Union General Order 11—issued in August 1863–commanded that four counties in northwest Missouri be cleared of all Confederates and their supporters (see painting by George Caleb Bingham).
The order was a response to the Rebel’s attack on Lawrence, KS, which took place four days before 11 was made. It quickly proved so unpopular and unworkable that it was repealed four months later.
But residents of the counties were embittered beyond the end of the war. They gave shelter and help to former Confederates, the James-Younger Gang, as a result.
