New-York daily tribune., 1856-08-29
NemUprk daily Gribn,re.
KANSAS.
DETAILS OF TaE FIGHT AT FORT
CAIyNDERS

DETAILS OF TGE FIGHT AT EORT
SAUNDERS.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune
WALKERS CAMP on Rock CREEK,
KANSAS, Aug. Is, 1856.
The brutal murder Of M,jor Hoyt has caused an
inter sity of hatred to rufbaDsm and desire to rid
the Territory of rUfiaDs, never pei ihaps, equaled
in the history of our difficulties. The aggravated
and savage-like circumstances OF the murder,
see med 70 arouse even the peaceful and conserva-
tive por,ion of our citizens who heretofore had
taken prin snd-bear it position so that on Thurs
day last it was evident to all that nothing less than
hanging the muderers would satisfy the people.
Acc, rd,ney, about fifty men, armed to the teeth,
marched from Lawrence to this place as reen-
forcement TO the citizens already assembled there
for the same purpose. 1t will be remembered that
Fort Saunders is the title given to the den OF the
desperados who have been robbpg and insulting
the Free State settlers on Washington Creek.
branch of the Wakarusa
When the reinforcement arrived here from Law
renee, council wss held, which resulted IN the
appoil tment of committee to witt Major Sedg-
wick the coHimandant Of three companies OF ORA
goons, near Lecompton. The committee was
directed to inform the Major Of the brutal murder
of Mr. Hoyt who had been riding a'ong peaceabiy
and unarmed, in tho vicinity Of Fort Sanders on
Washington Creek; that when his body was found
by some Free State men, it was pierced through
with ten balls bis throat cut and paper plae:
tered on his face 10 prevent his being Recognized
by his friends. The committee was also directed
to tell him of the murder, on the Santa Fe road,
Of Mr.. George Williams, another Free State N IN,
and 10 s,k hin to drive the gang from the Terri
tory The committee returned here to-day, about
noon, and stated that Msjor Stdgwick was acting
under orders, and that be bad no orders 10 dis
band any company unless required to DO SO py Dis
superior officer, or by ths Governor, or something
TO that effect.
In the meantime rumOrs reached us that about
thirty of the Kickapoo Rangers under command
of stripgf. low had passed over BlantOn's Bridge
in the direction of Fort Saunders on Washington
| Gre. k, and the number Of Rufians there Vas Va
riously estimated at from $50 to 800 men. In the
nioruing a scouting party Of forty hOrsemen nsd
been sent from our camp tO reconnolter, ana 10
Ascertain il possible the best method OF attack
| They soon returned and reported, and at O'Clock
| this sf ernoon about 800 men under command OF
| Gen. Cock took up the line Of march from TINS
camp to Fot Saunders.
| The distance between the two camps Is about
ak miles, and rs the long defe of men marc 1"d
| over the high grounds which form one side of the
valley of Washington Creek, they presented :
rather imposing appearance. From this point, at
d;,,snce of ur miles, We could see the fort as
il stood ON high bluff on the south side OF the
creek. Lion, ,,.,
| Crossing the creek about two miles below 'ne
fort the Free. State men marched up high bill or
rather a continuation of bluffs, common ~ moot W o.
the streams of Kansas. At last ~e c ,me IN sign'
Of the fort, which looked great deal more 10,
Didsbe at di.tance than It did wpen near ~
stDl the pIoa,d was vel sci, c,ed and no ee'1er
plsee eISx in Karsss than that 70 make sn'-
! sessfuI dsfepss on eAcb sde Of tes ieH "e'o