The Kanzas news., 1857-12-26
TO ARMSI TO ARNGSil
OUR LIBERTIES MUST BE PRESERVED I
LAWRENCE, Dec. e3, 1857.

Our citizens are aware that trouble has.
commenced at Fort Scott, in Bourbon coun-
ty. By the latest accounts we learn the
following particulars, which call for the
prompt action of all true lovers of freedom.
For some time past the Rufians of Bourbon
county have annoyed the Free State settlers
under pretended legal authority. Their
horses, cattle, corn and hogs have been ia
ken under one pretence and another, and at
last a large number of writs have been OBJ
lained, under the Rebellion act, which the
Territorial Legislature has repealed. The
settlers formed a Vigilance Committee for
their own protection, and proceeded to try
several persons for stealing. No excessive
punishment was inflicted, but the men who
were known to have stolen hogs, ETC., were
sentenced to return them or similar proper
ty Ten days since, the Free State men
were gathering under the command of Ma
ior Abbott, of the Wakarusa. The Rev.
Mr.. Stewart and two others, while out on
the scout, were taken prisoners and carried
into Fort Scott. Next day Capt. Balm, of
the Little Usage, was sent out to see what
had become of Stewart and his companions.
They approached Barnesville, about eight
miles from the Fort. Here Balm was ac-
costed by pro-slavery man, who, on find
ing his errand, told him that if he and his
men would come into town they would tell
them all about it. At this moment Balm
saw the heads of large company of horse
men deploying at the end of the street. He
Immediately ordered retreat to the camp,
four and half miles distant. They were
pursued, and the Ruffians succeeded in cap
turing five of the company. There are now
eight of the Free State men in the hands of
these hell-hounds. It was mistake on the
part of Capt. Balm, who is a brave and gal
liant man, in not retreating in more orderly
and soldierly manner On Wednesday,
about noon, seventy of the Rufians, headed
by T. S. Deputy Marshal Little, a son of
DIR. Blake Little, came up. Abbott's camp
was situated on the head waters of the Little
Usage, in log cabin, half mile from the
creek The Marshals Rufians approached
within 400 yards, and flag of truce was
sent out. At the conference between Alb
bott and Little, the former offered. if proper
compensation was made to the Free State
men for damages, to withdraw his men,
Little demanded their unconditional surren-
der, which was peremptorily refused, and
the truce declared at an end by Abbott
whenever the Rufians advanced. Both
parties retired. Abbott had forty men,
but eight of whom had Sharpe's rifles. He
posted his men in the cabin and behind
| trees Little detached twelve men to the
right and twelve to the left, and advanced
with the main body. The boys fred. Mar
shall Little was severely wounded, one man
killed, and two others mortally wounded.
No one was injured in the Free State COM
pany. The Rufiians retreated behind an
adjacent house, and tie firing was continued
/ for an hour, when the Rufians retreated,
cursing one another for being cowards.-
After pursuing them short distance, the
| Free State men being short of provisions
and ammunition, retreated to a camp on
Sugar Mound. They sent messenger to
Lawrence, who arrived at 10 O'Clock on
Thursday night At 3 the next morning
Col. VIM. a. Phillips left with a small par
tty, bearing orders from Gen. Lane. He
rode through to Sugar Mound, NINETY MILES
FROM LAWRENCE, IN ELEVEN HOURS, having
| rode down three horses in that time. He
took the command. The force on Sunday
had augmented TO 183 men. Companies
from Osawatomie, Potawatomie, Hyatt,
Prairie City, Ottawa, Sugar Greek and Lit
tie Usage, under their captains, were in
camp. Lanes orders were to rescue the
prisoners if possibie-keep together-avoid
the q. s. troops two hundred of whom had
been sent by Gov. Stanton on receiving des-
patches) if possible, 6aa to fight them rather
than disband or disarm. Col Phillips found
the men eager to fight the troops, and ii
required all his authority to restrain them.
They marched to within eight miles of Fort
Scott, which was defended by ESQ Rufians,
but found that they would have to fight the
i u S. troops if they attempted rescue
They were not prepared to do so, and q re-
treat was ordered; aud that night they
marched through binding snow-storm
over thirty miles. Gen. Lane arrived n
camp on Monday noon and took command
as Major General of the Militia, and pro-
ceeded to enroll them under the late act
Col. Phillips arrived in Lawrence this day,
and the above is the substance of his report
He states that the men are all in excellent
spirits and eager for The fray, but poorly
provisioned and armed. Gen. Lane made a