War - Through The Eyes of a 19 year old Kid - My Great Grandfather

THE  GREAT  CENTRALIA  FIGHT  “The bloodiest battle of the Civil War”

From the view of a 19 year old young man who was there and others – a matter of perspective.

My Grandfather Joseph Clinton Todd told me a story about his father, William Chenault Todd who rode with the Missouri Guerillas during the American Civil War. The Missouri Guerillas were a para military group not officially part of the Southern Confederate Army, but were loosely associated on occasion with the more famous Quantrill's Raiders.  My Grandfather told me the story about the “Battle of Centralia – the bloodiest battle of the War Between the States.” He repeated the story on a number of occasion beginning from when I was very young and continuing through high school. “Far” as I called my Grandfather said his father always referred to the battle of Centralia as the bloodiest battle of the War Between the States. Mentioned in those accounts were Bloody Bill Anderson and George Todd (no relation) who were associated with the Quantrill Raiders.

First, some background information. William Chenault Todd was born in 1845 on a farm near Sturgeon, Missouri. After his time with the Guerillas at 19, he later became a farmer and lawyer. He was admitted to the bar in 1871 while living in Centralia, Missouri (Boone County Bar Association notes). He moved to Marshall, Missouri in 1893. The1900 census indicated he lived at 666 S. Odell . The house had two front entrances.  My wife Julie and I had an opportunity to go through the house in the summer of 2001 thanks to a very friendly owner. The interior room arrangement suggests that it is very probable that one of the two doors was an office entrance and the other was a residential entrance. By 1907 he lived at 310 S. Vest St.. By that time his law office was at 56 and 1/2 Arrow St. Not much seems to have changed in any of the towns where this piece of history took place based upon my several visits.

 William married Maggie Walton Hall (1853-1897) on 23 December 1875. Maggie and William had three children: Joseph Clinton born on 28 March 1879 in Sturgeon, Boone County Missouri – died December 6, 1962. William Hall born 14 November 1880 – died September 1967 after retiring from the St. Louis, Missouri school system.  The third child was Annie Sue born July 1885. Annie Sue died July 21 1907 along with her father William C. Todd when the ship Columbia sank off Cape Madancino off the northern coast of California. They were on vacation together. As was often the custom during those years that while on extended vacations people often wrote travelogue articles for their hometown newspapers. W. C. “Captain” Todd wrote back several travel articles that were being published in the local newspaper. His last article appeared in the same edition that carried the news of the sinking of the Columbia. It was not know at the time of publishing that William and Annie Sue had drowned in that accident. The next week’s edition carried the story of his death along with an eyewitness account that Great Grandfather had gone to Annie Sue’s cabin to assist her and passed up an opportunity to get right away into a lifeboat. She could swim - he could not.  When I read that article I thought, “Oh what great devotion my Great Grandfather had even in the face of death” as according to the account he may have missed out on the opportunity to save himself if he had gone directly to the evacuation station on the ship. It is my understanding that William C. Todd could not swim.  “Far” and his brother William Hall Todd went to California to investigate the drowning deaths for themselves.

Now back to the “bloodiest battle of the war between the states”: My Grandfather – I called him “Far” would really become enthusiastic while telling the story about his father. His story telling mode was in great contrast to his usual “dignified” or reserved self. He said that the “guerillas” led their horses up behind a hill and waited for the signal; the word came to “saddle up, saddle up, saddle up! At that point “Far” would repeatedly slap his right leg as if it were the side of a horse. “They rode to the top of the hill and proceeded to charge down the other side of the hill on an encampment of sleeping Northern soldiers who were so careless as to have no adequate guard on watch. While they charged down the hill they all yelled the rebel yell.” At that point, my grandfather would very vigorously give several rebel yells – I would repeat them here but I have no idea how to spell it. Slapping his leg and calling out the rebel yell was the most animated that I ever saw “Far”. His wife always looked at him rather strangely during his telling of the story.  Most of the time he told the story when she was not around. No other experience that I ever had with him even came close to the excitement of this story about his father. Up until the time I visited this area in Missouri, I had always assumed that Centralia was in Illinois. I envisioned the Missouri Guerillas saddled up and riding all the way to Illinois to have this fight. “Far” never mentioned it was only 10 or so miles from their home. 

There is a Northern version of the events surrounding the Centralia affair, a Southern version, my great grandfather’s William Chenault Todd’s who participated in the events version,  and his son’s Joseph C. Todd’s version. The fact that the versions don’t seem to be describing the same events is not surprising – such is history – a matter of perspective, beliefs, and memory. 

His father’s account of the “Great Centralia Fight” was published as a pamphlet in response to the History of Boone County published by a Northern sympathizer in 1882, which referred to the “fight” as a brutal massacre.  “Far” sent his father’s version to the Monroe City weekly newspaper in 1915 after his father’s drowning death in 1907.

