Raiders

[eopfrank]

I want to start a Thread about the few who get overlooked. Out of these two men below, who do you think was more instrumental to the Confederacy, and why?

1)Raphael Semmes
2) John Singleton Mosby.

Feel free to add others[those who get overlooked] who may have contributed more.

-Frank

 

[rbenne]

Semmes by far.
While the gray ghost did his part, semmes terrified the 7 seas. The Alabama had a great impact on the moral of the south, see all the songs about her, and hero's are important to the folks back home.

 

[johan_steele]

I'll agree w/ Raymond, Semmes & the Alabama became legend and had effect on a much wider audience.

But when it comes to Raids, Forrest has to be mentioned, he took more prisoners, destroyed more supplies and likely lengthened the War by at least a year, perhaps two.

 

[gunsmoke]

I also agree on Semmes, his record of 55 prizes, with the Alabama, and the 18 that he got with the CSS Sumter, were a real accomplishment, for this period in time.

Charlie

 

[mobile_96]

Shane, I'm not so sure that the efforts of Forrest helped lengthen the
war by a year or more, but he did tie up a lot of troops for a while.

Charlie, Semmes did do a lot of damage to shipping, but only managed
to put a dent into foreign shipping into the US, and did nothing to affect the shipping of foodstuffs from the US to Europe, even though there was a drop off in the last 2 years, which was caused by not Semmes, but better growing seasons in England and France.
Before going any further, I will say that I find both Forrest and Semmes to be extremely interesting people from the CW. I've read several books on Forrest and have a couple on Semmes and the Alabama that I'm trying to find time to read.
However, the question is between Semmes and Mosby.
Why not Mosby instead of Semmes. Mosby appears to have kept a lot more military tied up trying to control/or put him out of commission than Semmes.
Will admit that I haven't read much on Mosby and not really sure if he was that big a nuisance to the Union forces in his area of operations.
Only going on what I have heard and read.
Chuck in Il.

 

[johan_steele]

Charles I think Forrests destruction of supplies throughout TN slowed or stopped Union offensives that might well have succeded at least twice, in particular his raid in Summer of 62 cumilating in the capture of several regiments and the destruction of the primary Union supply center in TN; that stopped the Union offensive of 62. He tied up more troops than any other CSA general by his threat alone. He was a valuable contribution to conventional & unconventional campaigning.

I think Mosby was more flash and smoke than anything else, while he was dangerous he was no Forrest, or Semmes. Semmes as a threat w/ the Alabama was more spectacular due to the nature of naval warfare.

When it comes to raiding, Semmes was effective by threat alone, Mosby by action. Forrest... by results. All three were interesting men.

 

[mobile_96]

For July, are you refering to Murfreesboro??
Chuck in Il.

 

[johan_steele]

Yes, sorry about that,may not have been his most spectacular raid but it certainly ranks up there.

Grierson in his raid through Mississippi shouldn't be forgotten either.

 

[mobile_96]

Shane,
Will agree that it did rank high. He captured the entire garrison, and destroyed lots of supplies, and 2 main bridges. However, the bridges were rebuilt and the trains running supplies again in only 2 wks. Got their attention but the effect was only for a short term effect. It may be that Morgan and his raids shortly after Forrests really had more effect in slowing down Union moves for the remainder of the year.
Chuck in Il.