The Unvanquished: Civil War Scouts and the Birth of Special Operations

An overlooked chapter of history connects the tactics of Mosby’s Raiders and Jessie Scouts to modern asymmetric warfare

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Long before special operations became an institutional cornerstone of modern military operations, Civil War-era scouts, raiders, and intelligence operatives were already fighting a hidden war behind enemy lines.

From the moment I started reading The Unvanquished, I was hooked. Patrick K. O’Donnell reveals the little-known story of Lincoln’s special forces and their relentless pursuit of the Confederate John Mosby’s Rangers.

The book is filled with short, fast-paced chapters that show how these irregular forces influenced the outcome of key battles, conducted daring raids, and gathered critical intelligence.

These early fighters laid the foundation for America’s modern unconventional warfare doctrine through espionage, sabotage, and high-risk missions. O’Donnell’s compelling narrative reframes how we understand both the Civil War and the origins of today’s special operations forces.

Book Details

The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America’s Special Operations by Patrick K. O’Donnell, Atlantic Monthly Press (May 7, 2024), Hardcover, 432 pages

Through the exploits and tactics of Union and Confederate scouts, rangers, and spies, this story uncovers a shadow war of daring missions, irregular tactics, and covert operations that helped lay the foundation for modern U.S. special operations forces.

Key Themes

Irregular Warfare and Guerrilla Tactics During the Civil War

The Civil War wasn’t just fought by large armies on open battlefields. It was also waged in the shadows by small, fast-moving units using sabotage, ambushes, and surprise attacks employed by both sides.

O’Donnell shows how partisan fighters like Jessie and Blazer’s Scouts relied on unconventional tactics to strike supply lines, gather intelligence, and disrupt Confederate control. These missions blurred the line between soldier and spy—introducing a new kind of warfare that relied on stealth, speed, and cunning.