Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-30
lay GREEK INVASION To SECRET PACT
Co1.J.Mosby,
NOtedRaider
Passes Away

Washington, May 30.-Colonel John
S. Mosby, the most famous confed-
crate raider of the Civil war, died here
today after a long Illness. He was a
native of Virginia and was 50 years
old.
Colonel Mosby's death, his physic-
ians said, was due solely to infrmitie5
OF age and he was conscious and inter-
ested in what was going on about him
until an hour before he passed away.
Until six months ago, when he went
into a sudden decline, he was famil-
lar sight about the streets of the cap
ltal, apparently vigorous despite his
age. He Will be buried at his ances-
trail home at Warrenton, Va, probably
Thursday and some survivors of his
noted command will be his pallbearers.
His death on Memorial day was affect
ing TO many.
1t was said that he never took part
in veterns' reunions because - years
ago when he attended one of his COM
mand at Alexandria, Va, he was so
overcome with emotion he was un-
able TO speak. Sisters, a son, and
daughters survive him.
Colonel Mosby dared death over
fifty years ago when at the head Of
a band of few hundred confederate
raiders he rode up and down the
Shenandoah Valley, capturing out
posts, destroying supply trains, ana
cutting of means of communication.
1t has been estimated that he often
neutralized the force OF over 1900
federals in the valley.
Born in POWhattan county, Va, Dec
s, 1913, and graduated from the Uni
verslty of Nirgiania in 1872. he was
practicing law in Bristol, Va, when
the war broke out and he began his
career in the Confederate army. He
proved his daring with such effect that
he became d scout for Gen ]. L. B.
Stuart and led the celebrated rail
around MCClellan's army on the Chic
ahOmny In Richmond a year later
he recruited an Independent cavalry
troop which became famous as Mos
by's Partisan Rangers. They became
night riders and the terror of the Fed
eTal troops.
Mosby's most brilliant exploit was
the capture of Gen. Stoughton On
d March night in 1863 he, with 80
followers. rode through the Federal
army in Fairfax court house, only Is
miles from Washington, where Gen
StOughtOn was asleep. Although sur
rounded by an army said to have
been 1900 strong, the rangers calm
ly Kidnapped the general, his staff ana
many senTies, and turned them over
TO the Confederate authorities at Cul
pepper without having lost a man.
Gen. Grant once later saved Mosby
from hanging, and two foes Of the bat
tie field became staunch friends. Mos
by stumped the safe of Virginia for
Grant during his presidential cam
paign. and was rewarded with an ap-
pointment as consul at Hong Kong,
post which he held for seven years.
When he returned to the United
States. MOsby called on the surviving
members of his rangers and, to his
establishment, he found that a large
percentage of them had become min
listers. In parting their old colonel
said: We'll, boys, if you fight the
devil like you fought the Yankees
there will be something to record on
Judgment day"
He next became special land agent
for the government in Colorado, and
from 1904 10 1910 he was attorney in
the department of justice. The clos
ing years of his life were spent in
Iecturing and authorship. His home
lay across the Potomac, at WarrentOn,
Va, but he was often seen in Wash
ington, his white hair, and strong Ro-
man features, making him a pictur-
esque figure on the streets or lecture
platform. He had written "Mosby's
war "reminiscences" The Dawn of
the Real South" and "Stuart's Cav
airy Campaign" He was also known
as a Greek scholar.
my military creed" he once de-
Glazed, is this: 1t is better to make
a good run than a bad stand"