A Time to Strike

Among the “Northern” states, Kansas was the first to form infantry units to send Black soldiers to fight for the Union forces during the Civil War. At Fort Scott National Historic Site, this history is on display.

Captain William Matthews is the inspiration for the title of this post, as he called on men (all men during that time) to fight among the troops for the emancipation of African Americans across the states. Abolitionist movements in Kansas made the state more hospitable for free Blacks than neighboring places, even as the area was not free of problems.

As the Civil War continued, Black troops fought for their freedom, and the first recruits at Fort Scott gave way to more African Americans joining the fight.