Daily Almanac for
Sep 7, 2008
Search White Pages
Info search tips
Bio search tips

Encyclopedia

Jayhawkers

Jayhawkers, term applied to free-state guerrilla fighters opposed to the proslavery “border ruffians” during the struggle over Kansas in the years prior to the Civil War. Later, during the war, it was the nickname of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Charles R. Jennison. The origin of the word is uncertain, but it is believed to signify a bird that worries its prey. Today Kansans are sometimes called Jayhawkers.

See S. Z. Starr, Jennison's Jayhawkers (1974).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark

More on Jayhawkers from Infoplease:

  • The Jayhawks - The Jayhawks Smile Columbia If you somehow missed out on wondrous Jayhawks' albums like ...
  • The Jayhawks - The Jayhawks Smile Columbia If you somehow missed out on wondrous Jayhawks' albums like ...
  • Jayhawks - Jayhawks alternative country music band One of the most prominent alternative country bands of the ...
  • Jayhawks - Jayhawks alternative country music band One of the most prominent alternative country bands of the ...
  • Jayhawker State - Jayhawker State: Definition and Pronunciation

See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. History


Premium Partner Content
HighBeam Research

Related content from HighBeam Research on: Jayhawkers

Additional search results provided by HighBeam Research, LLC. © Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.