Mosby and the 43rd Batt.

[143rd PA]

Surfing the internet I could find no unit or group in the PA,VA or WV area that portrays J.S. Mosby and the 43rd VA battalion. How is that possible as next to Lee and Jackson Mosby is probably the best known Southern commander during the war. Am I missing something?

[AP Hill]

Well the expense and difficulty in owning and maintaining a horse for one. Now there use to be some guys outa Virginia I think portraying Mosby's troopers a number of years ago...not sure if they still exist. I do see guys here and there walking around dressed the way Mosby dressed...but no horse in sight. LOL

Phil O.

[143rd PA]

I know the 1st,4th,9th,11th VA cavalry and 35th VA battalion all have mounted reenactment units,so why not the 43rd?

[Anders]

Often those who do the " Mosby" impression do so dismounted, with multiple pistols, plumes, shoulder holsters and camp like a circus on crack.....
I know folks who do the partisan impression correctly, mounted, but I think the stigma of the historically awful reenactors who portray ( using that word very loosely) Mosby's Rangers have kept the authentic crowd from touching it with a 10 foot stick.

Just my 2 cents...

Pards,

[rbruno68]

Several of us on the mounted side have talked about this before and from our point of view and taking away the authenticity side of it, Mosby was in very few "named" battles that are reenacted. So, you could do the impression, but what reenactment are you going to show up to do? Mosby was not part of many of the main battles. So, it would be incorrect to have a Mosby impression at lets say a Gettysburg or other event that most reenactors support. That being said, the 1st Maryland, 1st Maine, and Valley Light Horse have worked together to do a Mosby type event at Welbourne Manor for a couple years. On the confederate side, we break out the revolvers, loose most of our sabers and carbines and have an event. There has been some great infantry at those events that do a heck of a job keeping up with the mounted troopers. So, I think doing a Mosby impression all the time would historicaly be fairly invisible unless someone puts on a specific event that can showcase a Mosby impression.
Rob

[143rd PA]

Several of us on the mounted side have talked about this before and from our point of view and taking away the authenticity side of it, Mosby was in very few "named" battles that are reenacted. So, you could do the impression, but what reenactment are you going to show up to do? Mosby was not part of many of the main battles. So, it would be incorrect to have a Mosby impression at lets say a Gettysburg or other event that most reenactors support. That being said, the 1st Maryland, 1st Maine, and Valley Light Horse have worked together to do a Mosby type event at Welbourne Manor for a couple years. On the confederate side, we break out the revolvers, loose most of our sabers and carbines and have an event. There has been some great infantry at those events that do a heck of a job keeping up with the mounted troopers. So, I think doing a Mosby impression all the time would historicaly be fairly invisible unless someone puts on a specific event that can showcase a Mosby impression.
Rob

What about a unit that did strictly Mosby 43 Battalion impression? I've been a reenactor (infantry) for 33+ years and have grown to hate the circus like atmosphere. Maybe chairty rides, straight 43rd living history encampments? Also I have been riding for 50+ years and currently own three riding horses and a pony so I know the expense and time of maintaining horses.
Yet I feel a need to honor Col Mosby amd the 43rd Battalion.

[Tom Craig]

I think Rob hit it pretty well with his points. There have been units in the past that have been exclusively 43rd VA. That was in the days when there only was mainstream reenacting, and no one really cared if the 43rd was at a battle or not.

In progressive reenacting today, there are times when event scenarios might apply for a Mosby impression, like what we've done at Welbourne, but those opportunities are few and far between.

If your interest is in living history type events, historic sites etc, then you would, I am sure, find LOTS of historic venues and organizations in northern VA that would be happy to have you. As Chris mentioned however, MOST folks who have ever done a "Mosby" impression have been historically challenged at best.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Fount Beattie]

There is a unit in the state of Washington call Historic Mosby Rangers. They have actually been around for a long time. Their interests go a little deeper than just reenacting. Historic portrail is important, as well as respecting the 43rd's true story. They meet monthly to do drill, a non-spectator weekend in first person. They are mounted and do research trips to Mosby's Confederacy. Captain Robert Walker is currently the president of this organization and is well respected by the Mosby historians and community. Look up Historic Mosby Rangers and take a look, but contact the Captain if you are really serious. There are two of these Rangers living in Virginia and Maryland. We will be involved for the 150th anniversary of the Rangers. I am Fount Beattie, by permission of the existing family and live in Maryland. Big Yank Ames lives in Virginia and is in contact with me. We have no existing unit in the east at this time.