The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-09-24
Crescent HILL, Kansas, 9th mo. 2, Sc.


Editors Of tie PaHadium:-I wrote you
on the Goth ult., but have not yet forwarded
the manuscript, owing to the continued deten-
ton Of the pail. On the 30th ult., terrible
tragedy was enacted 10 our midst. Il had
been rumored for more than a week that Osa
watomie was to be destroyed by large party
Of invaders from Missouri. The people pre-
pared for defence, and sent to Lawrence for
assistance. and one hundred men came from
there. They secured the surrounding coun-
try, and surprised party of one hundred
men on Middle Greek, about Ell ght miles south
of Osawatomie, whom they completely rout-
ed without harm or loss. After several davs
search, they could find no more, and concud-
ed that they were not coming All was thought
TO be safe, and one or two companies left; and
those who remained were in an unorganzed
and scattered condition.
Early on the 3Oth, had prepared my team
for going to Osawatomie, and while taking my
breakfast. | was startled by the rapid firing Of
musketrv and cannon. | mounted tie lofty
hill near my dwelling, which overlooks the
town, two miles and a half distant. | could
see large bodies of armed men marching into
town, and could hear distinctly the rallying
cry Of officers. Soon the firing ceased, save
/ that OF the cannon, which was used IN batter
I ing houses. and opening an iron safe. Then
the burning of houses commenced, and
after another was enveoped in flames, until
the main body of the town was reduced TO
ashes. As soon as the last Mssouran disap-
peared in the distance, l. with others, started
for the town, to learn the facts, and to aid the
sufferers. 1t seems that between three and
four hundred Mssourians had stolen quietly
into the town from the west. The men in the
town rallied and drew up in thicket and
ops ned vigorous charge upon the invaders,
who were thrown into confusion, but soon
rallied again and returned to the combat. -
There were only about thirty Free State men
engaged in the action, but they kept up the
fire for about half an hour, when they were
compelled to flee. Immediately in their rear
the river, with banks twenty feet high and
almost perpendicular; down these they plung-
ed aud while swimming across, they were
necessarily fired upon by the enemy; but Il is
not known that any We're killed in the river,
though two three have not vet been heard
from So far is known bur one Free State
man was killed in the battle and three wound
ed, but none of them mortay. The Mlssou-
rians killed one man As they came into town,
and another as they went out. They took
drunken pro Slavery man prisoner. and killed
him afterward. OE the killed and wounded
among the enemy, we cannot speak positively.
Itis known theyearried away three wagon loads
of killed and wounded--supposed to be about
thirty persons. They took away two boys as
prisoners.
1t was lonely scene in Osawatomie. on
the 3Oth. Not above two or three citizens of
the town were to be seen and but few from
the country, and the smouldering ruins of the
town filled up the gloomy ground-wo of the
picture. On the 3Oth, the poor vanqulshed
patriots began to return from their hiding pla-
ces, with timorous step.
/ Our mail was stopped three weeks. and un.
til the plans for invading Kansas were com
pleted. The mail came into Osswatomie after
dark on the night before the destruction of
the town. and the ruffians took the letters,
tore them open. and scattered them the
prairie. 1t was said there were many letters
for me, but have got but one from an eastern
friend. Ny friends will please note this.
There is general invasion of Kansas; large
parties of Mssourans are seen moving about,
and they have notified all rro-Slavery men to
leave, doubtless to facilitate the determination
of the Free State men. 1t seems to be the
object of the border devils to exterminate us
utterly. They have prohibited the bring ging
in of provisions of any kind from Missouri.
The people here nearly out of bread, and
they know not how they are to get any more.
God only knows what we coming to- Cut
off from the civilized world. with boards of
ruthless barbarIans between US and our friends
who permit none to pass, only as they see
cause to pass them out of Kansas. Our fu-
ture is rather gloomy 1t is indeed perilous
times; no one is safe, not knowing when he
may be murdered or driven from his burnin .
home | send this out BY private hands
RICHARD MENDENHALL
/ p. s. Since writing this letter, have learn
ed that a dead body was taken from the river
this morning. Il. NJ.