J. S. Mosby, Mosby’s War Memoirs and Stuart’s Cavalry Campaigns (New York: Pageant Book Co., 1958), p. 10. Mosby records in his memoirs that in Richmond, before being sent to the Shenandoah Valley, the men were issued uniforms of very rough quality from the state penitentiary. There was almost a mutiny as the men piled them up in front of the captain’s tent and refused to wear them—all except Mosby and Beattie. Mosby then states, “I do not think any clothes I ever wore did me more service than these. When I became a commander, I made Beattie a lieutenant.”
This story is corroborated in Charles W. Russell (ed.), The Memoirs of Colonel John S. Mosby (Boston: Little Brown, 1917), p. 30.
Beattie is mentioned frequently in histories of Mosby’s campaigns. In addition to the references noted above, see V. C. Jones, Ranger Mosby (Chapel Hill, 1944), and James Williamson (ed.), Mosby’s Rangers (New York: Sturgis & Walton, 1909).
From 1861 to July 1864, Beattie served as an enlisted man. In July 1864, a new company was organized, and Beattie was elected first lieutenant. Such regards as still exist regarding Beattie’s service with Mosby relate to this period. See Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from Virginia. Microcopy 324, Roll 207 (National Archives, Washington, D.C.).
Williamson, Mosby’s Rangers, p. 87.