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Jesse James: The Last Rebel of the Civil War

George Bell

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Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank robber, train robber, and guerrilla who terrorized the Midwest during the Reconstruction Era. He and his gang robbed banks, trains, and stagecoaches, and killed numerous people, including law enforcement officers.

Jesse James Jesse James: Last Rebel Of The Civil War

Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War

by T.J. Stiles

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Language	:	English
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James's gang was one of the most notorious in American history, and he quickly became a legend in his own time. He was often portrayed as a Robin Hood figure, who took from the rich to give to the poor. However, the reality was that James and his gang were ruthless criminals who terrorized communities and left a trail of death and destruction in their wake.

Early Life and the Civil War

Jesse James was born in Kearney, Clay County, Missouri, to Robert Sallee James and Zerelda Cole James. His father was a wealthy farmer and slave owner, and Jesse grew up in a comfortable home.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, James joined the Confederate Army. He fought in several battles, including the Battle of Wilson's Creek and the Battle of Pea Ridge. In 1864, he was captured by Union forces and sent to prison. He escaped from prison in 1865 and returned to Missouri.

Post-Civil War Life and Outlaw Career

After the war, James joined forces with his brother Frank James and cousin Cole Younger to form a gang of outlaws. The gang began robbing banks and trains in Missouri and neighboring states.

James and his gang quickly became notorious for their daring robberies and ruthless violence. They were responsible for some of the most famous crimes in American history, including the Northfield Bank Robbery and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad Robbery.

In 1876, James and his gang were ambushed by a posse of law enforcement officers in Northfield, Minnesota. James escaped the ambush, but several of his gang members were killed.

After the Northfield ambush, James and his gang continued to rob banks and trains. However, they were constantly pursued by law enforcement officers, and their days were numbered.

In 1882, James was betrayed by a former gang member, Robert Ford. Ford shot James in the back of the head while he was unarmed and reading a newspaper in his mother's house.

James's death marked the end of an era of outlawry in the Midwest. He was a legend in his own time, but his legacy is one of violence and destruction.

Legacy

Jesse James has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and television shows. He has been portrayed as a Robin Hood figure, a ruthless criminal, and a complex and tragic figure.

James's legacy is a complex one. He was a ruthless criminal who terrorized communities and left a trail of death and destruction in his wake. However, he was also a product of his time and circumstances. The Civil War had a profound impact on James, and he was left feeling alienated and bitter. He turned to a life of crime as a way to express his anger and frustration.

James's story is a reminder of the dark side of American history. It is a story of violence, greed, and betrayal. However, it is also a story of human complexity. James was a flawed and tragic figure, who was both feared and admired.

Long Descriptive Keywords for Alt Attribute

* Jesse James * American outlaw * Bank robber * Train robber * Guerrilla * Reconstruction Era * Northfield Bank Robbery * Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad Robbery * Robert Ford * Civil War