Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-10


the edges Of the pines. he waved MS mana
20 his men, calling to them TO charge
At this moment Mosby blew whistle
that shrill whistle! There was an un-
natural and unearthly stiffness AROUND
us at that noment-a stiffness when
seemed TO creep over our flesh like a chill.
and 10 be seen and felt: when suddenly
out Of this ghostly silence, there came
that shrill warning signal. Ike the nerce'
wild shrek OF the wind rushing through
the trees OF the forest. giving warning
OF the coming storm. Then came the
rafting fire OF the carbineers as they
poured a volley into the advancing COL
umn. which Immediately halted ard hur-
riedly formed to await the onset
with Mosby at the head. Company A
and part OF Company b now charged
sweeping down the pike, scattering the
advance. and coming down the main
body, who stood firm until we were In
their midst. Company c and the other
portion Of Company b now came out on
their flank and rear. At first the Fede-
rails made a hot fight but unable 10
Withstand the impetuosity Of our charge,
they broke and fed in every direction
some down the pike, others over the
fences, and across the fields Their Of
hcers were unable to rally them. The
pike and fields around were strewn with
dead and wounded men and horses; arms,
clothing. etc, were scattered around.
THE Federals lost IL or Is killed and
about q wounded; 70 prisoners and 20
horses were captured. We had only one
man killed"
One Of Mosbys greatest achievements
WAS the capture Of General Stoughton,
from Fairfax Courthouse. Mosby had
been studying the locality for some time.
when chance threw Ames, a deserter from
the Fifth New York Cavalry, into his
command Ames was familiar with the
camp, and supplied the missing links IN
the chain OF Information. II was raining,
and the night was exceedingly dark when
the attempt was made, which greatly
favored the enterprise. Mosby, who had
only twenty-nine men. said nothing 10
any Of them about what he intended to
DO until after they had successfully
passed through 'he enemy's lines. When
he had arrived in the heart OF the Gene
rails camp he disclosed his plans. and
sent them to gather in prisoners and
horses.
Taking FIVE men himself. he went to the
brick house on the outskirts Of the village.
belonging 10 DR.. Gunnell, which he knew
was occupied by General Stoughton. and
thus describes the adventure:
"When We reached 1t, all dismounted,
and l gave a loud knock on the front
door. a head bobbed out from an upper
window. and inquired who was there
Ny answer was, Fifth New York Cav
airy, with a dispatch for General Slough
tom Footsteps were soon heard tripping
down stairs, and the door opened. A man
stood before me with nothing on but his
shirt and drawers. / Immediately seized
hold Of his shirt-collar, and whispered in
his ear who 1 was, and ordered him 10
lead me TO the Generals room. He was
Lieutenant Prentiss. Of the staff. We
went straight upstairs, where Stoushton
was, leaving Welt Hatcher and George
Whitescarver behind TO guard the horses.
When n light was struck we saw lying
on the bed before is the man OF war. He
was buried IN deep sleep and seemed TO
be dreaming in all the fancied security
OF the Turk on the night when Marco
BoZarris with his band burst on his camp
from the forest shades.
There were signs in the room OF having
been revelry in the house that night.
Some uucorked champagne bottles fur
nlshed an explanation Of tho generals
deep sleep. He had been entertaining
number OF ladies from Washington in
style becoming a commanding general
fore our arrival with no suspicion Of the
danger that was lowering over them. The
ladies' had gone TO spend the night at
a citizens house; loud and long / have
been told were the lamentations next
morning when they heard of the mis-
hap that had befallen the gallant young
general. lie had been caught asleep, in
glorlously in bed, and spirited off with
out even bidding them good-by. As the
General was not awakened by the noise
we made in entering the room, / walked
up to his bed and pulled or the covering.
But even this did not arouse him. He
was turned over on his side snoring like
one Of the seven sleepers. With such en-
vironments l could not afford 10 await
his convenience or TO stand on ceremony.
So I just pulled up his shirt and gave
him a spank. Its effect was electric. The
brigadier rose from his pillow and, in an
authoritative Tone inquired the meaning
0f this rude intrusion. He had not realized
that we were not some Of his staff. l
leaned over and said TO him: General
did you ever hear OF MosbyY Yes he
quickly answered, have you caught him.
no 1 said, L am Mosby-he has caught
you
Early the next morning I reached Gull
pepper Courthouse with my captures; one
general two captains, thirty priyates
and ffty-eight horses. ! remember Fllz
Lees look Of surprise when l introduced
his old class-mate 10 him. During the
day Stuart arrived from Fredericksburg
/ met him at the train. and shall never
forget the delight with which he heard
my story. only two months before we
had parted at his tent when ] started
on TO seek for adventures. lie announced
in nattering terms in general order my
exploit 20 the cavalry. Praise from Stuart
was all the reward / wanted"
The life was not without its humorous
as wei as its exciting side. Among the
characters" IN The battalion was one
Robert vs.. Eastman. famllarly known as
Bob Ridley" One day he saw a Fede-
rail- soldier riding along with half OF
sheep before him on his horse. bob
suddenly started from behind a bush
and, presenting his pistol, called on the
man 10 surrender. lie was a Dutchman
and afterwards, in relating the story OF
his capture TO one OF our men. said:
you see, der General he kill a sheep
unit ! pat me half on my horse, INT as
1 wash ride along a man he put pistol In
my face, unit he say: Surrender. you tam
Dutchman! Unit l say, 'Yaas.' INT ne
make me sir up my gun, unit my pistol,
unit my sabre. Den / tells him der gov
eminent sharge me for dem. But he
would take dem lie only laugh at
me-"
on another occasion, the command was
crossing q river in great hurry with a
hatch Of prisoners while the enemy was