Colonel Reuben Delavan 'R.D.' Mussey, Jr. (USA)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_D._Mussey,_Jr.

Reuben D. Mussey, Jr. (often called RD Mussey) (May 30, 1833–May 29, 1892) was a Union Army colonel during the American Civil War and a distinguished lawyer. Between April 1865 and November 1865, Mussey was President Andrew Johnson's private secretary. Johnson nominated Mussey for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general of volunteers, but the U.S. Senate did not confirm the appointment. Mussey 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. He was born in Hanover, New Hampshire on May 30, 1833. After matriculating from Dummer Academy, RD Mussey graduated from Dartmouth College in 1854. He campaigned for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and at the outbreak of the Civil War began serving in the regular army of the United States as captain of the 19th U.S. Infantry Regiment.

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 officer in the Union Army who contributed to the end of slavery in Tennessee by his actions as a recruiter and regimental commander there. 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. As a captain of the 19th U.S. Infantry Regiment from May 14, 1861 until June 14, 1864, Mussey helped recruit African-American soldiers for the Union Army. On June 14, 1864, Mussey was appointed colonel of the 100th U.S. Colored Infantry.

Mussey served as President Andrew Johnson's private secretary from April 1865 to November 1865. At some date for which the record has not been found, Johnson nominated Mussey for appointment to the brevet grade of brigadier general in the regular army, to rank from March 13, 1865, but the U.S. Senate did not confirm the appointment.

Mussey was mustered out of the volunteers on December 26, 1865 and resigned from the regular army on February 19, 1866. Soon after this date, he began a law practice in Washington D.C. 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.

Reuben Delevan Mussey died in Washington, D.C. on May 29, 1892. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery (Washington, D.C.).