Fort Scott Tribune: Columns: Arnold W. Schofield

Battlefield Dispatches No. 301: Civility and 'barbarous warfare' (01/27/12)
One might think that the title of this column is a contradiction of words, but it is not. During the Civil War there was a certain civility in the correspondence that described the "barbarous warfare" that was conducted by both the Union and Confederate forces. This and the command of the English language were especially evident in the letters between the Union and Confederate "generals."...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 300: 'Remembering a galling fire, heavy fog' (01/20/12)
We as a nation and people, for the most part, remember anniversaries, birthdays and other significant events in the history of our country and families, some of which are milestones. Mr. Webster, one of the author's best friends, defines a "milestone" as "a significant event in one's career or history." Therefore, as we, the United States, commemorate and remember the 150th anniversary our Civil War from 2011--2015, this was indeed a significant event and milestone in our nation's history...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 299: 'First to serve' (01/12/12)
Today, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, is the 150th Anniversary of one of many first in the Civil War, and it is an important date in the history of the United States, African American history and the history of the United States Army. It was here, in Fort Scott, Kan., on Jan. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 298: 'Burned to ashes' (01/06/12)
Dayton and Columbus, Mo. During the Civil War, the concept of waging "total war," which included the burning of homes, barns and towns, is believed by many to have originated in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. This type of warfare evolved very quickly when Kansans (seeking revenge, retribution and retaliation for the destruction done by Missourians in Kansas during the era of Bleeding Kansas from 1856 -- 1861) waged war in the "land of misery," the Union troops' nickname for the "show-me-state.". ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 297: 'Smuggling gunpowder, rascality and robbing' (12/30/11)
During the Civil War, by December of 1861, things were getting organized in Missouri and eastern Kansas from the "Union" perspective. The disorganized discontent of the summer and fall of 1861 was in the past and even though Confederate Gen. Price and his army were now in southwestern Missouri, they were still on the mind and a major concern of Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck who commanded the "Union" Department of the Missouri from his headquarters in St. Louis...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 296: 'Christmas Angels' (12/23/11)
During the Civil War, a few days before "Christmas" the soldiers of the blue and the gray often thought of hearth and home and of Christmases past. For the most part, on Christmas Eve and day combat stopped. There wasn't an official truce; however, the fighting just seemed to stop...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 295: 'Butler in flames' (12/16/11)
In the middle of December 1861, 1st Sgt. Luther Thrasher's Company C and the balance of the battalion from the Kansas Brigade were still on a march of devastation and destruction in Bates County, Mo. This time they were marching toward Butler which would be burned to ashes, and then they returned to Kansas and "winter quarters" in Linn County not far from the Kansas / Missouri line...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 294: 'Papinsville burned to ashes!' (12/09/11)
On Thursday, Dec. 12, 1864, 1st Sgt. Luther Thrashers's Company, Company C of Lane's Kansas Brigade, received orders late in the afternoon to prepare for a march into Missouri. It seems that on the previous night a Union man who lived in Missouri near the Kansas line was murdered by bushwhackers or "Missouri ruffians," so according to Thrasher's diary, "we are now off to avenge" this murder. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 293: 'Dress parade, pay day and target practice' (12/02/11)
From the middle of November 1861 to the end of February 1862, the Kansas Brigade was in "winter quarters" and was stationed at various locations in eastern Kansas. Company C of the 3rd Kansas Vol. Infantry Regiment was stationed near Osawatomie and finally near Mound City for the balance of the winter...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 292: 'Winter quarters' (11/25/11)
From November 1861 to March of 1862, the "Kansas Brigade" was at home in "winter quarters." This does not mean that the brigade was inactive and in hibernation. Far from it! All of the regiments and respective companies of the brigade were stationed at different locations between Fort Scott and Fort Leavenworth protecting eastern Kansas from the Missouri "bushwhackers," partisan rangers or guerrillas, who were all one and the same...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 291: 'Troubles coming' (11/18/11)
The Kansas Brigade arrived in home on Nov. 14, 1861, after a march of five days from Springfield, Mo., and it was good to be in Kansas once more. However, trouble was on the horizon for the Kansas Brigade and its commanding officer Brig. Gen. James Henry Lane. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 290: 'Going home' (11/10/11)
In the Civil War, "Going home" were two magic words and music to the ears of any soldier, sailor or marine and, for that matter, to anyone past and present who served in any branch of the armed forces of United States. Tomorrow is Veterans Day, and today is the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, so it is most fitting and proper to say thank you to each and every veteran and their families for the sacrifices they have made to make sure that we as a nation enjoy the freedoms of today. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 289: "Weary and Worn" (11/04/11)
During the Civil War -- or for that matter, any war or conflict throughout the ages -- if you were an infantry soldier, during or at the end of a long days march you were "weary and worn" and very tired! Such was the case of the "Kansas Brigade" that was commanded by Brig. Gen. James Henry Lane as it marched south through western Missouri toward Springfield in pursuit of soldiers of the "Confederate" Missouri State Guard that was commanded by Maj. Gen. Sterling Price...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 288: 'A Reckless Fierceness' (10/28/11)
This past Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, was the 147th anniversary, to the day, of the Battle of Mine Creek that is the largest Civil War battle fought in Kansas and the second largest Cavalry battle of the entire Civil War. Therefore, it is only fitting and appropriate that this column be devoted to an aspect of this battle, the Battle of Mine Creek. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 287: 'A return visit' (10/21/11)
