(Kansas State Historical Society)
Born in London, England, Richard Josiah Hinton emigrated to New York City in 1851 where he engaged in the printer’s trade. Hinton became an abolitionist and became active in forming the Republican Party. In 1856, Hinton organized a small armed company headed for the Kansas Territory. Hinton’s group joined James H. Lane’s so called “Army of the North” and entered into Kansas in August 1856. While in Kansas, Hinton wrote as a correspondent for many eastern newspapers, including the New York Times. He also joined forces with John Brown and James H. Lane. In 1862, Lane told Hinton to begin recruiting African Americans for military service. When the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry was organized in January 1863, Hinton became the regimental adjutant. On October 21, 1863, Hinton was commissioned captain of Company B, 2d Kansas Colored Infantry. During the Battle of Westport, Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis placed Hinton in command of “charge of the general organization and command of persons of African descent.” He shared this responsibility with Capt. James L. Rafferty (or Rafety or Raferty), Company I, 2d Kansas Colored Infantry. Ironically, Rafferty and Hinton didn’t get along during Price’s Raid. Both had been given a role in commanding the colored troops in the Army of the Border. At one point Hinton directed Rafferty to report with his troops to Col. Charles W. Blair, but Rafferty was “not deposed to recognize [Hinton’s] orders.” Curtis had to intervene to get the two captains to cooperate. After the war Hinton continued his writing career, publishing several history books, including one on Price's 1864 invaion of Missouri.