The Gray Ghost Revealed: Analyzing the Rare Mosby & McVeigh Civil War Portrait

For historians and genealogists, few figures in the American Civil War evoke as much mystery as Colonel John Singleton Mosby, the legendary “Gray Ghost.” As the commander of the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Mosby became famous for his ability to strike Union lines and vanish into the mist.

But beyond the legend lies the historical record. In this post, we perform a deep-dive analysis of a rare Carte de Visite (CDV) from the Library of Congress. This photograph (Lot 15158-1, no. 1110) captures Mosby alongside his trusted officer, Captain Richard N. McVeigh, offering a unique window into Confederate military history, uniform details, and the lives of the “Partisan Rangers.”

The Subjects: A Service Record Analysis

Using the metadata provided by the Library of Congress, we can reconstruct the turbulent service histories of these two men. This information is vital for anyone researching the 43rd Virginia Cavalry Battalion or the 1st Virginia Cavalry.

1. Colonel John Singleton Mosby (Left)

Mosby’s service record is a testament to the dangerous nature of partisan warfare. According to archives, he was wounded three times during the conflict.

• Capture: He was captured on July 20, 1862, at Beaver Dam, Virginia.
• Imprisonment: Following his capture, he was held as a prisoner of war at Fort Monroe, Virginia, before being exchanged. It was after this release that he formed his famous Rangers.

2. Captain Richard N. McVeigh (Right)

Captain McVeigh’s service was equally harrowing and provides an excellent case study for tracing Confederate service records across multiple regiments (Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia).

• Capture: Captured on August 18, 1863, in Loudoun County, Virginia.
• Imprisonment & Health: He was held at the infamous Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C. Records show he was hospitalized on September 18, 1863, at Washington Hospital before being transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland.
• Late War Service: remarkably, McVeigh returned to the fight. He was wounded on April 10, 1865 at Fairfax Station—just one day after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox—and was imprisoned again in May 1865.

Visual Forensics: Uniforms and Details

For collectors of Civil War photography, this image offers several key identification points.

The Uniforms

Both men are wearing double-breasted frock coats, the standard issue for Confederate officers. While the black-and-white photography makes color identification difficult, these coats would likely have been “Confederate Gray” (often a brownish-gray butternut shade by late war).

Note the collar insignia. In the Confederate army, rank was displayed on the collar. Three stars (visible on Mosby) typically denoted the rank of Colonel. Both men also hold slouch hats rather than the more formal kepis, a practical choice favored by cavalrymen for protection against the sun and rain during long rides.

The Photographer: Israel & Co.

An interesting detail of this Carte de Visite is the backmark: “Israel & Co., 125 W. Balto. St., Baltimore.”

Baltimore was a Union-occupied city with strong Southern sympathies. The existence of this photo suggests it may have been printed or distributed clandestinely, or perhaps taken during a specific moment of movement. For collectors, the “Israel & Co” mark adds significant provenance to the piece.

Conclusion: The Value of the Carte de Visite

Photos like this are not just portraits; they are historical documents. The Carte de Visite format (a 2.5 x 4-inch card) revolutionized the 1860s, allowing soldiers to send likenesses home to loved ones. Today, they serve as the primary visual record for genealogy researchers.

Are you researching an ancestor from the 43rd Virginia Cavalry? Always check the back of old family photos for photographer marks like “Israel & Co”—they might just solve a 160-year-old mystery.