Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-01-16
REUNION OF MOSBY'S COMMAND.

surviving members of Colonel John S
Mosby's command took place to-day
f, in Odd Fellows Hall. 1t was joyou;
occasion, one of the most pleasant ever
witnessed in this city, some meeting
: face to face who had had probably no SO
cial intercourse for third of centur,
waen as one common baud they exer
cised their vigils over the Army of the
Potomac and. harrassed it day anC
night. They had met to form an or
ganization and recount their expert
ences in the four years. war between
the States. They are no longer the
young and hardy band which caused
so many stampedes among the federals
so many panics in army and sutlel
trains and were such chronic menace
to railroading in those days. Their hair
and former uniforms are of the same
hue and instead of the ardor of youth
they bear the beaming countenanoes
Indicative of the conservatism which
accompanies the period Of middle age
or the evening of life. Col. Mosby was
there with his forid countenance and
with the same penetrating eye of yore,
but with locks whitened by the SHOWS OF
many winters, conversing in the pleas
ant and measured tones of by-gone
days, shaking hands heartily with
everybody and with traces of the
same martial spirit whicA has
rendered him and his famous
band immortal. What con-
trast between Mosby's men as they are
and the fanciful description given of
them in northern prints during the
war; The writer remembers seeing a
book at that period purporting to be a
History of Mosby's Command"
which emanated from northern pub
fishing house. The frontispiece repre-
sented band of men who would have
compared unfavorably with the forty
thieves, around q camp fire playing
cards. A jug of whisky stood beside
them and few feet away the mutilat-
ed bodies of several union soldiers lay.
The head of one had been cut of, the
hands of another had been amputated
and bayonet had been driven through
the body of another. How different
the true picture! Assembled to-day
was band of genial souls, the higher
types of the soldier and the gentle
man, who, like their former command
er, exhibited Unborn gentleness and
good-feeling.
The ex-members, now that the dove
of peace is lowering DER united coun-
try, and the sword has been beaten in
to pillow share and the spear into a
pruning hook, are following different
Notwithstanding them being farmers,
physicians, lawyers, artisans and minis
tiers of the gospel Zone being presid-
ing elder.
There was but one unpleasant feat
ure in the entire affair-the clerk of
the weather had not been propitiated-
and dismal clouds from which rain &C.
casionally fell drifted lazily overhead.
About eleven o'clock those left of the
original four hundred-not more than
oue-fourth-were in Odd Fellows Hall
shaking hands and recounting reminis-
censes of long ago. Col. Cab. Maddox
entered and temporarily broke up all
conversation, all present running to
greet him and for few minutes reg
ular ovation was rendered him. Col.
Robt. Beverly was also heartily greeted.
Mr.. Morgan Davis, of this city, greeted
Messrs. Frank Lane, of Fairfax, and
Thomas Lake, of Loudoun, to whom
he was handcufled in Fort Warren
while prisoner Of war. The trio were
part of $50 men sent from the old Cap
itol prison to the fort. Mr.. Americas
Davis, formerly of this city, was also
among the prisoners. Numbers of pa
roles, discharges and other mementoes
of war times were exhibited.
When Col. Mosby and the other Off
GERS of the command entered the room
about 12:l5 o'clock, they were greeted
by the original rebel yell, which has to
be heard to be appreciated, and which
is never forgotten. The colonel was
accompanied by Lieut.-Col. w. II.
Chapman and Major Dolly Richards.
After the cheering had ceased the band
struck up the inspiring strains of "Auld
Lang Syne," followed by "My Mary
land" in honor of the distinguished
members from that State who were
present. "Dixie" was next dis
coursed, which brought forth another
and prolonged yell. 1t was some
time before Colonel Mosby could
reach the rostrum, every one pressing
forward to greet him, and numbers
hugging him. The band in the mean
time played "The Bonny Blue Flag, !"
Down on the Suawanee River" can
ME Laurie" etc. 1t was some time be-
fore an organization could be perfected,
and cigars were distributed to all pres
emit. Among the Alexandrians present
who were in the command were Messrs.
l.. Morgan Davis, John G. Beckham,
Thomas Sillicks, J. W. Hammond, E.
III. O'Brien, Thomas Moss, John w.
Turner, Lewis Young, Fountain Beat
ty, F. M, Angelo. Benoi F. Nails ard
Newton FAINT, the latter having had
charge of horses and performing other
duties in camp.
The assemblage was called to order
by Capt K. Kemper, who said he de-
sired every member of the command to
come forward and sign his name, with
that of his company and his present
postoffice address. This occupied con.
siderable time, lis ex-members adj
vancing to the desk and complying
with the request. The following are
some of the names of those present
CIV Dean, B. F. Nails, s. E. Rogers J. F
Faulkner Capt G. Baylor, J. M. Ri1ey, Z. P
Buckner, S. Crosen, h. C Maddox, ]. E. Pick.
cit. ]. w. Bell, Maj. D. Richards, Lieut.. F. H
Bahm d. l.. Smith, J. K. Kerrick, W. F.
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