The roster of Quantrill's group: http://penningtons.tripod.com/roster.htm
Origin
The border between Kansas and Missouri proved to be a popular staging ground for many battles and actions undertaken by mostly guerrilla groups. In February 1861 Missouri voted to remain in the Union by 89 to 1. Unionists and the increasingly powerful pro-secessionist forces began to fight for control of the state, both political and military. Guerrilla warfare exploded throughout the whole state and intensified in August after a Union army was defeated at the Battle of Wilson's Creek. However, by next year the state was mostly free of significant amounts of Confederate troops as a result of a defeated Confederate army at the Battle of Pea Ridge.
Notoriety
Quantrill and his men obviously weren't the only group of guerrillas operating in Missouri, but they would become the most infamous Confederate guerrilla group. They rapidly gained notoriety from ambushing Union patrols and supply convoys, seizing mail, and sometimes indiscriminately attacking small towns. His group were a reflection of the brutal nature of guerrilla warfare in the Civil War. Quantrill and his group mostly went after pro-Union civilians in hopes of scaring them away from their homes. They also went after Jayhawkers and militiamen and troops belonging to the Union. Quantrill directed his troops to perfect military tactics including disguises, coordinated attacks, and dispersal plans that incorporated pre-planned routes, and utilizing .36 Colt revolvers because of their increased accuracy and firepower compared to the revolvers of the .44 caliber.
Quantrill was inducted into the Confederate army on August 15, 1862. He was given the rank of captain and was granted a field commission. But Quantrill considered himself a colonel. And, despite the legal responsibilities he was supposed to assume as a member of the Confederate army, he preferred to act on his own free will and almost completely ignored his government's policy. One of his most defiant acts being the Lawrence Massacre.
The Lawrence Massacre as well as many other terrible atrocities committed by Quantrill and his men proved to be a huge embarrassment for the majority of the Confederate leadership; after the Lawrence Massacre, the Confederate command completely withdrew any remaining support they had for them. After the raid, in the winter of 1863-64, Quantrill led his men to Confederate lines in Texas. There, their lawless presence proved to be humiliating for the Confederacy.
Quantrill was inducted into the Confederate army on August 15, 1862. He was given the rank of captain and was granted a field commission. But Quantrill considered himself a colonel. And, despite the legal responsibilities he was supposed to assume as a member of the Confederate army, he preferred to act on his own free will and almost completely ignored his government's policy. One of his most defiant acts being the Lawrence Massacre.
The Lawrence Massacre as well as many other terrible atrocities committed by Quantrill and his men proved to be a huge embarrassment for the majority of the Confederate leadership; after the Lawrence Massacre, the Confederate command completely withdrew any remaining support they had for them. After the raid, in the winter of 1863-64, Quantrill led his men to Confederate lines in Texas. There, their lawless presence proved to be humiliating for the Confederacy.
Dissolution
By early 1864, Quantrill had lost complete control of most of his men; many left for Missouri in different bands, none of which were led by Quantrill. Quantrill's Raiders didn't maintain operations while they were in Tyler, Texas during the winter of 1863/64. Quantrill would lead his men to Tyler, Texas during the winter and offer services to the Confederate command. They were given assignments to attack suppliers of the Union, repel raids from Union troops and Jayhawkers into the north of Texas, keep native Indians away, and round-up any deserters in Texas and Oklahoma. His men proved to be far too rowdy, dangerous, and undisciplined to be controlled. His former lieutenants, "Bloody Bill" Anderson and George Todd took their own men back to Missouri. While Quantrill and his loyal remaining troops went east towards Kentucky.
Quantrill's group, while in Kentucky, were being tracked and hunted by pro-Union soldiers and mercenaries. Eventually his men were presumably routed and chased into a barn in Kentucky. A firefight resulted which ended with Quantrill being injured in the spine, no longer able to move. He was arrested, but according to reports died a week later from his wounds. Bloody Bill's group was sent to duty north of the Missouri River in 1864 during the time of the General Sterling Price raid. He was given the task to disrupt Union operations and to draw any Union troops towards his cavalry. Anderson was reportedly killed north of Orrick, having been shot dead. George Todd's group went with General Sterling Price's raid group. His role was a cavalry scout and was shot by a Union sniper, a day before the Battle of Westport.
Quantrill's group, while in Kentucky, were being tracked and hunted by pro-Union soldiers and mercenaries. Eventually his men were presumably routed and chased into a barn in Kentucky. A firefight resulted which ended with Quantrill being injured in the spine, no longer able to move. He was arrested, but according to reports died a week later from his wounds. Bloody Bill's group was sent to duty north of the Missouri River in 1864 during the time of the General Sterling Price raid. He was given the task to disrupt Union operations and to draw any Union troops towards his cavalry. Anderson was reportedly killed north of Orrick, having been shot dead. George Todd's group went with General Sterling Price's raid group. His role was a cavalry scout and was shot by a Union sniper, a day before the Battle of Westport.
Notable members
John Noland
John Noland was a member of Quantrill's Raiders. He was a freed slave who grew tired of him and his family being mistreated and harassed by Kansas Jayhawkers and decided to join Quantrill's Raiders. He was a scout for Quantrill and was considered to be his best one. Before the Lawrence Massacre, he was one of the scouts that rode through the town. He was supposedly loved by his fellow members, and they considered him "a man among men".
William T. Anderson
William T. Anderson (infamously known as "Bloody Bill" Anderson or simply "Bloody Bill") was one of the most brutal guerrilla leaders of the Civil War. Anderson committed many awful acts during the Civil War but many people during that time considered it justified for some Union and Jayhawker actions. In retrospect, the opinion of Anderson is very split among historians: some say he was a psychopath and had a thirst for blood, but others say that his actions are not too out of place considering the lawlessness during that period of time. It is also important to keep in mind that Anderson didn't really become a true psychopath until his sister was killed, and the other severely injured after the collapse of the jailhouse building in Lawrence, Kansas.