And, lo! the brigadier was even then in the power of that Marco Bozzaris, Major Mosòy. "Stoughton's Bitters" came in the shape of a Confederate partisan!
The major entered his chamber without much ceremony, and found him reposing in all the dignity and grandeur of a brigadier-general commanding, whose person and slumbers are sacred. Making his way toward the bed, in the dark, the partisan shook him suddenly by the shoulder.
"Who is that?" growled the sleepy brigadier.
"Get up quick, I want you," responded the major.
"Do you know who I am," cried the brigadier, sitting up in bed, with a scowl. "I will have you arrested, sir."
"Do you know who I am?" retorted the major, shortly.
"Who are you?"
"Did you ever hear of Mosby?"
"Yes! Tell me, have you caught the ——— rascal!"
No; but he has caught you!"
And the major chuckled.
"What does all this mean, sir?" cried the furious brigadier.
"It means, sir," the major replied, very coolly, "that Stuart's cavalry are in possession of this place, and you are my prisoner. Get up and come along, or you are a dead man!"
The brigadier groaned in anguish of soul, but was compelled to obey, and the partisan mounted, and placed him under guard. His staff and escort were captured without difficulty, but two of the former, owing to the darkness and confusion, subsequently made their escape.
Meanwhile the other detachments were at work. They entered the stables, and led out fifty-eight horses, with their accoutrements, all belonging to officers, and took a number of prisoners. Hundreds of horses were left, for fear of encumbering the retreat.
The other parties were less successful. Colonel Wyndham had gone to Washington on the preceding day; but his acting adjutant-general and aide- de-camp were made prisoners. Colonel Johnson, having received notice of the presence of the party, succeeded in making his escape.
It was now about half-past three in the morning, and it behooved Major Mosby, unless he relished being killed or captured, to effect his retreat. Time was barely left him to get out of the lines of the enemy before daylight, and none was to be lost.
He had intended to destroy the valuable quartermaster, commissary and sutler's stores in the place, but these were found to be in the houses which it would have been necessary to burn; and, even had the proceeding been advisable, time was wanting. The band was encumbered by three times as many horses and prisoners as it numbered men, and day was approaching The major accordingly made his dispositions rapidly for retiring.
The prisoners, thirty five in number, were as follows: Brigadier-General E. H. Stoughton; Baron R. Wordener, an Austrian, aide-de-camp to Colonel
