Guerrilla Fighter. In 1861 Archie Clements joined the Confederate guerrillas under Captain William "Bloody Bill" Anderson, and by the time he was 17 became Lieutenant. He was a small man, standing just over five feet tall and weighing about 130 pounds. His slight stature belied his ferocity, as he was known to be an expert pistol shot and fearless under fire. He was often referred to as "Little Archie Clement." He took a prominent role in all major operations of Anderson's unit, including the infamous Lawrence, Kansas raid and the Centralia Massacre . Upon Anderson's death, he took command of his unit until the Civil War ended. On February 13, 1866, he was thought to have been the leader of a gang consisting of former Quantrill men that held up the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri (the first daylight US bank robbery) and also robbed the Alexander Mitchell and Company in Lexington, Missouri. In December 1866, Archie sent word to the military authorities in Lexington, Missouri that he and some men wanted to come into town and register for muster into the Missouri State militia provided they would not be bothered by soldiers. After being informed they would not be molested, he and 26 men rode into town armed to the teeth. They had dinner, drinks, enrolled, and was told to leave town, which they did. A few minutes later Arch and another man returned to the hotel bar. Hearing that he was back in town, Army commander Major Bacon Montgomery sent three men to arrest him. When the soldiers entered the saloon, Archie pulled out his guns and started shooting, ran out the door, and jumped on his horse. and rode off. He was shot down by riflemen shooting along the courthouse yard.
Guerrilla Fighter. In 1861 Archie Clements joined the Confederate guerrillas under Captain William "Bloody Bill" Anderson, and by the time he was 17 became Lieutenant. He was a small man, standing just over five feet tall and weighing about 130 pounds. His slight stature belied his ferocity, as he was known to be an expert pistol shot and fearless under fire. He was often referred to as "Little Archie Clement." He took a prominent role in all major operations of Anderson's unit, including the infamous Lawrence, Kansas raid and the Centralia Massacre . Upon Anderson's death, he took command of his unit until the Civil War ended. On February 13, 1866, he was thought to have been the leader of a gang consisting of former Quantrill men that held up the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri (the first daylight US bank robbery) and also robbed the Alexander Mitchell and Company in Lexington, Missouri. In December 1866, Archie sent word to the military authorities in Lexington, Missouri that he and some men wanted to come into town and register for muster into the Missouri State militia provided they would not be bothered by soldiers. After being informed they would not be molested, he and 26 men rode into town armed to the teeth. They had dinner, drinks, enrolled, and was told to leave town, which they did. A few minutes later Arch and another man returned to the hotel bar. Hearing that he was back in town, Army commander Major Bacon Montgomery sent three men to arrest him. When the soldiers entered the saloon, Archie pulled out his guns and started shooting, ran out the door, and jumped on his horse. and rode off. He was shot down by riflemen shooting along the courthouse yard.
Bio by: Ron Mac
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