The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-08-23
Probably the True Story about the Battles In
Kansas,

Special Correspondence Of the Missouri Democrat
LAWRENCE, kansas, Aug. Ia, 1856.
For some time past some OF the young
gentlemen imported into this Territory by
Col. Buford, have been gathering together,
at camp on Washington Creek, one OF
the tributaries Of the Wakarusa, and have
been committing depredations upon the
eighborng cornfelds and poultry yards of
the settlers in that locality. As 1t was soon
seen that their intentions were not to make
claims, and become actual settlers, the peo-
pie sent over to Lawrence, a distance OF
some twelve miles, and asked the citizens of
that town 10 assist in driving them away
A messenger was sent to Major Sedgwick
asking him to send company Of troops 10
that camp, and investigate the matter, and
if the charge Of pillaging was true, to use
the troops in driving them away, and pro-
tecting the actual settlers in their rights
Major Sedgwck replied, that these people
were peaceable aud peaceful that this time
the Free State men had been hoaxed; that
il would be perfectly safe for any Freesoiler
to 60 into the camp at Washington Creek
The messenger returned to Lawrence,
and on the afternoon Of the same day an.
other messenger was dispatched TO WASH
ington Greek, to ascertain, il possible, the
truth OF the statements made. so that the
people Of Lawrence would know how TO
act. Mr.. Hoyt, who was selected to 60, is
already known to the public as the gentle
man who lost about o,e hundred Shapes
rifles at Lexington. He was naturally very
que: and gentlemanly in his demeanor,
courteous To strangers, aud respected here
by every body, for his persevering bravery
in behalf Of freedom in Kansas. He was
sent to the Washington Creek pro-slayery
camp, entirely nnarmed. He was to have
returned that same night with reliable in
formation as to the truth of the charges al
legged against this band of Georgians. He
did not come back. The next day inteli-
genec reached us That he had first been ia.
ken prisoner By them and then shot.
The same eyening--the 10Th inst.--about
one hundred OF the young men OF Lawrence
volunteered TO 60 10 camp OF the Georgi-
ans at Franklin, and recover some OF the
arms which had been stolen during the sack
Of this city in May last, From thence they
intended to march to Washington Creek,
dispense the mob, and take awsg Mr.. Hoyt's
body and return. II was II beautiful moon
right night, slightly hagy. The thought OF
rsdressing wrong by force OF arms to the
truly intelligent American citizen Is always
sad thought; but when redress OF grevan
ces can be had in no other way, and when
the dearest rights of man are trampled un-
der foot, then the redpess u wrongs by
arms becomes a necessity mt still sad
duty. Such was the feshne ~ most Of the
Young men who marched 6Iohe the road 70
franklin. On arriving tAere they found
that the news OF their cOning fd gone be-
fore them, and that the Georsidns were 60
irg to fight They were gathered together
in large block house, which was batrIca-
ded like fort, through the chnks Neeween
the logs of which they pointed their rifles.
They were asked at first to give up . II Their
arms, which they refused to do. They
were supposed TO number about eighty
The Free State men then drew close up
and determined to STORM the garrison, or
die in The attempt" The struggle lasted
for about three hours, when the Georgians
surrendered They came out, threw down
their arms and lled. The Free State men
then took possession OF one brass cannon,
fifty United States muskets tprobably be-
longing to some arsenal,) and few guns
taken from Lawrence during the sack OF
the 2lst OF May last.
The Free State men had one killed and
six wounded The Georgiuns report four
wounded In consequence Of their dead and
s wounded, the awrence boys returned home
instead OF going TO Washington Creek, as
they expected. john SMITH.