What do you think?
Rate this book
Three Years with Quantrill: A True Story Told By His Scout
This famous memoir by John McCorkle, is the best published account by a scout who "rode with Quantrill." John McCorkle was a young Missouri farmer of Southern sympathies. After serving briefly in the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard, he became a prominent member of William Clarke Quantrill’s infamous guerrillas, who took advantage of the turmoil in the Missouri-Kansas borderland to prey on pro-Union people.
98 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1992
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 12, 2018
In Three Years of Quantrill, John McCorkle recounts riding as an irregular with William Quantrill and how they fought against the Federals in Missouri and Kansas during the American Civil War.
It is a sobering look at how war is hell. McCorkle never knew who he could trust and who he couldn't. During the infamous raid at Lawrence, Kansas, McCorkle says that some good men may have died in the raid, "but that wasn't our intent."
It's hard to imagine what a country at odds with itself must have been like. People would take advantage of each other, steal property, and even the lives of their neighbors.
My one quibble with this memoir is it contains a lot of travel. It feels like McCorkle said we went here, then here, then here... as he goes through his memories of the war. There's plenty of "hours of boredom punctuated by moments of terror."
Recommended for history readers who want an original source for research about the American Civil War.
It is a sobering look at how war is hell. McCorkle never knew who he could trust and who he couldn't. During the infamous raid at Lawrence, Kansas, McCorkle says that some good men may have died in the raid, "but that wasn't our intent."
It's hard to imagine what a country at odds with itself must have been like. People would take advantage of each other, steal property, and even the lives of their neighbors.
My one quibble with this memoir is it contains a lot of travel. It feels like McCorkle said we went here, then here, then here... as he goes through his memories of the war. There's plenty of "hours of boredom punctuated by moments of terror."
Recommended for history readers who want an original source for research about the American Civil War.
February 17, 2017
Three Years with Quantrill: A True Story Told By His Scout by John McCorkle, O. S. Barton is a true history read. I love history and this is a pretty good book. Although the harsh and brutal times show through, it is true to the times of the day. It is a little slow in a couple of spots but makes up for it in others. Overall it is a great read if you are a history nut like me.
August 20, 2017
John McCorkle, who dictated this book to author O.S. Barton, states at the end that the book was “…written in the spirit expressed in the language of Abraham Lincoln, ‘with malice toward none and with charity to all.’ “ Throughout the reading, this spirit seemed to have been embraced, with the exceptions being when Mr. McCorkle described what he undoubtedly felt were crimes, and not acts by honorable soldiers.
John McCorkle joined up with Colonel Quantrill in August of 1862, and rode under his command until the end of the Civil War in 1865. Mr. McCorkle includes some of the more recognizable names of others in Quantrill’s command, most notably Cole and Jim Younger and Frank and Jesse James. The book details the different battles and skirmishes over those three years, which only came to an end after the surrender of General Lee.
What is most interesting are the details surrounding Mr. McCorkle’s three years as a soldier, and the actions of Southern citizens who were not part of the fight but were still active supporters. This period of history occurred a time when brother fought brother, and Federal and Confederate supporters were many times only separated by the fences of each other’s farms. Mr. McCorkle’s actions also mirrored those of other soldiers who lived in the Missouri-Kansas part of the country, who became extremely dedicated soldiers after being affected by atrocities committed by Federal soldiers. (One does have to keep in perspective the bloody history of that section of the country in the few years previous to the war, which certainly would have an effect on everyone, no matter which side of the conflict they chose to stand).
Whether you have read anything about the Civil War or this is your first time, “Three Years with Quantrill” will present a different perspective on the motives of Confederate soldiers. As a book, it may not be the best written piece of literature, but as a document of recorded personal history, it is priceless. Five stars.
John McCorkle joined up with Colonel Quantrill in August of 1862, and rode under his command until the end of the Civil War in 1865. Mr. McCorkle includes some of the more recognizable names of others in Quantrill’s command, most notably Cole and Jim Younger and Frank and Jesse James. The book details the different battles and skirmishes over those three years, which only came to an end after the surrender of General Lee.
