Mosbys rangers is a perfect book for anyone interested in the partisan activities of mosby and his men through the course of the american civil war. Mosby went on several warrelated speaking tours in the north and south, but grew frustrated after a january 1895 reunion of mosbys rangers in alexandria, virginia. Although mosby s tactic of dispersing his men after a raid preserved the battalion from destruction, it increased the risk of capture for individual rangers. John singleton mosby in photographs and portraits period. James joseph william was one of mosbys rangers from 1863 through until the end of the war. Both books are only 99 cents on amazon so not an expensive read. This is the 150th anniversary of the execution of six of john s. The largest selection of civil war and military books on the web. During a span of roughly 28 months, the 43rd battalion was a matchless body of guerrillas, in turn becoming probably the most renowned combat unit of the civil war by the civil wars conclusion, in april 1865, the rangers stood unvanquished wert, mosbys rangers, 11. From the high tide of the confederacy to the last days at appomattox, the story of the most famous command of the civil war and its legendary leader, john s. See more ideas about american civil war, civil war photos and confederate states of america. During this time mosby s exceptional skill at gathering intelligence came to the attention of j.
Better known as mosbys rangers, they were an elite guerrilla unit that operated with stunning success in northern virginia and maryland from 1863 to the last days of the war. Narrative of a blockade runner collectors library of the civil war by john wilkinson. The battle is recounted in a number of books written after the war by mosbys rangers. Mosbythe ranger, fugitive, friend of president ulysses s.
During the civil war mosby s rangers were an irregular body of confederate troops under the command of col. The 43rd battalion, virginia cavalry, also known as mosbys rangers, mosbys raiders, or mosbys men, was a battalion of partisan cavalry in the confederate army during the american civil war. James j williamson the firsthand account of a member of mosby s rangers, aka the 43rd battalion of virginia cavalry. This organization began with a scouting assignment from confederate gen. Stuart agreed to the proposal made at the end of 1862 by mosby to organize a company of scouts to operate behind enemy lines in northern virginia. Detractors of mosbys rangers will say that they joined only for the plunder. No single battalion was more feared during the civil war than the 4. John singleton mosby essential civil war curriculum. His book was first published in new york in 1896 and he passed away in 1915. Mosbys rangers collectors library of the civil war james joseph. The tale begins with a confederate partisan ranger by the name of john s. A new jersey yankee now living in the area of virginia known as mosbys confederacy during the civil war, curator kathleen golden shares what she finds so interesting about john s.
A must for civil war researchers or genealogist looking for relatives in the 6th mississippi infantry. Sep 25, 2016 he has written two books about his ancestors in the civil war and three others books for the franconia museum, of which he serves as president. John singleton mosby december 6, 1833 may 30, 1916, also known by his nickname, the gray ghost, was a confederate army cavalry battalion commander in the american civil war. The battalion was formed in june 1863, with five companies, later increased to eight. From this modest beginning whould grow on of the best know of all ranger commands. John singleton mosby was known for raiding union army camps and sharing supplies with the local populace. Nov 02, 2017 mosby quickly used his scouting ability to ingratiate himself with the commanding officer of the cavalry, james e.
Colonel john singleton mosby, the 43rds only commander, has had several books written about him and he remains the bestknown personality of the command. Feb 20, 2019 if you really have an interest in mosby, you should read the following books about mosby. The trip, sponsored by the goose creek association, whose members come from both counties, was billed the ultimate tour. In june 1863, at rectors cross roads, mosbys rangers got the official military designation of company a, 43rd battalion, 1st virginia cavalry. No single battalion was more feared during the civil war than the 43rd battalion of virginia cavalry, better known as mosby s rangers. Mosby, and his 43rd virginia cavalry battalion, later raised to regimental status in the waning days of the war and better known simply as. Additional records are described in virginia in the civil war and united states civil war, 1861 to. By the end of the war, its roster would number almost 2,000 men. Luckily for those interested in the civil war, mosby lived a long life after appomattox and left behind one of the great civil war memoirs of his generation. Mosby s rangers is a perfect book for anyone interested in the partisan activities of mosby and his men through the course of the american civil war. Noted for their lightning strike raids on union targets and their ability to consistently elude pursuit, the rangers disrupted union communications and.
