Capt. Richard Paul Montjoy, Co. D,
b. March 15, 1842 in Mississippi
m. never married
d. November 27, 1864 (killed in action)
Visit John Pardo's excellent Mosby's Rangers memorial site for a picture of Capt. Montjoy's grave and further information.
"He had died too early for liberty and his country's cause, but not too early for his own fame. To his comrades in arms he was bequeathed an immortal example of daring and valor, and to his country a name that will brighten the pages of her history."
- Col. John Singleton Mosby, in writing about Montjoy
Mississippi-born Richard Montjoy lived in New Orleans before the War, where he enlisted in Co. E of the 7th Louisiana Infantry on June 7, 1861. Prior to the war, he worked as a machinist.His record in the early part of the War, gives little inkling of the role he was later to play and the heroism he was to exhibit as a member of Mosby's command.
Montjoy was present with the 7th Louisiana for the battles of Second Manassas and Winchester. His leadership qualities were noticed early and he was promoted to Sergeant. However, he was also an extremely independent character, he frequently took off without leave. He was listed on the August 2, 1862 muster roll of the 7th Louisiana as AWOL and was also listed as AWOL for the battles of Cross Keys, Port Republic, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill and Cedar Mountain.
Eventually, he deserted (date unknown) and joined up with Mosby around the beginning of May, 1863 and was involved in May 3 Warrenton Junction fight. He was captured on May 30 near Greenwich, after the Catlett's Station raid, where Fount Beattie was also captured. Mosby described him, following this raid as "one of the bravest of the brave."
He was sent to the Old Capitol Prison where he was paroled on June 10th. Rejoining Mosby a few days later, he was wounded in action in the June22 fight at Ewell's Chapel, where his finger was shot off.
He was involved in most of the major engagements of the command and his bravery frequently was noted by Mosby. In the February 29, 1864 fight at Blakeley's Grove School House near Upperville, where his horse was shot in the skirmish, Mosby recognized him for "conspicuous gallantry."
Having caught Mosby's eye for his valor, he was promoted to Captain, leading Company D. This unit, consistingly largely of young Maryland secessionists, was dubbed "Company Darling" as they were a handsome, dashing bunch, and lived up the role of "beau sabreur" and cavalier to the hilt.
He was involved in the Berryville Great Wagon Raid and on the attack on the "house burners" in Clarke County and most other major operations of the command and led several maneuvers, including a September 4, 1864 scout to near Berry's Ferry in Clarke County, and the October 18 attck on a picket near Hunter's Mill, which led to the controversial killing of the Rev. John Reed. and a November 7 scout to the Shenandoah Valley.
He was killed in action on November 27, 1864 in a fight near Goresville in Loudon County and was cited by Mosby in General Orders (see quote at top of page) for his outstanding bravery.
He is buried in Warrenton Cemetery, not too far from Col. Mosby's own grave.
Mentions in various references:
(incomplete, more to be added)Virgil Carrington Jones, Ranger Mosby (1944)
Pages: 129, 132, 167, 179, 233, 270, 271, 303, 308Links Online:
As noted above, John Pardo's excellent Mosby's Rangers memorial site, which commemorates all those Rangers killed in action, has a picture of Capt. Montjoy's grave and further information.
Descendants / Researcher Contacts:
Historic Preservation
Descendants | Album | Bibliography | Bookstore | Newsletter
Forum | Links | Events | Contribute | About this Site
The Oreo Foundation | Living History by Jeff Smith
HOME