Confederate guerrilla during the US Civil War who rode with guerrilla leader
William Quantrill. Notorious for his brutality against his enemies, he had no compunction about torturing, mutilating and executing Union prisoners and murdering civilians. He took part in the infamous "Lawrence Massacre" of 1863, in which the pro-Union town of Lawrence, KS, was burned to the ground and more than 150 civilians were murdered, many of them lined up and shot and others tied up and thrown alive into burning buildings. He was ambushed and shot dead in 1864 by Union cavalry near Albany, MO. It was reported, but not confirmed, that the Union officer who shot him approached Anderson's dead body, made certain it was him, unsheathed his sword and cut off Anderson's head, to show as proof to his superiors that Anderson really was dead.