Rick Gutwald

Low Intensity Conflict As Practiced by John Singleton Mosby in the American Civil War Rick Gutwald

Publisher Marketing: This study is an historical analysis of three Civil War partisan (insurgent) operations conducted by the 43d Battalion, Virginia Cavalry and Its Confederate leader, John S. Mosby: the raid on Fairfax Court House, 8-9 March 1863; the attack on Loudoun Heights, 9-10 January 1864; and the Berryville raid, 13 August 1864. Each operation is analyzed by using the following factors: situation and organization; mission and planning; execution of the operation; equipment and logistics; communications, command and control; results; the element of chance; and leadership. In addition, Mosby's background and character are also discussed and analyzed. Among the many conclusions that could be drawn from this study are: intelligence is paramount to a partisan unit's survival; partisan activities are not always acceptable to its supporting government; Civil War partisan operations are characterized by simple mission orders, hit-and-run tactics, surprise, stealth, speed, deception, and audacity; and partisan operations have the potential to physically and psychologically affect all levels of the enemy's government. The study concludes that partisan warfare is still viable today and that the U. S. Army should expand its focus to include its use.