In this historical book, Buel takes the reader on a journey through the actions of the most notorious outlaws of nineteenth-century America as they fought for the South in lightning strikes against the armies of the North, developing tactics that would come in handy later in their lives. Buel explains in the book how, after the war, the gang seamlessly transitioned from guerrilla warfare to bank robberies, evading capture and killing opponents. They couldn't keep eluding lawmen and vigilantes forever, as Buel vividly describes, the gang's eventual demise.