The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-06
Enclosure No. ST.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE WEsr,

fort LeaVenWofth, august ~, lSob
Instructions for the officer in command the detach-
meat of United States troops ordered to assemble in the
neighborhood of Lecompon the capital of Kansas Terrific
y the requison of the governor thereof to repress
surrecuon:
SIR The whole of the lst regiment of cavalry, Except
company at Fort Leavenworth and at Fort Kear
ny) with Capt Howes company of the artillery and
squadron of the I'd dragons and detachment of dis
mounted men Of the same regiment will be assembled qn-
such detachmens of infantry and recruits may arrive
here in time .a .a II.
This force you will keep concentrated as much as posi-
BILE making no detachments except as scouts and patrols
unless in of absolute necessity of which you will be
the Judge and all the men, horses and will be kept
in perfect state Of readiness for instant action at all times
The governor of the Territory has required the presence
of these troops to aid the civil authority in suppressng in
surrecon and in protecting the peaceable inhabitants of
the Territory from the lawess violence of armed bodies
which he represents arrayed for that purpose
That you may have distinct idea of your powers and
duties in this position, the following official instructions
from the Executive Of the United States referred and
you will be governed entirely by the rules therein laid
down:
lst The proclamation of the President of the United
States, dated the 18th day of February last
I'd The instructions Of the Secretary of War to Col f.
Sumner and Lieutenant Colonel Cooke dated the 9Th OF
February.
3D. letter from the Adutant General of the army to
Col SUMNER dated March 26, 1885, in a request
of the latter TO know the views of the department
ton to the course to be pursued towards armed bodies
coming into the Territory particularly the following para
the laws and against the and quiet Of the Territory
and when under such circumstances requIsion for mil
tary force is made upon the commanding officer by the
authority specified in HE instructions that he is empowered
TO act
And last: To the following extract from the instructions
of the Secretary of War to general commanding the de-
parment, dated the 27th June last:
Enclosed you will find copy of proclamation of the
President Of the United States and Of letter of instrc
tons directed to the commanding officers of Forts Leaven-
worth and Riley TO which you referred for the views
OF the Executive and the government of your conduct
In the cougences therein contemplated aud if in such
contingencies you should be called upon any portion
OF the troops under your command TO aid the civil auhor
ties in arresng offenders detachment of troops that
purpose will be directed to accompany the civil officer
charged with the process and TO aid him in the execution
OF his duties both in making the arrests and in conducting
prisoners to places where they may be safely kept by the
civil authorities In dischargng the delicate functions
arising from the peculiar condition Of affairs in Kansas
you will carefully abstain from encroachng upon the
proper sphere OF the civil authorities and will observe the
greatest caution to avoid any conflict between the civil and
military power"
As great responsibility will rest on the officer in com
msnd Of the troops he must in assuming IT, act his
judgment and on information perfectly satisfactory
his mind. After the examples have had daily of
late Of the gross sehoods misrepresentation and exag
geraous spread the country under what said 10
be reliable authority will not be safe 10 trust any In
teigence the and channel Of which not sasc
tory TO yourself
You have the entire command and control of the troops
and in to commit them any other than the
regular military authority Send, as your com
mhnd assembled ana weekly thereafter held returns OF
its strength though the commanding general should
be absent from Fort Leavenworh Send also Topographic
cal sketches Of the country around you with distances
marked
To avoid weakening your command, you will hire such
erpressmen as you may think necessary and will keep
a constant communication with headquarters.
In conclusion the General begs and directs you avoid
long possible any appeal Use every endeavor
in your power TO bring those who in opposition the
law a Of their especially avoid small con-
ics and consider the shedding of elow-czens blood
the greatest evil that happen except the overthrow
Of law and right which must end in civil But when
the necessity Of action and the employment Of force does
uuhapply arise employ 1t at with all the power and
vigor at your command but continue IL only until you
have suppressed the Instruction and then interfere pre-
vent any cruelty from others The governor of the Terri
tory should possible take TO keep the prisoners
arrested under his authority and such may hereafter be
taken Their custody cmbarrasses the troops and dmin
ishes their efficiency.
With respect your obedient servant,
PBRSIFER r. SMITH,
Brevet Major General Commanding Department
Ne n