Battle of Osawatomie: John Brown's Son Killed in Kansas

Pro-slavery Missouri Border Ruffians attacked the free-state settlement of Osawatomie, Kansas, where John Brown's forces were outnumbered four to one. Brown's son Frederick was killed at the outset. Brown and 40 defenders held off 300 attackers for a time before retreating as the town burned. Brown emerged as a national figure. The battle epitomized the sustained guerrilla war that left over 200 dead across Kansas.