3S THE WAR ANT» ITS BEROBS. on the Little Kivcr road, or discovery by tin f .reo ported at Centreville. That place was now in their rear: they had " naked " around it and its warders; but tin* perils of the enterprise had scarcely oomnu ooed. Fairfax Cuurt-honse tall about four miles distant, and it mi girdled with cavalry and infantry. approach was gvai the attempt to enter the place seemed des- perate, but the major determined to essay it. Advancing resolutely, ha came within ■ mile and i half of the place, when he found the '• •'•}' force. hirertly ill hi- path were the infantry f«ww L 1 1 which he had been notified, and all advance was cheeked in that direction. The major did not waver in bis purpose, however. Making ■ detour to the right) and leaving brae enemy's camps far to his left, he struck into the road leading from Fairfax southward to the railroad. This avenue was guarded like the rest, but by a picket only, and Mosby knew thoroughly how to deal with pickets. Before the Bleepy and unsuspicious Yankees were aware of their danger, they found pistols presented at their ; with the option of surrender or death presented to them. They surrendered immediately, were taken in charge, and, without further. ceremony, Major Mosbj and his band entered the town. From thai moment the atmosl Bilenee, energy and rapidity of action were requisite. The major h nod reaching the court-house at midnight, but had 1" i two hour- by mistaking the road in the pitch darkness. com two o'clock in the morning, and an hour and a half, at the very utmost, was left him to finish his business and escape before daylight. It morning found him anywhere in that vicinity, he knew that his retreat would be •. and the whole party killed or captured, and this would have spoiled the fun of the affair. He accordingly made his dispositions rapidly, enjoined complete Bilenee, and s< I to work, in earnest, The small hand was divided into detachments, with Bpecial dutii led to each. Two or three.- of these detachments wi re Bent to the public Btablcs where the fine horses of the general and hi- . with instructions to carry them off without noise. Another p C nel Wyndham's headrrua ikehimpfi Anotl er to Colonel Johnson's, with similar ordi - Taking Bix nun with him, Major Mosby, who proceeded upon sure informa- • straight to the headquarters of Brigadier-General Stoughton. This worthy Vermonter, and a ten F Mars; a graduate of West Point, and a Buppre88-the : rebellion-in-ninety-days' man. He had just been assigned to the command of the post, and much was expei ted from a brigadier of such ardor and zeal in the service. Alas! how litt i] have w ir own fates — a moral observation which the present narrative powerfully enfoi " Twas midnight, in his guarded tent The Turk was dreaming of the honr When Greece, her knee in suppliance bent, Should ;remlle at his power.
