Quantrell's Raiders by Frank Gruber

Frank Gruber, one of the most prolific pulp writers of all time, is also famous for saying there are only seven different plots for westerns.  One of those is the “Outlaw story” in which outlaw gangs dominate the action.  This book, although heavily influenced by historical events, is just such a story.

The novel opens in 1861 with new West Point graduate, Second Lieutenant Doniphan “Donny” Fletcher on his way home to Kentucky to await his first posting. While Donny’s loyalties lie with the Union, most of his family, hometown friends, and an especially attractive young lady next door are slaveholders and either pro-South or just trying to remain neutral. But no sooner does he arrive when trouble between Jayhawkers and Bushwhackers boils over onto his home turf forcing Donny to kill a couple of Union guerrilla fighters in self-defense. Under arrest and about to face a firing squad, Donny manages to escape, but has nowhere to run. He wants revenge and the answer, at least for now resides in becoming a guerrilla fighter himself, ultimately joining up with William Quantrill and “Bloody” Bill Anderson.

This novel is historical fiction disguised as a western.  The story of Quantrill’s Raiders (I’m not sure why it’s spelled “Quantrell” throughout the book) and how it became known as the breeding ground for outlaws after the Civil War’s conclusion, including such luminaries as Cole Younger, Jesse and Frank James, and others is an exciting one. The action, particularly in the second half of the book is bloody and brutal, and all the more horrifying because it is factual. These men are outlaws at their worst. The scenes involving the massacre of Lawrence, Kansas are especially disturbing as some 450 guerrilla fighters swoop in and murder numerous innocent noncombatants including women and children.

The character of Donny Fletcher undergoes a sweeping transformation, from loyal Union Army officer to wanted Southern guerilla fighter and criminal.  Ultimately, no longer willing to participate in such atrocities, he works with the Union once again to turn on Quantrill and the other guerrilla leaders helping to bring an end to their reign of terror.  This is largely a tragic tale, watching one man get caught up in circumstances beyond his control but it does end on a positive note. 

Definitely worth reading, especially for readers interested in this period of history.