Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History/Army of Law and Order

Army of Law and Order.—From the name of this organization, one would naturally suppose that it was formed for the purpose of promoting peace, prosperity and good government among the people of Kansas. But such was not the case. It was an armed force, the strength of which has been variously estimated at from 500 to 1,100 men, organized by David R. Atchison and one of the Stringfellows, whose policy was banishment or extermination of all free-state men in the territory. The "army" was divided into two regiments, with Atchison as com- mander-in-chief. The headquarters of the organization were at Little Santa Fe on the Missouri border, some 15 miles south of Westport. Among the outrages committed by this force was that of robbing the Quaker mission, because the Quakers were "nigger stealers." The cattle and horses belonging to the mission were driven off, articles of value were appropriated, and for a time the mission was broken up. In the latter part of Aug., 1856, the "army" was preparing for an attack upon the city of Lawrence, when the timely arrival of Gov. Geary put a stop to the proceedings. The Army of Law and Order was a part of the militia disbanded by Gov. Geary, and it was never reorganized. (See Woodson's and Geary's Administrations.)