During the Civil War the same "armies" normally did not return and march over or through the same battlefields they fought on. However, there were occasionally exceptions to this, and such was the case in October of 1861 when the infamous, if one is from Missouri or of the "Southern Persuasion," and I repeat, infamous Kansas Brigade commanded by the "Grim Chieftain" himself, Brig. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 285: 'Ferreting Out and Fighting the Enemy' (10/07/11)
While stationed in Kansas City in October of 1861 with his "Kansas Brigade," Brig. Gen. James Henry Lane (the "Grim Chieftain") did not hesitate to express his opinion to his commanding officer, Maj. Gen. John C. Fremont, or anyone who would listen about how the "Union" or "federals" should fight and destroy the Confederate forces...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 284: 'The Grim Chieftain' (09/30/11)
After the destruction of Osceola, Mo., on Sept. 24, 1861, the Kansas Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. James Henry Lane was ordered to Kansas City to assist in the defense of that metropolis. Eventually, the "brigade" was to join a large combined Union force commanded by Maj. Gen. John C. Fremont to attack and destroy the Confederate forces that had recently won the "Battle of the Hemp Bales" at Lexington, Mo., and who now and occupied it. This never happened...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 283: 'Battle of the Hemp Bales' (09/23/11)
On Sept. 20, 1861, Confederate Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, commanding a large army comprised of the Missouri State Guard, accepted the surrender of the Union "Missourians" who had occupied the city and surrounding hills of Lexington, Mo. In addition to being called the Battle of Lexington, this engagement is called the Battle of the Hemp Bales because the attacking Confederates became very creative and used portable bales of hemp to form a movable breastwork, or fortification, that sheltered them from enemy fire as they advanced toward the "Union" lines.. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 282: 'Dens of Devils' (09/16/11)
During the summer of 1861, southern Kansas was in a bit of a turmoil, especially after the Confederate victory at the Battle of Wilson's Creek on Aug. 10, 1861. The citizens of Fort Scott and southeast Kansas feared an attack by a Confederate force of the Missouri State Guard commanded by Gen. Sterling Price as it moved north from the Wilson's Creek Battlefield toward Lexington and the Missouri River...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 281: 'Marauding, atrocities and plundering' (09/09/11)
Even before the infamous Kansas "Lane Brigade" invaded the "Land of Misery" ("Union" soldiers' nickname for Missouri), its reputation had already been established by small groups of marauding Jayhawkers who crossed the "line" in small groups killing Missourians and plundering their homes...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 280: 'The Battle of the Mules' (09/02/11)
On Sept. 2, 1861, a small battle occurred near the present town of Deerfield, Mo., that was the conclusion of a two-day engagement that has two names. This engagement has been called the Battle of Drywood because of its proximity to the Big Drywood Creek and the Battle of the Mules because of the capture of 200 "Union" mules and horses...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 279: 1861 -- 'Defending Southern Kansas' (08/26/11)
During the Civil War, in the first summer of discontent, that being 1861, things were pretty chaotic and confusing in Fort Scott, Kan., as they were in all the states whether they were "Union" or "Confederate." After the Battle of Wilson's Creek near Springfield, Mo., on Aug. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 278: 'Shot and Shell' (08/19/11)
The Battle of Wilson's Creek on Aug. 10, 1861, near Springfield, Mo., was one of the largest and most significant battles of the Civil War that occurred west of the Mississippi River. Kansas was well represented in that battle by the participation of the 1st and 2nd Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments that were in some of the most fiercest, horrific combat of the day...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 277: 'Cutting to pieces' (08/12/11)
This past Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011, was the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Wilson's Creek, west of Springfield, Mo. This engagement was one of the largest and most significant battles of the Civil War that occurred west of the Mississippi River. Kansas was represented in this battle by the participation of the 1st and 2nd Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiments...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 275: 'Femme-fa-tale' spies, smugglers and escape artists (07/29/11)
During the Civil War, women of the north and south often used their guile, wile and wits serving as scouts, spies and smugglers for both the north and south. The women of the Mayfield family from near Montevallo, Vernon County, Mo., were some of the most famous or infamous, depending on one's point of view, and brazen Southern spies and smugglers between 1861 and 1865. The following description of some of their exploits is located on Pages 337 -- 341 in the 1887 History of Vernon County...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 274: 'Venomous she-rebels' (07/22/11)
Early in the spring of 1863, Wagon Boss and Mule Mechanic R.M. Peck hired on as a teamster in a large brigade supply train of 125 wagons going from Fort Scott, Kan., to Fort Gibson near present Muskogee, Okla., in what then was called in the Civil War the "Indian Nation" or the "Cherokee Nation."...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 273: 'Splendid mules, Fort Gibson bound' (07/15/11)
Without a doubt, the major "beast of burden" during the Civil War was the mule and not the horse, and this does not include the "pack mule" that was used prolifically by the U.S. Army after the Civil War until the 1950s. As has been mentioned in previous columns, the mule was the major draft animal that was used to pull supply wagons, ambulances and many other wheeled vehicles during the Civil War. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 272: 'Local bushwhackers killed' (07/08/11)
The Mayfield brothers, Brice and John (whose nickname was "Crack"), were two southern partisan rangers or "bushwhackers," if one is of the northern persuasion, from Vernon County during the Civil War. In fact, the entire Mayfield family, including their sisters, were famous or infamous southern sympathizers, depending on one's perspective...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 271: 'A Killing Head Shot' (07/01/11)
During the Civil War and all conflicts before and after this war, almost all shots or a shot to the head were fatal. They were normally inflicted by a "sharpshooter" or, in the modern military, by a "sniper." This was usually accomplished at a great distance. Often when the chaos of rough and tumble "hand-to-hand" combat occurred, any type of wound inflicted on an enemy would suffice, and this could include a fatal head shot...

