Insights into the Life of Thomas L. Rosser

 

Insights into the Life of Thomas L. Rosser

Thomas L. Rosser was a Confederate soldier from Virginia who served in the Civil War. According to an article prepared for the Randolph County Historical Society, Rosser enlisted in the Washington Artillery as a lieutenant at the start of the war. He first saw battle in July of 1861 at the Battle of Bull Run. The article mentions that he was recognized in dispatches for his efficient work at the Battle of Bull Run.

He continued to serve until the war ended in 1865. Although he rose in the ranks to the position of general, he did not share in the surrender of his unit. Instead, he withdrew with his unit in an "unostentatious way" to Lynchburg. The article's author states that Rosser likely had the "proudest title" of all: "Defender of the Valley," a distinction bestowed on him for his actions in the last year of the war.

During the last year of the war, Rosser was involved in three notable exploits.

• He surprised Union troops at New Creek, West Virginia.
• He surprised Union troops again at Beverly, West Virginia.
• He surprised Union troops a final time at Cumberland, Maryland, when the troops at New Creek and Kelly were captured.

The article describes Rosser's tactics in these engagements as "skirmishes, actions, engagements, and relative size and importance." His goal was to leave nothing for the armies south, and he pushed up the valley, inviting the enemy to follow. To impede their progress, all provisions, forage and stock were to be taken or destroyed, buildings not needed by Rosser's troops were to be burned, and the rest destroyed.

The article goes on to describe Rosser's military accomplishments after he became commander of the McNeil Partisans of Hardy County. Under Rosser's command:

• On January 29, 1864, the McNeil Partisans captured 95 wagons and 300 men at Moorefield.
• In February, 1864, the McNeil Partisans took Patterson Creek and 1200 cattle and "a large number of sheep."
• On June 10, the McNeil Partisans found themselves facing General Custer's plunder at Green Spring. The McNeil Partisans took everything Custer had left and got back safely to Staunton.
• The next day, Custer's forces wounded Rosser at Trevilian.
• On November 27, the McNeil Partisans carried out the New Creek raid.
• On January 11, 1865, the McNeil Partisans carried out the Beverly raid.
• On February 21, the McNeil Partisans carried out the New Creek raid.
• On April 9, the McNeil Partisans raided Cumberland.

Afterward, the army disbanded, and Rosser disappeared from public life for a time. In the years before his death, he became a politician.

The article also describes a daring raid Rosser carried out on Beverly. Rosser left Swopes Depot (near Staunton, Virginia) on January 10 and took Beverly by January 11. This feat was impressive because it was practically impossible to move a horse a hundred miles in those mountains in two days. The article concludes that Rosser must have had a relay of horses ready.

At Swopes Depot, Rosser heard that the 34th Ohio Regiment was camped at Beverly in winter cabins. The regiment had plenty of supplies: food, horses, and ammunition. The night was clear, but there was snow in the mountains, and the river was high. Despite the cold, the Ohio regiment was relaxed, since their camp was well-guarded.

The article describes the route of Rosser's raid:

• Rosser and his men crossed the mountains and the river at the foot of Cheat Mountain opposite Huttonsville.
• They took the road at the foot of Cheat Mountain on the east side of the river for about a mile.
• Then they crossed the bridge where the highway now crosses and continued on a little-used road for three miles.
• They passed Beverly on the east until they came to a place then known as Dotson Run, now called Devl's Hollow.
• From there, they rode down Dodson Run, taking the Union sentinels by surprise at three o'clock in the morning.

Rosser and his soldiers surprised the Federals, killing seven and taking 572 prisoners. The Federals lost 30 wounded. Rosser's forces suffered no casualties and took many supplies as well as prisoners: 100 head of horses, 10,000 rations, and a large number of arms. After the raid, the McNeil Partisans went back to Staunton.

The raid lasted from August 10 to November 16, 1864. The article describes it as a great catastrophe, especially for the Dunker and Mennonite farmers who were targeted by their faith. The loss fell heavily on Rockingham County, totaling many millions of dollars.

This is all the information about Thomas L. Rosser that is available in the provided sources.