A Bloody Week in History
I used to live in Lawrence, Kansas. I have driven back and forth on K-10 many times. I always think segments of that drive are very pretty. Today, while working, I drove that way again. I am still awed by the bueaty of the scenery. However, in addition to taking in the view from my windshield, I also had a thought... They came this way.
K-10 in western Johnson County, Kansas
"They" were the irregular Missouri militia units aligned with the Confederacy who were bent on revenge for something that happened on this day, one hundred and fifty years ago. They were not taking in the natural bueaty, one might assume, but the prettyness of the valley which they were about to sack and try to remove from the face of the earth I would hope move some of the men to mercy in some little way. There was very little mercy back then on either side. This was a border war, and it was bad. The catalyst was the national calamity known as the civil war and it moved many to deep hatred. Some, however it seems, need little excuse, and the orignal reasoning behind their vehemence often pales to the outcomes. Even the eastern governments on both sides of the conflict were not happy with the guerilla war and the tactics employed on the western frontier. The autrocities committed here, a hundred and fifty years ago during the border war -- a true war between states, not only forshadowed the bloody low intesity conflicts that are so common during our time now, but also was very personal.
K-10 heading west, towards Kansas City
In the shadow of boy bands, and Power and Light district drunkeness, tourists, monster truck pulls and basketball games sits a sign that many Kansas Citians don't even know exist. Next time you are that way, go to the southeast corner of 14th and Grand, and read the marker. Take it in. It is a shame that hardly anybody noticed today the event that transpired close to that marker one hundred and fifty years ago. I know. I have heard a saying once that as a school subject, history is more important than math. Many would disagree with that. I do not. Math will allow you to see where you are going in the next few steps. History shows you where you are going in the next few thousand years and beyond. It does reapeat itself, and if you don't know it, it definitely repeats itself. If we do not know our history, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes. We have seen what an unregulated milita can do. We have seen what unchecked government power will do. What happened here, a hundred and fifty years ago, should never have happened anywhere. It shouldn't ever happen again. Please take the time to read the marker. It is an arrow pointing straight at you, and straight at the future.
Some links on the history, if you care to read....
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1918ks/v2/ch43p1.html
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dwoody/mccorkle/quantrill.htm
14th and Grand, Kansas City Missouri
We were here to take pictures, but not of any boy band
The marker commemorating the union prison collapse, August 14, 1863
The good people of Lawrence, Kansas are remembering. They are re-enacting these tragic events in a new way -- via Twitter. For more information go to http://www.1863lawrence.com/twitter/ or to follow them on twitter, type in #QR1863.
Here are some clips from a movie directed by Ang Lee, and released in 1999 called "Ride With the Devil" that attempts to bring the history to life...
Bushwacker Tactics
Quantrill talks about the reasons for attacking Lawrence
The attack on Lawrence, Kansas
I used to live in Lawrence, Kansas. I have driven back and forth on K-10 many times. I always think segments of that drive are very pretty. Today, while working, I drove that way again. I am still awed by the bueaty of the scenery. However, in addition to taking in the view from my windshield, I also had a thought... They came this way.
"They" were the irregular Missouri militia units aligned with the Confederacy who were bent on revenge for something that happened on this day, one hundred and fifty years ago. They were not taking in the natural bueaty, one might assume, but the prettyness of the valley which they were about to sack and try to remove from the face of the earth I would hope move some of the men to mercy in some little way. There was very little mercy back then on either side. This was a border war, and it was bad. The catalyst was the national calamity known as the civil war and it moved many to deep hatred. Some, however it seems, need little excuse, and the orignal reasoning behind their vehemence often pales to the outcomes. Even the eastern governments on both sides of the conflict were not happy with the guerilla war and the tactics employed on the western frontier. The autrocities committed here, a hundred and fifty years ago during the border war -- a true war between states, not only forshadowed the bloody low intesity conflicts that are so common during our time now, but also was very personal.
In the shadow of boy bands, and Power and Light district drunkeness, tourists, monster truck pulls and basketball games sits a sign that many Kansas Citians don't even know exist. Next time you are that way, go to the southeast corner of 14th and Grand, and read the marker. Take it in. It is a shame that hardly anybody noticed today the event that transpired close to that marker one hundred and fifty years ago. I know. I have heard a saying once that as a school subject, history is more important than math. Many would disagree with that. I do not. Math will allow you to see where you are going in the next few steps. History shows you where you are going in the next few thousand years and beyond. It does reapeat itself, and if you don't know it, it definitely repeats itself. If we do not know our history, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes. We have seen what an unregulated milita can do. We have seen what unchecked government power will do. What happened here, a hundred and fifty years ago, should never have happened anywhere. It shouldn't ever happen again. Please take the time to read the marker. It is an arrow pointing straight at you, and straight at the future.
Some links on the history, if you care to read....
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/1918ks/v2/ch43p1.html
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dwoody/mccorkle/quantrill.htm
Here are some clips from a movie directed by Ang Lee, and released in 1999 called "Ride With the Devil" that attempts to bring the history to life...
Bushwacker Tactics
Quantrill talks about the reasons for attacking Lawrence
The attack on Lawrence, Kansas
