Missouri Bushwhackers – Attacks Upon Kansas
The rugged borderlands between Kansas and Missouri, a region fraught with tension even before the first shots of the Civil War, became a breeding ground for a brutal form of conflict known as "bushwhacking." This irregular warfare, characterized by ambushes and raids, left an indelible mark on the landscape and its inhabitants. While the term "bushwhacker" could technically apply to combatants on both sides of the conflict, it was primarily associated with pro-slavery guerilla fighters who emerged from Missouri to terrorize Kansas. This article delves into the history of these Missouri Bushwhackers, their motivations, and the devastating attacks they launched upon Kansas.
The term "bushwhacker" itself paints a vivid picture. It evokes the image of a person intimately familiar with the terrain, comfortable navigating dense undergrowth, and capable of striking from hidden positions. The dictionary definition, "One accustomed to beat about or travel through bushes or one who lives in or frequents the woods," underscores this connection to the land. During the Civil War, Federal troops applied the term specifically to irregular Confederate soldiers engaged in guerrilla warfare. While "bushwhacker" and "guerrilla" were often used synonymously, a subtle distinction existed. The true bushwhacker typically operated in complete secrecy, relying on stealth and surprise, while the guerrilla often possessed the audacity to engage in more open confrontations.
Unlike regular soldiers, Missouri Bushwhackers operated largely outside the formal command structure of either the Union or Confederate armies. Their actions were often driven by a complex mix of political ideology, economic opportunity, and personal vendettas. In the years leading up to the Civil War, as Kansas struggled to decide whether to enter the Union as a free or slave state, these early bushwhackers participated in numerous raids and skirmishes. While some of their operations were carefully planned, most involved small-scale ambushes targeting individuals or families living in isolated rural areas. This decentralized and often opportunistic nature made them particularly difficult to combat.
The pre-Civil War period, known as "Bleeding Kansas," witnessed a series of violent clashes between Free-State advocates and pro-slavery factions. These conflicts served as a training ground for future bushwhackers and fueled the animosity that would erupt into full-scale warfare. Significant events during this period include the Wakarusa War in December 1855, a tense standoff that highlighted the deep divisions within the territory. The year 1856 was particularly volatile, marked by events such as the Sacking of Lawrence, a pro-slavery attack on the abolitionist stronghold; the Pottawatomie Massacre, John Brown’s retaliatory strike against pro-slavery settlers; the Battle of Black Jack, an early confrontation between Brown and pro-slavery forces; and numerous other skirmishes like the Battle of Franklin, Battle of Fort Saunders, Battle of Fort Titus, Battle of Osawatomie, and the Battle of Hickory Point. The culmination of this pre-war violence was the Marais des Cygnes Massacre in May 1858, a brutal attack by Missouri Bushwhackers that left five Free-State men dead.
As the Civil War began, the border region became even more chaotic. Guerrilla activity intensified, with some irregular soldiers siding with the Union, but the majority were secessionists. However, for many, the line between political conviction and simple plunder blurred. William Quantrill emerged as the most notorious guerrilla leader in western Missouri and Kansas. His name became synonymous with terror and brutality. Other prominent figures included Upton Hays, John Thrailkill, Coon Thornton, William "Bloody Bill" Anderson, Frank James, Cole Younger, Bill Todd, John Jarrette, George Shepherd, and Dick Yeager. While many of these men held no formal rank, their audacious and often ruthless actions earned them a place in history. They rode alongside Quantrill and other leaders, participating in raids and ambushes that spread fear throughout the region. The legacy of the Missouri Bushwhackers is intertwined with the names of these men.
Upton Hays initially commanded the "Partisan Rangers" in western Missouri before William Quantrill assumed leadership in 1862. Under Quantrill’s command, guerrilla gangs launched a series of devastating raids into Kansas. In September 1861, "Colonel" John Matthews led an attack on Humboldt, looting homes and businesses. Matthews returned to Humboldt in October, seeking revenge for his father’s death, further escalating the violence. Around the same time, the town of Gardner in Johnson County was also plundered. On March 7, 1862, Quantrill raided Aubry, a small town in Johnson County, killing three men and destroying property. In June, Bill Anderson led a raid as far west as Council Grove, killing two men and burning at least one house. Quantrill’s men terrorized Olathe on September 6th and 7th, 1862, stealing property. In October, they descended upon Shawnee in Johnson County, killing seven citizens. Before attacking Shawnee, Quantrill’s men ambushed a Santa Fe Trail wagon train, killing 15 members of the escort. "Colonel" Talbot revisited Humboldt in 1862, burning buildings, looting, and killing citizens.
On August 15, 1862, William Quantrill received a commission as a captain in the Confederate Army, commanding a company of 150 men. William C. Haller became first lieutenant, George Todd second lieutenant, and William H. Gregg third lieutenant. This commission, however, did little to curb the brutality of Quantrill’s operations.
In May 1863, John Jarrette, Cole Younger, and other minor guerrilla leaders joined Quantrill’s command. In May 1863, Dick Yeager ventured into Kansas along the Santa Fe Trail. On May 4, he camped near Council Grove. That night, he raided Diamond Springs, killing one man and wounding a woman.
On his return to Missouri, Yeager stopped at Rock Springs, a stage station near the border of Osage and Douglas Counties. There, he killed George N. Sabin, a soldier of Company K, Eleventh Kansas, who was returning to his regiment after leave.
Seven miles further down the road, Yeager’s men shot and seriously wounded David Hubbard before passing through Baldwin City and Black Jack, where they robbed the stage, and then returned to Missouri via Gardner, Kansas.
The most infamous act committed by the Missouri Bushwhackers was the Lawrence Massacre on August 21, 1863. William Quantrill led approximately 300 men in a brutal attack on Lawrence, a town known for its abolitionist sentiments and its support of the Jayhawkers. By the time Quantrill and his men left, more than a quarter of the buildings had been burned, banks and stores had been looted, and between 185 and 200 men lay dead. This act of unspeakable violence shocked the nation and further inflamed the already bitter conflict between Kansas and Missouri. The Missouri Bushwhackers left a legacy of destruction and sorrow.
Following the raid on Lawrence, Quantrill’s men passed through Brooklyn, causing further damage. On October 6, 1863, they massacred Federal troops at Baxter Springs. Other guerrilla attacks occurred near Mine Creek, forcing settlers to flee their homes, and at the towns of Potosi and Spring Hill.
By the fall of 1863, increased Union troop presence along the Kansas-Missouri border effectively suppressed large-scale guerrilla raids. However, the violence did not end there. Many of the men who had participated in bushwhacking, accustomed to violence and disillusioned by the Confederate defeat, turned to outlawry. Figures like Frank James, John Jarrette, Cole Younger, and George Shepherd continued to operate outside the law, further contributing to the lawlessness of the post-war era. The transition from bushwhacker to outlaw demonstrated the enduring impact of the conflict on these individuals and the region as a whole.
In conclusion, the Missouri Bushwhackers played a significant and devastating role in the history of the Kansas-Missouri border region. Their attacks on Kansas, fueled by political ideology, economic motives, and personal vendettas, left a lasting scar on the landscape and its people. The names of Quantrill, Anderson, James, and Younger remain synonymous with the violence and lawlessness of the era, serving as a reminder of the brutal realities of guerrilla warfare and the enduring consequences of the Civil War. The legacy of the Missouri Bushwhackers continues to be debated and remembered, a testament to the enduring impact of this turbulent period in American history.