"The 1st. Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry" (1862)

Was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the

Civil War.They were arguably the first African American regiment to be organized during the Civil War.At the Battle of Poison Spring,the regiment lost nearly half its number,and suffered the highest losses of any Kansas regiment during the war.Controversy erupted as the First Kansas Colored began to form in August 1862.They would be the first African Americans recruited in the Northern States for service in the Civil War.These  African Americans would soon be the first to see battle,and the first to die in action.The recruiter of the First Kansas Colored was no stranger to controversy himself.U.S. Senator James Henry Lane had been a prominent figure in Kansas since 1855,and was often deeply involved in the turmoil in bringing Kansas to the Union as a free state.His efforts to raise African American troops was based on his interpretation of an order to recruit regiments.It was not an interpretation shared by many on either the state or federal level.As a result,five months would pass before the First Kansas Colored was accepted into federal service.The delay was due to an opposition to the arming of African American troops among many in the North and federal policy that reflected this prejudicial attitude.This would not deter them from training or seeing action.Despite the existence of a widespread national of 1862,a portion of the regiment engaged in battle with a rebel force at Butler,Missouri,gaining distinction as the first "colored in the Union Army" tested in battle."The blacks behaved nobly," reported the Lawrence Republican,"and have demonstrated that they can and will fight." According to the Republican's correspondent,Lieutenant W.H.Smallwood,"the battle of Toothman's Mound [also mound]," October 29,proved "that black men can fight," and they were "now prepared to sour this country thoroughly,and not leave a place where a traitor can find refuge." On October 28,1862, a detachment of 225 men faced 500 confederates at Island Mound Bates County,Missouri.Ten were killed and 12 wounded,but the Confederates were driven off.The regiment's first taste of action had been a success.Major General James Blunt,commander of the Union forces at the Battle of Honey Springs was particularly impressed by the performance of the 1st Kansas Infantry (colored) at that engagement.They repulsed a Confederate charge,inflicting many casualties,and, after Colonel Williams was badly wounded,continued to fight as was done by the Negro regiment....The question that negroes will fight is settled;besides they make better solders in every respect than any troops I have ever had under my command."The preserved regimental flag of the First Kansas Colored Infantry is a document of the gallantry of that unit.Recorded on it are the battle honors of Island Mound,Cabin Creek,Honey Springs,and Poison Springs,as well as the battles of Sherwood,Prairie Deanne,Jenkins Ferry,Camden.It and three other flags of the regiment are the few remaining artifacts to remind us of a regiment that was the first in many ways.