The Unvanquished

The Untold Story of Lincoln's Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby's Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America's Special Operations

By: Patrick K. O'Donnell

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

From the bestselling author of The Indispensables, the unknown and dramatic story of irregular guerrilla warfare that altered the course of the Civil War and inspired the origins of America’s modern special operations forces.

The Civil War is most remembered for the grand battles that have come to define it: Gettysburg, Antietam, Shiloh, among others. However, as bestselling author Patrick K. O’Donnell reveals in The Unvanquished, a vital shadow war raged amid and away from the major battlefields that was in many ways equally consequential to the conflict’s outcome.

At the heart of this groundbreaking narrative is the epic story of Lincoln’s special forces, the Jessie Scouts, told in its entirety for the first time. In a contest fought between irregular units, the Scouts hunted John Singleton Mosby’s Confederate Rangers from the middle of 1863 up to war’s end at Appomattox. With both sides employing pioneering tradecraft, they engaged in dozens of raids and spy missions, often perilously wearing the other’s uniform, risking penalty of death if captured. Clashing violently on horseback, the unconventional units attacked critical supply lines, often capturing or killing high-value targets. North and South deployed special operations that could have changed the war’s direction in 1864, and crucially during the Appomattox Campaign, Jessie Scouts led the Union Army to a final victory. They later engaged in a history-altering proxy war against France in Mexico, earning seven Medals of Honor; many Scouts mysteriously disappeared during that conflict, taking their stories to their graves.

An expert on special operations, O’Donnell transports listeners into the action, immersing them in vivid battle scenes from previously unpublished firsthand accounts. He introduces indelible characters such as Scout Archibald Rowand; Scout leader Richard Blazer; Mosby, the master of guerrilla warfare; and enslaved spy Thomas Laws. O’Donnell also brings to light the Confederate Secret Service’s covert efforts to deliver the 1864 election to Peace Democrats through ballot fraud, election interference, and attempts to destabilize a population fatigued by a seemingly forever war. Most audaciously, the Secret Service and Mosby’s Rangers planned to kidnap Abraham Lincoln in order to maintain the South’s independence.

A little-known chronicle of the shadow war between North and South, rich in action and offering original perspective on history, The Unvanquished is a dynamic and essential addition to the literature of the Civil War.

©2024 Patrick K. O'Donnell (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Another Gem

Another Gem and Treasure from this incredible Historian! I cannot wait to read what he writes next time!!

Excellent.

Best Civil War book I have read in years. Well done and researched. Non judgmental solid history.

Very well researched.

This one really gets into the weeds. It’s not survey course. There is no skirmish too small to note here. Sometimes it’s get a little hard to follow because so many small stories come and go. The reader is a little monotone so any tense situations come off the same as a story about a journey down a road.

The research to bring history alive.

I was not aware of the importance these men played in our country’s civil war history. Well research and explained in this book. A must read.

Gray Ghost

Being a former Marine, I enjoy military books and its history. But, I was never into the civil war. Until I read the title of this book and decided to listen to it. I was blown away by its content. I had no idea how bloody it was. How cunning the rangers were. Never knew about the Confederate secret service. Initially I thought 12 hrs was too long. Towards the end, I wanted more. Excellent book!

A little known gem

Having read every single one of the major works on the Civil War and some more obscure ones I was a little hesitant when a family member bought me this book… The first few pages I was thoroughly engrossed in the story of the Jesse scouts and Mosby. Learning things I never had in 20 years of reading Civil Warbooks… Cannot recommend this book enough. Usually, I say give a book 100 pages and if you don’t like it, put it down, but I tell you this one give it ten, you’ll read the rest.

Time travel

This was an amazing book I felt I went back in time. Can’t wait to visit many of the historical sites in Virginia.

Solid history that is often wrapped in suspense.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Being a lifelong history nerd it covered material that I hadn’t encountered before concerning Mosby and Jesse’s Scouts. Not my first book of Patrick O’Donnell and it won’t be my last. Bravo!

Incredible feats by relatively small units of soldiers

Evenhanded account of both sides. Incredible stories were told of warfare and warriors and modern tactics long before their time.

Military History at its Finest

These are the stories Hollywood looks for. Irregular warfare is as old as war itself and The Civil War had its share of covert operations, spies, and lightning-quick forces. O'Donnell delivers again as one of America's premier combat historians.

Sanders delivers with smooth narration.