New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-07-14
The East Confederate.

The Last Confederate.
Magazine 81 American History for June.
It was verging on the summer OF
1865. Gen. Lee had surrendered. The
southern people had accepted the hat OF
Appomattox, and the southern armies
had disbanded. Only one prominent
in the military history OF the late con-
federate states was unparoled. This
was Col. John S. Mosby. the famous
partisan leader, who was under the
ban OF the war department., and whose
capture, if possible, and trial by court
martial on the charge OF having been
guilty of acts not recognized by civil
lied warfare had been ordered by Sec
retary Stanton. 1t was we'll that his
capture had been ordered ''if posi-
ble" His foot was on his native
heath in the mountainous region about
Lynchburg, Va, and he was at home
amid it's most difficult recesses, beng
thoroughly conversant with every
foot-path and pass in, that section Of
the state. Besides this, he was sur
rounded by friends, many 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 COM
rades in the city OF Lynchburg, the
military headquarters ofthat district,
who carefully watched the movements
Of the United States troops, and had
demonstration been made toward his
place OF refuge they would have been
quick to apprise him of it. Thus it
may be easily understood that his
capture was q task by no means easy
OF accomplishment.
At lengt h, however, Stanton recon
s.dered his decision, and sent orders
to Gen. Gregg, the commandant ofthe
district, to parole Mosby if he would
yield himself up. This information
was impaired to one of "Mosbys
men," then in Lynchburg, who, as if
by magic, conveyed the news prompt
ly to his former commander In con-
sequence, the very day after the order
had been issued, Col. Mosby came into
the city TO formally surrender and re,
cite his parole. He was dressed
in full confederate uniform and
was armed with two army
sized Colts revolvers fastened
in belt around his waist-the very
model OF the typical scout. He ap-
peared as cool as an iceberg as he
drove up to the law Office ofhis cousin,
Charles l.. Mosby, OF the firm OF Mos
by & Speed, then among the leading
members of the Virginia bar. Here,
as he alighted from his buggy, he was
surrounded by crowd of friends and
acquaintance, 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 a gentleman
who shook hands with him, s'Well,
colonel, SO you are to surrender at
last" he replied: YES, believe am
ulJimus Romanorum, and with that
he made his way to the Office OF Mos
by & Speed, where, divesting himself
OF his pistols, he entered into CONVEX
sation before going to the provost
narshals Office to take the amnesty
oath and receive his parole.
While he was thus engaged, however,
orders came by telegraph to Gen. Gregg
from Secretary Stanton, counter
mandiag the former order and instruct
ing him toforward Mosby to Washing
ton as a prisoner OF war. The news
Of this change OF programme on the
part Of the secretary was conveyed to
the partisan leader just as he was pre-.
pairing 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 ex-
preston of fixed determination. He
arose. coolly buckled on his pistols
again and started for the Office When
he arrived 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 inveiged him into the
city on the promise OF 81 parole, and
then ordering his capture. "But,' be
said, II will never be taken alive. ]
! have in these pistols twelve shots, and
] warn you that twelve OF you will
bite the dust before | am arrest
ed" To this the provost marshal
replied that he would inform Gen.
Gregg Of the case, and await further
orders from him before acting. The
general was chivalrous soldier and a
gentleman. He sent word to the mar
shall that Col. Mosby had come into
the city upon assurances from himself
that a parole would be granted him
This could not be done in face OF the
order OF the secretary Of wal; but one
thing he would do. He would permit
Col. Mosby to return from whence he
came unmolested, and would makeno
effort to effect his capture until the fol.
lowing day. Upon being informed OF
this Mosby walked out OF the provost
marshal's office, went direct to his
buggy and speedily found himself once
more safe in his friendly mountain re-
treats. The next day squads OF
cavalry secured the country to find
and arrest him, but to no avail. All
pursuit was Intellectual, and after a
voin soarch If savaral DAVIS reDOrt w as