Hardshell Preaching, Good Whiskey and Guerrilla Warfare

Without a doubt, many of the Confederate Guerrillas in Missouri attended church on Sunday and on this particular Sabbath it was not a wise thing to do because the fighting did not stop on Sunday and for a few "bushwhackers" this was the last church service they attended. Both of the following after action reports are located on Pages 65-67 in Vol. 41, Part I of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Warrensburg, July 14, 1864

I have the honor to report that a detachment of Major Houts' scouting party, commanded by Cpt. Henslee, killed five guerrillas at a church near Wellington on Sunday last, among them the notorious Wilhite, who has been engaged in robbing the mails and people in Lafayette County. Wilhite led the party who attacked Judge Ryland and his son and was repulsed a short time since and is the man who wounded Captain Ewing, of the citizens guards. The party of guerrillas were attending church and fired upon Captain Henslee's advance guard from the windows, when a general exchange of shots took place in the midst of citizens, women and children and yet while Wilhite had 28 balls through him and in him and another guerrilla 18, no person but the guerrillas was hit by our men. We had one man wounded and two horses killed. The guerrillas, people and priest seemed to be worshipping together as innocent lambs.

E. B. Brown

Brigadier General

Hdqrs. 7th Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, Camp Grover, near Warrensburg, Mo., July 14, 1864.

Captain, I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders received through sub-district headquarters, on the night of the 9th instant I sent Major Houts of my command with 150 men, northwest of this place, with instructions to scout the country thoroughly. They went 25 miles and then turning north struck the Missouri River at Wellington. In this march, they discovered abundant signs of the presence of guerrillas. This country is a safe covert (haven) for these outlaws! It is a complete jungle and a perfect solitude, the adjacent country to the Sni (River) affording forage and rations. Arriving at Wellington about 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, Major Houts learned from a contraband that two guerrillas had been in this town that morning and her opinion was they had gone to a church -- Warder's Church -- distant 2 miles. Where a hardshell was in the habit of preaching to the "Brushers" (Bushwhackers) the unsearchable riches of "good whiskey and guerrilla warfare."

The major, with accustomed promptness, at once detached about 50 men, under the command of the intrepid and cool-headed Captain Henslee, Company L and sent him to this church.

The force approached very stealthily. It is situated on a high eminence, a bluff overlooking the Sni River. The command had to reach the church by a narrow road, having to cross a bridge within 20 paces of the building and ascend a very abrupt bank.

The captain took the precaution to send forward Sgt. Brassfield with six men, with instructions to dash as all hazards over this bridge up the hill and passing the church to occupy a position beyond, with a view of intercepting fugitives and at the same time, by attracting the attention of the congregation to make a diversion in favor of the main column. The guerrillas were then seven or eight in number, besides some outpost pickets on the Lexington road. The cry of "Feds"! "Feds" thundered from the audience and the worthy pastor, who was in the midst of a fervent supplication, found his flock greatly demoralized and concluded it wasn't worth while to pray any longer under the circumstances. The guerrillas were on the alert, some at their horses, some in the church and one, who was to be married -- perhaps that very day -- to the pastor's daughter was standing at the window making love to his inamorata. The guerrillas as quick as thought saw their peril and with drawn revolvers they began earnest work, with a nerve and determination worthy of a better cause. The women and children screamed with terror and rushing wildly from the church, exhibited a method in their madness by throwing themselves in front of rebel outlaws! Captain H, whose presence of mind is equaled only by his gallantry, rode out and commanded the women to "squat"! They obeyed the summons and the work of death went bravely on! Five Bushwhackers were killed outright, the sixth mortally wounded and one or two, despite all vigilance, made their escape amid the furor and confusion. Wilhite and Estes were numbered among the slain. These were noted desperate fellows and their crimes are as black and infamous as they are numerous! Two of the enemy's horses were killed and some wounded. Two horses and equipments were captured by us and five or six Colt Navy Revolvers.

One man, Corporal Cozad, Company L, was wounded in the heel and left at Lexington. One horse and equipments lost belonging to Private James D. Barnes, company D.

Justice to merit requires me to mention the names of Privates John T. Anderson, Company L and James D. Barnes, Company D. Anderson was one of the advance who passed by the church. He received three shots through his clothes, one knocking the skin off his nose and striking the pistol in his hand. He rode right in the midst of the scoundrels and with great coolness and precision shot right and left, emptying 12 barrels (Note: Anderson probably was armed with two six shot revolvers) and loading four more, all the while directing the movements of other soldiers around him.

Anderson was badly wounded a year ago in a "hand to hand fight" with Livingston, in Southwest Missouri. Barnes, discovering one of the bushwhackers making his escape, singled him out, charged on him, discharging his rifle (Note: the 7th Mo. Vol. Cav. was armed with Austrian Loranze Rifles, not carbines.), flung it aside and with drawn pistol (revolver), spurred forward, chasing for half a mile the rebel who was firing back at him; Barnes holding his fire until he drew up on his game, was just in the act of shooting at short range when his horse fell headlong, precipitating the rider (Barnes) over his head with a fearful fall. The horse recovered and ran away with the guerrilla, carrying equipments, all of which was the private property of the soldier and is lost. Barnes is a mere boy and quite small, but is as bold and dashing a trooper as ever looked an enemy in the face.

From Wellington, Major Houts scoured the country to Lexington, from there to Columbus, Johnson County. Here he ran into 6 or 7 guerrillas who fled at first fire and being well mounted and our horses greatly jaded, they outran us and escaped. The command returned to camp yesterday, 13th instant. Number of miles traveled 175.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Jonah F. Phillips, Colonel, 7th Cavalry, Missouri State Militia.

Now, to use modern terminology, that was quite a "Firefight" because then and now, church was attended, but in war, Sunday was and is not a day of peace and rest!