
 Butler, W. B., Kincheloe, W. W., 
 
 Cole, E. D., Lynn) Albert, 
 
 Cornwell, George, Lynn, Benjamin, 
 
 Cornwell, J. L., Lynn, Shirley, 
 
 Cornwell, R. H., McVey, Richard, 
 
 Davis, George, Maddox, L., 
 
 Davis, H. E., Owen, M. B., 
 
 Davis, J. P., Raney, Wm., 
 
 Davis, W. D., Ransom, B. B., 
 
 Dowell, Thaddeus, Richardson, G. H , 
 
 Fairfax, Thomas, Stone, J. E., 
 
 Fairfax, Wellington, Spittle, Lewis, 
 
 Gosden. Walter W., Spittle, W. Randolph, 
 
 Harney, Thomas F., Tansill, W. W., 
 
 Hefflebower, Edward Tillett, John R., 
 
 Helm, Frank, Utterback, B. D., 
 
 Hipkins, John, Vande vender, , 
 
 Jones, H. C., Young, Lewis. 
 Kerfoot, Howard, 
 
APPENDIX. 543 
 
 ARTILLERY COMPANY. 
 
 In some instances names of men attached to the Artillery Company may also be 
 found on rolls of other companies. The reason is tliis: The artillery was composed 
 of men taken from the different companies then organised, and when the artillery 
 was disbanded, the members -were transferred to other companies, principally Com 
 pany G. The names here given were mostly furnished by John L. Aylor, John F. 
 Lynn and Ben Thrift. 
 
 Captain, Peter A. Franklin. Third Lieutenant, Frank H. Rahm. 
 
 First Lieutenant, John J. Fray. First Sergeant, A. G. Babcock. 
 
 Second Lieutenant, John P. Page. 
 
 Aylor, John L., Larry, 
 
 Blanchard, Harris C, Love, Lucien (killed), 
 
 Bradshaw, Lynn, John F. ("Dadge"), 
 
 Fugitt, Gus, Manyott, Ed., 
 
 Geschky, Frank ("Zoo"), Pontier, Nathaniel (Balto), 
 
 Green, Matt., Rhodes, Henry C. (killed), 
 
 Hitt, Burgess, Shields, 
 
 Hitt, Wallace, Smith, David L., 
 
 Horner, Robert C., Snead, Edwin B., 
 
 Jones, E. M., Thrift, Ben., 
 
 Kerrick, John R. f Wharton, A. G. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Company A. Organized, 69; Seneca, 
 Md., 69; in Pennsylvania, 79; Meade 
 in Loudoun, 80 et seq. ; Gooding s 
 Tavern, 87 et seq.; Carter s Run, 91, 
 92; Bealeton, 108, 109; Brandy Sta 
 tion, in et seq.; Loudoun Heights, 
 124 et seq.; picketing roads, 133; 
 Dranesville, 142 et seq.; 155, 174, 175, 
 177; Charlestown, 178 et seq.; Point 
 of Rocks, 184 et seq.; Mt. Zion, 187 
 et seq.; 194; Adamstown, 198 et seq.; 
 204, 206; Berryville, 207 et seq.; 213, 
 216; Myers Ford, 226 et seq.; Salem, 
 251; 269, 270, 284; Kabletown, 302 
 et seq.; Hamilton (Harmony), 356 
 et seq.; Sergt. Corbin, the only officer 
 left in Company A all the others 
 killed, wounded or captured, 359; 366. 
 
 Abercrombie, Gen. John J., 59, 60. 
 
 Adams, Clay, 225. 
 
 Adams, Thomas, 285. 
 
 Adamstown, 198, 264 et seq.; 416. 
 
 Adie, Lewis, 209. 
 
 Albright, Col. Charles, 267; Arundels, 
 367 et seq. 
 
 Aldie, 31, 34, 7L *57. 222, 234. 
 
 Aldridge, J. West, 380. 
 
 Alexander, John H., 199 et seq.; 307 
 et seq.; 466 et seq.; 495. 
 
 Alexander, Sam, 348. 
 
 Alexandria, 99; Reunion, 495. 
 
 Alger, Col. Russell A., 214. 
 
 Alms House, 322. 
 
 Ames, Lieut. James F., 28 et seq.; 33 
 et seq.; 80; lieutenant, 231; killed, 
 255, 404. 
 
 Amory, Lieut. Charles W., 190. 
 
 Anderson, Captain, 268. 
 
 Anderson, Gen. R. H., 223. 
 
 Anderson, Ed., 251. 
 
 Anderson, Thomas E., 240. 
 
 Angelo, Frank M., 224, 310, 311. 
 
 Anker s Shop, 141. 
 
 Annandale, 218 et seq.; 270. 
 
 Annapolis, 256. 
 
 Appendix. See Index, p. 511. 
 
 Army of Northern Virginia, 74, 80, 365, 
 374, 376, 377- 
 
 Artillery Company. Organized, 197, 201, 
 204; Berryville, 208, 209; Annandale, 
 218 et sen. 250 et seq.; captured, 266 
 et sei.; disbanded, 313. 
 
 Arundel s, 367 et seq. 
 
 Ashby, Albert, 275. 
 
 Ashby, Henry S., 114, 118, 137. 
 
 Ashby Jamieson, 136, 275. 
 
 Ashby, Samuel, 275. 
 
 Ashby. Wirt, 303. 
 
 Ashby s Gap, 75, 138; Big Poplar, 193; 
 236, 255, 292, 299, 316, 321, 322, 325; 
 Mt. Carmel, 345, 348, 349. 
 
 Atkins, John, 285, 286. 
 
 Atwell, Ewell, 159. 
 
 Auburn, 93, 104. 
 
 Auer, Capt. Michael, 170. 
 
 Augur, Gen. C. C., 221, 223; Manassas 
 Gap R. R., 247, 248, 250, 254, 257, 
 269, 270, 271, 273, 275, 286, 320, 371, 
 377, 449. 
 
 Averell, Gen. Wm. W., 212. 
 Aylor, John L., 266. 
 Ayre, George H., 140, 160. 
 Ayre, George S., 61, 75, 316. 
 Ayre, William, 79. 
 
 Company B. Organized, 94; 99, 100; 
 
 Bealeton, 108, 109; Dranesville, 142 
 
 et seq.; A. E. Richards, captain, 158; 
 
 174, 175, 177; Duffield Station, 178, 
 
 182; Point of Rocks, 184, 185; Mt. 
 
 Zion, 187 et seq.; 194, 198; Berryville, 
 
 208 et seq.; 213; Myers Ford, 266 et 
 
 seq.; Salem, 251; 269, 270, 28?; 
 
 Kabletown, 302 et sen.; Robert S. 
 
 Walker, captain, 328, 366. 
 Babcock, Sergt. A. G., 208, 266, 267, 
 
 268. 
 
 Baggasby, J. D., 290. 
 Baker, Lieut. Fayette, 152, 343, 347, 
 
 349- 
 
 Baker, Col. Lafayette C., 101, 421. 
 Baker s Rangers, 100, 101. 
 Ballard, John N., 69; E well s Chapel, 
 
 77 et seq. 
 Baltimore & Ohio R. R., 260, 263, 264, 
 
 265, 340. 
 
 Barker, Capt., 39, 43. 
 Barker, Lieut. Elmer, 66, 67, 68. 
 Barnes, John H., 14, 100, 101, 436. 
 Bartram Mr., 245, 248. 
 Baylor, Capt. George (Capt. Co. H), 
 
 363, 364; Arundel s, 366 et seq. 
 Bealeton Station, 92, 107 et seq. 
 Bean, Captain, 59. 
 Beardsley s Report of Attack on Train, 
 
 431. 
 Beattie, Lieut. Fountain, 67, 85, 87, 127, 
 
 128, 151; Lieut. Co. E, 197, 241, 242, 
 
 337, 44i, 495- 
 Beaver Dam, 16. 
 Beavers, Fenton, 427. 
 Beemer s Woods, 294. 
 Belle Plain, 164, 165, 413. 
 Benton s Ford, 81. 
 Berry s Ferry, 300, 310, 325. 
 Berryville, 206 et seq.; 223, 292, 293, 
 
 298, 366, 417; Testimony of Capt. 
 
 Mann before Board of Inquiry, 4^4. 
 Biedler, Charles E., 326. 
 Big Poplar, 193. 
 "Big Yankee," see Lieut. James F. 
 
 Ames. 
 
 Binford, Wirt M., 358. 
 Binns, Charles, no, in, 116, 142, 145. 
 Birch, Almond, 71, 72. 
 Fird, Colorel, 355, 359. 
 Birdsall, Major John, 271, 335. 
 Black Flag, The, 295 et seq. 
 Black Horse Cavalry, 17, 54, 88, 226. 
 Blackwell, Joseph, 222, 245, 250, 254, 
 
 328, 330. 
 
 Blakeley s Grove, 62, 63, 139, 141. 
 Blazer, Capt. Richard, Myers Ford, 
 
 226 et seq.; 300 et seq.; Kabletown, 
 
 302 et seq. 
 
 Bliss, Capt. James, 236. 
 r.loomfield, 140, 141, 263, 269, 280, 302, 
 
 340, 359. 
 
 544 
 
INDEX. 
 
 545 
 
 Blue Ridge Mountains, 18, no, 223, 234, 
 
 317 et seq. ; 336. 
 
 "Bob" Ridley. See Robt. W. Eastham. 
 Bohrer, C., iQ4. 
 
 Boiling, Bartlett, 137, 340, 341, 361, 362. 
 Boiling, John, 137, 152. 
 Bonham, Colonel, 361. 
 Bounds of Mosby s Confederacy, 175. 
 Boundary of the district "laid waste," 
 
 as given in Sheridan s orders to 
 
 Merritt, 319. 
 Bowie, Lieut. Walter, 48; Lieut. Co. F, 
 
 231; 256. 
 Boyd, Lieut., 62. 
 Boyle, Major Cornelius, 299. 
 Bradbury, Lieut. Albert, 138. 
 Brandy Station, in et seq.; 162. 
 Brawner, H. N., 134. 
 Brawner, Redmond F., 134. 
 Brawner, Wm. A., 134, 138. 
 Brawner, Capt. W. G., killed, 69, 70, 71. 
 Braxton, Wm. Armstead, killed, 300. 
 Bredell, Edward, killed, 300. 
 Brewster, Capt. Charles, 289, 292, 293. 
 Briscoe, Lieut. David S., 155, 370. 
 Broad Run, 52, 342, 403, 404. 
 Broadwater, Guy, in, 233. 
 Brooks, Frank, 271. 
 
