In 1882, Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield's brother was murdered by three sons of Randolph McCoy. Within a matter of days, Devil Anse and his ad hoc militia executed the three McCoys.

William “Devil Anse” Hatfield, a member of Confederate irregulars known as the Logan Wildcats, vowed revenge for these Union attacks. And Asa Harmon McCoy was an easy target. He’d returned ...