Dowdle Draft Spec Opns CMH Presentation V2

7/28/2019 Dowdle Draft Spec Opns CMH Presentation V2

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From Raids to Recon:Special Operations in the Civil War


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Modern Definition of Special Operations

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As defined by ADM William McRaven from his book,

SPEC OPS: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare and Practice: 1995

A Special Operation (SO) is conducted by forces specially trained,

equipped, and supported for a Specific target whose destruction,

elimination or rescue (if hostages) is a political or military objective.


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Historical Context

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Types of Modern Special Operations

Types:

- Unconventional Warfare (Guerrilla Warfare)*- Raids*

- Special Reconnaissance*- Psychological Operations (Psyops)

- Civil Affairs

- Direct Action

* Most common Civil War missions

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Modern Definitions

Unconventional Warfare - ----; in the Civil War, defined as

Irregular Operations

Raids -

Special Reconnaissance -

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Types of Irregular Warfare/Units in the Civil War

Irregular Warfare-all forms of conflict, from raids to bushwhacking, that did not

involve the main armies from either side

Guerrilla- self-constituted armed sets of men in times of war, who form no integrant part ofan organized army, take up arms and lay them down at intervals, and carry on petty war byconducting raids, extortion, massacre, and destruction; who cannot carry many prisoners,and therefore generally give no quarter (Francis Lieber, 1862; issued as GEN ORD 100,Union Army, 1863)

Brigands and bushwhackers were considered types of guerrilla organizations

Partisans-small, elite conventional based units given an unconventional mission or role(43rdVA Cavalry BN, Mosbys Rangers)

NOTE: Partisan organizations communicated withan

d received orders and direction from theirrespective main armies or legitimate government

authorities

As defined in the book, The Uncivil War: Irregular Warfare in the Upper South,

1861-1865, by Robert R. Macksay, 2000


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Guerrilla Units and Leaders

Confederate

IndividualsWilliam Quantrell

Bill Anderson

Jesse/Frank James

Cole/Jim Younger

George Todd

Champ Ferguson

Joseph Porter

Jack Henson

Units/Organization

Quantrells RaidersMissouri Guerrillas

Arkansas Guerillas

Deserters

UnionIndividuals

SEN James Lane

John Brown

Charles Jennison

Tinker Dave Beaty

Units/Organizations

JayHawkers

Deserters

Beatys Partisans

Heroes of America

Peace Society


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Individuals with Partisan Characteristics

Confederate

John Mosby

John McNeill

Jesse McNeill

John Hunt Morgan

Nathan Bedford Forrest

John Taylor WoodCharles W. Savez Read

John Yates Beall

Harry Gilmor

Turner Asby

Elijah Lige White

Joe ShelbyM. Jeff Swamp Fox Thompson

James McGee

Joe Barton

Adam Stovepipe Johnson

Union

William B. Cushing

James Andrews

Ben Grierson

James Wilson

Charles Carpenter

(Jessie Scouts)

Richard Blazer

Harrison Gray Otis


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Partisan Units

Confederate

43rd VA Partisan BN

1st and 2nd KY Cavalry

McNeills Rangers

1st MD Cavalry BN

Union

Blazers Union Scouts

Jessie Scouts

1

st

Arkansas Cavalry1st Missouri Cavalry


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Partisan Styled Missions in the Civil War

Confederate

Mosbys Fairfax Raid Morgans Christmas Raid

Van Dorns Holly Spring Raid

Forrests Memphis Raid

St Albans, VT Raid

Hamptons Beefsteak Raid

J.T. Woods NE Coast Raid w/CS Tallahassee CS Hunleys Attack on the Housatonic

Forrests Floating Cavalry Attack on

Johnsonville, TN

C.W. Reads June 1863 NE Coastal Raid

Mosbys Greenback Raid

Jesse McNeills Capture of Union Generals

Crook and Kelley Adam Stovepipe Johnsons capture of

Newburn, IN

Jones & Imbodens West VA Raid

McCauslands PA Raid

UnionAndrews Raid

Griersons MISS Raid

Dahlgren-Kilpatrick Raid

Wilsons Raid

Cushings Southport Raid

Cushings CSAlbermarle Attack Cushings Recon of Cape Fear

River Averells December 1863 Raid

Streights April 1863 AL Raid

Ellets Riverine Capture ofMemphis


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Relative Superiority (RS):

