Compare and contrast Counter guerrilla operations Union vs Confederate

I'll just say that the Paw Paw Militia was one of the most bizarre concepts I've ever come across. The first time I ever read about it, I had to go back and re-read, just to be sure I had read it correctly. Sometimes the truth really is stranger than fiction.
 
I think others who have more in depth knowledge of this particular theatre of the war would be able to give a much more knowledgeable response, but a couple of things stand out for me.
First of all, to leave men in place with supposed 'changed' loyalties as per the Paw Paw Militia (just taking my understanding from what you have written) is always going to be hazardous. They potentially can, and in this case it seems did, shift sides depending on who had the upper hand at the time. In the long term they probably can't be relied upon.
Secondly, you describe how those unwilling to support the Confederacy, or favouring the Union, were helped to 'escape'. This takes them out of their community, the pressures or influence of that community, and gives them greater scope to act in support of the Federals, I'm guessing.
Thirdly, border areas will always be prime operating areas for guerillas, especially if the terrain favours them, even more so if they know it well. This seems to have worked in favour of both sides from what I am coming to understand. There is an opportunity to slip across, carry out an action, then retreat to the safety of their own community stronghold. Pockets of resistance on both sides of the border would also aid in this.
Feel free to correct me on any of this. As I said, I can't speak with any degree of knowledge about this particular area.
Quite right about the Border areas . Confederate guerrillas in Missouri constantly flowed back and forth from attacking the Union to more or less the sanctuary of Arkansas. Later on in the war not as much as the Union was able to more or less assert control in Northern Arkansas. As Union forces gained control of at least parts of East Tennessee and Northern Alabama that made preventing the infiltration of Unionist guerrillas just that much harder for Confederate COIN forces.
In COIN loyalties due change for a variety of reasons and not just in the Civil War.
No doubt COIN is hard work lots of variables and changing circumstances.
Leftyhunter
 
I'll just say that the Paw Paw Militia was one of the most bizarre concepts I've ever come across. The first time I ever read about it, I had to go back and re-read, just to be sure I had read it correctly. Sometimes the truth really is stranger than fiction.
In my thread about comparing the Vietnam War to the Civil War in the moderated thread forum the U.S. tried something similar called the" Cheu Hoi Program "or "Open Arms" other modern COIN wars around the world had programs to get the enemy to defect and fight on their sides .
Leftyhunter
 
In my thread about comparing the Vietnam War to the Civil War in the moderated thread forum the U.S. tried something similar called the" Cheu Hoi Program "or "Open Arms" other modern COIN wars around the world had programs to get the enemy to defect and fight on their sides .
Leftyhunter
When you say 'get the enemy to defect', I'm assuming you mean take them out of their areas to fight on the side of their former enemy. But this could also mean leaving them in place, which would be much more hazardous for the defector who essentially becomes an informant in that situation.
 
When you say 'get the enemy to defect', I'm assuming you mean take them out of their areas to fight on the side of their former enemy. But this could also mean leaving them in place, which would be much more hazardous for the defector who essentially becomes an informant in that situation.
Certainly that was the case in Northern Ireland. In the Civil War there were no deep cover informants at least regarding COIN. Both sides would ask locals in the case of the Union slaves. Not that Confederate guerrillas such as Hilderbrand wouldn't wear Union uniforms and after eliciting said information kill said informer.
None the less COIN forces in the Civil War and other wars tend to fight close to home.
Leftyhunter
 
Certainly that was the case in Northern Ireland.
Just thought I'd add an interesting little fact here. Nationalists/Republicans generally refer to N.I. as either the North, or the North of Ireland. Calling it Northern Ireland gives legitimacy to Britain's claim to that part of the country. Depending on your sensibilities you will either use Derry, or Londonderry, for the 2nd largest city in the North. I'ts a bit like using the terms First Manassas or First Bull Run. Depends which side of the fence your sitting on...
 
