Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-07-30
DISMISSED HERO
WILL WRITE LIFE
Cool. John Mosby Working On
Memoirs of Civil War.
INDIGNANT OVER DISCHARGE

"t'm Not Supersnnusted," He Shouts,
SAs Fire Of Old Ranger" Days
CLEANS in His Eyes-GuerriIla
Leader Is fearful When He Recites
the Story Of His Service in Govern
ment Department.
Washington, July 25.-Liying in
room at 300 Twelfth street northwest,
the furniture of which is three chairs
single ped, scme books, a writing
table, and a little oil stove, On which
he cooks his food is Col John Single
ton Mosby, 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 how he
had been dismissed from the Depart
to himself.
He said he received his discharge
without the slightest warning. and
that Attorney General Wickersham
gave no reason for his action.
He was asked whether he would go
on vacation this summer or not,
and he said:
His Vacation Permanent.
"a vacation? Why, | am On a per.
manent vacation. Attorney General
Wickehsham gave no reason for dis.
missing me. The newspapers said
was superannuated."
A faint tear stole into the eye Of
the brave old man OF seventy-seven.
He stretched himself across his bed,
surveyed his bare room, and the
tears came too fast to be wiped away
with his hand.
81 shall white my memoirs, out of
which | hope to realize something"
and then his voice trembled, for his
proud spirit was Inundated.
His gaze conferred on little bare
pine table on which sat small oil
stove. On the table were few
pieces of toasted bread, and on the
floor under the table stood can OF
coffee.
Another table stood nearby on
which there were writing implements
ard several books. among which was
written blythe colonel some time ago.
Nearby was a single iron bed on
which the old man lay, endeavoring to
keep back the tears.
Before his dismissal from office Col
Mosby lived at 1913 l. street north
~ west, but has been compelled to take
up less desirable quarters in Twelfth
street
After some moments of silence. dur
ing which the old man stared at the
ceiling. he suddenly drew the bed
covering up over his breast and sat
npright
Naere the old fire came to the face
rtof the soldier, as vividly as in the
days when he lowered about Wash
ington with his band of 800 men.
Il have no plans for the future" he
went on, II shall stay in Washington
and work on my booll-at any rate
a history OF the Gettysburg campaig ga,
shah not leave the city, Mono
will take no vacation.
Old, but Still Strong.
They say | am superannuated.
am no such a thing I am as strong
as I ever was. l am old. it is true,
but I am strong, nevertheless"
"Why. when Lee fell back 70 defend
Richmond from Grant" he burst out
Il still lowered about the Potomac
with my band, and kept the Federals
on the lookout all the time. had alb
soutely no support from the Confed-
crate army, l worked with my men
in the enemys country. and kept
them on their toes all the time.
MY present condition Is a part OF
the game-it's war-and | take 1t "a
such. have been up against It dur
ing the war, and did not take II so
seriously 10 heart I shall endeayor
not to do 50 now.
Appointed by Roosevelt.
Col MOsby was appointed TO a posi-
ton in the Department of Justice by
Col. Roosevelt, who liked the daring
old soldier
The colonel was United Sta,es con
sui at Hongkong China from 1873 tc
1885 Then he practiced law in Sau
Francisco until appointed in the De
partment Of Justice.
His home is in Albemarle COUNTY
Va He Is "a graduate OF the Uniyer
sity OF Virginia law school. He has
s.nree sons, one of whom is living il
Washington and the other TWO are il
the North