Reenacting / Living History Groups:"If my men would have a real camp or bivouac in the woods where I could meet them and talk over the old days it would give me great pleasure to be with them. But I do not want to listen to 'bloody shirt' speeches....."
-- Col. Mosby, in a 1906 letter to Ranger Ben Palmer, on why he didn't attend reunions. (Sounds like reenactments would have appealed to him more.)
Dedication:
This page is dedicated to the late Colonel Donald Stumbo, who portrayed Colonel Mosby for several decades, until he passed away in his eighties a few years ago. When Jeff Smith was in upstate New York on a long distance trail ride Colonel Stumbo had heard that a fellow Mosby-portrayer was in the area and sought out Jeff who was camped in the area. They shared lunch and "war stories" and Col. Stumbo urged Jeff to carry on the effort of honoring Col. Mosby.This Jeff has pledge to do, as have the other reenactors listed on this page who are portraying the men of Colonel Mosby's Command in reenactor groups across the Country
Modern Day Mosby's Rangers:
Northern Virginia Based Group:
A 43rd Battalion living history group is being formed in "Mosby's Confederacy" by Jeff Smith. Company A will be an authentic mounted living history unit, portraying the 43rd at local living histories and reenactments. Company B will be a support unit, consisting of a mix of civilian reenactors, non-mounted reenactors and general supporters who will playing civilian roles, help with logistics, and participate in non-reenactment events such as local parades and fundraising trail rides.Our plan is to act as organizers and facilitators for a variety of living history events, involving not only supporters of this unit but also members of other reenactor groups particularly those with historic associations with Mosby's Command.
Washington State-Based Reenactor Group:
In Washington state, there is an excellent Mosby Rangers living history group, whom we met at the Mosby Heritage Area's annual conference.The four members present did an excellent mounted first-person vignette for participants in the bus tour, led by their commander, Capt. Jerry Howard who portrays Lt. Puryear, and three colleagues portraying Pvt. Booker, Sgt. Babcock and one other ranger.
We were impressed with their horsemanship as well as with the authenticity of their uniforms and first person portayals. Wish they lived in Northern Virginia! They've now got a website at http://www.historicmosbysrangers.org. Lots of good links too, and event pictures.
California Based Reenactor Group:
43rd Battalion of Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, member of American Civil War Assn. (another link to them) This is a mounted group.North Carolina-based Artillery Group
We are not aware of a website, and and have not yet been in contact. The 19th Alabama Infantry's "Virtual Recruiter" database of reenacting units lists the contact as Cpt. Martin, in Newport, NC 28570, tel. (252) 223-3377 If you're part of this group, please email us!
Wisconsin Based Group:
The reenactors database listed above lists the contact as Capt. Rick Springer, Glendale, Wisconsin, 53209 with no phone number listed. We have not yet been able to get in contact with them. If you're part of this group, please email us!
West Virginia / Pennsylvania Group:
This is primarily a dismounted cavalry group, that would be considered "mainstream" as opposed to "progressive" in reenactor parlance, based primarily in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. According to their website they now also have some members who do a mounted impression. They are affiliated with the Valley Division.Other Reenactor Groups:
Portraying Regiments / Units with Historic ties to Mosby's Command:The Black Horse Troop (Co. H, 4th Va. Cavalry)
Many members of the original Black Horse troop rode raids with Mosby and some later joined the command. There was always strong cooperation between the two units.
The modern-day Black Horse Troop is an excellent group, focused on horsemanship and authenticity. They are based in Northern Virginia, with most members in the Warrenton to Manassas area, under the able leaderhip of Cpt. Terry Treat.
The Black Horse did an impressive display of mounted cavalry in action at the John S. Mosby Foundation's Blue and Gray Ball in December and we look forward to working closely with them in the future. They do not yet have a website, but watch this space! One of their members, Jim Rowe, runs our local feed store in Catlett, Va. Another member, Frank Boberek, runs Sunrise Hill Farm Bed & Breakfast a highly recommended historic B&B on the edge of Mansassas Battlefield (And they'll board your horse too!)
Co. D, 17th Virginia Infantry (Fairfax Rifles)
Fairfax County's local militia unit prior to the War, the Fairfax Rifles became Co. D. of the 17th Virginia when this regiment was formed in the spring of 1861. They were in the thick of things at Manassas. The commanding officer of another unit of the 17th, Capt. John Quincy Marr of the Warrenton Rifles, was the first military casualty of the War on Virginia soil. Many men of the 17th Virginia went on to join Mosby's command
Because of these historic ties, we work closely with the modern-day Fairfax Rifles and strongly encourage you to visit their website, which has biographies of the men of this command.
To be added at a later date -- please bookmark and come back:
First Virginia Cavalry
Seventh Virginia Cavalry
McNeill's Partisan Rangers
35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry: "White's "Commanches"
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