Quite right about the Border areas . Confederate guerrillas in Missouri constantly flowed back and forth from attacking the Union to more or less the sanctuary of Arkansas. Later on in the war not as much as the Union was able to more or less assert control in Northern Arkansas. As Union forces gained control of at least parts of East Tennessee and Northern Alabama that made preventing the infiltration of Unionist guerrillas just that much harder for Confederate COIN forces.
In COIN loyalties due change for a variety of reasons and not just in the Civil War.
No doubt COIN is hard work lots of variables and changing circumstances.
Leftyhunter
Well the Missouri guerillas in Western and Central Missouri only wintred in Arkansas in 1862-63 their sacutureies in Missouri ,were the Sni a bar, little and big blue areas, and eventually the Howard county area. During 1864 it was the Perche Hills of Boone County and the Whetstone area of Callaway County. In 63-64 winter the main bands wintered in the Sherman Texas area and some had done so in 62 in the 64-65 winter the also wintered in Texas, some stayed in Missouri throughout the war.
 
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Confederate guerrillas in Missouri constantly flowed back and forth from attacking the Union to more or less the sanctuary of Arkansas.

Lefty, I don't think this is accurate at all. Here's a quote that is accurate:

Well the Missouri guerillas in Western and Central Missouri only wintred in Arkansas in 1862-63 their sacutureies in Missouri ,were the Sni a bar, little and big blue areas, and eventually the Howard county area. During 1864 it was the Perche Hills of Boone County and the Whetstone area of Callaway County. In 63-64 winter the main bands wintered in the Sherman Texas area and some had done so in 62 in the 64-65 winter the also wintered in Texas, some stayed in Missouri throughout the war.

Borderruffian has it just right. During that fateful winter in Sherman, Texas, Quantrill lost control of his command to Anderson and Todd, and some terrible things began to happen in central Missouri as a result. Northern Arkansas didn't factor into this at all.
 
Well the Missouri guerillas in Western and Central Missouri only wintred in Arkansas in 1862-63 their sacutureies in Missouri ,were the Sni a bar, little and big blue areas, and eventually the Howard county area. During 1864 it was the Perche Hills of Boone County and the Whetstone area of Callaway County. In 63-64 winter the main bands wintered in the Sherman Texas area and some had done so in 62 in the 64-65 winter the also wintered in Texas, some stayed in Missouri throughout the war.
True but I was also referencing Samual Hilderbrand's gang and also from the writing of McKay and Mowars the activites of the 1st Ark Cav in clearing Mo, CSA guerrillas from Northern Ark. Traditionally in COIN War or at least very often the insurgents are supported by another country and receive arms and sanctuary from it. During the ACW Ark while occupied by the CSA served that purpose. Border areas in all COIN conflicts always have a lot of activity. @Patrick H per Dyers the MSM spent quite a bit of time in Ark. Makes me think that the Mo guerrillas spent a fair amount of time in Ark again per Hilderbrand's biography indeed they did.
Leftyhunter
 
uer
Lefty, I don't think this is accurate at all. Here's a quote that is accurate:



Borderruffian has it just right. During that fateful winter in Sherman, Texas, Quantrill lost control of his command to Anderson and Todd, and some terrible things began to happen in central Missouri as a result. Northern Arkansas didn't factor into this at all.

Well George Todd finally called it quits with WCQ after they got back to Missouri,but true enough
he started losing control in Sherman, first of Bloody Bill who broke away in Texas and then more slowly of Todd. When WCQ went to hide out in Howard County he only had a few of his band with him.
 
