The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-09
Acting Governor Kansas TerrifOry.


mony may once more prevail.
Very respectfully, yours,
DANIEL WooDsoN,
Acting Governor Kansas Te1ritory.
Copy OF Private Letter the Rev. John Byrel OF
ls"avenwOTlh. h n.
LAWRENCE, X. T., SEPT. II, 1856.
DEAR BROTHER: am still an exile from nv
family Governor Geary is earnestly striving
10 secure and maintain the peace of the Terri
tory; but it is difficult undertaking. He sent
messenger last night, on the way to Washing
ton, with dispatches.
As wrote you before, Governor Geary, on
the 18th instant went to the Pro-Slavery camp
at Franklin, in which were nearly 5000 men,
and commanded them to 90 home This the
officers reluctantly consented to do. A regi-
ment of 200 or 300, with four pieces of cannon,
desired TO pass through this town, on their way
to Leavenworth City. Knowing their despe-
rate character the citizens denied their request.
The event justified their decision. As they
marched on to cross the river above, they were
guilty of robbery and outrage They stole all
the horses they could find. Among others, they
took the horses of Mr.. Buffum. He was a poor
cripple, and was ust Harvesting them as the
Rufiians came up. He attempted to remon-
strate with them, when one of them cried out
" Shoot the id son of b-h," and he was at
shot DOWN. The Governor came on soon
after, and went into the house, and saw the
wounded man. 1t is understood that he will
make strenuous efforts to arrest the murderer.
Mr.. Buiium died this morning This lawless
regiment is the one 10y which / was taken and
held prisoner. part of this body have crossed
the river and gone homeward, and a part are
still encsmped this side of Lecompton the
other and larger division Of the invading army
has gone southeast ward to Missouri. The men
swear they will invade the Territory again. On
their way back, they gathered in l25 head OF
cattle, which they drove off. They also sacked
the little town of Franklin. and the store and
tavern of Pascal Fish, of the Shawnee nation
of Indians. One of the men also left the ranks
on the way, and when he came i'm he said be
SAID he had shot I'D Yankee" The cap
tam OF the company 10 which he belonged told
my informant that he had arrested the man
aud Intended to hang him. he will be very
'learoi doing that. All these and similar out
RACES occurred after the Governor had com
rnanded them TO return peacefully, and the lead
ers had consented to do so.
shall not be disappointed, il theft, robbery
aud murder, continue To desolate the Territory
iIli the approach OF winter III Fremont shall
be elected, hope We may then have peace
mean, with Gods blessing to remain in the
Territory.
think have never told you that am clea,
IN the belief That my capture three weeks ago
10y party OF the enemy, was a providentia
preservation OF my life. IL bad been allowed
10 remain at home till their wrath arose to the
pitch which it attained the next week. / should
doubtless have been killed, as were some of nv
friends. For "A time, some supposed | had
been killed. As they were bringing in DIR. Av.
cry, a prisoner, he heard them say they had a
preacher IN The camp, whose neck they would
stretch For a few days, IN the early part of
my Imprisonment, thought was in peril. But
1T was not long before came To the assured
conviction that the Lord would preserve me !:
aud notwithstanding their frequent threats. /
could he down among these armed and bloody
men, aid sleep quietly. Several times the Off
GERS doubled the guard upon us, to save us
from parties OF their men who desired TO slau Oh
ter us.
| have just been gladdened by the receipt of
a ieuer nom my wife, for the first time since
leaving nome. She says the family are well !;
they have been unmoiested; and the neighbors
are very kind.
AS soon as the Governor can get rid of the
HUMANS IN this part of the Territory. and se-
cure the inhabitants from their depredatious.
We hope he will make it safe for those living on
The Missouri lines to return home.
think l told you that three young men.
coming from Leavenworih 10 this place about
Two weeks ago, were taken prisoners by the
enemy, aud aterward shot down and left for
dead IN the road. One of them, who had been
nAdly wounded in the jaws, after lying for sew
e'ai hours, arose and came to this town, The
i Tooy OF another OF the party was buried by the
oIIed States soldiers. Nothing could be heard
hc o'ner young man till last Sabbath morn
h ans' when lie unexpectedly came in. From
nun We learned that he was wounded by shot
n,;,t al arm and his skull was fractured by blows
tilt r mead OF gun. AS soon as he par
road n ms senses, he crept out Of the
re ~ ne was nearly blind, and Continues so.
lie could find no water for two or ,h,o. - 81
anu ,Aed 10 have persisted with thirst. H., tha,,
ioun s Greek and lived on hazlenuis, and after
while upon The waiermelons he Coond % a.
indian corn-held. TWAS not until the eleventh -,