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.

Thomas Rosser's roommate 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.

Stuart's expedition to Catlett's Station, and was notable in the Second Battle of Manassas, where he 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.

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.

His brigade later gallantly fought against Philip Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, and he efficiently commanded Fitzhugh Lee's division at Cedar Creek.

Please accept my good wishes and this little gift—a pair of your draws captured at Trevillian Station.Tex,Custer shipped Rosser's gold-laced Confederate grey coat to his wife with a reply.

Dear friend,Thanks 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.

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.

It was here that Rosser hosted the "infamous" shad bake (fish feast) 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the battle lines preceding and during the primary Federal assault.

Rosser was conspicuous during the Appomattox Campaign, capturing a Union general, John Irvin Gregg, 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.

On June 10, 1898, President William McKinley appointed Rosser a brigadier general of United States volunteers during the Spanish–American War.