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The Wichita Eagle
This is one in a series of vignettes celebrating Kansas history. The series' name comes from the state motto, Ad astra per aspera: "To the stars through difficulties."
BY BECCY TANNER
One hundred fifty-two years ago today, the first battle of the bloodiest war in American history was fought on Kansas soil.
It was the first recorded battle over slavery between two opposing military forces in the United States and likely was one of many sparks from Kansas that fueled the Civil War five years later.
The battle of Black Jack began shortly before dawn in Douglas County and was a fight between pro- and anti-slavery forces.
Although no one died, several men on both sides were wounded.
Fiery abolitionist John Brown was seeking revenge as he led the anti-slavery forces against Henry Pate's pro-slavery band.
Pro-slavery forces, led by Douglas County Sheriff Samuel J. Jones, had destroyed the newspaper presses in Lawrence on May 21 along with several buildings -- including the Kansas territorial house of Gov. Charles Robinson.
In May 1856, Lawrence was considered a stronghold of anti-slavery sentiment.
A few nights later, Brown and a few followers rounded up five men and hacked them to death with swords. It became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre and was brutal enough that pro-slavery and anti-slavery sides criticized the attack.
Gaining momentum, Brown struck again, at Black Jack.
Shortly before dawn, Brown's 27 men, including three of Brown's sons and a son-in-law, attacked Pate's men in a grove of black jack oak trees near Baldwin City.
The grove was near the Santa Fe Trail. Some of themen involved said later that they used trail ruts as trenches during the worst fighting.
Three hours later, Brown's troops forced Pate's group to surrender.
Through the next few months, violent raids on both sides escalated, earning the Kansas territory the nickname "Bleeding Kansas" in the nation's media.
It was enough to prompt homesteaders to write:
"I never lie down without taking the precaution to fasten my door.. I have my rifle, revolver, and old home-stocked pistol where I can lay my hand on them in an instant, besides a hatchet & axe. I take this precaution to guard against the midnight attacks of the Abolitionists...", Axallia Hoole, Lecompton, 1856.
Tensions between Missouri and Kansas mounted. More nicknames surfaced.
Missourians called Kansans Jayhawkers: free-state guerrilla fighters who ventured onto Missouri soil ready to steal and plunder. Some of the more infamous included the Brown family and James Henry Lane, who later became one of the state's first senators.
"Border ruffians" was one of the nicer names Kansans gave pro-slavery Missourians who crossed into territorial Kansas, prepared to sway elections while stealing abolitionist goods. They would demand their right to vote by gun, stuffing ballot boxes.
Because of this legacy, the Black Jack battle site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reach Beccy Tanner at 316-268-6336 or btanner@wichitaeagle.com.