Major Embury D. Osband commanded General Ulysses S. Grant's personal escort, Company A of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry. He was made colonel of the Third United States Colored Cavalry (initially called the First Mississippi Cavalry, African Descent), which was raised and equipped at Vicksburg, Miss., in September 1863. Beginning October 9, 1863, using Vicksburg as its base, the Third U.S. Colored Cavalry raided into Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi, tearing up track, burning bridges, capturing supplies, and engaging the enemy. Relocating at Memphis early in 1865, the raiders moved down the Mississippi River in April, May, and June. Osband later became a brevet brigadier general, moved to Yazoo City, Miss., after the war, and is the highest-ranking veteran interred in Vicksburg National Cemetery (Grave #16648, Section O).
From the description of Embury D. Osband letter, 1864 Jan. 8. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 429508642
