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BettyO · 08-22-2014, 05:15 AM

Thanks, John!

Things were moving swiftly for the Confederacy at this time and I knew that Mosby was involved - just had never seen it published so very early! General Bradley C. Johnston also reiterated the very same in a letter to General William H. Payne -

I think plans were for Mosby to lay in wait for JWB (and Herold) down near Ashland, VA in Hanover County.

Tidwell's book is excellent - I'll check it out again -

L Verge · 08-22-2014, 09:18 AM

Am I wrong in guessing that, while Harney was Mosby's primary mission, the Gray Ghost could easily switch to working with Booth once Harney was captured? Since he had formed a pattern of calling his troops into the Northern Neck previously, why could he not have sent a small contingent (Jett, et al) further north to assist in getting Booth farther into the State of Virginia and deeper south?

Assuming that someone higher up had been involved in the plot, and given that the Confederate underground had been well established in the Northern Neck and Southern Maryland for four years, what makes it so difficult to surmise that Mosby and the underground had been ready for such action throughout the last year of the war? Operatives could have been moving in the shadows with no one stupid enough to put plans down on paper to be found on a corpse a la Dahlgren. They just stood ready and went into action once they heard of the assassination.

Sorry, John, but I still believe that the skirmish in St. Mary's County right after the assassination involved a small force of Mosby's men who were trying to locate Booth so that they could assist him in getting across the Potomac - probably via the Wicomico River somewhere around Chaptico or Allen's Fresh.

SSlater · (This post was last modified: 08-22-2014 09:48 PM by SSlater.)

(08-22-2014 09:18 AM)L Verge Wrote: Am I wrong in guessing that, while Harney was Mosby's primary mission, the Gray Ghost could easily switch to working with Booth once Harney was captured? Since he had formed a pattern of calling his troops into the Northern Neck previously, why could he not have sent a small contingent (Jett, et al) further north to assist in getting Booth farther into the State of Virginia and deeper south?

Assuming that someone higher up had been involved in the plot, and given that the Confederate underground had been well established in the Northern Neck and Southern Maryland for four years, what makes it so difficult to surmise that Mosby and the underground had been ready for such action throughout the last year of the war? Operatives could have been moving in the shadows with no one stupid enough to put plans down on paper to be found on a corpse a la Dahlgren. They just stood ready and went into action once they heard of the assassination.

Sorry, John, but I still believe that the skirmish in St. Mary's County right after the assassination involved a small force of Mosby's men who were trying to locate Booth so that they could assist him in getting across the Potomac - probably via the Wicomico River somewhere around Chaptico or Allen's Fresh.

Laurie. Me again. I found another squabble between Union Forces and Mosby's Men, on the Northern Neck.
On March 13, Col. S.H. Roberts, 139th NY Volunteers, sent a message, from the MD side of the Potomac, saying he had attempted a landing at Kinsale in Westmoreland County (VA.) and had been repulsed by Mosby's Men. But, this is before the assassination.
(I think this skirmish led to the Fight at Colonial Beach (VA) a few days later. - The Army was having trouble winning, so the Navy chipped in -to help.
DO you have any more info on the battle you referenced?

(08-22-2014 09:31 PM)SSlater Wrote:
(08-22-2014 09:18 AM)L Verge Wrote: Am I wrong in guessing that, while Harney was Mosby's primary mission, the Gray Ghost could easily switch to working with Booth once Harney was captured? Since he had formed a pattern of calling his troops into the Northern Neck previously, why could he not have sent a small contingent (Jett, et al) further north to assist in getting Booth farther into the State of Virginia and deeper south?

Assuming that someone higher up had been involved in the plot, and given that the Confederate underground had been well established in the Northern Neck and Southern Maryland for four years, what makes it so difficult to surmise that Mosby and the underground had been ready for such action throughout the last year of the war? Operatives could have been moving in the shadows with no one stupid enough to put plans down on paper to be found on a corpse a la Dahlgren. They just stood ready and went into action once they heard of the assassination.

Sorry, John, but I still believe that the skirmish in St. Mary's County right after the assassination involved a small force of Mosby's men who were trying to locate Booth so that they could assist him in getting across the Potomac - probably via the Wicomico River somewhere around Chaptico or Allen's Fresh.
Laurie. Me again. I found another squabble between Union Forces and Mosby's Men, on the Northern Neck.
On March 13, Col. S.H. Roberts, 139th NY Volunteers, sent a message, from the MD side of the Potomac, saying he had attempted a landing at Kinsale in Westmoreland County (VA.) and had been repulsed by Mosby's Men. But, this is before the assassination.
(I think this skirmish led to the Fight at Colonial Beach (VA) a few days later. - The Army was having trouble winning, so the Navy chipped in -to help.
DO you have any more info on the battle you referenced?

