Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-10-03
Mosby and his Men.
No. L.,
TFrom the Nelo York Net0s.

John Singleton M0sby IS the son OF Al
fred D. Mosby, formerly of Albemarle Coun.
ty, Va. He is the maternal grandson of j as
McLaurine, Sen, late of PoWhatan County,
Va. His mother was Miss Virginia j. Nc
Laurine
He was born in Powhatan County, Va, on
the 9th of December, 1868, and educated at
the University of Virginia. When quite a
young man he was married to the daughter
Of the Hon. Beverly Clarke, late United
States Minister to Central America. At the
commencement of hostilities between the
North and South, Mosby resided at Bristol,
Washington County, Va, where he was sue
cessfully engaged in the practice of law. He
Immediately gave up his profession and en-
tered the army as private, becoming a mem
ber of a company raised in Washington Coun-
ty, and commanded by Captain Jones after
ward General Jones-in which position he
served twelve months. Upon the promot On
of Captain Jones to the Colonelcv of the
Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, 5Mosby was cho
sen as adjutant. He continued in this posi-
ton but a short time; for, upon the ra-or-
ganization Of the regiment, from some cause
the Colonel was thrown out, and consequent
ly, his adjutant relieved from duty. Mosby
was then chosen by General j. E. B. Stuart
as sort of independent scout.
He first attracted public attention when
Gen. Joseph e. Johnston, then in command
of the army at Manassas, fell back. On this
occasion, desiring 10 ascertain whether the
movements of Mcclellan was feint, or if he
really intended to march his army to the Pc
ninsula, General Johnston dispatched Mosby
to gain the desired information. Taking five
men, Mospy went in the rear Of McCellan's 8
army. where he remained several days, spend
ing his time in converse with the Federal SOL
diers, from whom be gained all necessary in-
formation, and then safely made his way
back to General Johnston's headquarters.
During the Summer of 1862, GIosby was
sent from Hanover Court House on mission
to Gen. Johnston, who was then Oh the Up
per Rapidan. He was the bearer of an oral
communication, and as the route Was dan
gerous, had no papers about him except a
brief note to serve as a voucher of his iden-
tty and reliability With this note be pro-
ceeded on his journey, and, stopping at Bea
yer Dam station, on tho Virginia Central
Railroad, to rest and feed his horse was,
while quietly sitting On the platform at the
depot, surprised and bagged by detachment
of the enemy's cavalry. Now, to be caught
| thus mapping, in an unguarded moment, was
gall and wormwood to the brave scout. He
| had deceived and outwitted the enemy so Of
| ten, had escaped from their clutches SO reg
uarly up to that time, that, to fad himself
surprised, filed him with internal rage From
| that moment his sentiments toward the enc
my increased in intensity They had beer
all along decidedly unfriendly. Now thsy
were bitter. They took him away with them,
searched him, and iched his credentials and
published them as an item of interest In the
Northern papers, and immured tho partisan
in the Old Capitol. In due course of time
he was exchanged and returned with new
satchel and an increase Of affection for his
enemies He laughed at his misfortuDes, bus
set down the account to the credit Of the en-
emy, to be settled at more convenient op.
portunity.
Previous to the Sth of March, 1868, Col
Mosby had put himself to much trouble to
discover the strength and position Of the enc
my in Fairfax County, with the design Of
making a raid in that direction. Aside from
his own efforts, deserter from the Fifth
New York Cavalry, who afterWard became
very distinguished in the command, and was
subsequently killed, was instrumental in get
ting the following information Ga the Lit
| tie River Turnpike, at Germantown, a mi e
or two from Fairfax Court House, were three
regiments of the enemy,s cavalry, command
ed bysCol. Wyndham, Acting Brigader Gen
eral, with his headquarters at the Court
House. Within few hundred yards Of the
town were two infantry regiments In the
vicinity of Fairfax Station, about two miles
off, an infantry brigade wassencamped, and at
Centrevile there was another infantry brig
ade, with cavalry and artillery. Thus the
way to Fairfax Court House, the point which
the Colonel desired to reach, seemed cons
pletely blocked up.
The Situation would have appeared des-
perate to almost any one, however adven,u-
rous; but danger and adventure had attrac-
tions for Mosby, and the temptation was
great, for Brig. Gen. Stoughton and other
officers of high rank were known to be at the
Court House.
| !. Sunday night, the 9Th of March, was chosen
as favorable to the expedition. I he weather
was infamous, the night as dark as pitch,
and it was raining steadily. With detach-
ment Of twenty-nine men, including the de-
serter, who acted as guide, Mosby set out on
his raid
Advancing through the woods, pierced with
devious and uncertain paths only, which the
dense darkness scarcely enabled them to fol-
low, the partisan and his little band finally
struck the Warrenton road, between Centre
| Vile and Fairfax, at point about midway
between the two places. One danger had
thus been avoided--a challenge from parties
of cavalry on,the Little River road, or discov-
cry by the force posted at Centreville. That
place was now in their rear. Fairfax Court
House was still four miles distant, and guard
ed by cavalry and infantry. Every approach
was guarded, aud the attempt to enter the
place seemed desperate, but Mosby determined
to essay it: ="
Making detour to the right, and leaving
the enemy's camps far to his left, he struck
into the road leading from Fairfax, southwark
\