Charles R. Jennison
| Charles Rainsford Jennison | |
|---|---|
Charles R. Jennison, ca. 1855-1860
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Doc" |
| Born |
June 6, 1834 Antwerp, New York |
| Died |
June 21, 1884 (aged 50) Leavenworth, Kansas |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Commands held |
Jennison's Jayhawkers (7th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry) 15th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | |
Charles Rainsford Jennison also known as "Doc" Jennison (June 6, 1834 – June 21, 1884) was a hero of the anti-slavery faction during the Bleeding Kansas Affair and became even more famous as a Union colonel and as leader of Redlegs during the American Civil War.
Charles R. Jennison was born on June 6, 1834 in Antwerp, Jefferson County, New York. His family moved to Wisconsin in 1846 where Jennison studied medicine. Marrying at the age of 20, Dr. Jennison moved to Osawatomie, Kansas in 1858 and to Mound City shortly thereafter. Jennison was considered the most brutal and unscrupulous of the jayhawker. Whereas some other prominent leaders of irregulars in the Bleeding Kansas border conflict shared these traits, Jennison was distinguished by his blatant plunder for personal gain. Jennison cooperated with James Montgomery in opposing pro-slavery settlers and irregulars believed to be in league with Border Ruffians. In command of nine men, Jennison "tried" and hanged Russell Hinds near the state line at Mine Creek for the offense of helping to return a fugitive slave to his master in Missouri. Returning a slave was not only legal, but required at the time under the Fugitive Slave Act. Hinds had rejected the standard $25 reward,($515 in 2005 dollars,) but did accept $5 reimbursement for his expenses in transporting the slave, who had agreed to return to his master while awaiting legal emancipation. The acceptance of the reimbursement was enough to convince Jennison to hand down a death sentence.
Even before the start of hostilities Jennison became a captain of the Mound City Guards on February 19, 1861. Although not with Senator James H. Lane's Kansas brigade during the Sacking of Osceola, Jennison was associated with it and would soon join the fray after receiving a commission as colonel from Kansas Governor Charles L. Robinson on September 4.
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