Continued - I think Mosby did start to look for Booth, but not exclusively - the 15th Va. Cav. (Recruited here) posted pickets on the South shore of the Rappahannock, beginning at Fredericksburg, South. Presumably to intercept Booth. IMO, by this time the whole South was looking for him. But, Mosby only had enough time to put Bainbridge, Rutledge and Jett on station. (Mason was 15th VA Cav.)

BettyO · 08-23-2014, 07:37 AM

Quote:Continued - I think Mosby did start to look for Booth, but not exclusively - the 15th Va. Cav. (Recruited here) posted pickets on the South shore of the Rappahannock, beginning at Fredericksburg, South. Presumably to intercept Booth. IMO, by this time the whole South was looking for him. But, Mosby only had enough time to put Bainbridge, Rutledge and Jett on station. (Mason was 15th VA Cav.)

Wonderful research, John. Thanks - makes sense to me....

Rick Smith · 08-23-2014, 12:27 PM

(08-22-2014 09:18 AM)L Verge Wrote: Am I wrong in guessing that, while Harney was Mosby's primary mission, the Gray Ghost could easily switch to working with Booth once Harney was captured? Since he had formed a pattern of calling his troops into the Northern Neck previously, why could he not have sent a small contingent (Jett, et al) further north to assist in getting Booth farther into the State of Virginia and deeper south?

Assuming that someone higher up had been involved in the plot, and given that the Confederate underground had been well established in the Northern Neck and Southern Maryland for four years, what makes it so difficult to surmise that Mosby and the underground had been ready for such action throughout the last year of the war? Operatives could have been moving in the shadows with no one stupid enough to put plans down on paper to be found on a corpse a la Dahlgren. They just stood ready and went into action once they heard of the assassination.

Sorry, John, but I still believe that the skirmish in St. Mary's County right after the assassination involved a small force of Mosby's men who were trying to locate Booth so that they could assist him in getting across the Potomac - probably via the Wicomico River somewhere around Chaptico or Allen's Fresh.

I agree with you, Laurie. I think elements of Mosby's command, Co. G under the command of Lt. Garland Smith crossed the Potomac and headed to the north to look for Booth & to screen him if found.

richard petersen · 08-27-2014, 09:41 AM

On 8-22-14 Betty O had a post, "I think plans were for Mosby to lay in wait for JWB (and Herold) down near Ashland, Va. in Hanover Court"
Somewhere I read that there was a hidden message that was used "paroled at Ashland". Is this correct? and did it have anything to do with Mosby?

Wild Bill · 08-27-2014, 10:17 AM

Is this not the battle in "St Mary's"? I think it is called Mechanicsville.

Tidwell, William A. "April 15, 1865," Surratt Courier, 22 (April-May-June 1997), 6-10, 5-10, 4-9.

Paroled at Ashland is where several undercover agents and Mosby surrendered. I believe that this is in a closing chapter in Come Retribution

L Verge · 08-27-2014, 06:44 PM

That is exactly the skirmish that I was referring to, Bill. Mechanicsville still exists and covers a wider area than just the small village today. If one goes out the "back door" of the Mechanicsville area, one is in Chaptico, which was a prime secret agent location during the CW. That is why I place so much stock in the Tidwell theory about the St. Mary's skirmish.

SSlater · (This post was last modified: 08-28-2014 10:51 PM by SSlater.)

(08-27-2014 06:44 PM)L Verge Wrote: That is exactly the skirmish that I was referring to, Bill. Mechanicsville still exists and covers a wider area than just the small village today. If one goes out the "back door" of the Mechanicsville area, one is in Chaptico, which was a prime secret agent location during the CW. That is why I place so much stock in the Tidwell theory about the St. Mary's skirmish.

