The Washington herald., 1914-09-15

I hAbitants harbored the rangers. who.
when in danger OF capture scattered
and assumed the role OF peaceful citi-
zens
In mid-September two parties were
riding in search Of Mosby and his me D..
One, from SheridRn's army. consisted OF
100 men from the Third Indiana and the
Eighth New York Cavalry, under col
George II. Chapman. As this force rode
eastward through the Blue Ridge they
were attacked by forty of Mosby's men
in Smokers Gap. The Federals were
ambushed and lost eighteen men taken
prisoners and forty horses. besides sew
eral men killed and wounded. The rang
ers scattered, with a loss Of one killed
and three wounded.
While this fght was in progress an
other Federal party was looking for
Mosby at Aldie Gap, in the Bull Run
Mountains, east OF the Blue Ridge This
consisted OF sixty mounted men and 30
dismounted men Of the Thirteenth New
York Cavalry. who had been sent out
from Fairfax Courthouse under Col
Henry S. Gansevoort.
Ranger Chief Encountered.
At Aldie. on September Il. Col Ganse-
WORT learned that Mosby with a small
party had passed through that village
the day before, going toward Fairfax
Courthouse.
The Federals at once started in pur-
suit, down the Little River pike. On
the night Of September Il, they camped
at Chantilly. few miles from Fairfax
The next morning small parties of scouts
were sent out to scour the surrounding
country.
The weather was wet and the roads
bad. Thsre seemed little prospect Of the
rangers being abroad; yet in the village
OF Fairfax Courthouse it was learned
that Mosby had been there. and had but
recently left, accompanied by only two
men, riding toward CenterviIIe.
The scouts who learned this hurried
back to camp and reported. Col Ganse-
WORT at ance detailed five men TO way
lay Mosby.
The party rode down the pike toward
Germantown. near which they came sud
denly upon three horsemen. advancing
at a brisk pace. The two parties were
upon each other before either saw the
other. swift glance showed the Fed
erals that they were in the presence Of
the redoubtable Mosby He was in full
uniform, and there was no mistaking
the hat he wore. which bore a long
feather plume along the brim.
without waiting a second the five Fed
4AOSDg anu MS TWO COM
panions fired at the same instant. The
horses Of two OF the Federals fell at the
hrst fire, with their riders under them.
The Confederates fired again. and the
other three Federals, believing them
selves ambushed, wheeled into the woods
and fed. As they rode of they retained
an impression Of seeing Col Mosby throw
up his hands as IL in pain.
MOsby wounded I'm Groin,
Mosby had been twice hit. One bullet
had shattered the butt OF his pistol in
his hand without harming him, but a
shot had struck him In the cheek and
another had inflicted a grave wound in
the groin.
BY the exercise Of will power he was
able to remain in the saddle until his
companions could secure d spring waS-
on-the inhabitants were alawys ready
to serve Mosby-and in this he was
driven to the house N a Confederate
oficer at the Plains. Here he lay con-
cealed few days until the roads were
clear for his removal to Lynchburr
Mosby was absent from his command
4 little more than a month. He re-
turned to IT weak and suffering but re-
sumed his activities in the field and
was able to continue his career with
many striking Incidents of dash and
bravery until the end OF the war.
tCopyrieht. IslIl
TOmOrrOw-Rebece wriSht, sher-