The so-called Battle of the Spurs took place about north of

Holton, Kansas Holton is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,401. History The party that chose the site of Holton started at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in May 1856. A ...

, near

Netawaka, Kansas Netawaka is a city in Jackson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 139. History Netawaka was founded in 1866. Netawaka is a Pottawatami Native American name meaning "grand view". The first po ...

, on January 31, 1859. Abolitionist John Brown, together with J. H. Kagi and

Aaron Dwight Stevens Aaron Dwight Stevens (sometimes misspelled Stephens) (March 15, 1831 – March 16, 1860) was an American abolitionist. The only one of John Brown's raiders with military experience, he was the chief military aide to Brown during his failed ...

, 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 The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States. The USMS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Justice, operating under the direction of the Attorney General, but serves as the enforce ...

and others, who hoped to earn the $3,000 reward posted for Brown's capture. Brown, who "inspired terror in his enemies", 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. " Free-Staters labeled the confrontation the 'Battle of the Spurs,' in mocking reference to the proslavery posse fleeing on horseback." There is a historical marker.

References

{{Riots in the United States (1607–1865) Bleeding Kansas John Brown (abolitionist) Battles and conflicts without fatalities Tourist attractions in Jackson County, Kansas Fugitive American slaves

See also

References