Just thought I'd add an interesting little fact here. Nationalists/Republicans generally refer to N.I. as either the North, or the North of Ireland. Calling it Northern Ireland gives legitimacy to Britain's claim to that part of the country. Depending on your sensibilities you will either use Derry, or Londonderry, for the 2nd largest city in the North. I'ts a bit like using the terms First Manassas or First Bull Run. Depends which side of the fence your sitting on...
At least I didn't say Ulster. :D Not being Catholic or Protestant or Irish or even Galic I can be neutral . On the other hand until the Union Jack comes down I will stick with NI. True enough folks do get sensitive about names. Some prefer to call the Southwest US "Aztlan".
Leftyhunter
 
ARTE
True but I was also referencing Samual Hilderbrand's gang and also from the writing of McKay and Mowars the activites of the 1st Ark Cav in clearing Mo, CSA guerrillas from Northern Ark. Traditionally in COIN War or at least very often the insurgents are supported by another country and receive arms and sanctuary from it. During the ACW Ark while occupied by the CSA served that purpose. Border areas in all COIN conflicts always have a lot of activity. @Patrick H per Dyers the MSM spent quite a bit of time in Ark. Makes me think that the Mo guerrillas spent a fair amount of time in Ark again per Hilderbrand's biography indeed they did.
Leftyhunter

Sam Hildebrand was coming from south central South East Missouri, Arkansas was closer to there than the IT or Texas where as the western and central bands generally went through the Nations to Texas along the Texas Road crossing the Red at Colberts Ferry, the IT having less Federal Troops to avoid and Texas being CS held.
 
At least I didn't say Ulster. :D Not being Catholic or Protestant or Irish or even Galic I can be neutral . On the other hand until the Union Jack comes down I will stick with NI. True enough folks do get sensitive about names. Some prefer to call the Southwest US "Aztlan".
Leftyhunter
I'll let you call it the 6 counties :wink:
 
In my thread about comparing the Vietnam War to the Civil War in the moderated thread forum the U.S. tried something similar called the" Cheu Hoi Program "or "Open Arms" other modern COIN wars around the world had programs to get the enemy to defect and fight on their sides .
Leftyhunter

I think there is a general misunderstanding of the Paw-Paw militia circa 1861 thru 65 when comparing it to the Vietnam era Chui-Hoi program. First not all or even most members of the Paw-Paw,s were former CS Soliders, or MSG members, the Choi-Hoi's were as were the Kit Carson scouts of that era. Many of the Paw-Paws were their because they were neutral in sprit or preferred not to fight against the south.

Another difference is the fact that some CHOI-Hois went into the program to get arms , medical treatment eat regularly and then went back to Charlie in the bush..........It's comparing apples to catfish IMO.
 
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Found this on Pinterest. Confederate guerrillas on the Missouri-Kansas border. Is one of these guys Jose Wales?

Found this article on the internet which I thought was interesting...just wondering how truthful it is?

"The story of Bill Wilson has been told throughout the Ozark Mountains since he began his bloody career in 1861 to the present day. He is a true folk hero. The Ozarks were full of men who took to the bush and waged a single man to a small gang warfare on the union soldiers, red legs, jayhawkers and spies for the Union. Although there were a lot of these men, if someone said, “The Bushwhacker,” “The Great Bushwhacker,” or the “Famous Bushwhacker,” everyone knew that they were talking about Bill Wilson. His daring deeds are still considered miracles due to his never being wounded once. He is remembered for his superior skill with revolvers and clever tactics in surprising his enemies. The writings and movie about Josie Wales are based on the real bushwhacker, Bill Wilson.

Bill Wilson was born around 1830 in Phelps County, Missouri. His father, Sol Wilson, was a very well-to-do farmer who owned several slaves, but freed them before the Civil War. Sol remained neutral and advised his children to do the same.

At 6’2” tall and 185 pounds with black curly hair and bright blue eyes, Bill was a very striking man. Because of his fun loving personality and skill at playing the violin, he was always in demand for weddings and parties. Bill was never without at least two forty-four caliber six shooters. This was not uncommon in the mountains at that time.

