Bushwhacker: Autobiography of Samuel S. Hildebrand (Abridged, Annotated)

The obvious liberties the writers took in polishing the language in this "autobiography" lent it even more credibility: seems like something a couple of 19th-century publicity types would do to sell books. Nonetheless, the authentic, awful cycle of reciprocal violence bleeds through the verbiage.So much of the Civil War is viewed as massive battles fought on a huge, strategic basis. This book takes us into the intensely personal nature of guerilla warfare. This is war fought as vendetta and blood feud.Thoughtful readers also will pick up on how the violence benumbs Hildebrand and his men. The killing progresses from furious vengeance to cold calculation to simple criminality. Also the book serves up a dark side of human nature that is as true today as it was back then: Hildebrand defends his own extreme actions as righteous justice, while those inflicted on him and his men are spun as dastardly and outrageous.The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess.

Seems like the whole book was a series of murders and thieving committed by southern and northern clans that were loosely associated to the civil war as a matter of fact the civil war was just a back drop in this book. Hildebrand speaks as if he was a man of honor but the title speaks as to what he was and if half of what he said is true about his enemies then they are not much better than him.

The Missouri conflict was characterized by a ruthless brutality most people neither know or want to know. It’s fresh, written while the rancor still festered and with vivid detail often lacking in accounts written years after the war. The depredations visited upon Missourians is exceed only by the lies that blame them for their misfortune. The most dangerous men are thos with nothing left to lose and personal debts to pay. Hildebrand was a brilliant and resourceful partisan warrior who waged this type of war exactly as it should be, without mercy. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

A very interesting read, but the sad truth about brother against brother, and neighbour against neighbour. Proof positive that there is nothing civil about a Civil War. Hopefully, we can avoid another rebellion as our current political parties (and legal citizens) can agree to a compromise over our rule of Law without bloodshed. Although out-dated, many of today's disputes between liberals and conservatives are bordering on physical disputes over the administration of our Democracy!

Although interesting and probably true for the most part, there was just too much murder in this tale. The killings described by Hildebrand were not in battle but outright murder. He was judge, jury and executioner of tens of men whose only crime was helping the Union in its effort to keep our nation intact. He was actually a serial killer more than a highwayman. I enjoy a murder mystery but this story was not that. Sam’s story has little mystery to it; just the killing of citizens.

Excellent first person history. Provides historical insight into the atrocities that people can justify as righteous justice. A stern warning to modern Americans in our polarized political culture.The footnotes are very annoying. Their main purpose seems to be to establish that the editor is a politically correct modern gentleman who disapproves of Mr. Hildebrand. Anyone who takes the text at face value, without understanding the author’s bias, is probably too stupid to read, serve on a jury, or vote.

I have not read much of the Civil War waged in Missouri. I knew it comprised mostly of gurilla warfare, but to hear it first hand from an actual combatant was very enlightening, not to mention entertaining. Very well written.

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.

For civil war interested persons, this is a great read. About a man who wanted no part in the war, but was dragged into it, by cruel and unjust people and opportunists siding with the union. It gives a nice insight to the guerilla war in border states that often goes overlooked. Great read.