History of Morgan's Cavalry

by Basil Wilson Duke

Basil Wilson Duke (May 28, 1838 - September 16, 1916) was a Confederate general officer during the American Civil War. His most noted service in the war was as second-in-command for his brother-in-law John Hunt Morgan; Duke would later write a popular account of Morgan's most famous 1863's Morgan's Raid. He took over Morgan's command after Morgan was shot by Union soldiers in 1864. At the end of the war, Duke was among Confederate President Jefferson Davis's bodyguards after his flight from Richmond, Virginia, through the Carolinas. Duke's lasting impact was as a historian and communicator of the Confederate experience. As a historian he helped to found the Filson Club Historical Society and started the preserving of the Shiloh battlefield. He wrote numerous books and magazine articles, most notably in the Southern Bivouac. When he died, he was one of the few high-ranking Confederate officers still alive. Historian James A. Ramage said of Duke, "No Southerner was more dedicated to the Confederacy than General Basil W. Duke." After the war, Duke moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in March 1868, where he would live for most of his remaining life. He returned to practicing law later that year, with his primary client being the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. He served as their chief counsel and lobbyist, despite the L&N Railroad being a favorite victim of Morgan's raiders during the war. He briefly served in the Kentucky General Assembly from 1869 to 1870, resigning as he felt a conflict of interest being a lobbyist for the L&N. Duke also served as the Fifth Judicial District's commonwealth attorney from 1875 to 1880. Duke became greatly involved in writing the history of the Civil War and related topics. He helped to found Louisville's Filson Club (now The Filson Historical Society) in 1884, writing many of their early papers. From 1885 to 1887 he edited the magazine Southern Bivouac. He also wrote three History of Morgan's Cavalry (1867), History of the Bank of Kentucky, 1792-1895 (1895), and Reminiscences of General Basil W. Duke (a collection of various magazine articles he wrote) (1911). A prominent writer of the Southern experience, he neither advocated slavery, nor apologized for it; although thinking it a good thing to have been abolished, he insisted that Northern claims of excessive abuse of slaves was exaggerated. (wikipedia.org)

Genres: Civil War, History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Kyri Freeman]

A long account of all the exploits of Morgan and his cavalry, written by Basil Duke, who was one of Morgan's officers. Includes interesting commentary on Kentucky politics, on tactics (some of the arguments in Nosworthy's recent analysis receive support here) and on Morgan's life and personality. Very good and detailed on Morgan and his men's imprisonment, and also discusses Morgan's death and the subsequent bare survival and dispersal of his forces. Occasionally personable, as when Duke is seasick on the way back from prison and expresses his hatred of boats; generally a detailed and valuable memoir account.

[Michael Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duke gives a first person, detailed view of Morgan's exploits. Naturally, since he was a staunch Confederate and Morgan's brother-in-law, it is not unbiased. However, it provides insight into Morgan's character, and is the most detailed of the first person accounts for Morgan's activities before and during the war.

[Nathan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in florid language of the late 1800's, it still is very easy to understand. Also coming through is the deep love, respect, and admiration that Duke had for his commanding officer and friend.