The 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry was one of the first African American units organized in the Federal Army. Its members were recruited in August 1862 under the authority of Kansas Senator James Lane, but without permission of President Lincoln. These soldiers were well trained and equipped. In October 1862, Confederate forces attacked them near Butler, Missouri, in the Battle of Island Mound, where they became the first black Federal regiment to shed blood in action against the enemy during the Civil War. The unit also saw action at Cabin Creek in Indian Territory before arriving at Honey Springs, where Lt. Col. John Bowles recalled moving to the front and center on the right of a section of Smith's Battery already within 300 yards of the enemy's concealed lines, then advancing in good order to within 40 paces before Colonel Williams ordered, "Ready! Aim! Fire!" and both sides unleashed lines of smoke and flame at once.