Unlikely Warriors: General Benjamin H. Grierson and His Family

by William H. Leckie, Shirley A. Leckie

Unlikely Warriors is the story of Benjamin Henry Grierson, Civil War hero and postwar commander of the Tenth Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers," and his family on the western frontier. In 1863, Colonel Grierson led a cavalry brigade of 1,700 men on a daring raid through Mississippi, which helped Ulysses S. Grant launch his successful campaign against Vicksburg. In the army reorganization of 1866, Grierson accepted an appointment as colonel of the Tenth Cavalry, a command of white officers and black enlisted men. In this biography, William and Shirley Leckie explore three generations of Grierson’s family, and for this edition they include a new preface on recent interest in the Buffalo Soldiers.

Genres: History

374 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Dan Rheingans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written examination of the lives of General Ben Grierson and his wife Alice and family. Unlikely warriors spans the Grierson's service in the Civil War as part of Sherman's cavalry and his subsequent posting amongst the 10th Calvary leading Buffalo Soldiers in Texas and the Western theaters. Interesting examination of this General who fought held closely to a policy of diplomacy and relationship building while still commanding a major branch of the military. Overlooked for years for promotion due to personal a personal rivalry with General Sheridan, Grierson's contribution to American lives in the Southwest was significant. I enjoyed this read and learned quite a bit. Readers should be forewarned that the book is largely focused on Grierson's career and less so the Buffalo soldiers who fought for him or any deep examination of racial tensions faced by those soldiers in the years following the Civil War.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the history of the Grierson family, rather than simply of Grierson's military career. It is interesting when it dwells on Ben and Alice Grierson, but it doesn't get into the details of Ben's relations with the buffalo soldiers he led, or with the Native Americans he fought or protected as the case arose. It is not so much that the authors ignore this, but their interest is elsewhere.

[Genie Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book revealing an outstanding leader of calvery in the Civil War, as well as a loving husband and father at home. He had a keen interest in Native American welfare when the People were relocated to reservations. I am not a fan of military operations, but this book emphasized Grierson's humanity and kind heart and life as a real person.

[Ken Bickley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-written book chronicles the life and career of a largely forgotten Civil War hero, General Benjamin Grierson. By sifting and editing the voluminous correspondence kept up by Ben and his wife, Alice Kirk Grierson, the Leckies, William and Shirley, have made this biography interesting and informative. Following the Civil War, Grierson commanded the "buffalo soldiers" of the US Army's Tenth Cavalry, serving in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. It covers many famous incidents of the "Indian Wars" from the viewpoint of one who was there. I recommend it highly.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the Civil War Grierson led a cavalry raid to cut Union supply lines into Vicksburg. After the war, he became a commander of one of the two negro cavalry regiments known as buffalo soldiers.