Missouri guerillas and the Union response
(remember that Missouri is a state in the Union)
In response to Confederate guerrilla attacks on a northern Missouri railroad line, Union general John Pope formally warns citizens within five miles of the railroad line he will hold them responsible for all damages if they do not report the guerrillas. (Pope had served in the Mexican American war when this had been U.S. policy against Mexican guerrillas).
The Platte River Railroad sabotage - September 3, 1861
Confederate guerillas led by Silas Gordon sabotage a railroad bridge upsetting a train killing about 20 and injuring 100.
The sacking and burning of Osceola, Missouri -
September 21, 1861
Unionist guerrillas ("Jayhawkers") from Kansas led by U.S. senator James Lane fight Confederate forces from Missouri and sack the town. Later, Lane becomes a Union general in the war. 11 citizens are executed.
Following western military commander John C. Fremont, Lincoln, through Secretary of State Seward, declares martial law in Missouri (the first instance in the Civil War) on December 2, 1863. But Lincoln revokes Fremont's emancipation order.
The burning of Platte City, Missouri 12/16/1861
Union general David Hunter burns the town after townspeople refuse to surrender guerrilla leader Silas Gordon.
The sacking of Lawrence, Kansas August 21, 1863:
Confederate guerrillas led by William Quantrill sacks the town in retaliation for the Osceola sacking, killing 180 - 200 men and boys.
In retaliation of the Lawrence sacking, Union General Thomas Ewing General Order 11 for the clearing of four (mostly) Confederate counties in western Missouri. Thousands of citizens were displaced and their homes were burnt.
Centralia Massacre September 27, 1864.
Confederate guerrillas (with 17 year old Jessie James) led by William T. ("Bloody Bill") Anderson murder and scalps 2 unarmed Union soldiers aboard a train.
The burning of towns outside Missouri
Randolph, Tennessee - September, 1862 - William Tecumseh Sherman
The town is burned except for one house in retaliation for guerilla fire at a Union supply boat on the Mississippi River. This is only one of numerous cases where the Union army burnt towns or villages in response to guerilla attacks.
In many cases were southern towns have been claimed to be "burnt to the ground," it is an exaggeration. Unless there was guerrilla activity nearby, only the infrastructure (e.g. railroads, warehouses) were burnt. Meridan, Mississippi is one such example of a town Sherman "burned."
Darien, Georgia - June 11, 1863 - Col James Montgomery (USA)
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania -June 30, 1864 - Gen John "Tiger" McCausland (CSA)
Murdering of Union Soldiers after battles
The Fort Pillow Massacre (Tennessee) April 12, 1864
The Saltville, Virginia massacre October 6 1864
Battle of the Crater (Petersburg, Virginia) July 30, 1864
Battle of Olustee, Florida 2/20/1864
Confederate Murders of Southern Unionists
1863 Shelton Laurel massacre in Madison County, N.C. January 1863. Several
Unionist women, including an 73 year old, were tortured to give up the
locations of a group of male Unionists, including 13 and 14 year old
boys, who were suspected of stealing salt. The men & boys were
captured and summarily executed by the Confederates.
2) The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas. October 1862. Over 40 Unionists were hung after impromptu trials or lynched without trials for "treason."
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