Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-09-24
MISCELLANEOUS.
EFrOm the Southern Opinion ]
Partisan Life with Mosby."

really satisfactory work upon that great par
tisan and his deeds had as yet been given to
the world. Now, however, any such regret
would be unnecessary. Harper & Brothers
have just issued an admirable book, entitled
partisan Life with Mosby," by Major John
Scott, who, having participated in almost all
of the gallant raids and adventures of his
[chief, and welding, moreover, a very graphic
pen, has succeeded in presenting the public
with narrative at once copious and enter
tanning, full Of romantic and extraordinary
incidents, but trustworthy in the minutest
detail.
We cannot give better idea of the work
than by quoting some of its animated and
clever descriptions.
Here, for example, is Major Scott's account
of the famous "Greenback Raid :"
"From Upperville Mosby went to join the
command at Snickerville. and that night
crossed the Shenandoah. The next dav. from
position on the Valley turnpike, he captured
fifteen men and horses, and then determined
to intercept train of cars on the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad.
''The point selected to make this attempt
was a deep cut, west of Browns crossing. and
about quarter ofa mile from Duffield's derot,
SO that the passengers might sustain no injury
from the sudden stoppage of the cars-a
plecautiOn which q cruel nature would not
have taken.
''Harry Hatcher, with detail of fifteen
men, was then ordered to tear up the rails,
and was very particular to destroy both tracks;
for he was not unmindful of the experience
OF Captain Dolly, or 'SOuthdown, as the men
called him after that exploit.
''AS soon as the work was done, Mosby,
leaving small guard with the horses, march
ed the command to the railroad, and wrap>
ping his blanket round him, laid his head in
the lap of one of his men and slept soundIv.
Sat 2 o'clock 7. NJ. he was reused by the
whistle, followed by the explosion of the boil
er. The men were astounded; but knowing
that a prompt attack was the way to prevent
resistance, Mosby pushed the men down the
embankment as rapidly as possible. They
sprang into the cars, when u wild scene Of
confusion was presented. The ladies scream.
ed with terror, whilst the male passengers
were initiated in the operation of being gone
through
Gas soon as the cars were boarded, Jem
Wiltshire had romantic adventure, which
may yet lead to serious consequences. A
young lady of remarkable beauty called to
him -
ooh! Captain, protect me; am Ma
sons daughter!
1.-The ranger, not exactly comprehending
the purport Of her language, gallantly repli-
ed, And l, Miss, am Mason's son. Be not
alarmed ~
Thus assured, she laid her hand upon his
"When the cars came to be burned, there
was ono found to be freighted with German
emigrants, who, not understanding a word
of English, made no motion to leave their
seats when ordered to do So
"'Perhaps they understand fire. said Pur-
year, and with these words he threw parcel
of lighted New York HerdERs into the car
Out tumbled the Dutch men, women and
children, amid chorus of outlandish curses
"During this scene of confusion Mosby
conversed freely with the passengers He
remarked to one of them:
General Stevenson will not guard the
railroad, and I'm determined to make him
perform his duty
"Ofa Dutch Lieutenant, Just commissioned
and on his way to his regiment, he inquired !:
"'Why did you come to fight us p
"'Only to learn your tacticks,' he replied.
GA little while after the Lieutenant came
to Mosby with the complaint that some one
had taken his boots from him.
"'Oh! said he, laughing, that's only an
elementary lesson in our tacticks' r
''In the midst of the confagration two of
his men approached Colonel Mosby with the
information that they had taken from the
Paymaster tin box and satchel filed with
greenbacks. This splendid prize was imme-
diately sent of in charge of party under
command of Lieutenant Grogan. =
'The next day, at sequestered spot near
Bloomfield, the greeDbacks were counted and
divided by Beattie and Grogan. appointed
by MOsby to perform that duty. The amount
being Sl6S, 900, each man received over t0o
honsdnd.
II will close my account of the Green
back Raid with a copy of General Lees
dispatch to the Secretary of War in relation
to it:
HEADQUARTERS, October IT, 1864.
Sion. Secretary at Var:
"On the 14th, Colonel Mosby struck the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad at DuffeId sta.
tiOn, and destroyed United States mail train.
consisting of locomotive and ten cars. se'
curing twenty prisoners and seventy. five
horses.
Among the prisoners were two Yankee
Paymasters, with S16S. 900 in Government
bonds REL LEE Gensr.I y
Had We the space, we might extract from,
this book pages of entertaining matter. Never
was the ancient PrOyerb, "fruth is strange,