We Belong to Each Other

Henderson Rice (1825-1893)

My husband's third great grandfather

My husband --> Patsy (Pat) Marilyn Fresh Pack --> Albert Fresh --> Charles William Fresh --> Mary Elizabeth Rice Fresh --> Henderson Rice

Henderson was well known and respected in Kansas.  He was a legislator and a county commissioner. He also fought in the Civil War.

Henderson grew up in the South in Tennessee surrounded by slavery.  He was strongly opposed to it.  He actively worked to make Kansas a free state.

In 1864, Confederate General Sterling Price was leading an unsuccessful campaign through Missouri and eventually was forced into Kansas.

Governor Kearney asked for volunteers to fight the confederate army.

Even though his age would have allowed him an exemption, Henderson was one of the first men to volunteer.

He wanted to defend Kansas, a state he loved.  His obituary says he "stood immovable and fought like an old veteran."

Price's men outnumbered the Union two-to-one, but they lost decidedly.  They suffered 1200 casualties and the Union only 100.

After the battle was over, Henderson passed out hard tack and coffee to both wounded rebel and union soldiers alike.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” 

― Mother Teresa

I think Henderson would agree.