History of the Raid: Source Materials

43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry: Mosby's Command 1993, by Hugh Keen and Horace Mewborn, published by H.E. Howard, Lynchburg, VA (Virginia Regimental Histories Series) Pages 39-40 

About sundown, they reached Ball's Mill on Goose Creek. Mosby halted the band and sent part of the men with Loudoun County native Dick Moran to find shelter in the home of a nearby resident. Mosby led the remainder to the two story log cabin of a friend, Nathan Skinner, a mile or so south of the mil on the road to Mount Zion Church. Early the next morning, the two parties reassembled at the mill. Guided by John Underwood, they road toward Dranesville. In Mosby's typically secretive fashion, only Underwood knew their objective.

Shortly after noon, the raiders crossed the bed of the Alexandria Loudoun and Hampshire railroad a could of miles west of Herndon station and begun to circle eat. they soon reached the road from Dranesville vile where they turned and road toward the station. as they rode out of the woods, the raiders saw about 50 troopers from the 1st Vermont cavalry lounging about the station and a nearby sawmill. totally unaware of the imminent danger. they were under the command of Lieutenant Alexander G. Watson, Company L, 1st Vermont.

The southerners charged and quickly captured most of the Vermonters. Others took refuge in nearby houses while a small group raced to the upper floor of the sawmill. The Yankees in the houses gave up when the raiders fired through the thin walls. Mosby and John De Butts then entered the mill and demanded the surrender of everyone inside. Without firing a shot, the union troopers threw down their weapons and walked out.

As the confederates prepared to depart with their prisoners they observed four horses tied in front of the residence of Nat Hanna a union sympathizer. The horses belonged to major William wells , captain Robert Schofield, Jr. 2nd Lt. Perley C.J. Cheney and Lt. Watson who were inside eating lunch.

Wells, Schofield and Cheney had ridden to he outpost that morning to investigate allegations that soldiers at the picket post were stealing from the local citizens. When officers saw the southerners stop in front of the Hanna residence, Cheney and Watson rushed out, revolvers blazing, only to be captured. Wells and Schofield attempted to hide in the attic. They were taking prisoner when the lathing of the ceiling on which they were standing gave way and they fell into the midst of the raiders.

Wells would be exchanged in time to participate in the battle of Gettysburg and eventually would be promoted to brigadier general.

Mosby quickly organized the withdrawal. the prisoners and their guards, led by John Underwood, rode off first, followed by the rest of the troopers under the command of Dick Moran. Mosby and 12 men composed the rear guard.

A nearby camp, alerted by the gunfire, sent a detachment under the command of Lt. Edwin H. Higley, co. K. They caught up with the raiders at Horsepen Run, SW of the depot. Here the northerners were persuaded to halt their pursuit when some of the rebels opened fire with their carbines.

Maj. Charles F. Taggart who commanded the picket lines in the area, blamed Higley for the raiders escape and tried unsuccessfully to have him dishonorably discharged.

The raiders proceeded to Benjamin Chappelier's home on the Upperville piedmont pike, After the enlisted men were paroled and sent to harpers ferry and the officers escorted to Culpeper, the raiders were disbanded with orders to meet at Rector's Cross Roads on March 23. In this raid, Mosby's men had captured 26 men, 26 horses, and equipment and left one wounded union soldier at Herndon. Only one raider, John deButts was slightly wounded."