Battlefield Dispatches No. 202: 'Robbing the mail'

During the Civil War in Missouri, delivery of the U.S. "Civilian" Mail and "Military" Mail were often successfully disrupted by the Confederate Guerrillas (Partisan Rangers and Bushwhackers). This was accomplished by stopping and stealing the mail from commercial carrier vehicles such as stage coaches or military couriers. Eventually the Union forces became wiser and smarter by providing larger military escorts to protect the mail carriers and the number of attacks were reduced, but never completely eliminated.

Pursing the robbers was often futile and frustrating, but the chase was occasionally successful. The following correspondence and after action report notifies Departmental Headquarters and a field area of a mail robbery and describes the describes an unsuccessful search and pursuit of some BUSHWHACKER "mail robbers" near Salem, Missouri and is located on Pages 313, 323 - 326 in Series I, Vol. 34, Part II, Correspondence in the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

"Camp Johnson, February 12,1864.

General Sanborn: A number of BUSHWHACKERS attacked the stage escort this morning & a sharp fight ensued, the particulars of which I have not yet learned, more than that I have 3 men wounded in camp & 1 man missing. His whereabouts is not known as yet. The commander of the escort is one of the wounded. The number of BUSHWHACKERS is variously stated at from 25 to 35 men. As to what has become of the stage & horses I have not yet learned. There are some 55 men after them now, but whether they will be able to overtake them I cannot tell, but suffice it to say if the Lieutenant does come up with them & they stand to fight, there will be more than 3 wounded men to take care of. So, no more until I get the particulars of the fight.

JOHN T. WILSON

Capt. Co, D, 8th Cavalry, Missouri State Militia."

"Springfield, Missouri, February 13,1864.

Major 0. D. Green,

Assistant Adjutant General, Saint Louis, Mo.:

All the mail that left Saint Louis the morning of the 10th for this place was taken by a band of guerrillas near Waynesville yesterday morning. All orders & communications forwarded by that mail should be duplicated.

JOHN B. SANBORN

Brigadier General, Commanding."

"Headquarters Department of Southwest Missouri,

Springfield, February 13,1864.

Lieut. Col. Brutsche, Commanding, Lebanon, Mo.,

Colonel: The passengers arriving in the stage this morning inform me that the stage was robbed yesterday near Waynesville. I desire you to send at least 60 men of your command east of the Gasconade [River] & scout the country thoroughly on all sides of the stage road, moving into the region where the enemy are. I think that they would accomplish more by moving at least a portion of them on foot. Have them prepared for a 40 days scout; let them draw their rations at the Gasconade. For the purpose of field operations. Captain Wilson will report to & receive orders from you. The section of the country between the Gasconade & Waynesville must be cleaned out [of guerrillas]. Do it if you have to put a man under every bush.

JOHN B. SANBORN

Brigadier General, Commanding."

"Hdqrs. Detach. 5th Missouri State Militia Cav.,

Salem, Mo., February 14,1864.

Captain J. Lovell,

Asst. Adj. Gen. District of Rolla, Rolla, Mo.

Captain: In accordance with the orders I have the honor to transmit to you the following report of scouts & escorts: On the 6th instant I sent Sergt. Stephen Alt & 5 men of Company C & 3 men of Company M, 5th Cavalry, M.S.M., on a scout in the direction of Little Piney.

They struck a trail of a squad of BUSHWHACKERS. They followed their trail across the Rolta & Houston Road. They found a very deep sink (depression) where some 5 had camped a night or two previous. They followed their trail on farther & found several more camping places in two large caves. They say they have sufficient proof that D. P. Neport, a man who has taken the OATH of ALLIGEANCE, in 1861, is often seen with the BUSHWHACKERS and assists them in conveying goods from Rolla to the most NOTORIOUS REBELS that reside in this country. They returned to camp traveling a distance of 80 miles.

On the 9th instant, I sent 1 corporal & 6 men of Co. M, 5th Cavalry, M. S. M. in pursuit of 5 BUSHWHACKERS that had robbed the mail & stripped the mail boy of horse & equipment. They followed their trail until they scattered and SET THE WOODS ON FIRE BEHIND THEM so they could not trail them any farther; returned to camp, traveling a distance of 60 miles. [Now that was an interesting & successful tactic using "FIRE" to "COVER THEIR TRACKS""]

On the 10th instant I sent Sergt. Stephen Alt & 5 men of Company C & 5 men of Company M, 5th Cavalry, M. S. M., on a scout to Little Piney. They struck their trail about 18 miles from here, which they pursued in various directions through the woods until night. In the morning they pursued their trail to Bee Creek, where they lost their trail & could not ascertain any further information in regard to their movements.

On the 12 instant, they learned of where another band had camped, then received information that they had gone north. They proceeded to reconnoiter the woods, hoping to intercept them on their retreat, but failed in the act & not being able to ascertain any further information, they returned to camp, traveling a distance of 180 miles.

All quiet in this vicinity & no large force of the enemy near, but there are a great MANY BUSHWHACKERS around PLUNDERING & STEALING HORSES. I have 3 scouts (patrols) out that will be in tomorrow. I will do my utmost to keep you posted in all rebel movements. I wish you would send me a (supply) train of forage [hay & grain for horses & mules] & escort, as I need all my men to scout & keep lookout. I do not think that there is any large force near, but great deal of sign, which indicates that there may be a force not far off. There were 3 guerrillas attacked old man McCarty on the night of the 13th instant. Mr. McCarty placed himself behind the door & when they approached the door, HE BLAZED AWAY AT THEM, KILLING 1 & the remainder took to their heels. I sent out a scout which trailed them for several miles in a Southward direction.

Captain, I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,

LEVI E. WHYBARK

Captain, Commanding Detachment."

Now then, according to this correspondence and report the "Mail Robbers" managed to get away to rob the mail another day. The Blue Bellied Billy Yanks in Missouri traveled or chased the bushwhacking mail robbers more than 320 futile and frustrating miles, more mails were robbed and of course the War Went On!