Horse thieves, house robbers and burnings

During the Civil War, most after action reports describe what happened in a battle or engagement. The author of the report (normally the commanding officer) was not normally required to explain or justify his or his men's conduct. However, there were then and are very often in today's war occasions when a commanding officer was and is required to explain why he and his men did what they did! The following is an excellent description of a "Yankee" mission or "scout" that was typical of the total war that was waged in Missouri and why the commanding officer had to explain why things happened the way they did.

The "Scout" was from Houston to Jack's Fork, Mo. and occurred from Nov. 4-9, 1863. The after action report and post report correspondence are located on pages 746-749 in Vol. 22, Part I of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion. The Special Orders or instructions for this "Scout" were as follows: "Special Orders No.43. Hdqrs. Detachment 5th Mo. State Mil.

Houston, Nov. 3, 1863

By order of R. Murphy, Captain Commanding Post." Upon making report to Capt. Murphy for "special instructions" he ordered me to "clean them out" John W. Boyd, 1st Lieut. Co. I, 6th Prov. Regt. Enrolled Mo. Militia.

(Note: "Clean them out" refers to enemy guerrillas, bushwhackers and outlaws!)

Houston, Mo., November 1863.

Sir: In compliance with S. O. No. 43, issued from your headquarters November 3, 1863, on the morning of the 4th inst. I started on scout with 15 men of my company, 5 men of Co. B and 5 men of Co. G, 5th Mo. S. Militia, in the direction of Spring Valley. Marched that day 25 miles, without discovering anything worthy of note. Visited residences of Benjamin Carter and Wilson Farrow, that were engaged in burning Houston; they were gone. Burned Carter's house. November 5, divided the scout. Sent 10 men, under Orderly Sergeant Basket, Co. I to march by way of Bay Creek to Jack's fork. I proceeded with the balance of the command by way of Leatherwood or Wollsey's trail; found fresh trail of horses; followed them to Jack's fork to the residence of Miles Stephens and brother Jack Stephens, whom I was satisfied were Bushwhackers burned the house. Heard that Fed Taylor had been at Stephen's last week with 25 men. Proceeded down Jack's fork 10 miles, having marched 30 miles that day. Camped at Widow McCromick's. Had positive evidence that the widow had kept a general rendezvous for Freeman's and Coleman's guerrillas. On the morning of the 6th, burned the buildings. Learned from the widow's son, a young lad, that on the previous evening James Mahan had got him (the son) to give news of our approach. Sent back and took Mahan prisoner. Went down Jack's Fork to the mouth of Mahan's Creek: turned up said creek on (the) Thomasville Road. Prisoner Mahan attempted to escape and was shot by the guard.

Camped at William Mahan's that night, having marched 24 miles. On the morning of the 9th, marched up Mahan's Creek. About 9 o'clock discovered about 20 of the enemy on the bluff above us; fired a few shots at them, when they fell back. I took 20 men up the hill and reconnoitered, expecting to find them in force to give us battle, but they had all fled into the rocky ravines and hills, where it was impossible to pursue to advantage, mounted; returned to the road and had gone about 1 mile and met 3 men who started to escape on seeing us; killed 2 of them, whom I ascertained from papers found on their persons to be William Chandler, supposed to live in Dent County and a man named Hackley, who had in his pocket a discharge as Lieut. From Co. F., Mitchel's Regt. in the rebel army. He also had several packages of letters from persons in the rebel army and citizens in Arkansas , directed to persons in Dent and Phelps Counties, all of which are submitted for your disposal. Two miles farther on we captured William Story on a United States Horse. He was recognized and well known as a notorious horse thief and house robber. He attempted to escape and was killed. Camped that night at Morgan Dean's on Birch Prairie.

November 8, started in the direction of Houston; marched 5 miles and captured William Hulsey, James Hulsey, William McCuan and Samuel Jones at the house of James Harrisâ€* Five miles farther, at the house of John Nicholoson, a known rebel and bushwhacker, we captured the said John Nicholoson, Robert B. Richards, alias Bruce Russell, and Jesse Story, all of whom were killed.

November 9, we started direct for this post, sending a few men by way of Upper Jack's Fork and all arrived here in the evening, all in good health, having been out 6 days, marched 145 miles, killed 10 men, returned 1 prisoner burned 23 houses, recaptured 9 horses that had been previously stolen and took 6 contraband horses and mules. All of which is respectfully submitted.

John W. Boyd 1st. Lieut. 6th Prov. Regt. E. M. M. Comdg. Scout.

In regard to the burning of the houses, I beg leave to state that many of the buildings were vacant huts or cabins, used as camping places and quarters for the Bushwhackers; many of them located in secret places in the hills and ravines of that broken country. The others, from the dying confessions of Roush and positive evidence derived from other sources were the houses and rendezvous of the enemy actually engaged in burning Houston and West Plains.

In conclusion, I take the liberty to say that these things were done by may sanction and order and that I have acted throughout as I felt it my duty to do under the circumstances, being an officer of the United States and knowing as I do, that these men (with others) have murdered loyal citizens at their own homes; that they captured N. P. Hackwith and Graham while scouting for this post, carried them to Jack's Fork and murdered them, where they are now buried; that they have stolen and burned Government property and also that while I was endeavoring to live as a peaceable citizen of the county, they have hunted me like a wild beast and tried to kill me for my principles and that were I placed in similar circumstances I would do as I have done

(Note: As a result of Lieut. Boyd's explanation, his District Commander replied as follows):

Headquarters District of Rolla, Rolla, Mo., Nov. 26, 1863.

Respectfully forwarded, for the information of the Major-General commanding the Department of the Missouri. The amended report of Lieut. Boyd states the manner of killing the men referred to in his previous report, supposed to have been killed while prisoners. The burning of the houses is also explained.