Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-21

TO ride. for the mud was as deep as only
Virginia mud can be- but the men piou,
de0 on. mufied up in their cioaks' vi
they saw in the misty distance re"
lights family cleaning through the trees.
The soldiers belonging to Stougntohs
force were soundly sleeping. artillery,
cavalry. and infantry being quartered
about In the citizens houses. Inc 1ehe-
raj was in the centre OF the town' anu
had retired late. having extensiveiy csie
brated at a supper at which there was
liberal supply of champagne. MosDy.
with twenty men, rode slowly into the
town about two hours before dawn, anu
trotting up to the courthouse green .ne
little party divided, some gong 10 Sc
supplies that were procuraole, as wen 90
the horses of the enemy. while MosDy
and two or three of his men rode down
to the headquarters Of the General
No sound was to be heard In the logsy
darkness but the slight splash Vi Tue
horses In the muddy road, ana even haa
anv OF the enemy been awake they woulo
never have dreamed for moment tha'
the guerillas. as they were called, were
calmly riding about In the midst or their
camp' having eluded by strategem the
nickets posted along the line. Mosby anu
his men rode up to the Genereis Souse
and dismounted, the leader boldly KNOCK.
ing at the door. The house was shrouoeo
In darkness and silence. but presently
head was poked out of an upper WINDOW
and a sleepy voice inquired what "~o
wanted. Mosby replied that ne was a
bearer of dispatches for General oloosn
ton The head disappeared, then came
lean ~ light and an officer in uniform
came down the narrow stairs and opened
| tba door. In a moment he found himseii
nrisoner. and was told In low voice
| IN conduct the men to the Generafs room.
The half awake and startled officer was
| too much surprised to resist, especlaily
as there was a long barrel gltterlng just
| before his ewes. so he went upstairs, ac-
| comnanied by Mosby and his compan-
| tons The party walked into the room
In which Stoughton lay calmly slunper-
| ing amid pillows of blankets. and Mospy'
walking up and shaking him. 'oio nm
| 70 get ND. Hearing the name or Mospy
| feintlv IN his dreams, Stoughton sleepily
INQUIRED. Have you got MosbyT sup
nosing Il was one Of his own scouting
nortles come to report the capture OF the
ranger leader but he was scared into
! life when. with a rough shake ana a
/ slam. the Confederate informed him that
"Mosby has got you
sDThere is no use in resisting" remarked
Mosby. coolly, ut means. sir, that you
are INV prisoner. for Stuart's cavalry is
in possession of the place." Knowing IL
fruitless TO struggle against such force'
stoughton arose and dressed hurrieoly'
guarded all the while by the Confederates.
who also secured the rest OF the stan
! officers in the house. Placing tne Gene
raj between two of his men, Mospy re-
turned TO the green, where he met the
| Ii ,hO hopn
ing expedition about the town. on taxing
an account of what had been gathered In
n was found that besides Brigadier-
General Stoughton. they had secured two
captains. thirty other prisoners, together
with their arms, ammunition, and M
ty-eight horses.
The return trip was safely made,
though the party, whose prisoners were
stronger I'm number than their captors,
were fearful that some outcry might NC
made that would awake those of tie
foe who were slumberlng. AS soon as
they were out OF earshot OF the town
thew set out at a brisk pace, and about
dawn passed within 200 yards OF the
Federal fort at Centreville. The grim
mouths of the cannon could be seen
looming up In the dim light, ana one
prisoner. a Captain Barker. OF New
York. here made break Tor nperty'
but was brought back by a timely shot'
Passing beyond the reach or the fortH-
cations, Mosby's men struck out at a
rand pace for their own lines. and were
soon safe from any fear Of interference,
delivering up their prisoners to the Con-
federate authorities.
Another exciting and very remunera'
tive adventure of the Rangers was when
they captured Federal pay train, from
which they secured large amount oil
greenbacks. II was In October, 1854, that
Harry Heaton, one Of the scouts, came
and informed Mosby that there was
fine opening in the Valley or the line o.
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, SO
marty was secured and they set out
across the mountains for Duffield sta
ton. at which place the pay train was
TO pass, reaching the spot just before
il was due DISTINCTIONS were placed
upon the track, so that when the ex
press came dashlng down 1t came to al
abrupt stop.
A guard was placed over the engine
and the Rangers entered the cars. Oh
hoard were two Union paymasters
having in charge the money for thu
troops, the amount reaching A70.~0
which was secured by West Aldridge
one Of Mosby's men. Aldridge prompt!
reported his luck to Mosby. and when tn
full sum was collected it was equal!
: divided out among the men. Mosby re
fusing to accept any share. The pas
, sengers were relieved Of their funds
which went as individual spells. Ther
the cars were set on fire, and the ban'
went back with twenty prisoners ant
: fifteen horses, besides the money ant
! the two paymasters, the latter being
!. sent on to prison. One of the paymaster
\ was a brother TO General Ruggles. nov
o in the War Department.
o Another time train was captures
e near Catlett's station, on what Is nov
o the Southern railroad. Lee was maxim
= his preliminary preparations for M
Gettysburg campaign. Hooker was cover
ing Washington. while Pieasanton
cn..nlrr cnrns WAS stationed on U