Fabled Confederate ranger (1833–1916) whose guerrilla band specialized in attacking and disrupting Union supply lines. He earned the nickname “The Gray Ghost” for his clandestine and highly effective attack tactics. ALS signed “Jno. S. Mosby,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, May 25, 1904. Mosby writes to Gaston Scott. In part: “The Wash. correspondent of the Advertiser … told me that he sent the news of my appointment as Assistant Attorney in the Dept. of Justice. When I left Montgomery I had no idea of getting the appointment—& as I wrote you & Captain Pollard after I got here expected to return the last of this month. I want, however, to come back to Montgomery … to see you & my dear friend Captain Pollard—(shall always ‘wear your & his images in my heart of hearts’)…. I had a very pleasant interview with the President. There was a crowd waiting when I sent in my card—he sent me a message to be patient—that he wd. see me privately after the crowd left. He took me in a private room, & before I have spoken a word he began talking about what he wanted to do for me. He told me to go see the Atty. Gen.—have a talk with him—then come to him & he wd. give me a letter to him. I did not go to see the Atty. Gen. as I felt a delicacy in talking about myself—but repeated to his private secty. what the President had said…. It could have been done three years ago but my sensitiveness prevented it. I am a good hand to work for others—but a very poor one to work for myself. The four who called to press my appointment were Virginia Democrats—so you see how all the old bitterness has passed away…. I told John Daniel that if he is our next President or Vice President he must promise me to give him the best thing in Alabama….” In very good condition, with faint show-through and ink erosion to a cross out resulting in a clean “slit” touching several words of text. The letter is otherwise crisp, bright, and boldly penned. LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
