TOPIC:

Hi all,

I am currently working on my master's thesis on the topic of American soldiers who went and fought for the Boers. I currently have a lot of info on the Irish Brigade started by MacBride and commanded by the American and West Point grad, John F. Blake. I also have obtained info on the American Ambulance corps that came from Chicago. What I am looking for is info on the American Scouts led by John A. Hassell. If anyone might have more info on this unit I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Mike Headley

Mike,

If you search the site for Hassell you will see two references to the American Scouts, one by Davitt and the other by Hillegas. There are a few paragraphs only but it will give you some other names to research.

Hillegas mentions that some of the Americans were reporters: "Of newspaper men, there were half a dozen who laid aside the pen for the sword. George Parsons, a Collier’s Weekly man, who was once left on a desert island on the east end of Cuba to deliver a message to Gomez, several hundred miles away; J.B. Clarke, of Webberville, Michigan, who was correspondent for a Pittsburg newspaper whenever some one could commandeer the necessary stamps; and four or five correspondents of country weeklies in Western States. Starfield and Hiley were two Texans, of American army experience, who fought with the Boers because they had faith in their cause.". Might any of these have written accounts?

Regards
David

Thank you. I had come across Hillegas' book a while ago. The names he lists have been very helpful. Hassell did write a book on the war but unfortunately it is more of a commentary then a description of the men he led. I have come across other accounts that describe the scouts and list additional names. I am currently looking on Ancestry.com for any info on the men listed. Thanks again for the suggestion.

Mike,

The newly added Times History has a couple of references to the American Scouts:

American formed, volume ii, page 86 ; scouts organized, volume iii, page 81. These two volumes are available on the site. You can check on the introduction to each volume to see in which chapter the references can be found.

Regards
David

Thank you yet again. I'm glad that you added those histories. They were not on here the last time I checked. I appreciate your help.

Mike