"The Scouts of Stonewall" is a novel by Joseph A. Altsheler set during the American Civil War. The story follows Harry Kenton, a young officer on the staff of Colonel Talbot, commander of the Invincibles, a South Carolina regiment that has been transferred to the command of Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley. Despite suffering losses in previous battles, the Invincibles remain devoted to the Southern cause and long for action. Harry is frequently sent on scouting missions due to his skill in the forest and field. Despite the peacefulness of the forest, Harry knows that danger is ever-present as he rides to discover the enemy's plans and location. As the novel progresses, the story develops into a tale of adventure, battle, and bravery as the Invincibles join forces with Stonewall Jackson to fight against the Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley.
Joseph A. Altsheler was born on April 29, 1862, in Three Springs, Hart County, Kentucky, to Joseph and Louise Altsheler. He was a newspaper reporter, editor, and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. He wrote fifty novels and at least fifty-three short stories. Seven of his novels were in sequence. He worked as an editor at the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1885. In 1892, he started to work for New York World and then as the editor of the World's tri-weekly magazine. He wrote children’s stories due to a lack of suitable stories. On May 30, 1880, Altsheler married Sarah Boles and had a son named Sidney. In 1914, during World War I Altsheler and his family were in Germany and they were forced to remain there. Altsheler died at the age of 57, on June 5, 1919, in New York. His wife, Sarah Boles died after 30 years. Their bodies are buried at the Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky. Although each of the thirty-two novels constitutes an independent story, Altsheler suggested reading in sequence for each series (that is, he numbered the volumes). You can read the remaining eighteen novels in any order.
