The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-28
COLONEL MOSBY
GETS LOST HAT
Presented to Him by Mrs.
David Halstead.
He RECOLLECTS INCIDENT
Appearance of Aged Chieftain Who Is
Special Attorney for the In
terror Department.

BY express this morning. Col. John
S. MOsby. the famous Confederate raid
er. and now special attorney for the In
terror Department. received from Ms.
David g. Halstead, a New York woman.
the hat ne lost when shot down and
seriously wounded in next to the last
year of the war.
Il was shot. and lost it as stated"
answered Colonel Mosby. when asked
concerning tho matter today.
Colonel Mosby. at seventy-two. looks
the part of the character he played in
the bloody game of 1916. If ever hu-
man face suggested the eagle, it is that
Of the former cavalry leader. He Is
just little stout. about medium height
with hair which, though bristling and
scanty, is pure white.
Grim Mouth, Heavy Chin.
His grim mouth and powerful chin tell
Of determination seldom equaled.
Deeu lines scar his face One eye was
lost in his fighting days, but the other
is piercing.
1t seems TO looI. clear through the
person he scrutinizes. His voice is still
ringing il was when, with fifteen men.
he held up the Baltimore and Ohio train
and escaped with $4,000.
X Street northwest. Ii is here he spends
his time when in Washington. Today
he was as reticent as ever concerning
his historic exploits.
Recalls the Incident.
Il remember the loss of the hat" he
said. "as we'll as though it had taken
place only yesterday. II was on the
night OF December q, 1861, and the night
was one of the worst of the war. 1t was
raining. sleeting. and showing. I had
gone into the house Of a man named
Lake for supper / had only one man
I'VE were sitting at table when the
house was surrounded by regiment Of
Federal cavalry. One Of the cavalry
men shot me. firing through the win
Il had just presence of mind enough
TO pull off my cOatF with its insignia
and hide it under q bureau before the
troops entered Then lost conscious
ness
cit seems that the people in the house
told the Federal commander that the
wounded man was a Lieutenant John
TO be dead the troops departed. Mosby
was hurriedly removed and he had not
been out of the house an hour when the
Federals came tearing back, having DIS
covered papers in Johnson s clothes
proving him 20 be MOsDy.
They seized the hat, which was re-
been concealed under the bureau.
viii Give It to Museum.
II shall give the hat 70 the National
Museum. Some time today I will take
it over to the White House. and show
81 to the President. Then il goes to the
museum. The last coat 1 wore in the
war is there now. I loaned il 10 the
museum twenty years ago. This coat IS
the last ] had before the war ended In
fact / had II only month before hos
IiIitics closed
The hat returned to the old warrior
this morning after so long time is Of
the gray. broad-brim kind common I'm
the Southwest. The 3rim is caught w
at one side. and is decorated with az.
ostrich plume.
With the hat came a letter from Mrs.
Halstead expressing her pleasure at be
ing able TO return Colonel MOsby his
property Mrs Halstead explained that
the hat was given her by her father,
Lieut. Col Nathaniel Cole. who COM
manded the troops. the Thirteenth New
York Cavalry. who came so near taking
the famous raider prisoner