True Crime in the Civil War: Cases of Murder, Treason, Counterfeiting, Massacre, Plunder & Abuse

by Tobin T. Buhk

Crime did not take a holiday during the Civil War, far from it. As Tobin Buhk shows in this fast-paced narrative, the war created new opportunities to gain profits from illegal activities, to settle old scores against personal enemies under the cover of fighting the nation's enemies, to pillage, plunder, and murder amid the carnage and destruction that seemed to offer license to legitimize such crimes. Students of the Civil War will find new information in this readable account. --James M. McPherson, Author of Battle Cry of Freedom
• Examines criminal cases during the conflict
• Cases include currency counterfeiting, tyrannical actions of Gen. Benjamin Butler, the murder of Gen. Earl van Dorn, raids by William Quantrill's Bushwhackers, the Fort Pillow Massacre, the horrific prison conditions at Andersonville, the fate of Lincoln the assassination conspirators, and more

Genres: History, True Crime, Nonfiction, Civil War, Crime, American History, American Civil War

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a gift but indeed it was spot on as I do enjoy reading about the Civil War and I like True Crime.

It is a neat idea and takes the premise that crime never stops. I was a bit worried since the title and cover are fairly nondescript and the author doesn’t have a large CV. Also the reviews are mixed at best.

That said, it was much better than one might be led to believe. It is very detailed with the author heavily using resources of that day.

True Crime these days is usually sensationalistic like serial killers. There’s plenty of murder here, but also counterfeiting, Andersonville and the assassination of Lincoln among other things.

So it goes from the notorious names like the Lincoln conspirators, Nathan Bedford Forest, Bloody Bill Anderson and William Quantrill, to Benjamin Butler and the legend of Sue Mundy to more obscure names.

The story of how certain individuals came to counterfeit (and help sink) Confederate money is a fascinating one. By causing inflation and chaos, it’s been said that Samual Upham hurt Dixie more than General McClellan ever did.

The plot to burn New York is another interesting war side note. As interesting as the bumbling, hare brained plot is that it almost succeeded if not for one easy mistake.

It is of note (though maybe not unrelated) the longer pieces are the least interesting. The author would likely have been better served by condensing some of the stories. 21 pages on Temperance Kelly, for example tells of an interesting murder case but becomes a tedious discussion of her court trial.

Again and again, I think Buhk puts in information because he can, but would be better served by brevity.

I saw none of the complaints that others did- his writing was fine and the copy I have was error-free. My biggest beef is that is so reliant on the newspapers of the time that it’s detailed, but bogs itself down. It’s not that it treats its subject as too lightweight but maybe not lightweight enough.

I would recommend it to someone who has a certain level of interest in the stories inside. Buhk is probably not served well by the fact I have read some excellent books in the last couple of years that cover a lot of ground in this book.

[J. Bryce · Rating 2 out of 5]

OMG this book was so badly done. Two of my favorite subjects -- True Crime and the American Civil War -- should be a great and interesting book, right? Well, yeah, with a competent writer.

This is exceedingly badly written. The grammar may be fine - though I'm no judge of that - but it's so full of cliches and attempts at cleverness (the story of General William "Bull" Nelson is littered with expressions with the word "bull" in them - how original, zzzzzzzzz) that it's painful.

I gave up after 63 pages and don't regret it.

[Dirk D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading books about historical events and history has always fascinated me; particularly if it's something that is a bit more obscure and lesser known.
This book which delves into a number of stories about crime in the Civil War was fairly hit and miss but did have its high points.
Some of the chapters concern well-known events such as Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas; Bedford Forrest's massacre at Fort Pillow; or Benjamin Butler's abuses of power as military governor of New Orleans.
Some things I didn't know about was a rebel plot to burn New York City late in the war which came tantalizingly close to success; Sam Upham's attempt to counterfeit Confederate currency (the Confederate's printing was so poor that Upham's fakes were easy to spot because the bills looked too good!); and the infamous bloody draft riots in Detroit which led to an "ethnic cleansing" of the African American community leading to murder and destruction of several homes.
Overall I would recommend it to a serious history or Civil War enthusiast. It does provide certain arguments and points of view I had trouble with though I could see the author's point in trying to keep an open mind. Even nearly 160 years later the Civil War leaves us set in our opinions that affect our thinking to this day.

