The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-03
THE LAST CONFEDERATE.

How AIosby Returned to- His Allegiance to
the United States Authority.
Magazine of American History for June.
1t was verging on the summer of 1865 Gen.
Lee had surrendered. The Southern people had
accepted the fat of Appomattox and the South
in the military history of the late Confederate
Stares was unparoled. This was Col. John S.
Mosby, the famous partisan leader, who was un-
der the ban of the War Department, and whose
the charge of having been guilty of
acts not recognized by civilized war
fare, had been ordered by Secretary
Stanton. 1t well that his capture
had been ordered. IF possible" His foot was
on his native heath in the mountainous region
aoout Lynehburg Va, and he was at home
amid its most difficult recesses, being thoroughly
cOnvessant with every by-path and pass in that
section of the State Besides this, he was sur
rounded 10y friends. manv of whom had been in
his old command, and all Of whom were on the
alert in his interest, ready to warn him at the
first approach of danger He had. also, many
relatives and several comrades in the city of
Lynchburg, the military headquarters of that
district. who carefully watched the movements
of the United States troops. and, had any demon
stration been made toward his place of refuge.
they would have been quick to apprise him of il.
Thus it may easily be understood that his cap
tnre was task by no means easy of accomplish
ment
decision, and sent orders to General Gregg, the
commandment of the district, to parole Mostly if
no would yield himself up This information
was impaired to one of "Mosby's men," then in
Lynchburg, who, as if bJ magic. conveyed the
news promptly to his former commander. In
consequence, the very day after the order had
been issued Colonel Mosby came into the city
TO formally surrender, and received hi- parole.
He was dressed in full confederate Lnifc m, and
was armed with two army sized Colts revolvers
faS in belt rrOuud hic
model of the typical scout He appeared as cool
as an iceberg as he drove up to the law Office of
his cousin, Mr. Charles l.. Mosby of the firm
Of Mosby d Speed. then among the leading
members of the Virginia bar Here as he
nlghted from his buggy. he was surrounded by
a crowd of friends and acQuaintances. anxious
TO greet and tender him congratulations while
United States soldiers crowded the street to
catch sight of the famous soldier of whom they
had heard so much. To the remark of gentle
man who shook hands with him. well, Colonel
so you are to surrender at last9' he replied
Eyes. believe am utimus Romanornm," and
with that he made his way to the Office of Mosby
IL Speed. where, divesting himself of his pistols,
he entered into conversation before going to the
provost marshals Office to take the amnesty
oath and receive his parole.
While he was thus engaged, however, orders
came by telegraph to General Gregg from Secre-
tary Stanton, countermandng the former order.
and instructing him to forward Mosby to Wash
ington as prisoner OF war. The news of this
change of programme on the part of the Score
tary was conveyed to the partisan leader just as
he was preparing to leave for the Office Of the
provost marshal He did not seem in the least
moved by it, beyond that his blue eyes dilated
and assumed an expression of fixed determine
ton. He arose. coolly buckled on his pistols
again, and started for the Office. When he ar
rived there he inquired for the provost marshal,
and being shown that officer, he asked If it was
true what he had been told. On receiving an
affirmative reply. he charged the Secretary
of War with having acted with treachery
and bad faith toward him in having inveieled
him into the city on the promise of PAROLE and
then ordering his capture. But" he said, Il
will never be taken alive. 1 have in these pis
tots twelve shots. and warn you that twelve of
you will bite the dust before am arrested" To
this the provost marshal replied that he would
inform General Gregg OF the case, and await
further orders from him before acting The
General was chvalrons soldier and gentle
man. He seat wosd 70 the marshal that Colonel