Stuart's Cavalry in the Gettysburg Campaign
New York: Moffat, Yard & Company, 1908. Revised Edition. Two black and white photographic plates and a large fold-out map. Original cloth hardcover. Octavo. xxxiii, [1], 1-225 pages.
The infamous partisan ranger leader here vigorously defends fellow Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart's actions in the lead up to Gettysburg. Early boosters of Lee's reputation placed much blame on Stuart for the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, since he was riding around the Union Army and therefore not able to provide Lee with intelligence regarding Federal troops gathering in front of him. However, Mosby's crucial point is that Stuart was following prior orders from Lee as he moved north into Pennsylvania, and that the premature engagement at Gettysburg occurred because other officers under Lee in fact disobeyed orders.
This copy is inscribed and signed by Vice President James Schoolcraft Sherman to his brother-in-law and Spanish-American War veteran, Capt. Sherrill Babcock: "To / Capt. Sherrill Babcock / Grandson and namesake / of Col. Sherrill who / fell at Gettysburgh [sic]. / With regard for the / former and reverence / for the memory of the / latter. / J. S. Sherman / Dec. 25, 1910."
Sherman was elected to the vice presidency under President William Howard Taft in 1908. He would die in office within two years of this inscription.
Ref. NEVINS I, p.39; EICHER 92; DORNBUSCH II, 1293.
Bound in dark blue cloth over boards with gilt-stamped spine titles. Minor extremity rubs and shallow bumps to binding, else fine.
Item #2133
Price: $375