What is most interesting are the details surrounding Mr. McCorkle’s three years as a soldier, and the actions of Southern citizens who were not part of the fight but were still active supporters. This period of history occurred a time when brother fought brother, and Federal and Confederate supporters were many times only separated by the fences of each other’s farms. Mr. McCorkle’s actions also mirrored those of other soldiers who lived in the Missouri-Kansas part of the country, who became extremely dedicated soldiers after being affected by atrocities committed by Federal soldiers. (One does have to keep in perspective the bloody history of that section of the country in the few years previous to the war, which certainly would have an effect on everyone, no matter which side of the conflict they chose to stand).
Whether you have read anything about the Civil War or this is your first time, “Three Years with Quantrill” will present a different perspective on the motives of Confederate soldiers. As a book, it may not be the best written piece of literature, but as a document of recorded personal history, it is priceless. Five stars.
December 7, 2025
A scout who rode with Quantrill tells his story. I'm not sure I believe it all, but it's quite a tale. The Civil War was truly terrible.
July 28, 2023
Short book which I happened to have the hardback AND found the audiobook in my members inventory and thus started it on my walk this morning and finished it up reading /listening at the same time which I find is my favorite / most interesting efficient method since it keeps
Me focused on the text and free from distractions.
Overall liked this book. His recollections is obviously his side of the story, but I also appreciate hearing both sides as the other side depicts Quantrill and his men as terrible thieves, criminals, terrorists… the fact is both sides were doing some pretty terrible things to the other side, to sympathizers and family members captured.
This reads more like a diary with a lot of dates, places, names .. but I liked it. Made me intrigued for more. And I think I have 3-4 more on the topic. Like “The Devil Knows how to Ride”, etc…
Overall I’d recommend this short book.
Me focused on the text and free from distractions.
Overall liked this book. His recollections is obviously his side of the story, but I also appreciate hearing both sides as the other side depicts Quantrill and his men as terrible thieves, criminals, terrorists… the fact is both sides were doing some pretty terrible things to the other side, to sympathizers and family members captured.
This reads more like a diary with a lot of dates, places, names .. but I liked it. Made me intrigued for more. And I think I have 3-4 more on the topic. Like “The Devil Knows how to Ride”, etc…
Overall I’d recommend this short book.
October 7, 2017
an excellent volume and as I knew next to nothing about Quantrill except what hollywood had to say about him I enjoyed it.
August 26, 2017
This book played out a little different than the Redleg book I read earlier. These boys simply seemed to be protecting my fellow Missourians from the thieving, raping, murdering Redlegs and Union flunkies not fit for real combat back east. I am always a little skeptical of the watered down history we get in school told by the victor. I don't even believe the modern narrative that's gotten us into Orwellian, never-ending wars. For instance the black boxes were never found on 9/11 but paper passports were? Building seven fell at free fall speed from a little flesh wound? So I have no reason to believe McCorkle was lying when he talked about the misdeeds of the redleg jayhawkers or the union men. And I laugh when I hear liberals and conservatives talk about another war that is anything but civil. We're so soft we wouldn't make it one day without an air-conditioner or rectangle to stare at.
November 8, 2016
First hand is best
This was a very interesting first hand account of Quantrill's actions during the American Civil War. It is told without frills and continuously. More a narrative than a book, it was still very interesting. It offers an alternative view of Quantrill's actions and their justifications.
This was a very interesting first hand account of Quantrill's actions during the American Civil War. It is told without frills and continuously. More a narrative than a book, it was still very interesting. It offers an alternative view of Quantrill's actions and their justifications.
September 7, 2016
What a bloody, savage scene those times were.
This account has made me even more aware of what a terrible war this was. Having grown up in Missouri, I am familiar with many of the locations and people mentioned in this terllong.
This account has made me even more aware of what a terrible war this was. Having grown up in Missouri, I am familiar with many of the locations and people mentioned in this terllong.
December 9, 2020
First Hand Account
An interesting recalling of the years civil war in the middle border. Dictated by a Confederate who rode and fought with Quantrill.
An interesting recalling of the years civil war in the middle border. Dictated by a Confederate who rode and fought with Quantrill.
August 22, 2024
McCorkle was a Confederate soldier who was captured and paroled, and joined the guerrillas after suffering some real injustice. There's one issue - suffering injustice gives you no right to break your oath to not again take up arms against the US government.