 >I UUttS, I Idlll^, ./ 1. 
 
 Brown, Capt. N. H., 237, 238. 
 
 Brown, George, 221. 
 
 Brown, Capt. Harvey, 77. 
 
 Brown, L., 128. 
 
 Brown s Crossing, 261. 
 
 Bryan, Joseph, 340, 368. 
 
 Bryandt, Lieut., 151. 
 
 Buchanan, Charles, 18. 
 
 Buchanan, Capt. Evan M., 303. 
 
 Buck, Dr. R. C., 243. 
 
 Bnckner, Richard, 331. 
 
 Bull Run, the old battlefield. 177. 
 
 Bull Run Mountains, 18, 76 et seq.; 83; 
 
 Prison Camp, 84, 85; 86, 109, in, 
 
 218, 250. 317 et seq. 
 Bunker Hill, 260, 413. 
 Burke, Thomas T., 84, 145. 
 Burke s Station, 93, 204. 206, 269, 270. 
 Burns, Lieut. Michael, 190. 
 Burnt Chimney, 312. 
 Burtnete, Capt. D. Henry, 265, 266, 267, 
 
 311, 312. 
 Bushwhackers, 22. 
 
 Company C. organized, 115, 150, 174, 
 J 75, i77 l8 4 213, 223, 224, 269, 310, 
 
 California Battalion, 100, 101, 142, 146, 
 
 157- 
 
 Call for Meeting of Command, 337. 
 Calvert, George, 161. 
 Camping Out, 272 et seq. 
 Carlisle, D. Grafton, 187, 304. 
 Cirrington, Luther, 285. 
 
 Carter, , 240, 242. 
 
 Carter, Lieut. B. Frank, Lieut. Co. H, 
 
 363; Arundels, 367, 368. 
 Carter, Major Richard H., 258. 
 Carter s Run, 91, 92. 
 Carter, Thomas W., 242. 
 Castleman, John, 155. 
 Castleman s Ferry, 152, 192, 202, 212, 
 
 213, 281, 302. 
 
 Catlett s Station, 64 et seq.; 155. 
 Cedar Mountain, 17. 
 Centreville, 32 et seq.; 86, 270. 
 Certificates of Membership, 105. 
 Chancellor, James, 285. 
 Chantilly, 50 et seq.; 99. 
 
 Chapman, Gen. Geo. H., 234 et seq.; 
 382, 383; Interview, etc., 384 et seq. 
 Chapman, Capt. Samuel F., Miskel s, 
 55. 56, 57; Catlett s Station, 64 et 
 seq.; 140, 146, 167, 184, 195, 207; 
 Capt. Co. E, 197; 223, 224; Chester 
 Gap, 239 et seq.; 264, 278, 373, 395, 
 417, 4i8. 
 
 Chapman, Lieut.-Col. William H., 102, 
 105, in, 115, 116, 127, 133, 135, 136, 
 140, 143, 145, 146, 162, 175, .192, 193; 
 Berryville, 206, 209"; 213 et seq.; 223, 
 224, 235 et seq.; 255, 264, 277, 283, 
 309, 310, 311, 325, 326; Lieut.-Col., 
 327; 329, 339, 377, 378, 380, 381, 395, 
 396, 404, 413, 416, 417; in Miskel 
 Fight, 463; How He Saved Boston 
 Corbett, 463 et seq. 
 Chappalear, J. Pendleton, 145. 
 Chappalear s, 331. 
 Charlestown, 178 et seq.; 202, 298, 341, 
 
 364, 414, 417, 418, 420. 
 Cheney, Perley C. J., 49. 
 
 Cheek s Ford, 198, 199, 256, 265. 
 
 Chester Gap, 239 et seq.; 289, 336. 
 
 Chew, Tohn A., 150, 358. 
 
 Chew, Robert, 380. 
 
 Chipman, Col. N. P., 211. 
 
 Citizens, Running on Railroad, 272 et 
 seq. 
 
 Citizens, Arrested and Imprisoned, 60; 
 put on Trains to Deter Mosby from 
 Throwing them off the Track, 272 et 
 seq.; Arrested and Imprisoned, 298, 
 427. 
 
 Clendenin, Lieut.-Col. David R., 186, 
 200, 328, 332, 333, 335, 336, 448. 
 
 Close of the Year 1863, 116, 117. 
 
 Close of the Year 1864, 338. 
 
 Cobbler Mountains, 266, 268. 
 
 Cocke, Wm. F., 331. 
 
 Coiner, John W., 138. 
 
 Cole, Col. Henry A.. 128, 129. 
 
 Cole, Lieut., 307, 308, 309. 
 
 Coleman, Cleveland, 311, 312. 
 
 Coleman, John, 73. 
 
 Cole s Battalion, 118; Attack on Camp, 
 124 et seq.; Raid through Loudoun, 
 137 et seq.; 249; Attack on Camp, 
 410, 411. 
 
 Colston, Wm. E., killed. 127 et seq. 
 
 Compson, Capt. Hartwell B., 236. 
 
 Confederate Reports, etc., 401. 
 
 Conger, Major E. J., 101. 
 
 Conway, Lieut., 152. 
 
 Coon s Mill, iii. 
 
 Corbin, Sergt. John W., 123, 135, 359. 
 
 Corcoran, Gen. Michael, 99. 
 
 Cornwell, John, 136 et seq. 
 
 Couch, Gen. D. N., 22. 
 
 Cowles, A. E., 446. 
 
 Coyle, , 155. 
 
 Craig, Sam., 157. 
 
 Crawford, J. Marshall, 353. 
 
 Crook, Gen. George, 192, 203. 
 
 Crook s Ambulance Train, 223, 230. 
 
 Crowninshield, Lieut.-Col. Casper, 306, 
 322, 323, 324. 
 
 Cub Run, 31. 
 
 Culpeper, 34, 45, 73, 83, 164, 309. 
 
 Cunningham, G., 140, 199. 
 
 Currie, Col. Leonard D. H., 283. 
 
 Currie s Brigade, 283. 
 
 Custer, Gen. Geo. A., 214, 242, 290, 
 293, 324. 
 
 Custer s Cavalry, 288 et seq. 
 
 Company D. Organized 154; 184, 185, 
 
546 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 194. Adamstown, 198 et seq. ; 208, 
 213, 269, 271, 299, 300; Hamilton, 
 356, 357, 366 et seq. 
 
 Dahlgren, Col. Ulric, 79. 
 Darden, Dennis, 285. 
 
 Davis, , of Kentucky, 54, 403. 
 
 Davis, Edgar, 285, 287. 
 
 Davis, Col. J. Mansfield, 16. 
 
 Davis, William, 188. 
 
 Davis, "Yankee," no, in, 336. 
 
 Dean, Capt., 71. 
 
 Dear, Charles H., 166, 167; Greenback 
 
 Raid, 260 et seq.; 340, 353, 369. 
 Dear, H. C., 368, 369. 
 Dear, J. William, 353, 368, 369. 
 DeButts, John P.., 57, 159, 160. 
 De Forest, Col., 59. 
 Destruction of Private Property, 172, 
 
 173, 174, 194, 316 et seq. 
 Devin, Gen. Thomas C., 319- 
 Devine, William, 159. 
 Dick-son, John T., capture Gen. Duffie, 
 
 281 et seq. 
 Difficult Run, 52. 
 Disbanding of Mosby s Men at Salem, 
 
 393 et seq. 
 Distilleries, 152. 
 
 Downey s Still House, 152, 360. 
 Drake, Capt., 215. 
 Dranesville, 51 et seq.; 141, 140. M7- 
 
 427. 
 
 Draper, Lieut., 343, 344, 349- 
 Drawing lots, 288 et seq. 
 Drummer Boy, 291. 
 Ducheane, Capt. S. P., 58, 59- 
 Duff, Capt. D. K., 346, 347, 349, 459- 
 
 Duffie Gen. Alfred N., 192; captured, 281 
 
 et seq. 
 Duffield Station, 178 et seq.; 260, 264, 
 
 414. 
 
 Dulany, Col., 94, 46. 
 Dulany, French, 94- 
 Dulany, Henry, 284. 
 Dunn, Dr. W. L., 108; Mt. Zion, 188, 
 
 280. 
 
 Durland, Major Coe, 260, 282. 
 Dwyer, Lieut. Philip, 212. 
 
 Company E. Organized, 197, 201, 213, 
 
 224, 269, 310, 339. 
 Early, Gen. Jubal A., 171, 174, 184, 192, 
 
 197, 203, 204, 414, 416. 
 Kastham, Phil. B., 361. 
 Eastham, Robert W. ("Bob Ridley"), 
 
 242, 243, 361, 362. 
 Edmonds, B. S., 151. 
 Edmonds, Clem., 348. 
 Edmonds, Henry, 128. 
 Edmonds, John C., 92, no, 138, 145. 
 Edmonds, Mrs., 349. 
 Edwards, Col. O., 212, 259, 262, 282, 
 
 293. 
 
 Eigenbrodt, Capt. Charles S., 101. 
 Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 30, et 
 
 seq. 
 Eighth Illinois Cavalry, 186, 190, 198, 
 
 200, 204, 220 et seq.; 255, 271, 284 et 
 
 seq.; 33i, 354, 367 et seq. 
 Eighth New York Cavalry, 234 et seq. 
 Embrey, Win. M., 175. 
 Emory, Gen. W. H., 451. 
 Emory s, 266, 268. 
 Eure s Mill, 359. 
 Ewell, Dr., 77, 78. 
 Ewell s Chapel, 77, 78, 79. 
 
