List of Kansas Civil War units facts for kids
Kansas played an important part in the American Civil War (1861–1865). This war was fought between the northern states (the Union) and the southern states (the Confederacy) over many issues, especially slavery. Even before the war officially began, Kansas was a place where people fought over whether slavery should be allowed. This earned it the nickname "Bleeding Kansas." When the war started, many brave Kansans joined the fight. They formed different types of military groups to help the Union.
This article lists the military units that Kansas created during the Civil War. A "military unit" is a group of soldiers organized for fighting. These units included soldiers who used big guns, rode horses, or fought on foot.
Contents
Artillery Units: Big Guns!
Artillery units used large cannons and other big guns. These weapons were very powerful and could fire shells over long distances.
- 1st Independent Battery Kansas Light Artillery
- 2nd Independent Battery Kansas Light Artillery
- 3rd Independent Battery Kansas Light Artillery
- Armstrong's Battery Light Artillery
- Opdyke's Battery Kansas Light Artillery
- Stover's Battery Kansas Light Artillery
Cavalry Units: Soldiers on Horseback!
Cavalry units were made up of soldiers who rode horses. They were fast and could move quickly across battlefields. They were often used for scouting, raiding, and quick attacks.
- 2nd Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
- 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment
- 6th Kansas Cavalry Regiment
- 7th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment - These soldiers were sometimes called "Jennison's Jayhawkers."
- 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
- 11th Kansas Cavalry Regiment
- 14th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry
- 15th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry
- 16th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry
Infantry Units: Foot Soldiers!
Infantry units were made up of soldiers who fought on foot. They carried rifles and were the main fighting force in most battles. Some of these units were "Colored" regiments, meaning they were made up of African American soldiers.
- 1st Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment
- 2nd Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 2nd Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment
- 3rd Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 4th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 5th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 8th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 10th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 11th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 12th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 13th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
- 17th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry
Militia: Local Defenders!
Militia units were groups of citizens who were trained to defend their local areas. They were not always full-time soldiers but could be called upon during emergencies, like when their state was threatened.
- 1st Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 2nd Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 3rd Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 4th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 5th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 6th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 7th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 8th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 9th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 10th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 11th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 12th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 13th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 14th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment; This unit served from October 9 to October 29, 1864, and was led by Colonel William Gordon.
- 15th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 16th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 17th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 18th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 19th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 20th Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 21st Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- 22nd Kansas Militia Infantry Regiment
- Leavenworth Militia (African Descent)
- Leavenworth State Guard
- Zesch's Militia Battery Kansas Light Artillery – This unit served at Fort Leavenworth in October 1864.
Want to Learn More?
- Lists of American Civil War regiments by state
- United States Colored Troops