Quantrill came across as a lot more of a sympathetic figure in this book than I was expecting. This is, of course, a biased source, and a little research shows that the backstory that Quantrill told to McCorkle was pretty far from the truth. But his refusal to loot from civilians is commendable. This is one thing that stood out - their partisan activities were only possible because of the support of a sizable proportion of the civilians. It can also be done with the support of an outside power (like a recent book I read on Rhodesia). But one of those seems to be required.
One big issue came with their treatment of Union civilians. For instance, when the southern sympathizers pointed out someone that had betrayed them to the Union, at times they just executed them on the spot (Or the raid on Lawrence would be another example). A big issue with this is that even if the men killed were guilty, their killers did not have the authority to execute them. And a society is dying when it has a total break down of authority to this level.
All that aside, it was a fast moving and enjoyable story of adventuring.
Profanity was used a few times.
Quantrill came across as a lot more of a sympathetic figure in this book than I was expecting. This is, of course, a biased source, and a little research shows that the backstory that Quantrill told to McCorkle was pretty far from the truth. But his refusal to loot from civilians is commendable. This is one thing that stood out - their partisan activities were only possible because of the support of a sizable proportion of the civilians. It can also be done with the support of an outside power (like a recent book I read on Rhodesia). But one of those seems to be required.
One big issue came with their treatment of Union civilians. For instance, when the southern sympathizers pointed out someone that had betrayed them to the Union, at times they just executed them on the spot (Or the raid on Lawrence would be another example). A big issue with this is that even if the men killed were guilty, their killers did not have the authority to execute them. And a society is dying when it has a total break down of authority to this level.
All that aside, it was a fast moving and enjoyable story of adventuring.
Profanity was used a few times.
September 5, 2018
One of the few primary sources available regarding the enigmatic William Clarke Quantrill.
McCorkle comes across as a man in denial, and seems to have been so desensitised to violence, that he skates over some of the greatest war crimes in American history: The massacre of civilians at Lawrence, Kansas; and Bill Anderson's massacre of unarmed soldiers at Centralia. No mention of mutilation or the scalping which was a signature of the Missouri Guerillas.
McCorkle paints his gang as legitimate members of the confederacy, referring to Quantrill as 'Colonel' and other members as 'captains.' Occasionally the mask slips and the author divulges an insight into their tactics: stealing horses, running and hiding in the brush, killing anyone who crosses them, and taking potshots at any black man in a federal uniform.
The final year shows how the net was rapidly closing in on Quantrill, and how they spent most of their final months riding around posing as Union men, in blue federal uniforms which they had stolen for the corpses of murdered U.S soldiers.
Unfortunately, McCorkle never accurately describes Quantrill or his other guerrilla companions. The closest glimpses we get are of his recollections of what he remembers Quantrill saying.
A fascinating memoir nonetheless
McCorkle comes across as a man in denial, and seems to have been so desensitised to violence, that he skates over some of the greatest war crimes in American history: The massacre of civilians at Lawrence, Kansas; and Bill Anderson's massacre of unarmed soldiers at Centralia. No mention of mutilation or the scalping which was a signature of the Missouri Guerillas.
McCorkle paints his gang as legitimate members of the confederacy, referring to Quantrill as 'Colonel' and other members as 'captains.' Occasionally the mask slips and the author divulges an insight into their tactics: stealing horses, running and hiding in the brush, killing anyone who crosses them, and taking potshots at any black man in a federal uniform.
The final year shows how the net was rapidly closing in on Quantrill, and how they spent most of their final months riding around posing as Union men, in blue federal uniforms which they had stolen for the corpses of murdered U.S soldiers.
Unfortunately, McCorkle never accurately describes Quantrill or his other guerrilla companions. The closest glimpses we get are of his recollections of what he remembers Quantrill saying.
A fascinating memoir nonetheless
Read
October 25, 2025Brief, sociopathic in tone, and often most interesting in its omissions. McCorkle seems capable of reflecting on this period of his life exclusively in terms of confabulating justifications for what he did, and beyond that, his feelings are opaque, possibly even to himself. The total breakdown of Quantrill's leadership following the Texas campaign is glossed over, although a few examples of Quantrill and Todd's animosity and otherwise unstable behavior slip in. Readers who are not very familiar with partisan fighting in Missouri should consider picking the University of Oklahoma edition helpfully annotated by Castel and Hattaway, lest they find themselves hoodwinked.
