The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Bloody Bill Andersonthe Centralia Massacre (9/23/1864)-Feb 16th, 2005

Fayette was the last time Quantrill participated in an operation with Anderson and George Todd. It was Anderson who had split Quantrill's band in Texas during the winter of 1863-1864, and Todd who had taken over Quantrill's unit after backing Quantrill down over a card game. Quantrill, with what few followers remained with him,counseled against the Fayette attack precisely because of the strength of the Union blockhouse. Anderson and Todd overruled him. He left shortly after the attack began, and remained inactive for the rest of 1864.

One of the principal killers at Centralia was Little Archie Clements, who was killed shortly after the surrender, an action alluded to in the final scenes of "Ride with the Devil". Another of the murderers at Centralia was allegedly Jesse James. His brother Frank, and his cousin Cole Younger were not present, being with Todd. Both rode with Quantrill into Kentucky in 1865. Frank James, at least, was with Quantril during the attack that mortally wounded him.

Anderson was known for scalping his victims. Many off the Union troops killed at the battle were found to have been scalped. Anderson had human scalps on his horse's bridle when he died.

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