19th century America showed both the destruction and growth of a nation. A major role in this change was guerrilla warfare, a method of abnormal tactics centered around the freedom of combat. Raids and ambushes were key against traditional military, seeing mobility as a way to disorient their enemies. Bushwhackers and Texas rangers used these tactics from heavy influence of Native Americans. There newly found warfare saw the bolster of the southern borders defenses. Overall guerrilla warfare was and has been a centerpiece in the fight of American turmoil dating back to the Civil War era.
The “Diablo Tejanos,” also known as the Texas Rangers terrorized the Mexican populace in the nineteenth century. They were established in 1823, where young …show more content…
In the beginning of the war bushwhackers were a main contributor to the battles. They hid in foliage waiting to strike their enemies in the head. They would rob and kill anyone in their path and sided with the confederacy usually ambushing union camps and disrupting telegraph communications. Known for their ferocity they would were shot on sight to prevent the casualties they created. It came apparent that the South’s forces heavily relied on guerrilla warfare for combat. In order to suppress the south’s advance, the Union armies, tried a variety of measures such as scorched earth, and search and destroy missions, none of which eradicated primitive warfare. The Union started using guerrilla warfare in response to its success in the south. They began looting, burning, and killing others in the manner of their enemies. The North established counter-guerrilla forces that acted on the command of leaders behind enemy lines. Different from bushwhackers and partisans, these guerrilla fighters acted under the continental congress. The Unions’ morale crumbled in result to their newfound warfare. As it tore union members Bruce Catton said “Unquenchable guerrilla warfare was perhaps the one thing that would have ruined America forever.” Even though it hurt the country it provided defense and strength in war. Guerrilla warfare has been a driving force in war changing even the culture that …show more content…
These primitive tactics brought fear to the people of the 1800s. In panic many homes made lethal traps to ward off Native Americans and Bushwhackers attempting to attack unionist homes. One town in particular was nearly, entirely abandoned for a short duration of time in Bates County. The intimidation brought upon by guerrilla fighters in the south towards unionist made numerous families leave. Many of which were harassed, beaten or killed for their ideas of freedom. Not only did it cause oppression, but according university of Kansas “Clashing social, economic and racial sentiments of the 19th century erupted into partisan violence so merciless that it eroded civil society itself.” These homes were left raided and burnt to the ground, many areas were abandoned in the process. The increase of torture and violence saw a large number of citizens buying weaponry for home security. In an interview with Walt whitman he said “Guerillas attack’d a train of wounded...Others, not yet dead, but horribly mutilated, were moaning or groaning. Of our men who surrender’d, most had been thus maim’d or slaughter’d.” The brutality of the men in question saw a change in our society neither for the better or for
The “Diablo Tejanos,” also known as the Texas Rangers terrorized the Mexican populace in the nineteenth century. They were established in 1823, where young …show more content…
In the beginning of the war bushwhackers were a main contributor to the battles. They hid in foliage waiting to strike their enemies in the head. They would rob and kill anyone in their path and sided with the confederacy usually ambushing union camps and disrupting telegraph communications. Known for their ferocity they would were shot on sight to prevent the casualties they created. It came apparent that the South’s forces heavily relied on guerrilla warfare for combat. In order to suppress the south’s advance, the Union armies, tried a variety of measures such as scorched earth, and search and destroy missions, none of which eradicated primitive warfare. The Union started using guerrilla warfare in response to its success in the south. They began looting, burning, and killing others in the manner of their enemies. The North established counter-guerrilla forces that acted on the command of leaders behind enemy lines. Different from bushwhackers and partisans, these guerrilla fighters acted under the continental congress. The Unions’ morale crumbled in result to their newfound warfare. As it tore union members Bruce Catton said “Unquenchable guerrilla warfare was perhaps the one thing that would have ruined America forever.” Even though it hurt the country it provided defense and strength in war. Guerrilla warfare has been a driving force in war changing even the culture that …show more content…
These primitive tactics brought fear to the people of the 1800s. In panic many homes made lethal traps to ward off Native Americans and Bushwhackers attempting to attack unionist homes. One town in particular was nearly, entirely abandoned for a short duration of time in Bates County. The intimidation brought upon by guerrilla fighters in the south towards unionist made numerous families leave. Many of which were harassed, beaten or killed for their ideas of freedom. Not only did it cause oppression, but according university of Kansas “Clashing social, economic and racial sentiments of the 19th century erupted into partisan violence so merciless that it eroded civil society itself.” These homes were left raided and burnt to the ground, many areas were abandoned in the process. The increase of torture and violence saw a large number of citizens buying weaponry for home security. In an interview with Walt whitman he said “Guerillas attack’d a train of wounded...Others, not yet dead, but horribly mutilated, were moaning or groaning. Of our men who surrender’d, most had been thus maim’d or slaughter’d.” The brutality of the men in question saw a change in our society neither for the better or for