In July 1861, self-appointed Brig. Gen. James Lane resigned from the US Senate and recruited the 6th Kansas Cavalry to guard Kansas border towns against raids by Missouri guerrillas. Though it was called a cavalry regiment, it included both cavalry and infantry, with the infantry in garrison at Fort Scott, Kansas, and the cavalry serving as scouting details or pickets. Its units saw action in Missouri, Arkansas, and Indian Territory. At Honey Springs, the battalion made up of Companies A, C, F, and H fought under Lt. Col. W. T. Campbell, whose command left camp on the 16th with a section of the 2nd Kansas Battery, crossed the Verdigris and Arkansas Rivers without loss, took the advance with Company F under Capt. Gordon as advance guard, met the enemy in considerable force about daybreak, fell back under superior numbers, then brought forward the rest of the command at a gallop, drove the enemy from his position after a sharp skirmish, and advanced again to find the enemy posted in force under cover of timber at Elk Creek.