In the summer of 1861, some horses were stolen from the U.S. Government by a guerilla gang. Bill was accused of the deed. He was questioned, but maintained his innocence. A few days later, while he was away from home, a group of Union soldiers, Jayhawkers and Red Legs rode to his house, ejected his family, took everything he had, and set fire to his house, barn and outbuildings. Bill moved his family into a one room cabin on his mother’s farm and started on his quest. Bill Wilson became, “The Bushwhacker.”

Bodies started turning up everywhere. Sometimes disguised as a Union soldier, sometimes alone, sometimes in the company of other bushwhackers, Bill was always a very dangerous man. Even when alone, Bill Wilson claimed to have three friends with him, his best horse and two six shooters. He was constantly in pistol practice and most of it from the back of a horse.

Bushwhacker Bill found out from a neighbor, Mary A. Arthur, that four Union soldiers had been by her place looking for him. He knew that they had to come back the same route to get to their headquarters at Rolla, Missouri. He hid and watched the trail. When they approached, he stepped onto the road, stopped them, drew both revolvers and killed all four of them. This surprise was their shock and his edge. After Mrs. Arthur identified the soldiers, Bill removed them from her property and led away four government horses.

On one occasion, Bill rode his horse from a main trail to the Little Piney River and back several times. He then rode up stream, crossed the river, came back down, and rode back and fourth to the river across from his original tracks. This made it look like a crossing. There was quicksand between the two trails. He got several soldiers after him on the road, took the trail, and then left it, tricking the soldiers into riding into the quicksand. Many soldiers and horses were drowned that day.

At a Union soldier’s reunion, several years after the war, a favorite story was that of three soldiers trying to trap Bill. Due to his love for turkey hunting, they slipped as close to the Bushwhacker’s camp as they dared and started making turkey sounds. Bill caught on and slipped up hill in order to change locations. He started calling. Thinking it was a turkey answering them, the soldiers were drawn in. Soon all of the soldiers dreaded going after Mr. Wilson.

Bushwhacker Jim Deem and his father were killed by soldiers. Hearing of this, Bill immediately set up in a rock shed next to the road close to the Deem home. He shaved his long beard to change his appearance. This was his edge. When the soldiers arrived, they asked him if he had seen Bill Wilson.

The Bushwhacker said, “You are looking at him.”

All five pulled their revolvers and Bill killed the other four. Mrs. Deem identified them and Bill removed them from her property, leading away four government horses.

More soldiers, scouts and spies were set afield looking for bushwhackers. One of them was James Butler Hickok (Wild Bill). They just couldn’t catch Bill Wilson.

Once three soldiers were guarding a mill house with Bill inside. He watched and when one started lighting his pipe, Bill decided that this distraction was all the edge he needed. He rushed them, killing all three. He again led away government horses.

On another occasion, Bill was working with Bushwhacker Tom Brown. They ended up in a running gunfight with soldiers. Tom slowed down and killed several, but his horse took too many bullets and Tom was killed. Bill always talked about telling Tom not to try that due to there being too many, but it may have been that Tom didn’t have enough horse or that his horse had already taken bullets.

Once Bill followed a government supply train and after they made camp, charged in on his horse and killed what he could while others ran away. It is unknown how many he killed on this raid, but it was said to be his highest number yet. Bill Wilson robbed and burned many wagon trains by charging in. This surprised attack was all the edge he needed.

Sometimes Bill Wilson rode with Bushwhackers Dick Kitchen, Anthony Wright and Jim Jamison. They were all natives of the Ozark Mountains in Phelps County, Missouri. Together they did much damage to the Union army in the area.

Anthony Wright was the son of former Presiding Justice Lewis F. Wright. Anthony hid food stuffs taken in a train robbery under his father’s house. It was found by soldiers. After questioning Anthony’s father and four brothers, and not learning anything, all five were shot in front of Anthony’s mother. They were all innocent.

