Autobiography of Samuel S. Hildebrand: The Renowned Missouri Bushwhacker

Abstract

Autobiography of Samuel S. Hildebrand: The Renowned Missouri Bushwhacker. Edited by Kirby Ross. (Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press, 2005. Pp. xvii, 276. Series editor's preface by Daniel Sutherland, acknowledgments, introduction, editor's preface [1870], map, illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $24.95.) One of the most controversial aspects of the American Civil War is the guerrilla conflict that raged in Missouri and Arkansas. While historians have recently given this struggle more scholarly attention, research is often hampered by a lack of sources. Fortunately, the most notorious Confederate guerrilla in southeast Missouri, Samuel S. Hildebrand, published an autobiography shortly before his death in 1871, while wartime events were still relatively fresh in his mind. An illiterate man, Hildebrand narrated his story to James W. Evans and A. Wendell Keith, M.D. Hildebrand grew up with these men, and they wrote the text after their extensive interviews with the famous guerrilla. Out of print for decades, Autobiography of Samuel S. Hildebrand: The Renowned Missouri Bushwhacker has been republished by the University of Arkansas Press fully annotated by Kirby Ross. Hildebrand lived in St. Francois County in 1861. Wanting no part in the war, Hildebrand declared that he would have remained neutral had it not been for a local vigilance committee. Headed by unionists, the committee accused Hildebrand of stealing a horse. Though innocent of the crime, he was hunted by Union troops and wounded when they burned his home. The committee also hanged his brother Frank. Sam and his family fled to Arkansas where they found safety in the camp of Capt. Nathan Bolin's guerrilla company. Later, two more of Hildebrand's brothers were killed by Union troops. Another brother served in the Union army. Operating from a base in Arkansas, Hildebrand conducted numerous raids into Missouri, where he preyed on Union civilians and soldiers. He claimed to have a major's commission from Confederate general M. Jeff Thompson, though this is doubtful. Regardless of his legal status, Hildebrand was adept at the hit-and-run tactics of guerrilla warfare. He and his comrades often wore captured Federal uniforms and operated successfully throughout southeast Missouri. Hildebrand vowed to kill as many of his enemies as possible and dozens of men suffered his wrath. Nevertheless, he did show mercy on a few captured Union soldiers. In one incident, he released two Federals on their promise to free two of Captain Bolin's men held at Ironton, Missouri. …