Death of a 'Notorious Bushwhacker' (06/24/11)
By definition, Mr. Webster defines notorious as "being known widely and unfavorably." Therefore, during the Civil War and presently, if one was or is of the northern persuasion, this is a perfect word to describe the bushwhackers. Perhaps the most famous Confederate guerrilla or partisan ranger west of the Mississippi River was William Clark Quantrill. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 269: Capture of a 'Notorious Bushwhacker' (06/17/11)
During the Civil War in Kansas and Missouri, Confederate guerrillas or "bushwhackers," if one is of the northern persuasion, were normally not captured or taken prisoner. They were usually killed on the spot. There were, however, exceptions to this, and such an exception occurred in southwest Missouri in McDonald County during the winter of 1862 and 1863...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 268: 'Fisticuffs and Whiskey' Prove Fatal" (06/10/11)
During the Civil War, the excessive consumption of whiskey could and often did lead to fistfights between comrades of the Blue and comrades of the Gray. Occasionally, the result of a fistfight or quarrel could be fatal to one of the combatants, especially if he was drunk...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 267: 'Record of Events' (06/03/11)
During the Civil War each Union regiment and company was required to keep a written record or diary that documented a brief history of their respective unit. This document was entitled the "Record of Events" and provides a brief but detailed history of the movements of a specific regiment and all of its companies throughout the war. This information is very important in the study of the Civil War because it is often summarized and many of the details are omitted from the "Official Reports."...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 266: 'Funeral Honors' (05/27/11)
In keeping with the history of Memorial Day, or "Decoration Day" as it was originally called, which began as a direct result of the Civil War in 1867, this column is devoted to the "military honors" provided whenever possible to deceased Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 265: A variety of jobs (05/20/11)
Very often during the Civil War and, for that matter in any branch of any military service today, an individual could find him or herself today doing things that they did not enlist to do or were not trained to do (some things never change)! Such was the case of some of the soldiers and officers of Company E of the 12th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment when they were stationed at Fort Scott from April to August in 1863...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 264: Kansans defend President Lincoln (05/13/11)
At the beginning of the Civil War in April 1861, the nation's capital was in a state of disarray and confusion and there were several plots to kidnap President Abraham Lincoln from the White House. A newly elected Kansas senator by the name of James Henry Lane offered to protect President Lincoln with a group of armed Kansans until proper military protection could be secured, and the Kansas Frontier Guard was established...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 263: Escorting supply trains (05/06/11)
During the Civil War, Fort Scott evolved into a huge military complex that extended well beyond the current boundary of Fort Scott National Historic Site. One of the largest parts of this complex was a huge Quartermaster Depot that facilitated the transportation of supplies to Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory (present Oklahoma) and Fort Smith, Ark...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 263: 'King Cotton' (04/29/11)
Before the Civil War, cotton was the king of all the agricultural products that were produced south of the Mason-Dixon Line. In addition to cotton, the south produced tobacco, indigo and rice, but Cotton was the King. The southern gross national product of all of these agricultural crops was many millions of dollars and then came the Civil War...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 261: 'Tuff was Tough' (04/15/11)
During the study of the Civil War, one often discovers that an individual's name was often spelled in two or three different ways, and this becomes difficult and confusing for the researcher. Is the individual being researched one person with a different spelling of his or her surname, or are there two or three different individuals?...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 260: Report on post hospital conditions (04/08/11)
Some time ago, David Haimerl, who is a very good friend, fellow researcher and historian discovered the following 1862 description of the hospitals in Fort Scott at the end of the second year of the Civil War. One of the joys of studying the Civil War is that most folks who do this are happy to share the new "old" information they have discovered. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 259: 'Land of Misery' (04/01/11)
During the Civil War the Union soldiers called Missouri the "Land of Misery" because they believed that all Missourians and the entire state was the enemy. This of course was not true because there were hundreds of "Unionists" or "Missourians" who were loyal to the United States, but that made no difference to the Blue Bellied Yankees from Kansas and other northern states such as Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, etc. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 258: 'Jayhawking Buckeyes' (03/25/11)
In the April of 1862, a battalion of the 2nd Ohio (Buckeyes) Cavalry Regiment conducted an expedition into the enemy state of Missouri from Fort Scott. If there is an after -action report of this expedition, it has not been discovered yet. However, the following account of this mission was published in the April 26,1862 edition of the "Western Volunteer" newspaper in Fort Scott...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 257: 'Outlaw' (03/18/11)
According to Mr. Webster, one of the definitions of an "Outlaw, is "a habitual or notorious criminal who is a fugitive from the law." During the Civil War, there were many "outlaws" who were former soldiers of the Blue or the Gray and there were also those who never wore a uniform and were civilian outlaws. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 256: 'Express Riders' (03/11/11)
Carrying the military mail by "Express" or "Dispatch" riders or couriers during the Civil War was a very dangerous occupation that could result in a short life expectancy and on occasion a very brief longevity. However, even with death staring him in the face on his journey, a successful Dispatch was very well paid, often in the amount of $3-$5 per day plus rations. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 255: 'Destination Fort Scott' (03/04/11)
During the Civil War, Supply Trains often encountered abandoned or occupied farms as they passed through a given area and it often did not matter what the loyalty of the farmers and their families was. Anything of use was normally taken by the passing "Union" or Confederate soldiers. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 254: Wagon Boss No. 7 'On the Road to Fort Scott' (02/25/11)
At the conclusion of last week's column Wagon Boss R.M. Peck and the wagon train he was in charge of arrived at Flat Rock, Indian Territory which was about 12 miles north of Fort Gibson. Here, Peck was put in charge of another empty supply train that was returning to Fort Scott, Kan. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 253: Wagon Boss No. 6 'On the Road To Fort Gibson' (02/18/11)
After returning to Fort Scott from Humboldt, Kan., in the late spring of 1862, R.M. Peck, hired on as the Assistant Wagon Boss with a wagon train of Commissary Stores going to south to Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory (present Oklahoma). The following is Peck's memoir of this trip that was published in the July 28, 1904 edition of the National Tribune newspaper in Washington, D.C...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 252: Wagon Boss No. 5: 'Indian Soldiers' (02/11/11)
Before returning to Fort Scott in the Spring of 1862, wagon boss R.M. Peck recorded his observations of Humboldt, Kan., and the organization of the "Union" 1st and 2nd Regiments of Indian Home Guards in his journal. Early in the last century, he published his memoir of the Civil War in a series of articles that were published in the National Tribune, which was a newspaper published in Washington, D.C. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 251: Wagon Boss No. 4 Supplies for the '62' Campaign in the Indian Territory (02/04/11)
In the early spring of 1862, Wagon Boss R.M. Peck was in charge of a wagon train that was transporting supplies from Fort Scott to Humboldt, Kan., that were to be used in the "Union" Army's summer campaign in the Indian Territory (present Oklahoma). This is the conclusion of Peck's column that was published in the July 21, 1904 edition of the National Tribune newspaper that was published in Washington, D.C...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 250: 'Wagon Boss and Mule Mechanic: Part 3 Army Mules on the March' (01/28/11)
This column is the continuation of Wagon Boss Robert M. Peck's experiences in eastern Kansas and the Indian Territory (present Oklahoma) from 1862-1865. During the Civil War, the "Union" Quartermaster Department hired civilians to be in charge of mule drawn wagon trains that transported almost all of the supplies that were necessary equip a field army to wage war and to furnish various forts and installations as necessary. ...

