Price and McCulloch: The fueling of guerrilla warfare in Missouri
Portrait of Major General Sterling Price, C.S.A.
After the victory at Wilson's Creek in August of 1861, southern forces in Missouri under the command of Missouri Militia General Sterling Price and Confederate Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch found a new sense of purpose in Missouri. Southern sympathizing Missourians found a renewed spirit and hope for their cause in Missouri.
This led to the militia making its way northward through Missouri and ended in the town of Lexington along the Missouri River. "The Battle of the Hemp Bales," as it was also called, was a temporary victory for Price and his militia. However, General McCulloch opted not to follow his southern sympathizing brethren and held to the southwestern portion of Missouri. By November, McCulloch had secured that portion of the state.
In a dispatch to Confederate General Samuel Cooper, the rift between McCulloch and Price was ever apparent:
HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, Springfield, Mo. November 19, 1861 General S. COOPER Adjt. and Insp. General, C. S. Army, Richmond, Va. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on the night of the 15th instant I received information at my headquarters, 72 miles from here, that the Federal troops had started back toward Saint Louis from this place. On the 16th I started with all my available mounted troops, without wagons, and after a rapid march arrived near here last night. I was in hopes before arriving that I might be able to overtake some of the trains of the enemy, but on my arrival I found that they were too far to attempt even a pursuit, they being at least 100 miles ahead.
From all the information I can obtain the enemy's strength was at least 30,000, with an abundance of artillery. There was evidently considerable disaffection in their ranks, and on leaving here Lane, with his Kansas troops, carried off 500 or 600 negroes, belonging to Union men as well as secessionists. From what I can learn they intend to fortify Rolla, Sedalia, and Jefferson City, and to garrison each of those places. The Union men have nearly all fled with the Federal troops, leaving this place almost deserted. From all the information I can get of General Price's movements he seems to be making his way in the direction of the Missouri River. An attempt of the kind, in my opinion, can only terminate as did his previous expedition to that country. Considering it inexpedient to attempt a winter campaign in this country, I shall return to the borders of Arkansas, and put my command in winter quarters by the 15th of December. As there will be much to do to make the many arrangements necessary for an early spring campaign, I respectfully request the authority of the Department for me to visit Richmond for that purpose. Hoping my views may meet the approval of the Department, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BEN. McCULLOCH Brigadier-General, Commanding
!Brig. Gen. Benjamin McCulloch, CSA (1811–1862)
Brig. Gen. Benjamin McCulloch, CSA (1811–1862)
McCulloch also wrote to CSA Secretary of War J. P. Benjamin on the same day with the following account:
HEADQUARTERS, Springfield, Mo. November 19, 1861 Honorable J. P. BENJAMIN Secretary of War SIR: I shall return to Arkansas, put my troops in winter quarters soon, and ask permission to come immediately to Richmond, so as to give the administration correct information regarding affairs in this region before it acts on matters here. The Federals left eight days since with 30,000 men, quarreled among themselves, and greatly injured their cause by taking enslaved persons belonging to Union men. General Lane went to Kansas, General Hunter to Sedalia, and General Sigel to Rolla. I have the honor to be, with respect, your obedient servant, BEN. McCULLOCH Brigadier-General, Commanding
It's obvious that McCulloch did not agree with Price's actions and began preparations to move his command out of Missouri to be used elsewhere for the Confederacy.
With the rift turning into rivalry, the overall command of the Trans-Mississippi district was turned over to Major General Earl Van Dorn. Price was commissioned a Major General in the Confederate Army, and Price's militia and McCulloch's soldiers were combined into the Army of the West, which would engage Union General Samuel Curtis at the Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas.
With regular Confederate and most pro-southern militia pulled out of Missouri, the pro-southern cause was left in the hands of guerrillas like:
- William Clarke Quantrill
- William "Bloody Bill" Anderson
- George Todd
- Dave Poole
- Cole Younger
- William Gregg
- John McCorkle
to defend the southern and Missouri cause.
Dispatches Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, Vol. 3, Part 1, Chapter X, pp. 742–743