Thomas Lafayette Rosser

As his graduating West Point Class was being called to active service, Rosser resigned and was commissioned First Lieutenant in the regular army of the Confederate States. He was assigned as instructor to the Washington artillery of New Orleans, and commanded the 2nd Company at Blackburn's Ford and Manassas in July, 1861, and with Stuart at Munson's hill and the battle of Lewinsville.

"His success in shooting down McClellan's observation balloon won him promotion to captain". At the battle of Mechanicsville (June 1862) he was wounded, and shortly after promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of artillery, then appointed Colonel of the Fifth Virginia Cavalry.

At South Mountain he commanded the cavalry at Crampton's gap, and with Pelham's artillery took part in the defence. He participated in the battle of Sharpsburg [details?].

Wounded at Kelly's Ford, Rosser was disabled until the Pennsylvania (Gettysburg) campaign. After this battle he was promoted to Brigadier-General and given the old brigade of Turner Ashby. After successfull operations in Virginia, particularly in the Valley, he was promoted Major-General in November, 1864, and led cavalry commands up to his capture shortly after Appomattox.

He was involved with railroad construction and engineering, notably with the Northern Pacific and Canadian Pacific railroads. He later became a planter in Charlottesville, Virginia. In June 1898, President McKinley appointed Rosser a Brigadier General of United States volunteers for the Spanish-American War. He was honorably discharged on October 31, 1898.

10/15/1836; Campbell County, VA

3/29/1910; Charlottesville, VA; burial in Ridgeview Cemetery, Charlottesville, VA