John Singleton Mosby was probably the greatest raider in history. He was otherwise known as the “Gray Ghost.” The reason for this nickname was because of the torment that he inflicted on the Union Army, and despite all attempts he was never captured. Col Mosby used what in my opinion was the prelude to “Guerilla Tactics,” in war. The reason that I make this observation is because he would conduct a raid and then disappear by blending into the local populace. He earned a reputation for daring raids behind enemy lines and on one occasion was noted for capturing a Union General.
One tactic that he and his rangers used which really caused me to raise an eyebrow was that his unit would never bivouac (sleep in the woods for you civilian types) in one location. His men would scatter throughout an area and rally at a predetermined time or signal. He was so stealthy that he could cross back and forth across Union lines at any time without being detected. There was one reported incident of the Union Army closing in on him while he was at home with his wife. He went out of the window and hid in a tree while they searched the area. He climbed back into the window and went back to bed when they left.
His unit (the 43rd Battalion Va Cavalry) was not surrendered at the end of the war. Instead he disbanded it about 2 weeks after the war had ended.
This is one of the great almost forgotten stories of the Civil War. One of the benefits of creating a custom military ring is that these memories can be stored on the ring which becomes a keepsake rather than just a piece of jewelry.
Related posts:
