Mosby's Rangers

New York: Simon and Schuster Paperbacks, 1990. Later Printing. Trade paperback. Very good. 384 pages. Endpaper maps. Illustrations. Appendix. Notes. Bibliography. Index. Black mark at bottom. Some cover wear. Some edge and page soiling. Jeffry D. Wert (born May 8, 1946) is an American historian and author specializing in the American Civil War. He has written several books on the subject, which have been published in multiple languages and countries. Derived from a Kirkus review: In this first modern study of ""probably the most renowned combat unit of the Civil War,"" Wert recounts the legendary deeds of the 43rd Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, a.k.a. Mosby's Rangers. Formed in January 1863 and led by Col. John Singleton Mosby, these guerrillas struck without warning at Union outposts, pickets, wagon trains, troop detachments, headquarters, and railroads, inflicting far greater losses on their foes than they suffered themselves. The Federals' Army of the Potomac never managed to eliminate the pesky partisans (at the war's end, the group disbanded without formally surrendering). Wert examines the partisans' hold on civilian affections, the claim that the Rangers gave the Confederates a six-month reprieve from disaster, Colonel Mosby's no-nonsense disciplinary procedures, and his alleged involvement with the Lincoln assassination conspiracy. A highly colorful account that vividly re-creates the dash and spirit displayed by this much-storied unit.