What are some known civil war bushwhacker/guerrilla units in the war. (NOT PARTISANS)

[1331km1]

What are some known civil war bushwhacker/guerrilla units in the war. Also did any of them have a flag?
I need some examples of Civil war bushwhacker/guerrilla/irregular units that operated on the ground, in the civil war, also I need to know if any of these units had a specific flag that would of be carried with them. Any other information on these men would be very useful.

[Frederick14Va]

Unfortunately the majority of such bushwacking gangs, werent well organized nor kept official records. Usually not officially recognized or alligned with anything. Many were simply small bands of outlaw renegades, thieves, and deserters. Some targeted just one side... Some preyed on both friend and foe alike, depending on the opportunity at hand. Usually the only mention upon same was when a band was encountered, some captured or killed. Very little otherwise mentioned. Usually they wore civilian clothing, thus be better able to bluff their way through whichever side was encountered. Ive never heard of any flag or other identifying banner being used by such groups...

[S.D.Swart]

One mans Partizan is another man's brushpopper.

In eastern Ky. One known such outfit, made up of ex-members of the 5th Ky Infantry, along with kin was the Wells Company. Many were my ancestors.

[Marc Shaffer]

Champ Ferguson lead a band of Confederate raiders/guerrillas through Tennessee, Kentucky and SW Virginina. At one point he guided Morgan on one of his raids into Kentucky. Some books are written about his exploits, the newest being "Confederate Outlaw: Champ Ferguson and the Civil War in Appalachia", by Brian D. McKnight. Another good book to start on the subject is "Contested Borderland", also by Brian McKnight which discusses several bands of guerrillas both Union and Confederate. Other books on guerrillas are cited in these books.

[vamick]

supposedly a Quantrill flag it also can be seen here at the Kansas Historical Society site
http://www.kshs.org/p/cool-things-qu...l-s-flag/10154

there were also a couple different "black flags" with his name or simply a Q but Im not too sure wethere these have been throughly documented..seems to me in the "bush" a flag would be a liability..try a Google image search on this

[lonewolf]

I read Black Flag and enjoyed it. It is mainly about the Kansas/Missouri Guerrillas. It its worth a read if your interested in that.

[huntdaw]

There are many books written about guerillas and guerilla leaders. I'm sure a visit to the local library will be of benefit.

[S.D.Swart]

To the original poster... What area of operation are you wanting to read about? I mentioned eastern Ky., but each area is kind of unique.

Shawn

[Tarheel57]

Unfortunately the majority of such bushwacking gangs, werent well organized nor kept official records. Usually not officially recognized or alligned with anything. Many were simply small bands of outlaw renegades, thieves, and deserters. Some targeted just one side... Some preyed on both friend and foe alike, depending on the opportunity at hand. Usually the only mention upon same was when a band was encountered, some captured or killed. Very little otherwise mentioned. Usually they wore civilian clothing, thus be better able to bluff their way through whichever side was encountered. Ive never heard of any flag or other identifying banner being used by such groups...

Right! A good example of this consisted of Union deserters who terrorized the vicinity of Wilkes County, NC. Led by a deserter from Stoneman's command named Wade, they established a base known as Fort Hamby. They occasionally worked with another group of marauders under a man named Simmons. Even when the war ended, they continued their depredations until a group of Confederate veterans were organized by a Col, Sharpe and assaulted their hideout. An intense firefight ensued, and a number of the gang were killed. Wade escaped, but four were taken alive and executed. The former Confederates ran into a column of Union cavalry who had been sent from Statesville to deal with the outlaws, and the cavalrymen reportedly cheered when they learned the situation already been taken care of.

[KenH]

By "not partisans" do you mean non-US, non-CS recognized criminal gangs? Or do you mean US or CS recognized and partially or wholly supplied irregular units like Mosby's Raiders or the Florida Rangers?

Bushwacker gangs certainly had no need or desire to carry a flag. Neither did irregulars, who wanted to be able to fade into the countryside.

I once asked, and was chided for doing so, about irregulars having any sort of 'group identifier' like an armband or sash. Got a big NO in answer to that question!