The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-03

fence, or where the odds were not greatly
in their favor. The address eontinGes:-
General Heiskell's forces had the town
completely within their power for two
DAYS before they turned back; but the
leaders of those forces saw the game as
clearly as the Black Republicans them
selves, and determined to prevent its de-
stFuetion. To control the inceHsed mass
OF Heiskell's forces, who thought only of
vengeance for outragcs committed, the
leaders sent to Becompton for Governor
Geary to come and disband their troops.
so that they might be forced TO return to
their homes without entering Lawrence.
This was done. and Lawrence saved by
tue sagaeity Of the leaders ia fEeiskci1;s
camp
There is not the slightest shadow of
truth in this statement. The leaders of
Heiskell's forces neue- sent to Governor
Geary to come and disband their troors.
On the contrary, Maclean, Heiskell's ad-
iutant and Calhoun's chief clerk, most
heartily cursed what he called the inter
ferance of Governor Geary. The Cover
nor was studiously kept in ignorance of
the movement and intentions of these
troops by Heiskell's leaders, ond only dis
covered the facts through his own secret
agents aud the applications of the citizens
OF Lawrence for protection.
The official report of Adjutant- General
Striker, whom Governor Geary sent to
disband Heiskcll's forces proves the faIsi-
ty of General Calhoun's statement. made
for the unworthy purpose of taking from
Governor Geary the credit of a great and
noble act. General Strickler's report to
the Governor is dated September II, 1856,
in which he says
In reply to your note Of this date, have
the honor to report, that in pursuance of
your Instructions, | proceeded to the cainp
at Franklin, commanded by Brigadier-
/ General Heiskell, and made known to
him your proclamation and orders for the
dlsbandonment of the Kansas militia, and
requested him TO publish such general or
defs as might be necessary to execute
commands.
The excitement and confusion became
SO great IN consequence Of this intelligence
that it was deemed advisable TO request
yoar presence; and consider il fortunate
for myself that you came to the camp; for
/ you must be convinced from what yon
saw duringyour stay of the utter impossi-
biiity TO execute your commando
Thus it seems, by the official report,
4 that instead of the leaders of He;skeIl's
/ forces sending for the Governor to dishand
their troops. the adjutant-generaI of the
Territory was incapable of effecting that
( object, and found it necessary to send for
the Governor himself; and it is well
known that his presence alone saved the
town of Lawrence from the rapine and
destruction that had been contemplated.
No wonder that General Calhoun and his
party should now be ashamed OF, and en-
deavor to deny, their eomplicity with
this most dastardly and disgraceful in
tcntion.
Gen. Reid did not attempt TO take
I from Governor Geary the credit of de-
featiBg the murdefous intentions of his
aTmy-of saving Lawrence from destrue-
ton, and the country from a civil war,
but frankly acknowled the fact Upon
Reid's return to Missouri. he was severe
+ iy censured for not consummating the
/ purpose of the invasion, when he found
it necessary TO defend his conduct through
TIE medium of the press. In one Of his
lengthy communications published in the
0ecideatal Messenger, Independence, Nc,
of September Goth, 1856, he says:-
i 4 have no regret that Governor Geary
arrived when he did, and tnterposeE be-
ttceea as and our purpose, and relieved
Us from the necessity of doing cxtra-judi-
ciatly, that which can be done so much
more effectually and satisfactorily in the
name and by the authority of the law
rodressing the wrong of our fellow citi-
zeis and restoring them to their rights in
Kansas.
i have no doubt, with the men We
bad, of the result. | have no doubt we
should have driscn Lane and his band,
and all confederate bands, from the soil
of Kansas, but am not prepared 70 say
would have preferred it so. / think it
better for the peace of the country and for
the good of all, that it should be as j. is,
and hence then thought, and nov think,
I tie atTirat Of tic nea0 GoJey7or nsozt ep-
perfume for as, for Kansas, and fer The
,rlole country, in suspending the strife
which has been forced upon us, in such a
manner as regarding our honor and our
rights we could not decline it, and which
threatened TO involve the whole country
in civil and sectional wars