Redlegs and Bushwhackers; and instant death

During the Civil War any Kansas "Redleg"(outlaw)or Missouri Bushwhacker (guerrilla) who was captured by Union forces was normally executed immediately or shortly after their apprehension. The "Death Penalty" was normally carried out instantaneously, so there was no need for an appellate process! In April of 1863, "Union" Major General James G. Blunt put his policy/treatment of Redlegs and Bushwhackers in writing to his commanding officer and to one of his regimental commanders as follows: To Major General Samuel Ryan Curtis, Commanding Department of the Missouri: "You need have no apprehensions in regard to the "red legs." I shall treat them and all other lawless bands as I shall treat "bushwhackers." I expect to HANG a few of them soon by example. Enclosed you will find a copy of instructions to Colonel Lynde to govern his action upon the [Kansas/Missouri] border. I hope it will meet your approval.

I have the honor to be General, respectfully, your obedient servant.

Jas. G. Blunt, Major General Commanding, District of Kansas, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Col. E. Lynde, {Enclosure} Headquarters District of Kansas Fort Leavenworth, April 16, 1863.

Commanding 9 Regiment Kansas Volunteers [Cavalry].

Colonel: the western tier of counties of the State of Missouri, lying south of the Missouri river, being now embraced within the limits of this district, you will therefore, for the purpose of protecting loyal citizens and punishing traitors and insuring peace and quiet upon the borders of Kansas and Missouri, move the troops under your command into the border tier of counties before mentioned (your headquarters remaining at Paola, Ks.) and co-operate with such other loyal Federal troops as you may find within the limits of this district. The troops should be kept moving or patrolling the border counties and exercise the utmost vigilance and promptness in discovering and destroying all bands of Guerrillas and outlaws and when such parties are met with arms in their hands, opposing the Federal authorities. They are not to be considered as belligerents, according to the rules and usages of civilized warfare; but having organized within the Federal lines to oppose the Federal authorities by armed resistance , they must be treated as insurgents and shall suffer death. When such persons are taken prisoners, which should as much as possible be avoided, they will be summarily tried by a military commission, to be appointed by the senior officer present and if found guilty, must be executed by hanging or shooting without delay; but in carrying out these instructions, great discrimination and judgment should be exercised to the end that no loyal or innocent person shall suffer. The troops must be kept under complete discipline and subordination and all officers held accountable for the conduct of the men immediately under their command.

No persons or parties bearing arms and not in the military service will be allowed to go into the State of Missouri as camp followers, nor will such person or parties be tolerated within this military district.

All operations against rebels must be directed by the legal military authorities. This injunction is to apply especially to an organization known as "red legs," which is an organized band of thieves and violators of law and good order. All such persons found prowling over the county, without a legitimate purpose must be disarmed; and if they shall be caught in the act of thieveing or other lawlessness, or in the possession of stolen property, for which they cannot give a good and sufficient reason they shall be SHOT UPON THE SPOT! And as there is reason to believe that officers in the military service are implicated, directly or indirectly, in offenses committed by "redlegs" and other lawless bands, therefore upon evidence that any officer has failed or neglected to carry out the foregoing instructions in reference to such offenders, they will be dishonorably dismissted from the [Military] Service of the United States. General Orders, No. 9 of March 27, issued by Brigadier General Loan, will remain in force in that portion of Missouri embraced within this district until further orders. All stock and other property taken from the Rebels in the State of Missouri will be turned over to the commanding officer at Kansas City.

Copies of the foregoing instructions will be furnished commanding officers in the border counties of Missouri, for their information.

-- JAS. G. Blunt Major General, Commanding.