At the Action at Mount Zion Church, 6 July 1864, PVT John W. Munson and the 43rd Virginia Cavalry Battalion, or Mosby’s Rangers, intercepted a Union Cavalry detachment that had perused them for three days after their successful raid of the Army Garrison at Point of Rocks Maryland. Mosby’s Rangers specialized in disrupting lines of supply and communication but were more than capable of fighting in the open when the occasion required.
Sources used for this episode:
Munson, John W. Reminiscences of a Mosby Guerrilla. New York: Moffat, Yard and Company, 1906. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t48p5vn20&seq=13.
Scott, Robert N. War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 25, pt. 1: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1889. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077730244&view=1up&seq=3.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:22):
Hello everyone.
My name is bill Coughlin andwelcome to first person civil
war podcast, which retellsstories of the soldiers and
officers on the ground in thebattles of the civil war.
Episode 34 is entitled.
Private John w Monson and the43rd Virginia cavalry battalion.
(00:47):
At the action at Mount Sinai onchurch.
And relies on his book,reminiscences of a most big
gorilla.
Which he published in 1906.
John William Munson was born inRichmond, Virginia in 1847.
But he does not provide muchinformation about his early
(01:08):
childhood.
By 1861.
He still lived in Richmond andwas a member of a cavalry unit
called the governor's guard.
In late April, the governor ofVirginia put local militia units
on alert.
Which included the guards as itwas rumored that the gunboat USS
Pawnee was sailing up the Jamesriver to attack Richmond.
(01:31):
Which was at this time, just thestate Capitol.
At 15 years old.
John Munson was too young to bein the rank and file of the
governor's guard.
But he did serve in anothercapacity of that militia unit.
Military companies in thosedays, each had one or two
(01:53):
markers.
Boys who carried little flagsand whose duty it was to run out
in front of the company to agiven point.
And stand there like statues.
While the company marched up toend around them.
I went down the river road thatSunday afternoon with the
governor's guard as a marker.
And we slept out of doors forthree nights for the first time
(02:16):
in our lives.
The Pawnee did not pass Norfolk.
And at last we marched back toRichmond.
This was my first soldiering ofthe war.
And I believe it was the firstthat was done in Virginia.
The USS Pawnee was a Norfolkwith orders to blow up the dry
dock before it fell intoConfederate hands.
(02:39):
With 10 guns on board, it couldpose a threat to the city, but
after it successfully blew upthe dry dock on Sunday 21,
April, 1861.
In return to Washington DC.
For two years, John Munsonremained in Richmond as the war
raged across the state ofVirginia and beyond.
(03:01):
When at the age of 17, hefinally decided to enlist.
Then it was that we began tohear about Mosley and his men.
To my mind Mosley was the idealfighting man.
From the tip of his plume to therowel of a spur.
Stories of his wonderfulachievements came into Richmond
(03:23):
from every direction.
Joan of arc never felt the callto go to battle any stronger
than I felt to join.
Mo's B.
I had not any doubt of mydesirability and figured out
that all the partisan rangerrequired of his men was
willingness to get shot.
As occasion might require andsleep out of doors in any kind
(03:45):
of weather.
John S.
Mosley had been in the army ofNorthern Virginia's cavalry for
two years and specialized inscouting and rating under Jeb
Stuart.
In early 1863, he was authorizedto form the 43rd Virginia
cavalry battalion as partisanRangers.
(04:06):
That became known as Moseley'sRangers among other names.
As a partisan unit, the 43rdVirginia cavalry would not be
present at the gigantic battlesof the Eastern theater.
Its focus would be the supplyand communication lines of the
union army.
John Munson discovered thatColonel Mosley and his men
(04:29):
operated out of Fauquier county,Virginia.
And resolved to leave Richmondto join up.
And he did so with a degree ofsecrecy.
John talked about nursing haspatriotic zeal in secret.
And was concerned with thereaction of his friends.
