Riding With Rosser

General Rosser saw action from Manassas to Appomattox, including South Mountain, Antietam, Yorktown, Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign and Cedar Creek Rosser's writings provide a rare glimpse into the general's thoughts on the war and the men who fought alongside him to the painful end. Rosser used his imagination in battle, at times pulling off brilliant and confounding movements in the face of extreme adversity. His raids into West Virginia have been acknowledged as textbook examples of dogged determination and outstanding leadership. On the retreat to Appomattox and Lee's surrender he was with General Lee, but did not surrender. He was wounded nine times during the war, and he is viewed as one of the Confederacy's most competent and brilliant officers. Rosser describes his journey from the plans of Manassas, into the Wilderness, to Sangter's Station, up and down the Shenandoah Valley battling both General Philip Sheridan and his friend from West Point, Brigadier General George Custer. His struggles at Spotsylvania Court House and Trevilian Station, along with his capture of 2,500 head of Federal cattle, and his surprising victory at New Creek are here in his own words.