Pottawatomie Rifles facts for kids

The Pottawatomie Rifles was a group of about one hundred settlers in Franklin and Anderson County, Kansas. These areas are located along Pottawatomie Creek. The group was formed in the fall of 1855. They were against slavery, meaning they were abolitionists or supported Kansas becoming a "free state" where slavery was not allowed.

During a time called Bleeding Kansas, this group became an armed militia. They wanted to stand up against the growing number of people who supported slavery. These pro-slavery people, known as border ruffians, came from the nearby slave state of Missouri.

The Pottawatomie Rifles were led by John Brown's son, John Jr.. Members of the group were involved in many of the violent events during Bleeding Kansas. This included the Battle of Osawatomie and the Pottawatomie massacre. Even though John Brown, who was famous for his own actions like the raid on Harpers Ferry, often joined his son, he did not see himself as a member of the Pottawatomie Rifles.

The Pottawatomie Massacre

The Pottawatomie massacre happened during the night of May 24 and 25, 1856. This event was a response to an earlier attack on Lawrence, Kansas, by groups who supported slavery. In that attack, the Sheriff of Douglas County, Samuel Jones, led a crowd that damaged newspaper offices and the Free State Hotel.

After this, John Brown and other settlers who were against slavery, many of whom were part of the Pottawatomie Rifles, killed five settlers who supported slavery. This happened north of Pottawatomie Creek, near where it meets Mosquito Creek, in Franklin County, Kansas. Some historical records suggest that John Brown Sr. led this action, starting on May 22. He was joined by his sons Oliver, Watson, Owen, and Frederick, along with his son-in-law Henry Thompson. Two other men, James Townsley and Thomas Winer, helped transport them in their wagons. However, John Brown Jr. was not part of this specific group.