The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-27
COL. MosBY'S LONG LOST HAT
FOUND IN MANHATTAN AND WILL
BE RESTORED AFTER 20 YEARS.

A Coed story or the Cavn war Gsem with
II 20 the MiiItary Museum AT washins-
ton, the Lost Hats Next Destina-
ORANGE. N. j.. Sept. 2e.-After having
lain for fifty years In northern home,
the campaign hat worn by Col John y.
Mosby, the Confederate cavalryman, and
lost by him when he was shot on Dec. Il,
1894, Is about to be returned to its original
owner. For many years II has been in the
possession OF Mrs. David c. Halsted, who
lives at 275 Central Park West. Manhattan.
Recently Mrs Haisted got into COM
munication with John Munson. one OF
Mosby's old troopers, who now lives in
Park street, Orange, abe told him that she
had hat which she believed belonged TO
the noted guerrilla loader. Mr.. Munson
wrote to his old chief and has just received
a reply to the effect that the hat in ques-
ton is undoubtedly the one he lost when
he was shot. Mrs. Halsted had already
said she would return 1t to Mosby and the
latter has authorized Mr.. Munson to get 1t
for him. He has sent word to Mrs. Halsted
that he will present the hat to the military
museum at Washington, where It will be
placed with his old coat, as a relic
There is a good story Of the war con-
nected with this hat. When Col. Moeby
was shot. he and companion, Thomas
Love. were eating supper at the house OF
a farmer named Lake in Farquier county.
Va. A party OF the Thirteenth New York
Cavalry on raiding expedition rode past
the farmhouse, and seeing the horses Of
the two outside, stopped to investigate.
In the sorimmage which followed Col
Mostly was shot through the abdomen
and Love was captured. Mosby, despite
the pain Of his wound, had presence Of
mind enough TO tear of the coat, on which
were the insignia Of his rank, and to throw
1t under couch. Then he fell unconscious.
The Federal soldiers strobe in and capt
ured Love. Turning to the men and women
of the family the Federal officer In COM
mand inquired who the wounded soldier
was.
Lieutenant johnson. SIR" replied one
"Is he alive'' asked the Union officer.
One Of the troopers looking forward said
the man wasn't dead, but In the same breath
and reaching for his pistol. he remarked
that he would be dead Lieutenant soon.
posed and the wounded Confederate's
life was saved. The troopers took Mosby's
boots, spurs. cloak, hat and cape and,
leaving him on the floor. rode away with
Love.
They left the two horses behind and as
soon DIS the troop was out OF sight, Lake
and members OF his family hitched UP an
OK cart and took Mosby to hiding place,
where he lay helpless for two months Love
was locked up in a Union prison and became
the bunkie OF Mr.. Munson, who had been
captured elsewhere. For long time they
mourned their leader as dead.
The night after the scrimmage at the
farmhouse the Union soldiers bivouacked.
While in camp they made a search OF the
clothing they had captured and their rage
knew no bounds when they discovered
from the contents OF the pockets that the
clothing had been worn by no less . per-
sonage than Mosby. the guerrilla, on whose
head price was set which made 1t q great
incentive to any man to capture him.
the trioked soldiers stormed down on the
Lake homestead. only to find that their
quarry had escaped.
In the course Of time the articles OF
Mosby's clothing fell into different hands:
The hat was given to Leut. Col. Nathaniel
Coles, who was in command Of the Thir-
tenth New York Cavalry. He. in turn.
gave it to his niece. Mrs Halsted, in whose
possession 1t has been since.
In his letter to Mr.. Munson Col. Mosby
expresses great happiness IN getting his
hat back. He says he purposes showing
1t to President Roosevelt before he gives
II to the museum. 1t is SLOUGH hat Of the
type nowadays called the rough rider,
and around 1t Is a piece OF gold braid.