Spoils of War

"Spoils of War" refers to any property or territory that is taken by force and captured during war. In the Civil War, this was also called "contraband property" and was usually turned over to the Quartermaster Department to be repaired, issued or sold at a public auction to raise funds for the war effort. However, the following letter is a request to dispose of the remaining "Spoils of War" of "Bloody Bill Anderson" who was one of the most famous or infamous Confederate guerrillas from Missouri. Anderson's property was divided up between the soldiers and families of the "Union" 33rd and 51st Enrolled Missouri Militia Regiments who killed "Bloody Bill".

This was not and still is not unusual in war, because "To the victor goes the spoils."

St. Louis, Mo., November 30, 1864.

General: The Enrolled Militia lately under my command have captured considerable property and turned most of it over to the U.S. Quartermaster at St. Joseph, Mo. There is still in their possession a few horses, some revolvers and some $500 in money. The militia that were called out in July last left their harvests to rot in the field and many of them have remained in active service until the present and have of course, had no chance to provide for next year by sowing wheat this fall.

Many are poor and have families to provide for. I respectfully ask you to issue an order permitting me or some other officer to ascertain such meritorious militiamen as have lost horses in battle, or in active service and to present such few horses not yet turned over to the Quartermaster. The number will be less than 20, probably not more than 10. In the fight in which Bill Anderson was defeated and killed some five or six of the militia were wounded, one of whom died a day or two afterward, leaving a mother in destitute circumstances; one other was badly wounded in the arm and the arm is paralyzed and will probably remain so. I gave the mare of Bill Anderson to Lieut. Col. S. P. Cox, who commanded in the fight (subject of course to any order you might make in the premises). There are still in the hands of the officers who commanded, four revolvers, two watches, and about $500 in gold and greenbacks (paper currency) which I hope, General, you will feel authorized to dispose of as follows: Give the gold watch to Major Grimes, who was second in command; the silver watch and revolvers to such officers and men as Colonel Cox and Major Grimes shall indicate as most deserving and the money, in such proportions as may (be) deemed right, to those who were wounded in the fight.

I need not remind the General commanding, that the militia have served almost without pay.

Cox was in command at my request without a commission, because I believed he would find and whip Anderson. The Government issued him a commission today as Lieutenant Colonel, which I will carry to him.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

James Craig, Brigadier Gen. E.M.M.

Note: Gen Rosecrans responded to this request by writing the following note on the back of Gen. Craig's letter.

The following report describes the killing of "Bloody bill Anderson" and is a companion to the "Spoils of War."

General Craig: Richmond, Missouri, Oct. 27, 1864.

Dear Sir: We have the honor to report the result of our expedition on yesterday (Oct. 26) against the notorious bushwhacker William T. Anderson and his forces, near Albany, in the southwest corner of this county.

Learning his whereabouts we struck camp on yesterday morning and made a forced march and came in contact with their pickets about a mile this side of Albany; drove them in and through Albany and into the woods beyond.

We dismounted our men in the town, threw our forces into the woods beyond, (an ambush was now set) and sending a cavalry advance who engaged the enemy and fell back, when Anderson and his fiendish gang, about 300 strong, raised the Indian (Rebel) yell and came in full speed upon our lines, shooting and yelling as they came.

Our lines held their position without a break. The notorious bushwhacker, Anderson, and one of his men, supposed to be Captain Rains, son of General Rains, charged through our lines. Anderson was killed and fell some 50 steps in our rear receiving two balls (bullets) in the side of his head. Rains made his escape and their forces retreated in full speed, being completely routed; our cavalry pursued them some 10 miles, finding the road strewn with blood for miles. We hear of them scattered in various directions, some considerable force of them making their way toward Richfield, in Clay County.

We captured on Anderson private papers and orders from General (Sterling) Price that helped identify him beyond a doubt.

I have the honor to report that my officers and men conducted themselves well and fought bravely on the field. We had four men wounded and lost none.

The forces of my command consisted of a portion of Major Grimes of Ray County, 51st Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia and a portion of the 33rd Enrolled Missouri Militia from Davis and Caldwell Counties.

Respectfully Yours

S. P. Cox Lieut. Col. Comdg. 33rd Regt enrolled Mo. Militia.

Indeed, in this instance, "To the victors went the spoils."