150-years-ago -- MOSBY'S CONFEDERACY, CONDITIONS IN THE ARMY

The Richmond Daily Dispatch

Jan. 29, 1864

Mosby's Rangers. Col. John Singleton Mosby is standing second from
left. (Library of Congress)

        Mosby, Stringfellow, and Kincheins, are still harassing the enemy on flank and rear. Scarcely a day passes that prisoners are not received at the office of the Army Provost Marshal. Not are prisoners all that they capture — each of these gallant, partisans are getting no insignificant amount of horse flesh and other valuable plunder in these predatory raids.

          It is a gratifying fact that so many of the soldiers in the army of Tennessee should be re- enlisting for the war, and it cannot but reassure the country of the spirit of our soldiers to achieve independence. Thundering responses will, I am sure, issue from this army soon. Indeed, the ball may already he said to be in motion. To-day Battle's gallant brigade of Alabamians, formerly Rodes's old brigade, re-enlisted, I am told, for the war. Thus Alabama leads off in the glorious work which will doubtless widen and deepen until every brigade in the army shall declare itself "in for the war."

Chaplain Robert Bean Sutton, chaplain,
Army of Northern Virginia.
(Liljenquist Family Collection,
Library of Congress)

        The religious interest in the army is unchilled by the cold weather. Meetings are still held in every part of the army; and in many, if not all the brigades, meeting houses have been constructed by the soldiers for their own use, and faithful chaplains nightly preach to large and deeply attentive Congregations.

           A most liberal system of furloughs has been instituted in with army by Gen. Lee, and its influence cannot but be beneficial to the troops. By a recent order twelve to every hundred present at for duty are granted. of indulgence. The cars are daily weighed down with the precious freight which they carry to and from these lines. I am also gratified to state that most of the soldiers return promptly at the expiration of their leaves.

           The army post office of this army, under Capt. John L. Eubank, assisted by his intelligent clerks, young gentlemen detailed from the ranks of the and send not less letters a day; and yet these young men receive only forty cents extra per day for working from early down until long after midnight. Something should be done for them.

           Among the recent promotions in this army is that of Maj. W. H. Taylor, A. A. G, on General Lee's staff, to the rank and pay of Lieutenant-Colonel. Col. T. is one of the most faithful and officiant officers of the army, and his promotion is fully deserved. In nearly all of the routine duties Col. T. is Gen. Lee.

           The County Court of Orange, sitting as a Court of Oyer and Terminer, has been engaged part of the day yesterday and to-day, in the trial of Ben, slave of Mr. Walke, of Norfolk, charged with the murder of a man named Hudson, in Mahone's brigade, in the latter part of December last. Hon. Shelton F. Leake defended the prisoner with marked ability, and secured his acquittal. The Commonwealth was represented by Lewis B Williams and Capt. John H. Gayle. X.