Battlefield Dispatches 249: 'Powder, Lead and Molds' (01/21/11)
During the Civil War, most of the standard musket ammunition was the .58 Caliber Minnie Ball that was issued to the "infantry." In fact, the "Minnie Ball" was not a round ball, but rather it was a conical shaped bullet or projectile. There were, however, soldiers of the Blue and Gray who were issued standardized round "ball" ammunition in .58 or .69 calibers. "Standardization" was the key that enabled the ordnance departments to purchase and issue large amounts of identical ammunition...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 247: 'An unhappy and Happy New Year' (01/07/11)
During the Civil War, as in any war, combat operations of the Blue and Gray did not stop because it was a holiday and for the most part, unless you were part of a rear echelon, far away from a combat area, holiday celebrations did not occur. However, whenever possible, the soldiers of the Blue and Gray did remember "New Years" Eve and Day with a bit of levity whenever and wherever they could. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 246: 'On a bed of snow' (12/30/10)
During the Civil War, or for that matter in any war, thoughts of soldiers far away were often of family, home and hearth. This was especially true during the holiday seasons of Christmas and New Year's and these thoughts were often expressed in the soldier's diaries and letters to their loved ones. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 245: 'Wagon Boss and Mule Mechanic 2 - Smart and Stubborn Mules' (12/23/10)
By choice, the "Beast of Burden" during the Civil War in the Quartermaster and Commissary Departments was the mule and not the draft or work horse. The following description of a good mule was published in Scott's 1861 Military Dictionary in 1861 on Page 334:...