His command, the 43rd battalion, virginia cavalry, known as mosbys rangers or mosbys. Mosbys force continued to grow over the next 18 months, until it reached regimental size almost 2,000 men would serve in it by the end of the civil war. Vmi and also rode with the 43rd battalion virginia cavalry mosbys rangers. After chronicling the war in the shenandoah valley in his from winchester to cedar creek. In this vivid account of the famous command of john singleton mosby, jeffry d.
The rough and tough exploits of confederate raider john. Your mission is to infiltrate enemy lines to disrupt the union war effort. Although mosbys tactic of dispersing his men after a raid preserved the battalion from destruction, it increased the risk of capture for individual rangers. Williamson, james j mosbys rangers a record of the operations of the. Stuart, who became mosby s military mentor and best friend in the army. The book is written by one of the members of the rangers. Mosbys most wellknown raid was a 30man foray he led behind union lines near the fairfax county courthouse, capturing a general, two captains, 30 enlisted men and 58. Regimental history detailing what happened to a band of mississippians who marched off to war in 1861. As the war careens toward its inevitable end, members of the brannon family are involved in every theater of the, at and spread across the south. Mosby and his rangers rode forth in raids against enemy supply lines. An elite guerilla unit, they operated in northern virginia and maryland from 1863 to the end of the. Our mailing address for orders, payments and book shipments is. Mosbys rangers collectors library of the civil war. Historical fiction author revisits mosbys confederacy.
Wert is the author of eight previous books on civil war topics, most recently cavalryman of the lost cause and the sword of lincoln. We have sections on sectionalism, campaigns, narratives, generals, naval, nurses, spies and slaves during the war. Sep 23, 2014 this is the 150th anniversary of the execution of six of john s. Civil war links and information rosters of men who served virginia from the lower shenandoah valley roster of mosbys 43rd battalion cavalry members from warren co.
Throughout the course of the war, more than 2000 men were members of mosbys command, some for only a. I plan on reading moneys memoirs to see how it correspond with this book. James joseph william was one of mosby s rangers from 1863 through until the end of the war. Dec 06, 20 a new jersey yankee now living in the area of virginia known as mosbys confederacy during the civil war, curator kathleen golden shares what she finds so interesting about john s. One such man was captain perry connolly, leader of the moccasin rangers. While it was true that mosbys unit was formed under the auspices of the partisan ranger act of 1862, which permitted members of such units to keep everything that they captured, that was not the only reason. John singleton mosby and some members of mosbys rangers, 43rd virginia cavalry battalion. In particular, he believed that too many southerners wrongly and selfservingly insisted that slavery wasnt the root cause of the war. For a time, mac and titus fight in the shenandoah valley with fitzhugh lees cavalry and mosbys rangers.
They operated from 1863 to 1865 south of the potomac, behind the union lines. For a complete list of our current civil war books, along with current prices. For the history of mosbys rangers, see 43rd battalion, virginia cavalry. Recently, a group of 35 civil war buffs retraced colonel mosbys exploits through virginias fauquier and loudoun counties. His articles and essays on the civil war have appeared in many publications, including civil war times illustrated, american history illustrated, and blue and gray. The 43rd battalion, virginia cavalry, also known as mosby s rangers, mosby s raiders, or mosby s men, was a battalion of partisan cavalry in the confederate army during the american civil war. Eric has compiled stories about individual members of the famous mosby raiders and will share those. By 1862, most of these units captains had been killed.
While the author asserts that john mosby is a wellknown civil war leader and the deeds of his rangers well known, time has wiped away the memory of the partisans from many history texts. The unit served behind federal lines in northern virginia and was the most effective command of its kind. This book is a collection of biographical information about the 57 men who. Mosby joined the confederate army as a private at the outbreak of the civil war first serving in the washington mounted rifles. You select the union targets for your raids and decide which actions mosbys raiders will perform.
Mosbys rangers and millions of other books are available for instant access. Mosby was promoted to lieutenant colonel in january 1864, and he would reach the rank of colonel by that december. His father was a member of an old virginia family of english origin whose ancestor. John singleton mosby and some members of mosbys rangers, 43rd virginia cavalry battalion creators.
