John Singleton Mosby Letters

Collection

Identifier: 0702

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of handwritten transcriptions of eight letters written by John S. Mosby to General Marcus J. Wright concerning his military career in the Civil War and the publishing of his wartime accounts. Most of the letters deal with Mosby's interpretation of events and battles, as well as his version of his guerrilla operations. Mosby is very critical of General Sheridan for his attitude and treatment of his men. Notably, Marcus J. Wright was a former Confederate general who helped to compile "The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies."

Dates

Creation: 1887 - 1894

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

John Singleton Mosby, an attorney, entered the Confederate Army in 1861. He rose in rank from private to colonel and commanded the 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (known as Mosby's Rangers or Mosby's Raiders), a partisan ranger unit. He became a famous military leader for the Confederate side, noted due to his "guerrilla" type military tactics. He also spent a good deal of time fighting alongside Robert E. Lee. After the war, Mosby engaged in politics, becoming a supporter of Ulysses S. Grant for president, and resumed work as an attorney. Additionally, he served as the American consul to Hong Kong and in the U.S. Department of Justice. He published his war reminiscences in 1887.

Full Extent

1 Folder(s)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This finding aid is organized by accessions. Each accession represents an addition to the collection. Each accession also represents a transfer of physical and legal custody of archival materials from the donor(s) to Auburn University Special Collections and Archives.