Reuben Mosley

**Reuben B. Mosley** (May 1, 1832 – June 21, 1906) served as a private in Company A, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.

## Personal life

Reuben Mosley was born May 1, 1832 in Carter County, Tennessee to Benjamin and Amelia (Burchfield) Mosley. He married first Sarah Simerly (1829-1893) with whom he had at least 11 children. He married second Mary Susan Patton (1864-1930) with whom he had three children.

## Civil War service

Mosley enlisted as a private in Company A on September 22, 1863 in Carter County, Tennessee for a period of three years and mustered in October 28, 1863 at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. He was appointed corporal on November 1, 1863 by order of Colonel Miller. Mosley was detailed as a cook on an unrecorded date and released from that duty on March 25, 1865. He was reduced to the ranks on March 27, 1865 by order of Lieutenant Colonel Stacy.

He is described as 31 years old, 6' 1" tall, dark complexion, blue eyes, light hair, and by occupation a farmer.

Mosley is listed as present for duty for which muster rolls have survived.

Mosley mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. It was noted that he had last been paid to August 31, 1864, owed $12.97 to the government for clothing, had received a $25 bounty, and was owed a $75 bounty.

## Post-war life

### Moonshiner and legal troubles

In addition to farming, Mosley was also an enterprising moonshiner. In 1874 he was tried in federal court for violating the revenue law, fined $200, and imprisoned for three months.

Mosely was charged with larceny in 1879 and tried in a state criminal court; he was found not guilty.

A federal grand jury heard evidence in 1881 that Mosely was again in violation of the revenue law and *pluries capias* was ordered [an arrest warrant and/or search and seizure of property]. The outcome of this case has not been found.

Mosley was tried in federal court with four other men as partners for making moonshine in 1891; they were all found not guilty.

His last recorded legal trouble came in 1894 when he was again found guilty by a federal court, fined $100 and imprisoned for three months; the charge has has not been identified, but it was likely violation of the revenue law as the sentence and trial in federal court is consistent with past legal problems.

### Death

Mosley applied for an invalid's pension on May 16, 1878. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Mosley died June 21, 1906 in Carter County and is buried there at Patton-Simmons Cemetery. His wife applied for a widow's pension on July 6, 1906.

## Notes

1. ↑ His name is alternately spelled Moseley. Mosley is what appears on his headstone; both spellings are found among his children.
2. ↑ 1880 U.S. Census, 4th Civil District, Unicoi County, Tennessee.
3. ↑ 1900 U.S. Census, 17th Civil District, Carter County, Tennessee.
4. ↑ *Daily Press and Herald* (Knoxville), July 29, 1874, p. 4, c. 3.
5. ↑ *Knoxville Daily Chronicle*, September 3, 1879, p. 4, c. 2.
6. ↑ *Knoxville Daily Tribune*, July 12, 1881, p. 1, c. 7.
7. ↑ ”The Same Old Grist of Moonshine Cases in Federal Court”, *The Journal and Tribune* (Knoxville), July 16, 1891, p. 3, c. 3.
8. ↑ *Knoxville Sentinel*, January 13, 1894, p. 3, c. 5.
9. ↑ Which post(s) he was a member of has not been found.