 Ewing, Lieut., 302. 
 
 Company F. Organized, 231; 269, 309, 
 
 339- 
 Fairfax Court House, 27; raid on, 33 
 
 et seq.; Provost-Marshal s report, 46; 
 
 85 et seq.; 88, 194, 234, 270, 332. 
 Fairfax Station, 206 et seq.; 269, 417. 
 Falls Church, 232, 271. 
 Farewell of Mosby to his Men, 393, 394. 
 Farr, Richard, 306. 
 
 Fauquier County, 18; Sheridan s wan 
 ton destruction in, 316 et seq.; 337. 
 Fayetteville, 92, 109. 
 
 Federal Reports, 421 et seq.; 447 et seq. 
 Federal Scouting Party Hunting -for 
 
 Mosby, 440, 44 1- 
 Ferguson, Sydnor G., 305. 
 Ferris, Lieut. Eugene, 361, 362. 
 Fifteenth New York Cavalry, 170. 
 Fifth Michigan Cavalry, 213, 214, 253. 
 Fifth New York Cavalry, 28 et seq.; 
 
 51, 52, 57 et seq.; 65 et seq.; 73, 255, 
 
 365. 
 Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, 248, 
 
 254, 266 et seq. 
 
 Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, 270, 283. 
 First Detail, 18. 
 
 "First Four" (Volunteers), 28, 30. 
 First Massachusetts Cavalry, 136, 138. 
 First New Hampshire Cavalry, 237, 238. 
 First New Jersey Cavalry, 125, 136 et 
 
 seq. 
 
 First New York Cavalry, 62. 
 First New York Veteran Cavalry, 151, 
 
 427. 
 
 First Pennsylvania Cavalry, 91, 136, 138. 
 First Squadron, 208, 223; Myers Ford, 
 
 226 et seq.; 251, 284, 302 et seq. 
 First United States Cavalry, 323. 
 First Vermont Cavalry, 31, 48 et seq.; 
 
 (Broad Run), 52 et seq.; 57; Catlett s, 
 
 65 et seq.; 403. 
 First Virginia (Confederate) Cavalry, 
 
 15, 18, 34. 
 
 First (West) Virginia Cavalry (Fed 
 eral), 56 et seq.; 289. 
 Fishback s, 354. 
 Fisher, Captain, 71, 72. 
 Fitzhugh, Champ, 160. 
 Five Points, 77, 81, 118. 
 Flack, Thomas, 159, 160. 
 Flannery, M. W., 155. 
 Flamming, Capt. J. H., 206. 
 Fletcher, Benton, 358. 
 Fletcher, Mrs., 278, 321. 
 Flint, Capt. Henry C., 52 et seq. 
 Flint Hill, 290. 
 Flynn, Wm. S., 228. 
 Foragers, 277, 278. 
 Forbes, Lieut.-Col. Wm. H., Mt. Zion, 
 
 187 et seq.; 427, 436. 
 Fort Warren, 332, 333; List of Mosby s 
 
 Men Confined in Room 2, released 
 
 June 13, 1865, 461 et seq. 
 Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Vol. Infantry, 
 
 282. 
 
 Foster, John H., 306, 331, 360. 
 Foster, Capt. J. Wm., Capt. Company A, 
 
 69; 91. 
 Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 325; 
 
 Mt. Carmel, 343 et seq.; Letters from 
 
 an Old Opponent, 458 et seq. 
 Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, 77, 78. 
 Fox, C. A., 92, 187, 255. 
 Fox, Lieut. Frank, 14; Lieut. Company 
 
 C, 115; wounded, 140; 193, 210, 225. 
 
INDEX 
 
 547 
 
 Foy, Joseph, 242, 243. 
 
 Frankland, Capt. Walter E., Remin 
 iscences, 27 et seq. ; 136, 137; Captain 
 Company F, 231; Chester Gap, 239 et 
 seq.; 284 et seq.; 377, 395. 
 
 Franklin, Capt. Peter A., 126; Captain 
 Artillery Co., 197; Berryville, 206 et 
 seq.; Annan dale, 218; 266. 
 
 Fray, Lieut. John J., Lieut. Artillery 
 Company, 197, 207, 237, 238. 
 
 Frazar, Major Douglas, 141, 142; Wound 
 ing of Mosby, 331 et seq.; 337. 
 
 Frazier, J. J.^ Letters From, 458 et seq. 
 
 Fred, Wm., 257. 
 
 Fredericksburg, 16, 17. 
 
 Front Royal, 62, 171, 239 et seq.; 288 
 et seq.; 293. 
 
 Fry, Major, 237, 238. 
 
 Frying Pan, 94, 98. 
 
 Company G. Organized, 313; 339. 
 
 Games Cross Roads, 288, 289. 
 
 Gainesville, 248, 250, 423. 
 
 Gallagher, Rev. Mr., 221. 
 
 Gallupe, Col. George S., 248, 250, 231, 
 
 Gamble, Col. Wm., 328, 333, 334. 336, 
 353. 367. 368, 371, 449- 
 
 Gansevoort, Col. Henry S., 208. 233, 
 234, 245, 246. 255, 266, 267, 268, 436. 
 
 Gannett s Hill, 100. 
 
 Gaul, Christopher, 18. 
 
 Gaylord, Capt., 328. 
 
 Germantown, 29 et seq. 
 
 Geschky, Frank, 207, 208. 
 
 Gibbs, Col. Alfred, 423. 
 
 Gibson, Major Thomas, Report of Scout, 
 343 et seq. 
 
 Gill, George Murray, 361, 362. 
 
 Gill, John, 362, 363. 
 
 Gilman, Lieut. A. E.. 237, 238. 
 
 Gilmer, Major Joseph, 30 et seq. 
 
 Gilmor, Col. Harry, 172. 
 
 Gilmore, Capt., 123, 124, 125. 
 
 Gipson, Edwin, 340, 341. 
 
 Glascock, Capt. Alfred, 57, 69; Lieut. 
 Co. D, 154; 160, 192, 208, 257; Capt. 
 Co. D, 313, 352, 353; Harmony, 356, 
 357, 395, 4i6, 417. 
 
 Glascock. Aquilla, 136, 336. 
 
 Glascock s Burnt House, 79. 
 
 Glascock, Widow, 330. 
 
 Glen Welby. 252, 258. 
 
 Gooding s Tavern, 87 et seq.; 406. 
 
 Goose Creek, 81, 147. 256, 359. 
 
 Gordonsville, 16, 299, 336. 
 
 Goresville. 311, 312. 
 
 Graham, Lieut. Robert, 311 et seq. 
 
 Grant, Gen. U. S.. His Opinion of 
 Mosby, 24; 148, 162, 203, 204: 221, 
 247, 248; "Hang Mosby s Men With 
 out Trial," 291; 374, 381, 387, 388, 
 398. 
 
 Grape wood Farm, 65. 
 
 Gray, Lieut. Robert, 63 ; Lieutenant 
 Co. B, 94. 
 
 Green, Charles, 66. 
 
 Greenback Raid, 260 et seq. 
 
 Green Garden Mill, 197. 
 
 Greenwich, 65 et seq.; 150. 
 
 Gregg, Gen. David McM., 91, 109, 138, 
 398, 422, 425. 
 
 Gregory s Gap, 320. 
 
 Griffin, Joseph, 242, 358. 
 
 Grigsby, T. M., 58, 59- 
 
 Grimshaw. Col. A. H., 88, 149. 
 
 Griswold Light Cavalry. See 2ist X. V. 
 
 Grogan, Lieut. Charles E., 154, 155, 164, 
 165, 251 et seq.; 258, 260, 263, 285, 
 ^94, 3 1 -- 
 
 Grubb, Capt. James W., 264 et seq. 
 
 Guard Hill, 169, 170, 242. 
 
 Guarding the Railroad, 273. 
 
 Guerrillas, 21, 88, 273, 354. 
 
 Guides, 48, 163. 
 
 Gulick, George, 285. 
 
 Gulick, John, 119. 
 
 Company H. Organized, 363; 364, 366 
 et seq. 
 
 Hall, Major, 56. 
 
 Hall, Charles Landon, 71, 73, 78, 166, 
 1 86. 
 
 Halleck, Gen. H. W., 247, 273, 317, 374, 
 381, 399- 
 
 Halltown, 180. 
 
 Halpine, Chas. G. (Asst. Adj. Gen.), 
 170. 
 
 Hamilton, 321, 355 et seq.; 358, 359. 
 
 Hammond, Col. John, 59, 60, 71. 
 
 Hamner, Captain, 137, 305. 
 
 Hancock, Gen. W. S., Calls on Mosby 
 to Surrender, 375; Circular to Citi 
 zens, 376; Letter to Mosby, 377; 
 Mosby s Reply, 377, 378; Dr. Mon- 
 teiro s Account of Interview with 
 Hancock, 378, 379; Letter to Stanton, 
 378; Letter to Mosby, 380, 381; Stan- 
 ton Warns Hancock, 381, 382; Reply 
 to Stanton, 382; Letter to Torbert, 
 ,383, 384; Refuses to Extend Truce, 
 386; Letter to Halleck, 387; Grant s 
 Letter, 388; Letter to Stanton, 395; 
 Report, 396; 45L 45^. 
 
 Haney, , 256. 
 
 Hanging of Willis, 288, 289, 290. 
 
 Harmony. See Hamilton. 
 
 Harney, Thomas Francis. 369, 370. 
 
 Harper s Ferry, 197, 203, 264, 355. 
 
 Harrell, . 306. 
 
 Harris, Capt., 59. 
 
 "Harris Light."" See 2 d X. V. Cavalry. 
 
 Harris, Rev. Mr.. 221. 
 
 Harrover, Robert M., Captured, 100, 
 101, 102. 
 
 Hart, Capt., 138. 139. 
 
 Hart, George A., 104. 
 
 Hart, R. A., 54, 403. 
 
 Hasbrouck, Capt. A. IT., 51, 65 et seq.; 
 
 Hasson, Lieut. B. F., 282. 
 
