Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-10-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE GUERILLA srosEnY.

THE GUERILLA uOsEBY.
The New York World has published
series of interesting articles giving the char
acter and achievements of various rebel lead
ers. They are written by one of Lees late
staff officers, and must be accepted af COM
ing from one of the strongest rebel procliyi-
ties. One of his last contributions is on the
ubiquitous Moseby the great guerilla chief
of the Virginia border-the man who periled
the safety of every hen-roost, horse-stable,
money-till, grocery and dry good store, corn
crib and larder within his range, and who de-
lighted in stopping railroad trains and rob-
bing every passenger indiscriminately, re-
gardless of age, sex or circumstances, of all
monies, watches, jewelry and other valua-
bles. OF this accomplished freebooter the
Worlds correspondent thus graphically and
kindly writes, and we give 1t as a matter of
general interest to our readers who Know
ing Moseby we'll will appreciate history
This mar, figuring in the popular eye as
a rullian and low adventurer, was born and
bred. and is, in a manner, a gentleman. His
family Is one of high standing and inteli-
gence in Virginia, and he was educated at
the University of Virginia, where he studied
the law. lie commenced the practice, mar.
ried, and would probably have passed throuh
life as county court lawyer" had not the
war taken place. When Virginia seeded
ne initiated other young men, and embarked
In the struggle as n private in a regiment of
cavalry. Here he exhibited courage and
eventually became lst lieutenant and adju-
tant When the miserable reorganization
system of the Confederate States Govern
ment went into operation in the spring of
1862 and the men were allowed 10 select
their officers, Moseby-never an easy or in.
dulgent oliicer-wa thrown out and again
became private. He returned to the ranks
but his energy and activity had been fire.
qnently exhibited, and Gen. Stuart, who
possessed a remarkable talent for discover.
ing conspicuous military merit of any sort
Pin obscure persons, speedily sent for min, and
from the time employed him as scout or
partisan. 1t is proper 70 warn the reader
here that q scout is not a spy. Moseby's du.
ty was tn penetrate the region of country oc.
cupied by the Federal forces, either alone
or IN command of a small detachment of
cavalry; and by lowering In the woods
around the Union camps, interrogating citi-
zens, or capturing pickets or stragglers. ac-
quire information of the cnemy's numbers,
position, or designs. If this information
could be obtained without collision, all
the better-but il necessary, it was the du-
ty and the habit of the scouts to attack. or
when attacked. hold their ground as long
as possible. In other words, there was in
augurated in the country occupied by the
Eplurl1 &
warfare, the object of which was to harass
the invading force, and in every way impair
its efficiency.
II was NJ this time that first saw Nose.
by, and his appearance was wholly undistin.
guisIled. He was thin, wiry, and. | should
say, about five feet nine or ten inches in
height. slight stOop in the neck was not
unGraceiul. The chain was carried well for
ward; the lips were thin and wore a some
what Satirical smile; the eyes, under the
brown felt hat worn Keep sparkling, and
roycd curiously from Size TO side. He wore
grey uniform. with no arms but two re-
v"lycrS in his hcIt; the sabre was no iavorite
with him. His voice was low, and smile
was niten of his lips. He rarely sat still ten
minutes. Such was his appearance at that
time. No one would have been struck with
anything noticeable in him except the eyes.
/ These flashed at times, in way which
might have induced the opinion that there
was something in the man, il it only had an
opportunity to come out"
am not aware that he gained any rcpu
tati"n in the campaign of 1862 He was
considered, however by General Stuart, an
excellent scout and PARTISAN; and the Gene
raj once related 60 the present writer. with
great giee, the manner in which Moseby had
. taken nine men, dcployed them over several
hundred yards. and advanced, firing steadi
ly upon a whole brigade of Federal cavalry,
which hastily retired, under the impression
that the attacking force was heavy. Such
things were common with Moseby, who
seemed to enjoy them greatly; 1ut ia the
spring of 1862 the tables were turned r--,,,,
the partisan. General Stnart. ,eu, him from
the Chichahominy 10 carry a confidential
message to Gen. Jackson, then in the val
ley.
He was resting at one of the wayside sta
| tions on the Central Railroad, while his
! horse was feeding, when q detachment of
Federal cavalry surprised and captured him
making prize also of private note from
Stuart to Jackson, aud copy of Napoleon's
"Maxims,n accompanying it. Moseby was
carried to the Old Capitol, but was soon ex-
changed; aud CHANGING to discover on his
route down the bay that General Burnside
was going soon to reinforce General Pope
in Cupepper, he fastened, on his arrival
with that important information to General
Lee, who telegraphcd it, doubtless at Cor
donsvile. 1t is probable that the battle
of Ceder Run, where General Pope was de-
feated, was fought 10y Jackson in conse
quence of this information.
Ny object, however, is not to write {
biography of Colonel MoseLy. 1t is fortu
nate that such is not my design; for ca
reer of wonderful activity extending ovel
about three years could not be condensed
into brief paper. | shal; speak of but ont
or two other incidents in his career-ant
one shall be his surprise of Brigadier Gene
raj Stoughton at Fairfax Court House in thC
winter Of 1862 This offair excited un
bounded indignation on the part of man!
excellent people. Let us see if it was not
legitimate partisan operation. 1t was il
November believe, that Moseby received
the information leading to his movement