The John S. Mosby Letters, 1864-1910

Access and use

Location of collection:
Fairfax County Public Library
Fairfax County Public Library
City of Fairfax Regional Library
Virginia Room
10360 North Street
Fairfax, VA 22030-2514
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Chris Barbuschak
Phone: (703) 293-2142
Phone: (703) 293-6227 ext. 6 (Virginia Room)
Fax: (703) 293-2155

Summary

Extent:
0.5 linear feet
Creator:
Mosby, John Singleton (1833-1916)
Abstract:
The John S. Mosby Letters consist of 0.5 linear feet and span the years 1864-1910 and consist of 1 original handwritten letter, two folders of photocopies of handwritten and typed correspondence and one folder of aperture cards of the photocopies in folders 6 through 40.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The John S. Mosby Letters consist of 0.5 linear feet and span the years 1864-1910 and consist of 1 original handwritten letter, two folders of photocopies of handwritten and typed correspondence and one folder of aperture cards of the photocopies in folders 6 through 40. The original handwritten letter contains a newspaper clipping and the letter refutes statements in the newspaper. Much of the correspondence in folders 5 through 40 consists of letters from Mosby to Benton Chinn, chiefly regarding contemporary newspaper references to Mosby’s Rangers, other Civil War topics, and political issues of the era in addition to personal matters. Transcriptions of the letters are included.

Biographical / historical:

John Singleton Mosby, b. Dec. 6, 1833, Powhatan County, VA. Attended Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Virginia; later studied law and admitted to Virginia bar. Joined Confederate Army, served in 1st Virginia Cavalry under J.E.B. Stuart. Appointed to lead 43rd Virginia Cavalry ("Mosby's Command"), which operated as partisan rangers and guerrillas often behind Union lines in Northern Virginia. Mosby’s raids earned him the nickname “The Gray Ghost” and parts of Northern Virginia were known in the press as Mosby's Confederacy. One of his most famous exploits was the capture of Union Brig. Gen. Edwin H. Stoughton from a house (now the rectory of Truro Parish) across Main Street from the old Fairfax County Courthouse. After the war, Mosby served as U.S. consul to Hong Kong (1878-1885), and later as an attorney for the Southern Pacific Railroad, a land agent for the U.S. Department of the Interior, and an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice. He died May 30, 1916, and is buried in Warrenton, VA.

Acquisition information:
The original letter in folder 1 from John Mosby to Thomas R. Keith dated January 20, 1900, was donated to the Historical Society of Fairfax County in 1950-1951 by Keith’s daughter, Hannah Keith Howze. The letter was later transferred to Fairfax County Public Library’s Virginia Room on an unknown date. The two photocopied letters from John Mosby in Folders 3-4 were a gift of Dr. Kenneth S. McAtee, May 1989. The photocopies of John Mosby letters 1864-1910 in folders 5 through 40 were a gift of Mrs. Virgie R. Ritchie. Folder 5 contains seven aperture cards containing images of the letters in folders 6-40.