Archie Clement – Confederate Guerilla and Outlaw
Archibald J. Clement, a name that echoes through the annals of Civil War and post-war Missouri, remains a figure shrouded in both infamy and intrigue. Known as "Little Arch" or "Little Archie," Clement carved a brutal path through history as a Confederate guerrilla leader, notorious for his ruthless treatment of Union soldiers and civilians sympathetic to the Union cause. His story is one of unwavering allegiance to the Confederacy, a thirst for vengeance, and a descent into outlawry that solidified his place in the turbulent landscape of the American West. The life of Archie Clement is one that remains a subject of intense historical interest.
Born on January 1, 1846, in Moniteau County, Missouri, Archibald J. Clement’s early life offered little indication of the violent trajectory he would later pursue. As the Civil War erupted, Missouri found itself deeply divided, a border state torn between Union and Confederate sympathies. It was amidst this volatile environment that young Clement embraced the Confederate cause.
In 1861, at the tender age of 15, Archie Clement joined the ranks of Confederate guerrillas under the command of Captain William "Bloody Bill" Anderson, a notorious bushwhacker known for his extreme tactics. Despite his youth and diminutive stature – reportedly weighing only 130 pounds and standing just over five feet tall – Clement quickly proved to be a formidable fighter. He compensated for his lack of size with exceptional marksmanship, particularly with pistols, and an unwavering fearlessness that bordered on recklessness. These qualities rapidly propelled him through the ranks, earning him a lieutenant’s commission by the age of 17.
Anderson’s band of guerrillas operated outside the conventional rules of warfare, engaging in raids, ambushes, and acts of sabotage against Union forces and their supporters. Clement quickly became a prominent figure in Anderson’s operations, participating in some of the most brutal and controversial events of the war in Missouri and Kansas.
One such event was the raid on Lawrence, Kansas, in August 1863. Led by William Quantrill, Anderson’s unit, including Archie Clement, descended upon the unsuspecting town, unleashing a wave of violence that left approximately 150 men dead and the town largely destroyed. The raid was ostensibly a reprisal for Union attacks on pro-Confederate settlements in Missouri, but it was characterized by its indiscriminate brutality and disregard for civilian lives. Clement’s role in the Lawrence massacre remains a subject of historical debate, but his presence among the raiders is well-documented.
Another infamous episode in which Clement participated was the Centralia Massacre in Missouri in September 1864. Anderson’s guerrillas ambushed a train carrying Union soldiers, members of the 23rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry. The guerrillas robbed and then brutally murdered the majority of the unarmed soldiers. This act, along with the Lawrence raid, cemented Anderson’s and Clement’s reputations as ruthless and merciless fighters.
On October 26, 1864, William "Bloody Bill" Anderson was killed in an ambush by Union forces. With Anderson gone, the leadership of his guerrilla band fell to the young Archie Clement. Despite his age, Clement assumed command and continued to harass Union forces in the region until the end of the war.
The official end of the Civil War in April 1865 did little to quell the bitterness and resentment that festered in the hearts of many former Confederates, including Clement. Unwilling to accept defeat and embittered by the loss of the Confederacy, he refused to lay down his arms and instead turned to a life of outlawry.
In the post-war period, Missouri remained a hotbed of political and social unrest. Former Confederates faced discrimination and disenfranchisement, while Unionists sought to consolidate their power. Against this backdrop, Clement continued to defy the authorities, using intimidation and violence to influence elections and disrupt the Reconstruction process. He quickly became a wanted man, with a price on his head.
It was during this time that Archie Clement became associated with a group of outlaws that would later become known as the James-Younger Gang. Though the exact nature of his involvement remains debated, some historians believe that Clement was the initial leader of the gang, playing a pivotal role in its formation and early activities.
On February 13, 1866, a group of armed men stormed the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri, making off with over $60,000 in cash and bonds. The robbery, considered the first daylight-armed bank robbery in U.S. history, shocked the nation and marked a turning point in the escalating violence in Missouri. During the escape, gunfire erupted, resulting in the death of an innocent 17-year-old boy.
Although never definitively proven, Missouri authorities strongly suspected Archie Clement of leading the Liberty bank robbery. A reward was offered for his capture, but Clement remained elusive, continuing his criminal activities. On October 30, 1866, he allegedly led the gang in robbing the Alexander Mitchell and Company Bank in Lexington, Missouri, escaping with approximately $2,000.
Clement’s reign as an outlaw leader was short-lived. On December 13, 1866, he was confronted by the Missouri State Militia in Lexington, Missouri. In the ensuing shootout, Archie Clement was killed. He was just 20 years old.
Archibald J. Clement was buried in the Arnold Cemetery in Wellington, Missouri. His brief but eventful life left an indelible mark on the history of the American West. He remains a controversial figure, viewed by some as a courageous Confederate patriot and by others as a ruthless outlaw and murderer. Regardless of one’s perspective, there is no denying the significant role he played in the turbulent years following the Civil War.
The story of Archie Clement serves as a stark reminder of the enduring legacy of the Civil War and the challenges of Reconstruction. His life, marked by violence, loyalty, and defiance, continues to fascinate and provoke debate, ensuring his place in the legends of the American frontier.