The American Civil War Diaries (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter UKReb
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Spitfrnd
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mikemiller1955
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Great work again Bob.
Spitfrnd
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Yeah, I can connect with that one.
UKReb
Command Sergeant Major
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17th May 1864-Location:-2 miles east of Leesburg VA 60 miles north of Spotsylvania. The Union camp of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry supported by two companies of Infantry and one Artillery battery all under the command of Colonel Charles Russell Lowell.
Early that morning whilst Lowell and his cavalry were patrolling and protecting the roads west of Washington assembly had been called for the infantry and gunners.
The quiet and stillness of the spring morning was shattered by the piercing shrill of a trumpet and Rebel yells for out from the tree-line rode the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry
better known to history as Mosby's Rangers.
Having studiously avoided the Union pickets (Mosby would swear that they were all asleep) they charged the camp in column of two's. Mosby's men performing their favorite tactic
"A ride through the enemy line" which they had honed to perfection. With alacrity and cunning they executed all their attacks based on three simple principles-
Speed; Surprise & Shock.
John Singleton Mosby joined the Virginia Volunteers as a private. Always a keen student of military history he had been greatly influenced by the guerilla tactics of the Revolutionary "Swamp Fox" General Francis Marion. JEB Stuart promoted him and assigned him to his cavalry scouts. He was to serve Stuart well for it was he who was responsible for Stuart's successful "Ride around McClellan" during the Peninsular Campaign.
In June 1863 Lee ordered him to form a Partisan Cavalry Company to harrass and disrupt the Union supply and communication lines with a determined purpose to weaken the armies invading Virginia.
Arming each of his rangers with at least four.44 Caliber Colt revolvers and Ezekiel Baker sawn-off shotguns (their favored weapons) Mosby formulated plans to conduct daring raids behind enemy lines which created havoc with the Federal supply lines
These raids became the stuff of legends and literally thousands of Union troops were stymied by his operations. The Union High Command and Northern news-sheets described him and his men as no better than plunderers; thieves; murderers and bushwackers. But this kind of reckless courage and daring tempered with an unswerving dedication to the Southern Cause provided Mosby the approbation of Southern Society. To the South Mosby and his Rangers were Confederate heroes.
Mosby himself was somewhat reserved and taciturn but he was also an uncompromising disciplinarian with a sure grasp of the potential of guerilla warfare. Idolized by his men and no more so than his loyal lieutenant and second in command Captain Richard Paul Montjoy who during their raids always rode on the right of Mosby blazing away with his pair of Colts
The raid on the Union camp at Leesburg and others that followed during May/June 1864 have been highlighted as avenging the death of JEB Stuart. It has been recorded that Stuart's death at Yellow Tavern had affected Mosby as much as it had affected Lee. He was to say many years after Appomattox that JEB Stuart made him what he was in the war but for Stuart's friendship he would never have been heard of-"he was the best friend I ever had".
Revenge killings were an unfortunate evil in order to maintain a sense of honor as seen amongst a certain number of Southern and Union officers. Mosby was often heard to say to his men "Better is it for each one of us should avenge his friend, than greatly mourn him"
" A small force moving with celerity and threatening many points on a line can neutralize a hundred times its own number"
John S Mosby
The Union captain of Infantry at that Leesburg camp was to discover later that not a single one of his men had had time to fire their weapons at the enemy for as suddenly as they appeared they were gone which only perpetuated the legend of the Gray Ghost.
Reb
Early that morning whilst Lowell and his cavalry were patrolling and protecting the roads west of Washington assembly had been called for the infantry and gunners.
The quiet and stillness of the spring morning was shattered by the piercing shrill of a trumpet and Rebel yells for out from the tree-line rode the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry
better known to history as Mosby's Rangers.
Having studiously avoided the Union pickets (Mosby would swear that they were all asleep) they charged the camp in column of two's. Mosby's men performing their favorite tactic
"A ride through the enemy line" which they had honed to perfection. With alacrity and cunning they executed all their attacks based on three simple principles-
Speed; Surprise & Shock.
John Singleton Mosby joined the Virginia Volunteers as a private. Always a keen student of military history he had been greatly influenced by the guerilla tactics of the Revolutionary "Swamp Fox" General Francis Marion. JEB Stuart promoted him and assigned him to his cavalry scouts. He was to serve Stuart well for it was he who was responsible for Stuart's successful "Ride around McClellan" during the Peninsular Campaign.
In June 1863 Lee ordered him to form a Partisan Cavalry Company to harrass and disrupt the Union supply and communication lines with a determined purpose to weaken the armies invading Virginia.