After the war, rewards were posted for Anthony, Dick, Jim and Bill. Anthony Wright moved a few times and many years later died of old age in Oklahoma. Dick Kitchen moved to Evening Shade, Arkansas and ran a harness shop. A spy gained his confidence and killed him with one of his own guns. Jim Jamison was pardoned by Governor Crittenden and became a peace officer in Kansas and finally a Texas Ranger. Bill Wilson went to Texas and his wife received a letter stating that he was killed for his wealth. Everyone believed that this was contrived to allow the Bushwhacker to change his name and avoid bounty hunters. It was thought that no one could kill him. His wife did re-marry, but soon moved back to the home that Bill bought just before going to Texas.

Mountain people of the Ozarks maintained a code of “mind your own business.” They didn’t readily take anyone into their confidence. In 1939 a book, Bushwhacker - A True History of Bill Wilson, Missouri’s Greatest Desperado was written by a descendent of friends and neighbors of the famous bushwhacker. Even though the author grew up in Phelps County, he never found out that these bushwhackers were associated with Partisan Rangers under Colonel William Clarke Quantrill. During the winter and when not active in Missouri, they were in North Texas. He only found out that Jim Jamison guided Quantrill while the Rangers were in Missouri.

One may wonder what the bushwhackers did with all the U.S. horses they stole. Easy answer. Quantrill and General Joe Shelby were in constant need of re-mounts. Horses were a great contribution to their cause.

After the war, there was a $300 bounty on bushwhackers. Bill Wilson went to Texas waiting on things to settle down. In March, 1865 Dave Poole, Arch Clement, Jim Anderson and 144 other Quantrill Rangers moved to Sherman, Texas. Wilson was probably one of this group. Captain Dave Poole stayed in Sherman and became a successful rancher, spending a lot of his time brokering pardons for many of the Rangers. Bill would not take the oath, but did make many trips back to Missouri visiting his family.


THE MOVIE

In the movie, Josie Wales, Josie arrives in Texas, goes into a store, is shown a death picture of Simp Dixon and is told that Bob Lee is still fighting in Fannin County. Actually, Simp wasn’t killed until one year after both Bob Lee and Bill Wilson were killed. Also, there are no known pictures of Simp Dixon. The one used in the movie was that of Bill Doolin, killed many years later. When Simp Dixon left North Texas, a Missouri Partisan Ranger, Sam Stone, let him set up an ambush in Stone’s woodlot to kill Judge Hardin Hart. Hart was not killed, but did lose his left arm to a shotgun blast. This happened five miles south of Bonham, Texas. Dixon went south tracking Lewis Peacock, Bob Lee’s nemesis, and was killed near Fort Parker. He is buried close to Cynthia Ann Parker, Quanah Parker’s mother, and her family.

The saloon/bordello/gambling house in the movie would have been that belonging to Jim, “Jim Crow” Chiles. Mr. Chiles was burnt out in Missouri before the war and moved his family to Sherman, Texas. He was an uncle of President Harry Truman and had met Quantrill while a wagon master on the Santa Fe Trail. He rode with both Quantrill and General Joe Shelby. All the Rangers frequented his place while in Sherman.

While the movie Josie Wales had minor historical inaccuracies, it had many parallels to the life of the Bushwhacker Bill Wilson. The one big surprise came towards the end of the movie when “Jim Crow” Chiles told the two police officers who were on the great outlaw roundup, that Josie’s name was “Mr. Wilson.”


THE END


Bill Wilson was probably living around Sherman, Texas after the war. He sold a wagon load of apples in McKinney, Texas and was paid in greenbacks. The transaction was observed by John Thompson and William O. Blackmore, both ex-Missouri Partisan Rangers. Bill headed north a short distance and spent the night at the home of J. B. Wilmeth. The next morning he continued north through Van Alstyne. Thompson and Blackmore over took him one mile north of Van Alstyne where now Highway 5 crosses a branch of Prong Creek. There they shot him several times, robbed him, and buried him in a shallow grave. After these men were caught, they confessed and were tried and convicted. Both were hanged at 1:00 p.m. on March 26, 1869 in Sherman, Texas.