If they saw him leave Richmondon horseback.
He felt walking out of the citywould give his friends the
(04:51):
impression that he would soonreturn.
After 10 days and approximately150 miles of walking.
He arrived in Fauquier countyand found the house where his
hero and his men stayed.
Nervously.
I swept my eyes over the band insearch of a big man with a show,
(05:13):
a uniform, a flowing plume, andthe flashing Sabre.
Gradually there had come into mymind on my tramp, an idea of a
figure that seemed to representmost be.
I associated him in myimagination with generals Lee
and Jackson and Stewart.
And I am not sure that I did notlike an him to Robin hood or
(05:37):
Richard.
The Lionheart.
He walked up slowly to thebuilding and asked where Mose B
was and he continues.
The shock was somethingconsiderable.
I beheld a small plainly, atired man, fair of complexion,
slight, but wirey standing withhis arms behind his back.
(05:58):
Talking quietly to one of hismen.
The visions of splendor andmagnificence that had filled my
mind were swept away.
The total absence of visiblemight the lack of swagger.
The quiet demeanor of the manall contributed to my
astonishment and chagrin.
(06:18):
He did not even strut.
John Munson ate dinner besideMosley and his men.
And during the meal, the Coloneltold John that if he could
acquire a horse and meet him inthe next town, that he could
join his cavalry.
With horses being in shortsupply, even in Richmond, this
(06:39):
was not an easy feat.
But John managed to purchase oneon credit from a local farmer.
And met Colonel Mo's be in thenext town.
I followed most be around theroom and out on the porch.
And after talking with him for10 minutes, Somewhere or
somehow.
(06:59):
Uh, pistol came into mypossession with a belt and
holster for it.
And I was received into theranks of the most be gorillas,
all ready for action.
Private months in enlisted on10, June, 1863, and was
initially assigned to company a.
But by one October of that year,He transferred to company B.
(07:23):
For over a year, private monthsin road with the 43rd Virginia
cavalry battalion, whichoperated in Northern Virginia,
west, Virginia, and Maryland.
By June, 1864, the army ofNorthern Virginia and the army
of the Potomac settled into C Joperations outside of the city
(07:45):
of Petersburg.
Which is south of Richmond.
Though stalled in the south.
The Shenandoah valley saw bothsides maneuvering for advantage
over the other.
This included Lieutenantgeneral, Jubal early core, which
became known as the army of thevalley.
After seeing initial success inthe valley.
Lieutenant general early plan toMarch into Maryland and
(08:07):
eventually on to Washington DC.
Once Colonel Moseley learned ofLieutenant general, earliest
intentions.
He gathered his Rangers for araid into Maryland.
And supported the largerConfederate raid on his own
initiative.
Private Munson and the 43rdVirginia cavalry battalion.
Cross the Potomac river atpoints of Virox Maryland on
(08:30):
three July, 1864.
Where they made quick work ofthe small union Garrison.
Reaching the Maryland side, wefound that the bridge across the
canal.
Meaning the Chesapeake and Ohiocanal.
Had been torn up, but repairedit so the men could cross.
We attack the Garrison, drove itout, captured the camp, and a
(08:54):
lot of stores destroyed all thegovernment property.
Burn the freight boat.
Cut.
The wires helped ourselves toeverything we could handle.
And came back to the Virginiaside and safety.
Bringing our prisoners with us.
The rain drew the attention ofmajor William H.
Forbes who commanded adetachment of the second
(09:17):
Massachusetts and 13th, New Yorkcavalry regiments.
Who operated in the area.
Colonel Charles R Lowell juniorcommander of the second
Massachusetts cavalry, who wasnot present at the action to
come.
Provided the report for theregiment.
Major Forbes road, acrossseveral towns on the Southern
(09:37):
bank of the Potomac in search ofthe 43rd Virginia cavalry.
And ask the local populace ofthe Confederates.
Whereabouts.
