When did the Marais des Cygnes massacre take place?
Q: When did the Marais des Cygnes massacre take place?
A: The Marais des Cygnes massacre took place on May 19, 1858.
Q: Where did the massacre occur?
A: The massacre occurred near the town of Trading Post, Kansas.
Q: What was the reason for the massacre?
A: Border Ruffians led by Charles Hamilton stopped in Trading Post to seek revenge against free-staters and abolitionists who had driven Hamilton from his land in Lynn County.
Q: How many free-state men were captured?
A: Eleven free-state men were captured by the Border Ruffians.
Q: What happened to the captives?
A: The captives were marched into a nearby ravine where the Missourians opened fire on them.
Q: What was the national response to the massacre?
A: Eastern newspapers including the New York Times printed the story and anti-slavery groups called the victims martyrs.
Q: What is the current status of the site of the massacre?
A: In 1974, the site of the massacre was designated a National Historic Landmark.
