Originally published November 9, 2007 at midnight, updated November 11, 2007 at 11:59 p.m.
The Center for Community Outreach is looking for students to help clean a part of history on Saturday.
The Union and the Confederacy fought the battle of Black Jack, a battle that technically preceded the start of the Civil War, on June 2, 1856. On Saturday, the CCO will travel to Baldwin City to help clean brush and cut stumps from Black Jack Battlefield.
Kelli Stout, Derby senior and co-director of the CCO, said that this project was part of a series of service projects that the CCO, a division of Student Senate, organized throughout the school year.
“This was something that was a little different than a typical park clean-up,” Stout said. “A lot of students don’t know about it.”
Kerry Altenbernd, member of the Black Jack Battlefield Trust, said that the Black Jack Battlefield was unique because although it predates the official start of the Civil War, the battle was the first time two well-armed groups met to fight about slavery. Some historians are beginning to acknowledge the historical importance of the battle.
“It’s an important part of national heritage,” Altenbernd said. “That’s where the fighting of the Civil War really began.” Altenbernd said that notable Civil War veterans who fought in the battle of Black Jack included John Brown, an abolitionist, and Henry Clay Pate, a pro-slavery advocate in both Kansas and Missouri.
“The story of Black Jack, I think, is one of international significance,” Altenbernd said. “I’ve never been able to find an earlier example when a group of the oppressive society fought the oppressing society.”
Stout said that the CCO was still looking for students to help tomorrow. She said that a car pool would leave from the Kansas Union at 10 a.m. Saturday and would stay in Baldwin City until about 2 p.m. Stout said that lunch would be provided by the CCO.
For more information, contact the Center for Community Outreach at (785) 864-4073.
— Edited by Jeff Briscoe
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