Mosby Raiders

We wrap up Gentleman Raider week with this picture from the 1920's. It shows what was left of the Mosby Raiders. The picture was taken at a reunion of the raiders at Warrenton, Virginia. In the 20's, many Civil War veterans would have been in their 70's and 80's.

I will have to admit I am sad to see Gentleman Raider week come to an end. Now, off to figure out next week's theme.

William T. Anderson

Blog comment opinion is continuing to run decidedly against my boys this week. Yet, we must persevere and finish Gentleman Raider week. Today we feature a picture of William T. Anderson. Mr. Anderson was one of Quantrill's raiders, and was a fairly important member of the group. He participated in the Raid on Lawrence Kansas. After the raid, his family was rounded up and imprisoned. They were housed in a three story building in town, and the building collapsed, killing his sister, and crippling another sister. 

In 1864 he had a dispute with William Clark Quantrill, so he started his own raiding group. He was killed in an ambush in 1864, and his head was cut off and put on display on a telegraph pole in Richmond Missouri.

Younger Brothers

Good Wednesday Morning to you all. I notice in the comments section this week you all are being pretty hard on my boys, calling them common criminals and such. I remind you this is Gentleman Raider week, so lets lighten up on them a little. Perhaps the harsh comments are coming from Yankee Sympathizers, still smarting from the thumping these boys gave during the unpleasantness of '61. In any case, Gentleman Raider week continues with this photograph of the Younger Brothers. Pictured is Robert, Henrietta, James and Cole Younger. Robert is on the left, and Cole on the right, with James in the lower center. The Younger brothers were part of the Quantrill Raiders, and after the war joined up with the James Brothers to create the James-Younger gang.

Frank James

Today we feature a photograph of the Gentleman Raider Frank James. Frank actually rode with William Clarke Quantrill in the Civil War, and was one of the famed Quantrill Raiders. After the war, this group did not enjoy the general pardon issued to other southern soldiers, so Frank James and his brother Jesse teamed up with other Quantrill Raiders to form the James-Younger gang, and the raiding continued. Frank James was born in 1843, and lived all the way to 1915.

William Clarke Quantrill

Good Monday Morning to you all. This morning we feature a photograph of William Clarke Quantrill of the famed Quantrill Raiders of the Civil War. He is remembered for his escapades along the Missouri-Kansas border during the Civil War, and more specifically the raid on Lawrence, Kansas. He was one of effective of the Raiders of that day, and was a particular thorn in the side of the Union. He was killed in a Union ambush in Kentucky, 1865. Brilliant horse soldier, or blood thirsty bandit? . . . the debate continues to this day.

Welcome to Gentleman Raider Week

We kicked off Gentleman Raider Week yesterday with the Mystery Person contest, which featured Rebel Raider John H. Morgan. Today, we feature the Confederate Raider General John S. Mosby, the famed "Gray Ghost" of the Civil War. Mosby raised a regiment of Confederate Raiders (or rangers, depending on your perspective) which was one of the most effective of the Civil War. He could operate deep behind enemy lines with impunity. He once kidnapped a Union General from his residence, and on another occasion visited Washington DC, and had a lock of his hair delivered to President Lincoln. Mosby lived up to a ripe old age, and did not die until 1916. In his later years he lived in California and enjoyed telling stories of his exploits to the neighborhood children. One of the those neighborhood boys was George S. Patton.

Mystery Person Contest

Today is Saturday, and that can mean only one thing. It is Mystery Person Contest day! Ready, Set, Go!