
audiobook
A rare, first‑hand confession lies at the heart of this volume, spoken by a notorious Missouri guerrilla who earned the moniker “the Bushwhacker” and the grudging respect of his foes. Compiled by two men who knew him from childhood, the narrative opens with his formative years in the rugged Ozarks, the loss of his family home, and the fierce loyalties that drove him into the violent swirl of the Civil War’s border conflicts. The author’s meticulous transcription preserves the raw cadence of his own words, offering a uniquely personal glimpse into the mindset of a man who saw himself as a Robin‑hood figure amid the chaos.
The account proceeds with vivid, unflinching descriptions of daring raids, brutal skirmishes, and the harsh realities of guerrilla life, all illustrated by period sketches that bring the scenes to life. Listeners are invited to hear a voice that neither glorifies nor condemns, but simply recounts the blood‑stained deeds and desperate choices of a conflicted era, making the story a compelling window into a little‑known chapter of American history.
Full title
Autobiography of Samuel S. Hildebrand, the Renowned Missouri "Bushwacker" and Unconquerable Rob Roy of America Being his Complete Confession
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (390K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2015-11-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1836–1872
Best known for a raw, controversial memoir of guerrilla fighting in Civil War–era Missouri, this 19th-century writer left behind a vivid firsthand account of violence, loyalty, and survival on the border. His book remains of interest to readers drawn to frontier history and the tangled personal stories behind the war.
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