The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1856-12-27
Letter from Wolf Creek.

WOLF CREEK, XII, Dec. z, '56. Z
A1R. EDIToR-DEAR SIR:-Perceiy-
ing that You solicit correspondence
from all parts of the Territory, ]
thought some account of the various
adventures, engagements and expedi-
tions of the famous Major Richardson,
in the Northern part of the Territory,
in September last, might be interest
ing to your readers.
The first intimation we had of the
presence of his vagabonds, was on
Sunday night, September 1st. One,
of our neighbors came in, with the
report that a number of armed men
were encamped at Hooper,s Ford, on
Wolf Greek, and had stolen fine
horse from Mr.. Yakely. Free State
man from Missouri. driving his family
to the woods for shelter, and other
wise injuring him. This, consider
ing it was his first battle, was glori-
ous victory, achieved with only hun
dred men, after hard days march.
Early on the following morning,
having received some reinforcements,
from the neighborhood, and having
learned from them the names and To-
cations of Free State men, the8 set
out to plunder,. searching particularly
for horses and whisky. The settlers
were on the lookout. Whisky they
had none, and they had generally se-
creted their horses. So, after making
a fruitless search, breaking open a
house or two, helping themselves to
what they wanted, and threatening the
Free State settlers with extermina-
tion if they were found in the Terri
tory after the following Thursday.
they commenced their march to the
Poney Creek and Lexington forts,
erected by the Free State men, and
garrisoned by Is orS0 men, who came
in with the train a month previously.
On arriving at Highland, about SIX
miles from their eneampment on the
previous night, they again commenced
to plnnder; this place being composed
entirely of anti-slavery settlers
Among others, Mr.. o'Ncal had yoke
of oxen and horse taken from him, his
family insulted, and himself abused.
| He had formerly resided in Missouri.
and this, doubtless, was the cause Of
his being treated worse than some oi
his neighbors. a es q -
At this place, the valiant Major re-
ceived information of the true state
, | of affairs, at the points which he had
proposed to attack. Finding the
, companies were aware Of his approach,
and. were prepared to defend them.
lselyes, he, not wishing to risk his
| hairless scalp too far, reported TO his
, | men that he had received intelligence
that there was no army stationed
there, and that the people Of the
Southern part of the Territory had
! | sent pressing call for protection
against the Abolitionists. So, Major
j r. turned toward the south, lcayinz
the scenes Of his late glorieez.s1etc-
ries and bloodless hstzIess BE aass
receiyed aarsinfercsnlent, under the
eomnsnd ot Capt. Downing. swelling
i his ann bers TO about one hundred and
/ Fifty men. mostly collected from the
1 small pro-slssery towns on the river.
As they passed Wolf Greek, .
nun,f,er of his man deserted-effsin
i him as they went, and calling him 3
coward, &c. With the remains Of his
| force, howereF, he proceeded as far as
Hickety Point. Here the old gen
tlemaa became quite lame, and, not
wishing to proceed farther, told his
| men they might go home. Some oi
! his men. forgstfal of his past serviees,
of the honor due him as legislator