William Quantrill
Known for his excessive brutality, William Clarke Quantrill lead one of the most significant groups of guerilla fighters in the Civil War. His men, Quantrill's raiders, aided Quantrill in many attacks upon Union patrols, camps, and settlements. Possibly seen as his most significant raid, his attack on Lawrence Kansas led to the slaughter of many Unionist sympathizers, citizens, and federal officers. Taking place in the early morning hours of August 21, 1863, Quantrill surprised the citizens of the sleeping town. After more than four hours of slaughter, the town was nothing more than a pile of dust. Eventually, Quantrill's power over his men withered away, where George Todd was elected by his men as their new leader. Soon after, On June 6th, 1865, Quantrill was shot through the spine, and transported to a military prison where he died.
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Col. John Singleton Mosby-The Gray Ghost
Mosby led a group of partisan rangers known as the Battalion Virginia Calvary. His group eluded the Union army for two years in Virginia, and as a result Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley eventually became known as "Mosby's Confederacy". But, his greatest feat was yet to come. disguised as a Union citizen, Mosby ran into General Edwin Stoughton, and convinced Stoughton to drink with him. Near sunrise, the General was sent to his quarters, quietly followed by Mosby. As Stoughton fell asleep, Mosby swiftly captured the General, an accomplishment unheard of at that time. He then finished out the war, but was arrested and pardoned in 1866. Fifty years later, Mosby died, and not a violent death similar to his Confederate comrades.
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Frank and Jesse James
The James brothers grew up in Missouri. Their family sympathized with the Confederate states, and before long both brothers were participating in guerrilla warfare. The brothers participated in raids led by "Bloody Bill" Anderson, and eventually James and Jesse's actions resulted in the exile of their entire family. Following the end of the war, the two united with Cole Younger, another bushwhacker, and founded the James-Younger outlaw gang. Although the gang looted and pillaged through country for over twenty years, neither of the two brothers ever served a sentence. Daniel Smoote filed a civil case against the two brothers claiming they stole a horse, saddle, and bridle after fleeing the scene of the Daviess County Savings Bank robbery where Jesse James murdered the bank owner John Sheets. Neither brothers showed up for trial, and Smoote won the case. The state of Missouri indicted both Frank and Jesse for stabbing, shooting, and ultimately killing John Sheets, but the two escape unscathed. Many court record files show complaints and charges against the brothers, however, the two appear to have been untouchable. On April 3, 1882, Jesse James was shot and killed by Robert Ford. Several months after his untimely death, Jesse's brother Frank attempted to turn himself into authorities. However, after being acquitted from two trials, Frank James began working as a farmer and did not die until the winter of 1915.
William "Bloody Bill" Anderson
At the age of 23, Anderson became involved with prominent bushwhackers such as William Quantrill and the James brothers. His interest in guerrilla warfare was brought about by a group of Jayhawkers who murdered his father and uncle. Two days later, Anderson joined Quantrill's raiders, seeking revenge for the murder of his father. His brutal demeanor quickly sent him through the ranks, and soon he was captain of the raiders. Anderson's violent raids made his name well-known among Union soldiers. Specifically, on September 27th, Anderson and his men murdered twenty-five federal soldiers who were riding on a federal supply train. It is believed that this was an act of vengeance for men that were shot and killed by federal soldiers one month prior. Eventually, Anderson's attacks ended when he was fatally shot in action. Union soldiers defiled his body and then buried it in the Old Cemetary of Richmond, Missouri.
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