This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.arkansas.counties.searcy/3550.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Jayhawkers were renegades from the Civil War, I think for the union side. Bushwhackers were the same thing but for the south. They preyed on all folks, not just soldiers. A lot of this happend in Searcy County. C. L. has a great uncle who was age 12 who went back to his house after they set fire to it and put out the fire. They noticed no smoke and came back and killed him and burned the house. They made his 10 year old sister stand by the barn and watch this. I'm not sure that you could distinguish between either Jayhawker or Bushwhacker, they were both mean and out plunder for themselves.