Mosby's Rangers: A Record Of The Operations Of The Forty-Third Battalion Virginia Cavalry, From Its Organization To The Surrender

by James Joseph Williamson

Mosby’s Rangers were some of the most feared Confederate troops of the American Civil War. Under the command of Col. John S. Mosby they executed small raids behind Union lines, raiding at will and then vanishing quickly into the countryside to remain undetected. Formally known as the 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, they were formed after the Partisan Ranger Act of 1862. By the summer of 1864 Mosby had around four hundred men at his disposal in six cavalry companies and one artillery company. Their success led to the area around Fauquier and Loudoun counties becoming known as “Mosby’s Confederacy”, due to the grip that he and his men held on the area. James Joseph Williamson was private who fought under Mosby from April, 1863, through until the end of the war. He records in fascinating detail the activity of Mosby and his men from their companies organization until the moment that they were disbanded. Williamson provides brilliant insight into the campaigns that Mosby’s men fought, how they were organized, who led them, the difficulties they faced, as well as their greatest victories. The effectiveness of Mosby and his small band can be seen in these two General Lee said that Mosby was “zealous bold, and skillful, and with very small resources he has accomplished a great deal.” While on the Union side, “General at one point reported that seventeen thousand of his men were engaged in keeping Mosby from attacking his weak points, and thus away from active service on the firing line. Finally it was not safe to send despatches by a courier unless a regiment was sent along to guard him." Yet, after the war, Grant held no animosity against his former foe, and stated “I have come to know Mosby personally and somewhat intimately. He is a different man entirely from what I supposed. … He is able and thoroughly honest and truthful. There were probably but few men in the South who could have commanded successfully a separate detachment in the rear of an opposing army, and so near the borders of hostilities as long as he did without losing his entire command.” Thus demonstrating the respect that Mosby and his men engendered with their enemies even after the war. Mosby’s Rangers is a perfect book for anyone interested in the partisan activities of Mosby and his men through the course of the American Civil War. James Joseph William was one of Mosby’s Rangers from 1863 through until the end of the war. His book was first published in New York in 1896 and he passed away in 1915.

Genres: Civil War, History, Nonfiction, Military History, War, American History, Biography

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Davy Bennett]

My copy is a dark blue leather version and it is from the Collectors Library of the Civil War.

It is a reprint of the 1896 original edition and has other items added in.

The author was captured and jailed, then exchanged in 1863 after signing a loyalty oath.
He was disdainful of this process and joined up with Mosbys Rangers later in 1863. He wrote the preface from New Jersey in 1896.

I get Mosby and Morgan mixed up at times.
The confederate scheme to hide them near each other in the middle of the alphabet is still working to this day.

US Grant was friends with Mosby and highly respected him after the War, said he was nothing like he had imagined during the War.

Obtained at the Workingmans Library in New Harmony Indiana for a dollar. I am a retired worker so it is very fitting that I got this deal.
I do extremely dislike the dictatorship of the proletariat garbage. Soften that up with a french pronunciation of garbage if you like.

[George W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not any easy read for me. It reads as a daily diary as opposed to a novel, or biography. The author is a soldier who served under Mosby the last 12 months or so of the war. He kept a diary, and used input from his companions in arms, and official correspondence between Mosby , J.E.B. Stuart, Lee, and from Union commanders to their troops in the “Mosby Confederacy” theater of war.
There are quite a few spelling or editing errors through the book. The pictures or pencil tracings he refers to are not in this edition.
He does quote John Mosby himself at Times throughout the book.
If nothing else it does leave you with a lot of respect and even awe at Mosby’s bold leadership, intelligence, and dedication to the Confederate cause. Considering the book was written by one of his biggest fans, who like most of the Rangers that almost universally idolized the man Mosby.
It is in no way comparable to G.W. Geynne’s in depth biography of Stonewall Jackson in his book Rebel Yell.
The author’s style is very dry, little to no humor, wit, or anything else to slow the monotony of raid after raid, the next one much like the last.
There are likely better books, in fact I believe Mosby wrote an autobiography himself that is hopefully more enjoyable to read.
If you’re a Civil War addict like I am, you will likely want to read it though. 89 readers gave it 5 stars, a couple said it was their favorite book, or they couldn’t put it down. Despite that I’d give it 3.5 stars if I could. Instead I gave it 4 only because I couldn’t give 3.5!
Other reviewers who are self professed CW junkies like myself couldn’t finish it, or gave it a low rating. I only paid under $10.00 for this book new on Amazon.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

