Fox and hounds

Throughout the Civil War in Missouri, the "Union Hounds" were always pursuing the "Confederate Foxes" in an attempt to eradicate the enemy guerrillas and bushwhackers. The "Blue Bellies" never completely succeeded in this mission, but many famous or infamous Confederate guerrillas were killed. One of the most remembered and feared "Confederate Foxes" in Missouri and Kansas was William Clarke Quantrill who was eventually cornered and killed in, of all places, Kentucky. Quantrill's philosophy and practice was to "take no prisoners" which is evident in one of his early and lesser known attacks that is located on pages 347, 781 and 782 in Vol. 13 of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion and is edited as follows:

"Headquarters, Harrisonville, Mo., Nov. 5, 1862.

General,

On the morning of Nov. 3rd, I started the (wagon) train that I had brought from Sedalia, consisting of 13 wagons, drawn with oxen back to that place, with an escort of 22 men, under the command of Lieut. W.M. Newby of Co. G, 6th Regt. Cavalry, Mo. State Militia, which I considered perfectly safe, as I had no knowledge of any bands of the enemy in Bates County. (This was a fatal mistake and the results of this mistake caused the other to be placed "under arrest!") About 4 p.m., Lieut. Campbell reported to me that Quantrill, with 300 men, was marching down the divide between here and Rose Hill. I at once became apprehensive for the safety of the train, and started with 150 men in the direction of rose Hill, hoping to overtake the train and to intercept the enemy (foxes). I was, however, too late to save the train, as the enemy had taken it about the same time that I learned he (Quantrill) was in the country. He attacked the train in overwhelming numbers and from a position in which he was not discovered by Lieut. Newby until he was completely surrounded!

Lieut. Newby and 4 privates were captured (it was very rare for Quantrill to do this); 4 soldiers and 6 teamsters are known to be killed; 2 soldiers and 1 teamster were wounded and 4 soldiers are still unaccounted for. The indications are that these men were wounded and killed from pure maliciousness and after they had surrendered. The wagons were burned, but the oxen were saved.

I learned of the fate of the train before arriving to where it had been destroyed and immediately turned southward in pursuit of the enemy (foxes). I came upon his camp after traveling about 10 miles and immediately attacked him when he fled very precipitately, leaving some horses and I pursued with all possible speed, attacking his rear and succeeded in rescuing Lieut. Newby and 1 private, killing 6 and wounding 25 of the enemy; also captured 3 horses.

E. C. Catherwood Colonel, Commanding"

(NOTE: As a result of the destruction of the wagon train and his failure to provide an adequate escort to same, Col. Catherwood was placed "Under Arrest" and eventually released as there is no evidence that he was ever formally "Court- Martialed." However, his replacement at Harrisonville, described the aftermath of this attack as follows:)

"Headquarters Harrisonville, Mo., November 6, 1862.

To Colonel Penick, Independence, Mo.:

Colonel: since writing you last Col. Catherwood has returned without accomplishing anything, not even killing the 2 men I wrote you about before. He came on Quantrill encamped for the night in a little grove of about 5 acres of timber, with prairie in all directions for 10 miles around, but he (Catherwood) so managed as to let them all get away without killing a single man (fox).

Twelve of the men murdered by Quantrill when the train was captured were buried to-day with the honors of war! Most of them were teamsters, who were unarmed at the time they were killed; all of them, but one were shot through the head, showing conclusively that they were murdered after they were taken prisoners. It was a shocking affair, sending so large a train with an escort of but 20 men. 15 wagons were piled up and burned, the cattle (oxen) unyoked and turned loose, but have not yet been found.

They pursed Quantrill and his forces within 10miles of Pleasant Gap, near which place Cockrell is represented to be with about 700 men (foxes). I think it highly probable that the whole force under Cockrell and Quantrill will return and attempt to take Harrisonville and other such points as are most exposed. Quantrill was re-enforced last Sunday with 33 Enrolled (Mo.) Militia, with new guns and fixtures complete. A Negro (probably a servant) captured from Quantrill says they are from the north side of the (Mo.) river. Lieut. Newby verifies the same statement; says he saw the men and guns with his own eyes. All the small bands that have infested Jackson and La Fayette counties have joined Quantrill which swells his force to about 300 and leaves the above-named counties clear of any rebel force.

Your Obedient Servant,

Col. Philip A. Thompson

5th Cavalry, Mo. State Militia, Commanding."

This was another false Blue Belly assumption, as other "Confederate Foxes" continued to successfully hunt and plague the "Union Hounds" throughout Missouri for the duration of the war. Future columns will focus on the "Fox and Hounds" of both sides.