Norman,

The majority of guerrilla operations in Missouri were planned and conducted independently of Confederate regulars. However, some irregulars served as screen or security for behind-Union-lines Confederate recruiting and the movement of such recruiting bands starting in 1862. Their efforts were key to a number of southern recruiting command returning to their own lines with hundreds of needed recruits.

Beginning in autumn 1863 Confederate irregulars evidently directed by Confederate command conducted a vigorous sabotage campaign against Union river transport in several river ports in central United States including St. Louis. They were responsible for the destruction of a number of river steamers then in Union use.

Preparatory to Confederate General Sterling Price's autumn 1864 raid into Missouri, some Confederate officers traveled to Missouri from Arkansas and coordinated with a variety of the active guerrilla bands, especially in some of the counties lining the Missouri River. I am not sure of the details of this coordination, but when these guerrilla chiefs later met with General Price in early October he directed them to attack Union transporation facilites--especially railroads. Some of the guerrilla bands did attack railroad facilities in Missouri as directed, but their efforts failed to significantly deny the Union military use of those vital arteries.

Bruce Nichols