William C. Todd always referred to the incident as a “fight” The “The History of Boone County” which reflects the “Northern” version referred to it as a “massacre”. It seems clear that they were referring to different events – one referring to an event conducted by Bloody Bill Anderson (associated with Quantrill) a few days earlier and Todd’s referring to 9/27/1864 in a field outside of Centralia. “Far” used both terms as well as accounts of swooping down on sleeping Federal soldiers which neither of the other accounts makes reference to. Whether it was a fight, battle, or massacre would rest upon your perspective and which aspect of the several days you were referring to. One side would refer to horses as stolen, the other as borrowed or confiscated for military purposes. They all agreed it was a most significant bloody battle. Moreover, I am certain that it was the most significant encounter if you were a 19 year old young man who participated in it, or if you were one of the less fortunate who died in it – in that case it was the bloodiest of all battles. About 100 or so Federals were killed in the fight and about 3 Southerners.  Years and perspective do amazing things to stories and history.

The Boone County Historical Society and Museum is located at 319 East Sneed St., Centralia, MO.  On September 27, 1994, the first historic site marker was placed near the Civil War battleground southeast of Centralia on the 130^th anniversary of that battle that resulted in the largest number of fatalities in that county during the Civil War.  When we visited in 2010 the marker sign is closer to the actual battle site and there are now a Northern memorial and a Southern memorial at the actual site of the battle. The area of Centralia population 13,032 in 2010 looks remarkably similar to the descriptions contained in the several accounts.

The Northern version and the Southern version of the “Bloodiest Battle, Fight, or Centralia Massacre”

The Boone County Historical Society prepared a description of the battle which seems to be based upon the Northern version of the event titled “Prelude To The Battle”.  Unfortunately, the web site http://centralia.missouri.org/history from which we obtained the description of it in 7/2001 is no longer available.

“By 1864, most of the major Civil War battles between the regular military forces of the Confederacy and the Union had been fought in the state of Missouri. Confederate units were now located in states to the south of Missouri and other than an occasional soiree into the state, the conflict now consisted of skirmishes between guerrilla forces, with loose attachment to the Confederacy establishment, and the federal forces who were attempting to maintain tranquility in this state.”

“The guerrilla units were mostly young men from the western counties of the state who had seen considerable action and experienced family and property destructions from the continual border warfare with the "jayhawkers" from Kansas and Federal retaliations to their home communities”.

“A key target of the guerrillas was the North Missouri Railroad which ran from St. Louis to Macon where it joined the cross state Hannibal to St. Joseph railroad. An almost continual series of guerrilla raids on the bridges and tracks of the North Missouri Railroad were carried out to hamper the movement of Federal troops and supplies. It was part of this campaign that brought a large force of guerrilla bands to Centralia during the late summer of 1864. In mid-August of 1864, a combined Federal military force encircled a bushwhacker camp near Dripping Springs, north of Columbia Four guerrillas were killed and several more wounded or taken captive during this skirmish.”

“A band of guerrillas, under the command of G. W. "Wash" Bryson, on September 7, 1864, stopped a freight train two miles east of Centralia and took off several Federal soldiers and 40 horses, just what the bushwhackers needed for their raids. After threatening to shoot the prisoners, they were released after a few days.

A bushwhacker force under the command of Bloody Bill Anderson had attempted to route Federal Troops stationed in Fayette in mid September but were repelled by heavily armed and well entrenched Federal militia.”

“On September 23, 1864, a Federal wagon train in route to Rocheport from Sturgeon was ambushed at Goslins's Lane by guerrillas led by George and Thomas Todd (not relatives). Eleven of the Federal troops were killed and over 18,000 rounds of ammunition captured. This ambush would lead to what has become the most infamous activities in Boone County, the Centralia Massacre and the Battle Of Centralia.”

“The Todds and their band, joined up with the large bushwhacker force headed by Bill Anderson. The forces of Anderson and the Todds rendezvoused in northern Boone County with the intent of holding up a North Missouri railroad mail train.”

The next sections of the Historical Society account includes The Centralia Massacre and The Centralia Battle

“On the morning of September 27, some 30 to 50 bushwhackers, some dressed in captured Union uniforms, under the leadership of Anderson rode into the village of Centralia whose population was less than 100 persons. While waiting for the train, they terrorized local civilians, robbing and burning stores and killing a civilian who had attempted to defend a young woman. The stage from Columbia came in to the community and they robbed the passengers. One of the stage passengers was Congressman James S. Rollins, a prominent Boone County citizen who has been identified as the "father of the University of Missouri for his role in locating the University in Columbia. Rollins and the other state passengers, which included Boone County Sheriff James Waugh, gave fictitious names and identities to the bandits. The stagecoach robbery was interrupted when they heard a train whistle, coming from the east. This was a passenger train that had left St. Charles earlier that morning.”

“The train crew saw the guerrilla band as they approached Centralia and decided to run through Centralia at top speed, but Anderson's men had placed a barricade of railroad ties across the track and forced the train to stop. In searching the train they found 23 unarmed Union soldiers who were on furlough headed to their homes in Northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa. The civilian passengers were robbed of all valuables. The soldiers were taken from the train, and ordered to disrobe. After isolating one of the soldiers, Sergeant Tom Goodman, the other 22 soldiers were shot and killed on the spot, witnessed by the horrified Centralia residents and train passengers. One German civilian on the train who was wearing military clothing was also killed, as he could not speak English to tell the bushwhackers of his civilian status.” 

