During the Bleeding Kansas era and continuing until the end of the Civil War, James Henry Lane was both a Kansas hero and the most hated man in Missouri. Lane came to Kansas shortly after the territory was opened by the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1954. Settling in the abolitionist town of Lawrence, Lane soon […]
The most hated man in Missouri Read More »
Early on the morning of September 22, 1861, Lane, and his men, calling themselves “Lane’s Brigade”, rode into town and after trading small arms fire with a few sentries posted by the town, made a direct route to the bank. At the bank Lane had his men blow open the safe only to find it
The Sacking of Osceola Read More »
A traveler cannot understand the Border War without a visit to Lawrence, Kansas. Lawrence is located about 30 miles west of Kansas City and was one of the first towns settled in the Kansas Territory. Lawrence was settled by abolitionist who were funded and supported by abolitionists like the New England Emigrant Aid Company among
Lecompton is another town that has embraced its Civil War roots and markets itself to the outside world based on that image. The town’s slogan is “Historic Lecompton: The Birthplace of the Civil War, Where Slavery Began to Die.” Indeed, this very small town just a few miles northwest of Lawrence played a significant role
I’m going to step a little bit away from the Border War for my next few posts. In August I traveled throughout central Kansas visiting several historical sites throughout the region. I’m going to use the next few posts to talk about those sites and share images from my travels throughout that region. I hope
Nicodemus Kansas; A Slave City Read More »
I was honored to speak at the David Whitmer Symposium last Saturday, this was changed to an online event, but the program was recorded so more people may be able to watch. My part of the program begins at the 06.25 mark and lasts for approximately 40 minutes. In my presentation, I dig into the
Ray County Presentation Read More »
Fort Scott, named after General Winfield Scott, was built in 1842 to give soldiers a place to live while working to maintain peace between white settlers and the Native American population in the area. The fort was also used as a supply point for troops and equipment being sent to the Mexican-American War which lasted
Border War Tour Stop: Rebel Raid on Humbold, Kansas Humboldt, Kansas is a small town about 50 miles due east of Fort Scott, Kansas, and 10 miles north of Chanute, Kansas. The 2020 population of 1,769, is down from the 1,953 residents in 2010. Humboldt was founded in 1857 by German immigrants who identified as abolitionists
Rebel Raid on Humboldt Kansas Read More »
The Battle of Island Mound occurred in Bates County, Missouri about 7 miles west of Butler, Missouri, and 9 miles east of the Missouri/Kansas Border. The Battle is of historical note, not because of its overall impact on the war, but rather because it was the first known event where an African-American regiment battled Confederate
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