William T. Anderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William T. Anderson
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Anderson c. 1864
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| Birth name | William T Anderson |
| Nickname(s) | Bloody Bill |
| Born | c. 1840 Hopkins County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | October 27, 1864 (aged 23–24) Albany, Missouri, U.S. |
| Buried |
Pioneer Cemetery
Richmond, Missouri |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
Partisan rangers |
| Years of service | 1863–64 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Quantrill's Raiders |
| Battles/wars |
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William T. Anderson (born around 1840 – died October 26, 1864) was a famous and dangerous leader during the American Civil War. He led a group of fighters called "guerrillas" who supported the Confederate side. These groups fought in a special way, using surprise attacks and quick raids instead of big battles.
Anderson and his group, known as "partisan raiders," mostly attacked people who supported the Union (the northern states) and federal soldiers in Missouri and Kansas. He became known as "Bloody Bill" because of his harsh actions.
You might have seen a character inspired by him in the 1999 movie Ride With The Devil.
Contents
Early Life and Family
William T. Anderson was born around 1840 in Hopkins County, Kentucky. His parents were William C. and Martha Anderson. He had several brothers and sisters: Jim, Ellis, Mary Ellen, Josephine, and Janie.
When he was a child, his schoolmates remembered him as a quiet and well-behaved boy. His family later moved to Huntsville, Missouri. There, his father worked on a farm, and the family was well-respected in the community.
In 1857, the Anderson family moved again, this time to the Kansas Territory. They traveled southwest on the Santa Fe Trail. They settled about 13 miles (21 km) east of Council Grove. They likely moved for better economic opportunities.
In Kansas, the Andersons became friends with A.I. Baker, a local judge. Judge Baker supported the Confederate side. By 1860, young William T. Anderson owned part of a 320-acre (1.3 sq km) property. His family had a total net worth of about $1,000. Sadly, William's mother, Martha Anderson, died on June 28, 1860.
Joining the Guerrillas
In the late 1850s, William Anderson started getting into trouble. He began stealing and selling horses to support himself. He then moved to Missouri, where he robbed travelers.
In early 1863, he joined Quantrill's Raiders. This was a group of Confederate guerrillas who operated along the Kansas–Missouri border. Anderson quickly became a skilled "bushwhacker." This term was used for guerrilla fighters who hid in the woods and used surprise attacks.
He earned the trust of the group's leaders, William Quantrill and George M. Todd.
A Quest for Revenge
Anderson's actions as a bushwhacker made him a dangerous person. Because of this, the Union forces arrested his sisters and put them in a makeshift jail in Kansas City, Missouri.
Tragically, the jail building collapsed. One of his sisters died in custody, and another was seriously injured for life. This event deeply affected Anderson. He decided to get revenge for what happened to his sisters.
After this, he took a leading role in some very violent events.
Key Actions and Battles
Anderson played a major part in the Lawrence Massacre in 1863. During this event, his group attacked the town of Lawrence, Kansas.
He also took part in the Battle of Baxter Springs in 1863. These actions showed how determined he was to get revenge.
Death
William T. Anderson was killed in battle in 1864.
See also
- William Quantrill
- George M. Todd
- Partisan Ranger Act