 Hatcher, Gurley R.. 427. 
 
 Hatcher, Lieut. Harry, 21, 54; Lieut. 
 Co. A. 155; 162, 185, 187 et seq.; 
 196; Adamstown, 198 et seq.; 216; 
 Annandale, 218; 239, 241, 261, 284, 
 287, 304; captured, 354, 355; died, 
 355; 404, 416. 
 
 Hatcher, R. Welt, 39, 41, 157, 324. 
 
 Hathaway, James if., 27, 28. 
 
 Hawkins, Lieut. Henry J., 62. 
 
 Hazel River, 114. 
 
 Hazleton, Lieut., 66. 
 
 Hearn, John, 151, 255, 340, 389, 391, 
 392. 
 
 Heaton, Harry, 228, 260. 
 
 Hefflebower, Edward, 369, 370. 
 
 Helm, Frank, 364. 
 
 Hendricks, L. A., 104. 
 
 Herndon Station, 48 et seq. 
 
 Hewett, Capt.. Provost-Marshal, 204. 
 
 Hibbs, W T m. ("Major"). 69, 83, 152, 162. 
 
 Higley, Lieut. E. H., 50. 
 
 Hillsborough, 355. 
 
 Hilton s Ford, 395. 
 
548 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Hipkins, Fred S., 290. 
 
 llipkins, John, 344, 353, 397. 
 
 Ihxon, David, 81. 
 
 Hobensack, Lieut. J., 125. 
 
 Holland s Factory, 160. 
 
 Holmes, Turner, 246. 
 
 Hooker, Gen. Joseph, 72, 73, 79. 
 
 Hooper, , 427. 
 
 Hopewell Gap, 84, 250. 
 
 Horseley, John, 373. 
 
 Horton, Major Giles G., 220, 222. 
 
 Hoskins, Capt. P. S., 66, 67. 
 
 Hostages, 427. 
 
 Houseburners in the Valley, 172 et seq. ; 
 
 213 et seq. 
 
 Howard, Gen. O. O., 81, 84, 422, 423. 
 Howe, Capt., 289. 
 
 Hudgins, , 306. 
 
 Hull, Capt., 230. 
 
 Humphreys, Chaplain C. A., 190. 
 
 Hunter, Capt. A. N., 118, 121. 
 
 Hunter, Gen. David, 171; his barbarous 
 
 orders, 172, 173, 174; 184, 192, 413, 
 
 414. 
 Hunter, Lieut. W. L., 18, 35 et seq.: 
 
 69, 136, 146, 155, 157, 158, 231, 404. 
 
 4T2. 
 
 Hunter s Mill, 157, 158, 412. 
 Huntoon, Capt., 31, 32. 
 Hurst, Edward, 18, 54, 99, 237, 366, 
 403- 
 
 Tden, Ben, killed, 224. 
 Tden, John, 351. 
 Illustrations, List of, 10. 
 Inspection, 299. 
 Island Ford, 299. 
 
 James, J. Wright, 152, 360. 
 
 Jarman, Robert, killed, 224. 
 
 Jessie Scouts, 23. 260, 427. 
 
 Jewett, Col. A. B., 70, 71. 
 
 Johnson, Horace, 93, 163, 226. 
 
 Johnson, Joseph, 236. 
 
 Johnstone, Col. Robert, 31, 32, 41; 
 
 Chantilly, 51, 52. 
 Jones, David L., 240. 
 Jones, E. M., 26$. 
 Jones, Gen. Wm. E., 15. 
 Jones, Jasper, 18. 
 Tones, Lieut., 344. 345, 346, 349. 
 Jones, William, 18. 
 Jones, Zach. F., 353. 
 
 Kabletown, 151, 152. 302 et seq. 
 Kearneyville, 260, 262. 
 
 Keene, , 194. 
 
 Keith, James, 255, 358. 
 
 Kelley, Gen. Benj. F., 128, 425. 
 
 Kenly, Gen. John R., order for guarding 
 
 trains, 4^0; 432. 
 Kennerley, Frank, 242. 
 Kennon, George S., 228. 
 Kester, Col. John W., 138, 139. 
 Keyes, Capt. Daniel M., 167, 184, 311. 
 Keys, William, 18, 54, 403. 
 Kincheloe, Capt. J. C., 359- 
 King, Gen. Rufus, 16, 89. 
 Kirwin, John, 134. 242, 243, 310. 
 Kittoctan Hills. 168. 
 Knapp, Ludwcll, 109, no. 
 Krepps, Col. John S., 32, 59. 
 Krom, Capt., 59. 
 Kuhls, Lieutenant, 190. 
 
 Ladd, Jonathan, 263. 
 Lake, Ludwell, 329 et seq. 
 Lake, Thomas W., 83, 188. 
 
 Landmark, 77. 
 
 Lansing, Lieut. Edwin Y., 220. 
 
 Lavender, J., 138, 140, 328. 
 
 Lazelle, Col. H. M., 23, 204, 207, 220, 
 232, 233, 248, 255, 270, 436. 
 
 Lee, Gen. Fitz., 17, 45, 49. 
 
 Lee Philip, 14. 
 
 Lee, Gen. R. E., order promoting Mosby 
 to captaincy, 17; 49, 54, 73, 74, 85, 
 88, 141, 147, 218, 251, 263, 269; let 
 ter to Mosby, 277; retaliation, 288; 
 314, 315; orders Mosby to ^ call his 
 companies from Northern Neck and 
 collect his command, 373; 404, 47> 
 419, 420. 
 
 Lee, Thomas, 14. 
 
 Leesburg, 158 et seq.; 187, 311, 312. 
 
 Lewis Gap, 301. 
 
 Little River Turnpike, 21, 50, 51, 80, 87. 
 
 Little Fork Rangers, 359. 
 
 Loudoun County, 18, 80, 152, 162, 167, 
 189, 204, 221, 222, 263; Sheridan s 
 wanton destruction, 316 et seq.; 35-- 
 
 Loudoun Heights, 126 et seq. 
 
 Loudoun Rangers, 167, 184, 264 et seq.; 
 
 311 et seq.; 364. 
 Love, Lucien, 240, 241. 
 Love, Thomas, 233, 329, 33*. 33^. 
 Lovettsville, 323. 
 Lowell, Col. Charles Russell. 86, 87, 89, 
 
 90, 99, TIO, in, 116: 157. 158 et seq.; 
 
 177, 178; 187 et seq.; 427. 
 Lcwndes, James, 354. 
 Ludlam, Major, 255. 
 Lunzeford, John H., 266. 
 Lynchburg, 331, 354. 
 Lynn, John F. (Dadge), 215. 
 Lyon, Lieut., 91. 
 
 McCausland. Gen., 197, 326. 
 
 McCobb, , killed, 137, 141- 
 
 McCormick, , 213. 
 
 McCoy, Capt., 59. 
 
 McCri ckett, Supt. M. J., 255: killed, 257. 
 
 McDonough, Charles, 302, 303, 306, 307; 
 466 et seq. 
 
 McGregor, Capt., 138. 
 
 Mcllhany, Sergt. H. M., 331, 332, 333. 
 
 Mclntire, Lieut., 237. 238. 
 
 McTntosh, Charles, 285. 
 
 McKim, , 228. 
 
 McKinney s Report of Attack on Sheri 
 dan s Supply Train, 432. 
 
 McMaster, Capt., 59. 
 
 McMaster, Lieut., 240. 
 
 McMenamin, Capt., 206. 
 
 McVey, Richard, 369, 370. 
 
 Maddux, H. Cabell, 200, 285, 306. 
 
 Mallory, , 228. 
 
 Manassas, 93. 
 
 Manassas Gap R. R., 245; 247 et seq.; 
 273 et seq.; 286; work abandoned, 
 298. 
 
 Mann, Col. W. D., 64 et seq. 
 
 Manning, Capt. (Confederate), 358. 
 
 Manning, Capt. (Federal), 86, 144, 436. 
 
 Manning, Lieut., 86, in. 
 
 Markham, 137, 138, 345. 
 
 Marlow Farm, 289. 
 
 Marsh, Detective C. H., 296, 297. 
 
 Martin, Lieut. Wm., 151; Lieut. Co. E, 
 197; 217. 
 
 Martindale, Capt., 343, 344, 347, 348. 
 
 Marvin, Charles, Story of Prisoner who 
 Escaped Execution, 452 et seq. 
 
 Mason, Charles, killed, 100, 101. 
 
 Mason, J. S., 354. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 549 
 
 Mason, L. R., 354. 
 
 Meade, Captain, 299. 
 
 Meade, Gen. Geo. G., 77, 78, 80, 104, 
 139, 148. 
 
 Meade s Army, "Mosby s Men" in the 
 midst of, 83 et seq. ; 87, 93, in. 
 
 Means Men, 368. 
 
 Meigs, Genera], 248. 
 
 Meldrum, Lieut., 351. 
 
 Mtrritt, Gen. Wesley, 239; raiding Lou- 
 doun County, 316 et seq.; report, 320, 
 336, 337- 
 
 Mickels, Capt., 219. 
 
 Middleburg, 32, 74, 91, in, 158, 221, 
 222, 317, 319, 331, 335. 359- 
 
 Middletown, Va., 171, 172. 
 
 Miles, Capt. William H., 325, 326. 
 
 Millan, Joseph, 326. 
 
 Millwood, 325. 
 
 Minor, Ab., 241. 
 
 Miskel s (Broad Run), 51 et seq.; 403. 
 404 
 
 Mohler. Sergt. David G., 368, 369, 37". 
 
 Monocacy, 198, 200, 264, 311. 
 
 Monteiro, Dr. A., 24, 3/8, 379. 380. 
 
 Montjoy, Capt. R. P., 67, 78, 106, in, 
 114, 118, 127, 135, 139, *4o: i43, T 54. 
 218, 258, 283, 292, 299, 30, 309, 3"! 
 killed, 312. 
 
 Moore, Major Edwin L., 262, 264. 
 
 Moran, Richard, 52, 58, 228. 
 
 Morgan, Benjamin, 18. 
 
 Morgan, Col., 215. 
 
 Morgan, Capt. W. L., 139- 
 
 Mosby, Col. John S., my first sight of, 
 14; sketch of. 15; promoted to Cap 
 taincy, 17; first detail, 18; 21, 23 et 
 seq.; Federal testimony, 24, 25, 26; 
 27, 29 et seq.; his account of raid on 
 Fairfax C. H. and Capture of Gen. 
 Stoughton, 33 et seq.; Herndon, 48, 
 49; Chantilly, 50, 51; Miskel s, 51. et 
 seq.; Major, 54; Warrenton Junction, 
 56 et seq.: 61; Catlett s Station, 64 
 et seq.; Seneca, 69, 70; penetrates 
 Hooker s lines, 71, 72, 73; Kwell s 
 Chapel, 76 et seq.; 81, 83. 85. 86; 
 Gooding s tavern, 87 et seq.; Custer 
 sends 300 picked men to capture 
 Mosby, 88; wounded, 89. 90; 92 et 
 seq.; characteristics, 96 et seq.; sur 
 rounded, 99, 100, 103 et seq.; soldier 
 and judge, 105; Bealeton, 107 et seq.: 
 Brandy Station, in et seq.; raid of 
 Cole s Battalion, 118 et seq.; attack 
 Cole s Camp, 124 et seq.; Lieutenant- 
 Colonel, 137; raid Cole s Battalion, 
 137 et seq.; Dranesville, 142 et seq.; 
 148, 149, 150; prisoner escapes with 
 his horse, 153; Hunter s Mill, 157; 
 160; operating in Grant s rear, 162 
 et seq.; Belle Plain, 164, 165; Guard 
 Hill, 169, 170, 171, 172, 174, 177; 
 Duffield, 181, 182, 183; Point of Rocks. 
 
 184 et seq.; Mt. Zion, 187 et seq.; 
 192, 194; along the Potomac, 197 et 
 seq.; 204; Fairfax Station, 206, 207; 
 Berryville, 207 et seq.; 213, 216, 221, 
 226, 228, 230, 232; wounded, 233 et 
 seq.; 245, 251, 252, 254, 257; a narrow 
 escape, 258, 260; Greenback raid, 260 
 et seq. ; citizens put on cars to prevent 
 trains being thrown from the tracks, 
 272 et seq.; letter to Lee, 275; 278, 
 281, 282, 283, 284; retaliation, 288 
 et seq.; 299, 310, 322; a full Colonel, 
 327; letter to Seddon, 327; wounded, 
 
 328 et seq.; 351, 352; Harmony, 355 
 t-t seq.; 359, 360, 361, 366; Gen. Let s 
 orders to collect the command, 373; 
 what to do with Mosby, 374; Han 
 cock calls for surrender of his com 
 mands, 375; Mosby sends letter under 
 flag of truce to Hancock, 377; Han 
 cock s reply, 380; Stanton cautions 
 Hancock, 381, 382; Gen. Torbert in 
 structed to send Gen. Chapman to 
 meet Mosby, 383, 384; truce with 
 Federals, 384; interview with Gen. 
 Chapman, 385; Hancock refuses to 
 extend time of truce, 386, 387; Dr. 
 Monteiro s account of the final inter 
 view, 389 et seq. ; Mosby s farewell to 
 his men, 392, 393; disbands his com 
 mand, 395 ; starts South with a few 
 men, but finding the cause hopeless, 
 disbands them, 397; a reward offered 
 for his capture, 398; Mosby accepts 
 terms offered and is paroled, 399 ; 
 409, 411, 413, 414, 415, 4i6, 419. 420. 
 
 Mosby, Adjt. William H., Adjutant, 
 197; 280, 331, 377. 
 
 Mosby s Confederacy, 105; Cornwell 
 raid, 136 et seq.; 156; bounds pre 
 scribed, 175; 182, 192, 256; Sheridan s 
 forces laying waste to, 316 et seq.; 
 340. 
 
 Mosby s Men, 13; who they were, how 
 they lived, and how they fought, 18 
 et seq. ; Warrenton Junction, 56 et 
 seq.; 63; in the midst of Meade s 
 Army, 83 et seq. ; sole guardians of 
 the territory, 105; 135, 136; operating 
 in the rear of Federal Army, they 
 keep thousands from the front, 148, 
 149, 3755 Federals sent out to capture 
 six, 149; 159, 161, 192, 212, 221; 
 Crook s ambulance train stampeded by 
 6 Mosby s Men, 230, 289, 293, 301; 
 defeat o"f Blazer, 302 et seq.; Halleck 
 wants them broken up, 317; Sheridan 
 sets to work to break them up, 317, 
 322, 332, 336, 337, 355 et seq.; what 
 to do with Mosby and his Men, 374; 
 a truce between Mosby s Men and the 
 Federals, 384; disbanding of the com 
 mand, 393 et seq.; Mosby s farewell, 
 393. 394; Reunions: Alexandria, 495; 
 Marshall, 498. 
 
 Mosby Scouts near Georgetown, 466 
 et seq. 
 
 Moss, Thomas, 241, 242, 352. 353. 
 
 Mount Carmel, 168; 343 et seq. 
 
 Mount Gilead, 83, 369. 
 
 Mountville, 81. 360. 
 
 Mount Zion, 86, 415. 
 
 Muddy Branch, 190, 22:, 222. 
 
 Munson, John W., 94, 108, 138, 140, 
 145, 285. 397- 
 
 Munson s Hill, 354. 
 
 Murphy, Lieut. "John N., r87, 291; 
 Lieut. Co. G, 313; 315. 
 
 Meyers Ford, 226 et seq.; 301. 
 
 Myers Shop. 308. 
 
 Myerstown, 301, 304. 
 
 Nelson, Lieut. Joseph H., 27 et seq.; 
 39 et seq.; 69, 71, 73; Lieutenant Co. 
 A, 94, 155, 157, 169; Charlestown, 
 179 et seq.; 195; Adamstown, 198 
 et seq.; 205; Myers Ford, 226 et se q. ; 
 395, 414, 4i6. 
 
 Nesmith. Lieut., 346. 349. 
 
 Newcomb, O. S., 328. 
 
550 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Newsboy, The, captured, 280. 
 
 Newtown, 172, 259, 293. 
 
 New York Herald correspondents cap 
 tured, 104; letter from captured cor 
 respondent, 437 et seq. 
 
 New York Tribune, correspondent cap 
 tured, 211. 
 
 Nicholson, Major, 149. 
 
 Ninth New York Artillery, 283. 
 
 Noland, , 427. 
 
 Noland s Ferry, 198, 200. 
 
 Northern Neck? 339, 373, 374. 
 
 North Fork, 358. 
 
 Nottingham, , 300. 
 
 O Bannon, G. M., 256. 
 
 O Brien, E. H., 3 5 3- 
 
 Ohlenschlager, Dr. Emil, 259, 260. 
 
 Old Braddock Road,. 30, 204, 206. 
 
 Old Capitol Prison, 13, 16, 101, 332, 333. 
 
 Orange and Alexandria R. R., 63, 92, 
 
 150. 
 
 O Rear, Mrs., 194. 
 Ormsby, William E., 426. 
 Orrick, John C., 361, 362. 
 Overby, William Thomas, 240 et seq. 
 Owen, Joseph W., 228 et seq. 
 
 Owens, , 127. 
 
 Ox Road, 99, 270. 
 
 Padgett s, 87. 
 
 Palmer, Lieut. W. Ben., 140; Belle 
 
 Plain, 164, 165; Lieut. Co. E, 197; 
 
 224, 284, 397- 
 Paris, 135, 136, 138, 150, 154, 234, 236, 
 
 299, 309, 310, 319, 343, 344, 345- 
 Parole Camp, 13. 
 Parrott, Sergt. R. B., 331. 
 Parsons, Capt. E. B., 137, 426. 
 Partisan Rangers, regulars vs. partisans, 
 
 19; their efficiency and usefulness, 20 
 
 et seq. 
 
 Pass to Richmond, 309. 
 Patterson, Wm. W., 216. 
 Patterson s, 63. 
 
 Paxson, Charles, killed, 126 et seq. 
 Payne, Mrs. Dr., 194. 
 
 Peace Rumors, 339; Commissioners, 339. 
 Peach Grove, 353. 
 Peale, Col. Henry, 320. 
 Penfield, Capt., 59. 
 Pennsylvania, Raid into, 79 et seq.; 
 
 bushwhackers, 22; Early in, 197, 203. 
 Peola Mills, 326. 
 Philomont, 319. 
 Pickets, 133. 
 Piedmont, 136, 137, 138, 239, 245, 246, 
 
 250, 256, 300, 345. 
 Pierce Col. Lewis B., 320. 
 Pierpont, Governor, Attempts to Cap 
 ture, 93. 
 Plains, The, 107, 233, 254, 321, 354, 
 
 367- 
 Pleasonton, Gen. Alfred, 72, 74, 75, 77, 
 
 88, 91, 139, 422. 
 
 Point of Rocks, 185 et seq.; 414. 
 Pontier, Nathaniel, 266. 
 Pontoons, 92, 93. 
 Poolesville, Md., 189. 
 Poor House, 322. 
 Pope, Gen., 16. 
 Port Tobacco, 256. 
 Pot House, 324. 
 Potomac River, 152, 184, 189, 197, 198, 
 
 204, 256, 264, 265, 357, 360, 414- 
 Powell, Dr., 427. 
 
 Powell, Gen. William H. 288, 289, 2QO, 
 
 -299, 336, 337- 
 Prentiss, Lieut., 39, 41. 
 I rcssy, Lieut. George H., 237, 238. 
 Preston, Col. Addison W., 65 et seq. 
 Price, Col. R. B., 56. 
 
 Private Property. See Destruction of." 
 Prouty, G. L., 293. 
 Pugh, Lieut. H. F., 250. 
 Puryear. Lieut. John W., 187; Kable- 
 
 town, 302 et seq.; Lieut. Co. G, 313; 
 
 395- 
 Quaker Settlement, 18, 355, 360. 
 
 Raiding Parties (Federal), 60, 61, 133, 
 134; guarding against, 156; 299, 316 
 et seq.; 342. 
 
 Rahm, Lieut. Frank H., 142, 143; Lieut. 
 Artillery, 197. 
 
 Randolph, J., 256. 
 
 Ranger Life, 18 et seq.; 26. 
 
 Rappahannock Station, 162. 
 
 Ratcliffe, Charles, 14. 
 
 Read, Capt. J. Sewell, 141. 144, *45, M7- 
 
 Rector, Ed., 209. 
 
 Rector, Welby H., killed, 209. 
 
 Rectors Cross Roads, 50, 69, 94, no, 
 141. 
 
 Rectortown, 81, 105, in, 118, 162, 171, 
 175, 207, 223, 250, 251, 253 et seq.; 
 269; Retaliation, 288; 299, 317, 321, 
 329, 331- 
 
 Reed, J. B., 271. 
 
 Reno, Col. Marcus L., Hamilton (Har 
 mony), 355 et seq.; 358, 359, 360, 
 449, 450, 451. 
 
 Reno Camp, 341. 
 
 Reserve Brigade, 239, 319, 321, 337- 
 
 Retaliation, 275, 277, 288 et seq. 
 
 Return from the Raid, 210. 
 
 Revercombe, Geo., 142. 
 
 Reunions Alexandria, 495; Marshall 
 (old Salem), 498. 
 
 Revell, Lieut., 268. 
 
 Rhodes, Henry C., 240, 241. 
 
 Rhodes, Lieut. Augustus C., 311 et seq. 
 
 Rice, Col. James C., 72. 
 
 Richards, Jesse, 344. 
 
 Richards, Major A. E., 109, no; Lieut. 
 Co. C, 115, 116, 141, 150, 151, 152; 
 Capt. Co. B, 158, 160, 162, 165, 166; 
 Waterford, 167, 168, 175, 182, 185, 
 192, 206, 212, 213, 226, 230, 255, 259, 
 280, 284; Defeat of Blazer, 302 et 
 seq.; 325; Major, 327, 329, 331, 340, 
 341; Mt. Carmel, 343 et seq.; 412, 
 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418. 
 
 Richards, Capt. T. W. T., 58; Mt. Zion, 
 187, 188, 304; Capt. Co. G, 313, 314," 
 315, 374- 
 
 Robinson, Capt., 127. 
 
 Robinson, Gen. John C., 109. 
 
 Rock Ford, 216, 364. 
 
 Roessle, Major Henry, 170. 
 
 Rogers, Col. Hamilton, 331, 427. 
 
 Rogers, Samuel, 369, 370. 
 
 Roome, Capt., 282. 
 
 Rosser, Gen. Thomas L., 20. 
 
 Roster of 43d Battalion Virginia Cav 
 alry, 475 et seq. 
 
 Rowzee, John Edwin, 61, 160. 
 
 Ruggles, Major David C., 262, 264. 
 
 Rumery, Capt., no, in. 
 
 Russell, Lieut. John S., 48, 155, 223, 
 225; Lieut. Co. C, 231; Attempt to 
 Capture Gen. Sheridan, 231, 232, 294, 
 310, 326, 366. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 551 
 
 Salem, 109, 121, 162, 250 et seq.; 317, 
 321, 339, 393, 394, 3955 Reunion at, 
 408. 
 
 Sampson s Ford, 152. 
 
 Sandy Springs, 256. 
 
 Schneider, Capt. J., 219, 220, 270. 
 
 Schultze, Major John S., 22. 
 
 Schuyler, Lieut. R. S., 190. 
 
 Scofield, Capt. Robert, 49. 
 
 Scouts, 18, 48, 161, 162, 168, 177, 187, 
 
 196, 207, 212, 213, 221, 223, 233, 234, 
 
 256, 284, 343 et seq.; 359, 361, 44O 
 
 et seq.; 466 et seq. 
 Scuffleburg, 94- 
 Second Massachusetts Cavalry, 86, 87, 
 
 no, n i ; 141 et seq.; 161; Mt. Zion, 
 
 187 et seq.; List of Killed in Mt. Zion 
 
 Fight, 188; 323, 436. 
 Second New York Cavalry, 16, 230. 
 Second Ohio Cavalry, 255. 
 Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, 49. 
 Second Squadron, 208, 209; 223 et seq. 
 Second U. S. Cavalry, 240, 323- 
 Seddon, Secretary J. A., 104, 120, 277; 
 
 Retaliation, 288, 313, 3*5- 
 
 Sedgwick, , 306. 
 
 Seibert, George, 18, 404- 
 
 Seneca, Md., 69, 189. 
 
 Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 77, 
 
 78, 243, 245, 259, 260, 282. 
 Seventh Michigan Cavalry, 56, 64 
 
 Seward, Gen. W. H., 259, 260, 262, 263, 
 
 278, 280, 281. 
 Shacklett, Mrs., 156. 
 Sharpe, George H., 399- 
 
 Shaw, , 285. 
 
 Shebangs, 272, 348. 
 Shenandoah Driving Park, 294- 
 Shenandoah River, 165, 168, 171, I7. 
 
 192, 202, 207, 212, 302, 321, 343, 35i> 
 
 Shenandoah Valley, 162, 171, 192, 203, 
 2-17 255, 292. 
 
 Shepherd s Mill, 178, 343, 349. 35O. 
 
 Shepherdstown, 298. 
 
 Sheppard, Will, 34. 
 
 Sheddan Gen. Phil H., 171; Assumes 
 Command in the Valley, 203: Crippled 
 by the Loss of His Supply Tram, 210, 
 !i2- Position of His Troops, 212, 
 247; At Rectortown, 
 
 269 
 291 
 320, 
 
 2ZZ, ^^J) **+/ *** - -- - 
 
 Announces capture of Duffie, 283, 
 Mosby s Letter to, 294, 295, 2 99, 
 334, 335- 
 
 Shriver! ChSles 35 Eltinge, killed, 88, 89. 
 
 Shuttleworth, Lieut. J. H., 23. 
 
 Sigel, Gen. Franz, 165, 171, 192. 
 
 Simpson, Corporal, 153. 
 
 Sinclair, John, 97. 
 
 Sinnott, Harry T., 354, 355 , 466 et seq. 
 
 Sixth Corps, 196. 
 
 Sixth Maryland, 62. 
 
 Sixth Michigan Cavalry, 56, 69 et seq. 
 
 Sixth New York Cavalry, 224, 239. 
 
 Sixth U. S. Cavalry, 323. 
 
 Sixth West Virginia Cavalry, 23, 427. 
 
 Sixteenth Maine Vols., 109. 
 
 Sixteenth New York Cavalry, 23, no, 
 
 in, 142, 147, 149, 161, 177, 204, 205 
 
 et seq.; 219, 220, 222, 246, 266 et seq.; 
 
 270, 271, 328, 331 et seq.; 436. 
 Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 237, 
 
 238. 
 
 Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, 62. 
 Skinker, James K., 109. 
 Skinner, George, 228. 
 Skinner, Mrs., 329, 330. 
 
 Skinner s House,- 187, 188. 
 
 Slater, George M., 18, 44, 205, 280, 330, 
 
 Slough, Gen. John P., 248, 250, 251, 270. 
 
 Smallwood, Henry, 188. 
 
 Smith, Boyd, 128, 166; Capture Gen. 
 
 Duffie, 281 et seq. 
 Smith, Lieut. Channing M., Lieut. Co. 
 
 E, 217, 218, 356, 357- 
 Smith, D. L., 266. 
 Smith, Ed., 161. 
 Smith, Fred., 311, 312. 
 Smith, George, 256. 
 Smith, Henry, 233. 
 Smith, Norman, 71, 72, 81, 82; Killed, 
 
 88, 89; .406. 
 Smith, Lieut. W. Garland, Lieut. Co. G, 
 
 3i3- 
 
 Smith, W. P., 265. 
 Smith, Capt. Wm. R., 92; Capt. Co. B, 
 
 94, 95, 108, in, 118, 119, 120; Killed, 
 
 127 et seq.; 409, 411. 
 Smithfield, 298. 
 
 Snicker s Ferry. See Castleman s Ferry, 
 Snicker s Gap, 221, 235, 236, 364. 
 Snickersville, 192, 194, 234, 235, 236, 
 
 301, 302, 319, 321, 359. 
 Snow, Capt. Henry E., 343, 344, 345, 
 
 349; Report, 350, 351. 
 Somerset Mills, 156. 
 Soule, G. H., 293. 
 Sowers, Mr., 213. 
 Sowers, Dr. J. R., 151, 167; Mt. Zion, 
 
 188, 200; wounded, 351, 404. 
 Spence, Capt. Beldin, 267. 
 
 Spinkx, , 140. 
 
 Spotts (the deserter), 343, 351. 
 
 Springfield Station, 354. 
 
 Stagg, Col. Peter, 319. 
 
 Stahel, Gen. Julius, 54 et seq.; report, 
 
 58, 59, 65, 66. 
 
 Starke, , 140. 
 
 Stanton, E. M., 374, 398, 399. 
 
 Staunton, Col., 62. 
 
 Steele, Major, 58, 60. 
 
 Sterling, Major Wm. R., 71, 72. 
 
 Stevenson, Gen. John D., 212, 246, 249, 
 
 262, 265, 266, 267, 280, 298, 306, 319, 
 
 320, 334, 352, 365, 450. 
 Stevenson s Hill, 250, 254. 
 Stiles, the guide, 421. 
 
 Stinson, , 251. 
 
 Stone, Capt. G. A., 189, 190. 
 
 Stone. Lieut. F. P., 237, 238. 
 
 Stone, W. R., 228. 
 
 Stoughton, Gen. Edwin H., 27; 34 et 
 
 seq. 
 
 Strasburg, 171. 
 
 Stratton, Dr. T. E., 100, 101. 
 Stringfellow, Capt. Frank, 107, 109, no; 
 
 attack on Cole s Camp, 124 et seq. ; 
 
 410. 
 
