Battle of Osawatomie Marker

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Osawatomie in Miami County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Battle of Osawatomie

By Thomas Onions, January 19, 2009

1. Battle of Osawatomie Marker

Closeup of Marker

Inscription. On the morning of August 30, 1856, John Brown led about 30 antislavery men into battle against 250 proslavery Missourians. This Battle of Osawatomie raged on the site of John Brown Memorial Park.

Local tradition maintains that the statue of John Brown is located where the mounted proslavery men fired their first shots. Brown positioned his men about four hundred yards to the north in the timber lining the south bank of the Marais Des Cygnes River. The Missourians charged down the hill towards Brown's men with their guns blazing. The free-state force held firm, checking the first charge. The attackers dismounted, outflanked Brown's force, and brought their cannon into action.

Finally Brown and his men bolted from their hiding places and fled across the river. The Missourians swarmed into Osawatomie where they sacked and burned the town. Both sides sustained about a half a dozen casualties, the most of any battle during the Bleeding Kansas period. Among the dead was John Brown's son Frederick.

"God sees it. I have only a short time to live - only one death to die, and I will die fighting for this cause. There will be no more peace in this land until slavery is done for."

-Attributed to John Brown by his son Jason while they watched Osawatomie burn. map of the Battle

Illustration

By Thomas Onions, January 19, 2009
2. Battle of Osawatomie Marker
Twin Trees Marker

of Missouri border ruffians going to Kansas drawn by Felix Darley.

Illustration of Osawatomie in 1862.

marker in Plaza area

John Brown and the Battle of Osawatomie 1856

The blood that
flowed In Kansas
before and during
the Civil War
nourished the
Twin Trees of
Liberty and Union.

Erected by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service and the State of Kansas with the City of Osawatomie 1969

Location. 38° 29.919′ N, 94° 57.539′ W. Marker is in Osawatomie, Kansas, in Miami County. Marker can be reached from Tenth Street 0.2 miles north of Main Street. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Osawatomie KS 66064, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. John Brown of Kansas (within shouting distance of this marker); Paola Veterans' Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away); City Hall Fire Bell (approx. 6.8 miles away).

More about this marker. The main marker is behind the building containing the Adair Cabin. The Twin Trees marker is in the plaza area just to the south of the cabin building.

Also see . . .
1. Legends of America. Link to the Battle of Osawatomie. (Submitted on July 26, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

By Thomas Onions, January 19, 2009

3. Battle of Osawatomie Marker

Shot of main marker with a portion of the Battlefield seen in the Distance

2. John Brown Historic Site. This is the Official Kansas Website for the Historical Area. (Submitted on July 26, 2009, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)