Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-10-16

Subsequent letters from the South Carolina
tory of the recent campaign. But for the sngu-
lar failure of the sfssourians, the ineficicncy Of
the officers, and the timely arrival of GEARY the
work would hive been bloody indeed.
The following extract from letter dated at
Fort learenworth, Sept, 10tll,twhich We have tax
ell from the Sumter Hotclman, possesses inter-
est
y Two or three days before our
arrival here, there was fight ut Franklin, place
distant from this some ten or fifteen miles
T~emty Southern men fought teo hundred Aboii-
florists for five hours, killing some .tWenty or
twenty-five. The engagement would have contin-
ucd, bu! the Aboliiionists procuredfa wagon of
hay and fired the house in which the Southerners
were located. They then retrcated, to do which
safely WAS easily accomplished, it being then
dark. Not man on our side was lost. This lin
formation received from one Of the gallant little
band. lie had several slight bullet wounds about
lis face and haals. lE,t.fs .
After travelling over the territory 'abou. ono
hundred and fifty miles, we arrived at Lecompton,
about twelve miles from Lawrence, where we an
ticipatcd marching Immediately to attack Lane;
but here We lerancd that Gen. Atchison had dis
banded his forces and was returning home I
learn, however, that he intends recruiting large
force by the 13th when We will join him and make
the attack ~
While at Lecompton we had tragicomedy-
or rroba oily more properly speaking, if ]. may be
allowed the expression, tragica farce ;sthe pre-
lminares of the affair presenting a most tragic
appearance, whilst the conclusion was rather far
cical in character. Twas enjoying quiet sleep,
in wagon, feeling much fatigued from loss Of
rest and excessive marching, when the alarm was
given that Lane and his men were upon us.
sprang instantly from my wagon-couch, and being
Orderly Sergeant, had to form the Company
The Captain, who was some two or three hundred
yards distant, at another tent came up in double
quick time, and we were marching to the top of
hill and, sure enough, upon the opposite hill,
Lane had his motley crew, to tue number of eight
hundred, spread out in battle array. Our force
vas only three hundred and thirty-six He dis
patched two or three Of his men to our camp,
demanding some prisoners We had ;sand also the
dispersion Of the '.Kansas Alilitia.n Marshall,
our officerin command, very politely Informed Gen.
Lane that he did not feel so Inclined and that he
was ready to fight him. The South Carolinians
were then marched in fighting Distance of the ene-
my-two hundred yards in advance of any others
So"t3 uistiuCtIy Hear tlc OIuerS from the 0ther
side. We expected acharge every moment. Each
man stood with his gun cooked: Several of our
men were so ''eager forthe fray, that they crept
to the side Of the hill and fired. Whilst | was
standing facing the enemy, with my:musket to my
shoulder, was much amused at one fellow who.
''more eager than the rest strealthily crawled
upon his hands and knees, until Inc arrived with
in thirty or forty yards Of one poor scoundrel,
when he halted, raising himself erect upon his
knees, drew deliberate aim; and fred. His VIC
tim ran some twenty PAGES and fell dead The
order to charge was given to-the enemy One
moment more and we would have been in for it;
but just then Uncle Sali's troops dashed up at
full speed and put,a stop to further proceedings.
No shot was fired from the other side Our men
killed some three or four OF the enemy. 1t was o
toeraby ticklish time, to sec their cannon staring
us in the face, each with its man ready to touch
the match. i have often; whilst rejecting upon
similar scenes, thought that itswould trya mans
pluck, but assure you ! felt no moro sensation
of excitement or alarm than thoaghI had. been;
in pursuit Of flock Of patridges.