Today in History:

Lawrence

Battle Name: Lawrence
Other Names: Lawrence Massacre
State: Kansas
Location: Douglas County
Campaign: Quantrill’s Raid into Kansas (1863)
Dates: August 21, 1863
Principal Commanders: No Union commander [US]; Lt. Col. William C. Quantrill [CS]
Forces Engaged: No Union troops [US]; Quantrill’s Raiders and other guerrillas [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 204 total (US 164; CS 40)
Description: In a supposed retaliation for a Union raid on Osceola, Missouri, Lt. Col. William C. Quantrill led a force of about 300 to 400 partisans in an attack on the city of Lawrence, Kansas. His men killed civilians -men and boys0- and destroyed many of the buildings. He held the town several hours and then withdrew. The "Lawrence Massacre" was, perhaps, the extreme example of the vicious Kansas-Missouri border warfare.
Results: Confederate victory