While large armies engaged in epic battles in the eastern theater of the Civil War; a largely unchronicled story was unfolding along the Mississippi River. Thirty "Special Scouts" under the command of Lieutenant Isaac Newton Earl patrolled the river; gathering information about Confederate troop activity; arresting Rebel smugglers and guerillas; and opposing anti-Union insurrection. Gordon Olson gives this special unit full book-length treatment for the first time in The Notorious Isaac Earl and His Scouts. Olson uses new research in assembling his detailed yet very readable account of Earl; a dynamic leader who rose quickly through Union Army ranks to command this elite group. He himself was captured by the Confederates three times and escaped three times; and he developed a strategic -- and later romantic -- relationship with a Southern woman; Jane O'Neal; who became one of his spies. In keeping the river open for Union Army movement of men and supplies to New Orleans; Earl's Scouts played an important; heretofore unheralded; role in the Union's war effort.
#1493730 in Books Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2001-06-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .56 x 6.00l; .74 #File Name: 0802843948222 pages
Review
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful. The man himselfBy S. LloydHere is the man in his own words in letters to his daughter; his king and his friends. Much from A Man for All Seasons is taken from these letters. Wonderful!1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. One StarBy Santiago Luis PupiSame as in "Life and Writings of Sir Thomas More". Feel cheated.11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. ...but God's firstBy B. HodulikMore didn't burn anyone at the stake. As Chancellor; he did his duty and gave every chance for the 3 'heretics' that refused to budge on what was eventually political matters. A 'heretic' in those days was so much more than one who simply had 'different beliefs.' Some people today simply are too ignorant to understand that representative democracy did not exist then.More's 'Last Letters' poignantly reminds Christians of what it means to be a real disciple of Christ.
