Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-04
A Sketch of Mosby, the Rebel Guerrilla
Chief.
One Of the Northern pap

Chief.
One OF the Northern papers contains the fol-
lowing account of Col. Mosby:
John Singleton Mosby was born in Virginia
in 1882. Nothing is known of his youthful
career. His early achievements in the war
were of an insignificant character. His opera
tions during the winters of 1862 SO, in harass-
ing our troops encamped near Fredericksburg,
Were approved by Gen. Lee in an official re.
port OF the winters operations Of his army. In
consequence OF these services Lieut.. Mosby
was promoted ajOr. In March, 1853, he
captured Gen. Stoughton at Fairfax Court
House, and gained his first notoriety at the
North. In the ensuing August he attacked the
I'd Massachusetts, cavalry at Coyles Tavern,
near Fairfax, Va, and received painful
wound. He was unable to resume active duty
until January, 1864, when January l0) he was
repulsed in an attack made upon one Of our
small camps at Loudoun Heights, Virginia.
On February Is, 1864, he ambushed q small
force under Capt Reid, near Drainesville,
killing and wounding twenty OF our men.
again wounded, and remained idle until
October 6, 1864, when he again made himself
famous among the rebels by an attack on the
baltimore and Ohio railroad, at New Greek,
Va, for which achievement. on Lees recon-
mendation, he was promoted lieutenant colo.
pel. On October "a, his camp, near Piedmoat,
Va, was surprised by Colonel Gansevoort, OF
the 18th New York cavalry, and his force dis
persed. During the campaign In the valley,
between Sheridan and Early, Mosby figured
extenslvely. November he was routed near
Salem. On the 2ist Of the same month he at
tackled cavalry escort near Manchester, and
was again wounded. December l he was i'm
Richmond nursing his wound and begging for
promotion. This came on December 10, and he
was recognized by the rebel government as q
full colonel in it's army.
The following Intercepted rebel letter will
give some idea OF the habits of the man. and OF
his mode of warfare:
PARIS, Va, Nov. 2s, 1s6i.-The command of
which Lieutenant Colonel John S. Mosby is
the recognized leader is divided into six parts,
m q
ID. Richards, Captain MountIoy, Captain w m.
Chapman, Captain Samuel Chapman, Captain
Peter Franklin, Lieutenant Hatcher The
whole force is recognized as battalion. Will
lie Mosby, pleasing young man of about 20
summers, and a brother of John 5 Moshy, is
adjutant Of the battalion. Willie does not 20
on raids. Lieut. Walter Franklin is the pres.
ent commissary OF the battalion. An officer
familjarly styled Major fiibbs is said II be the
qpartermaster. Lieut.. John Russell is Mosby's
main scout for the valley
MosbY, W hen out on q raid, wears his uni
fOrm-the stars upon the collar of his coat aud
gold lace braid upon the sides OF his pauta-
looms. He swears great deal and does not,
as IL generality, treat his men kindly. At Hol-
lands factory is where Mosby generally stays
hinself. He boards at Dick Baokners. His
wife also boards here. she is a middle aged
woman, and rather handsome. Mosby is with
her often. He always carries small pewter
whistle with him for signaling. 1t is fastened
10 guard placed around his neck. When his
men are concealed in the bushes d low whistle
is given to "make ready" and keen whistle
to " charge" He lately received battle flag
an opgie, and the report is his command will
20 into Early's regular cavalry sery vice during
the winter. He is we'll Oft tor greenbacks since
he captured those paymasterso on the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad line. When the plunde. Sc
cured on that occasion came to he divided M,
every officer and man w no assisted got 3 ,G2a56
A good deal OF this money you have already
got back. Will tell you how. Old men and
women, residents in the neighborhood of Up
pervilie, who have gone within yonr lines and
taken the oath Of alIeg lance, have been sent by
Mosby and many of his men to Berlin to pur-
chase goods, such as hats, &c, and have paid
Tor these in the captured greenbacks, and got
The goods out TO the battalion. Mosby has a
sutler who goes quite often TO Alexandria to
purchase goods for the command. He is an
Irisbniap by birth. He last brought out among
otbergoods, white hats, with Ions black pl unaes
attached.
Mosby rides blooded sorrel, and some.
times Il big bay. The sorrel is the swiftsst
animal in either army. He does not drink
any whisky. He does not allow any OF his
Men to drink whisky. He sent two men OFF
into the res uiar service for being intoxicated
OF Inspection.
An order from Federal general reached
Captain Mountjoy at Berryville. The order
is in relation 10 the Winchester railroad
Mouptjoy read the order to his men, laughed
over it, and put it in his pocket with the re-
mark that he would show it to he Colonel
The order reached him last Sunday morning.
He was surprised about noon Of that day.
do not think Mosby will interfere with the
RAILROAD, ont OF regard to the property of the
citizens living adjacent to it.
Mosby's command is not liked by the sol.
diers of the regular Confederate service. but
both Mosby and his men stand high at Rich
mopd They are armed only with pistols. All
OF Mosby's men have their regular board.
ing houses among the farmers. Two and
three OF them net unfrequently board at one
house. When the Federal scouting parties
come along, the Uonfederates take TO the
mountains. During the time that General
Augur had his troops upon the Piedmont
railroad line, the Confederates OF Mnsby's
command spent most OF their time In :he
mountains.
SAGo BIRDS NEST. Soak gill of Sago,
and pour upon it slowly quart of boiling wa
ter; pare and core some sour apples, and place
them in a pudding dish; pour the sago over
and bake until the apples are soft. When cold
turn 10 out of the dish, and serve with sugar
and cream.
SDan Rice, the circus proprietor, was
mulcted in the sum of 1891 66 in the Supreme
Court at Worcester, Massachusetts, last week,
in suit for damages brought by q man whom
he elected from his tent during performance &c
some months ago.
~ Three guerrillas were killed, one wound.
ed and three put to flightby Oapt. Sam Tabour
and nephew on the 24th ult, in Hardin county,
Kentucky. The daring guerrilla chief Pratt !
was one OF the killed. ,-~
To MAKE SAUsAGKs.--Meat 10 pounds, salt
pound, pepper OF, sage pint-puiverized,
and moiasses one teacupful
- ~ Lieut.. Dick, formerly Of Gen. Hooker's
staff, committed suicide in Louisville about
week since. 49, go .-
@The husband of Belle Boyd was sent to
Fort Delaware on Friday. s- -Is--s.