Bloody Bushwhacker: The Brutal Crimes and Violent Death of Confederate Guerilla "Bloody Bill" Anderson

During the American Civil War, Confederate Guerilla William T. "Bloody Bill" Anderson's life and legacy would be defined by the brutal atrocities committed by he and his men

Depiction of “Bloody Bill” Anderson

Background

As the saying goes, “War will change people.” Whether the American Civil War changed William T. Anderson into a ruthless, cold-blooded killer or simply drew out what was already inside him is difficult to say.

What we can say is that William T. “Bloody Bill” Anderson and his band of Confederate guerillas were responsible for some of the cruelest and most savage atrocities committed by anyone during the war.

October 2, 1964 article from The Daily Journal

Early Years

For someone whose life would come to be defined by violence, Bill Anderson began life as an innocent baby, like everyone else. His parents, William and Martha Anderson, came from either Kentucky or Missouri.

Details about his birth and early years are sketchy. Existing records indicate that he grew up mainly in Missouri and attended school in Huntsville.

The Andersons later migrated to Kansas and became residents of Council Grove in 1861, just before the start of the Civil War. Although the family did not own slaves, they considered themselves Southerners and were pro-slavery.

When they moved to Kansas, they became caught up in the fierce fight between pro-slavery advocates and abolitionists for control of Kansas, known as “Bleeding Kansas.” This hotbed of violence would eventually shape William Anderson into a fierce outlaw.

Photo of William “Bloody Bill” Anderson (Heritage Post)

Becoming “Bloody Bill”

Bill Anderson earned the nickname “Bloody Bill” with his first act of brutality.

As the Civil War progressed, the armies on both sides had a high demand for horses. Bill, along with his father and brother, soon earned a reputation for supplying a steady stream of reliable mounts. The only problem with this business was that the horses were stolen from other ranchers.

During an altercation over a stolen horse, William Anderson, Sr. was killed. This filled Bill with rage and set him on a path of exacting revenge against the men responsible for his father’s death, one of whom was a judge.

In avenging his father’s murder, Bill brutally killed, then scalped the judge, earning the nickname Bloody Bill.

Depiction of “Bloody Bill” Anderson

From that moment on, Bill’s path in life was set. He would now seek his revenge by killing anyone who sympathized with the Union or any anti-slavery cause.