Pro-slavery forces carried this cotton flag while attacking the anti-slavery stronghold of Lawrence in Douglas County, Kansas Territory. Douglas County Sheriff Samuel Jones led the group that sacked Lawrence on May 21, 1856. A group of South Carolinians led by Captain F.G. Palmer and known as the Palmetto Guards participated in the attack, and flew their "Southern Rights" flag over the Herald of Freedom newspaper offices and the Free State Hotel before setting fire to and destroying the buildings. On Sept. 11, 1856, Palmer's men--and their flag--were captured on Slough Creek, near Oskaloosa, Jefferson County, by Free-State men led by Col. James Harvey.
Date: 1856
Item identifier: 209880
Call Number: 1879.5.1
Item rating: 3.04 (554 votes)
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