Different Jayhawkers pillage, plunder

Thursday, August 28, 2014

During the Civil War in western Missouri, the word "Jayhawker" normally referred to Kansas soldiers or civilians who conducted raids into Missouri. However, as the war continued the word Jayhawker was used by both the Yankees and Confederates to mean any soldier or civilian who was engaged in jayhawking or the act of the robbery or murder of civilians or the destruction of their respective property be it homes, stores, barns or other structures. Therefore, Jayhawkers were not only from Kansas, but also Missouri and other adjoining states whose soldiers were fighting in Missouri. The following correspondence describes "Jayhawkers" from the 17th Illinois Cavalry who waged war by robbing, pillaging and plundering Missouri civilians. Both letters are located on Pages 961-963 in Series I, Vol. 41, Part II correspondence of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.

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