No doubt the Union recrits in Lawrence were taken by surprise. No doubt the Kansas Historical Society has all the names of boys 12 and up killed by Quantrill and his men. Edward Leslies book on Quantrill has the most detailed account that I have read. I am not saying that other authors havent done a better job but Leslie, Fellman , Brownlee and Stiles have done a good job has well. Has I have said before the Bushwackers were millitarily effective in terms of tying down a large number of Union troops approx 60k that could of been used elsewhere. However killing young boys resulted in more dead Bushwackers and Order #11 not to mention more and better motivated Union soldiers. The raid on Lawrence was not the best military decision made by Quantrill.

Leonard