The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-13

Fifty years ago today Col. John S
Mosby and his Confederate rangers fell
upon one Of Gen. Philip II. Sheridan s
wagon trains in the Shenandoah Valley
near Berryville. stampeded the guard
took 200 prisoners. and made on with
booty that included 600 horses and smules
and 200 head of beef cattle.
| Sheridan, who had taken command In
the valley August 6. had advanced his
forces from the vicinity of Harpers Ferry
10 Cedar Creek, south of Winchester.
His wagons were ordered forward by
way of Berryville because that route was
In the rear OF the army. and therefore
safe from attack by the regular forces
OF the army under Gen. Jubal A. Early,
that was operating in Sheridan's front
But Sheridan did not count on Mosby,
who operated in his rear, as he had done
in the rear cf every Federal army that
had fought in Virginia since early In the
war.
Mosby, on the east side of the Blue
Ridge, had watched the progress of the
Federals as an eagle watches sheep. II
any part Of the force became detached.
he aimed 10 attack il from the rear.
This was his usual method Of warfare.
and he was too well versed in II to fear
failure.
Mosby's ..troke at sheridan's train
showed the great partisan at, his best.
He had gathered a force Of about 800
men at UppervilIe. in Farquier County.
had crossed the Blue Ridge at Smokers
GAP. and had forded the Shenandoah
near Castlemans Ferry in the night,
gaining the rear Of Sheridan's army.
While the Federal wagon train was halt
ed near Ber-y'ville. Mosby. with few
companions, had mingled with the guards
and transfers, had learned the size and
position of the train and the strength of
the guard, and had made his plans for
surprising the rear OF the train at day
light.
The cool manner in which this recon-
noissance was made was highly charac-
teristic Of the Virginia ranger. He wore
no uniform. and his knowledge of men
was sufficient TO carry him among his
enemies without fear OF detection. He
chatted with soldiers and teamsters,
moved about as II at home in the train,
and on leaving slipped into the darkness
without being observed.
Mosbys Richest Prize.
Returning to his command, he put his
rangers into motion, and in the early
morning hours marched swiftly and ST.
flently to a point from which the train
could be attacked.
The train was guarded by about 500
infantry, DuI tnaI maze no ulHeTSnCe 10
Mosby. He counted on stampeding the
guards, when he had found to be 100
days men," little versed in the ways Of
war
Sheridan's train was one of the rich
est prizes for which Mosby had struck
in his three years of service. The en-
tire train embraces 525 wagons, belong
ing TO the trains of the Sixth and Nine
tenth Army Corps, the Army OF West
Virginia and a cavalry division.
The train had left the vicinity OF
Bunker Hill the day before. AS stretched
out on the road it was two and one-half
hours passing a given point Its escort
consisted of three small infantry regi-
ments OF the brigade OF Gen. John r.
KenIy, the Third Maryland and 1+4thi anc
18th Ohio.
The wagons of the various commands
took the road in the order named. Gen.
Kenly rode at the head of the column,
being concerned with getting the train
forward to Winchester without delay.
The rear, consisting OF the wagons of
the Cavalry Reserve Regiment, seventy
FIVE wagons, were in charge Of Lieut.
William Dean of the First United States
Cavalry.
As the train moved out Lieut.. Dean
found that he could not get forage re-
quired to fill a number of wagons set
aside for the purpose. and felt & his