Abolitionist John Brown, together with J. H. Kagi and Aaron Dwight Stevens, was escorting a group of 11 escaped slaves from the slave state of Missouri to freedom in Iowa.
At Straight Creek they faced a posse of U.S. marshals and others, who hoped to earn the $3,000 (equivalent to $101,733 in 2023) reward posted for Brown's capture.
Brown, who "inspired terror in his enemies",[1] faced a posse of 45 while his party only consisted of 21, including women and children.
Brown led his party straight ahead, and the posse turned and ran in panic.
[2] "Free-Staters labeled the confrontation the 'Battle of the Spurs,' in mocking reference to the proslavery posse fleeing on horseback.