Did the devis ALWAYS know how to ride

[52ndFandS]

About 17 years ago I read a book called The Devil Knows How To Ride, about Capt. W. C. Quantril. I'm a bit of an aficionado on outlaws in general and under flag in war doubly so.

I don't, at this point conider Quantril to be much more than a drunk, murderous man with three stripes, or whatever insignia he chose to wear. Though I see him that way I question, and I think I always will, just why a little cog in the big Confederate machine traveled all the way to Richmond and back. But that is for another thread.

Yesterday I thought if the title of the book. Very compelling. I'm sure many picked ot up just for that reason. I started thinking about the rapid tra el of horses and how they played a huge part of the guerilla fight.

I've been writing a historical novel about the war far south of the Show Me State and reserve and Home Guard play a large part. So my question is were there any guerilla bands that were on foot. And not Home Guard but actual 'we'll hang these guys if we can get 'em' sorts.

(Sorry about being so long winded. I like to see myself write)

 

[Nathan Stuart]

So my question is were there any guerilla bands that were on foot.

Thought 'mobility' was at the essence of any irregular guerrilla type fighting. Thus, rapid four-legged transport means was generally needed to apply any surprise 'hit and run' tactics.

For one, suspect there were assorted very small bands of guerillas afoot, among the various irregulars (mainly mounted) that fired from concealed riverbank positions on Grant's transports and other waterways traffic travelling along the Mississippi during the Vicksburg Campaign.

 

[52ndFandS]

Thought 'mobility' was at the essence of any irregular guerrilla type fighting. Thus, rapid four-legged transport means was generally needed to apply any surprise 'hit and run' tactics.

For one, suspect there were assorted very small bands of guerillas afoot, among the various irregulars (mainly mounted) that fired from concealed riverbank positions on Grant's transports and other waterways traffic travelling along the Mississippi during the Vicksburg Campaign.

Thanks for the information. Always thought it rather easy to hide or at least hide weapons and 'play dumb' on foot.

Anderson was fond of attacking riverboats. I think he rather enjoyed attacking anything. He was an underrated tactician and considering the war in that theater, and that fighting went back pre-war, was cruel, but I'm not so sure what he did was anything worse than things done anywhere else in the war. In any theater.

(EDIT) These rather rough looking gentlemen, ladles as a guerrillas, had brought it to mind as well. Long arms and horses were not unknown but uncommon.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Anderson was fond of attacking riverboats.

Believe both Quantrill and Anderson began attacking steamboats on the Missouri River between Jefferson City and Kansas City during the first half of 1864. The threat of guerrilla activities, that included the firing on river commerce along this waterway, was so real in this period, that the Union commander of the District of Central Missouri, B-G Egbert Brown, made the following request, dated June 14, '64, to the authorities in St. Louis:

…'I have the honor to report that the depredations of guerrillas have assumed a character that they demand the serious consideration of the Government.'… (See 'OR': Series 1, Vol. 34, Part 4, at page 363). In other words, Brown asked for drastic action to be undertaken in response to these serious guerrilla risks presented in this area under his control.

By July '64, guerrilla attacks on the Missouri River transports had become so severe that in mid-month Brown temporarily halted all river traffic 'until further notice', as well as sent out more frequent and heavier armed cavalry patrols to eradicate these guerrillas and who took no prisoners.

 

[archieclement]

Not aware of bands on foot, they wouldn't survived long.

Now in 1861, many initial MSG were infantry. They seemed the first sent to join Price/Jackson. Mounted could remain behind to raid/harass/recruit.

 

[Borderruffian]

Not aware of bands on foot, they wouldn't survived long.

Now in 1861, many initial MSG were infantry. They seemed the first sent to join Price/Jackson. Mounted could remain behind to raid/harass/recruit.

I think that any dismounted guerilla bands were indeed very small perhaps like the " Bridge Burners" along the North Missouri RR early in the war , but that is kinda doubtful to if one was to say they were all dismounted. Guerilla tactics almost demand rapid engress and engress and the ability to split their force to in turn split the pursuing force.WCQ, Bill Anderson, George Todd, Dave Poole , Holtzclaw and One Armed Alvin Cobb all used that tactic very well.
If you want to classify the Home Guard , EMM and MSM out of , say Gasconade County or even other points South of the River who at times used infantry units ( unmounted) to operate North of the River in counties like Warren, Lincoln, Montgomery, Callaway and Audrain you might make a case that in operating like guerillas they were in fact guerillas, but I don't know if it clear the fence when all is said and done.

 

[52ndFandS]

Not aware of bands on foot, they wouldn't survived long.

Now in 1861, many initial MSG were infantry. They seemed the first sent to join Price/Jackson. Mounted could remain behind to raid/harass/recruit.

I was waiting for your response.
@archieclement