Wakarusa War in Kansas

The year was 1855. The Kansas Territory, a vast expanse of prairie and promise, was a tinderbox of political and social tensions. The question of whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state hung heavy in the air, fueling a bitter struggle between those who sought to abolish slavery and those who sought to extend its reach. This struggle, a microcosm of the national divide, manifested in a series of escalating conflicts, culminating in what became known as the Wakarusa War in Kansas.

The roots of this conflict lay in the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed residents of the territories to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery, a concept known as popular sovereignty. This seemingly democratic solution ignited a fierce competition, as both pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions poured into Kansas, hoping to sway the vote in their favor. Tensions simmered, fueled by political rhetoric, economic interests, and deeply held moral convictions.

The incident that sparked the Wakarusa War in Kansas occurred on November 21, 1855. Charles W. Dow, a Free-State advocate, and Franklin N. Coleman, a pro-slavery leader from Hickory Point, became embroiled in a dispute over a land claim. The argument escalated, and Coleman shot and killed Dow. This act of violence served as a catalyst, transforming simmering tensions into open conflict.

News of Dow’s death spread quickly, inflaming passions on both sides. Jacob Branson, with whom Dow had been living, was arrested by Samuel J. Jones, the pro-slavery sheriff of Douglas County. Branson’s arrest was perceived by Free-State men as an act of aggression, further escalating the situation. A group of Free-Staters, determined to prevent Branson from being taken to pro-slavery authorities, rescued him from Jones’s custody.

Sheriff Jones, humiliated and enraged, sent a dispatch to his father-in-law, Colonel Boone, in Westport, Missouri (now part of Kansas City), requesting assistance in recapturing Branson. He also contacted Wilson Shannon, the Governor of Kansas Territory, requesting 3,000 men to quell what he described as a rebellion in Lawrence, a stronghold of Free-State sentiment.

Governor Shannon, without fully investigating the situation, issued a proclamation calling out the Kansas militia to suppress the alleged rebellion. This proclamation, in effect, mobilized pro-slavery forces from Missouri, who were eager to seize the opportunity to crush the Free-State movement. Many believed that the entire affair was a deliberate provocation, a trap designed to justify the destruction of Lawrence and the suppression of its anti-slavery residents. The Wakarusa War in Kansas was now on the brink of full-scale eruption.

The response from Missouri was swift and overwhelming. According to Holloway’s History of Kansas, entire counties along the Missouri border sent fully equipped troops, anticipating a fight. Within three days, approximately 1,500 men had crossed the border and converged on Lawrence. Governor Shannon himself observed the composition of this force, noting that it included not only young men but also "gray-haired citizens," with men of seventy winters standing alongside sixteen-year-old youths, fathers, sons, and grandsons united in their cause.

The pro-slavery forces established their main camp near Franklin, about three miles southeast of Lawrence. Another contingent positioned itself near Lecompton, the territorial capital, under the command of Strickler and Richardson. The siege of Lawrence had begun.

Inside Lawrence, the inhabitants prepared for defense. Learning of the approaching pro-slavery army, community leaders requested that those involved in Branson’s rescue leave the town, demonstrating that the town did not officially condone their actions. A Committee of Safety was formed, organizing the citizens into guard units of 15 to 20 men each. These units could be mobilized at a moment’s notice, allowing residents to continue their daily lives while remaining prepared to defend their homes and their cause.

News of the impending invasion and the rumored intention to destroy Lawrence spread rapidly throughout the territory, galvanizing Free-State supporters. Men from surrounding towns and settlements flocked to Lawrence to offer their assistance. By the time the pro-slavery forces arrived, Lawrence was defended by approximately 800 armed and equipped men.

The Committee of Safety appointed Dr. Charles Robinson as commander-in-chief of the Free-State forces, with Colonel James H. Lane as his second in command. Other notable figures who led defending companies included Lyman Allen, Samuel Walker, Major Abbott, and John Brown. Brown, a fervent abolitionist, arrived with his four sons, bringing with him arms and ammunition, just as negotiations for a peaceful resolution were underway. The presence of Brown and his sons, hardened by previous conflicts, added a new dimension to the defense of Lawrence.

