The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-26
THE DISCUSSION
GROWS INTERESTING
More Letters About Mosby and
His Men in The Posts
Columns.

Quoted through the columns OF the wash
ington Post, grows more interesting. NJ
S. g. Bispham, of Culpeper, writes the
following to the Post:
IT thought the civil war was ended
thirty-seven gears ago. and that the
flower OF the youth of the Soutn, given
to fight tile battles OF this country,
proved that the whole Land was one ma
ton. but the article published In your
issue of the 7th. over the signature OF
T. W. Whitaker. proves that there IS
still an element Of hate In the hearts OF
some who remember that terrible struS-
gle The uncalled-for attack on Mosby 8
men has been ably answered by Com
rades Bryan and Foster, vet as l was
a participant in the fight he mentions, l
hope you, in your known willingness TO
prove the right, will allow me III my
feeble way to say a few words IN 1e-
tense of our gallant and glorious COM
mand, for they were gallant, IN that
there never rode a rruer, Drawer set or
men, and glorious in that no command
ever accomplished as much against as
great odds as they did. for proof OF
which statement refer any one to the
records in the War Department. W.T..
Whitaker. in his efforts to traduce Mos
by's men. has hit upon very unfortu-
campaign In the Valley OF Virginia no
acts stands out more cowardy than the
one in the punishment Of which we were
forced to kill the men he speaks OF. me
history of this instance Is as folloWs-
An officer of our command OF men just
outside the lines Of Sheridan cavalry
TO watch the movements OF scouting
parties when night came on In his eff
fort to obtain information he was COM
PEELED to penetrate the lines of the enc
my, and when he wished to return 20
camp he was forced to kill picket IN
order to escape, and for that killing the
commander of the Federal cavalry sent
out body of men and burned the homes
of four peaceful citizens. Tnese houses
were occupied only by old and defense
less women and small children. This
gang robbed them of everything they
could lay their hands upon, not allow
Ing them to remove from the houses q
thing save the clothes they wore, not
even allowing them to eat their break
fast. About sunrise we discovered the
houses afire.
wANTON BRUTALITY.
Our detachment was ordered to follow
these men. whom we found at the house
OF Mr.. Sewers. The sight Of the distress
OF the ladies and this wanton brutality
fired our hearts to such an extent that
With one accord the men cried. NO
quarter to-day!'' This gang, although
they were fully able to cope with US.
were so loaded down with plumber they
never stopped to see who was coming,
but put spurs to their horses ana strew-
ed the road with their piunder as they
ran It was our wish and we hoped
very much we had destroyed the last
one of them The pockets OF the dead
were found filed with ladies' jeweiry
and trinkets Is it in defense Of such
Mr. Whitaker writes? 1 would remind
him that in these days of peace the
crime OF arson is punished with death.
Could we have done less? Just>now I
would saw that not only were all Of our
men in gray uniforms that day. but IN
the history Of our command no one ever
wore ANYTHING else. would state. how
ever. in this connection that for the last
six months of the war I rode splendid
blooded horse, captured from Jessie
Scout, who was dressed in full uni
form of gray. It is strange that Gen
eral Grant-that great and generous SOL
dier-should have forced the Secretary Of
War. Mr.. Stanton, to withdraw his order
oe arrest against the commander of such
a gang of thieves and murderers. and
should have remained a close personal
friend of his to the dav OF his death 1t
is strange that that gallant officer. Cap
tain Brown. who was sent with the pick
of Sheridan's cavalry to capture our
command. should have exclaimed. when
he was prisoner. Had have had such
boys as see here. you would never have
whipped me-" It is strang, that Major
Forbes. who CALAMITY fought us should
have been to the day of his death
warm personal friend OF Colonel Mosby.
It is strange that such gang OF thieves
and cutthroats should number among its
survivors eight earnest ministers OF the
gospel. These facts. think. will dis
prove any of the filings of the gentle
man. can only say that II he have the
onportrrttv of knowing sone OF these
men. the milk OF human kindness IN him
would Tot be quite 80 sour.
WHITAKER.S CHALLENGE
E. W. Whitaker, who started this as
cussion, prints the following IN the
Post:
u nave reaa the long staremenr. IN
Defense OF Mostly by Joseph Bryan. OF
~ of AUGUST