Battlefield Dispatches No. 211: 'Swarming Bushwhackers'

In the Spring of each year, during the Civil War, the Confederate and Union Guerrillas awoke from their partial winter hibernation to conduct their special type of warfare with a vengeance. Depending on the weather, guerrilla activity increased with the coming of the leaves in springtime. This being the middle of March and the month of April in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. The Union commanders in eastern Kansas and the entire state of Missouri knew this was going to happen and tried to prepare for the eventual onslaught as best as they could and often asked for reinforcements, especially "Cavalry" for their respective commands. The following letter describes the situation faced by Major Charles W. Blair on April 25, 1863 in Fort Scott, Kansas and is located on Pages 248 and 249 in Series I, Vol. 22. Part II Correspondence in the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

"Headquarters,

Fort Scott, Kansas, April 25, 1863.

Major General James G. Blunt,

Commanding: District of Kansas, Fort Leavenworth:

General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 22nd instant, directing me to send all the mounted forces of Fort Scott that can be spared to Humboldt & points west & south of that place.

I received also, a few days since, a dispatch from Captain Doudna & a letter from Mr. Thurston, of Humboldt, asking for assistance & re-enforcements. The tenor of these letters showed considerable alarm, but upon questioning the express messenger I was inclined to think that perhaps their apprehensions had some what exaggerated the danger, as but 6 or 7 persons had been seen & they seemed to be engaged in a stealing & robbing expedition. But whether the danger was imminent or not, I could not render any assistance. Of the 3 cavalry companies stationed here, I could only raise about 130 or 140 mounted men as an escort to the [supply] train [that] I started to Colonel Phillips [at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory] on the 8th instant. The escort was not as large as it should have been, especially in view of the fact, now shown, that the train will have to go to Fort Gibson. I have not a mounted man left. I tried to mount 3 men to send out to capture deserters, a few days since, but could not get the horses. There is to be sure, Captain Stevens Company at Morris Mill, on Drywood, [12 miles southeast of Fort Scott], numbering 50 or 60 men for duty, but that is such an important outpost that I do not think it safe to weaken or break it up. They also are short of horses & cannot mount probably more than 40 men. They are all that could be sent & they cannot be spared.

I trust you will let me know your wishes in the matter as soon as possible; meantime hold me blameless in not sending off this company until I know you certainly desire it. I enclose to you a letter from Dr. Dodge, who resides on the Osage [River], near McNeils. It seems to me that a company of the 9th [Ks. Vol. Cavalry] in that region would do good service, not only to the loyal citizens there, but to the troops elsewhere, in the information they would be able to furnish of the movements of the WANDERING BANDS of BUSHWHACKERS that INFEST the BORDER. Major Henning promised me he would urge upon your favorable consideration the importance of increasing the cavalry force at this post [Fort Scott]. It is utterly insufficient for present purposes. Last summer the headquarters of the department were here & the enemy was concentrating for a decisive blow against your entire force. Now he, [the enemy], is demoralized and scattered, he will split up his force into small bands and as there is nothing here but the garrison, it will be impossible to give such protection as should be given to exposed citizens without an additional force. We should have at least 3 or 4 Missouri companies of cavalry. Two should be constantly engaged in scattering, for as soon as the LEAVES ARE OUT the BUSHWHACKERS WILL BE SWARMING through the country! I do hope you will think of this matter favorably & let me have the additions as soon as practicable.

I have the honor to be. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHARLES W. BLAIR,

Major, 2nd Kansas Cavalry Volunteers, Commanding Post."

Now then, when the leaves came out, did the BUSHWHACKERS swarm throughout the country as Major Blair predicted they would? Yes, they did, raising as much havoc and devastation as they possibly could. Did Major Blair receive all of the reinforcements he requested? No, he did not! He received some additional troops that were used mostly to escort the supply trains heading south to Fort Gibson and of course the WAR WENT ON!