Jayhawkers 'jayhawked'

Today, when one hears or sees the word Jayhawks, it normally refers to the mascot of the University of Kansas. However, during the Civil War "jayhawk" and its' derivatives had very distinct and different meanings. As a noun, jayhawk, jayhawks or jayhawkers normally referred to Union soldiers from Kansas. It was also used to identify civilian outlaws in Kansas and Missouri who robbed and murdered indiscriminately. These civilian jayhawkers /outlaws had no political allegiance attacked, robbed and killed civilians and soldiers in both Missouri and Kansas. They were often referred to, but were not the infamous "Kansas Redlegs." The "Kansas Redlegs" were normally, but not always, former Union soldiers who became outlaws or were Kansas soldiers still serving in the Union Army. To add to this confusion, "jayhawking" or "jayhawked" was also an action verb that referred to the act of robbing or murdering anyone or stealing anything! Therefore jayhawkers, the perpetrators, when apprehended could be robbed -- Jayhawked -- of their stolen property or killed!

The following after action report describes the pursuit of some Kansas Jayhawkers who had committed acts of "jayhawking" in both Kansas and Missouri were killed and captured in Kansas by "Union soldiers from Missouri!

Fort Leavenworth, Kan., January 28, 1862.

In pursuance of Special Orders No. 57, I left Fort Leavenworth with my comm at 2 o'clock p.m. on the 20th January, 1862, and proceeded to Atchison, (Kan), where I arrived at 8 p.m. of the same day. I reported immediately upon my arrival to Mayor Fairchild. Mayor Fairchild informed me that the citizens had driven the principle Jayhawker (depredators) out of town, but at the same time requested me to arrest certain parties who were suspected to be in league with these depredators and as having the keeping of stolen horses and cattle. In conformity with his request, I arrested several of such persons as he pointed out to me and charged with the above crime, but who from want of evidence and with his concurrence were discharged.

On the next morning, Jan. 21, 1862, at 4 o'clock a.m., Lt. Sprague joined my comm with 20 men and reported for duty. At 8 a.m. of the same day, I sent out Lieut. Sprague with 25 men in search of horse-thieves and depredators and stolen property, who succeeded in capturing five of the stolen horses and two jayhawkers and returned at 2 p.m. of the same day. I then proceeded with the balance of my comm to the farm of Sueter Dixon, a noted jayhawker and took from his farm 20 horses and two shot-guns, the property of citizens of Kansas and Missouri, to whom I restored their property upon their bringing satisfactory proof of ownership Jan. 22, Mayor Fairchild delivered to me eight horses taken from the jayhawkers by the Home Guards of Atchison previous to my arrival, which were all claimed by citizens of Kansas and delivered to them as above.

January 23, -- Made several scouts and searches in the neighborhood of town. I was informed by Messrs. Brown, Dunlap and Sumers that several horses were brought to their farms by parties unknown for safe-keeping, but that they supposed them to be Jayhawked horses and would like to have an investigation of the matter. I proceeded to the farms of the above named men, seized the horses and brought them into town, when they were immediately claimed by their property owners and delivered to them.

January 24, -- I was notified by Mr. Irving, of Missouri, at 3 o'clock a.m. that 15 jayhawkers had robbed his farm in Missouri and taken therefrom 40 horses and mules and 6 slaves; that they dragged his family, among whom there are several females, out of bed, insulting them in the most revolting manner, robbed them of their jewelry and finally left and proceeded in the direction of Elwood, (Kan.). I immediately concluded to go in search of this party and Mr. Irving offering himself and a few neighbors as guides, I consented thereto, but dispatched him in advance. I overtook him at Geary City, where I found that his party had caught two and killed the Captain (by name Chler) of jayhawkers and wounded another. The rest had escaped, 11 in number and had gone in the direction of Elwood, (Kan.). I then told Mr. Irving that I thought best for him and his party to go home, as I had a force sufficient to answer all purposes. Accordingly Mr. Irving and his party went home. I took the two prisoners in my charge and gave chase to the remainder. I followed them closely. When I cam within 8 miles of Elwood, I ascertained that the party I was in pursuit of had divided. Five had gone west of Elwood, in the direction of White Cloud, (Kan.) and six had gone to Elwood. Accordingly, I divided my comm. I sent Lieut. Sprague in pursuit of the party of five en route to White Cloud and proceeded myself in pursuit of the other party en route to Elwood, where I captured them. Two hours later Lt. Sprague joined me, having been successful in the capture of the party (he was) sent after with all the stolen property in their possession -- five horses, saddles, bridles, etc. The party I captured had in their possession 12 horses, three mules and four wagons, all these the property of Mr. Irving.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I.W. Fuller, Capt. 1st Mo.Cav.

A party of jayhawkers had been jayhawked and brought to justice!