So ends the Great Bushwhacker Bill Wilson. “Maybe no five pistoleers alive that could kill him,” but two ex-comrades in arms did get the drop on him.

Was he exhumed and buried in a cemetery or left by the road covered with a little dirt and brush? His descendents would like to know. They have made attempts to locate his burial site in order to relocate anything found to a family cemetery in Missouri.


Ronnie Atnip is a twenty year member of the Fannin County Historical Commission, a hobby historian and member of the Bob Lee Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Bonham, Texas.
 
View attachment 139156Found this on Pinterest. Confederate guerrillas on the Missouri-Kansas border. Is one of these guys Jose Wales?

Found this article on the internet which I thought was interesting...just wondering how truthful it is?

"The story of Bill Wilson has been told throughout the Ozark Mountains since he began his bloody career in 1861 to the present day. He is a true folk hero. The Ozarks were full of men who took to the bush and waged a single man to a small gang warfare on the union soldiers, red legs, jayhawkers and spies for the Union. Although there were a lot of these men, if someone said, “The Bushwhacker,” “The Great Bushwhacker,” or the “Famous Bushwhacker,” everyone knew that they were talking about Bill Wilson. His daring deeds are still considered miracles due to his never being wounded once. He is remembered for his superior skill with revolvers and clever tactics in surprising his enemies. The writings and movie about Josie Wales are based on the real bushwhacker, Bill Wilson.

Bill Wilson was born around 1830 in Phelps County, Missouri. His father, Sol Wilson, was a very well-to-do farmer who owned several slaves, but freed them before the Civil War. Sol remained neutral and advised his children to do the same.

At 6’2” tall and 185 pounds with black curly hair and bright blue eyes, Bill was a very striking man. Because of his fun loving personality and skill at playing the violin, he was always in demand for weddings and parties. Bill was never without at least two forty-four caliber six shooters. This was not uncommon in the mountains at that time.

In the summer of 1861, some horses were stolen from the U.S. Government by a guerilla gang. Bill was accused of the deed. He was questioned, but maintained his innocence. A few days later, while he was away from home, a group of Union soldiers, Jayhawkers and Red Legs rode to his house, ejected his family, took everything he had, and set fire to his house, barn and outbuildings. Bill moved his family into a one room cabin on his mother’s farm and started on his quest. Bill Wilson became, “The Bushwhacker.”

Bodies started turning up everywhere. Sometimes disguised as a Union soldier, sometimes alone, sometimes in the company of other bushwhackers, Bill was always a very dangerous man. Even when alone, Bill Wilson claimed to have three friends with him, his best horse and two six shooters. He was constantly in pistol practice and most of it from the back of a horse.

Bushwhacker Bill found out from a neighbor, Mary A. Arthur, that four Union soldiers had been by her place looking for him. He knew that they had to come back the same route to get to their headquarters at Rolla, Missouri. He hid and watched the trail. When they approached, he stepped onto the road, stopped them, drew both revolvers and killed all four of them. This surprise was their shock and his edge. After Mrs. Arthur identified the soldiers, Bill removed them from her property and led away four government horses.

On one occasion, Bill rode his horse from a main trail to the Little Piney River and back several times. He then rode up stream, crossed the river, came back down, and rode back and fourth to the river across from his original tracks. This made it look like a crossing. There was quicksand between the two trails. He got several soldiers after him on the road, took the trail, and then left it, tricking the soldiers into riding into the quicksand. Many soldiers and horses were drowned that day.

At a Union soldier’s reunion, several years after the war, a favorite story was that of three soldiers trying to trap Bill. Due to his love for turkey hunting, they slipped as close to the Bushwhacker’s camp as they dared and started making turkey sounds. Bill caught on and slipped up hill in order to change locations. He started calling. Thinking it was a turkey answering them, the soldiers were drawn in. Soon all of the soldiers dreaded going after Mr. Wilson.