Every house in Lawrence became a temporary barracks, and the Free-State Hotel served as the primary headquarters. To fortify the town, the defenders constructed five redoubts, strategically positioned to command every approach to the city. The largest redoubt was erected on Massachusetts Street, near the intersection with Pinckney Street. This circular fortification, built of hewn timber and reinforced with an earth embankment, was designed as a refuge for women and children in the event of an attack.

A second line of defense consisted of three smaller forts along Massachusetts Street, aligned with Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Streets, corresponding to Henry Street. A third redoubt was constructed on an elevation north of Henry Street, between Massachusetts and New Hampshire Streets. The fourth was south of the fort on Henry Street, designed to repel any attack from Mount Oread, the hill overlooking the town. The fifth and final redoubt was positioned on Kentucky Street, guarding the entrance from a ravine to the west. In addition to these fortifications, a cannon that had been smuggled into Lawrence from Kansas City further bolstered the town’s defenses.

The siege of Lawrence commenced on Saturday, December 1, and lasted for approximately a week. Both sides were prepared for battle. The defenders spent their time drilling, strengthening their fortifications, and maintaining a vigilant watch. The pro-slavery forces, led by Sheriff Samuel Jones, waited for the order to attack, confident in their numerical superiority.

The Sharps rifles, which had been shipped to Lawrence from New England by abolitionist supporters, proved invaluable. The mere presence of these weapons, known for their accuracy and range, deterred the pro-slavery forces from launching a direct assault on the town. The Wakarusa War in Kansas, though fraught with tension, remained a standoff.

As Blackmar observed in his Life of Charles Robinson, the situation was a "strange spectacle," a "travesty on free government" with United States Senator Atchison commanding the pro-slavery militia while Governor Shannon struggled to maintain order. The governor, realizing the gravity of the situation and the potential for bloodshed, sent a request to Colonel Sumner, commander of the United States troops stationed at Fort Leavenworth, for assistance. However, Sumner refused to intervene without direct orders from Washington.

Meanwhile, Lawrence continued to receive reinforcements from surrounding communities. These new arrivals were often surprised to find that the inhabitants of Lawrence were focused on defense rather than aggression, contrary to the reports circulated by pro-slavery agitators. Recognizing the need to inform Governor Shannon of the true state of affairs, the citizens of Lawrence sent a delegation to meet with him.

Initially incredulous, Shannon was persuaded to visit Lawrence and see the situation for himself. Upon his arrival, he was reportedly astonished by the level of preparedness and the peaceful intentions of the Free-State defenders. He arranged a conference between the leaders of the besieging forces and the besieged citizens.

Governor Shannon, accompanied by Colonel Albert Boone of Westport, Colonel Kearney of Independence, Missouri, and General Strickler of Kansas, were escorted to the Free-State Hotel, where they met with the Committee of Safety. Dr. Robinson and Colonel James Lane represented the Free-State men during the negotiations. After both sides had presented their perspectives, Governor Shannon proposed that a treaty be drafted and signed by the leaders of both factions.

The resulting treaty, reflecting the goodwill of the people of Lawrence and their genuine desire to avoid bloodshed, was signed by both sides. Blackmar, in his Life of Charles Robinson, described the treaty as "an excellent way out of a dilemma," but also noted the absurdity of the situation, with the "town of Lawrence in rebellion, treating with the Kansas militia, the latter commanded by officers living in Missouri."

Following the signing of the treaty, Robinson and Lane accompanied Governor Shannon to the pro-slavery militia camp, where Shannon persuaded the Missourians to accept the treaty and withdraw. This proved to be a difficult task, but eventually, the pro-slavery forces agreed to disband and return to their homes. The Wakarusa War in Kansas had ended without a single battle.

While the Wakarusa War in Kansas concluded peacefully, it was only a prelude to the even greater violence that would engulf the territory in the coming months and years. The underlying tensions remained unresolved, and the struggle for control of Kansas would continue to escalate, leading to further bloodshed and ultimately earning the territory the grim moniker of "Bleeding Kansas." The events of the Wakarusa War in Kansas served as a stark reminder of the deep divisions that threatened to tear the nation apart.