Freeman's champion., 1857-06-25
Celebration Of the Battle Of Black
Jack

Tuesday, the I'd instant, was day1
long to be remembered blythe citizens
Of Prairie City. Itwas the first an
niversary Of the memorable battle'of
Black Jack, inwhich engagement the
notorious Capt. Pate, with twenty
six of his South Carolina and Geor-
gia highwaymen and marderers
(chivalric sons Of the sunny South!)
were taken prisoners by the Ottowa
Rangers, numbering sixteen men,
under command of Capt. SHORE,
assisted by Capt. Brown, and nine
Of his company. This event had an
important bearing in the struggles
which our heroic little band endured
in their efforts to obtain their rights;
and as the day of that occurrence was
SO fresh in the memory Of the partic-
ipants of that battle, the first ami
verSary could not be allowed to pass,
without celebrating That glorious VIC
tory.
The day was ushered in by ma
tional salute from Major ALExANDER's
artillery. AT two o'clock, people
from every direction began to assem-
BILE at the United Brethren church,
and the meeting was called to order
by DR.. WIN. GRAHAM, who nomina-
ted WILEY JONES for President, and S,
s. PRoUTY was elected Secretary. The
President, on taking the chair, briefly
alluded to the OBJECT Of the gathering,
reviewed the present critical position
of the Free State people Of the Ter
ritory, and concluded by announcing
Mr.. WIN. MOORE as speaker Of the
day. Mr.. MOORE took the stand
amid great applause. The selection
of Father MOORE for speaker on this
occasion was very appropriate one.
He was a prisoner in the camp of the
Rufians at the time of the battle, and
was used for breastwork by some Of
Pate'smon to protect them from Free
State bullets. The old gentleman
gave glowing and vivid account Of
the battle. lie said that the skirmish
at Black Jack, insignificant as it
might appear, exhibited as much
valor, military skill and true patriot
ism on the part Of Captains SHORE
and BRowN, as any battle fought du-
ring the revolutionary struggle OF
'76. Had this battle been won by
Gen. WASHINGTON, or Gen. JACKSON,
history and orators would have been
eloquent and enthusiastic in their
laudations OF it, and the world would
have been thoroughly acquainted with
its details but as these noble men
were unknown to fame, their names
were seldom mentioned beyond the
circles in which they move; and
their triumph erthc RuGlians, which
should occupy most conspicuous
place in the history Of Kanzas, was
not chronicled with that attention
which il deserves. IIc then compared
the present condition Of the Territory
with that Of one year ago. What q
change! 1Ren all was excitement
the oifscouringS Of Missouri, South
Carolina and Georgia, invaded the
Territory; innocent men were mur'
derod, houses sacked, burned, and
the inmates driven out to implore az
sistance of tho cold charities of the
world; helpless females were raw.
ishcd--violenco and disorder reignet
supreme, Nov all is quiet. The
husbandman is permitted to till tho
soil the traveller can pursue his way
alone unarmed, with perfect safety
citizens can retire to their couches aj
night without fear Of the midnight
assassin; the voice of the plowmar
is heard urging his cattle onward il
turning up the soil, instead of thu
harsh orders of fighting leaders
spurring their men on TO the work o
devastation and DEATH What q hap
py changed How lervently shoult