Covered with Blood

Saturday, April 12, 2008

The following after action report describes a successful surprise attack before dawn by Confederate guerrillas in southeast Missouri that is a typical example of a vicious, brutal and nasty engagements that occurred throughout the entire state. At first it appears to be a Confederate victory, but the guerrillas chose to disappear in the brush to fight another day as the Union blue bellies successfully defended their camp. The report is located on Pages 872 - 874 of Vol. 34 Part I of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Headquarters Post New Madrid, Mo., April 10, 1864

Sir: I have the honor to make the following report. During the last three weeks the guerrillas have committed numerous depredations upon the inhabitants of the adjacent counties of Mississippi, Dunkin and Pemiscot, as also of this county. the inhabitants of the country are nearly all strong secession sympathizers and do not report until a day or two after they are robbed and often not at all. The country is filled up with deserters from the Confederate army, some of the guerrilla bands being composed entirely of them. I managed to find the camps of some of these bands and determined to make a vigorous effort to break them up.

I immediately took up the line of march for the Pemiscot Bayou, at a point about 10 miles below where Captain Montgomery would strike it. I found a few mounted guerrillas on the road several times during the day, some five or six whom were killed; the others escaped. The road led through a swampy country covered with thick cane and heavy timber. The water averaged about 1 foot in depth, although at times the men were compelled to wade in it 3 feet deep. At dark we came to the first house, by the name of Mark Walker, (who) informed me that, in common with all the inhabitants of that section, he was a rebel and had a son in one of the guerrilla bands near there. From the man's conversation, I inferred that I would be attacked at daylight the next morning. I immediately posted my pickets (guards) and after my men had eaten supper, stationed Company K, 2nd Mo. artillery, about 75 strong, under Lieutenant Winfrey, in and around the house. I then stationed Co. I, 2nd Mo. Artillery about 25 strong, under Lieut. L. J. Phillips, about 50 yards from the house. I personally cautioned the pickets and instructed the men how to act in the event of an attack. I took my place for the night with the men of Co. I. Lieutenants Phillips and Orr of the same company, were sleeping with their men by a log where there had been a fire. I cautioned the men against making a fire.

Shortly after it commenced raining and became very dark, the darkness and rain continuing without intermission all night. Having awakened about 3 o'clock in the morning, I held some conversation with Lt. Phillips and then laid down again with my head resting on the root of a tree. I had been in this position only a about five minutes, when a man within a few feet of me demanded of me to surrender the entire command. I answered negatively in rather rough language, upon which he immediately fired on me with a shotgun! I returned fire with my revolver. At this time the men sprang up with their arms, when the guerrillas, to the number of about 100, opened fire on us, we had no alternative but to fight, notwithstanding the great disadvantages under which we labored. The fight lasted some five minutes, when the rebels commenced to retreat. I then ordered my men to fall back to the house, after which the rebels came up and carried off their dead and wounded. I also removed mine to the house. I felt it was impossible to see 5 feet and it would be folly to pursue them in the woods and (I) felt confident that they would renew the attack at daybreak, but in this I was disappointed. I then buried Lieutenant Phillips, who was killed after being shot down three times and left Sergeant Handy, who was mortally wounded in the hands of the women of the house who promised to bury him. I then started to join Captain Montgomery, carrying the wounded on litters. The road lay through a very bad swamp for about six miles, yet the men cheerfully bore the fatigue of carrying their wounded comrades and think that it was the most laborious march I ever made. After proceeding in this way some six miles, I found some teams (of horses or mules) and pressed them to convey the wounded. Enclosed I send a list of the killed and wounded (one officer and two men killed and one officer and six men wounded). Of the loss of the enemy I can form no correct estimate. The ground was covered with blood and a large number of guns and pistols were picked up in the morning.

I cannot speak too highly of the energy and perseverance of the men of my command, displayed on this fatiguing march, nor of the desperate courage with which they met and repelled a fierce night attack made by overwhelming numbers of confident desperadoes. The question may occur as how they managed to elude the pickets. This can only be answered by the fact that they were thoroughly acquainted with every part of the ground and it was dark and the rain falling in such torrents, that they could neither be seen or heard. One of the sentinels near me did not hear them until I received the summons to surrender. I suppose the attacking party to have been under the command of colonel Clark of the 7th Mo. (Confederate) Cavalry.

I send you copies of several papers captured by Captain Preuitt, on the dead body of the guerrilla Cap. Williams. By these you will see about how many different commands they have in this section of country. I suppose all parts of regiments and the various guerrilla bands will foot up about 1,000 men. I have been warned by rebel sympathizers, citizens of influence, that it is the intention of Colonels McGee, Kitchen, Clark and Freeman to make a combined attack on this post; but this I do not fear, as with the command here I think I can repel any force which they bring to bear. They may attack the town for plunder, but I give them the credit for better judgment than to make an attack on the fort.

You will notice that one of the enclosed orders is dated Blue Cane. This is a dense cane break, in the center of which is one of the rebel camps. They here have a store supplied with stolen goods, a distillery, several houses and a large amount of stock. I think the restrictions on shipping goods to this section should be more severe, as I am led to believe that the rebels receive half of their supplies from professed good and loyal merchants.

The three companies of the first Mo. Cavalry stationed here are very poorly mounted. To be effective, they should have at least 50 new horses. The proper requisition (request) was made some two months ago, but the Cavalry Bureau has failed to furnish them. I will send to St. Louis on the first boat all the guerilla prisoners that can be convicted.

Very Respectfully, your obedient servant, John W. Rabb Major, 2nd Missouri Artillery, Comdg. Post.

And the brutal, vicious "war" in Missouri went on where the land continued to be covered with the blood of Union and Confederate soldiers, guerrillas and civilians!