The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-05-13
COL. MOSBY.

New YORK Correspondence Chicago
Evening Post: If his recent accident
does not prevent his coming to New
York, probably no man in the pro-
cession eft famous men who will march
along Riverside drive next Tuesday to
Grants tomb will attract more curl
Gus attention then Col. Mosby. It
would be worth while to know his re-
Election then.
Only the other day died the writer
who did more than any historian of
the Civil war to spread the tale of
Mosby's guerilla deeds. l mean Oil
yer Optic. What man of forty does
not recall the boyish emotions stirred
within HIM thirty years ago by Oliver
Optics stories of Tom Somers in the
army? l got my first notions of Col.
Mosby then, and from that source,
and it took twelve years to change it.
To my boyish fancy he was seven feet
high, one eyed, with long, front teeth,
an awful voice, mere awful profani-
ty, and yet more awful THIRST for
blood.
Twelve years later / was polishing
up the handla of the big front door
fo5 a Virginia law frm-and not
doingit very well. One day, in the
absence o. my employer, a rather de-
licate looking, mlld-mannered, soft
voiced man entered the office and
inquired for my employer
On learning of the latter's absence
he laid his card timidly upon the table
and stole away, I picked up the
card-it was Mosby's. The contrast
between the real Mosby and the blood
thirsty giant of my early imaginings
could not have been heightened. It
was mental revolution.
He spent the night at my employers
house; but when the servants arose
before dawn the guest chamber was
empty. Col. Mosby had gone. My
employer said:
"Mosby would rather face battery
in operation than two pretty women
at breakfast"
That was his reputation in 1880.
If be deserved it, he was not the only
ference.
Richmond, (Va.) dispatch, April 25:
Col. John S. Mosby, the guerilla
chieftain in the Confederate service,
had a case of stage fright here and
caused great disappointment to the
members of the Commonwealth club
tonight by his failure to make an
address at the clubs smoker, after he
had accepted ali invitation to do 80
and had come to the beautiful home
of the social organization on West
Franklin street. Its monthly smokers
are delightful occasions in club life,
and it is )nsidered an honor to be
chosen speaker. Col. Mosby, who is
visiting here, was asked to give some
of his "reminiscences, and the an
nouncement of his acceptance drew
very large crowd. Many of Mosby's
men live here and these were especi-
ally anxious to hear their beloved and
daring commander recount his thrill
ing experiences. 1t was also expect
ed that Col Mosby would discuss his
recent letter defending his course in
supporting Gen. Grant for president
in 1872.
Col. Mosby went to the clubhouse
at the appointed time, but he could
not be induced to make his address,
or even to enter the room where the
waiting audience was assembled
When an hour had been spent in try
ing to coax him to respond, the exer-
cises opened. and Joseph Bryan. who
is entertaining Col Mosby. made the
most graceful excuse possible for the
stage fright of his guest. When Mr.
| Bryan concluded there were loud calls
for Mosby, who was in an anteroom,
and he was finally taken by friends
and pulled into the assembly hall. He
hid his face in his hands, and as soon
as the grasp of his friends was releas
ed the fearless fighter of thirty five
years ago dashed out of the door with
out explanation and proceeded to
another part of the building, where be
remained until his host took him
home. The incident caused quite 6
| sensation.