Thomas L . Rosser Thomas Lafayette ( Tex ) Rosser ( October 15 , 1836 – March 29 , 1910 ) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War , and later an officer in the Spanish American War and railroad construction engineer . A favorite of J . E . B . Stuart , he was noted for his daring cavalry raids , efficiency in handling combat troops , and tactical brilliance . Early life and career . Rosser was born on a farm called " Catalpa Hill " , in Campbell County , Virginia , the son of John and Martha Melvina ( Johnson ) Rosser . In 1849 , the family relocated to a farm in Panola County , Texas , some forty miles west of Shreveport , Louisiana . The 13 - year - old Tom Rosser led the wagon train bearing his mother and younger siblings westward , as business considerations compelled his father to remain in Virginia for a short time . Texas Congressman Lemuel D . Evans appointed Rosser to the United States Military Academy in 1856 . However , Rosser did not complete the required five - year course of study , as Rosser , a supporter of Texas secession , resigned when Texas left the Union on April 22 , 1861 two weeks before the scheduled graduation . Rosser traveled to Montgomery , Alabama , to enlist in the Confederate States Army . Thomas Rosser ' s room mate at the academy , George Armstrong Custer was a close friend and despite being on opposing sides this friendship continued both during and after the Civil War ended . He was known for his “ hit and run ” raids . Civil War . Rosser was commissioned a first lieutenant and became an instructor to the famed " Washington Artillery " of New Orleans . He commanded its Second Company at the First Battle of Manassas in July 1861 . He was noted for shooting down one of George B . McClellan ' s observation balloons , a feat that won him promotion to captain . He commanded his battery during the Seven Days Battles of the Peninsula Campaign , and was severely wounded at Mechanicsville . Rosser was promoted to lieutenant colonel of artillery , and a few days later to colonel of the 5th Virginia Cavalry . He commanded the advance of J . E . B . Stuart ' s expedition to Catlett ' s Station , and was notable in the Second Battle of Bull Run , where captured Union commander John Pope ' s orderly and horses . During the fighting at Crampton ' s Gap at the Battle of South Mountain , his cavalry delayed the advance of William B . Franklin ' s VI Corps with help from John Pelham ' s artillery . At Antietam , his men screened Robert E . Lee ' s left flank . He temporarily assumed command of Fitzhugh Lee ' s brigade during the subsequent fighting against Alfred Pleasonton . He was again badly wounded at the Battle of Kelly ' s Ford , where " the gallant " Pelham was killed . Rosser was disabled until the Gettysburg Campaign , where he commanded his regiment in the fighting at Hanover and the East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg . He was promoted to brigadier general of the " Laurel Brigade , " which had gained fame under Turner Ashby . During one of his October - November West Virginia raids near Chancellorsville , Virginia , in November , Rosser seized a Federal wagon train containing much of the ammunition reserve of the I Corps and V Corps of the Army of the Potomac . He was distinguished again in the 1864 Overland Campaign , driving back a large force of Union cavalry and artillery at the Battle of the Wilderness . Rosser was yet again wounded at Trevilian Station , where his brigade captured a number of prisoners from former West Point classmate and close personal friend George Armstrong Custer . The Federal rout at Trevilian Station became known to the Confederate forces as the " Buckland Races . " His brigade later gallantly fought against Philip Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley , and he efficiently commanded Fitzhugh Lee ' s division at Cedar Creek . A rare defeat where Custer overran Rosser ’ s troops at the Battle of Tom ' s Brook allowed Custer to repay Rosser for Trevilian Station . For no tactical reason , Custer chased Rosser ’ s troops for over 10 miles and the action became known as the " Woodstock Races " in Union accounts . Custer had also captured Rosser ’ s private wardrobe wagon at Tom ' s Brook and Rosser immediately messaged him . Dear FannyYou may have made me take a few steps back today , but I will be even with you tomorrow . Please accept my good wishes and this little gift - a pair of your draws captured at Trevillian Station . TexCuster shipped Rosser ’ s gold - laced confederate grey coat to his wife with a reply . Dear friendThanks for setting me up in so many new things , but would you please direct your tailor to make the coat tails of your next uniform a trifle shorter . Best regards G . A . C . Rosser became known in the Southern press as the " Saviour of the Valley , " and was promoted to major general in November 1864 . He conducted a successful raid on New Creek , West Virginia , taking hundreds of prisoners and seizing much need quantities of supplies . In January 1865 , he took 300 men , crossed the mountains in deep snow and bitter cold , and surprised and captured two infantry regiments in their works at Beverly , West Virginia , taking 580 prisoners . Rosser commanded a cavalry division during the Siege of Petersburg in the spring , fighting near Five Forks . It was here that Rosser hosted the " infamous " shad bake ( fish feast ) north of the battle lines preceding and during the primary Federal assault . Guests at this small affair included George Pickett and Fitzhugh Lee . Shelby Foote states that " Pickett only made it back to his division after over half his troops had been shot or captured . . " . It is said that Lee never forgave Pickett for his absence from his post when the Federals broke the Confederate lines and carried the day at Five Forks . Rosser was conspicuous during the Appomattox Campaign , capturing a Union general and rescuing a wagon train near Farmville . He led a daring early morning charge at Appomattox Court House on April 9 , 1865 , and escaped with his command as Lee surrendered the bulk of the Army of Northern Virginia . Under orders from the secretary of war , he began reorganizing the scattered remnants of Lee ' s army in a vain attempt to join Joseph E . Johnston ' s army in North Carolina . However , he surrendered at Staunton , Virginia , on May 4 and was paroled shortly afterwards . Postbellum activities . Rosser was superintendent of the National Express Company , working for fellow ex - Confederate general Joe Johnston . He resigned to become assistant engineer during the construction of the Pittsburgh & Connellsville Railroad . He became chief engineer of the eastern division of the Northern Pacific Railroad . Later he was chief engineer of the Canadian Pacific . In 1886 , he bought a plantation near Charlottesville , Virginia , and became a gentleman farmer . On June 10 , 1898 , President William McKinley appointed Rosser a brigadier general of United States volunteers during the Spanish - American War . His first task was training young cavalry recruits in a camp near the old Civil War battlefield of Chickamauga in northern Georgia . He was honorably discharged on October 31 , 1898 , and returned home . He died at Charlottesville and is buried at Riverview Cemetery , Charlottesville . Rosser Avenue in Brandon , Manitoba is named in his honor . There is also a Rosser Avenue in Bismarck , North Dakota . This was platted before Custer ' s arrival in the area , and so likely is related to Rosser ' s time with the railroad ( Northern Pacific ) rather than his friendship with Custer , or his military career . Notes . The Rural Municipality of Rosser in Manitoba is named after him .