Mariposa Gazette, Number 19, 3 October 1908 — Page 3

General John S. Mosby. the Confederate cavalryman. used to tell of a comic incident which happened in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. Near Millwood a regiment of cavalry halted one night and went into camp. One of the men, who was hungry, slipped away and went off in the neighborhood to get something to eat. lie rode up to a cabin on a farm in the dark, and called for the person inside to come out. A negro woman, known at that time HS an intelligent contraband, opened the door and asked him what he wanted. The soldier wished to lie assured of his safety before dismounting and while eating his supjier. so he inquired of the woman if any one but herself was there. Site replied, "Yes, Mosby is here." "What!" said he, in a whisper. "It Mosby here?" "Yes," she said, "he is in the house." The soldier put spurs to his horse and dashed off to Ills company to carry the news. When he got there he informed the colonel that Mosby was in a house not far away. The regiment was soon mounted, and weid at a last trot, thinking; they had Mosby in a trap. When they arrived at the negro woman's house the colonel ordered his men to surround it. to prevent Mosliy's escape, while he went in with a few to take him, dead or alive. The woman again came to the door of the cabin. The colonel inquired. "Is Mosby here?" She innocently replied. ••Yes," so he walked in. After the colonel got inside lie looked round. Hut the woman seemed lo bo all alone and utterlj unconscious of having so important a person for a guest. In a loud voice the colonel demanded, "Where is Mosby?" "'Kre lie is," answered tin- tei rilled negrcss. at the same time ixiiiitiug to a cradle on the lloor. The colonel looked into the cradle and saw a little African pickaninny sucking its paw.