A condition that exists when an attacking force,generally smaller, gains a decisive advantage over a

larger or well-defended enemy. It is:

a. Achieved at the pivotal moment in an engagementb. Once achieved, it must be maintained toaccomplish mission

c. If lost, RS is difficult to regain

Key to Spec Ops mission is to gain RS early in the fight

Central Concept of Modern Special Operations

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SPEC OPS: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare and Practice: 1995


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Six Characteristics of Relative Superiority

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Simplicity Most crucial characteristic: 3 elements needed to achieve simplicity: Limit

number of objectives to those considered vital objectives; good intelligence reduces

unknown factors and number of variables; Innovation eliminates or avoids obstacles that

compromise or complicate mission execution; NOTE: Simple does not imply easy!

Security -

Repetition

Surprise

Speed

Purpose - Two aspects to Purpose: a clearly defined mission statement; and personal

commitment


SPEC OPS: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare and Practice: 1995.


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The Special Operations Model

SURPRISE SPEED PURPOSE

SECURITY REPETITION

SIMPLICITY

EXECUTION

MORAL FACTORS

PLANNING

PREPARATION

FRICTIONS OF WAR

A simple plan, carefully concealed, repeatedly and realistically rehearsed,and executed with surprise, speed and purpose, achieves Relative Superiority.


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Relative Superiority Graph Sample

1 2 3 4 5 6TIME (HOURS)

(X-AXIS)

PROBABILITY

OF

MISSION

COMPLETION

(Y-AXIS)

MISSION COMPLETION

RELATIVE SUPERIORITY

ACHIEVED

POINT

OF

VULNERABILITY

(PV)

KEY MISSIONEVENTS

RELATIVE SUPERIORITY

LINE (RS LINE)

AREA

OF

VULNERABILITY


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Personal Characteristics

Independent

Self-Motivated

Non-conformist

Disciplined

Takes Calculated Risks, but does not Gamble

Adaptive, Flexible

Perfectionist


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Criteria for Case Studies


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Case Study 1: Mosbys Fairfax Raid

Who: John Mosbys 43rd VA Partisan Rangers

What: Harassing Federal forces in northern VA

When: March 8-9, 1863

Where: Fairfax, Virginia

Why: To snatch (kidnap) COL Sir Percy Wynham, Union Army


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Background for Fairfax Raid


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Objective of Fairfax Raid

Edwin B. StoughtonCOL Percy Wynham
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edwin_H._Stoughton.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edwin_H._Stoughton.jpg


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43rd VA Partisan Ranger BN


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John Mosby: The Gray Ghost


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Actions Before the Raid


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Mission Timeline & Events


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Mission Timeline & EventsMission Timeline & Events (cont)


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Analysis of Fairfax Raid


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Impact of Fairfax Raid

President Lincoln, on hearing of the capture, said "he did not so much mindthe loss of a brigadier general, for he could make another in five minutes; 'but

those horses cost $125 apiece!


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Case Study 2: Cushings Attack on the CSAlbermarle

Who: LT William B. Cushing

What:

When: October 27-28, 1864

Where: Plymouth, NC

Why: To neutralize the ironclad CS Albemarle supporting

Confederate forces at Plymouth, NC

Impossibilities Are For the Timid
http://dmn.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/61.jpg


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Background of Cushings Attack
http://ironbrigader.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/NC-coastal-map.png


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Objective of Cushings Attack


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Cushings Crew and Torpedo Boat


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William B. Cushing: Lincolns Commando


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Actions Before the Attack


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Mission Timeline & Events
http://dmn.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/34.jpg


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Mission Timeline & Events (cont)
http://bendermaritime.com/artwork/originals/pages/DavidGoliath_lg.html


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Analysis of Cushings Attack

6 Characteristics


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Impact of Cushings Attack


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Conclusion

Q i ?


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Dowdle Draft Spec Opns CMH Presentation V2

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