"During George's childhood, one of the best friends of the Patton family was none-other-than Colonel John S. Mosby, the fabled "Grey Ghost" of J.E.B. Stuart's legendary cavalry. Patton grew up hearing tales of daring raids and stunning cavalry attacks from the Grey Ghost himself. During visits to the Patton Ranch in Southern California, Colonel Mosby would re-enact the Civil War with George; playing himself, he let George play the part of General Lee as they would recount the battles of the war, astride their horses.
These firsthand stories, and horseback re-enactments, directed by one of the greatest Guerilla fighters of all time no doubt had a huge influence on Patton. Both his sense of bravery and duty, and his Guerilla like tactics were no doubt heavily influenced by his early exploits with John S. Mosby."
Just imagine - quite possibly Patton's huge success at Bastogne may well have been influenced by the Gray Ghost? That would be quite an interesting Confederate connection across all those years.
Now you have me wondering how the Mosby - Patton connection arose. I can only imagine it has something to do with George S. Patton's great Grandfather - the Confederate Colonel, George S. Patton Sr. but that is just a guess.
T.R. do you or anyone else out there know how the Gray Ghost became a close friend of the Pattons - close enough for Mosby to travel from his post CW home in San Francisco to San Marino for visits during George S. Patton's childhood?