The Bleeding Kansas conflict was a bloody fight for freedom in the Kansas territory and state of Kansas in the 1850's and early 1860's. The pro-slavery Missourians fought against the abolitionist Free Staters. This conflict was a brutal period of fighting before the Civil War even began. Brown had gathered a gang of 22 men, including some of his own sons, Owen, Frederick, Watson, Salmon, and Oliver. One of the most famous events in the conflict was the Potawatomi Massacre, in which both sides would suffer casualities during the fighting. Another event saw John Brown and his men brutally murder pro-slavery gang members over a past killing with sabres. After a warrant was placed on Brown, he and his men disbanded, many going undercover in Virginia.
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