The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-06
VOICES FROM THE POLITICAL PRISONS OF
KANSAS
GREAT Political PRIsoN,
LecOmptOn, Kansas. Oct. 10, 1856.

1t is well known to the whole civilized world,
that, previous to the arrival of Governor Geary
IN Kansas, the Territory was ravaged by most
diretul civil war. 1t is equally well known that
In all that terrible drama the people of Kansas
were alone the sufferers, and that organized
bands OF robbers and murderers from an ad-
Joining State were almost the sole perpetrators.
In the beginning, they had wrested our Govern
ment from us, and made our laws; but finding
us, as should be every people who have once
tasted the sweets of liberty, unwilling to fawn
to their dictates and acknowledge them our
lords, they used fire, starvation, and the sword,
to bring US to submission. Having no other
recourse, our people were at last compelled to
resort to the stores of our enemies for the
necessaries of life.
AS we have said, such was the condition of
things on the arrival of our new Governor. He
appeared among us about the LIST of September,
and was hailed as our deliverer. The much
lamented Major Hoyt, who had known Geary
In Pennsylvania, in Mexico, and in California,
assured US that we might hope for Justice and
protection. Geary's course at Leavenworth
City, and the assurances of Mr.. Adams his
confidential friend and adviser, together with
our ardent hopes for peace and rest, led us to
believe he would be our friend. All, at least,
were willing to trust him, to act with him, and
under his advice. Nor was this confidence in
his friendship shaken by his Inaugural and
Proclamation, which was issued on the llth,
copies of which were brought down to Lawrence
the same evening by Mr.. Adams, and tead to
the people. We therefore determined TO take
no offensive steps without his sanction.
At daybreak, on the morning of the 18th of
September, Governor Geary, at the head of 400
United States troops, rode up to the fort on
Capitol Hill, near Lawrence, and asked who
had command of the place. Captain Bickerton
answered: 81 have the honor to command here
at present" The Governor then advanced,
saying, / am Governor Geary, of Kansas; |
have come to prevent the effusion of blood.
l have heard that a body of fifteen hundred
men we're marching on Lawrence, for the pur-
pose of destroying the town." Geary was then
asked if he knew that to be a fact, and replied
that he had it officially" Captain Bickerton
remarked, that " if there are no more than ff-
teen hundred, they will go back faster than
they came" With an appearance of astonish-
ment, the Governor asked, Don't you expect
to be gocsrned by the Constitution?" Captain
Bickerton responded, that the Free State men
had always been governed by it. "Well," said
the Governor, don't your people sometimes
burn houses and commit other depredations ?"
L should not wonder if, by this time, some
have become so exasperated as to do So" re-
turned Captain Bickerton, adding, as he pointed
to the brass cannon, Sacramento" was at
Franklin, and aided in the taking of that: |
was also at Washington Greek, and at Titus's
Fort. We found Titus the evening before en-
gagged in robbing houses and stealing horses
and, he might have continued, "making at
tempts upon the lives of our citizens"l If the
destruction of such dens of murderers and plum
derers 10 house-burning, then are the Free State
men house-burners indeed" The Governor
said that he must see that the laws (Territorial)
be obeyed. Bickerton replied, that the Free
State men could not do so, so long as they be-
lieved Slavery to be an evil for they could not
even express sentiments in accordance with
their belief without exposing themselves to the
heaviest penalties. After some further CONVEX
sation about the claws" and their validity, the
Governor inquired as to who were the constitu-
ted authorities of Lawrence, and being answer
ed that there were no persons possessing that
particular title, he offered to "treat" with Cap
! tain Bickerton. The Captain, however, declined,
and sent the Governor into town, where he was
warmly welcomed by a large number of citizens
| and other Kansas settlers, who have taken
refuge in the place, the Governor assuring them
| in speech that he intended to drive all lawless
bands ont of the Territory, but for the present
advised the Free State men to remain under
arms for their Oaon protection, and not dis6dnd
| until lie should first hare accomplished his part.
While Lawrence was being visited by the
Governor, G'band of Southern marauders, under
| the lead of one Robertson, made a descent upon
the town of Grasshopper Falls, and after plum
dering the same, set fire to it, burning a con-
siderable amount of property. They then re-
treated to Hickory Point, where they intended
to remain fortified until called upon By the
main body of the Jaw and Order" army, to
aid in the "wiping out" of Lawrence. The
day following, General Lane, who had not yet
| seen the Governors proclamation, with between
so and 100 men, happened to pass near Hicko-
ry Point, and at the unanimous demand of the
citizens under him. led them to an attack upon
the fortified ruffians but having no artillery, he
found himself unable to dislodge them without
great loss, so withdrew, sending to Lawrence
for re-enforeements. Lanes messenger arrived
| at Lawrence on the evening of the 18th. MANY
| wished to obey the summons at onee-others
were in quandary. Robertsons company
would soon join the forces before Lawrence. and
must be whipped then, if not now. Which
course should be taken? Mr.. Adams, the
friend of the Governor, and who remained in
town after the departure of Geary, privately
advised many to go, and publicly sanctioned
the expedition, remarking that he would 90
himself, il he only had horse This decided
the course of the people. They thought for
once that they could defend their homes and
friends with the appreciation of high authority
L force of 100 was soon raised, and marched
under the command of Col. Harvey In the
mean time, Lane received the Governors Proc.
lamation, so be withdrew from Hickory Point,
and afterward disbanded his men but this did
not deter Harvey from making attack upon
the fortified position, which he did, completely
routing the enemy, killing one of their number,
and wounding many others. Such, at least, is
the charge against his men. On our return,
we encamped FIVE miles from the scene of &C
ton, where we were all taken prisoners that
night by detachment Of United States dre-
goons, under the command of Captain Wood.
Our forces numbered l0l. No resistance was
made to the troops. After being deprived of
our arms, strong guard was placed around US.
About this time, the guide, a Pro-Slavery man
By the name of Grsyson, fearing that Captain
Wood might possibly arrest the other party
also, as limitations were made TO that effect,
broke through the guard for the purpose of Civ
ing them warning He was hailed by the SEN |
tinel, but did not stop, at the same time crying
out " Halt Yourself, Cd d-n youi" At
this the sentinel fired, but without effect Gray
son returned it, the ball taking effect in the SEN
tinel's shoulder. Two other sentnels advanced |
end fired, one shot going through the heart of
Grayson, killing him instantly. This is the only |
foundation for the story of "great fight be- |
tween the Abolitionists and the Government |
troops" so much circulated by certain parties |
The next day, we we're marched to Lecomp- |
ton, where we were for the first week under |
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