# THREAT OF INVASION

# Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

**July 13, 1861**

Protection for the Frontier.

When Major Sturgis was about to detach the Second Kansas regiment from
his command, to be sent to Fort Scott as a garrison to protect this
frontier, Gov. Robinson informed him that he would attend to the matter.
Since then not a word has been heard from him, although a body of 12,000
or 13,000 hostile troops have been lying within a day's march of us for
nearly two weeks. What does it mean? Are we to be left to defend
ourselves as best we can against the whole force of Arkansas and
Missouri?

The matter should be attended to instantly. If Gov. Robinson will be
provide the means of subsistence, there are thousands of brave men in
Southern Kansas who will respond to his call; but we are not able to
provision an army ourselves. The people are too poor. Fort Scott the
most important, and at the same time strongest point on the frontier,
should be garrisoned and fortified immediately. Here the militia force
can be concentrated and sent out to the different points where their
assistance is needed. There is not time for hesitation. The country is
in imminent and immediate peril. Gen. Rains says that Kansas must be
wiped out. The track of an invading enemy from Missouri will be one of
blood, fire and rapine. Let us have protection at once.

## Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

**August 24, 1861**

Gen. Lane's Brigade.

A few days ago, this portion of the State was threatened with an armed
invasion of thousands from Missouri. At that time there was no force
here, sufficient to make any considerable resistance, and for this
reason an abandonment of the post was seriously contemplated. But the
opportune arrival of Gen. Lane, with large reinforcements, arms and
ammunition, has restored confidence, and, we believe it is now the
general feeling that Gen. Rains is welcome to any advantage he can get
by a movement of his rebel forces in this direction. The energy of Gen.
Lane is concentrating the Government forces at this point in so short a
period, is worthy of all praise. Red tape is abolished in his Brigade;
and in this connection we desire to say a word upon the character of men
belonging to the volunteer service in this Brigade. An obscure secession
print published in Platt county, Mo., tells its readers that Gen. Lane
is in command of an army of thieves and cut-throats, these epithets show
simply the baseness of their author. If the opinion of the rebel press
upon the character of the Federal army is to be respected, we shall be
obliged to confess that the whole grand army of the Union, without
excepting a company, is a huge congregation of outside barbarians.

The men under Gen. Lane need no defense from us, but we venture to say
that no command in the Government service is composed of better material
than his. The pluck of the Kansas brigade needs no praise, the same
character of men in the 1st and 2nd Kansas Regiments, gave McCulloch a
taste of their quality in the recent battle at Springfield. Our rebel
neighbors in Missouri and Arkansas will soon have a practical
illustration, as well of their magnanimity and honor. For in the
avalanche of loyal men that will come down upon those rebel communities
between this and Christmas - - power and victory will be carried, and
utter defeat and confusion will mark its advance - - the honor of firing
into hospitals and savagely putting to death the helpless and wounded
will remain to the rebel chivalry.

## THREAT OF INVASION

## Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

**September 21, 1861**

Events of the Past Month.

The history of affairs in Southern Kansas during the last month will
constitute an era second in importance to no similar period since its
settlement. An attack on Kansas has been in contemplation ever since the
battle of Wilson's creek, but notwithstanding repeated warnings from
reliable sources, little or no effort was made towards resistance until
the arrival of Gen. Lane. With his accustomed energy he immediately
proceeded to organize and equip his Brigade for active service.

Matters were still in a very unsatisfactory condition, when Gen. Rains,
with an army of over 5,000 men and a heavy battery of artillery, made
his appearance within ten miles of Fort Scott. The first intimation of
their approach was the driving in of our pickets and capture of a large
number of mules a couple of miles east of town, by a large body of his
cavalry, on Sunday evening, the 1st. An immediate pursuit was made by
Col. Johnson, but they escaped with the loss of two or three killed, to
their camp on the east side of Drywood.