He has written two books about his ancestors in the civil war and three others books for the franconia museum, of which he serves as president. Oasis books civil war at oasis used books, we strive to maintain a diversified collection of civil war material, with an additional focus on items relating to virginia and the surrounding states. A master horse soldier, mosby was the scourge of union forces in northern virginia or, as the region came to be know, mosby s confederacy. John singleton mosby and some members of mosbys rangers. Throughout the civil war, there existed many bodies of irregular cavalrymen, who, by sudden dashes on the rear and flanks of the union armies, or in a night attack on the federal trains, kept the outposts and train guard continually on the alert.
A former history teacher at penns valley high school, he lives in centre hall. The shenandoah campaign of 1864 historian jeffrey wert next turned to one of the secondary players in that campaign, col. The trip, sponsored by the goose creek association, whose members come from both counties, was billed the ultimate tour of the gray ghosts confederacy. Clayton thompson bookseller 584 briarwood lane boone nc 28607. Here, in vivid and fascinating detail, is the most authoritative account of the rangers infamous adventures, written by a prizewinning historian. Operations special forces, psychological operations and civil affairs. Grant, diplomat, and inspiration for a 1950s television showon his 180th birthday. It is wonderful to see that the true history of the war and the many colorful characters still live on and are being recalled it books like mr. Author and historian eric buckland completes part ii of his discussion about mosbys confederate raiders. This building was used as a civil war hospital, and was the site of a fight between mosbys men and a federal cavalry unit of about 150.
A record of personal experience and adventure during four years of war by fannie a. The book is available at the stuartmosby cavalry museum in centreville, va. The 43rd battalion virginia cavalry mosby s rangers is one of the most famous units of the civil war. During the civil war, mosbys rangers, led by confederate col. To understand and enjoy the book you do need some background knowledge about the civil war. Mosbys rangers collectors library of the civil war by. A record of the operations of the fortythird battalion virginia cavalry, from its organization to the surrender, from the diary of a private, supplemented and varified with official reports of federal officers and also of mosby. Mosbys raiders puts you in command of the partisan rangers. If you are a civil war historian you will enjoy the read. Mosby, who was known as the grey ghost for his lightningquick raids and his ability to elude union army pursuers.
During the civil war, john singleton mosby led the fortythird battalion, virginia cavalry, better known as mosbys rangers, in bold and daring operations behind union lines. S personal copy of ranger mosby, an account of civil war raids by mosbys rangers, signed by him patton, george s. Wert explores the personality of this ironwilled commander and brilliant tactician and. During the civil war mosbys rangers were an irregular body of confederate troops under the command of col. His command, the 43rd battalion, virginia cavalry, known as mosby s rangers or mosby s raiders, was a partisan ranger unit noted for its lightningquick raids and its ability to elude union army pursuers and. Mosby s rangers no single battalion was more feared during the civil war than the 43rd battalion of virginia cavalry, better known as mosby s rangers.
When the civil war began, mosby spoke out against secession, but joined the confederate army as a private, serving in the virginia volunteers, a company of mounted infantry, that fought at the battle of first manassas bull run. Mosby disbanded the 43rd at salem on april 21,18651. Mosbys rangers collectors library of the civil war by james joseph williamson. Mosbys raiders were featured on the front page of the september 5, 1863 edition of harpers weekly it should be remembered that harpers weekly was a new york newspaper, so they were not sympathetic to the gallant exploits of mosby, but. The 43rd battalion virginia cavalry mosbys rangers is one of the most famous units of the civil war. Noted for their lightning strike raids on union targets and their ability to consistently elude pursuit, the rangers disrupted union communications and supply lines. Muster rolls, occupation and present whereabouts of surviving members. The hills and mountains i roamed as a boy was previously known as mosbys confederacy thanks to the courage and savvy of the guerillas led by col.
Colonel john singleton mosby, the 43rd s only commander, has had several books written about him and he remains the bestknown personality of the command. No military leader achieves greatness without having singularly outstanding and talented. Buy mosbys rangers collector s library of the civil war by james joseph williamson isbn. A former history teacher at penns valley high school, he. Mosbys cavalry regiment, formerly the 43rd battalion, was organized in december 1864. Photographed between 1861 and 1865, printed between 1880 and 1889 photograph. There were many guerrilla fighting units in west virginia at the start of the civil war. No single battalion was more feared during the civil war than the 43rd battalion of virginia cavalry, better known as mosbys rangers. The civil war guerrilla fighters that were a thorn in the unions side. Newspapers, letters and articles by and about john s.