First it was Rodes's Division of Infantry that caused Custer's retrograde movement and the relinquishment of his boasted Christmas dinner in Lynchburg, then it was cold weather. Rodes was no nearer than Richmond, and the weather about Lynchburg many degrees warmer than either Harrisonburg or Winchester. Geese are sufficiently learned to know this, and do not travel northward in winter. We find the truth of the matter in the following report: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Hon. J. A. SEddon: On the 20th, General Early reported one division of the enemy's cavalry, under General Custer, coming up the Valley, and two divisions, under General Torbert, moving through Chester Gap with four pieces of artillery and thirty wagons. On the 22d Rosser attacked Custer's Division, nine miles. from Harrisonburg, and drove him back, capturing 40 prisoners. This morning Torbert attacked Lomax near Gordonsville, and was repulsed and severely punished. He is retiring, and Lomax preparing to follow. R. E. LEE. It is needless to add that Generals Torbert and Custer returned to Winchester in rather depressed spirits, and they and their commands remained quiet for some months. The loss of that Christmas dinner in Lynchburg was a sore disappointment to them. On the 21st of December, Colonel Mosby was seriously wounded while sitting at the supper-table at the house of Mr. Lake, near Rector's Cross-Roads, by a detachment of the enemy under Major Frazer. He fell from the table to the floor, and though painfully wounded, had presence of mind sufficient to pull off his coat and conceal it, and, when asked by the Federal soldiers for his name, replied, "Lieutenant Johnson, Sixth Virginia Cavalry." They examined his wound, pronounced it mortal, and left him lying on the floor. As soon as the enemy left the house he was taken in an oxcart and carried to a secure retreat, where he remained until he was able to be moved, when he was taken to Charlottes ville. It is very remarkable that his fine mare, with her trappings, was left by the enemy, hitched in front of the house, and was saved. After the enemy had retired some 10 to 15 miles they ascertained from some papers taken from the Colonel's pocket that he was the veritable Mosby, and hastily returned to the house, but the bird had flown, and, as usual, they locked the stable when too late, as will be seen by the following communication: I exceedingly regret that such a blunder was made. I have given directions that all wounded officers and men of the enemy be hereafter brought in, although I thought any officer ought to have brains and common sense enough to do so without an order. W. GAMBLE, Colonel Commanding Brigade. Colonel Mosby recovered, and was back with his command in March following. Notwithstanding the large body of cavalry stationed during the winter at Winchester and vicinity, Company B maintained its position in the neighborhood, and in various sorties and assaults killed, wounded, and captured of the enemy more. than three times its own numbers, besides inflicting other losses on the enemy. CHAPTER XX. I said Fitz James was brave, As ever knight that belted glaive; Kept on its wont and tempered flood. Scott. From the last chapter it will be seen that Company B had little aptitude in monetary affairs, but greater capacity for handling mules than finances. Recognizing our natural abilities, we made another venture in the latter trade. Having rested our horses and ourselves, and received information that the Federal post at Summit Point was engaged in cutting and hauling off the timber of citizens in that vicinity, on the 19th day of December, 1864, with some 20 men, a dash was made among the wood-choppers and haulers about a halfmile west of the station, and without any resistance 20 prisoners were captured and a like number of mules and sets of harness, all in full view of the infantry force of the enemy, which, instead of coming to the rescue of their comrades, took refuge in the block-house near by, and permitted us to ride off unmolested with our booty. The boys had some fun on the retreat, at the expense of one of the prisoners. Several inches of snow covered the ground, and to expedite our march the prisoners were required to ride the captured mules. Among the number was one who gave evidence of strong rebel propensities by refusing to act as war steed for a Yankee, and scarcely had the blue-coat landed across its back when, with a hump and a few broncho jumps, he landed his burden in the snow. The fellow was rather averse to trying the steed again, but a few not very mild persuaders from our boys soon changed his mind, and he was landed on his mule, and again found himself floundering in the snow. The poor fellow now begged heartily to be excused and expressed a decided preference for walking, but his scruples against mule-riding were soon forcibly removed, and he mounted the animal again. This time, with determined resolution, he clinched his feet under the mule's belly, took firm hold of the harness, and successfully resisted every effort of the beast to dislodge him, thus winning the plaudits and commendations of friends and foes. The booty was brought off safely, the prisoners sent South, and the mules apportioned. Christmas week was spent among friends in Jefferson and Loudoun counties, enjoying the hospitality of a generous and patriotic people. On the 27th of December, Charlie Henderson, Willie Mason, and myself spent the night with our friend, Mr. Henry Castleman, a gentleman in whose house every Confederate soldier met a warm welcome and a royal entertainment for those times. Having spent an agreeable night, we were taking leave in the morning, when our host informed us as a profound secret that at 2 P. M. on that day he was invited to dine with some neighbors and friends at Mr. R. H. Butcher's (who lived a short distance across the field), and suggested that it might be agreeable for us to happen in there about that time and enjoy a good, square meal. We gladly accepted the tempting suggestion, and promised faithfully not to betray him. The morning was passed in scouting around Summit Point in quest of an opening for a raid, and we arrived at Mr. Butcher's a little after the appointed hour, and found the neighbors, including our friend, seated at the table enjoying a royal feast. We were invited, of course, to partake, and with as much modesty and surprise as we could assume, accepted. The Federal cavalry were in the daily habit of making scouts in this neighborhood, and the host and his guests were apprehensive lest we should be discovered at the banquet and occasion the arrest and imprisonment of the whole party. This fear produced a very unappetizing effect upon them all, except our friend, Mr. Castleman, who seemed really to enjoy the situation and the discomfiture of his neighbors. Filling ourselves, like camels about to cross |