“Sgt. Goodman was spared, taken hostage by the Anderson guerrillas, and lived to write of the whole incident in a book after the conclusion of the Civil War. The guerrillas set fire to the Centralia depot, sacked and set fire to the train and then sent it on its way, west, with no crew aboard, to later crash and be destroyed. Word of the massacre quickly spread. A unit of the Thirty-ninth Missouri Infantry was in the vicinity, searching for the guerrilla bands and were dispatched to Centralia. The troops, under Major A. V. E. Johnston, were largely new recruits, riding farm horses and armed with Enfield muskets, a heavy muzzle-loading gun.”

“Upon arriving in Centralia the frightened citizens told the Union troops at the band of Bloody Bill Anderson numbered less an 10 men and had moved to the southeast from Centralia. Ignoring warnings from some Centralians that there were more bushwackers bivouacked south of town, the Federal Infantry followed the guerrilla trail, expecting to find a relatively small force as had been described to them. About three miles southeast of Centralia, they became entangled in a guerrilla ambush.”

“The inexperienced Federal troops, with their single shot riles followed the traditional warfare practice of advancing on foot, leaving their horses tended by a few soldiers. They marched into a three-sided formation of several hundred hidden guerrillas, each armed with several Colt revolvers, and within minutes, the Union troops were nearly annihilated. The few soldiers that were not killed on the first guerrilla vollies, ran back to their horses, but the guerrillas with their faster horses, overtook the fleeing troops and within the hour, over 120 soldiers were killed. Some nearly reached the sanctuary of Sturgeon some ten miles from the battle- ground, before the guerrillas completed the rout.”

“Three of the guerrillas were reported killed in the battle. Among the guerrillas in action on that date were Frank James and his younger brother, Jesse. Historical accounts challenge whether Jesse James was a part of the Battle of Centralia, but later year lectures by Frank James, seem to confirm his participation. Some accounts credit Jesse James as the slayer of Major Johnston, commander of the ill-fated Union troops. Cole Younger was also listed as a member of the guerrilla force”.

“AFTERMATH  Many of the bodies were recovered and sent back to their homes by Federal troops that came to the area shortly after the battle ceased, but 79 of the bodies were buried in a common grave, along side the railroad tracks in Centralia.”

“The hostage from the Centralia Massacre, Sgt. Tom Goodman, was taken along by Bloody Bill Anderson's band as they moved west to avoid Union troops. On the tenth day of his capture, Goodman managed to escape from the bushwhackers as they prepared to cross the Missouri River at Rocheport.”

“Bloody Bill Anderson was killed by Federal troops in western Missouri less than a month after the Centralia Massacre and Battle.”

“The events at Centralia were the last reported slayings in Boone County, although the guerrilla plunderings were a repeated affair almost to the very end of the Civil War.”

“In 1873, the bodies of the victims of the Centralia Massacre and Battle were moved to a National cemetery in Jefferson City. An obelisk marker still memorializes the remains of the victims. It was reported that every body reentered showed a bullet hole in the forehead directly between the eyes.”

“The James brothers, Cole Younger and many of the other bushwhackers became the nucleus of the outlaw gangs that roamed and terrorized the mid-west for much of the remaining portion of the 19th century.”

“In 1957, during the celebration of Centralia's centennial, the Wabash Railroad, successor to the North Missouri Railroad, donated a monument to the two Centralia events, adjacent to the railroad terminal. In 1989, this monument was relocated in a nearby Centralia park to provide better access to the many Civil War history buffs who visit the area.”

“On September 27, 1994, a memorial marker was dedicate near the site of the Centralia battle to better describe the action that took place in 1864. This marker was erected by the Boone County Historical Society on this 130th anniversary of the Centralia Civil War events”

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A further note: There are two “Captain” Todds mentioned: Captain Tom Todd a local Baptist minister and Captain George Todd (a Canadian) who was visiting from the Kansas Raiders.   My great grandfather, W. C. Todd mentions Tom W. Todd as the leader. I do not believe this is a relative. William C’s father was Thomas D. Todd and would have been rather old to be galloping into battle. George Todd was from Canada and was not likely to have been a relation. He joined Quantrill in January 1862. He was killed in action at Independence, MO, October 21, 1864, just east of the Little Blue River by a Union sharpshooter. His men buried him that night in the Independence Cemetery. My Great Grandfather W.C. Todd was 19 year old and in the Missouri group. In the years after the war he too was also referred to as Captain Todd – perhaps an inherited title by association with the events.  This article also mentions Bill Anderson better known as “Bloody Bill Anderson” who spent most of his time with William Clarke Quantrill a school teacher from Ohio who led the Kansas Raiders or Partisan Raiders, Quantrill’s Raiders and other names as they were sometimes called. Anderson was killed in action October 26, 1864 at the age of 24 (Ref for Anderson and George Todd: The Missouri Partisan Ranger Roster of known members /www.rulen.com/partisan/roster). Anderson was reared and educated in Huntsville, Randolph County, MO. Family moved to Council Grove, KS, where his father was killed by neighbors in the border wars and later two of his sisters by Union soldiers. Bill Anderson was so moved by this experience that he went on to shoot every Union soldier on the spot no matter the circumstance.  The James brothers and Younger brothers also rode among these various groups; after the Civil War they became famous as outlaws. All these Missouri and Kansas groups were loosely organized as para military groups.  Quantrill’s group and to a lesser extent the Missouri groups were know to fly the “black flag” meaning “No quarter asked and none give”. 