Laurie. I'm not questioning you, but I am searching foranythingon Mechanicsville. There is no mention in the O. R. (DANG!) (there was a battle there 1862). The published roster of Co. G consists of Captain William Garland Smith. 3 Lts, and 9 Pvts. They must have picked up some help for this mission. I had the Union Leaders name, but I've lost it. I want to search through him. Garland Smith returned to Saluda, VA after the war - as a Doctor.
There was another question about any previous contact between Enoch Mason and Booth. Here's Mason's background.
Enoch was the son of Wiley Roy Mason (Res. K.G.), his Uncle was Charles Mason (Res. K.G.). He was the State Senator from K.G. in Richmond and was married to Thomas Jefferson's G-Daughter. Their home is on Eden Drive, K.G. (After you leave Cleidale, on Dahlgren Road, you turn left on Eden Drive , Rt. 611,and go past Mason's home). "The Escape Route". Charles Mason had lots of "pull" in the government. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, if Booth stopped at Charles. Mason's home, for help.
Charles Mason may have not helped Booth, but he could easily have called on his nephew, to shadow Booth, until he was out of the County.
Enoch Mason was on General Charles W Field's staff, who was his Brother-in-law. (Obviously -married to Mason's Sister.) Question- Was Gen. Field involved in the Assassination Plot? Did he send Mason home?

(08-28-2014 10:49 PM)SSlater Wrote:
(08-27-2014 06:44 PM)L Verge Wrote: That is exactly the skirmish that I was referring to, Bill. Mechanicsville still exists and covers a wider area than just the small village today. If one goes out the "back door" of the Mechanicsville area, one is in Chaptico, which was a prime secret agent location during the CW. That is why I place so much stock in the Tidwell theory about the St. Mary's skirmish.

Laurie. I'm not questioning you, but I am searching foranythingon Mechanicsville. There is no mention in the O. R. (DANG!) (there was a battle there 1862). The published roster of Co. G consists of Captain William Garland Smith. 3 Lts, and 9 Pvts. They must have picked up some help for this mission. I had the Union Leaders name, but I've lost it. I want to search through him. Garland Smith returned to Saluda, VA after the war - as a Doctor.
There was another question about any previous contact between Enoch Mason and Booth. Here's Mason's background.
Enoch was the son of Wiley Roy Mason (Res. K.G.), his Uncle was Charles Mason (Res. K.G.). He was the State Senator from K.G. in Richmond and was married to Thomas Jefferson's G-Daughter. Their home is on Eden Drive, K.G. (After you leave Cleidale, on Dahlgren Road, you turn left on Eden Drive , Rt. 611,and go past Mason's home). "The Escape Route". Charles Mason had lots of "pull" in the government. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, if Booth stopped at Charles. Mason's home, for help.
Charles Mason may have not helped Booth, but he could easily have called on his nephew, to shadow Booth, until he was out of the County.
Enoch Mason was on General Charles W Field's staff, who was his Brother-in-law. (Obviously -married to Mason's Sister.) Question- Was Gen. Field involved in the Assassination Plot? Did he send Mason home?

I goofed- Garland Smith was not a Captain. He was one of the Lt's.

L Verge · (This post was last modified: 08-29-2014 06:08 PM by L Verge.)

"Enoch was the son of Wiley Roy Mason (Res. K.G.), his Uncle was Charles Mason (Res. K.G.). He was the State Senator from K.G. in Richmond and was married to Thomas Jefferson's G-Daughter. Their home is on Eden Drive, K.G. (After you leave Cleidale, on Dahlgren Road, you turn left on Eden Drive , Rt. 611,and go past Mason's home). "The Escape Route". Charles Mason had lots of "pull" in the government. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, if Booth stopped at Charles. Mason's home, for help.
Charles Mason may have not helped Booth, but he could easily have called on his nephew, to shadow Booth, until he was out of the County.
Enoch Mason was on General Charles W Field's staff, who was his Brother-in-law. (Obviously -married to Mason's Sister.) Question- Was Gen. Field involved in the Assassination Plot? Did he send Mason home?"

I asked about Enoch Mason's relationship to Charles Mason eons ago because I knew that Charles's plantation, Mt. Alta (I believe), was right down the road from Cleydael. If I am not mistaken, the home there existed until the 1960s. The knoll that it sat on is still visible from 611. My entire life, I have believed that, if you scratched the family trees in Southern Maryland and the Northern Neck of Virginia down to Richmond, you would find plenty of limbs all attached to the main trunk of First Families and also the Confederacy. We are talking dozens and dozens of so-called "regular people" ready to assist the CSA (and Booth). They would drive the FBI and people who conduct background checks absolutely bonkers today!

SpruceCreekHawk · 10-01-2014, 12:06 PM

Again, I'm new so bear with me. There's another other person of interest in this equation, perhaps, Thomas Nelson Conrad. Mosby had been alerted to assist him in the foiled kidnapping plot and Conrad is close enough to the Potomac on his way to his Maryland that he's captured by a party from the steamer "Jacob Bell" on April 16th and put into Old Capitol Prison. Obviously, Conrad denies knowing anything about Booth or the assassination in The Rebel Scout, but that's to be expected. Any thoughts?