Blazer's Scouts: The Forgotten Origins of American Counterinsurgency

In the annals of American warfare, the Ohio Confederate manhunters known as Blazer's Scouts played an instrumental role in developing the tactics of counterinsurgency. Their unconventional skills, unwavering determination, and ability to adapt to the complexities of guerrilla warfare would later inspire the creation of modern special operations in World War II.

As the bloody conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan have demonstrated, insurgencies are formidable adversaries to defeat. When insurgents enjoy the support of local populations, they become nearly impossible to vanquish. Countering their tactics requires individuals with specialized skills, keen intelligence, and the ability to navigate treacherous terrain.

American counterinsurgency tactics have their roots in a forgotten company of Ohio Confederate manhunters: Blazer's Scouts. Commanded by Lieutenant Richard Blazer, a seemingly unassuming but deeply dedicated officer, the Scouts emerged as unlikely heroes during the American Civil War.

Blazer's peculiar appearance and unconventional behavior concealed a sharp mind and a resolute spirit. Despite his lack of military bearing, he cared deeply for his men and led from the front, earning their unwavering loyalty.

The Scouts were tasked with combating the guerrilla tactics of Thurmond's Rangers, a band of Confederate irregulars who were terrorizing Union forces in West Virginia. The Rangers conducted hit-and-run raids, ambushing patrols and devastating Union outposts.

Blazer's approach to counterinsurgency was unconventional yet effective. He employed intelligence gathering, relied on the support of locals, and used mobility and surprise to outmaneuver his adversaries. The Scouts donned Confederate gray to infiltrate enemy lines and gather vital information.

Through a combination of audacity and cunning, the Scouts achieved a string of victories against Thurmond's Rangers. They launched surprise attacks on enemy camps, captured prisoners, and disrupted their supply lines. Their efforts weakened the Rangers and prevented them from inflicting significant damage on Union forces.

Blazer's Scouts were not only effective in suppressing the insurgency but also served as a valuable training ground for future special operations forces. The unconventional tactics they developed, including infiltration, deception, and intelligence gathering, would later be adopted by modern units like the Green Berets and Navy SEALs.

The full story of Blazer's Scouts is recounted in the upcoming book "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.

The book reveals the drama of the irregular guerrilla warfare that altered the course of the Civil War and highlights the enduring legacy of Blazer's Scouts as the pioneers of American counterinsurgency tactics. Their story serves as a testament to the ingenuity, determination, and sacrifices of those who have fought to protect the nation against asymmetric threats.