It is significant that border warfare had been sporadic for at least 15 years before the start of the Civil War. These were the descendents of the border people of Scotland and Ireland who fought among themselves and on occasion against England for centuries (and still do). The flow of their immigration stream was from the homeland (Scotland) from which they wished to escape to enter sometimes through Philadelphia but always down to Virginia (most likely what is today West Virginia) moving through Kentucky and into Missouri.

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My Great Grandfather’s version of the same events.

William C. Todd wrote a pamphlet in response to a Northerner’s version of the battle published in 1882. For whatever reason, my grandfather, Joseph C. Todd for whatever reason had the “pamphlet” published in the Monroe City newspaper in 1915 following his father’s drowning death in 1907.

THE MONROE CITY SEMI-WEEKLY NEWS – October 1, 1915 -

(Note—The following article is reproduced from a pamphlet written by W. C. Todd the father of Rev. Joseph C. Todd, former pastor of the Monroe City Christian Church. W. C. Todd at the time lived in Marshall, Missouri, and a few years ago, with his daughter, drowned in a shipwreck of the coast of California – the Editor.)

THE CELEBRATED CENTRALIA FIGHT

A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE AT FAYETTE AND GOSLIN’S LANE

What a Genuine Guerilla Says of the Bloodiest Battle of the War, Numbers Considered (by W. C. Todd)

PREFACE

It is a duty to myself and to the readers of this pamphlet to state that for two reasons I wrote this account of what is known as the “Centralia fight.” First, that a true account might be given of this fight, the bloodiest, considering the numbers engaged, fought during the Civil War. Second, in order, not to permit a book published in 1882, titled “The History of Boone County” to stand unchallenged and undenied with its partial and biased statements and hatred of the Confederate cause-emblazoned on almost every page that relates to the Civil War.

Having consulted and taken written statements concerning the fight from Captain Tom Todd of the guerillas, Enoch Hunt, one of the federals who is now living in Centralia, and six other citizens of Centralia who witnessed the fight and helped bury the dead and having been one of the guerillas engaged myself, I have had unequaled advantages for obtaining all the facts and writing an authentic history of the Centralia fight.

According to the numbers engaged this far-famed fight, or “massacre” as it is frequently called, has few parallels in the annals of civil strife. The shooting of the unarmed soldiers taken from the train on the morning of September 27^th 1864, may well be called a massacre, but the engagement in the afternoon was nothing more nor less than a carefully planned and fearfully executed battle.

There have been many accounts of this battle, but none of which that has come to our notice, has given details and apparently all the facts sufficient for authentic history. This is the sketch found in the history of Boone County, published in 1882 by the Western Historical Company. We give the most extensive account that has ever been written and at the same time it purports to be unbiased and predicts its fairness upon the evidence of reliable citizens who are still residents of this place—persons who, the author claims held different opinions and sympathies. We are pleased to state that we have before us the testimony of the same persons, and we shall give it, uncolored in this writing.

In the history of Boone County there are twenty-six pages devoted to this subject, and the work itself is prima foci evidence that the author was unduly biased by his own sentiments or else willfully mis-stated the facts. He may choose either horn of the dilemma. To substantiate what we have said, we quote from the work which is now before us. On pages 436-7 we find the following: “About the middle of August 1864 this county had been cursed with the presence of large bodies of guerillas and horse thieves, wandering in armed bands over the county, and robbing the citizens night and day indiscriminately of whatever property they possessed.”

Gen. J. B. Douglass, the military commander of this district made such disposition of a small portion of his forces as to give the outlaws to understand that they must cease their depredation in this quarter.”

Then follows a brief account of the fight near Dripping Springs, after which the author adds: “On their way to Columbia, about four miles north of town they were fired upon by another band of desecrates. Upon the fire being returned by the troops they fled precipitately to the woods, scattering in every direction.”

The historian seems best pleased in calling the guerillas bushwhackers, or desperadoes, outlaws, etc. We now turn to his description of Johnson and his men, and his excuse for the attack. We quote from page 452 as follows: “The regiment was newly organized and had been in the service but two weeks • • • These companies were placed under the command of Major A. V. Johnson, mounted on horses and mules raised from certain disloyal citizens of Monroe, Marion and Shelby counties. These animals were of inferior grade, most of them being old brood mares and plow horses with some indifferent mules. • • • The total number of men led by Johnson was 155.”

On page 464-5: “Johnson spoke like a soldier. It was his duty to march forth and attack the enemy at all hazards. Suppose he had acted the craven and the coward and retreated to Sturgeon in safety leaving the guerillas to pursue their way in peace, all further generations would have condemned his conduct and exonerated his memory.”

We call the attention of the reader to the appellations applied to the guerillas and the discriminating language used throughout and ask him to judge if the work called the History of Boone County, is reliable. We could refer to numerous other passages but these will suffice. However, we would call attention to the following preface of the work: “Much care, however, has been taken to avoid expert statements and the writers and publishers claim that this history while not exact in everything treats all with fairness and candor.”

From the above we are forced to conclude that the historian was too radical in his views to collect the facts, or that he willfully misstated them. In either case he is biased.  Notwithstanding the fact that we were a guerilla under the command of Captain Thomas W. Todd and participated in the fights at Goslins's Lane, Fayette, and Centralia, we shall not allow our sympathies to bias our judgment, but we shall give the facts as we know them, and as we have obtained them from reliable witness, so that the world may know the truth regarding this terrible encounter.

That the reader may better understand the character of the guerillas as well as the object of this raid we will give a brief account of their movement for four days previous to that upon which the noted engagement at Centralia occurred.

On the morning of September 23, 1864 Captain Tom Todd with fifty men were getting breakfast near the line between the counties of Howard and Boone, when his picket came dashing in and informed him that a company of soldiers was coming in that direction. Captain Todd at once formed his men near the road and galloped forward to ascertain whether the approaching troops were friends or foes. In a short time he was seen returning at leisure talking with the leader of the company that had so recently caused us to form a fighting attitude. He rode right up in front of our line and introduced to us Captain George Todd (a fellow originally from Canada) whose company consisted of eighty men. After breakfast we camped near by the Captains Todd tracing their genealogy in order to establish a relationship in which they signally failed.

During the day we moved just across the Howard line and camped in Elgins's pasture. Late in the afternoon N. P. Todd, brother of Captain Tom Todd, came hurriedly into camp and informed us that seventy or eighty federal soldiers were near on the road leading to Rocheport. In less than five minutes we were in the saddle, one hundred and thirty strong, and on our way to intercept them, never breaking the gallop from the time we left camp until the fight was over. We reached the main road in which the federals were marching, we closed up eight in a breast, George Todd’s men in front.

At the well known “rebel yell” the federals broke. Some, who were in wagons or sauntering on foot, took to the cornfield on either side. George Todd’s men pressed those on horseback hotly but were unable to get sufficiently near to do much execution before the enemy reached the brush at the end of the lane in which they took refuge scattering in every direction. We were chagrined at their thus trespassing upon our domain ---the brush--- but to no avail. The sun being now about down we gave up the pursuit and retraced our steps, counting twenty or twenty-five dead bodies along the lane. We had one man, by the name of Joe Davis, wounded. He recovered and is now living. We appropriated from the wagons whatever might be of use to us, and set them on fire and moved on, going into camp about 8 miles south east of Fayette.

The next day we were joined by Bill Anderson with 65 men. Our object now being to effect a favorable opportunity for ourselves and others who wished to cross the river and join General Price who was then making his way toward Jefferson City; our objective point of crossing being Rocheport.

Captains George Todd and Anderson called upon Captain Tom Todd to formulate a plan of action. After a few minutes reflection he proposed a plan with the three companies, through the northern parts of Howard and Boone counties, tear up the North Missouri railroad, cut the telegraph wires, fight every favorable opportunity, and, in the language of George Todd, “raise hell generally,” which would draw the federals from the river and afford us the opportunity of crossing in safety. 

The Fayette Fight

Fayette was directly in our route. The Todds wished to march around it, but Anderson counseled an attack upon the town and, if possible avenge the death of six of his men whom the federals had killed a few days before while asleep in a barn. Anderson prevailed and a charge was ordered: the Todds going to the left and Anderson to the right of the courthouse.

We were well in town before the federals were aware, yelling like Indians and shooting in every direction. On through the town we went like a hurricane receiving a volley as we passed the courthouse.  Converging in the northwest we reformed securely out of reach of the enemy’s long range guns and furiously charged their camp but anticipating our intention they took refuge in an old double log house, some brick dwellings and a deep … and poured into our ranks a fire so deadly that we beat a retreat, but not till we had changed right up to the log structure and tried to knock out the chinking and set it on fire.

The federals were armed with short barreled, long range guns and had it not been for their poor marksmanship it would have been a carnage for we rode thru the town reformed, changed and returned under heavy fire at pointblank range. The balls having more tune than any the writer had ever heard. We had six men killed; the federals three.

From Fayette we marched north about twelve miles, went into camp and held an election to choose an officer to command the three companies together.  Captain George Todd was chosen. The next day marching near Huntsville two men were sent in to demand the surrender of the town. They replied that we had ample opportunity to take them out of the brick houses. Remembering the experience of the day before at Fayette, we marched on leaving them to enjoy those same brick houses as best suited them.

Nothing else of importance happened until the morning of September 27^th. This morning found us about three miles southeast of Centralia stretched upon the green grass our saddles for pillows, talking and laughing, not knowing and little caring that Johnson or anyone else was following us; for we fully believed as Anderson had said that we could outrun any set of federals that could whip us and whip any that could catch us.

