The author tells the story of his great uncles, Bud and Donnie Pence, and their time as members of Quantrill's guerrilla band.

"Samuel Anderson Pence worked on this manuscript primarily during the 1950s. It is based on what he knew or believed to be true at that time. During the intervening fifty years or so, extensive interest in the Civil War era western Missouri guerrilla forces and in the individual guerrillas themselves undoubtedly has brought to light some details about the subjects of this book that differ from what Sam Pence wrote. The reader is asked to keep this in mind." -- pg. 7 [Daniel M. Pence].

Dedication -- Introduction -- Acknowledgments -- Slavery : a world of tumult -- Kansas - Missouri border trouble : playing with matches in the powder house -- W. Clarke Quantrill : what makes him click -- First followers : they became a force to be reckoned with -- Missouri City; the attack on Richfield -- A daughter relates the death of her father the Rev. A.H.F. Payne -- Guerrilla Otho Hinton is captured and a comrades [sic] valiant effort to save him -- Showdown at Cole Youngers [sic] underground huts -- One pair beats four aces -- James Farm neighbors eliminated -- Killing of Bigelow brothers : Unionists in Clay County aroused -- Perilous days living in Clay County : the guerrillas get religion -- The last days of Bloody Bill Anderson : the jaws of death snap shut -- Quantrill leads guerrillas to Kentucky -- Quantrill in Kentucky : the beginning of the end -- Some terrific fights in Kentucky -- A sweetheart spoils a guerrilla plan -- Kentucky horseflesh : the raid on Woodburn Horse Farm -- Sue Mundy - a Kentucky guerrilla : right follows fight in old Kentucky -- Guerrilla Peyton long meets his death -- Quantrill fatally wounded : a horse [or] the lack thereof caused it all -- Surrender of Oll Shepherd's command -- Quantrills [sic] bones after death : as in life on the move again -- Curiosities and more : biographical section -- Editors [sic] notes -- Index to entry -- About the author.