Famous Adventures and Prison Escapes of the Civil War

"Famous Adventures and Prison Escapes of the Civil War" by Basil Wilson Duke et al. is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work captures the perilous and daring escapades experienced by individuals during the American Civil War, emphasizing notable prison breaks and escapades. The book highlights various perspectives, including that of a Union woman in the South, revealing the complex emotions and experiences of those living through this tumultuous period in American history. The opening of the book introduces a diary written by an unnamed Union woman, providing insights into her life as she navigates the challenges and tensions of the pre-war and wartime South. From her reflections on the impending secession to her observations of societal changes and political discussions, the narrator's perspective offers an intimate and nuanced view of a woman caught in a divided nation. Throughout this introductory portion, the diary reveals her struggles, heroic efforts, and insightful commentary on the events and characters around her, setting the stage for the adventures and escapes that follow in subsequent chapters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Basil Wilson Duke was a Confederate general officer during the American Civil War. Afterward, he achieved renown as a historian. His most notable role in the war was second-in-command to his brother-in-law John Hunt Morgan. Duke later wrote a popular account of what was called Morgan's Raid (1863). He took over Morgan's command in 1864 after U.S. soldiers killed Morgan. At the end of the war, Duke served among Confederate President Jefferson Davis's bodyguards after his flight from Richmond, Virginia, through the Carolinas.