A Southern Spy in Northern Virginia: The Civil War Album of Laura Ratcliffe February 10, 2010

Local author, Charles Mauro will be discussing his latest book about an album that then Confederate Brigadier General JEB Stuart gave to Laura in the Spring of 1862. Stuart met her while she was tending to his wounded soldiers after the Battle of Dranesville in late December 1861. Laura lived on the Centreville Road south of Herndon in an area called Frying Pan.

In the album he wrote four poems, which would be considered “love” poems today. As was the custom at the time, he was really looking to the civilian population to provide intelligence on Union soldier activity in the area. As many of the local men had already become soldiers, women could provide intelligence as well as anyone by looking out their windows and reporting on what they saw.

The album also contains 40 signatures; 26 of confederate officers and soldiers and 14 from loyal confederate civilians. The author traced who these people were and their connection to Laura. Seven were women from Cambridge, Maryland which provided a real challenge to determine the relationship. One additional well known signer of the album was then Major John Singleton Mosby. Laura is credited with saving Mosby’s life by warning him of a trap near her home in February 1863, shortly after Mosby began his career as a Partisan Ranger.

Mr. Mauro will cover these topics and will have copies of his book for purchase and autographing.

Free. Donations welcome,

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