Anderson being restless mounted his men and set out for Centralia to see if he could learn anything of the enemy. Soon after he reached the town, the Columbia stage came in which he captured: Major James S. Rollins, congressman from this district and James H. Waugh, sheriff of this county, were among the passengers. While Anderson and his men were doubtless better horsemen and more expert in the use of the pistol, they were not equal to these gentlemen in cunning. It is doubtful if they ever used their wits to better advantage than on this occasion. Their wily answers were not detected by the bloodthirsty guerillas and they passed on, Maj. Rollins as the Rev. Mr. Johnson of the M. E. church, South, and Sheriff Waugh as Mr. Smith.

About eleven o’clock a.m. the regular westbound passenger train was seen approaching. The guerillas threw ties upon the track and concealed themselves. The engineer seeing the obstructions, checked up when the guerrillas fell in on each side of the train firing their pistols and ordering the engineer to stop her. Anderson and his men immediately went through the cars, taking off twenty seven federal soldiers, twenty six of whom they killed; one, a Sergeant Goodman, they kept to exchange for Cave Wyatt, one of Anderson’s men who had been captured a short time before while on the train en route to St. Louis.

After taking from the train whatever of value they could find, they set it on fire, and ordered the engineer to pull the throttle wide open and jump off.

These orders he obeyed, but he had allowed the fire to go down and had started the pumps so that the train ran only about two and one half miles west of town, where it stopped and was consumed.

Anderson and his men now returned to their camp, soon after which George Todd waited upon him to learn what had been done, but returned in a few minutes remarking to Captain Tom Todd: “It is more dangerous in Anderson’s camp than in a battle” “Why, what is the matter?” queried Tom Todd. “Anderson and his men are all drunk waving their pistols and shooting in every direction,” replied George.

Major Johnson, who was at Paris, Monroe Country, hearing that Anderson and Todd were near Middle Grove, mounted his men and on the morning of September 27^th started in pursuit. He came upon their trail south of Middle Grove and followed it till near Centralia, where he left it and came into town, finding the bodies of twenty six soldiers cold in death, the depot in ruins and the inhabitants of the little hamlet in a frenzy of terror, not knowing at what moment their life blood would be poured out to satiate the revenge of the opposition party.

Those who had so lately wreaked vengeance upon his comrades were only three miles away. He had come to hunt them. In his pocket he carried an order from Gen. Fisk to “exterminate the murderous thieving bush whackers.” They were almost in sight. He knew that no quarter would be asked or given. What should he do? Fight them or retreat to Sturgeon in safety. He chose the former, but had he known the courage, the daring horsemanship and the deadly accuracy of the men he was about to encounter he would certainly have chosen the latter without hesitation.

How the Guerillas Looked and Fought

Just here I will digress and give a brief description of the guerilla leaders and their men.

Bill Anderson was a man of light build, medium height, rather dark complexion, with large restless black eyes.  His hair was worn long and hung in glossy ringlets from beneath his black slouch hat, which was usually adorned with a long black plume. While on the march he rarely spoke, a habit that had been found as a disciplinary necessity. It seemed difficult for him to restrain himself when there was a favorable opportunity for fighting and he seemed perfectly delighted when ordering a charge which he invariably led. He fought with the most daring recklessness never seeming to think of his men after ordering the onset. Nor did they seem to need further orders, but followed him intuitively.

Captain George Todd was of Scotch descent, medium build and iron constitution. He knew no fear though he was more cautious than Anderson. He fought with dogged determination that threw terror into the ranks of the enemy. His men like Anderson, never doubted their leader. He was much more talkative than Anderson and when agitated could swear by rote.

Capt. T. W. Todd was of heavier build than George, light complexioned with steel grey eyes, very cold and constantly on the alert. He told the writer that during his long career as a guerilla he was never surprised or taken at a disadvantage by an enemy.

A part of Captain Tom’s men had been in the service only a short time and he could not rely upon them with the same implicit confidence that George and Anderson would upon theirs. Still with such a resolute leader, they were scarcely less to be dreaded.

Such were the leaders: what of the men? With good saddles and bridles mounted upon the finest of horses, many of them thoroughbreds, booted and spurred and armed with from four to six carefully loaded navies (a type of gun often used by horse mounted men), they roamed the country at will, seldom hurt unless their carelessness allowed them to be surprised. Having been taught the motto, “Whip all that can catch us, and out run all that can whip us.” They were ever ready for the frey.

The charge was the guerilla’s mode of fighting, and from men so daring in horsemanship, so reckless of danger and so accurate in the use of the deadly revolver, the onset was almost irresistible.

Statements from us in regard to the accuracy of their shots would probably elicit incredulity.

We would simply call attention to the testimony of 5 or 6 good citizens of Centralia and vicinity who helped gather up and bury the dead. These gentlemen state that of the whole number killed, not exceeding 5 or 6 were wounded in the body – all being shot in the head.

From long continued practice, they had acquired a skill that was almost incredible. They went into battle at full gallop, and when in range of the enemy’s guns, they set up a terrific yell, (so well known as the rebel yell). And increased their speed till within 40 or 50 yards; when they opened fire probably shooting with both hands.

To attempt to impress the terror of such a charge, upon one who never witnessed it, it would be useless. It may be imagined, but it baffles description.

Such the leaders, such the men. Do you wonder at the terrible loss of life in an encounter with them? Do you wonder at most of their victims being shot in the head?

