Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-29
COLONEL MOSBY
Correspondence Madison Indians) Courier
Sar E-oDc;coo Auo O

At a luncheon given by Mr. J. J.
Valentine, president of the Wells Far
go Express Company, l met Colonel
Mostly. the Confederate guerrilla lead
er in the Shenandoah Valley. When
introduced l asked him if he was the
Colonel Mostly we heard so much OF in
the civil war. In reply he said Eyes,
but the war was decidedly uncivil." "
Learning l was from Indiana he told
me the following interesting story,
which l will give as nearly as possible,
in his own words:
During one of the valley campsi igns
about dusk one day in autumn, went
ou. with private of my command on
reconnaissance. Skirting the edge of
curve in order to keep as much as
possible out of sight, We saw approach
ing two Yankee soldiers on horseback.
They had evidently been out on 8
soraging expedition for each one had q
huge roll of fodder and hay tied up be-
fore him on the shoulders and neck Of
mis- horse. Being thus at diss dyan-
tage my private and had covered them
with our guns before they could posi-.
bly, bring theirs into action. Forced
thus to surrender l found they
were memte ers of tie Third In.
diana cavalry, Col. Chapman com,
nanding. They were both big strap
ping f. / ows with honest faces, and 50
instead otlaklng their arms away, l
placed them on parole of honor that
they would go with me peaceably to
my camp. I sent my private soldier
ahead with orders while personally
conducted my prisoners. On the way
we passed farm house and finding
that my captives had some coffee and
bacon with them, l proposed that we
turn 10 and ask the farmers wife to
get us supper. This idea met with
hearty affirmative response from my
companions, who were quite rs hungry
as l. The supper was duly prepared,
and thanks to the larder OF my prison
ers, had the best coffee and bacon l
had eaten in long time. During the
meal told my captives who was. At
one time during the meal, or on the
march, these men could easily have
killed me or taken me prisoner with
them back to their lines. But | had
not the least fear. They were two of
the most honorable men l have ever
met. delivered them to the proper
officers in my camp, and they were sent
on to Richmond. Unfortunately l do
not remember their names, but | would
90 a long distance to see these two
brave and honest men again."
told the colonel that | was born and
brought up in neighborhood that turn-
ished many members of the gallant
Third Indiana cavalry, and that l
might perhaps help him to 6nd some
traces of his two companions of that
memorable night.
Perhaps some OF the survivors of the
regiment may know something of this
incident and help the Confederate COM
mander to hear something OF those un-
fortunate forager5-.ss faithful to their
word OF honor as to their flag. Colonel
Mosby is now employed in the law de-
partment of the Southern Pacific Rsl.-
road in San Francisco.
Any survivor of this regiment who
sees this story snd happens to know
something about his two comrades who
figured in it, will receive the hearty
thanks of Col. Mosby by sending him
line to the above address.
Colonel Mosby is small, nervous
man with twiukling right eye. E4
Gaping the dangers OF buodred
skirmishes, it was his misfortune TO
lose mis- left eye few years ago from
an accident while driving. He regrets
that the President could not accept bis
services, which were rendered, during
the late war. He voted for Mckinley
and business prosperity at the last
Presidential election.
H. ". WILEY.