From what I learned fromcitizens, I think most be passed
between Leesburg and the Potomacsometime on Tuesday, five, July.
On Wednesday learned of majorForbes, his second visit to
(09:59):
Leesburg.
And laid an ambush for him atballs mill.
Well, some civilians providedinformation to major Forbes as
he chased Mosley and his men.
Private months in and the 43rdVirginia cavalry received
similar help.
We had about 150 men at thistime for a number had gone back
(10:23):
home after the point of rocksraid.
I'm disturbed by the presence ofmajor Forbes in our vicinity
with no thought of is making anattack on us at night and with
the desire to have it out withhim by daylight in a fair field.
We followed our leader in dillysBerg, where we learned that the
major's command had moved to Aldi.
(10:43):
We followed, trying to cut himoff at balls mill.
But he had already crossed theFord when we arrived and he was
headed for Mount Sinai onchurch.
After three days of marching andcounter marching, private
Munson, and Mosley's Rangersmarched by a shorter route to
Mount Zion church and preparedto me, major Forbes is
(11:05):
detachment in battle.
Just outside of the village ofLT on six July, 1864.
When we broke into the pike, amile and a half below Mount
Sinai on Forbes had not yetcoming site.
So we took time to plant ourCanon in the middle of the road
and arrange to receive him.
(11:26):
Presently Forbes and his 200 mencame into view near Mount Zion.
The major did not see us untilhe got started down the pike
again.
Our artillery squad, which wasmore or less afraid of the
little 12 pounder yank thelanyard and a shell went howling
up the road only to burst wellout of range without doing the
(11:47):
slightest damage.
Though in possession of the onlyartillery piece between both
sides, it was the only shot fromthat cannon.
Given private months andsubscription of the gun crew,
they lacked proper training andcould not maneuver the piece
alongside cavalry.
In summarizing major Forbes isleadership.
(12:08):
Colonel Lowell cannot help butprovide critiques of his
subordinate.
As major Forbes formed on thesouth of his advanced guard,
which had dismounted and firedas Moseley came up, fell back,
still keeping a little north ofthe pike.
And took an excellent positionsomewhat on the flank.
Up to this time.
(12:29):
I think all the dispositionswere admirable.
Major Forbes.
His two squadrons were formedhis third squadron and rear
guard not formed.
But nearly so and no confusion.
As the union cavalry formed inline.
Private Munson and the 43rdVirginia cavalry steadily
(12:50):
advanced.
In order to get at him, we hadto move along the road in his
front and take the concentratedfire of his men.
Mosley ordered us to hold ourfire until we could get into the
field.
And we went along the pike,rather leisurely.
Not giving our horses rain untilwe got through the gap in the
(13:11):
fence.
Forbes said not the same ideaabout where the fight should
begin.
His men began raking us alongthe road and we're ready with
more ammunition when we wheeledand sent up the yell, meaning
the rebel yell.
Which was so much a part of ourtactics.
(13:31):
Critical to the next few minutesof the battle.
The union cavalry fired upon theConfederates while still
mounted.
Which it seems the horses wereunaccustomed.
When two panels of fence weredown the men trotted through for
about 75 yards and camegradually down to a walk.
(13:51):
And almost halted.
Major Forbes is first platoonwas ordered to fire with
carbines.
Here was his first mistake.
It created confusion among thehorses and the squadron in the
rear added to it by firing a fewpistol shots.
Had the order of a given to drawsabers and charge.
(14:11):
The rebels would never have gottheir gun off.
But I think major Forbes seeinghow uneasy his horses were at
the firing.
Must have intended to dismountsome of, as men.
With horses, scared of riflefire.
The union cavalry becamedisorganized.
Which gave private Munson andthe 43rd Virginia cavalry.
(14:34):
A critical advantage in theircharge.
At any rate we swept into theirline, like a hurricane each man
with a drawn six shooter.
At first Forbes is men made agood fight, but they could not
stand the rain of our pistolballs.
