This cache is dedicated to ones of these GAR Veterans and Pioneers, Mr. Miles Lamb. Behind every headstone is a story and with a little research one can find some amazing facts about the past which formed our history of today. Miles Lamb was born in Indiana on January 15, 1839. The Lambs were dedicated Quakers and rushed to the newly opened Kansas Territory in 1857, during a time of turmoil in “Bleeding Kansas” and was part of the wave of “free staters” Looking for a new life and to make sure Kansas was going to enter the union as a free state. He bragged about the fact that he walked 300 miles in 8 days on his journey to Kansas with 3 Quaker Families of 50 members.
Times were very rough, it wasn’t long before the “Call to Arms” came in 1861 and Miles, volunteered for the (GAR) 5th Kansas Calvary, and was promoted to Corporal. The 5th Kansas Calvary Regiment saw action in September 1861 at the Battle of Dry Wood Creek and sacking of Osceola. In August 1863 they responded to the Lawrence Massacre. October 1863 Baxter Springs Massacre. October 1864 fought in the Battles of Marais des Cygnes, Little Osage River and in his very own back yard and homestead of Mine Creek. They went on to encounter many other Campaigns and Battles in Missouri and Arkansas. The regiment lost a total of 268 men during service; 2 officers and 45 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in battle and like many military units during this time in history, 2 officers and 219 enlisted men died of disease before Miles mustered out in Aug 1864. He returned home to his Linn County, Kansas, farm to his wife, large Lamb family and Quaker faith until his death on Feb 17, 1917. Miles Lamb is a true survivor of many obstacles and hardships in his life and a testimony of dreams do come true with hard work, and perseverance. A lesson for us all …. Many Lamb family decedent’s still live in the area today. The cache is located very close to the Miles Lamb’s final resting place. Enjoy this beautiful old cemetery and cache.
