The First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Statue (Butler, Missouri)
Dublin Core
Title
The First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Statue (Butler, Missouri)
Subject
Subject (Topic)
African Americans--History
Missouri--Butler
Public art
Public sculpture
United States Colored Troops
African Americans--History
Missouri--Butler
Public art
Public sculpture
United States Colored Troops
Subject (Object Type)
Commemorative sculpture
Commemorative sculpture
Description
The monument depicts a soldier from the First Kansas Colored Infantry during the Battle of Island Mound, which took place on October 28 and 29, 1862. The soldier is shown charging forward, his left foot stepping ahead. His facial expression is grave and tense, with deeply furrowed brows and tightly clenched lips. He grips the barrel of his rifled musket with his left hand and holds the butt with his right. The soldier wears the standard Union army uniform: a forage cap, a light buttoned coat, trousers, and boots. A leather shoulder strap crosses his chest, prominently featuring a circular brass eagle plate prominently at its center. The sculpture stands atop a white granite trapezoidal plinth and base.
Creator
Randell, Joel
Source
Photograph: Waymarking
Date
October 12, 2008
Contributor
The Amen Society
Rights
City of Butler Missouri, 22 West Ohio, Butler, Missouri, 64730, United States
Format
JPEG
Language
English
Type
Visual Arts-Sculpture
Coverage
Bates County Courthouse, 1 North Delaware Street, Butler, Missouri, 64730, United States
Has Part
Inscription on the base:
First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry
The 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry fought and won the Battle of Island Mound, also known as The Battle at Fort Toothman on October 28 & 29, 1862 in Charlotte Township approx. 7.5 miles southwest of Butler. It is said to have been the only battle fought on Bates County soil, in which regular U.S. troops were involved. The First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry was the first black unit to fight in the Civil War. Reportedly Southern rebels outnumbered the black troops five to one, attacked the fort in fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued. Of the Kansas Infantry's involvement it was written, 'They Fought Like Tigers.'
First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry
They Fought Like Tigers
Founded & Organized by The Amen Society
First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry
The 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry fought and won the Battle of Island Mound, also known as The Battle at Fort Toothman on October 28 & 29, 1862 in Charlotte Township approx. 7.5 miles southwest of Butler. It is said to have been the only battle fought on Bates County soil, in which regular U.S. troops were involved. The First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry was the first black unit to fight in the Civil War. Reportedly Southern rebels outnumbered the black troops five to one, attacked the fort in fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued. Of the Kansas Infantry's involvement it was written, 'They Fought Like Tigers.'
First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry
They Fought Like Tigers
Founded & Organized by The Amen Society
Medium
Bronze
Bibliographic Citation
Alan Skerrett, Jr, ed. "Monuments to the United States Colored Troops (USCT) [African American Civil War Soldiers: The List." Jubilo! The Emancipation Century Blog, May 30, 2011. Accessed February 11, 2026. https://jubiloemancipationcentury.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/monuments-to-the-united-states-colored-troops-usct-the-list/.
Rights Holder
Renée Ater
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Sculpture
Collection
Citation
Randell, Joel, “The First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Statue (Butler, Missouri),” Contemporary Monuments to the Slave Past, accessed October 1, 2026, https://slaverymonuments.org/items/show/1105.