Bleeding Kansas Facts
Bleeding Kansas Facts
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Interesting Bleeding Kansas Facts: |
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The "Sacking of Lawrence" happened on May 21, 1856 when pro-slavery forces attacked the predominately anti-slavery town of Lawrence. About 300 proslavery forces rode into town and destroyed the presses of the town's two newspaper. The attack focused on the newspapers and not the people: only one anti-slavery person was injured and one pro-slavery raider was killed. |
Notorious outlaw Frank James, brother of the even more notorious Jesse James, rode with William Quantrill's raiders during the Civil War. Although Frank wasn't at the "Sacking of Lawrence," the attack was led by Quantrill. |
The "Pottawatomie Massacre" took place on May 24 and 25, 1856 near the Pottawatomie Creek in Franklin County. Angered by the Sacking of Lawrence, militant abolitionist John Brown led members of the anti-slavery militia known as the Pottawatomie to slash, stab, and shoot to death five pro-slavery settlers in the county. |
Pro-slavery forces were often referred to as "Border Ruffians" during Bleeding Kansas since many of them were from nearby Missouri. They were also sometimes referred to as "Bushwackers." |
Anti-slavery forces were often referred to as "Jayhawkers" or "Red Legs." The origins of the term Jayhawker is a source of debate, but the term "Reg Leg" probably came from the red leggings many Jayhawkers wore. |
Most of the violence during Bleeding Kansas involved guerilla operations, primarily hit and run attacks, but on August 30, 1856 the Battle of Osawatomie was a more traditional type battle. About to 400 pro-slavery forces attacked the town of Osawatomie, which was known to be an anti-slavery center. Although John Brown and some others tried to defend the town, they were forced to retreat. Five anti-slavery people were killed. |
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