Late response:

I urge one and all to read T.J. Stiles biography of Jesse James. (Jesse James)

It is a masterful work of historical writing and brings Missouri history between the years 1845 and 1882 to life as none other I have read.

T.J. Stiles was born and raised in Northfield, Minnesota.

Jesse Woodson James was certainly dedicated to a resurgence of the Confederacy and the continuation of the institution of slavery as well. James comes across as an adept manipulator of public opinion who used his contacts in the press and in political office to good effect. After reading Stiles' book, James' image of the "Robin Hood" bandit vanishes and in it's place is the portrait of a driven man who was both a racist and terrorist.

The greatest shift, though, was the image of his mother, a sympathetic figure, wounded by the nefarious Pinkerton's in a cowardly attack. She is revealed as a virulently anti-Union harridan calling for blood and vengence and delighting in her sons' bloody activities. Even before the attack which cost her a son (Archie) and her arm Zerelda Samuels championed the vicious butchery of her pro-Union neighbors by her Bushwacker son's and their allies.

Kat is right about the horse. Quantrell rode a black horse according to Stiles, as did "Bloody" Bill Anderson, Jesse's captain.

CB