Wide sweep into Kansas

During the Civil War, one of the constant consistent concerns in Kansas was a major Confederate invasion of the Jayhawk State from Missouri or the Indian Territory. In retrospect, this in fact only happened twice between 1861 and 1865.

The first was Quantrill's successful raid on and the destruction of Lawrence on Aug. 21, 1863. The second was Price's Campaign in the fall of 1864 when the Confederate Army of Missouri, after the Battle of Westport on Oct. 23, 1864, advanced south through Johnson, Miami, Linn and Bourbon Counties reeking has much havoc and devastation by destroying as much property as possible on it's way back to Arkansas and the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma).

There were numerous smaller Confederate raids and skirmishes in Kansas throughout the war, however the omnipresent fear of a "Big One" was always there in the minds of both the Kansas civilians and Union military forces. Periodically, the Union commanders in Kansas would react by deploying troops to various locations to defend the Jayhawk state. In September of 1861, Confederate Major General Sterling Price commanded an army that captured and occupied Lexington, Missouri.

After a brief occupation, the Confederates marched to southwestern Missouri. It was during this time of Price's advance north through Missouri and his return to the southwestern part of the state that the Union commanders in Kansas were sure that a major Confederate invasion was going to happen.

Therefore, they responded accordingly by deploying troops to defend Kansas. The following letter by Col. James Montgomery is located on Pages 415 and 416 in Series I, Vol. 8 of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion and indicates his concern about the Confederates conducting "a wide sweep into Kansas before Christmas."

"Osawatomie, Kans., December 8, 1861.

Gen. James H. Lane:

Sir: Everything is going wrong here! What you and I feared at Springfield is coming to pass. The enemy is advancing. He disbanded his (three) months men about the 20th of November and moved north with his regulars some 10,000 strong. He marched by way of Sarcoxie, Greenfield, Stockton and Bolivar, striking the Osage at Warsaw and Osceola. The disbanded men have carried their arms home with them and engaged in guerrilla operations. The country swarms with guerrillas and this makes it difficult to procure information. Our faithful scouts (Breedin and Nelson) brought me accurate information of the enemy's movements, though they obtained it with great difficulty, being shot at not less than 100 times. (Note: The scouts probably exaggerated the number of shots, because the guerrillas were normally excellent shots and hit what they aimed at.)

The enemy moved in (three) divisions and with great caution, throwing off at Greenfield a strong flank guard to Montevallo (in Vernon County, near Nevada). His advance was at Stockton before I knew it. Ritchie had gone to Carthage. Hearing the enemy had some force still behind, I dared not move all the force from Fort Scott. The movement of the enemy evidently menaced Sedalia, but I feared he would strike to the left if he found Sedalia to strongly defended. I informed General Hunter of the enemy's advance and without waiting for orders advanced to Osawatomie, to cover our (supply) trains and prevent the enemy from outflanking me.

The enemy numbers 10,000 and has some 20 pieces of artillery, most of them rifled. Here at Osawatomie, General Denver's order reached me, directing the 4th Regiment to Wyandotte; Newgent's to remain at Paola; Jennison's to Leavenworth; Rabb's Battery to Leavenworth and the 3rd and 4th (Regiments) to Fort Scott.

I have kept Denver posted in the movements of the enemy; but I am coolly snubbed with the information that Price's advance is all stuff; that Price has no army; that his army is disbanded.

Today my scouts bring the word that a force 700 to 1,000 strong is at Butler, Mo. A dispatch this evening brings the word that 400 or 500 rebels are in full view of Barnesville, (located in extreme northeastern Bourbon County, Kan.) and advancing. The dispatch thinks the enemy is advancing in force. Price made a speech is his camp at Sauk Crossing, in which he said he would make "a wide sweep into Kansas before Christmas." This last move looks as if he intends to make his words good.

You will see at a glance that I am in no condition to fight if the enemy comes in force. The measles are still raging in our camps and our regiments are reduced to mere skeletons. One mountain howitzer and an 8-pounder gun, with 6-pounder ammunition, constitute my show for artillery. With such a show I must say I fear the worst.

In haste, yours,

James Montgomery."

This time, in December of 1861, "a wide (Confederate) sweep into Kansas before Christmas" did not occur. However, the fear of one remained constant and the war went on!