Spoiling the enemy in the interest of a righteous cause easily degenerated into common robbery and murder.

It was chiefly in this sort of conflict that two hundred persons were slain and that two million dollars' worth of property was destroyed.
During this period of civil war the members of the Brown family were not much in evidence.

John Brown, Junior, captain of the Osawatomie Rifles, was a political prisoner at Topeka.

Swift destruction of their property was visited upon all those members who were suspected of having a share in the Pottawatomie murders, and their houses were burned and their other property was seized.

Warrants were out for the arrest of the elder Brown and his sons.