Battle of the Spurs (Kansas)

Not to be confused with Battle of the Spurs.

The so-called Battle of the Spurs took place about 7 miles (11 km) north of Holton, Kansas, near Netawaka, Kansas, on January 31, 1859. Abolitionist John Brown, together with J. H. Kagi and Aaron Dwight Stevens, was escorting a group of 11 escaped slaves from the slave state of Missouri to freedom in Iowa. At Straight Creek they faced a posse of U.S. marshals and others, who hoped to earn the $3,000 (equivalent to $101,733 in 2023) reward posted for Brown's capture. Brown, who "inspired terror in his enemies",[1] faced a posse of 45 while his party only consisted of 21, including women and children. Brown led his party straight ahead, and the posse turned and ran in panic. Not a shot was fired nor a rifle raised.[2] "Free-Staters labeled the confrontation the 'Battle of the Spurs,' in mocking reference to the proslavery posse fleeing on horseback."[1] There is a historical marker.[3]

  1. ^ a b Weiser, Kathy (2018). "Battle of the Spurs, Kansas". Legends of America. Archived from the original on 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  2. ^ Kiene, L. L. (1903–1904). "Battle of the Spurs and John Brown's Exit from Kansas". Kansas History. Vol. 8. pp. 443–449. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  3. ^ "Battle of the Spurs". Historical Markers Database. 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2018-12-15.