The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-10-16
LETTERS FROM KANSAS.
CAMP NEAR LEcoMproN,
Sent 81 1884

v" 'io i"o'hihS Oh saturday the 18th
ult., Gen. Ried, in command of 2,4SO men,
took up his line of march from Camp Mis-
sion, near Westport. During the day, our
forces were increased by the arrival Of Col
Clarkson with $50, making in all 1880
men, We accomplished IA miles, and en-
campcd OH Cedar Creek, after a very severe
day of hot, dusty, dry, and hunyry march
ing. This was in consequence of the horse,
to the number of 1900, forming the ad-
vance guard. Next day our company, be-
ing on the right of the 1st Regiment, was
placed in advance, and We marched 81
miles with comparative ease.
At the Wakarusa, miles below Law-
renee, small detachment was sent forward
to rcoEnoitre the famous Rifle Pits on the
opposite bank. They were found to be ;,l-
lnmble in position, but insignificant in
construction, and empty. Tho advance
proceeded to within a short distance Of
Franklin, where they witnessed Il most dia-
bolIcal murder and robbery. A young man
who had connected himself with no COM
pany, had been riding with an individual
who discovered that his companion had
some $4,000 in his possession. They pro-
cecded together far in advance of the whole
army, when this spy shot his victim in the
head and escaped into the camp of the
enemy. The advance guard returning in
haste. with this intelligence, and rapid
movement ordered in front, the report was
circulated that the enemy was at Franklin
in force. This nerved up our weary, foot
sore men, and we dashed into Franklin mt the
head Of the army with full numbers
The Captain alone was an invalid, and
gave him my horse to ride. Our mounted
sklrmishers chased the encmy's picket into
the very heart of Lawrence, and several
prisoners were taken within close range of
the enemy. One old fellow run two of
them down, commanded them TO surrender
and made prisoners of themselves, their
two horses, rifles and repcatcrs. We lay
i'll the town Of franklin until sundown,
momentariy expecting orders to march
upon Lawrence. But no such order came,
and evening passed, and night passed, and
half the next day passed, while our General
waited for the enemy to take advan.am. Of
delay.
One house and steam mill belonging TO
the Abolition Aid Society, were burned
contrary to orders. Two or three other
houses were put out by Col. Titus and lis
command. No piIlaging was permitted
although the town WAS deserted by all the
AbolItionists who had lived there.
For the third time in my life, saw the
sun set on that gorgeous plain, and this
time | turned slowly from his blaze, with the
mental gertrude that before SAW him
again, bloody battle would Lc fought.
How sadly was mistaken!
Next morning at o'clock, we received
orders to break up the camp We had formed
about mile back OF Franklin, and to
march again to Franklin. Here we learned
that the Governor had ordered the U. S.
Troops TO Lawrence, to prevent battle.
They consequently took possession Of Law
renee at about day-brcak, and had their can
non so placed as to bear upon either army.
We therefore waited until the arrival Of the
Gov. at about 3 p. H., when council of
all the Captains was called. Here a scene
worthy of the feudal days was enacted.
Each Captain obstinatcly held to his own
views, and threatened to march his coinpa. =.
ny back ii not allowed to do as he pleased.
The Governor finally disbandcd the army,
and made requisition for two companies
to be organised and mustered into the SER
vice. Our company was highly recon-
mended by the General as the best drilled,
and under the best discipline of any in the
army, and we were consequently received
Next day the few men who had cncamp-
Gu on the Wakarusa, took up their line of
march for home, the main body having
gone on the night before; thus leaving our
little company and a few recruits that Col.
Titus had raised for the other company,
sole masters Of the field. We marched past
Lawrence, and reached Lecompton early in
the evening. noticed on the high hill so
often spoken of commanding Lawrence, a
square stone redoubt, about 40 feet long,
with port holes and embrasurcs for cannon.
1t would have cost us some loss to have ta-
ken this little rcdoubt, but it would have
been fatal to the enemy to try to hold it, as
it is at least half a mile from their main
citadel.
Yesterday the Governor himself visited
our camp and mustered our company into
the service for three months. We have
now some 65 men, and are to raise 90 more.
Tho officers are Capt. Donaldson; J. M.
Pelot, lst Lieutenant; VIM. Franklin, Of
s. c., 2nd Lieutenant; r. English, of Va,