As a teacher, my favorite thing to teach is the Civil War, and I normally snarf up whatever information I can on it. However, I could just never get into this. I dreaded reading it, and consequently got way behind in my (admittedly somewhat ridiculous) reading schedule. I forced myself through about 100 pages, and then asked myself why I was being so stubborn about the book. The only reason I could come up with was that I had started it and it was "on my list." However, I have so many books on my list that I may only finish it if I live to be 100! (I still have well over 50 books on the Civil War to read...) So, reading a book simply because it is on my list isn't really a good enough reason and I decided to stop.

I can't quite put my finger on what it was that I didn't like. Some of it was the simple fact that a lot of this seemed to be mere braggadocio. I realize that memoirs tend to be completely one-sided, but this seemed to go above and beyond. There was more to it than that, but I can't put it into words. So, on to the next adventure.

[Kenneth Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very riveting and informative account of the contribution of Mosby' s Rangers

and the adventurous role they played in the war between the States in the Northwestern area of Virginia. It is full of historical facts as well as numerous communications between the forces involved. I highly recommend this book as a historical account of this great country in turmoil.

[Wanda Ritter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly thought this was the book I grew up with at home, and it might be a form of sahib book. Mosby’s men (with whom Daddy’s people rode) did amazing thing that never made it past the publisher here. These were horrible men, defending home, hearth, and family. Who among us would do differently against a larger hostile invader? There were no slave, the men had rough cabins at home - oh but my, the horses and the daring.

[Aaron W. Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an easy read and not what I was expecting - which was more of a biographical account of Mosby. This is a series of detailed journal entries by Mosby’s man, Private Williamson. More properly, it is a record of the operations of the Forty-third Battalion of the Virginia Cavalry from its founding to its surrender and consequent disbanding. Interesting nonetheless.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vignettes of guerilla escapades In Virginia.

A difficult read for anyone unfamiliar with Virginia geography and made more so by personality references of unknown participants. Not for a reader who does not want minute accounts.

[John Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history

A traveler through northern Virginia will better appreciate the countryside with this record in hand. It’s hard to imagine that our peaceful land was once torn by such strife.

[Grant Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating Civil War information.

The content was superb, but I took off a star because of quite a few mistakes that must have been made in scanning into a file.

[LARRY FLICK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diary Of The Unit

Enjoyed, diary of the unit. and day to day exploits, of this famous unit of the civil war. Nice reading

[Daniel Patitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of bravery and daring while fighting for the Confederacy. Behind enemy lines their tactics allowed for the supply to his comerades and the taking of hundreds of prisonrs.

[Kenneth W Ortensie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

It was like reading a morning report over and over. It had too many names to keep straight in my head.

[Matthew Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top five favorite books! This was an incredible story!

[gwen graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

It was an informative account of Mosby Rangers. I understand where they were coming from, but regardless they group of men a group or band of guerrillias.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Couldn't put it down.

[Jeff Ferry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is basically a literary version of a series of after action reports. There is little character development and even the eponymous Mosby is not explored deeply. However, if you are a big Civil War or Mosby fan you will find the story very interesting. It was written by someone who was on the scene so it isn't an egghead from 150 years later giving his opinions which is a nice change of pace.

[Phil Clymer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book but slightly on the dry side. Consists of lots of casualty lists, numbers of horses and/or mules captured, and wagons either captured or destroyed.