aggie, it's been a long time since I've seen the movie. But if I recall, the charachter, Josey Wales,was supposed to have joined up with Bill Anderson after the Red Legs murdered his family.
Archie Clements was of very small stature, but very gutsy and had a reputation as being very good with a Colt .36 cap and ball revolver (or better said, revolvers). He is reputed to have shot one retreating Union (aka-Damnyankee) soldier at 50 yds., while on horseback at full gallop.
Bill Anderson had been killed during the war, but his "bushwackers" continued their "activities". In an effort to halt the activities of the remaining "bushwackers", a law was enacted requiring all able bodied men in MO to register for the militia. Archie Clements, and several of his "bushwacker" compadres, had the brass balls to ride into town and register in the militia! They came fully armed and the Union troops at the "recruiting station" did not want to press the issue.
Clements got a big chuckle out of this episode. But, it probably cost him his life.
He continued to thumb his nose at the Federal authorities. The Federal Commander was REALLY P.O.ed!
Archie was at a bar with a friend when Federal troops came to arrest him. He escaped out the back of the bar, where his horse was waiting, but was shot in the back by Federal troops posted in buildings to prevent his escape.
DaMan