NF Grierson's Raid

[missourian]

I got just enough of Grierson's Raid while reading the Vicksburg edition of the Time Life series I think it was to want to read more on it. Can anyone point me to a book(s) on the subject that is more fact than story? Thanks.
Ken.

 

[Michael W.]

"Grierson's Raid" by Dee Brown. Not read it myself, but this is what came up on a search for books on the raid. Hope this helps.

 

[redbob]

If you want to see what Hollywood does with historical fact, get Fiction as Fact by Neil Longley York. It shows how Hollywood took Grierson's Raid and turned it into the John Wayne movie The Horse Soldiers.

 

[AndyHall]

Mark Lardas' Roughshod Through Dixie is a short, Osprey-published account of the raid, as well.

 

[DixieRifles]

The book "Coming Like Hell" is a history of the 12 Tennessee Cavalry(CS) and Col. Robert V. Richardson. One chapter is dedicated to Col. Richardson and one is about his involment in chasing after Grierson.
However, there are some who discount this book as it doesn't have sufficient bibliography. I like it.

"Coming Like Hell!: The Story Of The 12th Tennessee Cavalry", by Waldon Loving,
Writers Press Club, 2002, 230 pages.

 

[Mike Serpa]

Online books -

Grierson's Cavalry Raids
S.A. Forbes (Formerly Captain, Company B, Seventh Illinois Cavalry)
1907
34 pages
Transcription of an address before the Illinois State Historical Society.
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t44q8jd9r;view=1up;seq=5

Grierson Raids and Hatch's Sixty-four Days March
Richard W. Surby
1865
396 pages
"Having performed a conspicuous part on the Raid, I will try and furnish you with some items of startling and amusing character, but nevertheless true. Author"
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t1mg8164j;view=1up;seq=7

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

I'm nearly done with the research to do a modern book-length study of the raid, but it's going to be a while for it to be published.

Until then, I highly recommend Dee Brown's Grierson's Raid if you can find a copy. Sixty years old, but still a good read, Brown's book tells the story quite capably. The problem is that he used only readily available published sources and no manuscript or newspaper sources. I have already found about four times the material that he used. But, if you want more now, this is it, if you can find a copy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0317527533/?tag=civilwartalkc-20. I do note that there is now a Kindle version of it, which is a recent development. I own two copies of the first edition hardcover.

 

[mobile_96]

I'm nearly done with the research to do a modern book-length study of the raid, but it's going to be a while for it to be published.

Hope not too much longer. Some of us that are long of tooth, are expecting less 'time here' to read all the great books, especially series, that have been pumping out in recent years.

 

[Nathanb1]

The Lalicki book on Grierson's raid is also good, and should be available. There's also a good book on the Griersons, Unlikely Warriors, if you're interested in the man and what motivated him. John Wayne, he was not. More like Clark Kent.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

The Lalicki book on Grierson's raid is also good, and should be available. There's also a good book on the Griersons, Unlikely Warriors, if you're interested in the man and what motivated him. John Wayne, he was not. More like Clark Kent.

The problem with Lalicki's book is that uses exactly the same sources as Brown--and nothing new at all--and hence adds nothing to the body of knowledge. It's shorter and less in depth. If you have to choose, choose Brown.

 

[missourian]

If you want to see what Hollywood does with historical fact, get Fiction as Fact by Neil Longley York. It shows how Hollywood took Grierson's Raid and turned it into the John Wayne movie The Horse Soldiers.

Been a big John Wayne fan for 45 years or so, as my sig may imply, and VERY familiar with The Horse Soldiers. As soon as I read the account of Grierson's raid I KNEW what the movie had to be based on. Thanks to all for the Titles, Ill be on the look out for them.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

The book "Coming Like Hell" is a history of the 12 Tennessee Cavalry(CS) and Col. Robert V. Richardson. One chapter is dedicated to Col. Richardson and one is about his involment in chasing after Grierson.
However, there are some who discount this book as it doesn't have sufficient bibliography. I like it.

"Coming Like Hell!: The Story Of The 12th Tennessee Cavalry", by Waldon Loving,
Writers Press Club, 2002, 230 pages.

Thanks for this tip--I had missed this one. Just ordered a copy even though I usually won't buy a book with the problems you note.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Mark Lardas' Roughshod Through Dixie is a short, Osprey-published account of the raid, as well.

This is a decent account, but like all Osprey books, it's only about 14,000 words in length, which means that it lacks in any real detail. The images, however, are great.

 

[Michael W.]

I'm nearly done with the research to do a modern book-length study of the raid, but it's going to be a while for it to be published.

