Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-02-20

War PREpARATIoNs IN KANsAs.-A correspon.
derft of the New York Courier and Enquirer,
writing from Lawrence, Kansas, on the 9th Of
January, says:
The snow is now full fourteen inches deep and
the thermometer stands in the morning at ten
degrees below zero. t. '
wrote you in my last Of the renewal of war
Expresses are continually arriving from different
points in Missouri, bringing the Intelligence that
The "Border Ruffians" are preparing for another
attack. They have organized military companies
at every place along the border in Missouri, and
hold themselves in readiness to march upon US al
any moment. Al KickapoO gang of rowdles, who
InGest the Missouri river during the summer sea
Sun have collected organized themselves under the
name of Kickapoo Rangers, and hold themselves
in readiness at all lines 10 march 10 any point
where their services may be demanded. IL is said
that they are one hundred aud fifty strong, are
each mounted, and well armed. There cannot be
doubt bat they are under the pay of the Platte
County Defensive Association, or some similar OF
ganizaiioD. Their lime is wholly expended in
drinking, gambling and fighting. 1t was these
men who butchered MIR. r. P. Brown, the par,i-
culars of which gave you in my las, letter.
The persons who were with Sir. Brown the
night previous to his brutal marty raom have been
compelled to flee from the neighborhood and come
to Lawrence for protection. Mr.. MinarJ, Mr.
Sparks, his son and nephew, and several others,
are now here. Others have fed to the Quaker
Mission for protection. There is no security for
the persons or property of Free State men 10 the
vicinity of the disturbances near Easton.
Our people are holding themselves in readiness
for an attack at any hour, although think there
is no danger until the weather moderates, and, in
fact, shall not look tor it until the st of March
The borderers desire TO prevent The assembling Of
our State Legislature, apprehensve that they can
accomplish more before that body conyenss than
after. 81 s-.r ,.t,f .J - .,
The several Notifications which were hastily
thrown up during the late war in this city, have
been manned and sentnels are 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
recently been made, and here the citizen sOldlery
are qUartered.
The Emigrant Aid Company s fine hotel. which
is still in an unfinished c0ndlliOn-though laborers
are at work upon it's also under guard constantly
and is made the head quarters of the Generals and
their staff, as we'll as the Committee of Safety,
Executive Committees. SC.
Expresses have been sent to the different towns
along the border in Missouri to purchase anmuni-
lion, and every arrival brings some. One team
succeeded in getting half ton of lead and several
hundred pounds of powder; others are able to buy
one or two hundred pounds, and key of powder
These our women are engaged in manufacturing
into cartridges, to be used with Sharp's rifles
Not pound of lead or powder can be bought al
the stores here they have all been secured BY the
Committee of Public Safety and will be saved fol
use when necessity shall demand.
The Executive Committee have sent severn
persons East to present our claims upon the people
Of the Union for sympathy and aid.