French served with Company A of the 43rd Battalion of Virginia Cavalry - Mosby's. On 27 September 1863, French and a few other Rangers from Company A rode with Mosby to Alexandria. The intent was to capture the Governor appointed by Lincoln. The Governor's mansion was empty. The plan was altered to capture the Governor's military aide, Colonel Daniel French Dulany, who was staying at the nearby Rose Hill Manor. Colonel Dulany was young French's father. The raiders found Colonel Dulany in bed. French greeted his father, "How do Pa - I'm very glad to see you." His surprised father replied, "Well sir, I'm damn sorry to see you." As they were leaving, Colonel Dulany sarcastically remarked to his son that there was an old pair of shoes in the house and that French should take them, seeing that the Confederacy was in need of such things. French lifted his leg to display a fine new Cavalry boot, just captured from a Union sutler, and asked the old man what he thought of that. Mosby and French headed back with their prize, French's own father. Colonel Dulany was sent to Libby Prison in Richmond. He was soon exchanged and sent back to Fairfax. He survived the war. French Dulany was not so lucky. He was mortally wounded by members of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry almost one year later in a raid at Herndon. Eyewitnesses state that French continued on some distance after being shot. A doctor was summoned, but the wound was declared fatal. French told the doctor that if he saw his father, give him his warmest regards, and tell him that he has given up.

French served with Company A of the 43rd Battalion of Virginia Cavalry - Mosby's. On 27 September 1863, French and a few other Rangers from Company A rode with Mosby to Alexandria. The intent was to capture the Governor appointed by Lincoln. The Governor's mansion was empty. The plan was altered to capture the Governor's military aide, Colonel Daniel French Dulany, who was staying at the nearby Rose Hill Manor. Colonel Dulany was young French's father. The raiders found Colonel Dulany in bed. French greeted his father, "How do Pa - I'm very glad to see you." His surprised father replied, "Well sir, I'm damn sorry to see you." As they were leaving, Colonel Dulany sarcastically remarked to his son that there was an old pair of shoes in the house and that French should take them, seeing that the Confederacy was in need of such things. French lifted his leg to display a fine new Cavalry boot, just captured from a Union sutler, and asked the old man what he thought of that. Mosby and French headed back with their prize, French's own father. Colonel Dulany was sent to Libby Prison in Richmond. He was soon exchanged and sent back to Fairfax. He survived the war. French Dulany was not so lucky. He was mortally wounded by members of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry almost one year later in a raid at Herndon. Eyewitnesses state that French continued on some distance after being shot. A doctor was summoned, but the wound was declared fatal. French told the doctor that if he saw his father, give him his warmest regards, and tell him that he has given up.