Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-10
up to Mosby. and. extending his land.

ed up to Mosby. and. extending his hand,
said:
How are you. Major?"
How are your" said Mostly. looking up,
thrusiiug his hands into his pockets, aId
surveying him from head TO foot.
Il came here 10 join you, Major"
Where are you from?"
II belonged 10 Mcneil"
what are you doing hereg' said Mostly.
want TO join your command At the
same time the young man mentioned
something about a transfer OF fufioush'
Where's your paperY' said Mo5oy'
Let me see it."
1t was handed him. and. looking at the
date. he raised his eyes, saying:
where have you been all this timer
lie said he had been getting horses
and that he had several.
Il don't want you" said Mosby. GO
back 10 your command. and don't tell
people you are one OF Mosby's men-that
you belong 10 my command. / heard you
robbed a Yankee deserter OF $50. l don't
want you with me-"
Il never did such a thing" Said the
man.
Don't you live at smithsY
Eyes"
"Tnen. you are the man. / don't want
you" and, tearing up the paper. Mosby
turned his back and walked away.
"Mosby's men," when not on duty, we're
mostly scattered through the counties OF
Loudoun and Fauquier There were rev
indeed. even among the poorest noun
taineers, who would refuse shelter ard
food to Mosby's rangers.
Having no camps. they made their
homes at the farm-houscs, especially
~ III IL IHnnff an
mountains. Certain places would be
designated at which 20 meet. but il no
time or place had been named at
former meeting, or. II necessary 10 have
the command together before "a time APP
pointed. couriers were dispatched through
the country. and the men thus notified.
Scouts were out at all times In Fairfax
or along the Potomac, or Ia the Shenan-
dOah Valley. Whenever an opening was
seen for successful operations couriers
were sent from headquarters and in
few hours a number Of well-mounted and
equipped men were at prescribed rem
devious ready TO surprise a picket, cap
ture n train, or attack d camp or body OF
cavalry. After a raid the men scattered,
and 10 the Federal cavalry In pursuit 1t
was like chasing a Will-o-the Wisp.
People who had pictured Mosby as a
terrible brigand chief were surprised when
they came face TO face with him to find
rather slender but wiry-lOoking young
man, Of medium height. with light hair,
keen, restless eyes, and a pleasant express
sion. In manner ne was plain and unas-
suming Cool in danger, quick TO think
and practical In carrying out his ideas
qualities which aided materially in his
success.
There was rich vein OF humor running
through his nature so close 10 the surface
that II required but little digging to reach
il, and no school-boy ever enjoyed a bit OF
fun with keener relish than Mosby. Some
times, when on the march, We would turn
into the woods and stop 10 rest the tired
horses. On such occasions MOSby would
often call on John Sinclair 10 describe the
capture Of a suffers train. Sinclair was a
clever actor. and could not only suit the
action 10 the word. but possessed suiii-
cient power Of mimlcry to show on the
little peculiarlties Of the different suffers
I'm their fright and their vain attempts to
escape.
Mosby would walk up TO Sinclair with
a smile and say: "How was il. john
Let's have it about those suffers" Then
Sinclair would proceed, throwing his arms
wildly about and illustrating the alarm
and excitement OF the suffers; would tell
how a big wagon would stop in the road
while a little twc-horse wagon came
rushing down; then the war OF words:
Drive on What are you stopping up
the road for?" what in the hell are
you aboutg" There now, you've broke
my tongue." Don't run into my waeon!'
Don't you run your mules into my
wagon" you've run your mules through
miner Now, we're all tangled up one
old fellow comes along squirting and lash
ing up his horses-"There they GOMEZ
'Tain't no use TO rum They've got us allt'
He would picture the scene so naturally
that Mosby and all around would roar
with laughter, making the old woods
ring.
Naturally. with the steady and con
slant advance Of the Federals there was
plenty OF work for Mosby's men TO do,
and during the two years OF their OK
lstence as q corps their record Is one
long series Of sNrmishes ana fights. all,
however, very similar in their nature
a typical one was the fight Of February
%. 1863. when Mosby learned that a scout
ing party composed Of 80 OF the Second
Massachusetts Cavalry and a platoon Of
the Sixteenth New York Cavalry. under
the command OF Captain ]. Sewell Read.
were at Rector's Cross Roads.
Early in the morning his command was
moved out 10 the pike and halted ncar
Ankers shop, about two miles below
Dranesville, to await the coming Of the
enemy. short distance in their rear the
road forked, and as It was uncertain
whether the Federals would follow the
pike or take the country road. Walter
Whaley was sent TO watch their move
ments.
After all arrangements had been made,
Mosby said: Men. the Yankees are
coming, and II is very likely we viii have
n very hard fight. When you are ordered
to charge, I want you 10 90 right through
them. Reserve your fire until you get
close enough 20 see what you are shoot
ing at, and then let every shot tell"
VERY soon," says Mr.. williamson. ''the
Federal cavalry was seen moving slowly
down the pike two vdcttes riding about
200 yards ahead OF all, then the advance
Of about twenty men. and lastly tine main
body. The yidettes had passed by with
out noticing US, and, coming upon our
pIckets, who had been placed ON a hin
in fun view Of the turnpike. one Of them
raised carbine and fired; then, turning
around and seeing our men, formed along
Il p n