Mosby's Rangers...!

Just a little Civil War history for ya this morning. Ya gotta love history, right?

You might have heard the name "gray ghost" before, and that was another name for John Mosby. Interesting bit of history here if you likie stories from the Civil War era.

Mosby’s Rangers

Photo via Wikipedia

John Mosby, nicknamed “the gray ghost,” led the 43rd Battalion, 1st Virginia Cavalry, known as “Mosby’s Rangers.” Major Mosby would don a disguise and locate an appropriate location for a raid, and then his unit would strike. Mosby’s Rangers was famous for its quick raids and ability to elude Union troops by “disappearing” among local farmers and townspeople. They gained notoriety in a raid on Fairfax Court House, when they captured Union Brigadier General Edwin Stoughton, a few other officers, and many horses. President Lincoln was more grieved by the loss of the horses than of the general, saying, “I can make a much better brigadier in five minutes, but the horses cost $125 apiece."

Mosby’s Rangers caused problems for the Union by disrupting supply lines, capturing Union couriers, and giving information to the Confederate Army. Major Mosby operated with impunity, employing his own warfare tactics and looting public and personal property. At the end of the war, Mosby became a Republican and worked as a representative for President Grant, serving as the American consul in Hong Kong. He also served as an official in the Department of the Interior.

Seems like Mosby made the move from militia man to politics fairly seamlessly. Guess that happened a lot back in those days, though.

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Watch out for the spider webs!