We split their front rank asSunder and broke their spirit.
(14:56):
Half of them in a mad andhelpless scramble, gotten to the
next field where they ralliedaround major Forbes and fought
as gallantly as men could fight.
We crashed into them again, andthe battle became a hand to hand
conflict.
Revolvers against sabers andrevolvers.
Mosley's men discharging theirweapons into the very faces of
(15:19):
Forbes is troopers.
It was a massive struggling.
Cursing maniacs.
Each striving to slay hisantagonist.
It was only a portion of mostspecies Rangers, private months
and included.
That fiercely engaged with andeventually captured major Forbes
and the remnant of the commandthat rallied around him.
(15:42):
The rest of the Rangers pursuedthe remaining two squadrons that
broken confusion down the pike.
The action at Mount Sinai onchurch was one of the most
successful engagements of the43rd Virginia cavalry battalion.
Private months in survive theaction and continue to serve in
the Rangers until he wascaptured by the eighth Illinois
(16:05):
cavalry at Upperville Virginiaon 29, October, 1864.
As a prisoner of war, he stayedat the old Capitol prison in
Washington, DC.
Where he managed to escape on27, January, 1865.
Private months and returned toMosley's Rangers and rode with
(16:25):
them until the end of the war.
John w months and wrotereminiscences of a most be
gorilla in 1906.
And took the opportunity toclarify where some of the terms
used to describe the 43rdVirginia cavalry battalion.
originated.
(16:46):
Our little body of men wascalled Mosley's men.
And most bees command.
And it was largely due to Mosleyhimself.
He took great pride in speakingof us as my men and my command.
But never as my battalion or mytroops.
Or my soldiers.
(17:07):
The Yankees referred to us asdid also the Northern papers as
gorillas.
In an appropriate manner.
Of course.
But the term was not applied tous in the south in any general
way until after the war.
When we had made the nameglorious.
And in time.
We became as indifferent to itas the whole south to the word
(17:29):
rebel.
Thank you for listening to the34th episode.
The link to private months sincebook is now available on the
podcast website.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn.
(17:49):
This week, you will find apicture of private Munson in the
summer of 1863.
In two weeks time, secondLieutenant Camille back a of
company, a first New Jersey.
Provides next episodes, firstperson account at the battle of
(18:11):
the wilderness.
My name is bill Conklin.
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
Hello everyone.
My name is bill Coughlin andwelcome to first person civil
war podcast, which retellsstories of the soldiers and
officers on the ground in thebattles of the civil war.
Episode 34 is entitled.
Private John w Monson and the43rd Virginia cavalry battalion.
(00:47):
At the action at Mount Sinai onchurch.
And relies on his book,reminiscences of a most big
gorilla.
Which he published in 1906.
John William Munson was born inRichmond, Virginia in 1847.
But he does not provide muchinformation about his early
(01:08):
childhood.
By 1861.
He still lived in Richmond andwas a member of a cavalry unit
called the governor's guard.
In late April, the governor ofVirginia put local militia units
on alert.
Which included the guards as itwas rumored that the gunboat USS
Pawnee was sailing up the Jamesriver to attack Richmond.
(01:31):
Which was at this time, just thestate Capitol.
At 15 years old.
John Munson was too young to bein the rank and file of the
governor's guard.
But he did serve in anothercapacity of that militia unit.
Military companies in thosedays, each had one or two
(01:53):
markers.
Boys who carried little flagsand whose duty it was to run out
in front of the company to agiven point.
And stand there like statues.
While the company marched up toend around them.
I went down the river road thatSunday afternoon with the
governor's guard as a marker.
And we slept out of doors forthree nights for the first time
(02:16):
in our lives.
The Pawnee did not pass Norfolk.
And at last we marched back toRichmond.
This was my first soldiering ofthe war.
And I believe it was the firstthat was done in Virginia.
The USS Pawnee was a Norfolkwith orders to blow up the dry
dock before it fell intoConfederate hands.