Battlefield Dispatches: 'A Guardian Angel, Respected and Loved' (12/10/10)
According to Mr. Webster, one of the definitions of "guardian" is "A person who guards, protects or takes care of another person, property, etc." Therefore, one would expect a "guardian" to be a benevolent person who does good things and is kindly and charitable and is regarded as beautiful, good and innocent as an "angel." This is not what one would expect to be or of a combat soldier or Civil War general. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 242: 'Shot by Shot' (12/03/10)
At approximately 3 a.m. in the morning on Oct. 26, 1864, the Confederate Army of Missouri, commanded by Mjr. Gen. Sterling Price, started to advance south (if you are of the Southern persuasion) or continued to retreat (if you are of the Northern persuasion) from the vicinity of Deerfield, Mo., towards Neosho and Newtonia in hopes of evading the pursuing Yankees and reaching a safe haven in southwest Missouri or northwest Arkansas...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 241: 'Curse of the Slows' (11/26/10)
During the Civil War the essence of victory often depended on the rapid movement of troops, ammunition and the other necessities of war. Conversely, if the "Curse of the slows" descended upon an army or campaign and everything including the movement of troops and ammunition slowed down or were forced to move at a "snail's pace" this could spell disaster and the agony of defeat often became a reality. ...

Battlefied Dispatches No. 240: 'Compelled to Fight' (11/19/10)
At sunset (approximately 6 p.m.) on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1864 the last battle of the day occurred northwest of Deerfleld, Mo. This battle, like many battles in the Civil War has a few names. It has been called the Battle of the Marmaton, Little Marmaton Creek, Shiloh Creek and Chariot's Farm which makes it very interesting and at times confusing to study. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 239: 'A Galling Fire'; 'Swept like a Tornado' (11/12/10)
During the Civil War, the third and last battle that occurred in Kansas on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1864; was the Battle of the Little Osage. This battle happened approximately 11 miles south of Mine Creek and 10 miles north of Fort Scott near the present town of Fulton. It, like the Battle of Trading Post and Mine Creek, was a Union victory and successful Confederate rear guard action...

