Littleberry Mosby
Encyclopedia
Littleberry C. Mosby Jr. (January 28, 1757 – October 26, 1821) was an American military officer. During the American Revolutionary War
, he served in the Continental Army
as a captain in the 2nd Georgia Regiment
, and was captured at the Siege of Savannah
in 1778. After his release, he served as a major
commanding a cavalry
battalion
in the Virginia militia
. During the War of 1812
, he was a brigadier general
in the Virginia militia. The son of Colonel
Littleberry Mosby Sr., he lived his entire life at Mosby Tavern
in Cumberland County, Virginia
/Powhatan County, Virginia
, Powhatan County having been created from the eastern portion of Cumberland County in May 1777.
company recruited at Mosby Tavern
in Cumberland County, Virginia
. In the winter of 1776–77, they marched to Savannah, Georgia
, remaining in the area under the command of Robert Howe
until the capture of Savannah
by Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell
in December 1778.
In April 1780, Mosby, again serving as a captain, raised a volunteer company of cavalry, which included his brother Wade as second lieutenant, and Horatio Turpin as first lieutenant. Records show that in 1780 and 1781 Mosby was captain of a cavalry company in service at Petersburg, Virginia
.
Soon after, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson
wrote Mosby to raise all the cavalry he could and go to the aid of General Lafayette. Mosby called on his former lieutenants, Wade Mosby and Horatio Turpin, to each raise a company, while Littleberry led the battalion as major.
A typed summary in Mosby's pension application summarizes his Revolutionary War service:
Mosby also served throughout the War of 1812
, reaching the rank of brigadier general in the Virginia militia. He retired in late 1815 or early 1816.
Mosby, a lifelong Virginian, was disappointed that many of his children left the area. In his will, he left his estate to his oldest son, Littleberry III, on the condition that he return to Virginia to claim it. Littleberry III died in Columbia, Tennessee, and so the estate instead passed to Mosby's brother, Edward.
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, he served in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
as a captain in the 2nd Georgia Regiment
2nd Georgia Regiment
The 2nd Georgia Regiment was raised on July 5, 1776, at Williamsburg, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action in Florida in 1777 and 1778, the Siege of Savannah and the Siege of Charleston. The regiment was captured along with the rest of the American southern army...
, and was captured at the Siege of Savannah
Siege of Savannah
The Siege of Savannah or the Second Battle of Savannah was an encounter of the American Revolutionary War in 1779. The year before, the city of Savannah, Georgia, had been captured by a British expeditionary corps under Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell. The siege itself consisted of a joint...
in 1778. After his release, he served as a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
commanding a cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
in the Virginia militia
Virginia Militia
The Virginia militia is an armed force composed of all citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia capable of bearing arms. The Virginia militia was established in 1607 as part of the British militia system. Militia service in Virginia was compulsory for all free males...
. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, he was a brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in the Virginia militia. The son of Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Littleberry Mosby Sr., he lived his entire life at Mosby Tavern
Mosby Tavern
Mosby Tavern, also called Old Cumberland Courthouse or Littleberry Mosby House, is a National Register of Historic Places building in Powhatan County, Virginia. Located southeast of the intersection of U.S...
in Cumberland County, Virginia
Cumberland County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,017 people, 3,528 households, and 2,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 4,085 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile...
/Powhatan County, Virginia
Powhatan County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,377 people, 7,258 households, and 5,900 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile . There were 7,509 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
, Powhatan County having been created from the eastern portion of Cumberland County in May 1777.
Military service
In October 1776, serving as a captain, Mosby led the Virginia LineVirginia Line
The Virginia Line was a formation within the Continental Army. The term "Virginia Line" referred to the quota of numbered infantry regiments assigned to Virginia at various times by the Continental Congress. These, together with similar contingents from the other twelve states, formed the...
company recruited at Mosby Tavern
Mosby Tavern
Mosby Tavern, also called Old Cumberland Courthouse or Littleberry Mosby House, is a National Register of Historic Places building in Powhatan County, Virginia. Located southeast of the intersection of U.S...
in Cumberland County, Virginia
Cumberland County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,017 people, 3,528 households, and 2,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 4,085 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile...
. In the winter of 1776–77, they marched to Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, remaining in the area under the command of Robert Howe
Robert Howe (soldier)
Robert Howe was a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:His great-grandfather was James Moore, colonial governor of South Carolina...
until the capture of Savannah
Capture of Savannah
The Battle of Savannah, or sometimes the First Battle of Savannah due to a siege later in the campaign, was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on December 29, 1778 between local American Patriot militia and Continental Army units holding the city and a British invasion force under the...
by Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell
Archibald Campbell (British Army officer)
General Sir Archibald Campbell KB served as Governor of Jamaica and Madras. He was a major Scottish landowner, Heritable Usher of the White Rod for Scotland and a Member of Parliament for the Stirling Burghs.-Birth:...
in December 1778.
In April 1780, Mosby, again serving as a captain, raised a volunteer company of cavalry, which included his brother Wade as second lieutenant, and Horatio Turpin as first lieutenant. Records show that in 1780 and 1781 Mosby was captain of a cavalry company in service at Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
.
Soon after, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
wrote Mosby to raise all the cavalry he could and go to the aid of General Lafayette. Mosby called on his former lieutenants, Wade Mosby and Horatio Turpin, to each raise a company, while Littleberry led the battalion as major.
A typed summary in Mosby's pension application summarizes his Revolutionary War service:
Littleberry Mosby, Junior, was a captain and paymaster of Colonel Samuel Elbert’s 2" Regiment of Georgia troops; he was captured at Savannah, Georgia, in December, 1778, held a prisoner twelve months, then furloughed home to Virginia.
While on furlough, at the request of Mr. Jefferson, the Governor of Virginia, he raised about sixty men and joined General Baron Steuben at Petersburgh [Petersburg], and after the battle of PetersburghBattle of BlanfordThe Battle of Blandford , also called the Battle of Petersburg, took place near Petersburg, Virginia on 25 April 1781, late in the American War of Independence...
, he was under General Lafayette until the siege of YorkSiege of YorktownThe Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
.
Mosby also served throughout the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, reaching the rank of brigadier general in the Virginia militia. He retired in late 1815 or early 1816.
Family
In 1779, Mosby married Hannah "Eliza" Scott, the daughter of General Charles Scott. They had five children: Elizabeth, Littleberry III, John Wade, Robert C., and Dewitt Clinton. On November 23, 1789, Mosby married Mary Page Haskins. They had six children: Elbert Edward, Sally Sarah, Martha Finney, Mary Page, Lucy Ann, and Benjamin Clinton.Mosby, a lifelong Virginian, was disappointed that many of his children left the area. In his will, he left his estate to his oldest son, Littleberry III, on the condition that he return to Virginia to claim it. Littleberry III died in Columbia, Tennessee, and so the estate instead passed to Mosby's brother, Edward.