Until then, I highly recommend Dee Brown's Grierson's Raid if you can find a copy. Sixty years old, but still a good read, Brown's book tells the story quite capably. The problem is that he used only readily available published sources and no manuscript or newspaper sources. I have already found about four times the material that he used. But, if you want more now, this is it, if you can find a copy: http://www.amazon.com/Griersons-Raid-D-Alexander-Brown/dp/0317527533/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464714515&sr=8-1&keywords=brown+grierson's+raid. I do note that there is now a Kindle version of it, which is a recent development. I own two copies of the first edition hardcover.

I am a big fan of the Grierson's Raid episode in the War, so whenever you DO publish an account, I will HAVE TO ACQUIRE it....

 

[DixieRifles]

Thanks for this tip--I had missed this one. Just ordered a copy even though I usually won't buy a book with the problems you note.

I thought it was a great reference source for some of the cavalry battles. I showed it to an author and he said the description on the Battle of Corinth was not accurate. However, this is the only book that I have that contains:
1- a description of the Battle of Collierville,
2- a description of the "mutiny" that lead to a court martial of 4 commanders of Tenn cavalry regiments,
3- an accurate biography of Colonel/General R. V. Richardson
4- an explanation of the organization of cavalry regiments into partisan rangers and they reason they joined these units.

It doesn't have Index but it does have a roster of the soldiers of the 12 Tenn Cavalry with comments if KIA or WIA---obviously researched from NARA service records.
It contains organization of cavalry brigades during 1863 and 1864. It focuses on the 12 Tenn Cavalry but it also keeps track of Richardson's brigade and makes occassional comments about movement of other regiments.

I will check my copy which has been marked up to see if I note any Errors. Most of my markings were added info that supports the book. For example, one notation reminds me that the reference to La Grange was the town in Georgia and not the one in Tennessee. That really had me confused.

 

[Nathanb1]

The problem with Lalicki's book is that uses exactly the same sources as Brown--and nothing new at all--and hence adds nothing to the body of knowledge. It's shorter and less in depth. If you have to choose, choose Brown.

True...if you can get it, pick Brown.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

I thought it was a great reference source for some of the cavalry battles. I showed it to an author and he said the description on the Battle of Corinth was not accurate. However, this is the only book that I have that contains:
1- a description of the Battle of Collierville,
2- a description of the "mutiny" that lead to a court martial of 4 commanders of Tenn cavalry regiments,
3- an accurate biography of Colonel/General R. V. Richardson
4- an explanation of the organization of cavalry regiments into partisan rangers and they reason they joined these units.

It doesn't have Index but it does have a roster of the soldiers of the 12 Tenn Cavalry with comments if KIA or WIA---obviously researched from NARA service records.
It contains organization of cavalry brigades during 1863 and 1864. It focuses on the 12 Tenn Cavalry but it also keeps track of Richardson's brigade and makes occassional comments about movement of other regiments.

I will check my copy which has been marked up to see if I note any Errors. Most of my markings were added info that supports the book. For example, one notation reminds me that the reference to La Grange was the town in Georgia and not the one in Tennessee. That really had me confused.

Thanks for doing that--I appreciate it a great deal.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I'm nearly done with the research to do a modern book-length study of the raid, but it's going to be a while for it to be published.

Until then, I highly recommend Dee Brown's Grierson's Raid if you can find a copy. Sixty years old, but still a good read,

I'm also looking forward to reading your study of Grierson's Raid.
Please keep us updated on the status of this project.

Thanks for the recommendations to hold us over until your work is published.

 

[Booner]

Almost 40 years ago I read Dee Brown's "Griersons Raid;" it was one of the books from my Grandfathers library. When I got done with the book, I noticed that on the last page my grandfather had written a short history of his grandfather's service in the Civil War. Pvt. Joseph E. Adcock, Co. L, 7th Illinois vol. Cavalry who was on Griersons Raid, and also later captured and spent the last 7 month of the war in Andersonville prison.
This one event started me on my family genealogy.
And I think I have every book written about Griersons Raid. I beleive Grierson wrote a book about his service with the (10th?) cavalry ( buffalo soldiers) after the war, and I think I have a copy of that too.

I'm hoping that Mr. Whittenberg next book will be about the raid. I've very much enjoyed everything else I've read by him

 

[Ole Miss]

I have shared the Official Reports regarding Grierson's Raid through Mississippi in April of 1863 with another member and thought I would post it for others
Regards
David
Page 519

The War of the Rebellion : a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. / Pub. under the direction of the ... Secretary of War ... ser.1:v.24:pt.1:Reports.