Gray Ghosts and Rebel Raiders

by Virgil Carrington Jones, Bruce Catton (Foreword by)

The most definitive volume on guerrilla warfare during the Civil War features a foreword by the distinguished scholar Bruce Catton and 22 photos and maps. Gray Ghosts introduces a cast of daring and dashing Southern John Singleton Mosby, Turner Ashby, and Harry Gilmore, among others. These men used irregular troops and even more irregular methods against the invading Union Army. A fast-paced narrative describes daredevil acts performed by these small, bold bands of fighters, and shows how, over and over again, they managed to thwart Union efforts. Defiant to the end, the “gray ghosts” and rebel raiders resisted surrender after Appomattox and continued to fight until all hope was gone.
The most definitive volume on guerrilla warfare during the Civil War features a foreword by the distinguished scholar Bruce Catton and 22 photos and maps. Gray Ghosts introduces a cast of daring and dashing Southern John Singleton Mosby, Turner Ashby, and Harry Gilmore, among others. These men used irregular troops and even more irregular methods against the invading Union Army. A fast-paced narrative describes daredevil acts performed by these small, bold bands of fighters, and shows how, over and over again, they managed to thwart Union efforts. Defiant to the end, the “gray ghosts” and rebel raiders resisted surrender after Appomattox and continued to fight until all hope was gone.

Genres: Civil War, History, American, Nonfiction

480 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2004

About the author

A graduate of Washington and Lee University, Virgil Carrington Jones served as the city editor for the Huntsville Times and worked as a reporter for the Richmond Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Washington Evening Star, and the Wall Street Journal.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Almost refreshing to read a book that was not written with obvious political correctness in mind. The research was done in the 1930's so it was a little fresher in the history realms. This book is a collection of well researched individual exploits of the Confederate Guerilla forces, including the kidnappings of a couple of Northern commanders right out of their beds. The author is obviously a fan of the skills and exploits of the Confederate Guerillas (with good reason). These squads were some of the most successful resources of the Southern session effort.

[Jessica]

Great book that discusses the lesser-known independent commands during the Civil War.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Southern Guerrillas during the Civil War. The focus is on the fight in the Shenandoah valley and surrounding mountains between small groups of fighters and the entire Union infantry and cavalry stationed to protect the railroads and their own supply lines. Mosby plays a prominent role but many other southern leaders are included. This is a comprehensive history of the large and small battles fought with the use of stealth and surprise. The account could stand an update since much new information has come to light from 1956. Interesting for someone wanting to learn more about this aspect of the war.

[Ted Haussman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book covering the irregulars who served in the cause of the Confederacy. I thought the book was executed only marginally well and the author never really presents evidence to support his theory that irregulars prevented the war from ending in 1864. Yes, they disrupted Northern operations in the Shenandoah Valley and effectively pinned Sheridan to the Valley that year. But, it’s a leap of logic to suggest that Sheridan — free to serve Grant in Richmond — would have turned the stalemate that occurred in that theater toward the end of 1864.

[Craig a.k.a Meatstack · Rating 1 out of 5]

life is too short to read a book this boring.