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Mosby and the Burning Raid

John S. Mosby, CSA

In late December, 1862, Major General J. E. B. Stuart came into Loudoun County from his laid on Dumfries and Burke's Station, and established his headquarters near Dover (on what is now Route 50 between Aldie and Middleburg). On the morning of his departure, he granted permission to one of his trusted scouts to remain behind and operate against the enemy "for a few days."

Little did Stuart know that by granting this permission he was launching the career of one of the most successful of all "partisan rangers", for this scout was John S. Mosby, and the "few days" extended over a period of more than two years. Mosby established his seat of operations in northern Fauquier County and southern Loudoun, and from points within this area he ranged far and wide to harass Union wagon trains, scouting parties, and loosely-guarded outposts and garri- sons.

"Mosby's Confederacy" embraced that area from Snickersville along the Blue Ridge into Fauquier County (Rt 601), to Linden; thence on a line running through Salem (now Marshall), and The Plains to the Bull Run Mountains; then along that range to Aldie; thence along the Snickersville turnpike (Rt 632) to the place of beginning at Snickersville. The confines of this area were by no means the limits of his operations, for the Federals within a radius of fifty miles were never safe from his attacks.

When Sheridan launched his Shenandoah Valley Campaign in the summer of 1864, Mosby immediately became the nemesis of his supply lines. On August 16, Grant sent the following instructions to Sheridan. "If you can possibly spare a division of cavalry, send them into Loudoun County to destroy and carry off the crops, animals, negroes, and all men under fifty years of age capable of bearing arms . . . In this way you will get many of Mosby's men."

Gen. Wesley Merritt, USA Led the Union burning raid through Loudoun County

Sheridan, busy with his operations against Early in the Valley, did not have time to comply with Grant's instructions until November 27. On that date he issued an order to Major General Wesley Merritt and his 1st Cavalry Division, which was to have its effect on Loudoun County for many years:

"...You are directed to proceed tomorrow morning with the two brigades now in camp to the east side of the Blue Ridge, via Ashby's Gap, and operate against the guerillas in the district of country bounded on the south by the line of the Manassas Gap Railroad as far east as White Plains, on the east by the Bull Run Range, on the west by the Shenandoah River, and on the north by the Potomac.

This section has been the hotbed of lawless bands, who have, from time to time depredated upon small parties on the line of army communications, on safeguards left at houses, and on all small parties of our troops . . .. You will consume and destroy all forage and subsistence, burn all barns and mills, and their contents, and drive off all stock in the region the boundaries of which are above described.

This order must be literally executed, bearing in mind, however, that no dwellings are to be burned and that no personal violence be offered to the citizens . . .. The Reserve Brigade of your division will move to Snickersville on the 29th. You will return to your present camp, via Snicker's Gap, on the fifth day."

This order was to unleash war at its worst, for the next five days were to see great destruction of property and loss of livestock. On November 28, General Merritt with the 1st and 2nd Brigades came through Ashby's Gap. Two regiments of the 2nd Brigade turned north from the base of the Blue Ridge to Bloomfield. Two regiments of the 1st Brigade went into Fauquier County. All met and camped at Upperville that night.

The next day the 1st Brigade went into Fauquier County, through Rectortown, Salem (now Marshall), and White Plains, returning to Middleburg. There they joined the 2nd Brigade, and swept the country between Millville and Unison-Bloomfield to Philomont, where they camped. The Resent Brigade came from its camp in Frederick County to Snickersville. On the 30th, the 2nd Brigade went north through Hamilton, Water- ford, and along the banks of Catoctin Creek to the Potomac River, then turned toward Lovettsville.

In the meantime, the Reserve Brigade went through Woodgrove, Hillsboro, and down the west side of the Short Hill Mountains to the Potomac; it then turned toward Lovettsville to meet, and camp with the 2nd Brigade.

December 1st saw the 2nd Brigade and the Reserve Brigade marching south toward Purcellville and then west to Snickersville, driving their captured herds with them. The 1st Brigade was still operating in the south end of the County; Middleburg, Millville, and Philomont. From there they moved to Snickersville to join the other two brigades. On December 2 the entire division left the County through Snicker's Gap.

Loudoun County, Virginia (click on map for enlargement)

General Merritt's preliminary report, made on December 3, was not detailed; only conservative estimates were made. This report stated that Sheridan's orders were "literally" complied with, and "from 5000-6000 head of cattle, 3000-4000 head of sheep, and 500-700 horses had been driven off, while 1000 head of fatted hogs had been slaughtered." The Reserve Brigade was the only one to give a detailed report of their operations. This lists as burned 230 barns, 8 mills, 1 distillery, 10,000 tons of hay, and 25,000 bushels of grain.

While never officially reported, the damage to Loudoun was over a million dollars, and for many years after Appomattox the effect of these five fateful days were severely felt. Even in 1960 a few grim reminders are still evident in the form of blackened stone walls, once the foundations of sturdy barns or mills, in the area of what is now Purcellville and Round Hill.