Battlefield Dispatches No. 200: 'Covering their tracks'

During the Civil War, Scouts, Spies, Bushwhackers, Partisan Rangers and Guerrillas became experts at "covering their tracks." According to one of my best literary friends, Mr. Webster's Dictionary (I would be lost without one); the 9th definition of "Cover" is to "hide or conceal from view." Therefore all of the previous mentioned soldiers did indeed cover their tracks which was conducive to their survival and longevity, because their occupation was hazardous, fraught with danger and one mistake or track left uncovered would often lead to their DEATH.

This column contains the report of a Union Scout/Spy in Missouri who successfully infiltrated a party of Bushwhackers and has some interesting observations on how they COVERED THEIR TRACKS'

The report is located on Page 244 in Series I, Vol. 34, Part II, Correspondence of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

"Headquarters Post of Houston, Mo.

Houston, February 4,1864.

Captain: I have the honor to report to you the following statement made by J.B.

Left Houston January 26, 1864 & went in the direction of Thomasville.

When about 15 miles this side of Thomasville, I was halted by Evan's men; they told me that the Federals were coming down to move Beatty's family. I staid that night at Wallace's on Eleven Points River, 8 miles this side of Thomasville. Evan's men were guarding the road. The next morning I proceeded in the direction of Thomasville. When about 2 miles distant 3 men ordered me to halt & after a careful & through investigation they were satisfied that I was a recruiting officer & as good as they were SECESH (of the Southern Persuasion)!

I asked them were Coleman (a notorious Partisan Ranger/Bushwhacker) was. They said I must go with them to see Captain Evans, who was about half a mile from the road; that Coleman was coming up to the relief of the people.

Captain Evans said that Coleman intended to come up & destroy the (supply) trains between Rolla & Houston & that they intended to hold the country till HELL FROZE OVER! He said the Federals who come in here again will never get out again. Evans told me where I could find Coleman. I went South & found Coleman at a place called Ash Flats, feeding his horses, with about 120 men, 100 of whom were Campbeirs men. Coleman was on his way north. He told me that he sent 75 men which they have been recruiting after their horses & they were to meet him somewhere on the Eleven Points River. Coleman left about one hour by sun, p.m., & travelling all night stopped at a place about 25 miles from Alton. There Coleman got a dispatch stating that the Federals from Batesville, [Ark.] had captured all his horses & the men he had sent after them. Coleman then went back', leaving Campbell with a few men to guard the pack-mules, saying he would get his horses back if he had to go to Batesville. I then left in the direction of Thomasville. I found Evans & McCulloch, each with about 30 men, were in the advance of Coleman. They are REGULAR BUSHWHACKERS & keep away from the Confederate soldiers. They are now scattered through Dent & Texas Counties. They are very cautious in their marching. When they cross a road they find a rocky place which will LEAVE NO TRACK or otherwise spread their blankets down & PASS OVER THEM! I received information that at a place near Thomasville, called Gulf, there was secreted a large amount of corn which they have for the purpose of feeding their stolen horses.

Very Respectfully, your obedient servant,

RICHARD MURPHY,

Captain, Commanding Post."

Now then who was the Scout /Spy with the initials of J.B? If his full name was known, it has been lost in the pages of history. Any scout /spy who survived one or more missions had to have an excess of Bravado and Blarney. If he or she did not, their career would abruptly end in a long violent death and of course the War Went On!