Confederate Guerrilla Sue Mundy - by Thomas Shelby Watson & Perry A Brantley (Paperback)

About the Book

In 1864, George D. Prentice, veteran editor of the pro-Union Louisville Daily Journal, created the persona of Sue Mundy, a Civil War guerilla who was in actuality a young man named Marcellus Jerome Clarke. This volume offers an in-depth, historically accurate account of Clarkes exploits in Kentucky during the Civil War. The work begins with a summary of Kentuckys prewar position: primarily pro-Union yet decidedly anti-Lincoln. The authors then discuss the ways in which this paradox gave rise to the guerilla threat that terrorized Kentuckians during the final years of the war.

Book Synopsis

In 1864, George D. Prentice, editor of the pro-Union Louisville Daily Journal, created the persona of Sue Mundy, a Civil War guerrilla who was in actuality a young man named Marcellus Jerome Clarke. This volume offers an in-depth, historically accurate account of Clarke's exploits in Kentucky during the Civil War. The work begins with a summary of Kentucky's prewar position: primarily pro-Union yet decidedly anti-Lincoln. The author then discusses the ways in which this paradox gave rise to the guerrilla threat that terrorized Kentuckians during the final years of the war. Special emphasis is placed on previously unknown facts, names and deeds with dialogue taken directly from testimony in court-martial proceedings. While the main focus of the work is Clarke himself, other perpetrators of guerrilla warfare including William Clarke Quantrill, Sam Berry and Henry Magruder are also covered, as are guerrilla hunters Edwin Terrell and James Bridgewater. Previously unpublished photographs accompany this fascinating Civil War history.

Review Quotes

"highly recommend[ed]"-Glasgow Daily Times; "a meticulously detailed recounting of the guerrilla warfare that raged...balanced and well organized...very nice array of rare photographs (many previously unpublished)...a notable contribution...not aware of any other study of guerilla warfare...that even remotely approaches the level of detail...very welcome"-Civil War Books and Authors; "this book fills a gap in the literature about Kentucky in the Civil War and the shadowy war itself."-The late Dr. Thomas D. Clark, author, Kentucky State Historian; "many Kentuckians in the 1860s were more affected by guerilla activities then they were by formal battles. This well-written book tells us a great deal about the activities of irregular partisans who did much to disrupt the state as the war drew to a close."-Dr. Lowell H. Harrison, author, professor of history, Western Kentucky University.

About the Author

Newsman and historian Thomas Shelby Watson lives in Taylorsville, Kentucky. Perry A. Brantley works with the U.S. postal service and lives in Glasgow, Kentucky.