May 16, 2017
Interesting view of a 19th century guerrilla 's mind
The narrative seemed honest if sometimes stilted in the manner of the times. He defends Quantrill and his command as heroic and chivalrous. I'd like to believe that was true, but it's clear that the author is unabashedly partisan so there must be other sides to the story. Jesse James and Cole Younger appear frequently in the story so you can get an idea of the experience that shaped their lives. I'd recommend it for those interested in the history of that time.
The narrative seemed honest if sometimes stilted in the manner of the times. He defends Quantrill and his command as heroic and chivalrous. I'd like to believe that was true, but it's clear that the author is unabashedly partisan so there must be other sides to the story. Jesse James and Cole Younger appear frequently in the story so you can get an idea of the experience that shaped their lives. I'd recommend it for those interested in the history of that time.
August 9, 2020
Cracking story written with integrity and brevity. He seemed to have been involved with some dark deeds where men who murdered and pillaged in the name of the Union were given short shrift and dispatched to their Maker for further judgement. No sickly sentimentality or false sympathy (as would be the case today) and no mention of PTSD or signs of it. What did impress me was the use of a Parole System by both sides where if you promised to leave the field of battle you were allowed to go unharmed. The only blot on the South’s record was “Bloody“ Bill Anderson who’s deeds were condemned by all
Phenomenal memory for details, places, names events etc with no hint of false fiction.
Phenomenal memory for details, places, names events etc with no hint of false fiction.
January 4, 2021
As a historian and native of Missouri I loved this little read. It was a great way to start the year off! The story, told in first person, was a great tale, honest and attention holding. Having grown up in Moniteau County I was familiar with the raiders and their exploits in my part of the state, but I learned many new interesting facts about this enigmatic and motley crew of Confederate raiders. If you're a Civil War enthusiast this book is well worth your time.
May 16, 2021
A Bit of History
Quantrill is usually depicted as a psychopath. History tends to forget the atrocities of the winners. Kansas Redlegs , Jayhawkers were committing unjustifiable violence just as often as the Bushwhackers. I enjoyed reading about places McCorkle spoke of that I know well. I try to be careful judging people who were dealing with situations, circumstances, and pressures I can hardly imagine.
Quantrill is usually depicted as a psychopath. History tends to forget the atrocities of the winners. Kansas Redlegs , Jayhawkers were committing unjustifiable violence just as often as the Bushwhackers. I enjoyed reading about places McCorkle spoke of that I know well. I try to be careful judging people who were dealing with situations, circumstances, and pressures I can hardly imagine.
August 23, 2022
Hard to critique a secondhand memoir of someone long dead, but it’s mostly just a recitation of dates and some events and the people who were there. The author (the real author) attempts to hide his deeds under a thin cloak of chivalry. Basically, “we didn’t kill any women or children, just [black people] and those who wanted to set them free.”
As a historical document it’s little more than self-reported data, suspect and conciliatory.
As a historical document it’s little more than self-reported data, suspect and conciliatory.
November 20, 2019
An interesting read taken from the life account of one of the men who rode with Quantrill. There were some interesting points in the book. Obviously there was nothing self incriminating. No references about what any individual did it did not do. Instead all actions were taken as a group. Also interesting is that Quantrill's story to his own men about his life does not match history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2020
Robert Muir
This book is a real in-depth look at the life and times of a confederate soldier, he holds nothing back. He I feel tried to tell it quite impartially by telling about some of the wrong doings on both sides. He is also quite sincere about how the federal soldiers treated them after near the end of the war.
This book is a real in-depth look at the life and times of a confederate soldier, he holds nothing back. He I feel tried to tell it quite impartially by telling about some of the wrong doings on both sides. He is also quite sincere about how the federal soldiers treated them after near the end of the war.
July 19, 2021
A great account of Quantrill's raiders.
History is almost always written by the victors. And if you only read and listen to the victors then you end up getting only half the story. I learned a ton from this book. If you want to read about a little talked about part of civil war history then read this book.
History is almost always written by the victors. And if you only read and listen to the victors then you end up getting only half the story. I learned a ton from this book. If you want to read about a little talked about part of civil war history then read this book.