 Stuart, Gen. J. E. B., 15, 16, 45; com 
 plimentary order, 47; Chantilly, 51; 
 
 sends Mosby a howitzer, 63, 70, 72; 
 
 cavalry battle near Upperville, 74 et 
 
 seq.; 85, 88, 104, 105, 120, 140, 146, 
 
 217, 402, 404; recommends Mosby for 
 
 promotion, 407; 409, 411. 
 Sudley, 187. 
 
 Sullivan, Major Jerry A., 151, 152. 
 Summit Point, 309. 
 Sutlers, 85, 86, 92, 95, 106, 107, 237, 
 
 238. 
 
 Sweeting, B. H. ("Harry"), 57, 145. 
 Sweitzer, Col. Nelson B., 328, 447. 
 Swift Shoal Mill, 325, 326. 
 
 Taggart, Major Charles F., 49, 55, 56. 
 
552 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Taylor, Lieut. Col. J. H., 270, 334, 354 
 Taylor, James E., 278 et seq. 
 Taylor, J. P., 125. 
 Taylor, Col. R. F., 151, 152. 
 
 Tcmpleton, , 58, 60. 
 
 Tennison, Mrs., 220. 
 
 Third Indiana Cavalry, 234. 
 
 Third New Jersey Infantry, 200. 
 
 Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, 123, 124, 
 
 125, 136, 138. 
 Thirteenth New York Cavalry, 87, 88, 
 
 116, 187, 205 et seq.; 233 et seq.; 266 
 
 et seq.; 270; 331 et seq.; 352, 353. 
 Thirtieth Massachusetts Infantry, 361. 
 Thomas, Daniel L., 18. 
 Thomas, John H., 187. 
 Thomson, Lieut. Edward F., 209, 292, 
 
 353; Lieut. Co. H, 363; Arundel s, 
 
 367 et seq. 
 
 Thoroughfare Cap, 245, 250, 254. 
 Three hundred and seventy-five Federals 
 
 sent out to capture Mosby and five of 
 
 his men, iaq. 
 Thrift, Ben, 207, 208. 
 Tihbits, Gen. William B., 326. 
 Tolles, Lieut.-Col. Cornelius W-, 259, 
 
 260. 
 Torbert, Gen. A. T. A., 203, 223, 225, 
 
 336, 337. 
 
 Townsend, Adjt.-Gen. E. D., 296, 297- 
 Trammell, Wm., 306, 342; 466 et seq. 
 Transfers, 97, 98. 
 Triplett, Ben., 135. 
 Triplett, George, 348. 
 Trundle, Lieut. Wm. H., 69, 154, iSS- 
 Tuck, Lieut., 177, 178. 
 Turberville, Geo. R. L., 68, 285. 
 Turner, Lieut. Frank, 207, 231, 309, 359, 
 
 366. 
 
 Turner, Lieut. Thomas, 18, 69; Good- 
 ing s Tavern, 87 et seq.; Carter s Run, 
 
 91, 92, 93, 103, 106; Bealeton Station, 
 
 iio8; Brandy Station, in, 114, 115; 
 
 Lee s Ridge, 121, 122; killed, 126 et 
 
 seq.; 404, 405, 406, 409, 411. 
 Turner, Tom, 231. 
 Turner, Wm. H., killed, 128. 
 Twelfth New York Cavalry, 310. 
 Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 320, 340, 
 
 341, 352; Hamilton (Harmony), 355 
 
 et seq.; 427. 
 
 Twelfth Vermont Infantry, 59. 
 Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 193, 
 
 194. 
 Twenty-first New York Cavalry, 153, 
 
 166, 167; 343 et seq. 
 
 Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, 282. 
 Two hundred and first Pennsylvania 
 
 Volunteers, 248, 250. 
 Two hundred and second Pennsylvania 
 
 Volunteers, 248, 250. 
 Tyler, Charles, 113, 134, 136. 
 Tyler, Gen. E. B., 296. 
 Tyler, Gen. Robert O., 147, 426. 
 
 Underwood, Bushrod, 48, 81, 157, 328, 
 
 341, 342, 352; 466 et seq. 
 Underwood, John, 48, 50. 
 Underwood, Samuel, 48, 58, 59, 81, 141. 
 Union Mills, 177. 
 Upperville, 13, 62, 63, 74, 91, 118, 125, 
 
 140, 141, 160, 161, 178, 184, 197, 202, 
 
 204, 217, 221, 222, 245, 255; 284 et 
 
 seq.; 316, 321, 343, 346, 349, 351, 
 352, 359, 366, 367. 
 Utterbacks, 231. 
 
 Vernon, Lieut.-Col. Geo. W. F., 126, 
 129. 
 
 Vest, Charles B., 256. 
 
 Vienna, 328, 342, 353. 
 
 Vineyard, The (Residence of John Eston 
 
 Copke) , 300. 
 
 Virginia Central Railroad, 336. 
 Von Massow, Baron, 145. 
 
 Waite, Major John M., 199, 204, 211, 
 
 221, 223. 
 
 Walker, Charles H., 209. 
 Walker, Lieut. J. S., 212. 
 Walker, Capt. Robert S., 151; Mt. Zion, 
 
 188; Captain Co. B, 328, 342, 344, 
 
 345, 366, 397- 
 Waller, John T., 354. 
 Walsh, Major J. W., 123. 
 Walston, William B., 123, 135, 178, 179, 
 
 227. 
 
 Ward, Lieut. G. S. Luttrell, 125. 
 
 Ware, , 160. 
 
 Warner, Captain, 370, 371. 
 
 Warrenton, Capture of Train, 103, 104, 
 106, 107, in, 136, 156, 424. 
 
 Warrenton Junction, 56 et seq. 
 
 Warrenton Rifles, 27. 
 
 Washington Mounted Rifles, 15. 
 
 Waterford, 167, 168, 321, 360, 412. 
 
 Waters, Hugh T., 188; 466 et seq. 
 
 Waters, Levi, 128. 
 
 Watery Mountain, 121. 
 
 Watson, Lieut. Alex. G., 49. 
 
 Weatherbee, Sergt., 153. 
 
 Weber, Gen. Max, 211. 
 
 Weitzel, Gen. G., 174. 
 
 Wells, Col. Henry H., 328. 
 
 Wells, Major Wm., 49. 
 
 Wetherill, Capt., 138. 
 
 Whaley, Walter, 92, 94, 95, 108, in, 
 142, 160, 177, 204, 206. 
 
 Wharton, A. G., 266. 
 
 Wheatley, Charles, 18. 
 
 Whereabouts and Occupation of Surviv 
 ing Members, 487 et seq. 
 
 Whitacre, Robert, 79. 
 
 White, Col. Elijah V., 17. 
 
 White Post, 325. 
 
 White s Battalion, 28, 221. 
 
 White s Ford, 264. 
 
 Whitescarver, Lieut. Geo., 27 et seq.; 
 
 39 et seq.; 69, 70. 
 Whiting" 
 
 et seq. 
 
 61; 178 et 
 
 ig s Frank, 300. 
 Wild, John, 18, 404. 
 Williams, Lieut. Franklin, 
 
 39 et seq.; Lieutenant Co. B, 94, 100, 
 
 TOT, 142, 146. 
 
 Williams, Sergt. J. J., 285. 
 Williamsburg, 374. 
 Williamson, James J., 13, 
 
 seq.; 226, 227, 342. 
 Willis, A. C., 2L3, 289. 
 Wilson, Gen., 230. 
 
 Wiltshire, Charles, 340, 341, 361. 362. 
 Wiltshire, Lieut. James G., 216, 256, 
 
 260, 261, 326, 340; Lieutenant Co. H, 
 
 363; Arundel s, 367 et seq; 397. 
 Winchester, 299. 
 
 Winchester and Potomac R. R., 298, 361. 
 Winship, Capt. W. W., 273. 
 Wolf Run Shoals, 369, 370. 
 Woolf, Francis M., 188, 228. 
 Wrenn, Lieut. Albert, 14; Lieutenant 
 
 Co. B, 94, 136, 209, 285, 349, 366. 
 Wrenn, Sergt. James W., 135, 153. 
 Wright, Gen. Horatio G., 196. 
 Wyckoff, Lieut. Jesse F., 62, 152. 
 Wyndham, Col. Percy, 35 et seq.; 401. 
 Yager, Lieut. Frank, Lieutenant Co. C, 
 
 115. 
 
 Yates, - , 128. 
 Yates, Francis Marion, 228, 353. 
 
INDEX TO APPENDIX. 
 
 Confederate Reports, etc., arranged chronologically, pages 401 to 420, inclusive. 
 Federal Reports, etc., arranged chronologically, pages 421 to 441, inclusive. 
 
 Adamstown, Md., 416. 
 
 Aldie, Va., 426. 
 
 Alexander, John H., 466. 
 
 Ames, Lieut. James F. (Big Yankee), 
 
 404. 
 
 Angelo, Frank M., 459. 
 Annandale, Va., 407. 
 Armstrong, S. R., 458. 
 Arrington, G. W. (John C. Orrick), 
 
 489, 498, 500, 504. 
 Avenged by General Mosby, Marvin s 
 
 Story, 452. 
 
 Barnes, John H., 436. 
 
 Beattie, Lieut. Fountain, 448, 495. 
 
 Berryville, attack on Sheridan s Supply 
 
 Train, 417, 430. 
 Biedler, Sergt. Wm. T., 492. 
 Blanchard, Harris Chamberlain, 510, 
 
 5H- 
 
 Blazer affair, 495, 496. 
 Bonnie Blue Flag, 516. 
 Bowie, Brune, 476. 
 Bowie, Lieut. Walter, 474; death of, 
 
 477; 491- 
 Braden, Gabe, 504. 
 
 Carpenter, T. A., 459. 
 
 Carter, , killed at Front Royal, 
 
 502, 503. 
 
