Col.John T. Coffee and about 800 of his SW Missouri Cavalry regiment refused to allow Qantrill and his men to assist them at the battle of Lone Jack. The refusal made Quantrill so mad that he prepared to mount a cavalry charge against Coffee's regiment.

Quantrill sought but never received a commission in the Confederate army beause of his reputation for irregular warfare. Gen. Hindman realized the value of guerilla warfare and succeded in having the "Partisan Ranger Act" approved by the Confederate Congress. President Davis reluctantly signed the act in 1864.

Quantrill and his followers wanted to join the regular Confederate army because they knew what would happen to guerillas if they were taken prisoner. The Confederate Partisan Ranger Act was not recognized by the Federal government.