People are always bemoaning the 'trail of tears' when the U.S ran the Indians off their land. Or when they rounded up the Japenese citizens and sent them to camps in WWII. Such sympathy is never given the Southern white people.
The main text I am using here is the book (The Devil Knows How To Ride, Edward E. Leslie, Da Capo, 1998). It was recommended by Marymog. It is not pro-South by any means. And the authors own bias can be seen throughout the book. But I do think he tries to rise above it and at least presents the facts. In this book, Chapter 10 covers Order #11.
For some context it is important to know there is a difference in what was called 'Jayhawker, Redleg, Bushwhacker'. Leslie quotes a paper out of Illinois to define these on p. (29). "A Jayhawker is a Unionist who professes to rob, burn out, and murder only rebels in arms against the government. A Redleg is a Jayhawker originally distinguished by the uniform of red leggings. A Redleg, however, is regarded as more purely an indiscriminate thief and murderer than the Jayhawker or Bushwhacker. A Bushwhacker is a rebel Jayhawker, or a rebel who bands with others for the purpose of preying upon the lives and property of Union citizens."
Jim Lane was a Jayhawker, Redleg. Quantrill and his men would be known as Bushwhackers or guerillas. Jim Lane was representative of the abolitionist and yankees, though he really didn't care about the negro one way or the other. Quantrill and his men represented the South and the pro-slavery people.
Jim Lane was from Indiana and when coming to the Kansas territory was quoted as saying, "I would as leave sell a negro as a mule". He became known as the 'Grim Chieftain of Kansas'. p.(11)
"Being a voracious ladies man, Lane would be the subject of not a few rumors of sexual impropriety. Despite his attitude toward slavery, he would opportunistically switch sides, joining the new Free State party and becoming an important free-soil advocate. Beginning in 1856, he led a series of brutal pillage-and-burn raids in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. He freed numerous slaves, believing that this was the quickest way to destroy the South, but, ironically, he advocated the passage of 'Black laws' that would deny Kansas residency to all Negroes." p (11-12)
"In late June 1861, Lincoln appointed Lane a brigadier general of volunteers. This may seem surprising given Lane's character, but Lincoln was in Lane's debt." p. (12)
As you can see, there was much fighting already prior to what is known as the 'Civil War'. When the war began in 1861 you now have Lane appointed by Lincoln. But Lane was still nothing but a Jayhawker Redleg. But now he has Lincoln supporting him. All of this is important to know.
Stranger
