Adventure Quote by Thomas B. Allen
““Campbell would later complain about “irregulars from the upper country [of Georgia] under the denomination of crackers, a race of men whose motions were too voluntary to be under restraint and whose scouting disposition [was] in quest of pillage.” The crackers, he reported, “found many excuses for going home to their plantations.”18””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wreck of the Old 190 by Thomas B. Allen, 1995
The quote depicts “crackers” as a loosely organized, violent group who justify raids on plantations, highlighting lawlessness and opportunism in post‑Civil War Georgia.
In simple terms: Crackers are opportunistic raiders who make excuses to return home.
Recognize how groups rationalize violent behavior.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- sociology class
- community policing
- conflict resolution
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we distinguish between individual actions and group stereotypes?
- What social conditions foster such lawlessness?
The quote may overgeneralize a whole group, ignoring individual variation.