(02:39):
With 10 guns on board, it couldpose a threat to the city, but
after it successfully blew upthe dry dock on Sunday 21,
April, 1861.
In return to Washington DC.
For two years, John Munsonremained in Richmond as the war
raged across the state ofVirginia and beyond.
(03:01):
When at the age of 17, hefinally decided to enlist.
Then it was that we began tohear about Mosley and his men.
To my mind Mosley was the idealfighting man.
From the tip of his plume to therowel of a spur.
Stories of his wonderfulachievements came into Richmond
(03:23):
from every direction.
Joan of arc never felt the callto go to battle any stronger
than I felt to join.
Mo's B.
I had not any doubt of mydesirability and figured out
that all the partisan rangerrequired of his men was
willingness to get shot.
As occasion might require andsleep out of doors in any kind
(03:45):
of weather.
John S.
Mosley had been in the army ofNorthern Virginia's cavalry for
two years and specialized inscouting and rating under Jeb
Stuart.
In early 1863, he was authorizedto form the 43rd Virginia
cavalry battalion as partisanRangers.
(04:06):
That became known as Moseley'sRangers among other names.
As a partisan unit, the 43rdVirginia cavalry would not be
present at the gigantic battlesof the Eastern theater.
Its focus would be the supplyand communication lines of the
union army.
John Munson discovered thatColonel Mosley and his men
(04:29):
operated out of Fauquier county,Virginia.
And resolved to leave Richmondto join up.
And he did so with a degree ofsecrecy.
John talked about nursing haspatriotic zeal in secret.
And was concerned with thereaction of his friends.
If they saw him leave Richmondon horseback.
He felt walking out of the citywould give his friends the
(04:51):
impression that he would soonreturn.
After 10 days and approximately150 miles of walking.
He arrived in Fauquier countyand found the house where his
hero and his men stayed.
Nervously.
I swept my eyes over the band insearch of a big man with a show,
(05:13):
a uniform, a flowing plume, andthe flashing Sabre.
Gradually there had come into mymind on my tramp, an idea of a
figure that seemed to representmost be.
I associated him in myimagination with generals Lee
and Jackson and Stewart.
And I am not sure that I did notlike an him to Robin hood or
(05:37):
Richard.
The Lionheart.
He walked up slowly to thebuilding and asked where Mose B
was and he continues.
The shock was somethingconsiderable.
I beheld a small plainly, atired man, fair of complexion,
slight, but wirey standing withhis arms behind his back.
(05:58):
Talking quietly to one of hismen.
The visions of splendor andmagnificence that had filled my
mind were swept away.
The total absence of visiblemight the lack of swagger.
The quiet demeanor of the manall contributed to my
astonishment and chagrin.
(06:18):
He did not even strut.
John Munson ate dinner besideMosley and his men.
And during the meal, the Coloneltold John that if he could
acquire a horse and meet him inthe next town, that he could
join his cavalry.
With horses being in shortsupply, even in Richmond, this
(06:39):
was not an easy feat.
But John managed to purchase oneon credit from a local farmer.
And met Colonel Mo's be in thenext town.
I followed most be around theroom and out on the porch.
And after talking with him for10 minutes, Somewhere or
somehow.
(06:59):
Uh, pistol came into mypossession with a belt and
holster for it.
And I was received into theranks of the most be gorillas,
all ready for action.
Private months in enlisted on10, June, 1863, and was
initially assigned to company a.
But by one October of that year,He transferred to company B.
(07:23):
For over a year, private monthsin road with the 43rd Virginia
cavalry battalion, whichoperated in Northern Virginia,
west, Virginia, and Maryland.
By June, 1864, the army ofNorthern Virginia and the army
of the Potomac settled into C Joperations outside of the city
(07:45):
of Petersburg.
Which is south of Richmond.
Though stalled in the south.
The Shenandoah valley saw bothsides maneuvering for advantage
over the other.
