# REFUGEES

# FORT SCOTT BULLETIN

**January 19, 1861**

Letter from Dr. Danford

Geneva, Ill., Jan. 5, 1861

H. G. Moore: - - Dear Friend: - - Your esteemed letter of the 23rd was
duly received, and it gave me great pleasure to hear from you. I will
comply with your request to render to the people of Bourbon County all
the aid I can, by sending to you a part of what I may be able to get in
this State. I wish I had the means personally to relieve all, but I can
only give my labor and best energies in laying your case before those
who have aid to spare, for I feel while I am sent specially to care for
the interests of Linn county, that Bourbon is twin in affliction, and
has just claims upon my every sympathy, and all my efforts for her
relief.

There will be a shipment made this week of 100 barrels of flour, and
some 50 bushels of beans, &c., to T. E. Smith, and I have already
written to him to divide with you, and let you have one half of the
amount. This will secure you a little of the stuff for present relief. I
organized the town of De Kalb, in De Kalb county, and gave the committee
your name and T E. Smith's and directed them to ship to Linn and Bourbon
counties, jointly. They will send a car load in a few days, of which I
will give you further notice soon. Thus you will see I have not
forgotten your people.

Mrs. Jas. T. Smith has been doing noble service in your behalf in De
Kalb county, and other portions, where I frequently hear of her efforts
in behalf of Bourbon county. She is from Raysville. I trust God will
mete out a noble reward to these ladies of Kansas who are thus engaged
in the work of relieving the famishing and poor, of our afflicted
Territory.

It is almost impossible to procure money enough to buy sacks and pay
freights. We must look mainly to the Eastern States for our financial
relief.

Believe me truly yours.

A.  DANFORD.

## Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

## January 26, 1861

Col. Judson received a letter this week, from H. Ross Jones, Esp., of
Addison, N.Y., containing a draft for ten dollars to be invested for the
benefit of the suffering poor. This sum has been properly disposed of,
and more than one poor sufferer's heart has been gladdened by Mr. Jones'
liberality. Aid sent in this way, to responsible individuals, is far
more efficient than thrice the amount contributed in the usual way.

## Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

## February 2, 1861

More Relief. - - Col. Judson received a letter from Addison, New York,
this week, enclosing twenty-five dollars to be used for the benefit of
the suffering poor. We hear from different parts of Michigan,
Pennsylvania and New York of aid being raised for distribution in this
county. It will be very acceptable.

## REFUGEES

## 

## Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

## February 2, 1861 -- continued

Capt. Lyons and his company left yesterday morning for the head of the
Pacific Railroad whence they will probably proceed directly to
Washington. He sincerely hopes that the scenes of disorder and
bloodshed, which have so long characterized this border, are at last
ended, and that the strong arm of the military will never again be
required to suppress civil war in this quarter.

**Fort Scott DEMOCRAT**

**March 30, 1861**

The Aid Business.

During the past winter, we have, as far as possible, avoided having
anything to say in regard to the manner in which the Aid Society
distributed relief forwarded from the East. While acknowledging the fact
that thousands of our people were in want of the actual necessaries of
life, we cherished the hope that a show, at least of fairness would be
exhibited by on whom the sufferers were led to depend. That our hope has
rested on a sandy foundation, is but too evident.

The distribution of the relief goods has demonstrated one of two things,
either of which is sufficiently humiliating to those having the goods in
charge. The destitution must either have been almost entirely confined
to the Republican party of Kansas, or Gen. Pomeroy and his assistants
have disgraced themselves and humanity by refusing aid to the destitute
of the other party. It is useless for those concerned to deny that the
latter has been done, and done repeatedly, there are too many instances
on record to prove our assertion. The aid was contributed by men of all
parties, and it was not intended or expected that it would be used as a
political engine, to accomplish the most nefarious purposes.

The aid received has cost, in actual labor, to the people of Kansas,
more than double what it is worth. In this township, the total amount of
aid received for distribution, from the Hyatt-Pomeroy Committee, up to
the present time, is 83 bushels of meal, 3 bushels of beans, and 325
pounds of flour, a barrel of rags under the name of clothing , and we
believe, a few pairs of shoes; and yet this is a township upwards of
2,000 inhabitants according to the late census. To obtain this aide some
fifteen teams have made the trip to Atchison or Wyandott and back, at
cost, in money, for expenses, of from five to seven dollars per team,
enough to have purchased the whole amount of provisions here; and this
without allowing one cent for the time and labor of men and teams. This
is probably an extreme case; at least, we hope it is. But we feel safe
in saying that every pound of meal and flour received, has cost the
receivers more than twice its value.

