In April, 1865, the generals commanding the Confederate armies surrendered to their Union counterparts. Lee and Grant are the best known. However, there were several more independent armies. Still, Confederate general all followed Lee's example. They surrendered and ordered their troops to begin the long walk home.
But what if they hadn't? What if some of the footsloggers refused to throw it in? What would have happened if they had taken to the back woods and swamps and waged a guerilla war from the shadows?
This question has haunted me for fifty years or more. I'm old enough to remember the irregular warriors that threw the French out of their Empire in Southeast Asia and North Africa. I've seen the British struggle to help Malaya control its Communist guerillas. The United States helped the Philippines struggle with their own rebels. Since the end of WW II, peasant uprisings, communist liberation armies and Islamic liberation fronts have washed over, one after another, that island nation.
It wasn't like the recalcitrant troops in gray didn't know of this option. The Spanish guerillas sapped Napoleon's Eagles. Kansas and Missouri were wracked with irregular warfare. Everyone had heard of Mosby, the Gray Ghost of the Shenandoah.
Waging an irregular war against the victorious Union was possible. Why did it not happen?
I hope you enjoy my exploration of an alternate history for what could have happened after April, 1865.
Genre: Thriller
But what if they hadn't? What if some of the footsloggers refused to throw it in? What would have happened if they had taken to the back woods and swamps and waged a guerilla war from the shadows?
This question has haunted me for fifty years or more. I'm old enough to remember the irregular warriors that threw the French out of their Empire in Southeast Asia and North Africa. I've seen the British struggle to help Malaya control its Communist guerillas. The United States helped the Philippines struggle with their own rebels. Since the end of WW II, peasant uprisings, communist liberation armies and Islamic liberation fronts have washed over, one after another, that island nation.
It wasn't like the recalcitrant troops in gray didn't know of this option. The Spanish guerillas sapped Napoleon's Eagles. Kansas and Missouri were wracked with irregular warfare. Everyone had heard of Mosby, the Gray Ghost of the Shenandoah.
Waging an irregular war against the victorious Union was possible. Why did it not happen?
I hope you enjoy my exploration of an alternate history for what could have happened after April, 1865.
Genre: Thriller
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