The Mosby Heritage Area Association and the Lovettsville Historical Society are partnering for a presentation on Blazer's Scouts, a famed opponent of Mosby's Rangers during the Civil War. Darl Stephenson, a former employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency, retired USAFR Lieutenant Colonel, and author of Headquarters in the Brush: Blazer's Independent Union Scouts, will speak on Sunday July 12 at St. James United Church of Christ, 10 East Broad Way, in Lovettsville.

The presentation will begin at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Donations will be gratefully accepted.

Blazer's Scouts became John Mosby's "most formidable foe" while Mosby and his men operated in the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley, wreaking havoc on Union forces.

Captain Richard Blazer led this handpicked group of Ohioans and West Virginians and lent his name to the organization. Union General Sheridan instructed Blazer's men "to clean out Mosby's gang."

Using tactics similar to those employed by Mosby's Rangers, Blazer's Scouts surprised and defeated elements of the Confederate command on September 4, 1864 at Myers Ford in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

The two foes met again over two months later. On November 16, 1864, Blazer struck part of Mosby's command west of Berry's Ferry at an estate called "Vineyard." The Scouts beat Mosby a second time, making them a prime target of Mosby's wrath.

"Wipe Blazer out! Go through him," he told one of his commanders.

Near Kabletown, West Virginia, Mosby's Rangers did just that two days later. Nineteen of Blazer's Scouts were killed compared to only one of Mosby's men. Captain Blazer himself was captured; his command ceased to exist by January 1865.

The Mosby Heritage Area Association frequently partners with the Lovettsville Historical Society to share expertise and resources on areas of mutual interest.