Mosby's Rangers

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MOSBY'S RANGERS

MOSBY'S RANGERS. During the Civil War Mosby's Rangers were an irregular body of Confederate troops under the command of Col. John S. Mosby. They operated from 1863 to 1865 south of the Potomac, behind the Union lines. This organization began with a scouting assignment from Confederate Gen. J. E. B. Stuart in January 1863. From a few troopers the rangers gradually grew to eight companies by 1865. Apart from participation with Stuart in the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, campaign, their main activities consisted of sudden attacks on Union outposts, followed, when pursued, by quick dispersion. To Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, Gen. George A. Custer, and others, Mosby's men were a thorn in the flesh. Efforts to destroy the rangers invariably failed.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williamson, James J. Mosby's Rangers, A Record of the Forty-Third Battalion Virginia Cavalry from Its Organization to the Surrender. Alexandria, Va.: Time-Life Books, 1982.

Alfred P.James/c. w.

See alsoCavalry, Horse ; Gettysburg, Battle of ; Rangers .