Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-01-18

of United States Paymasters, as
Told 5y Members Of the Command
who We're Present at the Time
Ho,o the Rough Riders collected
Their 0,on Salary.
From, The Baltimore Herald.
The reunion ofthe survivors of the old
Forty third Virginia Cavalry, better
known as Mosby's Command, recently
held in this city, like all other gatherings
of former Confederate soldiers, recalled
incidents of fighting days, and threw new
lights on historical occurances during
those troublesome times.
Though history fairly teens with de-
scriptions, narratives and comments of
the battles, charges and skirmishes of the
Civil War, the stories, when told by those
who were in the thick of the fight, have
an additional interest, not only to those
veterans who participated in the armies
of either side, but are entertaining to the
younger generation who are fond of tales
of deeds of bravery and the adventures of
soldiers in the field. There was dash
and absolute fearlessuess about these
rough riders under the leadership of Col.
John S, Mostly that gave touch of ro-
nance to much that they did when the
famous command was in the saddle. The
reunion held in this city occurred on the
33d anniversary of the "Greenback raid"
and an interesting coincidence was the
presence of the leading spirits in this at
tack on a train and the capture of Federal
paymasters.
A few nights ago several of these for
mer Mosby men met informally at the
horne of DR.. J. G. Wiltshire, West Madi-
son street and talked interestingly of old
campaigns, relating in detail the story of
the historic raid near DufIield's Depot,
w. Va In the party were Lieut.. Charles
e. Grogan, of Baltimore, one of the brav-
est aud coolest men of the command; J.
West Aldrich, of Orkney Springs, Va,
who was always formost in all of the cav
alry's undertakings, and DIR. Wiltshire,
who was one of Mosby's best and nerviest
scouts. These gentlemen were all in the
raid, and the following account is made
up from their stories of the memorable in
cidcnt
The "greenback raid" took place OH
October a. 1864. Information had reach
cd Col Mosby that a train carrying -
United States paymasters had left Wash
ington, with an immense amount of mo.
ney to pay off the soldiers of Sheridan's
army. Mosby's men received no salary,
and consequently the opportunity of get
ting into so much of Uncle Sans money
aroused considerable enthusiasm. This
train, however, passed through in safety
before the command could reach the-rail-
road, but the same fate which had carried
these through had left still another chance
for the rough riders. Two paymaster3
had missed the first train, and had to fol-
low on the next. 1t was this train the
Mosby men met.
a detail of about 65 or 20 of the best
men in the battalion were detailed for the
raid, and the leader, Colonel Mosby, was
in command. Dr. Jas. c. Wiltshire, n
native of Jefferson county, to whom
the Valley of Virginia and the sur
rounding country were as an open book,
was the guide, and capital place for
such capture was picked out. 1t was
between DufEields Depot and Kearneys-
town, in the vicinity of Martinsburg.-
The ride was made under cover of night,
and the point chosen for the attack on the
train was in cut. Strange enough, this
vicinity was the same place where de-
tachment in command of Major Adolphus
z. Richards had failed on similar mis-
sion. The second raid was skilfuIly con-
Quoted, and it was eminently successful.
The men hitched their horses to the
trees nearby and the greater number
stretched out before the campfires TO
await the coming of the train. A detail
of about 90 men WAS sent to the railroad
track to arrange such details as would
make the stopping of the train at that
point an absolute necessity. One of the
party was sent in search of crowbar.-
He returned, however, without the impIe.
ment, and the plan of pulling up the rails
had to be abandoned. LieutenantGrogan,
however, suggested that the entire track
be raised. Strong fence rails were secur-
ed, and the men soon had one side of the
track raised some distance above the level
of the roadbed. This done, the detail
joined the others, aud the party slept and
waited, while the horses fumed and pull
ed at their brides in the clump of trees
near the cut
Colonel Mosby was stretched out on the
ground sleeping with his body across the
legs Of West Aldrich. Presently the
heavy stiffness of the country at night
time was broken by distant rumble,
which grew louder and louder each mo.
ment. Then came grinding noise as the
iron wheels struck the broken track, and
then an awful crash as the locomotive
tumbled over In moment there was Il
scramble among the soldiers. Mosby was
on his feet giving orders. Men boarded
the train and began searching through
the cars, white guards took their positions
at each door.
Mr.. Aldrich had gone through one car
and had got everybody out, when he no