The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-11-22
eoMMpaieatiol.
FIR tie Herald IF Freedom
The Affair at Hickory Point.
quenccs.
OTTAWA CREEK, Nov. 10, ISL

/ account OF the occurrence at Hickory
Point, in September last, which led to
the capture and Imprisonment of the
prisoners now in confinement at Le-
compton As | have so often heard
misstatements in regard to this affair,
and the officer in command of the Free
State men censured for imaginary faults,
am induced to make full and par
ticular statement of the whole occur
renee, with the origin of the expedition,
up to the time the company were taken
prisoners by the United States troops.
Not having kept journal of each
days proceedings, viii be obliged to
omit dates altogether.
| Some time about the middle of Sep
tember, the company of men, who sub
sequcntly arrived under the direction Of
Mr.. Redpath, were expected in the Ter
ritory, it was rumored in Lawrence and
other places, that band Of Missouri
ans had started for the purpose of cut
| ting them off
| Feeling interested in their safety, and
needing at that critical period their as
sistance, on account OF the troubles
which il was we'll known were hasten
ing upon us, Lane, with company of
hundred men, started by the nearest
route to meet them and protect them
from the threatened danger, and escort
our friends in safety to Lawrence. After
about two days march, a complaint
reached him that large body of Pro-
Slavery men, this is too mild term,
and ought not to be applied to such
desperadoes, as they afterward proved
to be, consisting Of mixture of all
sorts, and who would be best compre-
hended under the appellation Of Bor-
der Ruffians, were quartered at place
called Hickory Point, making it their
business to plumber, murder and abuse
the settlers of the placc-deaing when
persued, or in danger, to their strong
hold, which comprised house, a store
and blacksmith's shop, all of which,
excepting the house, were built of logs
They were surrounded upon two sides
by timber, which rendered them secure
from danger, and almost imprcgnab!c
from an attack.
Lane determined after receiving this
intelligence, although possessed of no
artillery, to make all attempt to dis
lodge them. lie accordingly repaired
to the place and ccgan the attack. His
shots were responded to from the house.
After an interchange from two to three
hours, seeing the absurdity of an at
tempt to dislodge them without can
non, they withdrew short distance,
and dispatched a hasty messenger to
Lawrence. commanding Col. HARVEY,
with the 1st Regt., to repair, without
delay, to the spot with Six-pounder
The messenger arrived in Lawrence
about ten o'clock, on Saturday night
Most of the men had retired, but by
signal they were summoned 10 march,
and at one O'Clock on Sunday morning,
the 18th of Sept, they started from the
south side of the Kansas River, to exc
cute, as rapidly as possible, Lanes or
dei.. | must not omit to mention
that the same messenger who was sent
by Lane, continued his Journey to Le-
compton. to inform the Governor Of the
state Of affairs in his neighborhood and
requesting him to send ; company of
dragons to disperse the marauders
who were plmdering and otherwise
disturbing the inhabitants. He stated
to the Governor, that unless he did
something for their relief that Col. Har
Ivey, of Lawrence, wonld march imme-
diately and attacksthem.
Col. Haryey's command continued
their march to Hickory Point, without
stopping, except for refreshments hall
hour, at nine in the morning, until
eleven o'clock, when they arrived in
sight of the enemy.
Col Harvey thought b2st to com
mence the attack at once, without Civ
ing them time for preparation, suppos-
ing Lane was close at hand and would
be ready to cooperate with him. lie
accordingly directed the horsemen to
encircle the house and gain the timber,
causing the artillery to be planted upon
the southern side and open It's fire upon
the Blaeksmith's Shop. the Chicago
horsemen, led by Lieut.. SpIcER. accord
.ingly passed on the western side, while
a company from Stranger Creek passed
opposite. Col. Harvey remained near
the cannon, on the south. While
these orders were beiag carried into
execution, the enemy had already COM
menccd firing. shots striking the ground
near by and whizzing furiously past
the heads of the men as they were ric-.
ing. Soon the cannon opened its fire.
When the men were properly station
ed the firing begun in earnest, by both
parties, and was kept UP with short in
tervals, until late in the afternoon.
During this time an attempt was made
to fire the Blacksmith's shop with d
load of staw, but the men being exposed
to the fire of the occupants, they thought
it best TO withdraw Samuel Baker, of
Rockford, H., was wounded in the leg
by al shot sehieh was fired under the
wagon. Others shots penetrated his
clothing Another person was wound
e,l in the breast, but not mortally
Several of Harvey's Company were
severely wounded during the engage
ment, but none were killed. Mr.. Bald /
wins son, of Lawrence, a lad of SIX
teen, nas seriously injured by a ball
entering the abdomen and it was fear !
ed at the time the wound was mogtal,
but learn since that he has recoyed. !
About Ave O clock the firing ceased.
Two prisoners were taken at the COM I