This included Lieutenantgeneral, Jubal early core, which
became known as the army of thevalley.
After seeing initial success inthe valley.
Lieutenant general early plan toMarch into Maryland and
(08:07):
eventually on to Washington DC.
Once Colonel Moseley learned ofLieutenant general, earliest
intentions.
He gathered his Rangers for araid into Maryland.
And supported the largerConfederate raid on his own
initiative.
Private Munson and the 43rdVirginia cavalry battalion.
Cross the Potomac river atpoints of Virox Maryland on
(08:30):
three July, 1864.
Where they made quick work ofthe small union Garrison.
Reaching the Maryland side, wefound that the bridge across the
canal.
Meaning the Chesapeake and Ohiocanal.
Had been torn up, but repairedit so the men could cross.
We attack the Garrison, drove itout, captured the camp, and a
(08:54):
lot of stores destroyed all thegovernment property.
Burn the freight boat.
Cut.
The wires helped ourselves toeverything we could handle.
And came back to the Virginiaside and safety.
Bringing our prisoners with us.
The rain drew the attention ofmajor William H.
Forbes who commanded adetachment of the second
(09:17):
Massachusetts and 13th, New Yorkcavalry regiments.
Who operated in the area.
Colonel Charles R Lowell juniorcommander of the second
Massachusetts cavalry, who wasnot present at the action to
come.
Provided the report for theregiment.
Major Forbes road, acrossseveral towns on the Southern
(09:37):
bank of the Potomac in search ofthe 43rd Virginia cavalry.
And ask the local populace ofthe Confederates.
Whereabouts.
From what I learned fromcitizens, I think most be passed
between Leesburg and the Potomacsometime on Tuesday, five, July.
On Wednesday learned of majorForbes, his second visit to
(09:59):
Leesburg.
And laid an ambush for him atballs mill.
Well, some civilians providedinformation to major Forbes as
he chased Mosley and his men.
Private months in and the 43rdVirginia cavalry received
similar help.
We had about 150 men at thistime for a number had gone back
(10:23):
home after the point of rocksraid.
I'm disturbed by the presence ofmajor Forbes in our vicinity
with no thought of is making anattack on us at night and with
the desire to have it out withhim by daylight in a fair field.
We followed our leader in dillysBerg, where we learned that the
major's command had moved to Aldi.
(10:43):
We followed, trying to cut himoff at balls mill.
But he had already crossed theFord when we arrived and he was
headed for Mount Sinai onchurch.
After three days of marching andcounter marching, private
Munson, and Mosley's Rangersmarched by a shorter route to
Mount Zion church and preparedto me, major Forbes is
(11:05):
detachment in battle.
Just outside of the village ofLT on six July, 1864.
When we broke into the pike, amile and a half below Mount
Sinai on Forbes had not yetcoming site.
So we took time to plant ourCanon in the middle of the road
and arrange to receive him.
(11:26):
Presently Forbes and his 200 mencame into view near Mount Zion.
The major did not see us untilhe got started down the pike
again.
Our artillery squad, which wasmore or less afraid of the
little 12 pounder yank thelanyard and a shell went howling
up the road only to burst wellout of range without doing the
(11:47):
slightest damage.
Though in possession of the onlyartillery piece between both
sides, it was the only shot fromthat cannon.
Given private months andsubscription of the gun crew,
they lacked proper training andcould not maneuver the piece
alongside cavalry.
In summarizing major Forbes isleadership.
(12:08):
Colonel Lowell cannot help butprovide critiques of his
subordinate.
As major Forbes formed on thesouth of his advanced guard,
which had dismounted and firedas Moseley came up, fell back,
still keeping a little north ofthe pike.
And took an excellent positionsomewhat on the flank.
Up to this time.
(12:29):
I think all the dispositionswere admirable.
Major Forbes.
His two squadrons were formedhis third squadron and rear
guard not formed.
But nearly so and no confusion.
As the union cavalry formed inline.