No. 238: Consumed by Fire (11/04/10)
During the Civil War or in any war, "fire" or the act of burning something of the enemy was and is common practice. Normally use of fire is part of the carnage and chaos of war that included the burning of buildings, barns, bridges, fences, homes, towns and anything that could and did provide aid and comfort to the enemy. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 237: 'Battle of Mine Creek' (10/22/10)
Monday, Oct. 25 is the 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Mine Creek that was the largest Civil War battle in Kansas and the second largest "CAVALRY" battle in the entire Civil War. The largest cavalry battle of the war was at Brandy Station, Va., on June 8, 1863 in which approximately 20,500 horse soldiers of the Blue (9,500) and Gray (11,000) participated. At Mine Creek there were approximately 10,800 participants that included approximately 2,800 "Union Yankees" and 8,000 Confederates...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 235: The 'King of Battle' (10/15/10)
On Sunday, Oct. 23, 1864, the Battle of Westport occurred on and near the Missouri / Kansas state line in Kansas City. This was battle was the immediate predecessor of the Battle of Mine Creek and the other cavalry battles which occurred on Oct. 25, 1864. However, Westport was more than a cavalry battle because all three major branches of a 19th Century army, the artillery, infantry and cavalry, participated extensively in the battle...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 234: 'Shut of Rebel Women' (10/01/10)
One of the fascinating things about the English language, especially here in the United States is that there are many dialectal expressions that are indigenous to specific regions. In Missouri, the famous folklorist Vance Randolph documented many of these expressions and words in his numerous books. It is rare however, to find any of these expressions in the "official after action reports" of the Civil War...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 233: 'Killed on the Spot, Night Attacks and Deadly Pursuit' (09/24/10)
Guerrilla Warfare in any war is violent, vicious and quick and this was especially true in Missouri and Kansas during the Civil War. Enemy soldiers were often "Killed on the Spot" and not taken prisoner and the attacks occurred night and day, whenever the opportunity presented itself. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 231: 'Complete Surprise' (09/10/10)
"Surprise", be it spontaneous or planned, by it's very nature was a major element in the tactics and success of the "Union" and Confederate guerrillas in Missouri and Kansas during the Civil War. All of the following after action reports describe brief, violent engagements where "surprise" was complete and contributed to the success of the victor...

Battlefield Dispatches 230: 'Portfires Light the Way' (09/03/10)
Traveling by the darkness of night during the Civil War was often fraught with danger and could be hazardous to one's health. This was especially true when traveling on rough roads or roads that passed through heavily wooded areas or swamps at night. ...

Battlefield Dispatches 229: 'Beset by Bushwhackers' (08/27/10)
In the summer of 1863, the Quartermaster and the Assistant Adjutant General at Fort Scott were faced with a major logistical problem. The problem was, how to SAFELY transport supplies and the military mail across 180 miles of the unprotected Military Road from Fort Scott to Fort Blunt (formerly Fort Gibson) in the Indian Territory (present Oklahoma). ...

