The Civil War was two years old in April of 1863 and by that time one would think the menace and depredations of the Kansas "Redlegs" (outlaw Union soldiers and civilian outlaws) would have been stopped and eliminated, but such was not the case. In fact, bands of these rogues continued to rob, plunder and murder soldiers and civilians indiscriminately until the end of the Civil War in 1865.

Union forces in Kansas and Missouri declared an open season on the Redlegs in no uncertain terms and the following letter indicates just that. It is located on Pages 222 and 223 of Vol. 22, Part II of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Headquarters District of Kansas, Fort Leavenworth, April 16, 1863

Col. E. Lynde, Commanding, 9th Regt. Kansas Vol., Cav.

Colonel: The Western tier of counties of the state of Missouri, lying south of the Missouri River, being now embraced within the limits of this district, you will, therefore, for the purpose of protecting loyal citizens and punishing traitors (Redlegs) and ensuring peace and quiet upon the borders of Kansas and Missouri, move troops under your command into the tier counties before mentioned (your headquarters remaining at Paola, Kan.) and co-operate with such loyal Federal troops as you may find within the limits of this district. The troops should be kept moving or patrolling the border counties and exercise the utmost vigilance and promptness in discovering and destroying all bands of guerrillas and outlaws and when such parties are met with arms in their hands, opposing Federal authorities, they are not to be considered as belligerents, according to the rules andusages of civilized warfare; but, having organized within the Federal lines to oppose the Federal authorities by armed resistance, They must be treated as insurgents and shall suffer death!

When such persons are taken prisoners, which should as much as possible be avoided, they will be summarily tried by a military commission, to be appointed by the senior officer present and if found guilty must be executed by hanging or shooting without delay; but, in carrying out these instructions, great discrimination and judgment should be exercised, to the end that no loyal or innocent person shall suffer.

The troops must be kept under complete discipline and subordination and all officers held accountable for the conduct of the men immediately under their command.

No person or parties bearing arms and not in the military service will be allowed to go into the state of Missouri as camp followers, nor will such person or parties be tolerated within this military district.

All operations against rebels must be directed by the legal military authority authorities. This injunction is to apply especially to an organization known as the Redlegs, which is an organized band of thieves and violators of law and good order.

All such persons found prowling over the country, without a legitimate purpose, must be disarmed and if they shall be caught in the act of theiving or other lawlessness or in the possession of stolen property, for which they cannot give a good and sufficient reason, they shall be shot on the spot!

And as there is reason to believe that officers in the military service are implicated , directly or indirectly, in the offenses committed by Redlegs and lawless bands, therefore upon the evidence that any officer has failed or neglected to carry out the foregoing instructions in reference to such offenders, they will be dishonorably dismissed from the service of the United States. General Orders, No. 9 of March 27, issued by Brigadier General Loan, will remain in force in that portion of Missouri embraced within this district until further orders. All stock and other property taken from the rebels in the State of Missouri will be turned over to the commanding officer at Kansas City.

Copies of the foregoing instructions will be furnished commanding officers in the border counties of Missouri, for their information and guidance.

James G. Blunt

Major-General Commanding

Were these orders carried out? Yes, they were! However even with the war against redlegs and the possibility of being shot on the spot if caught, these red legged outlaws continued to be elusive and carried on with their robbing, plundering and murdering for the balance of and after the Civil War was over.