 Catlett s Station, 408. 
 Centreville, 414. 
 Chapman, Capt. Samuel F., 417, 418, 
 
 451, 489, 492. 
 Chapman, Lieut.-Col. William H., 404, 
 
 413, 416, 418, 440, 463, 485, 489. 
 Charlestown, W. Va., 414, 417. 
 Chew, John, 504. 
 Chew, Robert, 503. 
 Clendenin, Lieut.-Col. David R., 438, 
 
 504- 
 Cole s camp on Loudoun Heights, attack 
 
 on, 410, 485. 
 
 Cole s Maryland cavalry, 410, 485. 
 Cook, H. L., 502. 
 Corbett, "Boston," 464. 
 Cowles, A. E. (letter), 442. 
 
 Dear, Charles H., 487, 503. 
 
 Dixie, the original, 515. 
 
 Dranesville, 403. 
 
 Dudley, Lieut. Ira L., 491. 
 
 Duff, Capt. D. K., 459, 460. 
 
 Duffield Station, 414, 417. 
 
 Dulany, Col., 406. 
 
 Dunn, Dr. Wm. L., 494, 497. 
 
 Dunnington, Charles A., 497. 
 
 Early, Gen. Jubal A., 414, 416. 
 
 Fairfax Station, 417. 
 
 Federal scouting party hunting for 
 
 Mosby, 446. 
 Federal scouting party in the Shenan- 
 
 doah Valley, 427. 
 First Ve teran Corps, 441. 
 Five to One, Lieut. Frank Williams 
 
 fight in Ashby s Lane, 493. 
 
 Flint, Capt. Henry C.. 442. 
 
 Forbes, Lieut.-Col. Wm. II., 427, 436. 
 
 Franklin, Capt. Peter A., 501. 
 
 Frazier, J. J. (letter), 460. 
 
 Front Royal, 413, 501, 525. 
 
 Gansevoort, Col. Henry S., 435. 
 
 Geschky, Frank ("Zoo"), 500. 
 
 Gill, George Murray, 489. 
 
 Gooding s Tavern, 406, 495. 
 
 Gray, Lieut. Robert, 486. 
 
 Grayson, John Taylor, 486. 
 
 Gregg, Gen. David McM., 425. 
 
 Grogan, Lieut. Charles E., escape from 
 Johnson s Island and journey back to 
 Dixie, 482; wounding of, 504. 
 
 Hague, the, 491. 
 
 Hamilton (Harmony), 439, 440, 441, 
 
 53- 
 
 Haney, Ta,mes E., 475. 
 
 Harris, H. G., 461. 
 
 Harrison, Henry H.. 507. 
 
 Harrover, Robert M.. capture and escape 
 from Old Capitol Prison, 477. 
 
 Hart, George H., X. Y. Herald cor 
 respondent, captured by Mosby, 443. 
 
 Hatcher, Lieut. Harry, 404, 416, 497. 
 
 Hatcher, Welt, 504. 
 
 Hefflebower, John, 450. 
 
 Hostages, 427", 436. 
 
 Howard, Major-Gen. O. O., 422, 423. 
 
 Hunter, Lieut. Wm. L., 404, 412. 
 
 Hunter s Mills. 412. 
 
 Hurst, Edward S., 403. 488. 
 
 Illinois, regiment: Eighth Cavalry, 438. 
 
 440, 475, 504. 
 
 Indiana, regiment: First Cavalry, 422. 
 In Memoriam, 519- 
 
 Johnson s Island Prison, 482. 
 Jones, David L., 495. 
 Jones, Jasper, 495. 
 Jones, Gen. Wm. E., 495- 
 
 Keith, James, 504. 
 
 Kenly, Gen. John R., 4*7, 43- 
 
 Keys, William, 403. 
 
 Kinsale, 491. 
 
 Last Parade, the, 508. 
 
 Last scout in Sheridan s rear, 487. 
 
 Lazelle, Col. H. M., 436. 
 
 Lee, Gen. Robert E., 402, 404, 407, 419. 
 
 420, 490. 
 List of Mosby s men confined in room 
 
 No. 2, Fort Warren, Boston harbor. 
 
 461. 
 
 Lofland, G. S., 450. 
 Lorena, 518. 
 
 Loudoun County Rangers, 438, 440. 
 Lowell, Col. Charles Russell, 427. 
 
 McDonough, Charles, 466. 
 Manning. Capt. (Federal). 436. 
 Maryland Line Camp Song. 506. 
 Maryland, regiments: Third Maryland 
 
 553 
 
554 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Potomac Home Brigade, 430. 
 
 Massachusetts, regiments: Second Cav 
 alry, 426; Fourth Cavalry, 491. 
 
 Michigan, regiment: Fifth Cavalry, 
 
 Middleburg, Va., 421. 
 
 Miskel s (Broad Run), 442. 
 
 Modern Rob Roy, letter of captured 
 New York Herald correspondent, 443. 
 
 Mohler, Theodore, 495. 
 
 Monocacy, 416. 
 
 Monteiro, Dr. A., 494, 505. 
 
 Montjoy, Capt. R. P., 453- 
 
 Mosby, Col. John S., 401, 404, 407, 408, 
 409 410, 412, 417, 419, 420, 422, 438, 
 439, 448, 487, 494, 495, 496, 500. 
 
 Mosby (song), 510. 
 
 Mosby at Hamilton, 513. 
 
 Mosby s Last Raid into Loudoun (song), 
 
 5 1 ! 
 
 Mosby and his Men, 448. 
 
 Mosby s Men, A Glimpse of (song), 
 
 57- 
 
 Mosby s Men, 442, 502. 
 Mosby s Scouts near Georgetown, 466. 
 Mount Zion, 415. 
 Myers Ford, 495. 
 
 Nelson, Lieut. Joseph H., 414, 416, 418, 
 
 495- 
 
 New York, regiments: First New York 
 Veterans, 427; First New York 
 Mounted Rifles, 491; Second Cavalry, 
 408, 452; Sixth Cavalry, 431; Six 
 teenth Cavalry, 436, 437, 504; Six 
 teenth New York Heavy Artillery, 
 490; Thirteenth Cavalry, 504. 
 
 Northern Neck, Va., 489. 
 
 O Bannon, George M., 475, 488. 
 
 Ohio, regiments: One Hundred and 
 Forty-ninth National Guard, 430; One 
 Hundred and Forty-fourth National 
 Guard, 430. 
 
 Old Capitol Prison, 478. 
 
 Ormsby, William E., 426. 
 
 Orrick, John C. See G. W. Arrington. 
 
 Overby, William Thomas, 502. 
 
 Owen, Joseph W., 495. 
 
 Pennsylvania, regiments: Twelfth Cav 
 alry, 427; Fourteenth Cavalry, 458; 
 Twenty-second Cavalry, 425. 
 
 Pickets (Federal), 422, 425. 
 
 Palmer, Lieut. W. B., 403, 413, 500. 
 
 Pleasonton, Gen. A., 422, 424. 
 
 Point of Rocks, 414. 
 
 Present Whereabouts of Surviving Mem 
 bers, 529. 
 
 Randolph, John, 475. 
 
 Ratcliffe, George, 475. 
 
 Reno, Col. Marcus A., 439. 
 
 Reserve Brigade, 433. 
 
 Reunions, 520. 
 
 Rhode Island, regiments: First Cavalry, 
 
 425, 432, 502. 
 Richards, Major A. E., 412, 413, 414, 
 
 416, 417, 418, 496, 497. 
 Richards, Capt. Thomas W. T., 490, 497. 
 Roster, 532. 
 Russell, Lieut. John S., 441. 
 
 Scout (Federal) from Vienna into Lou 
 doun County, 437; Scout (Fed.) from 
 Fairfax into Loudoun County, 438; 
 Scout (Fed.) in the Shenandoah Val 
 ley, 427; Scout through Mosby s Con 
 federacy, 446. 
 
 Seibert, George, 404. 
 
 Sheridan s supply train, attack on, 430; 
 report Major Beardsley, 430; report 
 Capt. McKinney, 432 ; testimony Capt. 
 J. C. Mann before the Board of In 
 quiry, 434. 
 
 Shuttleworth, Lieut. J. H., 429. 
 
 Sinnott, Harry T., 466. 
 
 Smith, George, 475. 
 
 Smith, Norman E., 406. 
 
 Smith, Capt. Wm. R., 406, 408, 409, 
 411, 485. 
 
 Sowers, Dr. J. R., 404. 
 
 Stahel, Gen. Julius, 421. 
 
 Steele, Billings, 504. 
 
 Stringfellow, Capt. Frank, 410. 
 
 Stuart, Gen. J. E. B., 405, 407, 408, 409, 
 411. 
 
 Surprises, Federal regulations to guard 
 against, 429. 
 
 Sweitzer, Col. Nelson B., 437. 
 
 Thomas, Alban G., 476. 
 
 Torbert, Gen. Alfred T. A., 502. 
 
 Trammell, William, 466. 
 
 Turner, Lieut. Thomas, 405, 409, 410, 
 
 411, 487. 
 Tyler, Gen. Robert O., 426. 
 
 Underwood, Bushrod, 438, 464, 466, 495. 
 
 Vandeventer, J. H., 504. 
 
 Vandeventer, William, 504. 
 
 Vermont, regiments: First Cavalry, 403,. 
 
 442. 
 Vest, Charles B., 475. 
 
 War Songs of the South, 506. 
 
 Warrenton, Va., 410, 424, 426. 
 
 Warthen, F. A. (scout), 427. 
 
 Waterford, Va., 412. 
 
 Waterloo, Va., 406. 
 
 Waters, Hugh T., 466. 
 
 West Virginia, regiments: Sixth Cavalry, 
 
 427. 
 
 Wild, John, 404. 
 
 Williams, Lieut. Franklin, 416, 493, 495. 
 Williamsburg, Va., attack on picket post, 
 
 490. 
 
 Willis, S. C., 502 
 Wiltshire, Charles, 487, 503. 
 Wiltshire, Lieut. James G., 474, 487. 
 Wright, Hon. D. Giraud, 483. 
 Wyndham, Col. Percy, 401. 
 
 "Zoo." See Frank Geschky. 
 
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