Battlefield Dispatches No. 204: A Desperado, Terror and Murder

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. This occurred all over the entire state of Missouri and the following after action report describes the results of a Union Patrol in Southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. It is located on Page 152 in Vol. 34, Part I, Reports of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

Springfield, Mo, March 9,1864.

General: I have the honor herewith to submit the following official report: In accordance with Special Orders No. 50, issued from District Headquarters Southwest Missouri, on February 23,1864,1 left Springfield, Mo., in charge of 111 men, with orders to proceed south into Arkansas. On the 25th of February, 1864, I crossed the White river, reaching Yellville on the 26th. In conformity to an order received prior to my departure from Springfield, Mo., I dispatched 30 men to escort refugees desiring to emigrate to Springfield, Mo. Traversing the country situated between Sugar Loaf Prairie & Yellville, Ark., I encountered a band of guerrillas, killed 2 men, who, as I subsequently ascertained, belonged to Major Gunning's command.

I took up a line of march from Yellville on the morning of the 28th, halting 30 miles from Yellville & 6 miles below Buffalo City, in the vicinity which I remained three days, scouting the country on both sides of the river. March 1, I sent a detachment. Lieutenant Overman, Company H, 6th Missouri State Militia, in command, with orders to proceed down ricer on the opposite side, to which my operations were confined. I now had only 40 men left remaining with me. About 10 o'clock on the 1st, while near or not far from Buffalo City, I encountered a band of GUERRILLAS, killed Lieut. J. B. Smith, 8th Mo. Infantry, C. S. Army and a man named Charles Cain, known as a DESPERADO & regarded with TERROR by all loyal citizens. Meanwhile Lieut. Overman was contending with a band of Tracey's men, not far distant & succeeded in killing 2 of the band & capturing 3. One of the men killed was of the name of Heron; the other a BAPTIST PREACHER, whose name I do not know.

On the morning of March 2nd, I left the white river, 8 miles above Calico Rock, crossed the mountain to Bennett's Bayou, on the north fork of the White river, where I came in contact with 50 GUERRILLAS with TRACY at their head. They had murdered a Union m an named Anderson and a negro. On my approach Tracy dispersed his men among the hills and fire upon my command from behind the rocks and trees without effect.

On the morning of March 3, I deployed small detachments of skirmishers, thoroughly scoured Bennetfs Bayou, killed Frank Russell, a NOTORIOUS GUERRILLA from Wright County, Missouri and a man of Freeman's gang. Thence proceeded through Texas and Wright counties, Mo., to Springfield, where I turned over to the District Provost Marshal, southwest Missouri all of the property captured during my scout and which consisted of 16 horses and a number of firearms such as shotguns, rifles & etc. I found forage [food for horses] in abundance during the whole scout.

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

ELI HUGKES,

Captain, company K, 6th Cavalry, Missouri State Militia"

Now then, was this a successful patrol by the "Billy Yanks?" If success was determine by the number of enemy killed and captured. Yes, it was a success. Were the Confederate guerrillas eliminated from Southwest Missouri? No, they were not and many lived to fight another day and of course the War Went On!