The Gray Ghost of Civil War Virginia: John Singleton Mosby

By Jessica James

No name in the annals of the Civil War conjures a more romantic and awe-inspiring image than that of Confederate Colonel John Singleton Mosby of Virginia.

The epitome of the Southern cavalier, Colonel Mosby was a charismatic officer whose small band of partisans outwitted and outfought the Union army on the fields and farmlands of northern Virginia. So great was the panic inspired by this one officer’s military ingenuity, so prominent was the threat he created to the Union forces, that he came to be known in the north as more of a myth than a man.

Award-winning historical fiction and Southern romance author Jessica James penned a unique look at this iconic figure as a way to share this real-life soldier's story with her fiction fans. John Mosby was the model for her fictional character Colonel Alexander Hunter in her novel NOBLE CAUSE (originally called Shades of Gray).

Rather than a dry biography of the Confederate hero, this book takes readers on a journey with a ragtag group of Rebels who threw aside the established rules of warfare, effectively using fear as their weapon of choice and surprise as their watchword.

Read about this forgotten American Hero in the first of a series of books that look back on those who played a role in shaping our nation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica James
• Release date: Sep 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9780979600029

Jessica James

Jessica James is an award-winning author of small town women's fiction, suspense, historical fiction, and patriotic fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day. She is a four-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010. Her novels appeal to both men and women and are featured in library collections all over the United States including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy. By weaving the principles of courage, devotion, duty, and dedication into each book, she attempts to honor the unsung heroes of the American military—past and present—and to convey the magnitude of their sacrifice and service.

Book preview

What They Are Saying About Jessica James’ Books:

A riveting piece of historical fiction, very much highly recommended reading. – Midwest Book Review

"It is a book that I think could have the impact of a Gone With the Wind." – Jonathan A. Noyalas, Assistant Professor of History and Director for Civil War Studies, Lord Fairfax Community College

"I think it is the best Civil War fiction book since Cold Mountain." – James D. Bibb, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Trimble Camp 1836

"Not since reading Gone with the Wind have I enjoyed a book so much! Ms. James's impressive detailed dialogue, accurate historical descriptions and characters are unforgettable." – Sarah Winch

Andrea and Alex will surely take the place in my heart of Rhett and Scarlett as the perfect Civil War fictional love story! – Angel Deyarmin

A classic love story as much as it is a war story. – Civil War Book Review

The Gray Ghost of Civil War Virginia

Colonel John S. Mosby

A Non-Fiction Companion to Jessica James’ Historical Fiction Novel

Noble Cause

(Originally titled Shades of Gray)

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Jessica James

This book is available in print format at most online retailers

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover Art Courtesy of John Paul Strain

Fire in the Valley

http://www.johnpaulstrain.com/

Our poor country has fallen a prey to the conqueror. The noblest cause ever defended by the sword is lost.

– John Singleton Mosby

Books Available by Jessica James:

Above and Beyond: A Novel of the Civil War

Noble Cause: A Novel of Love and War

Winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction

Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia

Winner of the Next Generation Indie Award for Regional Fiction

Other Literary Awards

2012 Bronze winner Foreword Magazine Book of the Year in Romance category

2011 USA Best Books 2011 Finalist in Historical Fiction

2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction

2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Romance category

2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Historical Fiction category

2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award

2010 Stars and Flags: Second place for Historical Fiction

2009 HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme

2009 Nominated for Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction

2008 Indie Next Generation Finalist for Best Historical Fiction

2008 IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction

2008 ForeWord Magazine Finalist for Book of the Year in Romance category

Preface

"To those of us whose experiences cover that period, memory brings back ‘the tender grace of the days that are dead.’ We must trust those of the rising generation to imagine that atmosphere of romance and chivalry which then pervaded the

Reviews for The Gray Ghost of Civil War Virginia

[cubsfan3410 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

7/23/12: i am enjoying this book but am going to put it aside for a bit to read some library books that have a time limit....