Centralia - The Carnival of Death

Near 3 o’clock in the afternoon, we were informed that a body of federal soldiers were near, going toward Centralia. Thrailkill was at once dispatched with ten men to ascertain, if possible, their numbers and intentions. In an instant he was off, leaving only a cloud of dust to mark his direction – a guerilla never spared horseflesh, when he meant business. In a short time, he described them marching in double file along the railroad toward the town. With the aid of his field glass he easily noted that there were 103 in line two abreast – making 206 men, armed with what seemed to be Enfield muskets. He immediately sent a courier to report this to Capt. Todd. An order was sent to Thrailkill to decoy them toward us, while in camp rang out the words; “saddle up boys, saddle up, saddle up.”

In less than five minutes we were inline moving toward the Northwest. We marched along the edge of the prairie, formed and fell back undercover of the timber. About 20 of George Todd’s men were ordered to go up and throw down a fence that stood immediately in our front.

Capt. Geo. Todd, leaving orders for us to charge at his signal, went upon the rise where he could see the enemy at a distance, and at the same time be observed by us. Capt. Tom Todd with 50 men was on the left; Anderson with 65 men on the right and Geo. Todd’s company of 80 men formed the centre. With the above described numbers and positions, we anxiously awaited the signal of our leader.

Thrailkill and his ten men rode up near Centralia and exchanged a few shots with the enemy, when Johnson sent out 25 men after him, Thrailkill fell back slowly about one mile, when he suddenly wheeled and charged them, sending them scampering into town. Whereupon, Johnson, leaving 25 men to guard the wagons, mounted the balance and started in hot pursuit, Thrailkill stopping occasionally exchanging a few shots, then falling back toward our line – Todd’s plan working admirably.

When about 3 miles from town, Johnson ordered 3/4s of his men to dismount, leaving every fourth man to hold horses, as is customary with mounted infantry. Why he dismounted his men when he did we never knew, for he could see only Capt. Geo. Todd and Thrailkill with ten men.

Forward they came on foot about one fourth of a mile, Major Johnson riding in advance of the line with a large dragoon pistol in his hand. It is said that he called out to Captain Todd: “You damned cowards, wait for us” We were waiting, Our leader, thinking the opportune moment had arrived, deliberately raised his hat, waving it slightly and replacing it upon his head, three times.

We drew our reins and bounded forward, and as we came within range of their guns, we raised the “rebel yell”. When within about eighty yards of their line, they poured into us a heavy volley, firing almost simultaneously, killing three of our men and wounding three others. We reserved our fire until within forty yards; then all at once it seemed that all along the front of our column was a solid sheet of flame.

On passing through the dense smoke, the scene that met our eyes beggars description. Fifty-seven (as we ascertained afterward) had fallen and the remainder were in wild disorder. In less time than it takes to write this sentence, they were prone on the grass motionless or waiting in death.

Those left to hold horses, perceiving the fate of their comrades galloped madly away, a part of the guerillas in hot pursuit. On nearing town we discovered about twenty of those left in town, together with those who had escaped from the field on their horses drawn up in line of battle, their guns at present arms.

The writer was among the first to halt in front of this line. Anderson was standing in advance of us, throwing his fiery black eyes first upon us, then upon the enemy. When our numbers nearly equaled that of the foe, and before either of the Captains Todd had come up, he rose in his stirrups, waved his pistol over his head and shouted:” Charge!”

Again each noble steed with nostrils wide, felt the cold, sharp steel in his panting side.

Away we went over the level prairie, firing our pistols and yelling like demons. The line broke and fled perceptibly without firing a shot, but as we came into town we were greeted by a dozen or more shots in quick succession. One federal who for some cause was off his horse, plunged at Dave Pool with his bayonet, and had it not been for a timely shot from one of Todd’s men would have pierced him through the body; as it was he received only a slight wound.

I here quote from the testimony of one of Johnson’s men who was left in Centralia.

“Lieutenant Jaynes was the first to arrive from the fight; he told us they were whipped, and that we have better move on for Sturgeon, which we did at a dead run. All the men that escaped, so far as I know, went to Sturgeon except two who made their way to Paris. Fifteen of those left in town to guard the wagons were killed. I think about fifteen to eighteen in all escaped”

The above is founded on a good citizen now living and we believe is as nearly correct as will ever be obtained.

Only those riding the best horses could have come up with the fleeing foe and their pistols soon become emptied, and not having time to reload, they would check their pace and borrow from those riding slower animals, then on again to the work of death. This continued to within one half mile of Sturgeon when the foremost guerillas mounted on an iron gray, wheeled his noble steed and rode leisurely back along the path of death. Men lay here and there along the entire route, cold in death; the tell tale bullet hole in their heads giving evidence of the deadly accuracy of the Missouri guerillas.

The fight is over; the story is told; the reign of “no quarter” is ended. The order to “exterminate the bush-whackers” is countermanded, and instructions given to treat all who are captured as “prisoners of war.”

The effect of the raid is apparent, the federals are drawn from the river; the guerillas move southeast; Gen. J.B. Douglass follows them for a few days; they enter the rough country along Cedar creek and disperse to rendezvous near Rocheport. In a few days they cross the river at that point and in safety join Gen. Price.