Battlefield Dispatches: 'Exterminated without mercy' (08/20/10)
Aug. 25, 1863 was a very busy day at the Headquarters of the Department of the Missouri in Saint Louis, Mo. On that day, the commanding officer of the latter Department Major General John M. Schofield (no relation of the author) approved a number of General Orders. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 227: 'Elusive Foxes' (08/13/10)
A fox, by itsz very nature, is a sly, cunning, clever, crafty, stealthy and wily hunter. It has to possess all of these characteristics in order to survive and avoid pursuing foxhounds, which are very smart dogs. During the Civil War in Missouri and other areas, especially in Missouri, the Confederate guerrillas or partisan rangers were much like foxes who were pursued by the Blue Belly Billy Yanks who resembled the foxhounds. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 225: BRAVE: Impudent, Insolent and Insulting women (07/30/10)
In any war, and this was especially true in the Civil War, the women who were at home in the combat areas had to be brave, self reliant, feisty, witty, quick of mind and at times, arrogant and defiant to protect their families, homes, farms, etc. If they were faced with enemy soldiers they could be and were brave, but they could also be impudent, insolent and insulting. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 223: Escaping a 'Fatal' Collision (07/16/10)
During the Civil War the "Union" command in Missouri and Kansas was also faced with the dilemma of how to protect the mail routes on the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails and how to combat the "Guerrillas of the Plains" or the American Indians. Eventually, the Yankees figured out the best way to do this was to increase the number of troops and outposts needed for the protection of the commerce and mail carriers along the trails. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 222: 'Miles Apart and Watching the Devils' (07/08/10)
The Civil War here in Kansas and Missouri is perceived by "Easterners", folks living east of the Mississippi River, as being the "Civil War" in the WEST! This is true from an eastern perspective because most of the land from western Kansas to the Rocky Mountains and from northern Texas to the Canadian border was still unsettled and organized into territories...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 220: 'Scorn, Contempt & Iron Horse' (06/25/10)
According to Mr. Webster, "scorn" can be defined as "to refuse or reject as wrong & disgraceful" and "contempt" is "something or someone considered to be low, worthless or beneath notice." The opposing forces in any war, especially the American Civil War, often used these words to describe their enemies and this opinion made it easier to fight and kill the enemy...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 219: 'Burning, Pursuing and Killing' (06/18/10)
During the Civil War, the burning of homes, barns and towns in eastern Kansas and western Missouri was a common practice before it became part of the "total war" that was waged east of the Mississippi River. Very often, here on the "western frontier of civilization", the perpetrators of the "burnings" were not pursued, apprehended or killed because they could not be located in this a perpetual "Guerrilla War." However, there were exceptions to this and one of these exceptions is described in the following after action reports. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 218: 'Black Hearted Villains' (06/11/10)
As has been mentioned in a recent column, language and word usage have transcended the passage of time. During the Civil War many soldiers of the "Blue" and "Gray" could read and write. This has resulted in the Civil War being the largest uncensored war in American History during which thousands of letters and reports were written. The words used in these letters and reports are very often colorful and clearly convey the opinions or bias of the writer...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 217: 'Shot Dead' (06/04/10)
During the Civil War, death riding a pale horse claimed the lives of soldiers and civilians in many ways. However, disease accounted for most of the deaths that were the result of infections or an illness in which the patient suffered and lingered while waiting for the pale horse to arrive. Others, the lucky ones in any war, died instantly in combat by receiving a mortal messenger in the form of a bullet or artillery fragment and were "SHOT DEAD!"...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 216: 'Death Rides A Pale Horse Part II' (05/28/10)
On May 27, 1863; "Death", one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, galloped into Fort Scott for it's second visit to the largest "Union" military complex in southeast Kansas. On this visit in May of 1863, "Death" claimed the life of Sgt. Claudeus Columbus Frizell who served with a Missouri Militia Regiment...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 215: 'Oh, You S.O.B' (05/21/10)
Editor's Note: Due to the use of an expletive in one of the following historical letters, the word in question has been replaced with S.O.B., as part of Tribune policy. Some phrases of the English language have transcended the passage of time from before, during and after the Civil War and are still in use today, hence the title of this column...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 214: 'Death Rides a Pale Horse Part 1' (05/14/10)
Death rode into Fort Scott on Pale Horse on May 13, 1863 and absconded with the soul of a Union soldier. In this context, "Death" was one of the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." Death was riding a pale colored horse because that was often the color of a corpse then and now. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 213: 'Death by Deceit' (05/07/10)
One of Mr. Webster's definitions of DECEIT is "a dishonest action, trick, fraud or lie" and during the Civil War, as in all wars, occasionally soldiers of both the Blue and the Gray killed the enemy in a deceitful way. This type of killing was not accomplished by wearing a disguise, it was done by appearing to surrender in uniform and then firing a fatal shot into and killing the enemy soldier to which one was offering to surrender. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 212: 'Bushwhackers in Yankee Blue!' (04/30/10)
During the Civil War, it did not take long for Confederate Guerrillas / Bushwhackers in Missouri to learn that a successful way to deceive the "Blue Bellied Billy Yanks" was to wear the Yankee's trousers and jacket and appear to be "Yanks." This, of course, gave the guerrillas an added element of surprise when they attacked their enemy. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 211: 'Swarming Bushwhackers' (04/23/10)
In the Spring of each year, during the Civil War, the Confederate and Union Guerrillas awoke from their partial winter hibernation to conduct their special type of warfare with a vengeance. Depending on the weather, guerrilla activity increased with the coming of the leaves in springtime. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 210: 'Guerrillas, Outlaws, Red Legs and Knights of the Golden Circle' (04/16/10)
By the spring of 1863, the western tier counties of Missouri were part of the District of Kansas in the Department of Missouri and there were strict instructions circulated concerning the fate of Confederate Guerrillas, Bushwhackers and the Union Red Legs. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 209: 'Sanctuary' (04/09/10)
According to Mr. Webster, one definition of "sanctuary" is "A place giving refuge, asylum or immunity from arrest." Normally the use of this word refers to a church, temple or mosque or a reserved area where animals are protected and hunting is prohibited. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 208: 'War Horses' (04/02/10)
In the study of the Civil War, one of the most common questions is how many soldiers died in the war? The answer is more than 600,000 Americans (soldiers, sailors and marines) in both the Blue and the Gray died in battle, of wounds received in combat or disease in the Civil War. ...

No. 207: 'Old Camps' (03/26/10)
During the Civil War in Missouri, the "Yankee" pursuit of the Confederate guerrillas or "Bushwhackers" was both relentless & frustrating. The Yanks were relentless because the elimination of the Bushwhackers was one of their primary missions and they were frustrated because very often the guerrillas seemed to vanish and were know where to be found. ...