Bushwhacker Jim Deem and his father were killed by soldiers. Hearing of this, Bill immediately set up in a rock shed next to the road close to the Deem home. He shaved his long beard to change his appearance. This was his edge. When the soldiers arrived, they asked him if he had seen Bill Wilson.

The Bushwhacker said, “You are looking at him.”

All five pulled their revolvers and Bill killed the other four. Mrs. Deem identified them and Bill removed them from her property, leading away four government horses.

More soldiers, scouts and spies were set afield looking for bushwhackers. One of them was James Butler Hickok (Wild Bill). They just couldn’t catch Bill Wilson.

Once three soldiers were guarding a mill house with Bill inside. He watched and when one started lighting his pipe, Bill decided that this distraction was all the edge he needed. He rushed them, killing all three. He again led away government horses.

On another occasion, Bill was working with Bushwhacker Tom Brown. They ended up in a running gunfight with soldiers. Tom slowed down and killed several, but his horse took too many bullets and Tom was killed. Bill always talked about telling Tom not to try that due to there being too many, but it may have been that Tom didn’t have enough horse or that his horse had already taken bullets.

Once Bill followed a government supply train and after they made camp, charged in on his horse and killed what he could while others ran away. It is unknown how many he killed on this raid, but it was said to be his highest number yet. Bill Wilson robbed and burned many wagon trains by charging in. This surprised attack was all the edge he needed.

Sometimes Bill Wilson rode with Bushwhackers Dick Kitchen, Anthony Wright and Jim Jamison. They were all natives of the Ozark Mountains in Phelps County, Missouri. Together they did much damage to the Union army in the area.

Anthony Wright was the son of former Presiding Justice Lewis F. Wright. Anthony hid food stuffs taken in a train robbery under his father’s house. It was found by soldiers. After questioning Anthony’s father and four brothers, and not learning anything, all five were shot in front of Anthony’s mother. They were all innocent.

After the war, rewards were posted for Anthony, Dick, Jim and Bill. Anthony Wright moved a few times and many years later died of old age in Oklahoma. Dick Kitchen moved to Evening Shade, Arkansas and ran a harness shop. A spy gained his confidence and killed him with one of his own guns. Jim Jamison was pardoned by Governor Crittenden and became a peace officer in Kansas and finally a Texas Ranger. Bill Wilson went to Texas and his wife received a letter stating that he was killed for his wealth. Everyone believed that this was contrived to allow the Bushwhacker to change his name and avoid bounty hunters. It was thought that no one could kill him. His wife did re-marry, but soon moved back to the home that Bill bought just before going to Texas.

Mountain people of the Ozarks maintained a code of “mind your own business.” They didn’t readily take anyone into their confidence. In 1939 a book, Bushwhacker - A True History of Bill Wilson, Missouri’s Greatest Desperado was written by a descendent of friends and neighbors of the famous bushwhacker. Even though the author grew up in Phelps County, he never found out that these bushwhackers were associated with Partisan Rangers under Colonel William Clarke Quantrill. During the winter and when not active in Missouri, they were in North Texas. He only found out that Jim Jamison guided Quantrill while the Rangers were in Missouri.

One may wonder what the bushwhackers did with all the U.S. horses they stole. Easy answer. Quantrill and General Joe Shelby were in constant need of re-mounts. Horses were a great contribution to their cause.

After the war, there was a $300 bounty on bushwhackers. Bill Wilson went to Texas waiting on things to settle down. In March, 1865 Dave Poole, Arch Clement, Jim Anderson and 144 other Quantrill Rangers moved to Sherman, Texas. Wilson was probably one of this group. Captain Dave Poole stayed in Sherman and became a successful rancher, spending a lot of his time brokering pardons for many of the Rangers. Bill would not take the oath, but did make many trips back to Missouri visiting his family.


