St. Peter's or Horsehead? Is the Stage Route the Answer?

[Rick Smith]

Laurie, Very good post.

John,

In response to a couple of statements you made in your most recent post:

First; you said that Thomas Jones helped Booth a little. Jones risked his neck to aid Booth & Herold by keeping them provisioned and secured for almost a week until he got them across the river in a boat which he provided. I suppose some would call that helping a little, but where I come from, if someone risks their life on your behalf, they are not just giving a little, but their all.

Second; Yes, Mosby's people were still in the area and yes, the skirmish at Mechanicsville was between a Union patrol and elements of Mosby's command, namely, Co. G under Garland Smith. Why is this so unlikely? Mosby's command was the special operations of The Army of Northern Virginia. General Tidwell is very specific in regards to this in "Come Retribution" & "April '65." The officer in charge of the Union patrol cites Garland Smith as being in command of the opposing force in his after action report, from intelligence he gleaned from one of Smith's men, who had been captured during the fight.

Rick