Bushwhacker: Autobiography of Samuel S. Hildebrand

by Samuel S. Hildebrand

Bushwhackers in the American Civil War operated as guerrillas, outside the normal chain of military command. Like William Clarke Quantrill and "Bloody Bill" Anderson, Samuel Hildebrand was a proud Missouri bushwhacker. In this long out of print book, Hildebrand describes raids and executions his band of men carried out. He remained at the end of the war and unreconstructed rebel and fervent racist. Like many of his southern brethren who fought, he never owned slaves but kept a captured black man with him after the war. This self-serving but fascinating account is a valuable addition to the canon of Civil War literature. In it, Hildebrand claims that others have tried to tell his story but have gotten it wrong, so he has a notarized statement by prominent men included as verification of authenticity. Every memoir of the American Civil War provides us with another view of the catastrophe that changed the country forever.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Civil War

207 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1871

Reviews

[Shannon Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was well written and was remarkably interesting. Sam Hilebrand was a killer, but a nobleman at the same time. He was fighting in self defense against a powerful, and terribly corrupt government, using the time honoured traditional hit and run tactics used by so many underdogs throughout history. Seldom has it been done with more bravery, dash and class.

[Travis Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story as old as time: someone who just wanted to be left alone, driven to blood thirst by an unconstitutional invading army of rapers and pillagers.

Sam's autobiography, ghost written since he was illiterate, is a matter-of-fact real view of the day to day bloody life of a bushwacker. Excellent reading.

[Gary Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

Hildebrand must be remembered with extenuating circumstances for some of his crimes. People in his circumstance could not seek justice legally since the mob was on their side. Their actions were their only recourse. Though their killing of slaves was not justified.

[Randall Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

tough read

The purpose for reading this narrative was to gain insight into confederate supporters frame of mind. The result of the narrative is a narrow and overly bigoted self serving justification for lawlessness and a makes lack of respect for human life and dignity.

[Jim Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bushwacker

This is a good story as told by the Bushwhacker Sam Hildebrand himself, it may be somewhat told with a slight slant but it is honest and a different perspective on what went on during the Civil War!

[charles whitcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harsh times.

Shooting and hangings. Hangings and shootings. A citizenry at war amongst themselves. A good look at the civil war on civilians in Missouri.

[Ronda Wian · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the "Grey ghost".

Compared an equal to colonel Mosby book . this one just as good I enjoy lots of civil war books.

[Troy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting book but the stories became endless and I am not sure of the credibility. It is interesting to read the mindset of a murderer who sees himself as the victim more than as a murderer.

[Allan Ashinoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

If all you see in this novel is racism then you either haven't read it or you have a deficiency in your ability to comprehend what you read. Hildebrand was a a killer, no doubt. He joined the fight, not the war, for revenge, not remotely ideology. Would you not fight after being falsely accused, your family being murdered based on false accusation, and your ancestral home burned to the ground and all your possessions, livestock and crops being taken. Hildebrand, not a hero, gives meaning to the term "hell to pay"

[Vince Pillig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly the horrors of war!

Seems like a lot of research and factorification went into this book. It truly shows the horrors of war which are country has never seen.

[Freddie the Know-it-all · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bluebellies Beware

Not for the faint of heart, the blue of heart, or the ab o' litionist.