Basil Wilson Duke (1838-1916) was a Confederate general and lawyer. Born in Kentucky, he practised law in St. Louis before becoming involved with prosecessionist activities. Duke joined Morgan's elite company of Lexington rifles, and during his first major action at Shiloh in 1862 was injured in both shoulders. He recovered and rejoined the cavalry unit during it's attachment to Braxton Bragg's army at Chattanooga. He saw action throughout Tennessee through the remainder of the war. After the war's end, Duke was paroled and opened a law office in Louisville where he worked for a swift reconciliation of the Union. In 1869 he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. This highly regarded history was the first of his three books; he also edited several magazines. [ANB]