The Bloody Bill Anderson

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Recommended: Military strategy in the civil war

The concept of war has existed since the dawn of creation. Throughout the years, advancements in technology contributed to the increase of hate and violence. However, war gifted the world with influential and strong leaders. The Civil War showcased a multitude of these leaders throughout its harsh years. Although the Union won the war, the Confederate Army was the quintessence of character and determination. With the help of various militia and guerrilla bands, the Confederate Army won many battles, which could have been easily lost. “Bloody Bill” Anderson was a prime example of distracting Union forces. Though historians debate that he was sadistic and a cold blooded killer, “Bloody Bill” Anderson played a key role for the aid of the
The group harassed towns and looted materials from Union soldiers. However, in 1863, after about a year of leading his bushwhackers, Anderson combined his forces with a larger militia organization, led by William C. Quantrill. Anderson was soon promoted to lieutenant, achieving a co-command, and partook in raids in Westport, the state of Kansas, and Lafayette County, Missouri (Stanley). On August 14th, 1863, a sister of Anderson, who was believed to act as a Confederate spy, died after a Federal prison collapsed (“”Bloody Bill” Anderson Killed”). This conflict enraged Anderson. Anderson and Quantrill assembled over four hundred men, and attacked Lawrence, Kansas, where the incident had taken place. On August 21st, 1863, Anderson and his band killed over one hundred and fifty residents and burned the town (“”Bloody Bill” Anderson Killed”).
In result of the raid, Union retaliation increased, and Anderson and his men were persecuted. General Thomas Ewing fabricated a bill, called Order Number 11. The bill forced thousands of civilians to disperse from their homes in western Missouri. (Stanley). In resut, Anderson, Quantrill, and many of their men traveled to
Cox, ambushed Anderson and his approximately one hundred and fifty men on October 27th, 1864. Anderson was shot through the head and met his demise instantly. His body was then taken to Richmond, Missouri where it was displayed for a short period of time (Stanley). Anderson began his guerrilla movement in 1861 and then died in 1864. Although he fought for only three years, “Bloody Bill” Anderson successfully took down an entire Union division, and distracted Union officers, such as General Thomas Ewing and Samuel P. Cox. By achieving this, Anderson saved the Confederate Army men, as well as supplies. “Bloody Bill” Anderson restated the power and destruction a guerrilla army can hold, which ultimately assisted the Confederate Army.

Work Cited
"“Bloody Bill” Anderson Killed." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 18 May
2017. .
Stanley, Matthew. "Anderson, William “Bloody Bill”" Civil War on the Western Border: The
Missouri-Kansas Conflict, 1854-1865. The Kansas City Public Library. Accessed May,
18, 2017
Trout, Carlynn, and Elizabeth Engel. "William T. "Bloody Bill" Anderson." The State Historical
Society of Missouri. Historic Missourians, 2011. Web. 18 May

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