So ends this sketch. God forbid that we should again witness such scenes of blood or that the history of our fair country be chilled with such tales of carnage. – W. C. Todd

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­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­That was the story – The Northern sources referred to the morning of 27 September 1864 with the killing of 22 unarmed Union soldiers and one unarmed German civilian who could not speak English along the railroad tracks in Centralia by Southern irregular forces led by Bloody Bill Anderson as a massacre. My Great Grandfather’s account of the same incident simply mentions it indicating, “27 Union soldiers were killed”.  Other sources often “explained” Anderson’s behavior as being related to opposition forces earlier border warfare encounter killing members of his family. It depends on which account you read. In any case, most sources refer to what happened later that afternoon in the field outside of Centralia as a bloody battle with Union forces coming out on the very short end.

Who was my Grandfather, Joseph Clinton Todd?  He was born 28 March 1879 in Sturgeon, Boone County, Missouri and died on 6 December 1962 in Boulder Colorado. He graduated from Missouri Valley College in 1901. He married Emily Josephine Robertson “Lala” on 2 June 1903. Born August 7, 1879 in Marshall, MO., she died in Boulder CO. on 30 September 1964. Her father John Walthall Robertson (Mother: Mary Sheridan) owned a Marshall livery stable.  Emily also graduated from Missouri Valley College. She went on to obtain an MA at least, in what I recall was social work. Joseph Clinton and Emily Josephine had three children: Joseph Robertson who was my father born 4 August 1905-died 25 September 1964; William Dean born 29 February 1908 – died 23 September 1998; and, Mary Ellen born 7 July 1914. Joseph Clinton Todd served the Booneville Christian Church as pastor, 1902-1903, and the Monroe City, Missouri, Christian Church in the same capacity in 1904-1905. Columbia University granted him the A.M. Degree in 1908. He became pastor of the Kirkwood Avenue Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana in 1908 and served until 1912. He tried to raise $60,000 from the pulpit for the Bible Chair program, which sought to bring religious education to the university campuses. When he became identified with the Bible Chair movement, he became university pastor at Indiana University.  When the Bible Chair developed into the Indiana School of Religion which was associated with Indiana University, Todd became dean. He helped establish similar programs at the University of Iowa and several other universities. During portions of my summers from grade school through high school he took me along on his trips to various universities. He also introduced me to the first member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I had ever met – a professor of English. But that is another story.  He was president of the national convention of the Disciples of Christ in 1911, awarded an LL.D. degree by Culver-Stockton College in 1922, and was a delegate to the World Council of Churches meeting at Amsterdam in 1948.

In the mid to late 1940’s, there were three faculty members: Joseph C. Todd, Dean; Robert S. Eccles and Harold E. Hill. I knew Dr. Harold Hill.  Once when I was helping him with his garden late one summer afternoon when I was in the tenth grade we had a deep discussion about life. As I recall, he was hoeing and I mostly was talking and standing around with a hoe in my hands. In the midst of our discussion he asked me if “I was a truth seeker or just an argument winner?” I was on my high school debate team and may have gotten carried away in my approach to the discussion.  His comments made a significant lasting impression on me – it was a life lesson moment. My grandfather retired as dean of the Indiana University School of Religion in the mid 50’s. The Indiana School of Religion was not a school to train ministers, but offered courses in the Bible and religion to university students. By the 1960’s, the school had moved from 618 East Third  (also Todd’s residence) to a new campus building. The 618 East Third residence was being used by Indiana University as a law school building annex in 2002. I spent portions of many summers at the 618 E. Third house through high school. It was a three story house with a front, back and side door entrances plus an outside entrance into the basement, front and back staircase plus a front and back basement stairs. “Far’s” office complex along with the bedrooms were on the second floor; the third floor and basement were classrooms. It was a very old house that formerly had been a fraternity house. On a few occasions I was left alone at night and I had difficulty sleeping as I was always trying to “monitor” the house  - the house creaked a great deal making me think someone was trying to gain entrance or was wondering around.

My Comments: I can still hear my grandfather tell the story with great animation. As time went on he would he would very quietly end the story by giving me the impression for what purpose did these men do these things.  Now, having been to Centralia, Sturgeon, and Marshall, I can see it in my mind’s eye. Such were the border/clan wars of that era which had begun at least 15 years earlier and carried on through the Civil War; similar “wars or conflicts” just continue on through out the world to this day - each side proceeding with righteous conviction.   Such is the history of this earth - a matter of perspective – but for what purpose. It is not a football game or soccer match in which we have sent “other” people in to do our “playing” for us as we cheer on the sidelines – it is real death and in most cases for a questionable purpose. Did these Kansas/Missouri border/clan “conflicts” have a just purpose – was a civil war necessary to adjust economic production and end slavery? Which wars are justified? It depends on which side you are on and who you ask. When will human beings choose to stop senseless bloodshed and begin to be able to work together toward a common good for all persons? What are the three drives underlying human conflict? Power, greed, and sex. And, what is the alternative: living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John 13: 34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

See the attachment for pictures.