Raid on Lawrence, Kansas

Raid on Lawrence Lawrence Massacre Began: August 21, 1863 Ended: Same day Location: Douglas County, Kansas Theater: Trans-Mississippi Theater Campaign: Quantrill’s Raid into Kansas Outcome: Confederate victory Combatants No Union troops present; civilians only Quantrill’s Raiders Commanders No Union commander William C. Quantrill Lieutenant Colonel, CSA Strength 300-400 Casualties 164 40
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In a supposed retaliation for a Union raid on Osceola, Missouri, Lt. Col. William C. Quantrill led a force of about 300 to 400 partisans in an attack on the city of Lawrence, Kansas. His men killed civilians—men and boys—and destroyed many of the buildings. He held the town several hours and then withdrew. The “Lawrence Massacre” was, perhaps, the extreme example of the vicious Kansas-Missouri border warfare. (NPS summary)