Take Sides with the Truth: The Postwar Letters of John Singleton Mosby to Samuel F. Chapman

During the Civil War, John Singleton Mosby led the Forty-third Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, better known as Mosby's Rangers, in bold and daring operations behind Union lines. Throughout the course of the war, more than 2000 men were members of Mosby's command, some for only a short time. Mosby had few confidants (he was described by one acquaintance as "a disturbing companion") but became close friends with one of his finest officers, Samuel Forrer Chapman. Chapman served with Mosby for more than two years, and their friendship continued in the decades after the war. Take Sides with the Truth is a collection of more than eighty letters, published for the first time in their entirety, written by Mosby to Chapman from 1880, when Mosby was made U.S. consul to Hong Kong, until his death in a Washington, D.C., hospital in 1916. These letters reveal much about Mosby's character and present his innermost thoughts on many subjects. At times, Mosby's letters show a man with a sensitive nature; however, he could also be sarcastic and freely derided individuals he did not like. His letters are critical of General Robert E. Lee's staff officers ("there was a lying concert between them") and trace his decades-long crusade to clear the name of his friend and mentor J. E. B. Stuart in the Gettysburg campaign. Mosby also continuously asserts his belief that slavery was the cause of the Civil War -- a view completely contrary to a major portion of the Lost Cause ideology. For him, it was more important to "take sides with the Truth" than to hold popular opinions. Peter A. Brown has brought together a valuable collection of correspondence that adds a new dimension to our understanding of a significant Civil War figure.

About the Author :
Peter A. Brown is the author of Mosby's Fighting Parson: The Life and Times of Sam Chapman.

Review :
""Along with Brown's perceptive commentary, these letters give the reader a rare insight into an extraordinary figure in American history... "Take Sides with the Truth" connects us to the past and personalizes a complex part of our history."" -- ""Brown makes a point of noting Mosby's caustic wit and character judgment; the letters do not disappoint.""The editor provides a strong introduction to the friendship of the book's main characters.""Brown uses the letters to sketch a picture of Mosby as a well-read and educated man, pointing out the soldier's references to the writings of Lord Byron, John Milton, and Jonathan Swift.""In addition to a touching collection of correspondence from one side of a long friendship, Brown provides the reader with a glimpse of a man constantly working to find his place in the world.""Brown's collection provides good research material into the study of the time period, especially the continued fascination with the Civil War and one of its most colorful characters." -- Keith Altavilla, H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences" -- Keith Altavilla, "H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences" ""Take Sides with the Truth should be on every Civil War buff's bookshelf."" -- "Military Heritage" "A fascinating insight into the thoughts of one of the world's greatest Partisan leaders. Peter Brown has accomplished a great service for those interested in Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby." -- "Thomas J. Evans, author of Mosby's ConfederacyUniversity and author of Gray Gho" "Anyone interested in how the Civil War was mythologized in later years or who wants to learn more about the post-war political patronage system will enjoy Mosby's wit and wisdom." -- Dave Page, "Journal of America's Military Past" "Brown has published an extremely revealing collection of letters written between Colonel John Singleton Mosby and one of his most trusted friends, Captain Samuel Forrerr Chapman. These letters give the reader an insightful glimpse into Mosby's mind after the great conflict subsided and also show his undying devotion in defending his friend and commander General J.E.B. Stuart." -- "Donald C. Hakenson, author of This Forgotten Land" "John Singleton Mosby emerges from the pages of Take Sides with the Truth with striking clarity and immediacy. In nearly seven dozen letters, never before published, written to his life-long intimate friend Sam Chapman, the Confederacy s famous partisan ranger reveals his innermost thoughts on many fascinating subjects: Mosby's literary projects; his political connections; his dislike for some Confederate heroes, such as Eppa Hunton; his take on Sheridan; and especially the decades-long crusade to clear the Gettysburg campaign record of J.E.B. Stuart. This is an excellent piece of Confederate history." -- "Robert R. Krick, author of The Smoothbore Volley that Doomed the Confederacy a" "Mosby wrote very entertaining letters" -- "James A. Ramage, author of Gray Ghost: The Life of Col. John Singleton Mosby" "This collection is highly recommended to Civil War enthusiasts, especially those interested in Mosby." -- Benet Exten, "Oklahoman" "Mosby wrote very entertaining letters" -- James A. Ramage, author of Gray Ghost: The Life of Col. John Singleton Mosby