The Partisan Rangers of the Confederate States Army

Indians, raids, scouting, kidnapping, imprisonment--these are the colorful experiences of Partisan Rangers during the War for Southern Independence!

Partisan Rangers of the Confederate States Army was first publis…

Indians, raids, scouting, kidnapping, imprisonment--these are the colorful experiences of Partisan Rangers during the War for Southern Independence!

Partisan Rangers of the Confederate States Army was first published in 1904. the author, Adam Rankin Johnson was a Kentuckian by birth and Texan by residence. His personal exploits include a wide array of experiences on the Texas frontier prior to the war--surveying the land and battling the Indians. Eventually he made his way back to Kentucky to join up with Nathan Bedford Forrest and serve valiantly

An excerpt from the book, page 51, on meeting Nathan Bedford Forrest for the first time:

At Hopkinsville I called upon Colonel Nathan B. Forrest, who was in command of the cavalry force at that place . . . .he was a man to catch the look and hold the attention of the most casual observer, and as we gazed on each other I felt that he was a born leader and one that I would be willing to follow.

As I entered, he gave me a keen, searching glance and asked:

"Well, sir, what do you want?"

"I want to join the cavalry," I replied.

"I have plenty of room for you and many more besides," he answered. "where are you from," he asked.

"I am from Texas," I said.

"What have you been doing out there?"

"I have been surveying and fighting the Indians," I answered.

"Well, sir, I should like to have you with me," he exclaimed. "One of my companies is from Texas, and you may go in with it if you wish."

"I should like to make two conditions, Colonel," I said in answer to this statement.

"What are they?" he asked quickly.

"First, I should like to serve as a scout."

"Well, I have plenty of use for you in that line," he said. "What is the other condition?"

"I wish to o to Henderson Kentucky," I responded.