The Horse Soldiers

Benjamin Grierson #1

by Harold Sinclair

This novel is a fictionalized account of one of the most daring cavalry raids of all time. Set during the American Civil War, it vividly brings to life `Grierson's Raid', - the seventeen-day raid by a Union brigade through the heart of Confederate Mississippi. Conscious of the huge odds against them; exhausted, hungry and with a deepening sense of impending doom hanging over them as the enemy gathered forces on all sides, the Union soldiers rode south. Despite this, however, the raid was a triumph and dealt a staggering blow to the enemy. Harold Sinclair's novel brings vividly to life the human drama of this extraordinary episode and conveys superbly the tragedy of a civil war and a nation tearing itself apart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Civil War, Westerns

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1956

About the author

Harold Sinclair was born on May 8, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois. When he was about 8 years old he was sent, along with his sister, to stay with an aunt and uncle in Bloomington, Illinois. As a teenager he worked for the Western Union telegraph company. He dropped out of school, moved to Florida and later returned to Chicago and finally back home to Bloomington. He played in Jazz Clubs and followed a Bohemian lifestyle.

While working for a hardware store he wrote his first book, The Journey Home (1936). The book impressed an editor at Doubleday who offered Sinclair a four book contract.

His next three books, The American Years (1938), The Years of Growth (1940) and the Years of Illusion (1941) chronicle the history of the imaginary town of Everton, Illinois, from the 1830s to the 1920s. The history and characters in the trilogy were based on the history of the City of Bloomington.

In 1940 he publish, Westward the Tide, an account of the Illinois campaign of George Rogers Clark during the Revolutionary War.

More books followed; The Port of New Orleans (1942), Music of Dixie (1952), and a book commissioned by the Bloomington newspaper, The Daily Pantagraph telling the history of the newspaper, Daily Pantagraph 1846-1946 (1976). He also published several short stories, articles and book reviews.

The Horse Soldiers (1956) was a fictionalized account of Illinois Colonel Benjamin Grierson’s daring raid through Mississippi during the Civil War. This book became a bestseller and is best known as the inspiration of the John Ford/John Wayne movie The Horses Soldiers (1959).

His final novel, The Cavalryman (1958), was a sequel to Horse Soldiers. It was not well received by critics or readers. The book was optioned for a possible television series. That project did not come to fruition.

Sinclair died on May 24, 1966.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the movie with John Wayne as a kid, but never got around to reading the book the film was based on. Now I have, and I think it's a fine Civil War novel. The film and book are based on an actual event--the Grierson Raid of 1863, in which Union cavalry made a daring raid deep into Mississippi at the time of Grant's Vicksburg Campaign.

[Nancy Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the John Wayne movie version of this many years ago......more than I care to recall, but I'll admit it was during the celebration of our Civil War Centennial......Just happened to find the book at a library book sale. Not surprisingly, it was MUCH better than the movie! It's based on the true story of what is known as Grierson's Raid, considered one of the most daring cavalry operations of all time, when during the Vicksburg Campaign of Spring 1863, a Union cavalry brigade managed to make its way through central Mississippi, destroying railroads wherever they could, and avoiding capture by the Confederates who were sending out patrols and troops trying to find them. It's a great story, made even greater in the book, of course!

[Cormacjosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from a co worker 5 years ago, I finally read it this year during my vacation to Pennsic War xxxix. A highly fictionalized account of Grierson’s Raid during the American Civil War, which was one of the keys to Union victory during second Vicksburg.

Written in 1956, and surprisingly still in print ! It wasn’t a spectacular novel, but decently written and entertaining enough for vacation reading. Recommended.

[John Mccormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Horse Soldiers is one of my all time favourite films, and is "very loosely" based on this book, which in turn is based on the real life civil war action known as Grierson's Raid.
The book is well written atmospheric and descriptive with a real feeling and sense of time and place, character driven, with a palpable tension of soldiers behind enemy lines and in hostile territory.

[Scott Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve seen the movie adaptation many times, and finally decided to read the book. I was not disappointed. Even knowing the general scenario and actual outcome, I was on edge the entire book. I couldn’t put it down. Well worth the time even if it is not a genre you generally enjoy.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another sentimental favorite from my youth (see my review of Rifles for Watie).

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grierson's Raid, a Northern cavalry incursion on Southern railroad yards, makes the basis for an exciting Civil War novel.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story that takes readers the behind the scenes during the civil war. The history is not to be forgotten and the story will have readers cheering, crying and even hating what is happening.

[Paul Jarzabek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read of a historical event. A bit hard to read occasionally. But still a lot of good detail.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book about Grierson's raid during the Civil War. Much superior to the movie since John Wayne was no Jack Marlowe.

[Wayne Slaughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read! Inhaled it! Finished in 2 days!