The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-15
MOSBY AND BOYD.

Shertns-The DucllO Not Acceptable to
B0yd-Mosby's Opinion of Recommendation
Boyd's Story-Why He Did Not Fight-The
General Feeling and Impression Of the
People.
WASHINGTON, Oct 10, 1869.
The quiet, sleepy little village OF Warenton, Va,
Is the last place in the world where you would
expect to find duellists and duelling. Before tho
war 1t was place OF some business pretensions,
especially during court week, but just now It seems
II it were under the influence OF perpetual sun
day. There Is 30 little to contribute to excitement
and everybody you meet is 80 civil wlthsl, that 1t
must require considerable effort TO make tho "angry
passions rise." But even Warrenton has had Its
sensation. 1t would hardly have been noticed in
New York. but here 1t set everybody by the ears,
much the late between the bulls and bears In
Wall street dld the country.
Previous to the war dues were not novelties IN
Virginia, but there was such splendid opportunity
for shooting and killing from 1850 to 1854 that the
amusement has been ut a discount ever since.
Stil the "code" is the recognized thing among the
gentlemen ofthe Old Dominion-those ito the manner
born'-who have grievances to redress differences
J0setle. Your carpet-Dagger'' bringing the customs
OF his section with him has no time TO go through
the formalites OF duel, but viii '.setten on the
spot after the most approved style OF the prize ring
The Virginia gentleman prefers the old method,
"plstols and coffee for twO.n
In a village like warrenton which, in respect to
gossip, Is like every other village anything like
duel. even between two ordinary individuals, would
naturally excite interest. But when Colonel Jack
Mosby happens to be one Of the prln.
cpals and an ex-tederal colonel named
Boyd the other, the affair grows in interest
far beyond the limits OF Warrenton, or even OF
Fauquler county. With view to ascertain the
origin OF the difficulty stepped into Colonel Mosby's
law oaice to-day, ana after introducing myself and
making known my business was cordially received
by the celebrated partisan leader. found HIM Sit
ting in small room IN building opposite the prln
cpal hotel OF the village, looking more Ike young
country parson than dashiug cavalry colonel or a
hot-headed duelllst HIS pantaloons were tucked
inside his boots, but otherwise his dress indicated
taste and neatness. HIS hair was cut short and his
beardless face and genial lively manner, make him
look much younger than he really Is. On tue table
before him number OF papers, pamphlets and books
were scattered; but the most prominent object was
six-barreled Colts army revolver, loaded and ready
for instant use. In couple Of bookcases around
the room were enough books TO constitute decent
law library Tor country lawyer. On the mautel-
piece were several specimens Of different varieties
Mosbj Is the agent. The other furniture OF room
was scanty, tndt Is for lawyers ONCE; but pre-
sumo Mosby has mad worse quarters.
Colonel Mosby commenced the conversation BY
informing me in somewhat jocular manner that he
had once captured a couple OF HERALD correspond
ens during the war; but he found them good fell
lows and treated them well Having little time and
less disposition to listen to war "reminiscences,
SAID
"colonel Mosby, what was the origin OF the aim.
Guilty between Colonel Boyd and yourselfg'
MosBY-Well, VIII tell you and am glad to do
80, because suppose people outside will think that
It arose out OF political differences, which II did nor.
had ana have nothing personal against Colonel
Boyd. lie was sent here last April by General
Candy to act as sheriff OF Fauquier county. 1t was
soon discovered That his bond was worthless, those
who had signed It not being worth anything There
was meeting OF the members OF the bar here rela-
tive to the subject At this meeting a memorial
addressed 10 General Candy was drawn up and
adopted Ii set forth the fact that Colonel Boyo mad
failed TO give satisfactory bond and that the men,
bers OF the bar felt II to their duty IN the interest
OF their clients to protest against Colonel Boyds
performing the duties OF sheriff without giyinr
bond. was selected TO carry the memorial to
General Candy which did ~
CORES PoSDGNT-Wna did General Candy say to
your
but Instead Of doing he sent Coonel Lee mere to
institute an investigation into an alleged conspi.
racy among the members OF the bar Of this place to
defeat the reconstruction laws.
CoRREsP0SDENT-Was there a conspiracy for that
purpose2
interfering with the reconstruction laws than you
have We simply wanted a man Tor sheriff who
would not run away with the OF the county,
or II he did run away we wanted TO have some
oonds0len that had something to take hold OF
CoRRESPoNDENT-Wer Colonel Boyd's bondsmen
persons OF property
MosBy-No; they had nothing. believe taat
altogether they did not pay more than ninety cents
internal revenue even tax. SO You can judge how much
property they had ono or them named Cannon
applied lobe released from the bond shortly alter
Boyd qualified.
CONS sPoNDESr-why did he do tnatP
MosDy--We. Cannon Ia the editor OF little paper
here called the S3ttiiae Colonel Boyd went 10 HIM
aud said:-"Cannon If you go on my bond III give
you the advertising patronage OF the sherifs
ONCE" Cannon agreed to this and became one OF
Boyd's securities Cannon soon discovered how
ever, that Boyd had no advertising ana no patron
q rplp ased
CoRREsposDENF--fhen was a sort OF o bargain
between Boyd and Cannon for their mutual benefit.
MoSBY-Irecisey. The matter came up IN court
before Judge lllt. He decided that the bond was
worthless and Cannon was released. what do YOU
again without any bond at ALL although we told him
we would he satisfied II lie would detail General
Mckibben or any other regular army officer to act
as sheriff, because their commission would be some
security,
spoSDESr-Dd General Candy assign any
reason for appointing Boyd over AGAIN.
MospY-No, lie did not don't ike TO question
q mans motives, but 1t was q little singular that
Candy should hang on to this man Boyd when he
knew he had no bond aud was insoivent besides.
C0RRgsPoNDENT-You don't mean to Intimate
that there was any corrupt purpose on the part OF
MosBY-Weli, IL looks as if there was something
wrong, think Gatroy is tho Fagn OF the business
and BOYD is the Artful Dodger.
Here Colonel Mosby laughed, whether ar the idea
OF his being well up IN Dickeus' ''oliver Twlstu or
at the respective roles or General Candy aud Colonel
GoRREsPoNDENr-Well, how does the case stand
nowS
MosBy-Colonel Boyd Is sti sheriff but he has
given no bond. lie has, however Harmed out, the
once 10 Mr. Hume, who was sheriff here before the
war. ~
CoRREsPoNDEST-Wha do you mean by farming
out the oGlces''
MosBY-Mr. Hume can't take the "ron.cladp but
boyn can Hume gives Boyd $500 for the privilege
o. 3 acl my, as sheriff BOYD signs the writs but Hume
Thats what we call farming out y Ne''
SVtREsPoNpENr-ls that a common thing here
Mosbf-les; ips done with nearly every Office
lts the erect OF the "iron-cladu Hero's one OF NV
boys, chiffon, VINO Is Commonwealth attorney Tor
THIS county. lie gave some fellow a couple OF nun.
nils the Office. ' ~ Nv
CORRESPONDENTS General Candy aware OF ,bs
CHARMING QUIZ busnessl ~
MosBy-0f course he Is. / tell You it's done au
over Virginia by the men whom Candy appoints 10
I'LL the oilces
CoReEspoNpENr-IIow did all this difficulty abon,
Colonel Doyds bond lead 10 the correspondence
ahout the dupi9