Caldwell County MO Archives History .....CAPT. CLAYTON TIFFIN IN THE CIVIL WAR 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Karen Walker khw4@yahoo.com September 4, 2008, 2:02 pm

CAPT. CLAYTON TIFFIN IN THE CIVIL WAR
	Narrator:  Wm. Baker, of Hamilton

     Those who recall Dr. Clayton Tiffin of Hamilton as a dignified doctor in 
the 80-1920, period, could scarcely visualize him in the youthful energetic 
militia captain of the Civil War, in action all over northwest Missouri, 
especially alert for bushwhackers and other lawless bands.  The following 
stories told by his nephew "Billy" Baker show him in this aspect.
     After his education abroad as a doctor, he came home just in time to 
strike the Civil War.  His home was in Ray county.  For a while, he forgot his 
knowledge of medicine to fight with a gun for the Union.  This led to his 
encounter with the rebel leader Bill Anderson.
     Capt. Tiffin of the 4th Provisional Reg. of Enrolled Militia stationed at 
Knoxville in Ray co., was for a long time on the alert to get Bill Anderson.  
Knowing that he would undertake to make his escape from Clay co. thru Ray co., 
Tiffin had several men at different points on watch.  One of the scouts 
discovered the gang and reported them to Tiffin who was soon in pursuit.  He 
came on them in the brush where they were resting their horses.  Taking them 
by surprise, he poured a volley of shot at them.  The rebels quickly mounted 
and fled.  Anderson in his hurry, left his horse and hat and took thru the 
brush on foot.  One of the bushwhackers was taken having been wounded in the 
first volley by Tiffin.  After having been allowed time enough to say his 
prayers, he was "sent across Jordan" as the old war time expression went.
     Capt. Tiffin was in the last fight of the Civil War which took place 
seven miles north east of Richmond, Mo., between Capt. Clayton Tiffin who 
commanded a party of Caldwell and Ray county militia, and Lieutenant Arch 
Clemmons of the Bill Anderson's band of guerillas.  They met in a road in a 
deeply wooded place late in the evening and hostilities began at once.  
Madison Walker of the Tiffin force was killed at once with a bullet from the 
guerilla band and was the last man killed in the Civil War.  Tiffin and his 
men pursued Clemmons to Lexington and they surrendered the next day.  This 
skirmish took place about six weeks after Lee had surrendered.  Historical 
writers often give the date of the last battle as May 13 1865, but Capt. 
Tiffin had proof that his battle occurred 10 days later.

Interview's note:  Bill Anderson was finally killed Oct 1864 when his band of 
guerillas were repulsed near Albany, Mo. in Ray county by Major S.P. Cox and 
forces.  This same S.P. Cox lived in Gallatin at the time of the Civil War, 
but shortly after he operated a store with Ballinger and James Kemper in 
Hamilton for a short time.


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