The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-24

Living in a room at S06 Twelfth street
northwest. the furniture of which is three
chairs. a single bed. some books, a
writing table, and little oil stove, on
which he cooks his foed. Is Col John
Singleton Mos5y. famous in the annals
of the civil war as leader of the Partisan
Rangers.
The famous old warrior. stern and
strong as in the days of the war; but
with a tear in his eye, told a representa-
tive Of The Washington Herald last night
how he had been dismissed from the De-
partment Of Justice for no reason known
TO himself
He said he received his discharge with
out the slightest warning. and that At
torney General wickersham gave no
reason for his action.
The reporter asked him whether he
would go on a vacation this summer or
not. and he said;
His Vacation Permanent.
x vacation? Why. I am on a perma-
nent vacation. Attorney General Wick
ersham gave no reason for dismissing me
The newspapers said I was superannu-
ated."
a faint tear stole into the eye Of the
brave old man of seventy-seven. He
stretched himself across his bed, sur
veyed his bare room, and the tears came
too fast to be wiped away with his hand.
I shall write my memoirs, out of which
I hope TO realize something" and then his
voice trembled, for his proud spirit was
humIIAted.
His gaze centered on a little bare pine
table on which sat a small oil stove. on
the table were a few pieces OF toasted
bread. and on the floor under the table
stood can Of cohfet
Another table stood nearby on which
there were writing implements and sew
eral books, among which was a history OF
the Gettysburg campaign, written by the
colonel some time ago. Nearby was a
single iron bed on which the old man
lay, endeavoring 10 keep back the tears
Before his dismissal from Office Col.
Mosby lived at 1913 L street northwest.
but has been compelled to take up less
desirable quarters in Twelfth street
After some moments or silence. during
which the old man stared at the ceiling.
he suddenly drew the bed covering up
over his breast and sat upright
Old, but Sun Strong.
They say I am superannuated. I am.
no such thing. I am as strong as
ever was. I am old. 1t is true. but
am strong. nevertheless"
Here the old fire came TO the face OF
the soldier. as vividly as in the days
when he hovered about Washington with
his band of 800 men.
Il have no plans for the future" he
went on, I shall stay in Washington
and work on my book-at any rate 1
shall not leave the city. Mono I will
take no vacation.
why. when Lee fell back to defend
Richmond from Grant, he burst out, "T
stiIl hovered about the Potomac with my
band. and kept the Federals on the look
out ali the time. I had absolutely no
support from the Confederate army.
worked with my men in the enemy's
country. and kept them on their toes all
The time
My present condition is a part of the
game-it's war-and ] take It as such. I
have been up against it during the war.
and did not take it so seriously to heart
I shall endeavor not TO do so now"
Appointed by Roosevelt.
Gel. Mosby was appointed to a position
in the Department OF Justice by Col
Roosevelt, who liked the daring old SOL
der
The colonel was United States consul
at Hongkong, China. from 1878 90 1885
Then he praeticed law in San Francisco
until appointed in the Department of
Justice.
His home is in Albemarle County, Va.
He IS a graduate of the University OF
Virginia law school. He has three sons,
one Of whom is living in Washington
and the other two are in the North.