A friend, who has been spending some weeks in the upper part of the
State, gives us some insight to the stories about the wretchedly ragged
men about whom Hyatt and Pomeroy have made so much ado, in their
sensation dispatches.

Our friend mentions one party of eight or ten, whom he saw pass through
Squiresville, on their way to Wyandott for aid. He describes them as,
without exception, the rageddest lot of men he ever saw in his life. The
hardest looking case in the party stood treat at the hotel, and in
paying for the same exhibited a number of twenty dollar pieces! Upon
their return, they were all comfortably dressed; one in particular,
having, while the clerks were out, appropriated seven shirts, and a
proportionate number of pants and vests. He had all the clothing on,
thereby changing a small spare man, into one of aldermanic proportions.

**REFUGEES**

**Fort Scott DEMOCRAT**

**March 30, 1861 -- continued**

It is devoutly to be wished that the Kansas game is at last "played
out." While the charity of our Eastern friends, entitle them to the
highest need of gratitude from those for whom their donations were
intended, we cannot but feel that they have been grossly imposed upon by
designing. We candidly believe that not one third of the aid subscribed
for Kansas, has ever reached its proper destination.

Relief Meeting.

The citizens of Potosi township, Linn County, Kansas, met in mass
Convention, on the 23d of March, 1861 . . . The Committee reported the
following preamble and resolutions:

Whereas, The greater portion of the people of Southern Kansas are
entirely dependent on the benevolence and sympathy of the people of the
Eastern States, for their provisions and clothing; and

Whereas, The people of Leavenworth City, have sent forth a telegraphic
dispatch, stating that the report of the Messrs. Arny and Hyatt in
relation to the destitution of Kansas is false; therefore

Resolved, That the telegraphic dispatch that has gone forth from
Leavenworth City, denying Messrs. Arny

& Hyatt's report of the destitution of Kansas, is false and unfounded;
and done for political and local purposes, in relation to the strife for
the United States Senatorship.

Resolved, That we believe that Gen. S. C. Pomeroy is pursuing a noble,
manly, disinterested and impartial course, in the distribution of all
moneys and freights sent to him, or in his care; and that we, as well as
the

Balance of the citizens of Kansas, are under lasting obligations to him,
for his arduous labors in our behalf; giving his entire time and
energies to relieve the starving among us.

Resolved, That we return our heartfelt thanks to the benevolent people
of the Eastern States, for contributions already received, and hope they
will not withhold their kindness and aid, until our harvest comes; as
that is the only hope of saving our many famishing people.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in he Mound
City REPORT, Fort Scott DEMOCRAT and Lawrence REPUBLICAN.

J. W. Babb, Chairman

**Fort Scott DEMOCRAT**

**April 20, 1861**

Report of the Special Committee, of the Kansas Conference of the M. E.
Church, on the Destitution in Kansas - - We publish below the report
adopted by the late M. E. Conference, at Atchison; promising however,
that, with the Elwood FREE PRESS, we think it smells strongly of
Pomeroy's "beans:"

. . . 3. Notwithstanding all the aid that has been afforded us, the most
of our population have had but little for their sustenance except
cornbead with a little meat a part of the time. . .

**REFUGEES**

**Fort Scott DEMOCRAT**

**April 20, 1861 -- continued**

6.  We desire in this formal manner, to express our heart felt thanks to
    all our kind donors, and assure them that their liberality has saved
    the lives of thousands, and prevented an untold amount of suffering.

7\. It is now several months till harvest, and we have but little in
store, and we pray our friends not to stay

their hands till we shall be able to realize something from our own
resources.

**Fort Scott DEMOCRAT**

**July 14, 1861**

Most of the families frightened off the Drywood and More's Branch before
an apprehended attack from Rains' troops, have gone back to their homes.

Monday last week was a blue day in Fort Scott. The town was crowded with
refugees from Missouri and Southern Kansas, hundreds of armed men were
going out and coming in, and the people were in great suspense in regard
to the fate of Siegel, the last news having been that he was completely
cut up. Of course, Madame Rumor had large numbers of Missouri troops
marching northward, and an attack was certain. Preparations were made
for a vigorous defense and every man slept on his arms. On the morrow,
however, the news of Siegel's victory was confirmed, a glimpse of
sunshine broke through the clouds, men returned with cheerful hearts to
their business, the soldiers laid aside their muskets, fleeing families
stopped and turned their faces homeward, and in a few hours all was as
quiet as if no storm had swept over our peaceful community.

**Fort Scott DEMOCRAT**

**August 17, 1861**

Every day, wagon after wagon arrives in our town, loaded with refugees
from the monster Secession. A perfect reign of terror exists in all the
border counties. How long will this state of affairs be suffered?

