The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-22

-tDa and Eis Band Ectcred tbs Union
@ mp and csp.u-e the Commander.
The reunion Of Mosby's Rangers,
which took p!ace last week IN Balti.
more, recalls most wildly the stirring
times ef war, when these same nen
were rot the peaceful citjzsns Of to
day, but the much.fearsd bold spirits
that spent their days snd nights in
harrassiDg the boys that Uncle Sam
sent out to csptUre them. It is long
time stree the lsds in ersy hs6 beer
in fight; many OF those who bsd
beeo boon companions are row sleep-
ing un6isturoed by the sou5d ofs:rife,
snd over the hesds Of all Fatner Time
had cast frost that, while it silveTe6
the hair, tcuchet rot the heart oi
those who met around the 1estal board
to talk Of the adventures CT the dsys
of old.
The band kncvn SIS the MoSby Ran
gers was in isct the Forty third Vir-
ginis Battsliop, s regularly orgsnized
troop, in which the officers were com
missioned and under the personal su
pe-vision of Mosby, WHO was subordi-
nate to Gen. Lee, Just SIS were the
other officers OF the Confederate army.
These ran gers, however, were gather
ed for species OF wsrfare which, be-
ing exercised in sn Independent way,
was the means CT harsssiDg tie enemy
and of keeping the large srmies oi the
Union constantly on the alert. As 8
line is only SIS stro2g as it weakest
point it sometimes took several thous-
and federal troops to guard 3 road or
communications, when they were in
truth mensceG by oD]y few hundred
The rangers, who were com posed Of
the young men of the stale, received
no compensation from the Confeder
ate government for their services,
other than tha spoils OF war taken By
their own efforts from the enemy.
Many Of the soldiers we're but boys.
some scarcely cut Of school. but tbs
flower of the South could be found in
thsir ranks, while for daring and ab
solute fearlessness they had no equal.
That part of Virginia which IS in
cluded in Fauquier and Fairfax coun
ties b came known as Mosby's Con
federacy, and in 8 short time wss
practically under the control of bis
men. Ceaseless were the skirDisheS
which took place, the thrilling aoven-
lures and hair breadth escapes they
encountered, but none perhaps are as
remarkable as the STAIR in which
they went boldly into the center of 8
Urion camp and took out from is
midst 8 slumbering general, escaping
with their prey under the very f-own
OF the guns in the Federal forts.
This adventure occurred IN March,
1868, just after tie battle OF Chancel
lorsville, ana about the time that Lee
had begun to marshal bis forces for
an intended Invasion OF the North.
Brigadier General Stoughton and
large force were encanped at the lit
tie village of Fairfax, which IS the
county seat of the vicinity, and num-
bers few hundred inha abitants. The
men Of the force we're quactered about
the place, while the general had his
headquarters, with his staff, at the
brick house Which is now used SIS the
rectory for the Episcopal clergyman
Of the town. This residence is large
one, standing in the midst OF q lot Of
goodly size, just about 100 yards from
the main road, and the front room in
the second story WAS occupied by the
coRmanding general.
The night selected by the rangers
was cold, drizzling one, and they set
out on their journey from their start
ing point, which was several miles
outside tie enemy's line about the
town, at near midnight. The lines OF
the Federals extended IN every drec-
zion about the country, some of the
SUnion forces being at CentervilIe, s
iny hamlet SIX miles from Fairfax.
In order 10 escape the pickets the ran
gers made 6etcur, and striking off
rom the main road on which they
swere travelling managed to approsch
the town in such way that the Fed
erals could not but suppose the troop
was part of their own force. The road
was anything but pleasant one to
ride, for the mud was d.ep as only
Virginia mud can be, but the men
plcdded on, muffed in their cloaSs
till they saw ia the misty distance a
few lights family cleaning through
the trees.
The soldiers belonging to Stought-
op's force were soundly sleeping, ar
tilIery, cavalry and Infantry being
ouarterea aboutin the citizens hops,s.
The general was in the center Of tee
town, and had retired late, having ex
tepsiyely celebrated st supper st
champagne Mosby, with twenty
men, rode slowly into TIE town about
two hours before dawn, and trotjng
up to the ccurshcuse green the little
party divided, some going to get sup
plies that were prccureabie, as we'll as
the horses OF the enemy, while Mosby
and two or three Of his MN rode
down to the headquarters Of the gen
eral.
No sound was 10 be heard in the
fog gy darkEess but the slight splash
Of lhe horses IN the muddy road, and
even had any Of The enemy been
awake they would never have Or am
ed for a momeIt tbat the gueriIlss, as
they we,e call, d, were calmly riding
acout IN the midst OF their camp, hav
ing eluded by s:ratsgem the p;ckets
posted along the line. Mcsbv and bis
men roce up to tie generals house
ard dismoua;ed, the leader boldly
knocking al the door. TIE house vas
shrcude6 in darkness and silence, bU'
presently heed was poked cut Of an
upper window and sles py voice in
oulred what wss wan: ed. M2sby re
piled that be was a bearer Ct dispatch
es for Gen. Stcughto0. The head dis
appeared, then came giesm cf light,
snd an officer il uniform, came down
the narrow stairs and oper ed Inc doc r
In moment he found himself pris
oner, and was told IN s. low voice 10