Battlefield Dispatches 206: 'Shot & Killed' (03/19/10)
By 1864 the "Union" Command in the Departments of Missouri and Kansas realized that one of the most successful ways to wage war against the Confederate guerrillas in the "Show-Me-State" was to send out small expeditions or patrols of approximately 100 men. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 205: 'Broken, Barren & Destitute' (03/12/10)
War of any kind, time and place creates a "Broken, Barren and Destitute" landscape and civilian population on, near or in any battlefield or former battlefield. The havoc of war can also create a persistent and successful "civilian" guerrilla resistance which is what occurred throughout Missouri during the Civil War. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 204: A Desperado, Terror and Murder (03/05/10)
During the Civil War, no matter how hard the Blue Belly Billy Yanks from and in Missouri tried to eradicate the Confederate guerrillas or Bushwhackers, and they tried very hard, the Union troops never really accomplished their mission. Sometimes the "Union" scouts or patrols were successful, but there always seemed to be another group of guerrillas who were on the hunt to attack enemy supply trains, couriers, small Yankee outposts and civilians who supported the Union cause. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 203: 'Executions Justified' (02/26/10)
During the Civil War, "Congressional Inquires" occurred frequently, even as they do today and from a military perspective they could be a nuisance, but they had to be answered. This type of inquiry could come from the Federal or Confederate Congress or a state legislature. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 202: 'Robbing the mail' (02/19/10)
During the Civil War in Missouri, delivery of the U.S. "Civilian" Mail and "Military" Mail were often successfully disrupted by the Confederate Guerrillas (Partisan Rangers and Bushwhackers). This was accomplished by stopping and stealing the mail from commercial carrier vehicles such as stage coaches or military couriers. ...

Battlefield Dispatches: 'Robbing and Plundering' (02/12/10)
During the Civil War, "Robbing & Plundering" were common place and were committed by soldiers in both Blue and Gray, Guerrillas, Redlegs, Jayhawkers, Bushwhackers, Civilian Vigilantes and Outlaws in Kansas and Missouri. This of course complicated and frustrated the Union peace keeping forces in the Jayhawker state of Kansas and the Bushwhacker state of Missouri. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 200: 'Covering their tracks' (02/05/10)
During the Civil War, Scouts, Spies, Bushwhackers, Partisan Rangers and Guerrillas became experts at "covering their tracks." According to one of my best literary friends, Mr. Webster's Dictionary (I would be lost without one); the 9th definition of "Cover" is to "hide or conceal from view." Therefore all of the previous mentioned soldiers did indeed cover their tracks which was conducive to their survival and longevity, because their occupation was hazardous, fraught with danger and one mistake or track left uncovered would often lead to their DEATH.. ...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 199: Assasinations, Robberies and Murders (01/29/10)
By January 1863, the Civil War was almost two years old and the "Union" command in Missouri was still trying to figure out a way to neutralize the Confederate guerrillas and "Bushwhackers." In fact this was to be a never ending problem throughout the balance of the war that was never solved...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 198: 'Remembering Forgotten Warriors' (01/22/10)
This column is devoted to a description of the "3" Indian Home Guard Regiments from Kansas during the Civil War. One might think that their regimental designation indicates that they were organized to protect their homes in Kansas, but this was not the case. ...

Battlefield Dispatches 197: 'More winter killings' (01/15/10)
During the Civil War, the cold months of Winter, didn't stop the "Union" pursuit & killing of their worst enemy in Missouri, the "Confederate" Guerrillas / Bushwhackers! The following reports describe a successful "killing" patrol by a Union detachment in southwest Missouri that was conducted during very harsh winter weather. It is located on Pages 19 & 20 in Series I, vol. 48, Part I of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 196: 'Winter Killings' (01/08/10)
Normally, during the severe winter months of January, February & early March, the large Union & Confederate Armies went into "Winter Quarters" & the major campaigns & fighting were not resumed until the spring. However, the "Guerrilla War" in Missouri often went on unabated and the following incident of "Winter Killings" is described on Pages 17 & 18 in Series L Vol. 48. Part I of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion...

Battlefield Dispatches No. 195: 'Unhappy New Years' (12/31/09)
Traditionally & this was true in the 19th Century as well. New Years Eve & Day are celebrated with remembering the past year & welcoming in the New Year. However, in today's military & that of the Civil War these days were just another day of combat or garrison duty. True, there is & was some levity whenever possible, but normally the main focus was to carry on with whatever the respective military operations or mission of the day happened to be...

Battlefield Dispatches: Remembering Christmas past (12/24/09)
Today is "Christmas Eve" and thousands of our men & women in the military service and their families from whom many are separated because we as a nation are at war, think of home & hearth & "Christmas Past". This has been true of every conflict we have been in, including our Civil War. ...

Arnold W. Schofield
Battlefield Dispatches

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