August 5, 2024
A very interesting book that reads a lot like a diary. Quantrill was the most famous
of the Missouri guerilla leaders, and this story by one of his followers gives you a
day by day account of what it was like to be part of his gang.
Some heinous crimes were committed by both
sides during the Civil War, and nowhere was this more evident than in Missouri and Kansas.
A worthwhile read.
of the Missouri guerilla leaders, and this story by one of his followers gives you a
day by day account of what it was like to be part of his gang.
Some heinous crimes were committed by both
sides during the Civil War, and nowhere was this more evident than in Missouri and Kansas.
A worthwhile read.
December 27, 2025
I understand this is this man’s memories of his life and that things were a bit hectic for him. I just wish there were maps or something along the way to help give this some order. It was interesting to see things from his viewpoint. Those were crazy times, especially in Missouri, so reading the events here gives you a good look into how everything played out from the Southern perspective.
Read
October 9, 2026Impossible to rate.
A clear inspiration for Daniel Woodrell's Woe to Live On and a fascinating document.
It's an old man romanticizing and trying to justify the horrors he participated in.
Every chapter there’s a new story that conjures an incredible and damning visual of the Missouri/Kansas war.
The story of the bushwhacker wedding being my favorite.
A clear inspiration for Daniel Woodrell's Woe to Live On and a fascinating document.
It's an old man romanticizing and trying to justify the horrors he participated in.
Every chapter there’s a new story that conjures an incredible and damning visual of the Missouri/Kansas war.
The story of the bushwhacker wedding being my favorite.
July 20, 2017
A clearly written and succinct account.
If you are looking for gore, blood, and atrocities, you will need to look somewhere else. Mr. McCorkle tells his story like mundane business.
If you are looking for gore, blood, and atrocities, you will need to look somewhere else. Mr. McCorkle tells his story like mundane business.
August 11, 2021
Very detAiled account of Quantrail! Great!!!
August 30, 2023
Interesting glimpse at a small pocket of the Civil War.
February 17, 2024
Supposedly the Civil War remembrances of an elderly man - but way too detailed to be fully believed. So maybe partially true, but embellished.
Don’t bother reading it.
Don’t bother reading it.
June 5, 2016
John McCorkle’s memoirs are about his time riding with Quantrill’s raiders without all the sensationalism and explained their reasons for their fight. He explains the acts that lead him, his brother, and cousin to seek out Quantrill. There is substantial documentation of the destruction and robbery of private homes along with killing of innocent civilians (old men, women, and even children) by the Yankees from Sherman’s march. But those weren’t the only atrocities carried out by the Federals during this war. The acts done here were just as despicable and after the murder of those young women and an elderly mother who had sons off in the war…..I can’t say as I blame them for their attack on Jim Lane and Charles Jennison for carrying out such an act. It was bad enough watching their own families burnt out of their homes after being robbed by the Federal because of Order No. 11 but that cowardly act of murder of those women by the Federals was a breaking point. However this militia didn’t intentionally make war on old men, women, and children like the Jayhawkers, Redlegs, and the Federals, even though many claimed to be with them when stealing…..however Quantrill and his men dealt with those imposters as well. McCorkle was straight and to the point about their deeds and what lead them down the path they took for the war and their love of their home and the South.
June 19, 2016
Quantico, a narrative of a soldier under his command.
This book was dictated by John Mc Corkle who rode with William Quantrill for three full years. Escaping from sensationalism of other Quantrell narratives McCorkle gives the truth by describing from the very minutiae of each positions real personality from Bill Anderson, George Todd, and all the major figures during the Civil War along with their reasons for being Confederate soldiers. The guerrilla warfare of Quantrell came about through atrocities of the Federal and Federal state militias. A fascinating read of the Civil War on Missouri , Kansas border.
This book was dictated by John Mc Corkle who rode with William Quantrill for three full years. Escaping from sensationalism of other Quantrell narratives McCorkle gives the truth by describing from the very minutiae of each positions real personality from Bill Anderson, George Todd, and all the major figures during the Civil War along with their reasons for being Confederate soldiers. The guerrilla warfare of Quantrell came about through atrocities of the Federal and Federal state militias. A fascinating read of the Civil War on Missouri , Kansas border.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews