Thieving, Robbing and Murdering

In the spring of 1863, Majored Charles W. Blair was the commanding officer at Fort Scott and he was vexed with a number of "Bushwhacker" problems. The bushwhackers and guerrillas from the "Land of Misery" (Union nickname for Missouri) were a constant and consistent deadly nuisance that was never eliminated along the entire Kansas / Missouri border throughout the entire Civil War. Major Blair's area of responsibility extended far beyond Fort Scott and included that stretch of border from Trading Post on the north to Baxter Springs on the south. The following report describes the "condition of things" south from Fort Scott to Baxter Springs early in May of 1863. It is located on Page 274 of Series I, Vol. 22 Part I, Reports of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Headquarters, Fort Scott, Kan., May 7, 1863.

(To) Major General Blunt, Commanding District of Kansas:

Sir: I regret to have to inform you that the bushwhackers are getting more troublesome and venturous every day. I have every reason to believe that they had concentrated to attack the returning train from Fort Gibson, but I was informed of the time and place of the intended attack and by marching infantry and artillery 65 miles in a little over a day, got to the place (Baxter Springs) simultaneously with the train. Since then, they (the bushwhackers) have been prowling in small parties in every direction, Theiving, Robbing and Murdering.

Yesterday word was brought to me of four incursions on Drywood, 12 miles south of here. I started off immediately with what cavalry I could muster and 50 infantry in wagons and in half an hour was at Drywood, but scoured the country in vain. They had robbed Mrs. Jewell and three or four other persons of money and valuables, taking two horses only. I rode all day and night and on my return this morning to Fort Scott, was met by the news that another small party of bushwhackers had last night gone to the house of Mr. Baker, on the Marmaton, 5 miles from here and robbed his house and killed him. He was one of the most upright and respected citizens, a man highly esteemed by everybody. Our whole community (Fort Scott) is in a state of feverish excitement on the subject. I have a faint trace of the murderer & shall pursue it to the last. But my cavalry, not over 100 of which is mounted, is pretty well ridden down and must start back to Gibson as soon as the (supply) train is ready & I am therefore much crippled. I fear for the trains. A hundred men are but a poor escort for 150 wagons and yet it is about all I can mount, leaving myself without pickets and only what scouts can be furnished from my outpost at Morris Mill, (near Drywood).

In order to effectually check this Bushwhacking within the precincts of the post, there should be two or more companies of cavalry (200 men: Note 1 Co. of Cavalry = 100 men] for escort duty alone. Then there should be two or more for outpost and scouting duty; one stationed partly at Redfield and partly north of there toward the Marmaton, and one on Cox Creek, up toward the head of Cow Creek. These, with the present one at Morris Mill, having nothing to do but scour the country, could keep it entirely clear of these vermin. This is the only way life and property can be made safe here. I fear there will be no crops raised unless something of the sort is done and yet I hesitate very much to ask it, for by the return of all these troops recently here to Springfield (Mo.) I perceive that you have scarcely anything left with which to defend your district, although it has been largely increased. If it is possible to increase our cavalry here without detriment to the service elsewhere, I beg you to do it.

I rejoice very much that you have established a station at Baxter Springs. On my return from there last week I had just sat down to write a letter, suggesting the matter for your consideration; when I received your order. It will materially lessen the danger to our trains.

Is it possible for any of Captain Insley's (Quartermaster at Fort Scott) recent purchases of horses to be issued to these cavalry companies on duty at this post? The force might be largely increased by getting horses for the dismounted (cavalry).

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Chas W. Blair

Major, Commanding Post."

It is not known, how soon Major Blair received any of the reinforcements that he requested. However, considering that it required 4-5 days to deliver the military mail from Fort Scott to Fort Leavenworth over a distance of approximately 125 miles; the reinforcements described in the following letter are probably all that Major Blair received and they did not arrive until the first week or so in June of 1863. This letter is located on Page 297 of Series I, Vol. 22, Part II, Correspondence of the Records of the War of the Rebellion.

"Headquarters District of Kansas,

Fort Leavenworth, Kans., May 30, 1863.

Maj. C. W. Blair,

Commanding Post, Fort Scott:

Major: I am just informed by telegraph from headquarters at Saint Louis, that Coffee is moving north through the western tier of counties, to re-enforce Livingston and that Colonel Cloud is looking after him. You will be required to be vigilant and watch well the country south of you. If cloud is west of Springfield, keep open communication with him and co-operate with him with such force as you may have, if it is necessary to repel any threatened attack. Guerrillas are very numerous and troublesome between Kansas City and Fort Scott. Advices from Fort Larned, which I deem quite reliable, state that large forces of Texans and Indians, with artillery, are approaching from the Red River toward the Santa Fe Road (Trail) which is poorly protected. I am greatly embarrassed for want of troops, yet everything must be done that is possible to maintain our present lines until troops can be procured. If Phillips should be compelled to fall back (from the Indian Territory), it would be fatal in extreme to our cause in the Indian country. With our present limited force, it will require great effort to keep open his line of communication for supplies. Six Companies of the 2nd Colorado Infantry will be at Fort Scott in a few days. I have directed the 13th Kansas Vol. Inf. to camp southeast of Fort Scott, on Drywood. They will serve as an outpost!

The new companies of the 6th Kansas Vol. Cavalry must be armed with such arms (weapons) as there are in the Ordnance Department and made available for duty. If they cannot get their horses immediately, they must serve on foot. You are authorized to furnish arms and ammunition and rations to such of the Osage Indians as tender their services to sustain our cause, but they should be under the control of competent trustworthy men.

Keep me advised of all information you may receive of movements below [south to Baxter Springs and Fort Gibson].

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

James G. Blunt, Commanding."

The reinforcements Major Blair received were not enough to stop the BUSHWHACKERS from Theiving, Robbing and Murdering, but they were enough to provide an adequate escort for the supply trains traveling south to Fort Gibson for a short period of time as the war went on!