Massacre and The Destruction of the City of Lawrence
Entry/Object ID
88-32-810
Type of Print
wood engraving
Made/Created
Date made
Sep 5, 1863
Time Period
19th Century
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Mat dimensions
Height
16 in
Width
20 in
Dimension Description
Paper dimensions
Height
11-3/8 in
Width
16-1/8 in
Dimension Description
Image dimensions
Height
9 in
Width
13-3/4 in
Interpretative Labels
Label
"Perspectives from the Plains," 2025
The American Civil War is generally discussed in terms of epic battles and heroic deeds, a sweeping and grand narrative that can be flattering to both sides. In truth, the conflict was not limited to clearly delineated battlefields. Civilians lived under the threat of frequent guerrilla attacks, especially in and near the Border States. On August 21, 1863, a band of raiders led by William Quantrill carried out a retaliatory attack against Lawrence, Kansas that left roughly 150 men and boys dead. The brutality of Quantrill’s Raid underscores the ways that bloodshed is not contained to formal battles but instead vigorously overflows its intended boundaries. This image captures a moment of violence that illustrates the complicated history of Kansas in the Civil War and, ultimately, serves as a vivid reminder of the often-overlooked human costs of war.
--Mel Ingoldsby, WU student
