The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-06-06
Mosby. the Guerrilla.


The future historian will accord 10
Mosby a bravery and sagacity worthy
to place him beside Marian and Mu.
rat He began Al The foo, Of the lad.
der, having at fret enlisted, or rather
be took up arms on his own account,
ns did many others who were in the
first battle Of Bull Run, where he
rendered good service. His thorough
knowledge OF the country soon after
attracted the attention Of JEFF Davis,
and be was promoted, ani well dii he
earn the rank Of colonel, which he
subsequently, held. Ills command
which at no time exceeded over 500
men, harassed US more than any l0,-
900 other rebels.
Ever since the frst year Of the
war, his raids have been the terror Of
the Union people. Though nominal
ly in our possession, it has been an
safe tor Union man there 10 avow
his sentiments. Ii be did so, all his
horses, stock, household goods, &c,
were sure to be gobbled up. Mo,by
entered our lines with impunily, Sc
curing what he required, and return
ing IN safety. lie hung, sullen, de-
liant and dangerous on our rear in a
retreat, driving back and burning our
wagon trains, and destroying all the
forage which was likely to fall into
our our hands. He fought TO win
and rarely entered intoan engagement
without good chances Of success. M
prisoners were treated harshly, but
all were made TO give up their money
and swap clothes if his men were TO
be benefited by the trade.
On one raid he captured two Of our
Paymasters, and, rs the term is ex-
pressed by the prisoners, they tcent
through them. On division made
among those who were on this raid
each ones share was $2l68.
In person Mosby is not formidable.
He is not over five feet seven inches
high, is thin and spare, and can clasp
his body with his hands. His age is
about thirty years. He is insensible
to fatigue; knows no such word as
fear has the piercing eye of an ca
gle (; and impresses a person with the
idea that he can tathom his innermost
thoughts. Though genial, he is ex-
acting. He is a skilful horseman and
dead shot; drinks 10 intoxicating
liquors, and his fayorite beverage rs
strong coffee. He allowed no men ol
his command 10 make use Of ardent
spirits, and destroyed all that came
within his reach. Strategy was no
myth with him.
On one occasion, bieng severely
wounded by our men, he ordered his
aid 10 strip his insignia of rank from
his shoulder and leave him to his fate.
The Federal soldiers app cached him
stripped him OF his boots, and lett him
seemingly in the last throes of life,
little dreaming that there lay one
teigning m9:tal wounds whose death
would have been worth thousands OF
men to our cause. But to him this
Was only another exploit.
On ano her occasion, General Lee
wished 10 deal with man by the
name OF Delanie, who had left the
Confederacy aud come within our
lines at Alexandria, and he detailed
Mosby to capture him. In the even
ing, attended by single orderly, he
made his way through our lines to
Delanie's house, and knocked at the
door, when his name was answered
10y him in person.
Mosby informed him that he was a
prisoner, took him through the streets
Of Alexandria, passed the pickets in
safety, and in due time delivered the
man in Richmond.
There was no dangerous missions
to which he ordered his mrn which
he was not willing to share with them.
MOI man who was in his command
has word TO say against him, and
they express the opinion that he has
made nothing by his raids. He loved
excitements, and sharp contest was
the best place TO display his coolness
and daring. Before the war lie was a
lawyer, OF no great reputation for aJif.
ity. Had NOT the fortunes of war
brought him ont he would not have
had a note in the worlds history
But that has rendered him infamous,
and he stands branded as a traitor "a
that flag under which he was reared -
Boston 7rareHer.