Vipers in Springtime

No, the subject of this column is not the very expensive 20th Century horseless carriage of the same name (viper) and it is not about the poisonous snake of the same name! According to Mr. Webster, a less used definition of a viper, today, is a "Malicious, spiteful or treacherous person." What a perfect word to describe Kansas "Redlegs" (maverick soldiers and civilian outlaws) and Missouri guerrillas/bushwhackers in the Civil War. I wish that I had used this word in the latter context, but I did not. Viper was used to describe the bushwhackers by Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis (Commander of the Department of Kansas) in a wonderful brief piece of Victorian prose to Major General William Rosecrans who commanded the Department of Missouri in 1864. General Curtis had a very personal reason to despise the bushwhackers, because one of his sons (Major Zahara Curtis) was killed by "Bloody Bill Anderson" in the 2nd Battle or Massacre as it is commonly known at Baxter Springs, Kan., on Oct. 6, 1863. This and the subsequent report are located on Pages 376 and 377 in Vol. 34, Part II of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

"Fort Leavenworth, March 2, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Major General Rosecrans, for his information.

This relates to the "Bushwhacker Country", near the [Missouri/Kansas] border, where the eggs should be crushed before the "vipers" come forth in the spring!

S. R. Curtis, Major General."

(Note: Normally the "guerrillas' on both sides did not wage war in the middle of the winter. They usually went into a brief hibernation at home only to charge forth with the coming of spring. General Curtis mailed the latter note to General Rosecrans as an "Endorsement" of the following report.)

"Headquarters, Olathe, Kan.; Feb.19, 1864.

Colonel Chipman, Chief of Staff, Dept. of Kansas.

Dear Sir: I respectfully submit the following brief report: I have just returned from a five days' scout, within which time I have traveled the middle and south part of the Grand River and over a portion of Pawnee Fork, Deer Creek, Elk Fork and Big Creek (in Missouri). I did not come in contact or see any bushwhackers, but had an abundance of evidence that there were quite a number in the country. On Pawnee Fork I found a bushwhacking encampment, consisting of flour, cooking utensils, clothing and one English carbine. The outward appearances of horses tracks indicated 15 in number and that they had been there for sometime. Within one-half of a mile from said encampment I found corn and oat straw, which I destroyed as well as their camp. I stopped at a house where Jim Weddington, a notorious bushwhacker, had stopped overnight with 22 men. I saw another man, Henry Hedge, who lives 5 miles from Harrisonville, in Missouri, who stated that 10 men took supper with him on last Wednesday night, who claimed to be a part of Dick Yeager's gang. I also received information from a reliable source that a Mrs. Wilson, who lives on Big Creek, was noted in that country for keeping bushwhackers. Stated on last Saturday night that 12 of Todd's men stayed at her house on Tuesday night previous; that they thought the abolitionists of Kansas thought the massacre of Lawrence was a terrible thing; that it was only a foretaste of what they would get this summer. While they were watching the front they would come on them in the rear.

You will recollect what you heard while here of Yeager and some of his men were seen out west on the Santa Fe road. From the above statement and having seen a number of fresh horse tracks working up those branches toward the Kansas line. I think it quite probable that they may be concentrating somewhere west on the Santa Fe Road for the purpose of interfering with the (wagon) trains going west or making a raid down through the state toward Missouri. At least, from the facts, I think they should be looked after in that direction.

Another idea I would suggest and think of great importance, that if the border counties of Missouri are not attached to the Department of Kansas, to issue special orders to the troops stationed at Pleasant Hill, Harrisonville, Clinton and Germantown to be more active.

They are living at these places, faring sumptuously and to all appearances doing nothing.

If the same order is issued to our troops at Santa Fe, Aubry and Coldwater grove to keep out scouting parties every day, from different commands, they can prevent a concentration in that direction, consequently, there would be no raid in Kansas from that direction [in Missouri]. I have other matters to call to your attention to which I will defer till my return.

Yours, Very Respectfully,

S. W. Carpenter, Scout Detective.

P.S. I have hurt myself so I will not be able to ride for four or five days. I wish to you to inform me by the bearer whether I shall remain here longer or return to Leavenworth.

S. W. Carpenter."

It is not known if General Rosecrans reacted to this report and note from General Curtis.

What is known is that the eggs were not com- pletely crushed and the "vipers" did come forth in the spring of 1864 to bite and fight once more and the deadly war went on!