page_title: Franklin, Douglas County, Kansas
section_title: Free-State attacks on Franklin
hierarchical_section_title: Franklin, Douglas County, Kansas / Free-State attacks on Franklin
caption_attribution_description: English: "Old Sacramento Cannon" captured by U.S. during the Mexican-American War in 1847 and taken to the Liberty Arsenal. The cannon was seized by pro-slavery forces in 1856 and fired during the Sacking of Lawrence in 1856. Anti-slavery forces captured it at Franklin, later in 1856. The cannon was damaged in 1896 when it was loaded with clay and straw and fired. It is at the Watkins Community Museum of History in Lawrence. This photo was when it was on loan at the Missouri State Capitol in September 2007. Photo by poster.
context_page_description: Franklin was a small town established in 1854 in Douglas County, Kansas Territory. Established as a proslavery stronghold, the town played a key role in the "Bleeding Kansas" conflict that troubled the territory in the 1850s.
context_section_description: Two attacks were made on Franklin's Fort in 1856 during the summer. Free Staters during that time desired to rid the area of southern-oriented fortifications. The first attack was made on June 4 by about fifteen members of the Lawrence Stubbs, a free-state militia based in Lawrence. The free staters entered town after dark to search for "Old Sacramento," a cannon taken during a southern raid on Lawrence. Some defenders at the fort were aroused and what was termed the First Battle of Franklin erupted. During this battle the cannon was fired once and persons began firing at the free staters from houses in town, forcing their retreat. One Franklin man was fatally shot and a small number of persons were wounded. Some Franklin men may have been captured by the Lawrence men.
  After this attack, Franklin's defenses were strengthened. The fort itself was made more defensible. On August 12 the Second Battle of Franklin took place. This time possibly two companies, at least 75 men, left Lawrence after dark to attack the town and fort. They were led by free-state leader James H. Lane. Apparently only about 20 men were defending Franklin. For several hours the opposing forces fired upon each other in the dark. Not much damage was done to either side at this point, but several free staters were wounded, as was one fort defender. One free stater was killed.
  At some point a man was sent to travel to a company of U.S. cavalry camped approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) away and seek help. The cavalry could not reach Franklin until just before dawn. In the meantime things went badly for the fort's defenders, who had fought determinedly. The Lawrence attackers finally made progress when they set a wagon loaded with hay alight and moved it to the front door of the fort. The heat and light scared the defenders of the fort, who fled into the night. The free-staters then ransacked the fort, making away with weapons (including the "Old Sacramento Cannon"), food, and prisoners. After the battle, the fort was left, but this ended its use as a town defense, and it was converted into a residence soon after.
caption: The "Old Sacramento" cannon was captured by free state partisans during the Second Battle of Franklin on August 12, 1856.
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