The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1902-03-12
The Lexington Dispatch.
Wednesday, March IL, 1902.
War Stories.
The Capture of a Colonel as Related
by the Famous John S. Mosby.

Col. John S. Mosby, he OF partisan
fame in the late civil war, was the
center of interest while at the national
capital few evenings ago. Grouped
about him at the Metropolitan we're
comrades with whom he had shared
the perils of his daring raids. Anec-
dote followed anecdote in rapid sue
cession by members of the circle. at
which the Colonel alternately nodded
and smiled.
well, boys" be remarked, ''before
we disperse to our quarters, I will tell
one story-just one-and it is not
founded on fiction, either. You all
remember the summer of 1854. Early
confronted Sheridan on the Opequan.
Those we're sad days for those who
wore the gray, and Appomattox was
only 3 few months away" The rug
ged lines in the great partisan's fea-
lures relaxed and the stern eyes
moistened.
ssMaior General Lomax command
cd the Confederate cavtlry, and Maj.
General Wesley Merritt the Federal
horse. His ieutenants were such
men as Custer, Tolbert, Gregg and
Buford. The Union cavalry was in
It's highest state of efficiency. Ac-
tivity on both sides was at its highest
tension. It was ride all night and
fight all day. It wae, I think, early
in August that fresh consignment
of horses reached our camp. Among
the lot was a 1.-THE, high-strupg,
three. quarters running bred gray
gelding. Major Tom Msrshall, Of
Fauquier, ran his critical eye over
him as soon as he arrived in the
horse camp, and bought him.
''A few days later Sheridan de-
eided to find out what Early was
doing, and ordered Merritt to make
a reconnaissance up the valley. By
coincidence. merely, Early ordered
counter movement st about the same
hour for the purpose of finding out
what tricks Sheridan was up to. Be-
tween Berry7ille and Winchester the
respective bodies of borsemen met
and there was fight to see if the
several combatants were on their
nettle. It was charge and counter
charge. Saber cut responded TO
saber cut, revolver shot to revolver
shot, while the light artillery sang
deep bass to the refrain of bullets
and the clash of cutlery. For short
space of time the battle ran with an
even flow. Neither side seemed to
gain decided advantage. Finally,
Merritt ordered up Clusters brigade
of Michigan men. Fitz Lees right
flank offered, to all appearance, an
easy mark. Custer placed himself at
the head of his men. From the hill
on which I stood at the side of Tom
Rosser I could plainly see his yellow
curIs lifted by the breeze as he rode
in front, as usual. His hat was in
his hand. At first they came forward
at the trot. Saber scabbsrd ratified
merrily, while the nerves of our men
were being kepted up to concert pitch
as the enemy neared them. Fitz saw
in an instant what was up, and got
his men in shape. "Charge." sounded
the bugle, anu swift and as straight
as an arrow the brave and hardy
riders in gray sped toward the foe.
"Hea7ens It was superb sight.
Suddenly gray ghost shot out from
Lees front ranks, with an officer
tugging hard at the bit. On, on he
sped and literally tore his way into
the Federal cavalry, needless Ct
shouts of 'haltr reckless Of saber cuts
and thrusts. aud fearless Of bullets.
Only when the maddened animal had
reached the extreme rear of the union
line were horse and man brought to
a stand still. Marshall, of course,
was deeply mortified, while his cap
tors thought it the greatest joke Of
L&.. D,,G e,o~o ~,1ok 4bo NTo,on