Gene Schmiel

Civil War Rogues. Rascals, and Rapscallions Gene Schmiel

Jesse James, George Custer, Napoleon III, Ambrose Bierce, Phil Sheridan. These and 45 other "characters" were Rogues, Rascals, and/or Rapscallions -- and sometimes all three!! -- during the Civil War era who you will learn about in this book. Every war has strange bedfellows. It brings forth the best and the worst in a society, and it certainly accelerates the appearance and impact of Rogues, Rascals, and Rapscallions. The Civil War was no exception. These are the people who are memorable during a conflict, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes for bad. In writing this book, I have used the following definitions: Rogue: one who acts outside normal parameters;. Rascal: mean, unprincipled, or dishonest person; Rapscallion: ne'er do-well, extreme rascal. But, and this is a critical point for the reader to understand, some of the people I categorize as "rogues" did have a positive impact, even though they were persons who, as the definition notes, acted "outside normal parameters." These are the "positive rogues." Custer, Sheridan, and several others fit in this category. At the same time, there are some other characters in this book who have no redeeming features. Jesse James, William Quantrill, and others fit into that group. Of course, these are the author's judgments about these people. Further, there are certainly more than 50 who might be written about. All the other characters I write about fit in between, like most human beings a combination of the good and the bad. I have presented each character via a short 2-3 page essay, their picture from the era, contemporary images, including political cartoons, modern maps, and suggested additional books to read. After reading about each person, I hope you will say, "I didn't know that," and look for further information, using the books I have recommended and others. In the end, as a result, the process of learning about the American Civil War, the "American Iliad" will accelerate. I am pleased to be able to help continue that process with this and my other books.