A Result of Civilian Support for Mosby
Mosby relied heavily on the local farmers to supply forage for his men’s nearly 1600 horses. Often leaving on two raids a day by the autumn of 1864, there was inevitably a detail led by Mosby’s quartermaster, Major Hibbs going on a “corn raid” for forage. By that time, resources in southern Loudoun and northern Fauquier were being exhausted, and the target became the non-participating Quaker families whose sons stayed home and whose farms accordingly prospered. Paid in Confederate money, scrip, and IOUs, these Quakers unhappily cooperated.
And so it was that exasperated federal troops decided to burn Mosby out, destroying his base of support—the local farmers.
On November 28, 1864, on orders from General Sheridan, General Wesley Merritt and some 5000 federal cavalrymen came from Winchester into the Loudoun Valley. They had orders to burn every barn, shed, grain mill; to destroy all crops and farm machinery; to confiscate all horses, cows, sheep, pigs, and goats; and to arrest all men between the ages of 15 and 50 regardless of their wartime sympathies. Over the next five days they did just that. The damage was horrendous to Confederates and Unionists alike.
Ketoctin Church recorded in its minutes:
| Much to our surprise, mortification and sorrow the slumbers of the house-hold were aroused by the rattling of swords and the clatter of horses, which fortunately made known to our dear soldiers that something was wrong. Bud jumped from his bed and there to his utter surprise were Yankees dash-ing up. Bud with Mr. Alexander and George dashed down the stairs where Ma and I met them nearly frightened to death. They dashed to their secret hiding place followed by overcoats, pistols and everything I could grab up… |
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The Mosby Heritage Area Association
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intelement
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