Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-22
Mosny's CAPTURE.
only Once Was lie I'm the Grasp o.
Federal Soldiers.
(BaltlmOre Sun }

IfailfnDIe SUM-
DR.. J. G.. Wiltshire. west Madison
street. who was Lieutenant IN Colonel
John s. Mosby's famous command du-
ring the civil war. emphatically denies a
story Of Mosbys capture by Federal
troops which has recently been given
prominence in New York papers. Or.
Wiltshire was almost continually with
Mosby during that chieftsin's exciting
career. and knows as much Of the history
OF Mosby and his men as any other Nv
ing man.
The story ia to the effect that Fede-
raj trooper OF the First Pennsylvania
Cavalry George W. Fink started out
one day in 1851 at the head Of scouting
party in the Shenandoah Valley. The
party surrounded house, so the story
goes. where II was suspected several
Confederatcs were concealed. In one OF
tho upper chambers two officers. "a lieu
tenant, and a captain, We're found lying
under the bed. and were trlumphantiy
dragged forth covered with dust and lint
from the door. In another room third
man. dressed In civilians clothes. but
very evidently connected With the army,
was found and paced under arrest IN
company with the others. Their arms
were taken from them. and under the
guard OF Fink and one companion the
return 20 the camp was begun. ON the
way a thick wood was passed throesh
The man In civilians clothes was llulhs
at the front Of the little party. When
The middle Of the grove was reached ho
wheeled his horse. plunged the rowcis
into It's sides. and dashed OF 90 tho
right. Fink promptly raised his carbine
and fired at the rapidly rotreating FORM.
The horse fell dead. but the rider leaped
free from the animars body and fdn
Ike the traditional whitehead farther
into the woods. The cavalrymen cOuid
not leave the two prisoners who re-
NAMED. and who were watching WIN
breathless interest the fight or theH
comrade. so the journey TO the camp
was continued without chase haVins Dceh
made.
the two officers were turned over TO the
commander. on their way 10 the guard
house they turned 10 Fink ana one OF
,bem said. You may be Interested IN
knowing that the man who got away was
Colonel Nosbv.' Fink was afterwara
known I'm the Federal army as 'the man
who captured Mosby.
There is not a word OF truth In that
story" said DIR. Wiltshire yesterday
so many nonsensical and grouhuies5
tales nave been circulated OF captures
of Mosby that IL is Impossible TO oeny
them an The fact IS the Federals only
had tbeir hands on Alosby once during
his entire career. and then they hauh
sense enough 10 keep him. Inc capture
was made in this way:
"Nfosbv and few OF his men Weio
riding along the road near uppefNilil.e.'
! Va on the evening of December ~ 1913;
! M n time when the country was luil on
| Fofarals Mosby stopped with one or
| two officers az the house OK Lun", ].
lilo for supper. sending most OF MS
men ON while they were az sud-
| The house was suddenly surlouhueu -
| Federal cavalrymen. TWO or lhtee tn,
tered the room and ordered the mint ,
/ 70 surrender Just then a snol ~ ~,
| ,hro,,oh tho window, and Mospy zen 10
~ dr. badly wounded. The bulleI
A., - him I'm the stomach, but was de-
49, a., tbe muscles and passed aiouha
! TO the back. rot,o and his
aorobtor Mrs. skinner. who the wouhu-
! ed man was. but they replied tnae th,s
I d,d NOT know. They asked Mosby' WIZ
| sot5 bo was Lieutenant Johnson OF I"
Nriratni, regiment. Mosby was covering
,.,,i, hts bands the insignia Of rank on
| ia cont While the troopers were ltn-
~, out of the room he took OF ms
| coat and threw 10 under bed. Inc 'r,
| - concluded that he would die OF mo
wound and rode away, leaving nun - "S
on tbe door. Mr.. Lake and some OF MOS
bv's men quickly placed him In an OK
! -e,t and took him away 10 SAFETY.
when the Federals reached Their
camp. it was afterward learned, tney ,. eA-
> ahmed some papers they had taken rom rom
NIosbv. and then discovered the iuSnu.y
If their prisoner. but the bird had noNn.
! This was the only time Mosby was ever
! captured-all stories TO the contrary no..
| wlthstandng II was thought az hist .. va,
his wound was fatal but he soon ieeo''
| nral."