Being a scout, Bill was not permanently attached to Gen. Curtis’
army, but had a wide latitude in which to range; but he was fighting
Confederates nearly all the time, sometimes in company with a small
force and at other times single-handed. There are very few acquainted
with the many phases the war assumed who do not remember the terrorism
which existed in Southern Missouri from 1864 until the close of the
rebellion. The country was infested with bushwhackers, whose single
purpose was the murder of defenseless persons and running off valuable
stock. Their depredations were terrible, and these marauding bands
were composed of the renegades of both armies, which it was difficult
for either side to punish. Their haunts were chiefly among the pineries
and other places difficult to penetrate with a company of men so as to
present an effective front.
Wild Bill, usually bent on some daring purpose, concluded to enter
the pineries between Rolla and Springfield on a tour of discovery.
He neglected to acquaint any one with his purpose, and left Rolla by
night. After an absence of three days he returned to Rolla, leading
three horses. Gen. Daviess, who was in command of the post, sent for
Bill and asked him how he came in possession of the horses. The tone in
which the General addressed the inquiry suggested to Bill the idea that
the General entertained the suspicion that the horses were stolen. With
a stolid indifference which characterized the man, Bill replied: “It’s
none of your d--d business.” By Gen. Daviess’ orders, Bill was placed
in the guardhouse, but he had so many fast friends, who felt satisfied
that he came by the horses honorably, that on the night following,
Bill appeared on the streets as usual. The General was outwitted, and,
approaching Bill courteously, he received an explanation as follows:
On the second day after Bill left Rolla, he met three bushwhackers in
a lonely road, who commanded him to dismount. To this Bill returned
the reply, “It shall be a fair fight,” and commenced firing. His
first three shots killed his men. All of them fired at him, but the
only effect was to split his saddle bow. Bill had some difficulty in
catching the three horses, but he succeeded and brought them in. On the
second day after getting into Rolla, Bill conducted a detail of six men
to the spot where the fight occurred, and found the bodies of the three
bushwhackers. The horses were turned over to Gen. Daviess.