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The astounding experiences of a Union Scout The writer of this book, R. W. Surby, was a Union soldier who served with Colonel Benjamin Grierson’s cavalry brigade as it undertook its great raid through Mississippi during the American Civil War. Surby was frequently engaged in scouting and ‘point’ duties for the Union cavalry column. It is almost certain that it was at this time that he came into contact with the subject of this book, L. H. Naron, otherwise known as Chickasaw the scout because of his county of origin, who also served under Grierson. Surby wrote a valuable history and personal account of the Grierson Raid (published by Leonaur as ‘The Horse Soldiers Raid’) and the text of this present volume, dealing with Naron’s wartime experiences, was originally included in that book. Naron’s account does not particularly concentrate on his experiences with Grierson and is published here in its own right for the first time to bring greater focus to his story. Naron’s life as a scout and spy for the Union was full of danger and incident long before he joined the Grierson command. He was a man of high principle and was deeply committed to the maintenance of the Union of states. He lived in Mississippi in a region avidly pro-Confederate where his life was threatened and even his own brother turned against him. Ultimately he had to flee to Union held territory and there he determined to do his part for the federal cause. His choice of occupation could not have been more dangerous. He spent almost his entire war behind enemy lines, either dressed in civilian clothes, openly posing as a loyal secessionist or in Confederate Army uniform, before undertaking the perilous business of crossing through both battle-lines to report his findings. Discovery and capture would have meant certain death and this intrepid man came horrifyingly close to ruin on several occasions, being saved only by an iron nerve and his almost superhuman ability to remain calm in the most trying of of circumstances. A concise but riveting read and highly recommended for all those interested in the Civil War in America.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
