Battlefield Dispatches No. 338: Blood on the ground

During the Civil War in the "Land of Misery," Union soldiers' nickname for Missouri. The pursuit of Confederate Guerrillas or Bushwhackers was often very frustrating because they appeared to be "phantoms of the day" as they disappeared into the brush only to reappear and fight once more.

One of the most famous -- or infamous guerrillas -- depending on your northern or southern persuasion, was William Clark Quantrill.

During the war Quantrill reached mythical status because of his ability to disappear and reappear.

He was a legend in his own time which continued after his death in 1865 to the present time. The following after-action report describes the elusive pursuit of Quantrill and several engagements after which he disappeared as a "Phantom of the Day."

The report is located on Pages 312-314 in Series I, Vol. 13 of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Camp Thomas,

Independence, Mo.; Oct. 8, 1862.

Sir: I have the honor to report that in pursuance of Orders No. 102, I proceeded to march, on the morning of the 5 instant, with my command, consisting of detachments from Company A, commanded by Lt. Bennett; Company B, Lt. Bixby; company D, Lieutenant Fairbrother and Company K, Lt. Dorey, amounting in all to 88 men rank and file.

On our march on the first day, about four miles from the town we arrested two men, supposed to be Bushwhackers. At the same place we captured two horses that were concealed in a corn field; thence marched to old man Pruett's a noted rebel. Not ascertaining anything in regard to the whereabouts of Quantrill and his band, I then scoured the country for about 15 miles in the neighborhood surrounding Blue Springs to old man Walker's where we encamped for the night, having yet learned nothing of the guerrillas.

On the morning of the 6th instant, I continued to scour the country between Fire Prairie Creek and Snibar in the direction of Sibley, constantly making inquiries in regard to Quantrill, Childs and their bands, but all efforts failing until within two miles of Sibley where we routed their pickets posted in a lane near William Hughes on the state road leading from Independence to Lexington. We also espied pickets posted on Big Hill near Sibley on the same road, which is one of the most prominent heights in this county. The number and position of their pickets indicated that there was a camp not far distant.

In order to ascertain its locality, I advanced on the Sibley Road in two columns, one from the north and the other from the northeast.

As we passed the residence of Mrs. Garrison, one mile from Sibley, we captured two horses with government equipment, that belonged to the Bushwhackers, they fleeing in a corn field for refuge. We concentrated at Sibley, having ascertained that the rebels were encamped at a mile about a half a mile from town reports varying from 150-300 strong and feeling confident that their force was too strong for me to attack, I sent you a dispatch for reinforcements, which you received.

According to my intentions, as stated in said dispatch, I started to take a position on Big Hill, distant 1 1/2 miles from town, there to await reinforcements.

While on the march to said height we met the enemy, commanded by Col. Childs and the guerrilla Quantrill, their force numbering, according to Col. Childs' statement), 130 men. They fired upon us and as usual, then fled to the brush. I dismounted my men and took to the brush in a like manner. Then almost a hand-to-hand fight ensued, which lasted about 40 minutes and not any of the time more than 40 yards apart, during which time we drove the rebels from the field, capturing Col. Childs (supposed to be mortally wounded), three horses and equipment and one cavalry saber.

I ordered my men to mount, which they did, on a double-quick. Being mounted, we started in pursuit, though cautiously as we passed through the brush. When we approached the prairie I thought pursuit was useless and I then returned to the battle ground to ascertain our loss.

On our arrival I found one killed and one mortally wounded, both of Company A; one of Company B, slightly wounded and many others with holes shot through their clothes and hats, which shows that they were standing close to their work.

My little band of officers and men (with the exception of two), conducted themselves like heroes, some of them brave even to desperation. Such gallantry I have never witnessed in my life and I must say that I never expected to. Both officers and men obeyed my commands with as much coolness and promptitude as though they were on their daily parade ground.

I very much (yes, it mortifies me) to report Sgt. Sheperson of Company D and private Harrison Thompson of Company B for deserting the field in the beginning of the fight.

The entire loss of the enemy is not known; but while we were making preparations to move our dead and wounded I learned from the ladies who had come up to learn the result of the fight that Quantrill was pressing buggies and carriages to convey his wounded.

From Col. Childs' own statement and the blood on the ground they must have suffered severely. They also stated that Quantrill was retreating in the direction of Lone Jack.

Our loss of property was heavy. Company A lost in killed, wounded and missing five horses and horse equipment and one contraband horse and equipment; Company D lost in killed, wounded and missing three horses and horse equipment; Company K lost in killed, wounded and missing two horses and horse equipment; Company B lost in missing one horse and horse equipment and lost one gun, caused by a shot from the rebels.

In order to mount the dismounted and convey the dead and wounded to this place, I pressed from William Hughes one buggy, one rockaway, nine carriages and a harness for each; from Mrs. Willis one horse; from Mrs. Garrison, one horse and buggy; from Mr. Mellin, one horse.

All this completed, I took up my line of march for this place.

After I had proceeded some five miles I met your reinforcements under the command of Capt. Vanzant. I then ordered the killed and wounded to be taken with sufficient force for safety to camp. I then countermarched with the command and scoured the country during the night in the neighborhood of Big Hill and Pink Hill, not finding the enemy.

Early in the morning we struck their trail and followed in pursuit until about 8 a.m., when we came upon their pickets, giving them a round of musketry and Capt. Johnson, ever ready with his battery (cannon), turned his little gun upon them and gave them a few canister (can with iron balls giving a deadly shotgun effect) which sent them off at the double-quick. We captured three horses and government horse equipment, one Savage revolver, cartridge box and belt.

We kept in hot pursuit over the hills and through the worst brush thickest that I ever saw, they scattering and concentrating alternately during the day, until we came within six miles of this place, where they changed direction, again pointing for another thicket. I then called a halt and assembled the officers for a consultation, upon which we almost unanimously agreed to return to camp for rest, as myself and men had been under a heavy march for three days and had only eaten three meals and our horses were almost exhausted from fatigue and light forage. We do not believe that guerrillas can ever be taken by pursuit; we must take them by strategy.

I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant,

Captain, Commanding Expedition."

Now then, Col. Childs, one of the guerrilla leaders was captured, some of his men were killed, but Quantrill and most of his men managed to escape and fight another day, and of course, the war went on!