**Fort Scott BULLETIN**

**October 25, 1861**

Over 150 blacks arrived in Fort Scott. The next day General James Lane's
brigade arrived with many more.

**Fort Scott BULLETIN**

**September 20, 1862**

About a thousand refugee women and children sent up from the Cherokee
Nation by Col. Phillips arrived here yesterday! Col. Phillips is said to
have a splendid regiment, mostly white Cherokees.

**REFUGEES**

**Fort Scott BULLETIN**

**November 29, 1862**

LO! THE POOR INDIANS.

The Cherokee Indians, a large portion of them, are still encamped on the
Drywood, a distance of about twelve miles from town. They are composed
of old men, women and children, the families of those men who are now in
the Union army, and constituting \[of\] the 1st, 2nd, and the 3rd Indian
regiments.

It is pretty well established among those who have had opportunities of
witnessing their effort in trying emergencies, that these Indians are
fighting stock. They have acquitted themselves well and satisfactory in
several skirmishes and severe engagements, in which they have taken
part.

These women and children, squatted down in the timber, in our vicinity,
have selected this locality as a place of safety, and security, against
the marauders of their own nationality in the rebel army. There's no
safety or security for these suffering creatures in their own country;
consequently they are in a destitute condition. They are supplied with
all the provisions they consume and need, by the commander of the Post.
His ability and jurisdiction extends no farther. He can do no more. But
they now need tents, blankets, shoes, and clothing, to shelter them from
the cold and rains during the near approach of the inclement season of
the year. As they are at present situated, as we are informed by those
who have visited them, two-thirds of them, will perish before spring
time comes again. Unless something is done for them very soon. These
poor people will before the winter is over, make one move more, to the
country where they will be troubled no longer by the wicked, and where
the weary are at rest forever.

**Cleveland Ohio MORNING LEADER**

**October 24, 1863**

The suffering of the troops and refugees in . . . Fort Scott continues
very great. We will be glad to forward stores there -- have sent a large
quantity already and hope to send more. The refugees need women's and
children's clothing, boots, shoes, hats, patent medicines, house keeping
articles & etc etc. Please gather from your households all that can be
spared and let us send it to those homeless, destitute ones whose
property has been destroyed by rebel violence.

**General Blunt's Plea**

**1863**

To the Humane and Philanthropic citizens of Kansas our attention is
earnestly called to the condition of the poor and suffering refugee
Indians, mostly women and children now in Fort Scott. They have been
driven from their homes desolated by the rebel foe for no other reason
than for adhering to their allegiance to their Great White Father. I
have made provisions to feed and shelter them but great destitution
exists among them for want of clothing, such as thrown away by many of
you, would be to them a great blessing in their hour of need. I trust
that this brief appeal will be listened to, and promptly acted upon. All
articles of clothing and bedding contributed for them should be
forwarded to Major Benjamin Henning commanding post at Fort Scott.

-   \- James G. Blunt Brigadier General Commanding

**REFUGEES**

**Fort Scott MONITOR**

**June 10, 1864**

The train which has arrived from Fort Gibson consists of about 100
wagons! Accompanying the train are 800 refugees, 500 white and 300
hundred colored from Fort Gibson. We are informed that they compose the
rag-tag and bobfall of that section. They will be billeted upon this
post. We cannot forbear protesting against this post being made the
refuge of every species of humanity that cannot exist else where.

**Fort Scott MONITOR**

**August 22, 1864**

The train arrived from Fort Smith today. The wagons were loaded with a
motley crowd of refugees of every grade, sex, and condition and
suffering from almost every imaginable disease. We hope and expect that
they will receive every attention from a generous public.

**Chaplain Charles Reynolds sent this urgent request for help**

**to J. R. Brown of the Sanitary Commission**

**September 6, 1864**

I have now over 200 in camp, and they are in a most deplorable
condition. A severe storm arose last evening which continues this
afternoon, with no prospect of abatement. Dr. Slocum and myself removed
about twenty of the sick to a hospital tent in the Plaza, and I have a
mother with her dying babe in my office. The rest are in camp, in a
condition next to death. Most of them have no shelter but what the trees
afford, and their rations, which I distributed yesterday morning, are
ruined. The river has risen over thirty feet and is still rising. I have
communicated with them twice today, by boat and have sent over bread for
the living and coffins for the dead. Your agent here has not funds, no
tents nor clothing. Do for heaven's sake send something along at once .
. . I would respectfully call upon the ladies of this post to aid at
once in relieving the sick women and children, who are without shelter
and naked. Two poor creatures died during night's storm, and several
others are very ill.