Jonh Mosby

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John Singleton Mosby
(1833-1916)

John Singleton Mosby other wise known as the “Gray Ghost” was born in Edgemont Virginia on December 6,1833, into a prosperous slave-holding family. Sickly and spoiled he soon became the target of bullies; this caused him to develop a fiery temper that hid behind his frail looking body. He soon developed an unbending sense of justice and honesty. Although he disliked school. Mosby was bright and well read, He attended the University oh Virginia until he shot a bully, which got him expelled and jailed, His family got him a pardon.
In 1855 Mosby was a lawyer he practiced law in Bristol Virginia. In 1857 he met Pauline Clarke and but December they were married. His greatest comfort would always lay with Pauline. Mosby opposed Virginias Secession until the war started .He entered the confederate service as part of the militia company that became part of the 1st Virginia Cavalry, Untill he came into conflict with his units Colonel” Grumble Jones” and the joined J.E.B Stuarts staff as a scout.
During the Peninsula Campaign he paved the way for Stuart’s famous ride around McClellan. After a Brief period of captivity in July 1862 he rejoined Stuart and was rewarded with the authority to raise a band of partisans for the service in the Loudoun Valley in northern Virginia. Originally a battalion, his command was raised to a regiment in the last months of war.
Between 1863 and 1865 , a 125square mile triangle of northern Virginia encompassing part of the Fauquier and loudoun counties was so firmly under the control of Col.Mosby’s 43rd Virginia cavalry that it became known simply as “Mosby’s Confederacy “ Mosbys guerrilla fighters were known as the “Partisan Rangers” or “Mosby’s Rangers”.
Supported by loyal civilians, Mosby and his guerrilla fighters blew up trains and bridges and harassed genera Philips Sheridan’s supply lines so effectively ...