The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-03-10
Another Of Mosby's Men Tells of
That Famous Band

That Famous Band
IE the recent and remarkable rush OF
Southern literature-much OF which
would have a distinctly historical
value ere il not 50 pronouncedly
bsrtissn-Mosby and his men have hg-
tired conspicuously. There have been
many books about them. the FIRST ap-
besring Immediate after the Civil
war. II was by Major John Scott and
Fss & fantastic and. necessarily, I'M
dependable account inasmuch as the
details had been CLEANED from the an
eodotes Of the suerrilias and lacked the
bdelity and coherency OF accounts
written by the men themselves. A re-
rent book by John ". Munson was
tmong the best OF the Mosby works
and did more than any other 10 show
The real awe which Mosby's .'irregu-
lars" inspired in those stirring times
Now comes "Mosby's Men, by John
g. Alexander. q real soldier book, IL
tne was ever written. he says in the
or1t chapter: "Of course. my first OBJ
jet is to entertain you, and I have
suIled from quite a mass OF material
lust those things which I think Will
please you most Al the same time
hope 20 present facts so as TO lead you
10 true conceptions OF my old COM
banions IN arms, and TO vindicste them
from the unjust charges under which
they have rested IN some quarters OF
being q band OF rufhans and des-
beradoeS."
The most perfect picture OF the char
= - 1.af-
operations is IN this chapter. The au-
thor says: For three or four hundred
nen 60 preserve their organic ton for
pears IN an open country within fifty
niles Of their enemy's great capital and
escape capture by the armies which
surrounded them and constantly
traversed their territory: for them to
dispose themselves so as to be at any
given time to ali intents and purposes
~ every point on a circle about them,
and keep forty thousand OF their
enemies back from the front actively
and anxiously engaged in watching
them; all this required pretty lively
equestrian exercise. The most active
among them had several horses apiece,
and their only respite from the saddle
for days and days would be at the
kivouac and short hats in the march.
FIFTY miles 2 day was no unusual ride
ts 81 surprising that men with such
bevere training accomplished such re
suits?
When the men were not under the
command OF an officer with some spe-
tiai detail they were absolutely de-
pendent upon themselves for their sup
blies and their own safety. This taught
them self-reliance. but IL is most sur
brising how true they were to the
trust reposed IN them. for they were
all Youngsters, this author himself but
TIT. -
the men who went toward making UP
the company he says: Altogether IT
was peculiarly adapted material which
Providence sent 10 our brilliant young
leader, and his wonderful genius mani
Tested itself as much in understanding
his men IS in recognizing and rising to
the opportunities which came to him.
Ee knew each man personally, and
seemed 10 read him ct a glance and
ascertain exactly what sort OF fellow
be was and exactly what use TO make Of
bin. He mingled with his men. rode
With them, slept with them and fought
side by side with them. Few members
" the command had a longer list OF
wounds and captures than himself. and
eewez stu perhaps were responsible for
more personal execution. His care
against needlessly exposing them; his
great skill in securing them every pos
bible advantage; his cool. quiet courage
and the almost unNarying success OF
every enterprise which he personally
conducted secured the perfect con-
hdence OF his men. His ready sym
bathy with them, which in hours OF re-
taxation or in times OF suffering re-
kealed his big and tender heart, in
kpired them with an affection for him
which has survived the vicissitudes OF
the years and is no less strong now be-
cause meilowed by the rays OF LIES
setting sun
The most interesting OF the battles
described and characteristic OF the
ruerrillss in action is the Blazer fight
Captain Richard Blazer, distin-
Rushed soldier from West Virginia, un-
Gertook. with the sanction OF General
Eheridan, 20 wipe the Mosby command
Of the map. For q time he seemed on
the road TO accomplishing his object.
but Mosby was annoyed by him and
6nally determined 20 get rid Of him
and almost annihilated Blazers COM
tnsud. The description Of the tactics
employed and the excitement OF the
ngnI is one OF the best chapters in the
book.
Mr.. Alexander has culture and educa-
eion 70 help him in writing this book
and he has told HIS story well.
(Neale Publishing Company New
York. Price So