General Order Eleven, 1863

The Missouri Reprisal

The American Civil War, one of the most violent wars ever fought, started in reality in 1850, when the Compromise of 1850 deposed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and made "Popular Vote", by which the decision would be made, to designate a state free or slave. Kansas became the test, northerners and southerners both pour into the territory, voting to make that new state what either side preferred. Soon, bands of armed men rode through Kansas, some from the anti-slavery north, the Red Legs and Jayhawkers. Other bands, representing the pro-slavery point of view rode in from Missouri, these border ruffians, soon to become known as bushwhackers, like the red legs, killed and burned out people with an opposite point of view or loyalty.

©2014, 2015, 2016 Mr. Meredith I. Anderson (P)2016 Mr. Meredith I. Anderson