Samuel S. Hildebrand
Autobiography of Samuel S. Hildebrand, the Renowned Missouri "Bushwacker" and Unconquerable Rob Roy of America
Being his Complete Confession
"Autobiography of Samuel S. Hildebrand, the Renowned Missouri 'Bushwacker'" is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The text serves as a personal narrative recounting the life and experiences of Samuel S. Hildebrand during the tumultuous period of the American Civil War. It details his transformation from a civilian into a notorious guerrilla fighter known as a "bushwhacker," illustrating the conflicts faced by individuals caught in the crossfire of war while emphasizing themes of vengeance and loss. The beginning of the autobiography introduces the author’s perspective on the necessity of revealing his life story to counter the fictionalized accounts that have emerged about him. Hildebrand describes his early life and family history in Missouri, along with the circumstances that forced him into combat. As he recounts the growing animosity he faced from Union supporters and the formation of surveillance committees that wrongfully labeled him and his family as criminals, he illustrates the turmoil leading to his eventual decision to fight back against the oppression he endured, setting the stage for a detailed chronicle of his wartime experiences and the escalating violence surrounding him.