| Reuben D. Mussey, Jr. | |
| Born: | 1833 |
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| Place of Birth: | {{{place of birth}}} |
| Died: | May 29, 1892 (aged 58–59) |
| Place of Death: | {{{place of death}}} |
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| Birth Name: | {{{birth name}}} |
| Allegiance: | United States of America Union |
| Participation(s): | {{{participations}}} |
| Branch: | Union Army |
| Service Years: | {{{service years}}} |
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| Battles: | American Civil War |
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Reuben D. Mussey, Jr. (often called RD Mussey) (1833-May 29, 1892) was a Union Army General during the American Civil War and a distinguished lawyer. He was the husband of Ellen Spencer Mussey who was also his law partner and became the head of the practice upon his death.
Biography[]
Mussey was the son of the medical doctor Reuben D. Mussey and his wife Hettie Osgood. RD graduated from Dartmouth College in 1854. He campaigned for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and by the outbreak of the Civil War was serving in the regular United States army.
Some sources list his name as Reuben Delevan Mussey, suggesting that Jr. may not be technically correct, but since both he and his father are referred to as Reuben D. Mussey or Reuben Mussey, the Jr. is the best way to distinguish the two.
Mussey was an anti-slavery general in the Union Army who contributed to the end of slavery in Tennessee by his actions as a general there.[1] Mussey was the commader of the 100th U.S. Colored Infantry.[2] Mussey was a strong advocate of enlisting African-American soldiers and in correspondence with his superiors took issue with William T. Sherman's view on this issue.[3]
Mussey left the army in 1866 and soon after began a law practice. He had two daughters with his first wife. It was after her death he met and latter married Ellen Spencer. Mussey also served as an adjunct professor of law at Howard University.