Private Munson and the 43rdVirginia cavalry steadily
(12:50):
advanced.
In order to get at him, we hadto move along the road in his
front and take the concentratedfire of his men.
Mosley ordered us to hold ourfire until we could get into the
field.
And we went along the pike,rather leisurely.
Not giving our horses rain untilwe got through the gap in the
(13:11):
fence.
Forbes said not the same ideaabout where the fight should
begin.
His men began raking us alongthe road and we're ready with
more ammunition when we wheeledand sent up the yell, meaning
the rebel yell.
Which was so much a part of ourtactics.
(13:31):
Critical to the next few minutesof the battle.
The union cavalry fired upon theConfederates while still
mounted.
Which it seems the horses wereunaccustomed.
When two panels of fence weredown the men trotted through for
about 75 yards and camegradually down to a walk.
(13:51):
And almost halted.
Major Forbes is first platoonwas ordered to fire with
carbines.
Here was his first mistake.
It created confusion among thehorses and the squadron in the
rear added to it by firing a fewpistol shots.
Had the order of a given to drawsabers and charge.
(14:11):
The rebels would never have gottheir gun off.
But I think major Forbes seeinghow uneasy his horses were at
the firing.
Must have intended to dismountsome of, as men.
With horses, scared of riflefire.
The union cavalry becamedisorganized.
Which gave private Munson andthe 43rd Virginia cavalry.
(14:34):
A critical advantage in theircharge.
At any rate we swept into theirline, like a hurricane each man
with a drawn six shooter.
At first Forbes is men made agood fight, but they could not
stand the rain of our pistolballs.
We split their front rank asSunder and broke their spirit.
(14:56):
Half of them in a mad andhelpless scramble, gotten to the
next field where they ralliedaround major Forbes and fought
as gallantly as men could fight.
We crashed into them again, andthe battle became a hand to hand
conflict.
Revolvers against sabers andrevolvers.
Mosley's men discharging theirweapons into the very faces of
(15:19):
Forbes is troopers.
It was a massive struggling.
Cursing maniacs.
Each striving to slay hisantagonist.
It was only a portion of mostspecies Rangers, private months
and included.
That fiercely engaged with andeventually captured major Forbes
and the remnant of the commandthat rallied around him.
(15:42):
The rest of the Rangers pursuedthe remaining two squadrons that
broken confusion down the pike.
The action at Mount Sinai onchurch was one of the most
successful engagements of the43rd Virginia cavalry battalion.
Private months in survive theaction and continue to serve in
the Rangers until he wascaptured by the eighth Illinois
(16:05):
cavalry at Upperville Virginiaon 29, October, 1864.
As a prisoner of war, he stayedat the old Capitol prison in
Washington, DC.
Where he managed to escape on27, January, 1865.
Private months and returned toMosley's Rangers and rode with
(16:25):
them until the end of the war.
John w months and wrotereminiscences of a most be
gorilla in 1906.
And took the opportunity toclarify where some of the terms
used to describe the 43rdVirginia cavalry battalion.
originated.
(16:46):
Our little body of men wascalled Mosley's men.
And most bees command.
And it was largely due to Mosleyhimself.
He took great pride in speakingof us as my men and my command.
But never as my battalion or mytroops.
Or my soldiers.
(17:07):
The Yankees referred to us asdid also the Northern papers as
gorillas.
In an appropriate manner.
Of course.
But the term was not applied tous in the south in any general
way until after the war.
When we had made the nameglorious.
And in time.
We became as indifferent to itas the whole south to the word
(17:29):
rebel.
Thank you for listening to the34th episode.
The link to private months sincebook is now available on the
podcast website.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn.
(17:49):
This week, you will find apicture of private Munson in the
summer of 1863.
In two weeks time, secondLieutenant Camille back a of
company, a first New Jersey.
Provides next episodes, firstperson account at the battle of
(18:11):
the wilderness.
My name is bill Conklin.
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
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