OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, vol 25, Part 1 (Chancellorsville) Page 65 Chapter XXXVII: Affair at Herndon Station, Va. REPORTS:  Report of Major Charles F. Taggart, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry  To: Colonel R. BUTLER PRICE, Commanding Cavalry Brigade. DRANESVILLE, VA., March 24, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that on the 17th instant, at 1 p.m., the reserve picket post at Herndon Station, consisting of 25 men under command of Second Lieutenant Alexander G. Watson, Company L, First Vermont Cavalry, was surprised by Captain Mosby with a force of 42 men, and 21 of our men, together with Major William Wells, Captain Robert Scofield, Company F, Second Lieutenant Alexander G. Watson, Company L, and Perley C. J. Cheney, Company C (second lieutenant), captured all of First Vermont Cavalry, the first three were visiting the post.   The surprise was so complete that the men made but little or no resistance. The enemy were led on by citizens, and entered on foot by a bridle-path in rear of the post, capturing the vedette stationed on the road before he was able to give the alarm. Every effort was made by men on receipt of the intelligence to capture the party, but without avail. Had Second Lieutenant Edwin H. Higley, Company K, First Vermont Cavalry, who had started with the relief for the post consisting of 40 men, together with 10 of the old guard, who joined him, performed his duty, the whole party could and would have been taken. I cannot too strongly urge that orders may be given that all citizens near outposts must remove beyond the lines. Such occurrences are exceedingly discreditable, but sometimes unavoidable; not only calculated to embolden the enemy, but dispirit our men. I am, colonel, your obedient servant, CHARLES F. TAGGART, Major, Commanding Post. Report of Captain John S. Mosby, Virginia Cavalry NEAR PIEDMONT, VA., To: HEADQUARTERS LEE'S CAVALRY BRIGADE, Major General J. E. B. STUART. March 18, 1863. GENERAL: Yesterday I attacked a body of the enemy's cavalry at Herndon Station, in Fairfax County, completely routing them. I brought off 25 prisoners-a major (Wells), 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, and 21 men, all their arms, 26 horses and equipments. One, severely wounded, was left on the ground. The enemy pursued me in force but, were checked by my rear guard, and gave up the pursuit. My loss was nothing. The enemy have moved their cavalry from Germantown back of Fairfax Court-House, on the Alexandria pike.   In this affair my officers and men behaved splendidly.   Respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. S. MOSBY, Captain, Commanding. [Indorsements.] To: HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, March 20, 1863. Respectfully forwarded. Such performances need no comment. The soldiers were paroled. The officers will be sent to Richmond. FITZ. LEE, Brigadier-General.   To:HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, March 21, 1863. Respectfully forwarded, and attention called to this latest achievement of Captain Mosby. In absence of General Stuart, and by command. R. CHANNING PRICE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.   To: Confederate War Department March 21, 1863. Respectfully forwarded for the information of the Department, and as an evidence of the merit and continued success of Captain Mosby.   R. E. LEE, General. To Read the Official Records Online (eHistory.com)and note the historical context, eg. other events around this time, follow this link Herndon Raid OR's

Visit MosbysRangers.com For information on the event, contact: Richard Downer: mosbysraid@HRIAssociates.com (general information, logistics, civic involvement) Kathryn Coombs: MosbyWeb@aol.com (reenactors, living history program, website)