J.D.

I will say this, however (and I can try to find the source), when Early was asked WHY HE DID NOT MAKE USE OF MOSBY during his operations in the Valley, he said words to the effect that he was “damned if his men were going to do the fighting while Mosby did the looting.” I should think that this comment alone puts the blame for the failure squarely where it belongs – with Early although admittedly, Mosby was not impressed by the other man’s treatment of him and his command.

The problems between Early and Mosby after the war involved Early’s attempt to get Mosby to validate his account of what happened and when Mosby baulked, Early accused him of failing to support his assault. Mosby demurred and then pointed out that while he remained in Virginia as an ‘outlaw’ after Appomattox, Early fled the country (presumably because of the burning of Chambersburg). The prickly little partisan noted that Early was the first man who had been declared a ‘hero’ after ‘running away’. Their relationship further soured (if that were possible) when Mosby supported Grant and during the Hayes-Tilden campaign, became a Republican. Like Longstreet, Mosby felt Early’s ‘Lost Cause’ wrath.

As always, if I can be of service, it’s yours, but I don’t think any of “my” units were near there.

Don

We have those books and will be mining everything that the Monocacy VC has and is able to offer. And as for the Mosby front – anything that you are able to assist us with would be greatly appreciated! We definitely intend to explore that angle because it’s a major part of the story, as you well know.

J.D.

At the risk of repeating myself, there’s a treasure trove at Monocacy, which you should look examine. New stuff from New Jersey and a lot of stuff I found in North Carolina, Virginia and at the Huntington Library in California plus a lot of books. Don’t forget Cooling’s books, including “Symbol, Sword and Shield” on the DC Defenses. Also Early’s Memoir of the Last Year of the War and available at or through the park, Ed Bearss’ original report on the battle which has lots of of primary source material and his wonderful maps. Finally, Glenn Worthington’s “Fighting for Time.’ He saw the battle and talked to a lot of the veterans later and he’s the reason we have a battlefield. Unfortunately, he didn’t document his sources.

Early did intend to take Washington. Found two messages at the Huntington, which had been “lost” in which he says he intended to take Washington, if he could. Cooling has them in the new version of his classic “Jubal’s Raid,” and I’m citing them in my book on Wallace.

Would be interested to see what the Mosby folks have. Early did not think Mosby did his job and there was considerable postwar sparring between the two, some of which I have.

Gail

Looks like a virtual mountain of material never used on this subject yet.

J.D.

At the time, as I had admittedly insufficient knowledge to hold EITHER viewpoint, I could not respond. However, it certainly appeared to me that Mr. Meserves was in possession of facts that obviously called into question General Early’s intentions regarding an assault on the Capitol and all that went with it.

You may find his comments on the matter enlightening since he certainly is well informed.

I expect we will take you up on it, particularly with figuring out the routes of march.

Eric

Recently I’ve been adapting some of the “tool sets” from my day job projects. Without going into too much detail, management systems tracking op-tempo, battle rhythm, and situational awareness templates. Certainly has helped me assimilate different sources of information in one coherent index.