[Peter Martuneac · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read, different by far from the kind of books I usually read about this time period in US history. The tone was also a bit more conversational than I'm used to, but it was well-researched and highly informative. I learned a good deal about some events I'm generally familiar with, like the murder of Admiral "Bull" Nelson or war crimes at the Andersonville prison, and also about things I knew nothing at all about, like some massacres committed by guerilla fighters.

All in all an enlightening read and a nice addition to the library of any US Civil War buff.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the events I already knew, but not all the details in this book. The reason for a lower rating is no fault of the author; it's the publisher. The errors drove me nuts! One of them I never figured out. Sometimes I would read the same phrase 3-4 times before knowing what word SHOULD have been there. There were many times a word would be omitted. Most of those were easy. Proofreading seems to be a lost art for them.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would have given this book a 3.5 because it is fairly graphic. I was familiar with most of the incidents he covered but he included details I was not aware of. This book certainly gives a different perspective of the Civil War other than the bravery and glory of battle. The corrupt, sin nature was as much alive then as it is now. I think the author did a good job of researching and documenting his book. This was an interesting book, but not for everyone.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has primarily used period newspaper accounts to present brief discussions of major crimes ranging from counterfeiting to murder that occurred during the American Civil War. Some of the information presented as "fact" do not agree with what I have studied during the past four plus decades as a historian, but the work is a starting point.

[Emily Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed the content of this book, but it is RIFE with editing mistakes, which leaves me unable to give it more than three stars. Had it been properly edited and free of errors, I easily could have gone four or even five stars (plus one star for having the last name Buhk, author), but I've written term papers that are cleaner than this.

[Jeff Danhauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting account of the abuses and crimes on both sides of the conflict buried by the grander and more well-known of history, at times showing how the 'account of history' truly is directed and written by the victor's biases and at times agendas.

[Wood Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad book of how evil was done on both sides. What even worse is the injustice the Union did to the Confederates just because they were rebels. But Union got away with it because they won the war. Worse victims were the African Americans injustice was done to them on both sides.

[Douglas Reedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the U.S. Civil War history books that I have read, this author has by far been the best at keeping their opinions out of their writing. I am looking forward to finding more books by this writer.

[Kiwanna Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a good history book of what we're some of the things that went on during the civil war..

[Salvador Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read 📚

[Keith Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Very informative. The American Civil war was a terrible time for our Nation. There are still many events that may have been exaggerated but we will never know .

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's no end of Civil War books, but Buhk takes a different approach by discussing crimes that took place--or, in some cases, were rumored to take place--by soldiers on both sides, by civilians, by slaves or masters. There are a lot of cases everyone is familiar with--Lincoln's assassination, for instance--and some that most people have never heard of. True crime is usually not my cup of tea, but this was really absorbing and surprising.

[Amy Katherine Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any Civil War "buff", this was a great book! While I'd heard of some of these stories before, others were new to me, and the detail was tremendous! Because of the details, I learned even more about those events I already was aware of. It provides a "different" look at the Civil War, a behind the scenes look, if you will. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

[Nick H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling cross section of the "worst of the worst" crimes of the Civil War era. Most of these are related to the war itself, and thus entail some of the atrocities of warfare. Some are downright vile and heartbreaking. Well told and recounted, and focusing quite heavily on the courtroom drama related. Riddled with typos and omitted/misplaced words, not the highest quality publication.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. You read stories of the battles and the lives of the people living back during the Civil War but you rarely hear about some of the murders, thefts, rapes and other criminal activity. The book gives accounts of over a dozen incidents that occurred on both sides of the war. The author does a good job of telling the stories and they are very well written.

[Kevin Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting stories. I liked the flow of the book from start of the war to the end. It was sad to read some of the things that happened, but America is as any nation, we do have our crime. Would love to read something like this about the Revolutionary War. I am sure that crime did not take a holiday then either.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. Many of the stories I had heard before, but the additional facts & details brought so much more to thse stories. Then there were the stories that were totally new to me. Pure & simple: I enjoyed it.

[John Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I would give it all 5 stars, but there are parts that ran on.

The knowledge that the author put into the book is terrific.

I definitely think that anyone that is a history buff, or wants to know more about life during and directly after the Civil War should read this.

[Ross Rawnsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a very interesting "take" on the Civil War.

That being said, I only gave it 3 stars because it certainly dragged on in parts. IMO, Mr. Buhk was a touch long winded in areas, and this book could have been considerably shorter while still making his point.

Good, but not outstanding!

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apart of the Civil War that not a lot is written about.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than battles occurred during the Civil War. This book contains stories of real crimes that will be enjoyed by readers of true crime books.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating