Daring and Despicable Deeds

Sometimes during the Civil War, or in any war for that matter, soldiers of one side would commit acts of daring and some on occasion would commit criminal acts that would normally been attributed to the enemy. Such are the incidents described in the following after action reports that are located in Series I, Volume 22, Part I, Reports, Page 613 and Part II, Correspondence, Page 542 in the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Deeds of Daring!

"September 6, 1863: Attack on [supply] train between Fort Scott, Kansas and Carthage, Missouri.

Carthage, Mo., September 9, 1863.

[To;] C. G. Laurant,

Assistant Adjutant General.

General: I have the honor of informing you for the information of the commanding general that on the 2nd day of September I sent 2 men from Company L & 2 men from Company M, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry to form an escort for Joel P. Hood to Fort Scott on official business. They transacted their business and started back to this post & overtook 4 wagons loaded with dry goods & groceries, bound for this post. They traveled together till within 8 miles of this place. On the 6th day of September they were attacked by a largely superior force of the enemy, who succeeded in capturing 2 wagons and killing 1 man belonging to Company A 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry, under the command of Major

Edward B. Eno. He had been home on furlough and was on his return to his command; his name was Ross. They captured 3 prisoners, 1 soldier from Company M, the other 2 citizens. They tried to take the other two wagons, but could not succeed. News was sent to camp for re-enforcements, which arrived in the quickest of time & gave them chase, coming up with them about one half hour before sundown. We recaptured the 2 wagons and 2 of the prisoners and killed 3 rebels and wounded some more. Our loss in the retaking of the wagons ____. I never saw troops display such courage & determination as the men under my command; both officers and men seemed striving to excel each other in DEEDS of DARING. Mr. Joel P. Hood killed the rebel

Captain, Turk, and wounded several others. They still retain 1 of my men prisoner and we have 1 of theirs. We aim to exchange with them for the man they have of ours. Half belonged to Colonel Coffee and the others are deserters. They are more numerous at this time than any time I have been here. They made an attempt to capture our wagon train yesterday, but were driven off into their favorite cover, the BRUSH. Their loss is not known. I have no further reliable news from Captain Rusk regarding his surrender.

The party that attacked the train last Sunday was under the command of Meadows. I had forgotten to state I had 1 of my men wounded in their onset on the wagons & he has since died.

So no more, but remain, your obedient servant,

MIETON BURCH

Captain, Commanding Post at Carthage, Mo."

DESPICABEE DEEDS

"Post Cape Girardeau, Mo.,

September 18, 1863.

General Fisk, Commanding:

A.J. Youngman reports outrageous excesses committed by a party of the ["Union"] 6th Missouri Cavalry, near Sikeston. Jackson Whaley was MURDERED in his own house. Mr. Youngman's store was ROBBED. He was shot at and violence was otherwise offered. Citizens are in great fear of life & property. No officer was with them. I am convinced, general, that these men are a TERROR to the country. Many citizens are KILLED and ROBBED by them.

J.B.ROGERS,

Colonel Commanding."

"Cape Girardeau, Mo., September 18, 1863.

General Fisk Commanding:

The informant said Major Montgomery would protect them, but these HEEL-HOUNDS threatened them with DEATH if they told him. The major does all he can, but no one helps him. Gillette will tell you how it goes. I have ordered Major Montgomery to ARREST the ROBBERS and MURDERERS in his own interest as well as that of the citizens. These men STRAGGLE [fall behind] and PLUNDER whenever they are out without him. I dread the report when they come in from the Osceola trip.

J. B. ROGERS,

Colonel Commanding."

"Cape Girardeau, Mo., September 18, 1863.

Major Montgomery, Bloomfield:

Is Sergeant Kelly at your post now? If so, ARREST him, and find what was the name of the soldier who tried to shoot Mr. Youngman at Sikeston on the 15th. Also find who killed Mr. Whaley just before and who ROBBED the store of Mr. Youngman. ARREST all whom you find implicated in those MURDERS & ROBBERIES! The citizens report terrible outrages by your menwhile over there.

J.B.ROGERS,

Colonel Commanding."

It is not known if the culprits who committed the latter MURDERS AND ROBBERIES were ever apprehended, but the following MUTINEERS were captured and punished accordingly!

"Headquarters Department of the Missouri,

Saint Louis, September 18, 1863.

Special Orders No. 255.

V. The emergency for which the 10th & 11th Provisional Regiments of Enrolled Missouri Militia were called into active service having passed, they will be discharged from further service, except the MUTINEERS of the 11th Regiment who will be CONFINED at HARD LABOR until further orders.

VI. The LEADING MUTINEERS of the 11th Provisional Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, to be selected by the commanding officer of the regiment, will BE CONFINED in the MILITARY PRISON and tried by a General Court Martial. All others engaged in the mutiny will be sent under guard to Rolla, Mo., where they will be confined at hard labor until further orders.

IX. Brigadier General William K. Strong, commanding Saint Louis District, will see that a sufficient guard is sent to the boat to take charge of the mutineers of the 111 Provisional Regiment Enrolled Mo. Militia, conduct them to the [railroad] cars & escort them to Rolla, where they will be delivered to Brig. Gen. Thomas A Davies, Commanding District of Rolla. General Davies, on receipt of the prisoners, will forthwith put them at HARD LABOR, under a strong guard, on the blockhouses and other fortifications now being erected at that point.

By command of Major General Schofield:

FRANK ENO,

Assistant Adjutant General."

Now, then, daring deeds of heroism and despicable deeds of murder, robbery and mutiny all occurred in the Civil War and were committed by soldiers of both the Blue and the Gray and, of course, the War Went On!