The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-17
RECEPTION TO THEIR COMMANDER.
Dolly Richardson, "Old Bob Ridley and
Othr familiar FdcS There.
SENATOR DANIEL AND GEN. GORDON.
Tbs Gathering at Alexandria Yesterday
of the Famous Confederate Partisnns.
The Survivors Organize "mosby"
Camp Election of 0fhcers


Nature could not have fashioned more
gloomy day for the reunion Of Mosby's
command than that which dawned upon
Alexandra This morning. The heavens
were dismal with lowering leaden clouds,
and the raindrops polted down through
the heavy mlsts that rolled up from the
Potomac and shroudod the streets of the
city. There had been some apprehension
that the inclemeut weather would re-
strait many Of the old command who
live within a few hours ride OF this city;
but before noon the Odd-FelloWs' Hall
was crowded with veterans, some in the
old Confederate gray, bat mostly in the
gdrb of the everyday farmers and busi-
ness men. as they are. Colonel John $.
Nusby with Aeutenant-Colone William
IL Chapman, were soon In the hall, ana
the command mingled In groups about the
hall. The old comrades preserved no
rules Of order but gathered In little knots
about the floor, while peal after peal OF
laughter indicated the recital OF reminis-
Cences and the repetition Of jokes and
stories from the blessed treasury OF their
individual memories, the only legacies
left many of them at the close Of the
surrender.
The history OF Colonel John S. Mosby
and his command which WIS regularly
organized as the FOrty-third Virginia Bat
talon. IS as familiar 10 every reader OF
the history OF the civil war as that OF
any other officer or any other troops
For the first two years Of the war Colonel
Nlosby was first a private under General
w. h. Jones enlisting from Abingdon
Va, except for the last two months Of
those two years. when he served as ad-
jutaut Of the First Virginia Cavalry.
TIM RANGERS ORGANIZED.
In the spring of 1863 Colonel Mosby or
eanlzed his command receiving about If
teen 10 twenty men from General }. h.
T. stuart. Ehis was the nucleus around
which the great partisan rangers gather
ed. the humble beginning Of a command
whose meteOric manoeuVres surprised the
world and confounded their foes.
Slowly the command grew. The bril-
lancy Of its deeds anf the wonder Of its
exploits spread all OYER the State, and
from time to time men rallied 10 its
ranks whose spirits were born for dan
gers hour. and who were happiest when
their heads rested upon the swords their
fcvered hands must clasp in waking.
The story of Mosby's command is not
new to any man, ana yet there is always
more 10 be TecOunted of the great
achievements of his valiant band.
THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT.
Of course, Colonel John :. Mosby wac
The central figure about which the groups
gathered. but many OF his lustrious fol-
lowers shared with him the hOnors of
the day.
Lieutenant-Colone William II. Chap
man. who IS now special revenue agent
Of the Government In Georgia, was busy
all the afternoon greeting his old com
rades
Dolly Richardson, of Louisville, the vail
ant major who met and defeated Blazer
with his one hundred picked men, who
had come 10 demOlish MOsby i'm the VAL
ley. was also sought by his former
friends. and kept busy renewing old at
qualutances.
Sam. Underwood, of Fairfax whose
daring deeds have thrilled the hearts OF
his associates around many a campfire.
and Charlie Dear, of Rappahanuock.
whose RAID upon the greenbaCks In the
Federal pay car, and which wete subse-
uuently equally divided among his com
rades. We're also constantly kept repeat
ing the stories Of their triumphs ana
haTdships.
Billings Steele. Of Annapolis. Nd, who
participated in the wreck of the train
and capture OF his own brother, and
Joseph Bryan, whose youthful valor and
enthusiasm made him one OF Mosbys
favorites. mingled with the boys and re-
tived the stories OF the dark days of
t65