The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-22
Additional Details from Kan.a,

\ letter from Lawrence, Of Jan. %, -ays
at is already understood, throughout Kan
sas and Missouri, that new raid II 10 tax,
place about the first Of March nerf, hdrins
for ITS o6jof The determination Of the Legisla
lure, and The expulsion Of erry Free Stat
man from The Territory.
30 well is this plan understood, that ever
now Lawrence, as the point of first attack
is already being put into state of defense
The earthwork raised during the invasion ar,
occupied, and new ones being thrown up
Sentries are posted on their walls and the
roof Of the Free State Hotel"
A correspondent of the N. Y. Courier and
Enquirer, writing from Lawrence, Jan. q
gives the following interesting account Of
the position Of affairs at that time:
Il wrote you in my last, Of the renewal
of the war. Expresses are continually ar
irving from different points in Missouri,
bringing the intelligence that the Border
Ruihans are preparing for another attack.
They have organized military companies ut
every place along the border in Missouri,
and hold themselves in readiness to march
upon us at any moment. At Kickapoo a
gang Of rowdies who infcst the Missouri
river during the summer season, have collec-
ted, organized themselves under the name OF
Kickapoo Rangers, and hold themselves in
readiness at all times, TO march to any point
where their services may he demanded. 1t
is said they arc $50 strong, are mounted and
well armed. There cannot be doubt but
they are under the pay of the Platte county
Defensive Association, or some similar or
ganization in the Slave States. Their time
Is wholly expended in drinking, gambling
and fighting. Ii was these men who butch
cred Mr.. X. p. Brown, the particulars OF
which gave you in my last letter.
Our people are holding themselves in readi-
ness for an attack at any hour, although
think there is no danger until the weather
modcmtes, and in fact shall not look for il
until the first of March. The bordercrs de-
sire to prevent the assembling Of our State
Legislature, apprchensive that they can ac-
complish more before that body conyenes,
than after.
The several Notifications which were has
tily thrown up during the late war in this
city, have been manned, and sentinclsarc at
each, constantly on duty, keeping guard
There are four Of these Notifications which
are circular in form, and are raised about
five feet high, with ditch on the outside
Within these, temporary barracks have re-
Gently been made, and here the citizen soldi-
cry are quartered. Fort Neccssity-or Fort
Smith, as it is called by some-is situated
near the foot Of Massachusetts, street, com
mands the fording places over the river, and
is designed as retreat for the women and
children, if the town should be bCsiegcd or
bombartled. a high staff Is planted in the
centre of this fort, from which our national
ensign floats in the breeze.
About fifty rods south of Fort. Necessity,
and few rods east Of Massachusetts street,
is Fort Hunt, now in the command of Hon.
Morris Hunt, recently elected Judge of our
Supreme Court. lie has twelve men under
his charge, each armed with u ShOrp's rifle.
Fort Holiday is few rods west of Massa-
chusstts street, and designed as protection
to the town from cannon at Dread Mount.
This is the best built fertilization Of the four,
and probably will have TO stand the princi-
pal charge when the contest is opened upon
us.
Fort Dirkey is somewhat north Of tho lat
ter fort, and is designed to protect the town
against an invasion from the West.
\ circular redoubt is thrown across MIassa-
chusetts street, between Forts Hunt and
Holiday, and would be very effective re-
sort for the citizens with arms in case of u
charge from the South.
All along Massachusetts, street, between
the last mentioned cntrenchment and Fort
Necessity are hreastworks thrown up be-
tween the houses, forming sort of fence on
either side .- .---.--.- 80 Q.
PThe Emigrlnt Aid Company's fine hotel,
which is still in an unfinished condition,
though laborcrs are at work upon it, is also
under guard constantly, and it is made the
Head Quarters of the Generals and their
staff, as we'll rs of the Committee OF Safety,
Executive Committees, &c.
Expresses have been sent to the different
towns along the border in Missouri, to pur-
chase ammunition, and every arrival brings
some. One team succeeded in getting half
q tun of lead and several hundred pounds of
powder; Others able to buy one or two hum
bred pounds and kcg ofpower. These, our
woman are engaged in manufacturing into
cartridges, to be used with Sharpe's rifles
Not "a pound of lead or powder can be bought
at the stores here; they have all been sccur-
ed by the Committee OF Public Safety, and
will be saved fur use when necessity shall
demand. all
Our friends at Topeka are also apprehen-
syc of an attack, and are preparing to resist
manfu!ly, If gang of desperadoes shall set
themselves down before that place. They
have also sent TO the border towns in Mis-
souri, for ammunition.
The general health of the territory is good.
I am not conscious of any sickness among
ms. People continue to arrive from the
States. Some who started when the war
news first reached the East, have been wind
bound in Missouri in the mean time"
The st. Louis Intelligenccr Of the 9th inst
has the following:
" Our Kansas correspondent, who has just
arrived from the theatre of the recent distur-
Dances, reports all quiet in that territory
No further outragcs are feared, at least, un-
til the assembling Of the Legislature at To-
pelul, on the first of March next.
The Thermometer, for six weeks previous
to his departure, has ranged from q deg
below zerow, to l0aboye.
Two thousand stand Of rifles and twenty
brooches loading cannon had been received
at Lawrence. They were brought secretly
through Iowa and Nebraska"