Mounted Raids of the Civil War

by Edward G. Longacre

The romance of the cavalry, smartly outfitted with factual detail, will thrill readers of Mounted Raids of the Civil War. In roughly chronological order, Edward G. Longacre’s book presents twelve important expeditions—Federal and Confederate—in various theatres of action. These were raids of consequence, though not all were successful. Some were innovative, such as Colonel Abel Streight’s raid down Alabama roads astride mules. Some raiding forces demonstrated bold planning, others timid execution. Others—notably the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid on Richmond—stirred national controversies. A few exhibited moments of comedy, as did Nathan Bedford Forrest’s "naval" assault against Union steamboats in the Tennessee River. And some expeditions greatly advanced military victories—such as General Benjamin H. Grierson’s raid during the Vicksburg campaign. Longacre’s history is peopled with colorful personalities, among them such Northern and Southern generals as J. E. B. stuart, nicknamed Beauty; Earl Van Dorn, a dashing fire-eater; William E. "Grumble" Jones; George Stoneman, who never hurried; John Hunt Morgan, brave but lax in discipline; Joseph Wheeler, capable but underused by the military; Philip H. Sheridan, intense, scrappy, and inspirational; and James Harrison Wilson, proud and eager to make the "last long of the war against the crumbling Confederacy. Included in this Bison Book edition are new maps illustrating the raids described.

Genres: History, Civil War, American Civil War

348 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longacre deals mainly with the cavalry from both sides and their use as raiders to gather information or disrupt enemy operations. Several classic Civil War raids are discussed.