The force concentrated at Barnesville under the command of Col. Jennison
and Capt. Harvey, numbering about 400, was ordered to Fort Scott, and a
desperate resistance was determined on. On Monday morning a force of 500
cavalry started out to reconnoiter the enemy's position. They met the
advanced pickets of the enemy four or five miles west of Drywood, and a
skirmishing fight was kept up until they finally retreated across
Drywood to their camp, closely pursued by our troops. Here the whole
force of the foe was concentrated behind earthworks, supported on the
right and left by seven pieces of artillery. A heavy fire was
immediately opened, and our men, dismounting, advanced to return the
fire with their Sharpe's rifles. Several times the artillery was
completely silenced. Capt. Moonlight's little howitzer was the only
piece our troops had on the field; but under his skillful management it
made fearful havoc in the enemy's ranks. His second shot ruined their
best gun. Notwithstanding the immense odds against them our men stood
their group until all their ammunition was exhausted, when they
retreated in good order through the timber, closely pursued by the
enemy. Col. Jennison arrived on the scene of action at this moment and
covered the retreat to Fort Scott.

Our infantry was marched out and took up a position on the heights east
of town, where they remained until darkness and a heavy thunderstorm
rendered an attack that night very improbable. The inferiority of our
force, and the quantity of artillery possessed by the enemy made Gen.
Lane fearful of the result of a general battle, and he accordingly
ordered the infantry to retreat to Fort Lincoln, and left the cavalry at
Fort Scott with orders to defend it to the last extremity; and, as a
final resort to burn the town rather than let it fall into the hands of
the enemy.

The town was almost entirely deserted by the citizens. But four
ladies - - Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. & Miss Miller, and Mrs. Smith - - remained.
They stood their ground heroicly, expressing their determination never
to leave until their path was lighted by the flames of their burning
homes. It is with deep pain that we are compelled to chronicle acts of
pillage by our troops, on the houses and property left under their
protection by the owners. The prospect of the immediate destruction of
the town seems to have let loose all their evil passions, and we are
made to blush for acts of vandalism disgraceful, even in an enemy's
country. The commanding officers used their best endeavors to restrain
the men, but their efforts were, in the main, futile.

## THREAT OF INVASION

## Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

**September 21, 1861 -- continued**

After holding their position two or three days without an effort to
advance, the enemy suddenly abandoned their camp, throwing large
quantities of flour and meal out of their wagons to facilitate their
motions, and commenced a hasty retreat in the direction of Lexington.
They were pursued by Colonels Johnson and Jennison as far as
Pappinsville. Two or three hundred head of cattle and a number of
"contrabands" were brought in by our troops.

From the admissions of the enemy, their loss in the Drywood skirmish
amounted to about 100 killed and wounded; our loss was ten or twelve in
all. When our men retreated the secessionists set up a loud shout of
triumph, but it was soon changed to one of astonishment when they passed
over the field and found no dead or wounded federals.

Matters are again settling down into their original channels. We have no
longer any fear of secession invasion, for we are strong enough to
overcome any force they can bring. Gen. Lane has now an army in the
field, which is capable of sustaining the "fighting character" given to
the Kansas troops.

## Fort Scott BULLETIN

**August 9, 1862**

Rebel Inroad Apprehended. - - During the early part of this week there
was some apprehension of an attack by the rebels on this Post for the
purpose of capturing stores, provision, &c. That an attack would be
made, there is no doubt, provided the rebels could have been certain of
out-numbering us five or six to one. The arrival of the Ohio Cavalry,
however, upset their calculations entirely.

For the benefit of our citizens who were timid, and feared a retreat, we
will say, that we know enough of major Henning's plans, to assert that
there was no retreat in the programme. In connection with major Minor of
the 2d Ohio Cavalry, he had made every preparation to resist any
attacking force, and Col. Coffee and his ragamuffin followers would have
been welcomed "with bloody hands to hospitable graves." Our citizens
have every confidence in Major Henning's ability to provide for any
emergency which may arise. There is no further danger of attack and the
rebels will be lucky if they succeed in getting back to Arkansas in
safety.

**Fort Scott BULLETIN**

**August 23, 1862**

Citizen Company. - - In consequence of the absence of a greater part of
our troops with Gen. Blunt, last week, our town was left comparatively
defenseless. Maj. Blair, however, who was in command, soon had every
preparation made for a vigorous defense. Captain Stockton's Battery was
placed in position to sweep all approaches; Capt. Insley's employees, to
the number of two hundred, were organized and equipped; and last but not
least, the citizens organized themselves into a company, with A.
McDonald, Esp., for Captain, ready to give the rebels a taste of their
mettle, should they have the temerity to attack us. A similar company
was organized last year, when Price threatened us; and when our forces
were drawn up in line of battle to fight him General - - then Lieut.
Col. - - Blunt showed his confidence by placing it on the extreme left,
a post of honor. When the time comes our citizen company will not be
found wanting.