Gray ghost of the confederacy

[oldreb1343]

In my mind and opinon there is no other better scout during the CW than the famous John Singleton Mosby. He commanded the 43rd battalion, 1st virginia cavalry(mosbys rangers). He would soon earn a nick name due to the units lighting speed raids, the abillity elude the Union Army, and to dissapear. I mean he had his own country during the war (mosbys confederacy). Probably one of the most ironic things in his life was Gen. Grant could not stand Mosby could not stand the fact that he continuosly attacked and destroyed Grants supplies, but after the war they became good freinds and when Grant becomes president he makes mosby the U.S. Consul in hong kong. I dont know about y'all but in my opion Mosby was a a awsome soldier ("hurrah for mosby" General lee)

"War loses it's romance after a soldier has seen his first battle. I have a more vivid recollection of the first than the last one I was in. It is a classical maxim that it is sweet and becoming to die for ones country; but whoever has seen the horrors of a battlefield feels that is far sweeter to live for it."

John Singleton Mosby 1887

 

[brass napoleon]

In my mind and opinon there is no other better scout during the CW than the famous John Singleton Mosby. He commanded the 43rd battalion, 1st virginia cavalry(mosbys rangers). He would soon earn a nick name due to the units lighting speed raids, the abillity elude the Union Army, and to dissapear. I mean he had his own country during the war (mosbys confederacy). Probably one of the most ironic things in his life was Gen. Grant could not stand Mosby could not stand the fact that he continuosly attacked and destroyed Grants supplies, but after the war they became good freinds and when Grant becomes president he makes mosby the U.S. Consul in hong kong. I dont know about y'all but in my opion Mosby was a a awsome soldier ("hoorah for mosby" General lee)

He packed a lot of courage, audacity, bold leadership, and genius in a small frame. His capture of a Union general behind Federal lines ranks as one of the most remarkable endeavors of the Civil War, IMO.

"War loses it's romance after a soldier has seen his first battle. I have a more vivid recollection of the first than the last one I was in. It is a classical maxim that it is sweet and becoming to die for ones country; but whoever has seen the horrors of a battlefield feels that is far sweeter to live for it."

John Singleton Mosby 1887

Nice quote. I might just use it myself someday.

 

[oldreb1343]

He packed a lot of courage, audacity, bold leadership, and genius in a small frame. His capture of a Union general behind Federal lines ranks as one of the most remarkable accomplishments of the Civil War, IMO.

Nice quote. I might just use it myself someday.

He was a very smart man also during george pattons child hood he met and talked with Mosby agian ironic much

 

[ole]

I like Mosby. He did what he had to do and did it well. Hit hard and disappear. I'd like to think I could do that, but when I wake up ....

 

[Mdiesel]

Lol - I love the story of Mosby capturing a Union Gen. in his own bed & taking him into captivity while the poor guy only wore his night shirt!

 

[BillO]

So, the answer is yes or no but what is the question?

 

[brass napoleon]

To be, or not to be? That is the question.

 

[16thVA]

I think there is a slight confusion here. It was Jesse McNeill and McNeill's Rangers of Hardy County, WV, who captured Generals Crook & Kelley behind Union lines. Mosby himself reportedly said "This surpasses anything I have ever done; to get even with you boys, I have got to go into Washington and carry Abe Lincoln out."

http://www.wvculture.org/history/journal_wvh/wvh12-1.html

There is a rare portrait of Jesse McNeill in this book

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0801890195/?tag=civilwartalkc-20#_

on pg. 190, looking very cocky.

 

[Rebel from Finland]

To be, or not to be? That is the question.

http://www.spreadshirt.co.uk/two-beer-or-not-two-beer-C4408A5117444 Or is that the question..? Ole sure likes this one.. What it comes to Mosby, I admire him greatly. That quote tells me that he was an reasonable man, and had no illusions of war. Best scout or not, I cannot say so I hold my vote for now.

 

[kholland]

I think there is a slight confusion here. It was Jesse McNeill and McNeill's Rangers of Hardy County, WV, who captured Generals Crook & Kelley behind Union lines.

I'm confused, I don't see these generals mentioned in the previous threads. But Mosby did capture Brigadier General Edwin Stoughton in March of 1863 in Fairfax Court House, Virginia. One of Lincoln's funniest quotes was the result. President Lincoln, on hearing of the capture, said "he did not so much mind the loss of a brigadier general, for he could make another in five minutes; 'but those horses cost $125 apiece!'

 

[brass napoleon]

I'm confused, I don't see these generals mentioned in the previous threads. But Mosby did capture Brigadier General Edwin Stoughton in March of 1863 in Fairfax Court House, Virginia. One of Lincoln's funniest quotes was the result. President Lincoln, on hearing of the capture, said "he did not so much mind the loss of a brigadier general, for he could make another in five minutes; 'but those horses cost $125 apiece!'

In addition to capturing Stoughton, Mosby and his 29 rangers captured two captains, 30 enlisted men, and, as Lincoln lamented, 58 horses, from the midst of a garrisoned village, and brought them all back through heavily patrolled enemy territory, at one point having to swim across a flooded stream. All of this without firing a shot or losing a single man.

Source: Jeffrey D. Wert, Mosby's Rangers, pp. 20-22

 

[oldreb1343]

Lol - I love the story of Mosby capturing a Union Gen. in his own bed & taking him into captivity while the poor guy only wore his night shirt!

The gen he captured didn't even know he was being captured by mosby him self

 

[oldreb1343]

In addition to capturing Stoughton, Mosby and his 29 rangers captured two captains, 30 enlisted men, and, as Lincoln lamented, 58 horses, from the midst of a garrisoned village, and brought them all back through heavily patrolled enemy territory, at one point having to swim across a flooded stream. All of this without firing a shot or losing a single man.

Source: Jeffrey D. Wert, Mosby's Rangers, pp. 20-22

That's a very fine book to read I read three times it was so good

 

[oldreb1343]

I'm confused, I don't see these generals mentioned in the previous threads. But Mosby did capture Brigadier General Edwin Stoughton in March of 1863 in Fairfax Court House, Virginia. One of Lincoln's funniest quotes was the result. President Lincoln, on hearing of the capture, said "he did not so much mind the loss of a brigadier general, for he could make another in five minutes; 'but those horses cost $125 apiece!'

Haha I like that quote

 

[16thVA]

He packed a lot of courage, audacity, bold leadership, and genius in a small frame. His capture of a Union general behind Federal lines ranks as one of the most remarkable endeavors of the Civil War, IMO.

My apologies Brass, I should have known you were right, I wasn't aware of Stoughton's capture. I guess I'm too focused on one subject.

 

[brass napoleon]

My apologies Brass, I should have known you were right, I wasn't aware of Stoughton's capture. I guess I'm too focused on one subject.

No problem. I wasn't aware of McNeill's Rangers either. Sounds like something worth looking into.