Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-02-09
alosby,s Drean OF Power.

The world bS5 gocWn few msn who haze
had cast at their e5 oppGe.ua 10 become
commanders of great armies, with io~sioiIi
ties in sigh! of formi@g empires and ruling
over them, and fewer still who having pos
sessed such tempting opportunities baye
mad the moral courage TO regpoUd TO The
dictates of conscieuce and cast them away
Small SIS is the liss of those who have done
this, there is an American citizen who can
claim the distinguished honor of being nun
bered among them.
The citizen referred to is the famous Con-
federate officer, Colonel John S. Mosby,
whose deeds OF vaor ore registered 10 the
history of buudfed battles OF the civil war.
Firm as must have been the courage which
ewayed him in The many bloody campaigns
be has seen, it was e. nothing III comparison
with the forttude which he called 20 his aid
when ne refused an offer from Ii Hung
Chang, the Bismarck Of China, to take com
mand OF the armies of that great empire in
its war with France. The circumstance #
Colonel Mosby's refusal to guide the desii
niea of the Flowery Kingdoms army 10 the
field during the conflict OF over decade
ago, forms hitherto unwritten page in the
show how warm ia the feeling in the hearts
of Americans for the country which gave
birth to Lafayette.
It was not without great amount Of diff.
Guilty that Chronicle reporter succeeded in
tervieW on the subject, but his scruples
against allowing his name TO appear were
finally overcome, and the story OF how he
declined an opportunity to become the head
of one OF the greatest armies on earth
is now for the first time given to the world.
"Yes, it is true that once declined an
offer to take command of he Chinese army"
said the old warrior as he settled back in
his easy chair, land this is how it hap
pened
'sIn the month OF December, 1884, while
I was Consul for the United States at Hong
kong, war was raging in Tonquin between
the republic of France and the empire of
| China. l remember was standing at Ped
dais wharf, at the Prage, ooe day, when q
passenger came to me from the American
house of Russell & Co.. telling me that they
wanted 10 zee me ON important business.
Russell g. Co. were at that time the con.
fidential agents of Ii Hung Chang, Vicsroy
of China. Never dreaming for what pur.
pose l was summoned, | proceeded mme-
diately to their office, and was handed q
translation of q cipher dispatch ofwhich this
is copy"
Colonel Mosby hels handed the reporter
the following copy OF telegram which was
sent 10 Russeli & Co. at. HonGkong, by
Wheeler, agent of the Viceroy at Shanghai: :
FROM WHEELER, SHANGHAI,
December IL, 1854.
Sound Consul Mosby il no would enter Chinese
Government service against trench. Gould he
90 or send to the United States and engage sever
al hundred officers and men of good fighting re-
cord for our war? Get them out quietly and form
foreign force, cavalry or infantry. Command
them himself or get frst-clas5 fighting General
of war experience 70 command. he will know
many good Southern men Regular army oflcers
cannot we'll come Get his views of what may be
done, and whether good work may be expected
from such force Enjoin secrecy.
"You may we'll believe that [ was stun
ned by the proposition" continued Colonel
Mosby. Although pressed to do so, [
would not give an immediate answer, but
told them would consider the proposition
aud give them my uitimatum next day
Then l went home and slept on the offer.
ut was fearful temptation. Cleveland
had lust been elected President, a fact which
indicated my early recall to this country.
Visions of barbaric riches, splendor and
glory disturbed my slumbers, and dream
ed of PLAYING the roles in China assumed by
Hastings and Give. in India. Grand i'm.
apinings OF forming @ new empire OF the
ruins of the old one foated airiiy through
nv excited brain, and in my delirum /
dreamed that after defeating the French l
might overthrow the Tartar dynasty st
Peking and raise myself to the exalted
position of Dictator OF China.
THAT great power over the destinies of
men, ambition, urged me to accept the oi-
fer, but the still, small voice of conscience
told me to reject it. never had any re-
spect for mere military adventurers. could
not be soldier of fortune. Icould not fight
for gold. 1t is true that l had been col
dier in great war and had gathered some
of the Olympic dust in that grand struggle,
but then was not prompted by any feeling
of self.elevation. l was sustained hy a
strong conviction of duty. do not believe
that Stonewall Jackson, who will rank with
Hannibal and Napoleon as one OF the great
captains Of the age, would have made any
reputation fighting for foreign people and
a cause which be could never think was
right. Tnen there is q traditional tie oil
sympathy between Virginians and the peo
ple of France which forbade me drawing my
sword against that country.
"Then l had another reason for declining
to raise nv arm on the side of an Asatic ma
ton against Europeans. You may call it
selfish if you like, but loved the record
had made SO much that I did not care to
cast blemish on it by afixing to my name
the dubious title of adventurer. There is o
certain amount of odium always attached tc
such reputation. You remember Byron;
description of Alp, the Christian renegade
leading an Asiatic horde at the seige of Cor
inth:
He felt how faint and feebly dim
The fame that could accrue to him,
Who cheered the band and waved the sword,
traitor in a turbsned horde