So... got the book, read the book, got much more of a depth of understanding of the man, who he was, what he stood for, how he evolved and how he didn’t.
On slavery and race.
-Rosser was son of a slaveholder. Family owned slaves throughout growing up years in each of Virginia, Louisiana and Texas including 11 in Texas age 11 months to 56 years
-father engaged in business of dealing slaves, father went on slave selling trips
-references in book to Rosser working on family farm with slaves
-letter from wife while Rosser was away at war referenced her owning slaves, her complaining of losing them
-when considering Rosser himself and direct slave ownership, have to consider the timeline. Went from home to military academy, right into the war. No owning slaves after the war
-post-war, in comments approved of voting rights for freed slaves but opposed blacks holding office or having social equality. Reportedly referred to slavery as a stain on the South.
-later in life a few pages later in the book from the prev point, in case there was any doubt on views on race. Hope to avoid as much editorial content as possible in this first post, but can’t include these quotes without pointing out how disgraceful and wrong they are even though important for understanding who we are talking about:
Rosser: “We have in our midst a race inferior to our own... whatever those circumstances may have been, the fact is only to be considered and the problem given us is to be just to them considering their circumstances and at the same time preserve the integrity of our own race. That the Northern European Anglo-Saxon race which is our own is superior to all other we cannot doubt”
And later said:
Rosser: “The material of the mental and moral construction of the negro cannot be refined or perfected. It may be improved, but it cannot be refined, highly tempered and elegantly furnished, and... No degree of cultivation will or can make the negro a gentleman “
Further saying:
Rosser: “If the white and black race remain together in the South, or anywhere else in the United States, the white race will sooner or later enslave or exterminate the black one, and while the negro will never again be a chattel as in the days of slavery, he will become a peasant of low degree, and will again obey and serve the white lord of the manor.”
On involvement in and commitment to the Confederate Army.
-was in military academy in New York when the Southern Confederacy formed just weeks before would-be graduation, left to join Confederate Army. Wanted to devote entire life to military service to the confederacy
-those within army on either side of the war with West Point Military Academy training were seen as the elite officers
-Filled with ambition to climb to the top of the Confederate hierarchy. Regular ongoing references to seeking promotion, “constant whining” about promotion, etc as he climbed the ranks. Reference to “Appeared to be trying to obtain status as South’s most flamboyant cavalryman.” I.e. this is someone that was all-in as an increasingly higher commander within said army
-majority of the book focuses on his military service. Much of that was about the battles, the boldness, the ambition and often recklessness. Over descriptions of that period I didn’t see anything that directly spoke to connection between slavery and fighting the war from Rosser’s perspective... but in a quote from later in life, Rosser acknowledged slavery as a catalyst for the war.
-in indication of where Confederate Army service fell within the grand scheme of his life, the first line on his tombstone in Virginia reads “Major General CSA, followed Lee from Manassas to Appomattox” (Lee being the same Robert E. Lee who you might have read about in the news for his statues being removed).
-Interesting story in the book re the end of the war. On the day Lee surrendered, Rosser did not. That morning Rosser’s division participated in what would be the last cavalry charge in the war in Virginia. Rosser would escape and not be captured by Federals for more than three weeks. This charge/refusal to surrender himself and his command he would describe as the greatest triumph of his military career and life
-Major General was the highest rank he had gotten to, that being for only a handful of months until the war ended. Interestingly signed off on a proclamation to his men in days after Lee’s surrender referring to himself as “Lieutenant General” (would be even higher rank yet)
-tho did profess loyalty to the new post-war union, many years after the war this line from a speech of his showed no regrets from CSA time.
“I approve of all the Southern Confederacy did.. it destroyed evil forces and established good ones. It’s monuments are to patriotism and glory, not brazen images resulting from blemished hearts and conduct”
On move West....
-Various failed jobs, eventually moved West where less “prejudice” against former Confederates. Was basically escaping blowback from the war closer to home. Got job as axeman for railroad in St. Paul, Minnesota.
-Worked his way up, eventually taking job with another railroad and played major part in surveying railroad from North Dakota through to Montana.
-Family moved to Fargo, ND to join him in 1871.
-work in this period included many years as Minneapolis city engineer, then back with the railroad until that job ended in 1880.
-references during this period of survey work in US railroad of making profits off of land speculation via inside knowledge.
-as part of surveying the railroad in USA, led surveying party escorted by 1350 soldiers re resistance from Sioux on railway expansion through land
-off to Winnipeg and position as Canadian Pacific Railroad’s chief engineer in 1880.
-on taking position in Canada, his wife and family continued to live in Minneapolis.
-in 1881, CPR built town at intermediary of Portage la Prairie and Flat Creek (Oak Lake) with Rosser choosing location for a major divisional point of CPR. Town was to be 2 miles further East however original target landowner asked more than willing to pay. Rosser named town Brandon for the Brandon Hills
-in February 1882, Rosser fired for “shamelessly colluding with town builders and land speculators along the route. “ Was allowed to resign.
-May 1882 Brandon is incorporated
-Before leaving company, Rosser obtained newest plans for railway west expansion. Was Arrested, charged with fraudulently obtaining those plans. Rosser filed lawsuit for malicious prosecution and libel at $20,000. Won only $2,600 for malicious prosecution (not libel). Following that CPR lawyers failed to appear in court, criminal were charges dropped.
-1884, returned home to Virginia to join wife and family who had moved back from Minneapolis the year before. Had enough money from land transactions to buy acreage, large home.
-in all, Brandon stuff is about one single page out of 270 in the biography. The Manitoba/CPR stuff another couple pages.
On the end...
-died in 1910, buried in Virginia. As mentioned, Confederate Army involvement highlights the tombstone. Fourth item on that tombstone, Chief Engineer of Canadian Pacific Railroad 1880-1882
I’d really encourage folks interested in this topic to read the book (published just last year) for full context. It’s at the link below:
https://www.amazon.ca/Custers-Gray-Rival-Confederate-Lafayette/dp/1945602090