Arming each of his rangers with at least four.44 Caliber Colt revolvers and Ezekiel Baker sawn-off shotguns (their favored weapons) Mosby formulated plans to conduct daring raids behind enemy lines which created havoc with the Federal supply lines
These raids became the stuff of legends and literally thousands of Union troops were stymied by his operations. The Union High Command and Northern news-sheets described him and his men as no better than plunderers; thieves; murderers and bushwackers. But this kind of reckless courage and daring tempered with an unswerving dedication to the Southern Cause provided Mosby the approbation of Southern Society. To the South Mosby and his Rangers were Confederate heroes.
Mosby himself was somewhat reserved and taciturn but he was also an uncompromising disciplinarian with a sure grasp of the potential of guerilla warfare. Idolized by his men and no more so than his loyal lieutenant and second in command Captain Richard Paul Montjoy who during their raids always rode on the right of Mosby blazing away with his pair of Colts
The raid on the Union camp at Leesburg and others that followed during May/June 1864 have been highlighted as avenging the death of JEB Stuart. It has been recorded that Stuart's death at Yellow Tavern had affected Mosby as much as it had affected Lee. He was to say many years after Appomattox that JEB Stuart made him what he was in the war but for Stuart's friendship he would never have been heard of-"he was the best friend I ever had".
Revenge killings were an unfortunate evil in order to maintain a sense of honor as seen amongst a certain number of Southern and Union officers. Mosby was often heard to say to his men "Better is it for each one of us should avenge his friend, than greatly mourn him"
" A small force moving with celerity and threatening many points on a line can neutralize a hundred times its own number"
John S Mosby
The Union captain of Infantry at that Leesburg camp was to discover later that not a single one of his men had had time to fire their weapons at the enemy for as suddenly as they appeared they were gone which only perpetuated the legend of the Gray Ghost.
Reb
UKReb
Command Sergeant Major
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Spitfrnd
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BRAVO, BRAVO; BELLA, MOLTO BELLA.
Well given how many fine scenes you have done this is hard to say but this is my favorite to date.
Of course the Grey Ghost is my favorite civil war hero so you certainly hit the right spot for me. In fact, if I were ever going to collect the ACW, these would be the lads that I would want to start with. I think the Grey Ghost and the Swamp Fox were my two favorite series as a kid. I especially liked Tod Andrews as Mosby and also In Harm's Way. This certainly takes me back.
I love what you did in arranging and photographing these CS Mosby figures, including the modified flag bearer, and even working a nicely modified Letane into the equation. I don't recognize the extra troopers on the edge of the action, they are K&C I assume? Also, I love the terrain features and scenery touches; as well as the photography per usual. This episode just flows so smoothly you think it is a movie. Well it is a movie to me. Thanks so much my friend for this particularly enjoyable chapter.
I love what you did in arranging and photographing these CS Mosby figures, including the modified flag bearer, and even working a nicely modified Letane into the equation.
I don't recognize the extra troopers on the edge of the action, they are K&C I assume? Also, I love the terrain features and scenery touches; as well as the photography per usual. This episode just flows so smoothly you think it is a movie. Well it is a movie to me. Thanks so much my friend for this particularly enjoyable chapter.
thebritfarmer
Moderator
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Every episode you provide us with is a masterpiece. Though this latest one maybe your best yet Reb !!!
Thanks for once again providing a little late night entertainment.
Thanks for once again providing a little late night entertainment.
Toy Soldier Brigade
Sergeant Major
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Shiloh
Staff Sergeant
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Why yes I do. An excellent figure to be sure. The painting is just awesome.I did Gary
Bob
Toy Soldier Brigade
Sergeant Major
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I do
marco55
Brigadier General
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UKReb
Command Sergeant Major
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Absolutely correct Mark he is listed in their catalogue as SO16 US Cavalry Sergeant 1867. I first came across him and a Duke Wayne figure when I bid for them on Ebay and got them for literally pennies. They were somewhat broken & battered with no bases attached I photographed them and squirted them on the forum asking anyone to identify these guys as they were very similar to the King's X set one got free if you spent 400 plus bucks. No one could but New Jersey John confirmed they were not the Kings X set.
Doing a bit of a Sherlock Holmes and being a member of Historex I forwarded the pictures on and they identified them as metal kits from Soldiers SGF at around $25 each with discount. I immediately ordered him, the Captain of Cavalry and two Union officers from the series and used them as character figures in the Mule Shoe episode.(pictures attached)
They are really nice chunky detailed figures easily assembled that paint up well in ACW duds with a little artistic licence of course
Bob
mestell
Lieutenant Colonel
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Just returned from a one week golf outing to Santee, South Carolina Bob and am just now catching up on my forum reading. Once again, just a fantastic continuation of your ACW Diary. The use of the backdrop really adds a lot of depth to your scenes and makes them seem that much more "alive". Thanks once again for the historical entertainment. Huzzah!
Mike
Mike