THE MOVIE

In the movie, Josie Wales, Josie arrives in Texas, goes into a store, is shown a death picture of Simp Dixon and is told that Bob Lee is still fighting in Fannin County. Actually, Simp wasn’t killed until one year after both Bob Lee and Bill Wilson were killed. Also, there are no known pictures of Simp Dixon. The one used in the movie was that of Bill Doolin, killed many years later. When Simp Dixon left North Texas, a Missouri Partisan Ranger, Sam Stone, let him set up an ambush in Stone’s woodlot to kill Judge Hardin Hart. Hart was not killed, but did lose his left arm to a shotgun blast. This happened five miles south of Bonham, Texas. Dixon went south tracking Lewis Peacock, Bob Lee’s nemesis, and was killed near Fort Parker. He is buried close to Cynthia Ann Parker, Quanah Parker’s mother, and her family.

The saloon/bordello/gambling house in the movie would have been that belonging to Jim, “Jim Crow” Chiles. Mr. Chiles was burnt out in Missouri before the war and moved his family to Sherman, Texas. He was an uncle of President Harry Truman and had met Quantrill while a wagon master on the Santa Fe Trail. He rode with both Quantrill and General Joe Shelby. All the Rangers frequented his place while in Sherman.

While the movie Josie Wales had minor historical inaccuracies, it had many parallels to the life of the Bushwhacker Bill Wilson. The one big surprise came towards the end of the movie when “Jim Crow” Chiles told the two police officers who were on the great outlaw roundup, that Josie’s name was “Mr. Wilson.”


THE END


Bill Wilson was probably living around Sherman, Texas after the war. He sold a wagon load of apples in McKinney, Texas and was paid in greenbacks. The transaction was observed by John Thompson and William O. Blackmore, both ex-Missouri Partisan Rangers. Bill headed north a short distance and spent the night at the home of J. B. Wilmeth. The next morning he continued north through Van Alstyne. Thompson and Blackmore over took him one mile north of Van Alstyne where now Highway 5 crosses a branch of Prong Creek. There they shot him several times, robbed him, and buried him in a shallow grave. After these men were caught, they confessed and were tried and convicted. Both were hanged at 1:00 p.m. on March 26, 1869 in Sherman, Texas.

So ends the Great Bushwhacker Bill Wilson. “Maybe no five pistoleers alive that could kill him,” but two ex-comrades in arms did get the drop on him.

Was he exhumed and buried in a cemetery or left by the road covered with a little dirt and brush? His descendents would like to know. They have made attempts to locate his burial site in order to relocate anything found to a family cemetery in Missouri.


Ronnie Atnip is a twenty year member of the Fannin County Historical Commission, a hobby historian and member of the Bob Lee Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Bonham, Texas.
Interesting. Why would Wilson's former comrades kill him especially post war?
Leftyhunter
 
Interesting. Why would Wilson's former comrades kill him especially post war?
Leftyhunter
Of course, I don't know, but it sound like from what is written that it might of been for the money.

He sold a wagon load of apples in McKinney, Texas and was paid in greenbacks. The transaction was observed by John Thompson and William O. Blackmore, both ex-Missouri Partisan Rangers. Bill headed north a short distance and spent the night at the home of J. B. Wilmeth. The next morning he continued north through Van Alstyne. Thompson and Blackmore over took him one mile north of Van Alstyne where now Highway 5 crosses a branch of Prong Creek. There they shot him several times, robbed him, and buried him in a shallow grave. After these men were caught, they confessed and were tried and convicted. Both were hanged at 1:00 p.m. on March 26, 1869 in Sherman, Texas.
 
Of course, I don't know, but it sound like from what is written that it might of been for the money.
In contrast 12 pieces of silver would be a high price. In todays economy a wagonfull of organic apples ( the kind they had back in the day would equal maybe $3,000 dollars assuming high quality apples sold at a highend farmers market. Some of our agricultural experts might tweak the numbers. For that small amount of money they would off their fellow comrade in arms.
Interesting indeed.
Leftyhunter
 
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