. The memoirs of Colonel John S. Mosby [electronic resource]. evidently had some information which in-creased his anxiety about his rear. One night,when his headquarters were at Berryville, I sentmy best scout, John Russell, with two or threemen, to reconnoitre, intending to deliver a blowat Sheridans rear and thus cripple him by cuttingoff his supplies. John reported long trains pass-ing down along the valley pike. I started forthe vicinity with some 250 men and two howitzers,one of which became an encumbrance by break-ing down. Through Snickers Gap we crossedthe Blue Ridge Mountains after su
. The memoirs of Colonel John S. Mosby [electronic resource]. evidently had some information which in-creased his anxiety about his rear. One night,when his headquarters were at Berryville, I sentmy best scout, John Russell, with two or threemen, to reconnoitre, intending to deliver a blowat Sheridans rear and thus cripple him by cuttingoff his supplies. John reported long trains pass-ing down along the valley pike. I started forthe vicinity with some 250 men and two howitzers,one of which became an encumbrance by break-ing down. Through Snickers Gap we crossedthe Blue Ridge Mountains after sundown andpassed over the Shenandoah River not far fromBerryville. I halted at a barn for a good restand sent Russell to see what was going on uponthe pike. I was asleep when he returned withthe news that a very large train was just passingalong. The men sprang to their saddles. WithRussell and some others I went on in advanceto choose the best place for attack, directingCaptain William Chapman to bring on the com-mand. About sunrise we were on a knoll from. LIEUTENANT FOUNTAIN BEATTY (at left); LIEUTENANT FRANKH. RAHM (in centre); SCOUT JOHN RUSSELL (at right) Detail from the painting, Mosby and His Veterans, by Otto Walter BeckCopyright, 1917 THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST SHERIDAN 291 which we could get a good view of a great trainof wagons moving along the road and a largedrove of cattle with the train. The train waswithin a hundred yards of us, strongly guarded,but with flankers out. We were obscured bythe mist, and, if noticed at all, were doubtlessthought to be friends. I sent Russell to hurryup Chapman, who soon arrived. The howitzerwas made ready Richards, with his squadron,was sent to attack the front; William Chapmanand Glasscock were to attack them in the rear,while Sam Chapman was kept near me and thehowitzer. My scheme was nearly ruined by a ludicrousincident, the fun of which is more apparent nowthan it was then. The howitzer was unlimberedover a yellow-jackets nest. When o
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