Archie Clement facts for kids
Archie Clement (born January 1, 1846 – died December 13, 1866) was an American leader during the American Civil War. He was known as "Little Arch" or "Little Archie." Clement was a pro-Confederate guerrilla fighter. He was active in Missouri and was known for his tough actions against Union soldiers and their supporters.
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Early Life and the Civil War
Clement was born in Stokes County, North Carolina. His family moved to Missouri when he was a toddler. By the start of the American Civil War, his family lived in Cass County, Missouri.
During the Civil War, Clement became a Confederate "bushwhacker" or guerrilla. These were fighters who used surprise attacks. He became well-known in 1864 as a lieutenant for William "Bloody Bill" Anderson. Clement quickly became Anderson's most trusted follower. Some even called him "Bill Anderson's scalper and head devil" because of his fierce nature.
Archie Clement was just over 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m) tall and weighed about 130 pounds (59 kg). His young age and small size hid his strong fighting spirit. After a tough fight, Anderson or one of his men left a note on a dead Unionist. It said, "You come to hunt bush whackers. Now you are skelpt. Clemyent skelpt you. Wm. Anderson."
Clement played a big part in Anderson's group in 1864. This included the Centralia Massacre. In this event, the guerrillas stopped a train. They robbed the people on board. They also captured and killed 22 unarmed Union soldiers. These soldiers were returning home from the Atlanta campaign. The guerrillas left one Union sergeant alive for a possible prisoner exchange.
After Anderson died in an ambush on October 27, 1864, Clement took charge. He kept fighting into the next year. Even after General Robert E. Lee's army surrendered, Clement's group continued. They even demanded the surrender of the town of Lexington, Missouri. Some of his friends, like Dave Poole, gave up. But Clement and Jesse James kept fighting. On May 15, 1865, Clement and James met a Union cavalry patrol. A fight broke out, and James was badly hurt.
After the War
Starting in 1866, Clement and his supporters began robbing banks. They often targeted banks connected to Union supporters in Missouri. On February 13, a group of gunmen carried out the first daylight bank robbery in U.S. history. They robbed the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri. They stole over $58,000 in cash and bonds. This bank was owned by former Union officers. They had recently held the first Republican Party meeting in Clay County.
Authorities suspected Clement led this robbery. They offered a reward for his capture. Later, other names were linked to the robbery. These included Frank James, Cole Younger, and others. During their escape, one of the gang members accidentally shot and killed a bystander named George Wymore. Many other robberies followed, and many were linked to Clement's group. One robbery clearly linked to them was at Alexander Mitchell and Company in Lexington, Missouri. On October 30, 1866, they stole $2,000.
His Final Days
As the important election of 1866 neared, political tensions grew across Missouri. Much of this was linked to Clement. He challenged the Republican authorities who governed Missouri. On election day in November, Clement led about 100 former bushwhackers into Lexington. Their actions led to the defeat of the Republican Party in the election.
In response, Governor Thomas C. Fletcher sent a group of state militia. Major Bacon Montgomery led them. Clement left, but returned on December 13. To avoid a big fight in the town center, Montgomery allowed Clement to join his men in the state militia.
After the bushwhackers left, Clement went to a hotel bar for a drink. Montgomery sent men to the hotel with a warrant for the Liberty robbery. The major's men found Clement drinking with a friend. They told him to surrender. Clement pulled out his revolvers, and a shootout happened. Clement was shot in the chest, but he escaped on his horse. However, a militia group stationed at the courthouse shot him again.
Montgomery and his men approached Clement. He was badly hurt but still trying to cock his revolver with his teeth. One soldier asked, "Arch, you are dying. What do you want me to do with you?" Clement replied, "I've done what I always said I would do ... die before I'd surrender." Montgomery later said about Clement's last moments, "I've never met better 'grit' on the face of the earth." This meant Clement showed great bravery.
After Clement's death, his group continued to rob while being chased by government troops. From this group, Jesse James became famous three years later. Clement is buried in the Arnold Cemetery near Napoleon, Missouri.
