About a decade before the first shots were fired in the Civil War, a border war was in process between Missouri and Kansas. Missouri was the only state north of the Mason-Dixon line that was pro-slavery. When Kansas was in the process of joining the Union, there was much dissention over becoming a pro-slavery or anti-slavery state. The Missourians would often cross the Kansas border and vote in the elections in an attempt to sway a pro-slavery vote and to elect the politicians that supported slavery. This caused much turmoil between the two states and the United States government sent troops to occupy the area. These troops were from Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.

When President Lincoln sent in the Federal Occupational troops, these men took full advantage of their position and soon began traumatizing much of Western and West Central Missouri by committing unspeakable crimes. Innocent families became their victims, including women, children and the elderly. These troops became known as the Red Legs and were under the command of General Blunt and Kansas Senator Jim Lane. They were joined by Jayhawkers, who were Kansan free-state guerilla fighters opposed to Missouri during the Border War.

When the Civil War broke out, Missouri was the home of many northern and southern natives and the divided loyalties of the state were evidenced by the fact that 100,000 men enlisted in the Federal army and 50,000 joined the rebel forces. This pitted neighbor against neighbor and no one knew whom they could trust. Most Missourians were hard working and honest people who did not own slaves or condone slavery. They were simple people trying to make a simple living as farmers, carpenters, cattlemen, etc. They did not wish to get involved in the conflict of the northern and southern states and chose to remain neutral. This non-committal stance added to the distrust throughout the state.

With the official declaration of the Civil War, the Red Legs and Jayhawkers increased their presence in Missouri and their crimes became more rampart. The murdering of innocent people, pillaging of property and raping of women and children continued on a broader scale, all in the name of the Federal Government. Attempts by Missourians to get the government to control their troops went unheeded. They were forced to take matters into their own hands to protect their homes and families. Some of these people became know as Partisans and secretly pledged their loyalty to the Confederacy but retained their civilian status. They aided the Confederacy in supplying them with food, shelter, clothing and revealing troop movements, etc. This was not done with the intent to support the southern cause but in retaliation against the crimes that had been committed against them by the Federals.

The Missouri Partisan Rangers was a group of men who formed their own army to fight the Union troops. These men supported the Confederacy because they shared the same enemy but not necessarily the same cause. Most of the Missouri Partisan Rangers were men who had suffered the loss of family members, property or had some kind of injustice inflicted upon on them by the Federal troops and they vowed revenge against them. Often times, they would assist in a raid and return to their homes that same evening to tend to their chores and families.

Some notable Missouri Partisan Rangers who later became known as "guerillas" were William Quantrill, Frank James, Cole Younger, and William "Bloody Bill" Anderson. They were distinguished as "guerillas" because of their style of warfare. These men were masters of war and introduced new tactics of warfare, such as disguising themselves as Federals or women to sneak into enemy territory to gain information or to launch a surprise attack. They continually overcame great odds by defeating Union troops that outnumbered them more than 2-1. The capture of these guerilla bands became a focal point for the Union army. In an attempt to draw out the guerillas the Federals arrested their female relatives and children, imprisoning them as spies. Some of these family members were taken to a makeshift prison located in a building in Kansas City. Mysteriously, this building collapsed killing 4 women. This senseless killing infuriated the guerillas and the Rangers. They viewed using the women and children as pawns a cowardly act and in retaliation, they attacked the town of Lawrence, Kansas in August of 1863. This raid was modeled after the Federal attack on Osceola, Missouri in 1861. This was a very bloody raid, many were killed and the town was burned to the ground.

Because of the attack on Lawrence and in an effort to cut the guerillas and the Rangers off from their supporters, General Thomas Ewing issued his infamous Order #11. This order forced all residents in Cass and Bates counties and parts of Vernon and Jackson counties to vacate their homes within fifteen days. (See article on Order #11). All grain, hay and food supplies were confiscated by Union troops and all homes and outbuildings were burned to the ground. These counties became known as "The Burnt District." Basically, this order was a "license to kill" for the Union army and they ravished these counties, burning everything in site and killing the men and young boys whom they suspected to be Southern Sympathizers. Woman and children were often left with nothing but the clothing on their backs and had to travel great distances to find a safe haven. Many died of starvation and exposure while in route. This action was unique during the Civil War in that it was specifically directed against a civilian population. It affected more than 20,000 individuals. It would be years before many of these families would be able to return home. When they did return home, they returned to burnt out structures and desolate land.

It is a little known fact that out of the 6,600 battles fought during the Civil War, 1,100 of those battles were fought in Missouri. The Confederate army suffered its worst defeat in Missouri during the Battle of Westport in October of 1864 and it was after this battle that the Union finally gained control of the state.

After the war, it was very difficult for the Confederates, the Missouri Partisan Rangers and the guerillas to resume a normal life. Some were wanted men and most were stripped of their property and a means to earn a living. Their families were scattered across the country. Some turned to outlawry while others struggled through prison terms and pardons.

The events of the Civil War in Missouri are often overlooked in history books, perhaps because of the numerous sins committed there by the Union army. Even today, many local residents do not know the history behind the very land they live upon and the events that took place in their county. The mention of Quantrill, "Bloody Bill" and Order #11 brings little recognition. Although we cannot condone their actions, we can certainly sympathize with the reasons behind them. To learn more about some of the events and who played an important role in Missouri’s Civil War, read the following articles:

The Border War (Charles Jennison, Jim Lane, James Montgomery)

William T "Bloody Bill" Anderson (Guerilla leader)