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Two accounts of Mosby's famous "Greenback Raid", in a Confederate newspaper.....



Item # 649461

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October 18, 1864

DAILY EXAMINER, Richmond, Virginia, October 18, 1864 

* John S. Mosby - Guerrilla leader
* 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry
* Rare Confederate title


This newspaper from the capital of the Confederacy has much reporting on the Civil War, but perhaps the most significant is a back page account with heads: "From the Valley--Capture Of A Railroad Train" which includes in part: "...Mosby made a most audacious & successful attack upon the westward bound railway express train...The engine was thrown from the track & two paymasters & several other officers were captured, with over two hundred thousand dollars in Government funds. The passengers were robbed of their money & valuables..." with more (see). Also, the front page has a more brief report in a dispatch signed in type by: R. E. Lee noting: "On the 14th instant Colonel Mosby struck the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at Duffield & destroyed a U.S. mail train consisting of a locomotive and 10 cars & securing 20 prisoners and 15 horses. Among the prisoners are 2 paymasters with $168,000 in government funds." (see)
This is an account of Mosby's famous "Greenback Raid" during which he derailed a train and robbed the paymaster's box of $173,000. This successful Confederate attack on a major transportation artery of the Yankee forces did much to boost morale in the Confederacy during the closing months of the Civil War, and also was the exploit for which John Mosby would be forever known.
Many other reports on the Civil War but they pale in comparison to the noted content. The back page does have a lengthy & very nice editorial speculating the success of Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming election (see for the beginning).
Complete as a single sheet newspaper, folio size, with a one column masthead (typical during the later months of the Confederacy), never-trimmed margins, very nice condition.

Category: Yankee