My great-grandfather, Benjamin Franklin SANDERS, immigrated from St. Louis, MO to the town of Monrovia,KS in 1857 and moved to Pardee two years later. While living in Pardee he joined the 18th Kansas State Militia which was recruited from both Atchison and Doniphan counties. This unit was commanded by a Col. McQuigg (or Quigg), and Benjamin's company officer was Cpt Whittaker. In October 1864, this unit along with many others was activated during the emergency which attended Confederate General Sterling Price's raid up through Missouri. Supposedly, the 18th KSM accompanied Jim Lane's foray across the border into Missouri and fought in a holding action outside of Lexington, MO at the Little Blue river on 20 Oct 1864. The "Battle of the Blue" was fought the next day and the "Battle of Westport" the day after that.

I am seeking any information about the 18th KSM and am especially interested in learning whether it ever saw any actual combat during these three days of fighting. If anyone reading this posting has a copy of the Adjutant General of Kansas' report for the 18th KSM I would appreciate your sending me a copy. I could provide a fax number for this purpose. Also, are there any files for local or regional newspapers which were being published contemporary with these events? No newspaper holdings are listed on the Atchison County Genealogical Society website for this early period, but I am still hoping to locate local news accounts describing the 18th KSM's involvement (if any).
Thanks,
Steve Sanders
San Francisco, CA
ssanders@sirius.com