National Republican., 1885-04-04

Inc Otncr uhy WAS cOuNoIslHB WIN
one formerly Of my company In the 18th
Virginia regiment Of infantry, but who.
In the latter part Of 1869, becoming tired
of foot soldiery, ran away and Joined
Mosby's command, proceeding often in
dulged in by disgruntled infantrymen,
and somehow or other Mosby, az a rule,
managed to retain these deserters in spite
of frequent attempts by tho infantry
colonels to reclaim their recalcitrant
men. Ny old comrade reminded me of
an episode of the war which / have never
seen described in print, and, as it had
some ludicrous features, will try to re-
late it.
In tho oarly part of 1863 Col. Mosby's
command had been exceedingly active
his captures OF wagons, mules, horses, and
prisoners having been very large, and the
federal authorities had sent out two or
three expeditions to suppress him, but in
spite Of we'll laid plans based on what
was deemed reliable information the
troops who were after him, whom they
thought they had surely corralled him,
discovered that like tho lrishman's flea
he was not there. Tho truth was that
the people of the section in which Mosby
chiefly operated were entirely devoted to
him and kept him fully Informed in ad-
vance OF all movements directed against
him. His policy was to avoid n general
fight. although on occasions he showed
that he could strike and strike heavily.
SO that whom strong force came against
him he simply disbanded his mon in the
mountains to reassemble at some desig-
mated point whom tho enemy should have
retired. Among the federal command
ers who had tried in vain to bag Mosby
aud his command was Col. or Gen. II for
get which) Sir Percy Wyndham.
IAN ENGLISH OFFICERS AMBITION.
This officer, while in his right little,
tight little island home, was struck with
the sudden idea that he had some sort of
divine mission to mako Mosby the cap
ture Of his bow and spear, SO TO speak,
and to put an end to his gyrating antics.
Accordingly ho packed up and came over
TO this country, and induced President
Lincoln to appoint him colonel Of
cavalry for the express purpose OF bagging
Mosby. In fact, Sir Percy loudly an
nounced that he was almost unable to
cat, sleep, or rest until he had accom-
plished that somewhat difficult feat. IL
was the height of his ambition and
the business of his life to bring the
slippery guerilla to condign punishment.
OF course Mosby was duly informed Of
what Sir Percy had in store for him; he
made his preparations accordingly, and
when the Englishman, who was undoubt-
edly bravo man, but not good officer
in the American style Of tactics, came out
with about thousand cavalry, he quietly
got out Of the way and watched for his
opportunity.
MosBY's OPPORTUNITY.
Now, in the latter part of March, 1863,
Wyndham's headquarters were at Fair
fax Court House, Va, as were also those
of Gen. Stoughton. They had but few Of
around or in the village-the bulk OF the
cavalry being stationed in advance
around Chantilly, where the final fight Of
the second battle of Manassas took place.
Some time before the event, which will
be related further on, Rev. Mr.. L., q
chaplain in Stuart's cavalry. had been
arrested and detained by Gen. Stoughton
for some days in the village. but was
finally permitted to go through the lines
on account of his peacoable vocation. But
he was q parson who had carried the
Bible in one hand and the sword in the
other, as it were, in many tough fight,
and while a prisoner he kept his eyes
about him. When released he went
straight to Mosby, and gave him minute
particulars of the SITUATION, numbers.
&C., of tho federal troops, and the houses
where Wyndham and Stoughton were
quartered. Mosby saw that his oppor-
tunity to take the starch out of Sir Percy
had come, and choosing dark night he
got together some fifty or so of his men,
dressed in federal caps and overcoats,
and set out for Fairfax Court House to
capture Sir Percy.
HOW HE USED IT.
He easily avoided by his perfect knowl-
nfN kA 1.tat pal faAn al
troops, and when he got within mile OF
two of the village he was lucky enough
to meet federal wagon train going
thither. He at once filed in behind the
wagons, as if acting as escort. and passed
through the second line of pickets with
out being challenged even. When in the
village he rode straight to the house Of
Mr.. Murray, u lawyer. Ono Of his men
Frank Williams, well known in the army
of Northern Virginia as daring scout
and who was well acquainted with Mr.
Murray, managed to enter the house
without awakening the family, and going
to the chamber door he knocked aud
aroused that gentleman. Williams eau
tiously inquired in which room was Sir
Percy quartered. Mr.. Murray replied
Frank, / am on my parole of honor
not to furnish you with any
information whatever. / was compelled
to give this parole in order to avoid be,
ing taken from my helpless family
Williams considered that he would theI
have to find out for himself. By thi,
time the men ON the outside became i'm
patient and began banging on the win
dow shutters with the butts of their re-
volvers. Mr.. Murray threw up window
and, leaning out, asked If Col. Mosby wal
there; and tho latter said yes, and do
manded that tho room of Col. Wyndhau
be at once pointed out Mr.. Murray an
swered Mosby as he had Williams. anC
the men were about to break down th,
front door, when Mrs. Murray told Mosby
that II was useless. for that Col. Wynd
ham had that morning gone to Washing
ton.
THE BRITISH BIRD FLOWN.
This was the literal fact. Col. Wynd-
hams headquarters had been for som,
weeks in Mr.. Murray's house, but tina
morning he had caused his effects to ht
removed to the unoccupied house of Judg,
Thomas, and had left for Washington. i
was close shave for him, and "Wynd
hams luck" became proyerbial expires
sion in Mosby's command thereafter
Tho men, now cursing their hard luck
withdrew and filed of toward DIR. Gun
nellie house, a few hundred yards distant
sroUGHToN's CAPTURE.
Here Gen. Stoughton had established
his quarters, and at the time mentioned
was snugly curled up in bed, dreaming
doubtless of anything else but Mosby'
advent. Taking squad of men witt
him Mosby effected an entrance to thi
house, and went straight to Gen. Slough
toms room. When he entered with
light the general sat up in bed aud OK
claimed. whats up? Who in the d.
are you? What do you want2" Now
as far rs uniform was concerned, Mosby
looked exactly like federal officer an(