Battlefield Dispatches No. 209: 'Sanctuary'

According to Mr. Webster, one definition of "sanctuary" is "A place giving refuge, asylum or immunity from arrest." Normally the use of this word refers to a church, temple or mosque or a reserved area where animals are protected and hunting is prohibited. By 1864, Confederate guerrillas in Missouri found their places of refuge or sanctuary being reduced by the increased number of Union patrols or scouts. In fact, on occasion the guerrillas would occasionally leave Missouri to find a bit of sanctuary in, of all places, bordering "Northern" states such as Iowa and Illinois. However, it didn't take the "Billy Yanks" very long to figure this out and they pursued the guerrillas into their new found safe haven. The following after action reports describe the successful Union pursuit of some bushwhackers in western Illinois and central Missouri. All of the reports are located on pages 651, 652, 872 and 882 in Vol. 34, Part I "Reports of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion."

"Farmington, Missouri, April 9, 1864.

Colonel: I have the honor to report in accordance with orders received from you to go to ILLINOIS to arrest certain GUERRILLAS AND HORSE THIEVES. I left Farmington on the 5th of April with 18 men and proceeded to Saint Genevieve, {Mo.], where I found the ferryboat out of order. I sent some men up the river several miles where they found a flatboat, which after working all night on, we succeeded in crossing the [Mississippi} River the next morning. Immediately on landing I arrested Landon Green, a guerrilla, one of [Sam] Hilderbrand's men. Proceeding 2 miles farther, at Carr's farm I arrested 3 other guerrillas. I then charged on Prairie Du Rocher, where I found the notorious John Hiley and his gang, who made for the bluffs in the rear of town, where they took a stand. After a short spirited fight we drove them from the bluff, killing Hiley and 2 others. The balance fled, and knowing the country succeeded in making their escape. We had only 1 man wounded. On my way back to the river 1 of the prisoners attempting to escape was shot by the guard. I returned to Farmington on the 7th instant.

H. B. MILKS,

CPT., 3rd Cavalry, Missouri State Militia.

"Macon, Missouri, April 13,1864.

General in obedience to your telegram of the 8th instant, informing me of the robbery at Brookfield I dispatched Sergt. Thomas J. Westly in charge of a squad at Laclede.

He started immediately on receipt of my dispatch in pursuit. He came up with the gang Monday night about 9 o'clock, in Chariton County; at the first fire our men killed 1 horse, the gang dispersed and our men pursued. Two of them were run into Elk Creek, which was swimming for horses and they may have drowned. He captured 3 prisoners, William Hickman, William Hines and Jackson Bazier, all DESPERATE MEN AND NOTED BUSHWHACKERS. The first took the Oath [of Allegiance] at Carrollton last summer, was a guide for a party of BUSHWHACKERS who robbed every Union man on Porche's Prairie. Sunday night last and shot one John Smith, a German and discharged soldier of my regiment. Hines was wounded by some of my men in a fight last June. Braizer was a member of Holtscitves' gang of guerrillas.

Mines was in the gang that shot Smith. With them were captured 5 horses, several recognized as having been stolen, 6 double-barreled shot-guns, 3 Colt revolvers, 3 Federal overcoats, 2 uniform coats and 1 Government saddle. The Sergeant had 4 soldiers and 7 citizens with him. He acted with great promptness and deserves much credit.

DAN. M. DRAPER

Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding."

"Warrensburg, Missouri; March 31, 1864.

Sir: Captain Burris and 47 men started on scout the 20th; wounded Colonel Jeans, captured 2 horses and some blankets, broke up one guerrilla camp in Jackson County; returned same day; traveled 25 miles. Captain Burris and 52 started on scout the 21st; returned the same day; traveled 35 miles.

March 26, started out two scouts; one under the command of Captain Burris, of 33 men, returned the 27th; traveled 40 miles; one under the command of Sergt. McClanahan, CoOmpany c, of 14 men, captured 1 horse. Killed 1 horse, captured 4 revolvers, 3 shotguns and 1 carbine all in Jackson County; returned the 27th; traveled 40 miles. March 29th, started out two scouts. One of 20 men under the command of Captain Moore, killed 1 guerrilla (supposed to be Bledsoe). Captured 1 horse and 2 revolvers in La Fayette County; returned the 30th; traveled 50 miles. One under the command of Captain Jackson, of 27 men, returned the 30th, traveled 50 miles. Aggregate number of miles traveled by the different scouts, 240 miles. Scouting done on horseback and by dismounting one-half of the men and sending them through the brush where to thick to ride.

MILTON BURRIS

Captain, Co. I, First Cav., Mo. State Militia, Comdg. Detachment."

Slowly, but surely the "Union" Missourians were reducing the "sanctuary" of the Confederate guerrillas in the brush, but the guerrilla's refuge would never be completely eliminated or occupied because there were too many acres and too few Yankees and of course the War Went ON!