Stierhistory
Private
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2021
I would like to proudly present my original unpublished wardate melainotype of Confederate Third Lieutenant John Russell of Company C, 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Partisan Rangers.
Born March 13, 1841, John Russell enlisted as a private in Company G, Second Virginia Infantry Regiment (Stonewall Brigade) on October 31, 1861. A battle-hardened veteran, Russell transferred to John Singleton Mosby's cavalry command in early '63 when that unit was first organized. A shooting star, Russell accompanied Mosby when Union Brigadier General Edwin H. Stoughton was captured in bed on March 9, 1863. From that point on, until the close of the War, Lieutenant Russell conspicuously participated in virtually every major operation of Colonel Mosby's command. Russell was described as standing five feet, seven inches in height, with blue eyes, light complexion and having brown hair.
Colonel Mosby would subsequently write favorably of Russell to a colleague after the War: "You must, by all means, see John Russell, who lives near Berryville, for he saw more service than any man in the command, as he always acted as guide in the Valley." Mosby also referred to Lieutenant Russell as "my most trusted scout." Somewhat standoffish, Colonel Mosby had little interest in attending postwar Confederate reunions, but did maintain his close friendship with Russell until his dying day. An unreconstructed Rebel to the very end, John Russell passed away on February 21, 1932 and is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Berryville, Virginia.
Russell is shown in this melainotype wearing a British imported snake buckle. The photographer also tinted the lower portion of his jacket collar in yellow trim, designating the cavalry branch of the service...proof that this image was produced after Russell cast his lot with the Gray Ghost.
Courtesy of the William J. Stier Collection.
Born March 13, 1841, John Russell enlisted as a private in Company G, Second Virginia Infantry Regiment (Stonewall Brigade) on October 31, 1861. A battle-hardened veteran, Russell transferred to John Singleton Mosby's cavalry command in early '63 when that unit was first organized. A shooting star, Russell accompanied Mosby when Union Brigadier General Edwin H. Stoughton was captured in bed on March 9, 1863. From that point on, until the close of the War, Lieutenant Russell conspicuously participated in virtually every major operation of Colonel Mosby's command. Russell was described as standing five feet, seven inches in height, with blue eyes, light complexion and having brown hair.
Colonel Mosby would subsequently write favorably of Russell to a colleague after the War: "You must, by all means, see John Russell, who lives near Berryville, for he saw more service than any man in the command, as he always acted as guide in the Valley." Mosby also referred to Lieutenant Russell as "my most trusted scout." Somewhat standoffish, Colonel Mosby had little interest in attending postwar Confederate reunions, but did maintain his close friendship with Russell until his dying day. An unreconstructed Rebel to the very end, John Russell passed away on February 21, 1932 and is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Berryville, Virginia.
Russell is shown in this melainotype wearing a British imported snake buckle. The photographer also tinted the lower portion of his jacket collar in yellow trim, designating the cavalry branch of the service...proof that this image was produced after Russell cast his lot with the Gray Ghost.
Courtesy of the William J. Stier Collection.
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