Definition of a raid

[Steve Blair]

I do think Bob’s characterization works for the Anglophone colonies in the 17th century and the early 18th century, though I would hasten to add that native allies should be summed to the parties involved. I won’t bore folks with details, either, but I think there might be an interesting separate thread about the particulars at some point.

I was basing my comments on his Comanche example, which in terms of US involvement was certainly early to mid 19th century. When you get into that period there are many examples of the involvement of civilians and para-military types actually fanning the hostilities and making things worse than they perhaps needed to be (shades of Blackwater, anyone?).

You're of course right that we could have an interesting thread or three about this stuff...

[ganulv]

I was basing my comments on his Comanche example, which in terms of US involvement was certainly early to mid 19th century. When you get into that period there are many examples of the involvement of civilians and para-military types actually fanning the hostilities and making things worse than they perhaps needed to be (shades of Blackwater, anyone?).

In the right hands those examples might serve as the basis for a fine work of fiction…