"Gray Ghost" Mosby Twice Signed & Inscribed Print of his Rangers' Attack on Sheridan's Wagon Train

A handsome signed and inscribed albumen print, 7" x 4," on a lightly textured backing to a size of 10" x 7." The outer edge of the mat is evenly toned, else near fine. John Mosby signed twice, and inscribed it entirely in his own hand along the bottom edge of the mounting as "Mosby's battalion - Attack on Sheridan's train - Va. Aug. 13th, 1864." His second inscription with signature is on the verso as "Colonial John S. Mosby / Captain Sam Chapman / Stockon Jerry … / Captain Alfred Glasscock".

A fantastic scene, and an epic moment in history, perfectly depicted in this twice signed vintage albumen photograph of John Mosby's Rangers attacking General Sheridan's wagon train on August 13, 1864. This stunning attack was described in the "Philadelphia Inquirer" in August 1864 as follows: "About the only aggressive enemy in the Military Division is MOSBY, and the only dangerous place appears to be the rear of our army on its communication with this point . . . The Valley of the Shenandoah has been almost completely stripped of its wheat crop, and as cattle, sheep and hogs have disappeared long ago, it is now more difficult to advance through it with an army than ever before. As it is impossible to glean any subsistence from the country, the supply question has already become the great vexation. Our losses by the attack on our wagon train at Berryville were seventy-two wagons, over two hundred mules, and one hundred and fifty prisoners . . . .Just after dawn on 13 Aug. 1864, Col. John Singleton Mosby and 300 of his 43d Battalion Partisan Rangers attacked the rear section of Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s 600-vehicle wagon train . . . . Mosby surprised and routed the Federals as they rested, cooked breakfast, and hitched their horses. Mosby’s men, losing only one killed and one mortally wounded, captured 200 beef cattle, 500-600 horses, 100 wagons, and 200 soldiers. The raid ended by 6:30 a.m. During the Wagon Train Raid, a detachment from the 144th Ohio took a position behind a stone wall at the Buck Marsh Church . . . . However, they were shattered by a strong Rebel charge . . . .The 144th Ohio’s loss in this disastrous affair was 5 killed, 10 wounded, and 76 captured . . . ."

Sheridan’s supplies were profoundly disrupted. But, in a message a few days later to Union General U.S. Grant, the supreme Union commander, Sheridan brazenly lied: “Mosby has annoyed me and captured a few wagons,” proving that Sheridan could have been a great White House Press Secretary! A perfect description of the event is noted on the historical marker sign (shown below), located where the raid occurred 150 years ago: "Just after dawn, on 13 Aug 1864, Col John Singleton Mosby and 300 of his 43rd Battalion Partisan Rangers attacked the rear section of Maj Gen Philip H. Sheridan's 600 - vehicle wagon train here. The train, headed for Winchester carried supplies for Sheridan's cavalry. Mosby surprised and routed the Federals as they rested, cooked breakfast, and hitched their horse. Mortally wounded, captured 200 beef cattle, 500-600 horses, 100 wagons, and 200 soldiers. The raid ended by 6:30 a.m. Berryville's citizen's, including many small boys, helped burn the wagons after liberating their contents."

A fantastic piece of history, especially scarce, twice signed and inscribed by Mosby!

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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