Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-16
Mosby, the Guerrilla.

The future historian will accord to
Mosby bravery and sagacity worthy tc
place him beside Marion and Murat.-
He began at the foot of the ladder, hav-
ing at first enlisted, or rather be took up
arms on his own account, as did many
others who were in the first battle OF
Bull Run, where be rendered good SER
vice. His thorough knowledge of the
country soon after attracted the attention
OF jeff. Davis, and he was promoted, and
well did he earn the rank OF colonel,
which he subsequently held. His com
mand, which at no time exceeded over
500 men, harassed US more than any
other IL. 900 rebels.
Ever since the first year Of the war,
lis raids have been the terror Of the
Union people. Though nominaIly in our
possession, il has been unsafe for Union
man there to avow bis sentiments. ii he
did so, all his horses, stock, household
goods, &C., were sure TO be gobbled up.
Mosby entered our lines with impunity,
securing what he required, and returning
in safety. lie hung, sulIcn, defiant and
dangerous on our rear in retreat drIv
ing back and burning our wagon trains,
and destroying all the forage which was
likely to fall into our hands. He fought
to win and rarely entered into an engage
ment without good chances Of success
No prisoners were treated harshly, but
all were made to give up their money
and swap clotbes if his men were to bel
benefited by the trade.
On one raid he captured two of our
Paymsstcrs, and, as the term is express,
ed by the prisoners, they Went through
them. Ga division made among those
who we're on this raid each ones share
was $2l69.
In person Mosby is not formidable
He is not over five feet seven inches
high, is thin and spare, and can clasp h-
BIO y with his hands. His age is
about thirty years. He is insenSble to
fatigue; knows no such word as fear
has the piercing eye Of an eagle and
impresses a person with the idea that he
can fathom his innermost thoughts
Though genial, he is exacting. lie is
txacting. He is a sklfu horseman and
dead shot drinks no Intoxicating liqn,
ors, and his favorite beverage is strong
coffee. He allowed no men of his COM
mand to make use Of ardent spirits, and
destroyed all that came within his reach.
Strategy was no myth with him.
On one occasion, being severely wound
ed by our men, he ordered his aid to
strip his insignia Of rank from his shout,
der and leave him to his fate. The Fed !
eraI soldiers approached him, stripped
him OF his boots, and left him, seemingly
in the last throes of life, little dreaming 4
that there lay one feigning mortal wounds
whose death would have been worth 4
thousands of men TO our cause. But to
him, this was only another exploit.
Ga another occasion, Gen. Lee wished 4
to deal with a man by the name of Della 4
ME, who had left the Confederacy and |
come within our lines at Alexandria, and
he detailed Mosby to capture him. In {
the evening, attended by n single orderly,
he made his way through our lines to De- {
Ianie's house, and knocked at the door,
when his summons was answered by him \
10 person.
Mosby informed him that he was =
prisoner, took him through the streets of I
passed the pickets in safety,
aud in due time delivered the man in
There was no dangerous mission to
which he ordered his men which he was
not willing TO share with them. Not
man who was in his command has a word
to say against him, and they expressed
the opinion that he has made nothing by
bis raids. He loved excitement, and
sharp contest was the best place TO display
his GOODNESS and daring. Before the war
he was a lawyer, of no great reputation
for ability Had not the fortunes of war
brought him out he would not have had
note in the worlds history. But that
has rendered him infamous, and be
stands branded as a traitor to that flag
under which he was reared,-Bostoh
Traveller.