[loricrane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am absolutely forever in love with Hunter!This is the story of honor, duty, loyalty, trust, mistrust, allegiance, and true love - a time in history when men are men and women are...spies.Throughout the story, it is difficult to see how the ending will ever be resolved. You know these characters will never see eye-to-eye and a friendly relationship will never be possible, much less blossom into a love story to end all love stories. I yelled, "Just kiss her already!" at least a dozen times while reading. It was frustrating to witness as I found myself rooting for true love to conquer all throughout the book. The writing is rich and descriptive. The characters are complicated and intricate, even down to their thoughts and motivations.

[bookfanmary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I cannot remember how I found this book but I marked it to read in July for the 2009 Southern Reading Challenge. I'm very glad I did. I had a tough time putting it down - which is something since it is a book about the Civil War. War novels are not a genre I tend to enjoy. That said, it's more about people than battles. There are plenty of battlefield scenes but the real story is the one involving Alex Hunter, a Confederate officer and Sinclair, a Union spy. Ms. James wrote a wonderfully paced novel that kept my attention throughout. I think she shows a gift for believable, intelligent dialogue. Although the epilogue told more than I needed/wanted to know, I really hated to see the story end and will count the book among my favorites for the year.

[pattymclpn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this during my recent trip to Gettysburg. This is a great civil war novel. It is a little long, but it is worth spending your time on it. Well I should probably tell you the truth here, it is 522 pages. It contains espionage, love, war, and lots of conflict. The chapters are fairly short so one could read this in small doses.I purchased this for myself in Gettysburg. Yes and you guessed it, I paid way too much for it there. It was written in 2008. Yes, I have to admit I was attracted to the cover. I am a sucker for anything purple. It is my favorite color. I think it is a great cover. This is an award winning book. It won the John Esten Cooke award for Ficiton 2011, just to name one. Beware this is the same novel as Nobel Cause. Nobel Cause was released in May of 2013 for the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. It is the same book as Shades of Gray with a new ending. Hmm is this just another way to make money?Well I want to say that I loved this book!! It kept my interest all the way through. It is action packed and full of events. The main character Andrea is a very strong woman. You probably know by now that I like books with strong female characters. She is a spy for the union army, but was born and bred in Virginia. She is strong in her anti-slavery beliefs and loyal to the union. She falls in love with Colonel Hunter who is a legendary leader of the southern army. This is no doubt going to cause some problems. There is also Victoria who is the southern belle in love with Colonel Hunter.This book is beautifully written and just sails along. It is a real page turner. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next! I enjoyed it immensely. The epilogue is a little long. If you like happy endings chose the Nobel Cause version. I will seriously considering picking up her new book Above and Beyond, which is a Christian Historical Romance. It was just released on 5/23/2013 for e-book and will be in stores in August. I give this book a strong 5 out of 5 stars.

[beverlyjean-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Move over, Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara. You’ve met your match. Captain Alexander Hunter, Confederate officer, is brave and daring, as well as handsome. Andrea Evans, Union sympathizer, is headstrong and impulsive, and like a chameleon changes her identity to suit the situation. When North meets South sparks are bound to fly, not only on the battlefield, but also in the lives of a man and woman that will do anything for the cause they believe in. SHADES OF GRAY, the award winning historical novel by Author Jessica James, is set in Virginia during the American Civil War. Andrea plays many roles in the story: a boy that delivers dispatches for the Union, a guide, and a Southern Belle to name a few. Captain Alexander Hunter is a fearless leader, respected by his men. Both characters believe deeply in their cause and will defend their beliefs until death if necessary. Jessica James shows the personal side of the characters and how families are torn apart in a war that will scar our nation for years to come. The battle scenes are so vivid I felt as though I were in the middle of the action, hearing the cries of pain, witnessing the blood and the dying men. The story contains beautiful moments too. When Alexander and Andrea can stop arguing enough, they realize they’re falling in love, something I’d been telling them all along. The American Civil War is my favorite era in history, and I have a whole library of books about the war. I am pleased to add another great novel to my collection. The only thing I disliked about the book was the ending, not because it wasn’t beautifully written. It was. I also understand why it ended the way it did. And that’s all I’m saying because I don’t want to give anything away. Other readers may love the ending. However, I am happy to hear that Noble Cause … well, my lips are sealed. I’m reading it next. Ms. James has written another great story dealing with the history of America. Let’s hope we’ve learned our lesson from the past.###