Bloody Bill Anderson was a notorious partisan ranger in the Missouri-Kansas area during the Civil War. He was one of William Quantrill's sidekicks. He was born William T. Anderson in 1840 in Hopkins County, Kentucky. At a young age Anderson began stealing horses. Those crimes turned much more severe. Anderson formed a relationship with William Quantrill, eventually joining his band known as Quantrill's raiders. Anderson proved to be a skilled fighter. His skills were put on display during the sack of Lawrence, Kansas. Bloody Bill's band which included Frank James killed the most men in the whole massacre. The honeymoon between Anderson and Quantrill did not last long however. Anderson falsely implicated Quantrill for murder. This led to the arrest of Quantrill, and the end of their partnership. Anderson and his men went to Texas for a few months to rest. Bloody Bill eventually went east to Missouri to continue his fighting. He became one of the most feared guerrilla leaders in the entire state. Frank James who went with Anderson to Missouri recruited his brother Jesse to fight under Bloody Bill's command. Together these men terrorized the state of Missouri. They robbed towns, killing anyone who stood in their way. Bloody Bill finally met his demise after the Centralia Massacre of 1864. Anderson and his band were chased down and forced into battle by the Federals led by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel P. Cox. Anderson and his men charged at Cox, showing no fear. Bloody Bill was hit in the ear by a bullet, and was killed instantly. Anderson was only 24 years old. Anderson's body was photographed and the pictures were hung in the courthouse at Richmond, Missouri. Today Bloody Bill Anderson's legacy lives on. He is often referenced in movies and books about Frank and Jesse James. Anderson was also included in the 1976 movie Outlaw Josey Wales, he was portrayed by John Russell. Bloody Bill Anderson is just another casualty in the deadly guerrilla war.
Above is John Russell portraying Bloody Bill Anderson in Outlaw Josey Wales. I think there is a strong resemblance between Russell and Anderson. What do you think?
Stay tuned for more blog posts about the men that made the guerrilla war.
A strong resemblance indeed except for age.Russell was in his 50s at the time the movie was shot with a long film and tv career behind him including his most famous role as Marshal Troop in the tv series Lawman.The real Bloody Bill didn't live to see age 25.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!! Russell was an underrated actor. I still enjoy watching reruns of Lawman on TV. He was also really good in Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider movie as the corrupt Marshal Stockburn. According to this 2013 article the character of Dan Troop was named one of the best TV lawmen of all time. I wish the series had had a longer run, but it was to much like Gunsmoke.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cowboysindians.com/2015/09/tvs-top-lawmen/
My dad's cousin. Sadly, I never got the chance to meet him. I did meet his sister several years ago.
ReplyDeleteGood line in Josey Wales, as he sends his sidekick away, they were born in desperate times, The James bros knew nothing but guerrilla war , stealing and killing , right and wrong became blurred in the fog of war. RIP to all.
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