The Sojourner’s Compass

10/16/2026

SUBSCRIBER SERIES
MISSOURI ON THE BRINK
A 16-PART JOURNEY TO CIVIL WAR

SEASON TWO:
BLEEDING KANSAS
(1854-1861)

When politics failed, the border went to war.

TOWNS BURNED.
PRESSES DESTROYED.
THE NATION TOOK NOTICE.

THIS WEEK
EPISODE 2:2
THE FIRST SACK OF LAWRENCE (1856)

How did Bleeding Kansas become national news?

KEY THEMES
• Lawrence as a Free-State stronghold
• Border Ruffian attack
• Destruction of presses and buildings
• National outrage
• Distinction from Quantrill's 1863 raid

UP NEXT
EPISODE 2:3 - JOHN BROWN ARRIVES

Who was John Brown before Harpers Ferry?

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EXCLUSIVE CONTENT.
IN-DEPTH STORIES.
EVERY FRIDAY.

10/15/2026

https://mocivilwar.website/first-battle-of-independence-august-11-1862/

First Battle of Independence — August 11, 1862: Confederate forces captured the Union garrison after fierce street fighting in Independence, Missouri.

10/11/2026

Chaos In Missouri

10/09/2026

SUBSCRIBER SERIES
MISSOURI ON THE BRINK
A 16-PART JOURNEY TO CIVIL WAR

SEASON TWO: BLEEDING KANSAS
(1854-1861)

When politics failed, the border went to war.

A NATION DIVIDED
A TERRITORY CONTESTED.
A CONFLICT IGNITED.

KEY THEMES
• Popular sovereignty begins
Pro-slavery migration
• Northern emigrant aid societies
• Competing governments
• The first armed camps

EPISODE 2:1
BORDER RUFFIANS AND FREE-STATE
SETTLERS
Who were the people fighting for Kansas?

UP NEXT
EPISODE 2:2 - THE FIRST SACK OF LAWRENCE (1856)
How did Bleeding Kansas become national news?

LOVE MISSOURI CIVIL WAR HISTORY?

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EXCLUSIVE CONTENT.
IN-DEPTH STORIES.
EVERYFRIDAY.

10/08/2026

https://mocivilwar.website/battle-of-moores-mill-july-28-1862/

Battle of Moore’s Mill — July 28, 1862: Odon Guitar defeated Joseph Porter’s Confederate recruiting force near Auxvasse Creek in Callaway County.

10/06/2026

https://youtu.be/ijmiwTSFzoc?is=LkPfcjCwnxv8pD1m

10/04/2026

The Ghost Confederate State

10/02/2026

MISSOURI ON THE BRINK
A 16-PART JOURNEY TO CIVIL WAR

SEASON ONE: BEFORE THE STORM (1820-1854)

WEEK 8
EPISODE 1:8

THE BORDER BEGINS TO BURN

HOW DID POLITICAL ARGUMENTS
BECOME ARMED CONFLICT?

ELECTIONS.
INTIMIDATION.
RAIDS.
A NATION CLOSER TO WAR.

KEY THEMES
Fraudulent elections
Border Ruffians
Armed Free-State settlers
Growing raids
Collapse of political solutions

SEASON ONE FINALE
"For more than thirty years America had debated slavery with speeches, elections, and compromises. Now the talking was over. The shooting was about to begin."

UP NEXT
SEASON TWO: BLEEDING KANSAS (1854-1864)

EPISODE 2:1 - BORDER RUFFIANS AND FREE-STATE SETTLERS

Meet the people who turned a political struggle into a war.

LOVE MISSOURI CIVIL WAR HISTORY?

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EXCLUSIVE CONTENT.
IN-DEPTH STORIES.
EVERY FRIDAY.

10/01/2026

https://mocivilwar.website/battle-of-pea-ridge-march-7-8-1862/

Battle of Pea Ridge — March 7–8, 1862: Samuel Curtis defeated Earl Van Dorn in Arkansas, securing Union control of Missouri.

09/27/2026

The Illusion of Inevitability
- 1861