Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-31
+ Picturesque Leader
Of Southern Caualry
Dead in WASHINGTON

liberty. His fine was RENTED by the
Legislature.
Books were not forgotten during
those troublous days, and when Mosby
| left the Albemarle County jail he was
| an accomplished classical scholar, and
had become proficient in his law
studies. shortly after his graduation
from the University of Virginia. in
1852, he was admitted to practice. and
! settled at Bristol. Va. becoming it's
| first lawyer There he won quite a
, reputation, and had a lucrative prac-
ticc when the War Between the States
started.
| Volunteers were called for, and
| young Mosby was one of the first to
step to the front. He enlisted as a
private in the First Virginia Cavalry
OF which General j. z. B. Stuart was
the colonel. Tho first days drill was
his introduction to military life. and
he received his baptism of fire at the
first battle of Manassas.
LED STUART on
FAMOUS LONG RIDE
Although Mostly had been In SER
vice year, he had given no indica-
| ton of the rema rkable talent that was
about TO develop He was n trusted
| scout. and was assigned to watch the
vancinE on Richmond with his superb
~ organized army. One afternoon he
was sent out to reconnoiter along the
right flank of the Union army He
skirted the moving columns. and then
for eight miles along the rear OF the
lines, Ills active mind saw the pos
sibilities OF bringing cavalry over tho
same route.
Arriving back at camp. Mosby told
Stuart of his plan. It's feasibility was
apparent and Mosby was taken to
General Lee and again told to explain
the proposition. General Lee gave
permission for the attempt, and Stuart,
led by the audacious Mosby, then =
mere trooper. started on the long ride
| The pertlous trip was made without
the loss Of man or horse, and tho
fact that handful OF cavalry had rid
den around the entire Federal army
threw the North into a panic, and tho
South was jubilant. II was this effect
| that was the Keynote of all Mosby's
subsequent success.
ORGANIZED AN
INDEPENDENT COMMAND
For his remarkable exploit, Mosby
was given permission to organize an
independent cavalry command He
crossed the RaDpahannock River into
Northern Virginia and gathered band
OF irreguiars In March of 1853 no
was given the rank OF captain, and
Immediately began to harass the
enemy. although the original purpose
of tho company was for defense only.
1t was not the nature OF Aiosby how
ever, to remain inactive, and he began
making tentative raids. AS his fame
spread through the country districts
the command grew. On the night OF
March 8. Mostly, taking twenty picked
men with him. penetrated right into
the heart of the Federal lines between
Washington and Fredericksburg, en-
tered Fairfax Courthouse under cover
OF darkness, captured General Slough
! ton in the midst of the sleeping army
and carried him safely away. together
with twoscore prisoners. all of whom,
with the kidnapped general. were
ties Mt Culpeper.
Mosby's Partisan Rangers. as they
we're known, became the terror of
the opposing army When not on a
| raid, the rangers scattered for safety,
only to assemble ngain and strike an
other blow. They cut communications
and destroyed supply trains. Num-
hers OF outposts wore captured by the
intrepid eavnlrymen. and the Federals
were forced to strengthen their pick
eta, contract their lines and to use
Continued on Third Pasa)