Customer Reviews

Mosby's Memoirs (Southern Classics Series)

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Since I live in what might be called "Mosby's Back Yard" --- the Washington, DC suburbs of Northern Virginia --- I thought I should learn something about this man for whom several local streets, highways, and bridges are named. A friend recommended "Mosby's Rangers" by Jeffrey Wert; my wife suggested a new book, James Ramage's "Gray Ghost." But I opted to begin my study with Mosby's own account of his adventures: his own memoirs.

I know that old soldiers tend to exaggerate their war stories; and they occasionally ramble. But Mosby's Memoirs are still fascinating, and I think the exaggeration is kept to a minimum. The story does get a bit bogged down in Chapter 12 --- talking about events leading up to Gettysburg. The good colonel, like all soldiers, is also somewhat wordy discussing the merits and failures of various generals and officers in the war.

Still, all things considered, I found this to be quite interesting. I don't usually read military memoirs, but I enjoyed this. Now on to "Gray Ghost!"

Oh, another thing that made this book (and, presumably any book on John Mosby's exploits) fun to read: he mentions so many towns, roads, and places already familiar to me. Last weekend I took a drive to Beaverdam, VA just to see what was left of the train station near where the Yankees captured Mosby early in his career (he was shortly released). Couldn't find the station, but the tracks are still there! If you're familiar with Northern VA & the Shenandoah Valley, check out this book!

I read this book in less than 3 weeks! It was great, and for those who don't know the Civil War it's even better because you don't know what's about to happen. I really liked it, and you should check it out.

John Singleton Mosby ranks up there with the very best of those who served his country during war and I suspect that had he served with the North during the War Between The States his legacy today would be even more enhanced.
His Partisan Rangers gave the Federal Army in Virginia more than they had anticipated or could handle and they sustained their brilliant raids throughout the war. They were so good at their small unit hit and run tactics that at the war's end there was some question as to whether they would be pardoned. They were and his skill as a Ranger, his daring, and his loyalty to his cause and to those who served under him earned him the respect of many of his contemporaries, North and South alike...well, most of them anyway. George Custer probably didn't like him too much but read Mosby's book and see why.
Having visited and walked some of the sites of his raids and fights in Virginia I greatly enjoyed having his book with me. Getting back to the place is one thing while getting back to the time is another. MOSBY'S MEMOIRS offered those rare, brief glimpses into the mind and times of a true Special Operations soldier.

It is lucky for Civil War buffs that Mosby survived the war, and was able to put into his own words details of his exploits. Operating primarily as a guerrilla fighter during the war, over the years many myths arose about the man and his deeds; Mosby puts them into perspective and into a semblance of truth.

Unlike many of the war's memoirs, Mosby's recollections are easily read and avoids, for the most part, the stilted language common in those days. Very readable and highly interesting. Mosby was a unique character in many ways, and reading his own accounts of close calls and narrow escapes reveals just how interesting the man was.

Recommended for Civil War enthusiasts, students of behind-the-lines warfare or anyone who enjoys a good (and in this case, true) adventure story.