Quantrill: An Elusive Foe

During the week of Nov. 1-5, 1862; Colonel William C. Quantrill and his guerrillas were elusive foes of some Kansas and Missouri "Blue Belly Billy Yanks". This was not an official combined operation, nor was it a cooperative venture between the Union "Hounds" from Kansas and Missouri. Each unit was operating independently in Jackson and Cass counties, Mo., and they both failed to capture the Chief Confederate Gray Fox in northwestern Missouri or many of his men. A few of the guerrillas were killed, but then that was a hazard of their occupation! However, the Union "Hounds" did manage to capture 100 horses and mules of the "Southern Persuasion", but that did not curtail the guerrillas from attacking and killing other enemy troops as they, the guerrillas, were being chased hither and yon. The following after action reports describe the pursuit of Quantrill and his men and the capture and destruction of a small Union Supply Train. Both reports are located on Pages 345-348 in Series I. Vol. 13 of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion

"Camp Curtis,

Jackson County, Mo., Nov. 5, 1862.

Sir: for nearly a week I have our pursued Quantrill's band of guerrillas with Major Ransom's cavalry, Captain Chesnut's Company A, 12th Kan. Volunteers and one piece of artillery under Lieut. Hunt. We killed 10, taken one prisoner, captured 100 head of horses and mules and driven the marauders out of this part of the State. They are in full retreat (south), evidently intending to reach Arkansas. (Talk about false information -- or perhaps this was the fondest "Union" hope.) No casualties on our side. A considerable number of contrabands (Note: escaped slaves from Missouri) accompanied us to Kansas.

John T. Burris

Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding."

"Headquarters,

Harrisonville, Mo., Nov. 5, 1862.

General: I would respectfully report that I arrived at this post on the 1st instant at about 11 p.m.

On the morning of the 3rd instant I started the train that I had brought from Sedalia, consisting of 13 wagons drawn with oxen back to that place, with an escort of 22 men, under the command of Lieutenant W. M. Newby; of Company G, 6th Regiment Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, which I considered perfectly safe, as I had no knowledge of any bands of the enemy other than those I had just dispersed in the vicinity of Pleasant Gap in Bates County. on the same morning I sent 25 men, under Lieutenant Daniel Campbell in the direction of Pleasant Hill. I at once became apprehensive for the safety of the train and started with 150 men in the direction of rose Hill, hoping to overtake the train and also to intercept the enemy. I was, however, to late to save the train, as the enemy had taken it about the same time that I learned he was in the country. He attacked the train in overwhelming numbers and from a position in which he was not discovered by Lt. Newby until he was completely surrounded.

Lieut. Newby and four privates were captured; four soldiers and six teamsters are known to be killed; two soldiers and one teamster were wounded and four soldiers are still unaccounted for. The indications are that these men were wounded and killed from pure maliciousness and after they had surrounded. The wagons were burned, but the oxen were saved.

I learned of the fate of the train before arriving to where it had been destroyed and immediately turned southward in pursuit of the enemy. I came upon his camp after traveling about 10 miles and immediately attacked him, when he fled very precipitately (fast), leaving some horses and etc. I pursued with all possible speed, attacking his rear and succeeded in rescuing Lt. Newby and one private, killing six and wounding 25 of the enemy; also captured three horses. At this point the flight of the enemy was so precipitate and my men and horses so much exhausted that I found it impracticable to proceed without further rest.

About daylight Captain David, of the 5th Cavalry, Mo. State Militia, with 75 men and two small pieces (of artillery), came up and we again started in pursuit, following with all possible speed toward Germantown, when finding it impossible to overtake him with my horses, worn down as they were by severe marching for about a week previous, I ordered colonel Marvin, with his enrolled Missouri Militia, to pursue them, from whom I have not yet heard.

Your obedient servant,

E. C. Catherwood,

Colonel, Commanding."

Quantrill and his men were indeed elusive foes of the Union troops in Missouri and Kansas. There were, however, hundreds of other Confederate guerrillas in Missouri who waged a constant successful war against the Union forces and many times their actions were thought to have been committed by Quantrill and his men when in fact they were not and the war went on!