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First Kansas Colored Infantry unit instrumental in battle | Camden News

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First Kansas Colored Infantry unit instrumental in battle | Camden News


(Today’s Camden News Black History Moment highlights the First Kansas Colored Infantry – the first black unit to fight alongside white soldiers and a regiment instrumental in the Battle of Poison Springs.)

According to the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, the U.S. War Department created the Bureau of Colored Troops, most commonly known at the United States Colored Troops (USCT), on May 22, 1863. All of the black regiments were led by appointed white officers.

The First Kansas Colored Infantry, made up of ex-slaves from Arkansas and Missouri, was the first black infantry regiment to see combat in the war. It participated in the battle of Island Mound, Missouri on October 28, 1862.

The 1st Kansas Colored Infantry was also the first black unit to fight alongside white soldiers. The regiment suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Poison Spring on April 18, 1864, accounting for 60 percent of the casualties.

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Union General Frederick Steele occupied Camden, Arkansas, on April 15. Two days later, he sent 1,100 men to gather 5,000 bushels of corn west of Camden to help feed his men and livestock. They discovered half of the corn had been destroyed, but loaded the rest into 200 wagons. On the way back to Camden, these soldiers were attacked by 3,600 Confederate troops. The 1st Kansas Colored Infantry was placed between the wagon train and the Confederate forces.

The regiment fought off two attacks, but retreated after a third assault. The Union army lost 301 men killed, wounded, and missing at Poison Spring. Of those, 117 of the dead and 65 of the wounded were from the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry. Both Union and Confederate accounts agree many of the black troops were killed after the battle was over. No black troops were captured, and those left wounded on the battlefield were killed.

The Washington Telegraph, the major Confederate newspaper in Arkansas, justified the act by saying “We cannot treat Negroes taken in arms as prisoners of war without a destruction of social system for which we contend.”

During the Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry two weeks later, soldiers from the 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry stabbed several surrendering Confederate soldiers in retaliation for the killing of wounded soldiers from the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment after the Battle of Poison Spring.

Eyewitness accounts show:

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“The First Kansas (colored) particularly distinguished itself, they fought like veterans and preserved their line unbroken throughout the engagement. Their coolness and bravery I have never seen surpassed.”

– Major General James G. Blunt–July 26, 1863.

“In conclusion, I feel it but justice and my duty to state that the officers and men throughout the entire regiment behaved nobly, and with the coolness of veterans.

Each seemed to vie with the other in the performance of his duty, and it was with the greatest gratification that I witnessed their gallant and determined resistance under the most galling fire.”

– Lt. Colonel John Bowles–July 20, 1863

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“The negro regiment is a triumph of drill and discipline, and reflects great honor on Col. Williams, in command. Few volunteer regiments that I have seen make a better appearance. I regard them as first-rate infantry.”

– Brigadier General John Mc-Neil–Nov. 2, 1863



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Sheriff: Carfentanil seized during Kansas drug bust

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Sheriff: Carfentanil seized during Kansas drug bust


MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A series of recent drug arrests lead to taking methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets in southeast Kansas.

On January 7, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a maroon Mercury Grand Marquis at the intersection of 10th Street and Walnut Street in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

Conrad photo Montgomery Co.

Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Breeanna Conrad of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop. Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle. During the search, deputies located more than six (6) grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine, marijuana, multiple pills, and drug paraphernalia.

Conrad was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on the following charges:• Distribution of methamphetamine• Possession of cocaine• Possession of marijuana• No proof of vehicle insurance• Improper emerging from an alley, private roadway, or building.

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Leach photo Montgomery Co.
Leach photo Montgomery Co.

Later on January 3, 2026, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Saturn passenger vehicle at the exit ramp from U.S. 400 to U.S. 75 Highway, north of Sycamore, Kansas. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals. Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Heather Leach of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop.

Norton photo Montgomery Co.
Norton photo Montgomery Co.

Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle.D uring the search, deputies located more than nine (9) grams of methamphetamine, more than six (6) grams of suspected carfentanil, pills, and drug paraphernalia. Leach, along with Tyler Norton and Noah Daniel, both of Independence, Kansas, were taken into custody.

Norton photo Montgomery Co.
Norton photo Montgomery Co.

All three were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked on the following charges:Heather Leach• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernalia• Failure to stop or yield at a stop sign• No proof of vehicle insuranceTyler Norton• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernaliaNoah Daniel• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of a depressant• Possession of drug paraphernalia



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Kansas City man injured after single-vehicle crash Sunday

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Kansas City man injured after single-vehicle crash Sunday


WYANDOTTE COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) – A Kansas City man was left with minor injuries after a single-vehicle crash Sunday.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Log, the crash occurred around 5:50 a.m. in Wyandotte County.

A 2019 GMC Terrain was traveling eastbound on westbound I-70 in the outside shoulder when it struck the end of the concrete bridge railing for 134th Street.

The driver, a 23-year-old man, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

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View the KHP report HERE.



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Kansas Citians hold vigil, protest for Renee Good to get ‘justice’ while demanding ICE reform

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Kansas Citians hold vigil, protest for Renee Good to get ‘justice’ while demanding ICE reform


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Large protests were organized across the country calling for justice for Renee Good, including in Kansas City, where Good lived before her move to Minneapolis.

Because Renee Good once called Kansas City home, locals still consider her one of their neighbors. They want her death to be a turning point in how ICE works.

The gathering began with a vigil as roughly 1,000 protesters honored Renee Good and everyone else who has died in ICE custody or encounters. Reports show that since President Trump took office again, more than 30 people have lost their lives in that category, marking 2025 the deadliest year for the agency in over 20 years.

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

Speakers call for reform

“The killing of Renee Good reminded this country of a hard truth: this system doesn’t just harm immigrants,” one speaker during the vigil said. “It harms the soul of our communities.”

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In attendance was Bradford Bray, an Iraq War veteran who served in the Air Force and Navy from 1995-2005. He said he is furious about how ICE operates.

“It’s the constitution. That’s what we’re fighting for,” Bray said. “It’s the land of laws. These people are not trained. They’ll hire anybody with a signing bonus. If these people are trained, I’m the Pope.”

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported,...
Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

Like most in attendance, he disputes arguments by the federal government that Renee Good was trying to run over the ICE agent.

“Even the guy that shot her was filming her and she said I’m not mad at you,” Bray said. “She was pleasant. She was just trying to get out of the way and do the right thing. She was turning her wheels to get out of the way when she was shot.”

March moves through Plaza

After the vigil, most of the crowd turned the protest into a march through the Plaza, spreading the message that killings by federal agents cannot become the norm.

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported,...
Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

“I’m a 71-year-old great-grandmother who’s afraid for the future of my great-grandchildren in a country that’s turning fascist,” Terisa Mott said. “Any of them could be grabbed off the streets or shot like they shot that woman.”

Counter-protesters present

Some Trump and ICE supporters, like Scott Watts, were among the crowd. He sent condolences to Renee Good’s family but said he believes illegal immigration should not be tolerated.

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“I spent time at the southern border and I saw thousands of pretty dangerous people being let out of that border,” Watts said. “That are here now and that’s what Trump’s trying to do is protect us.”

Watts carried a sign highlighting American citizens who had been killed by illegal immigrants over the years, including Mollie Tibbetts of Brooklyn, Iowa, who was stabbed to death while jogging in 2018 by Christian Behena Rivera.

“I’m at a loss for words when it comes to stuff like this,” Watts said. “But I’ll stand out here day after day to try to educate people. I don’t want to fight or anything like that. I just want people to realize there’s dangerous people out there and they need to be aware of those people.”

The gathering stayed peaceful, and traffic kept moving smoothly.

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