Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-01-08
Kansas.

slavery and Free State parties. by which
one man was killed. Near Fort Scott, there
had been q systematic attempt TO prosecute
Free State men. This had been borne until
they were forced to rise and act In seli-dc-
tense. They sent for Gen. Lane. II being
impossible for him TO 90. he detailed Col.
Phillips, who a, once proceeded to Fort
Scott. lie gives the following sketch o! the
origin and history Of hos,ili,ics. which Is
communicated to the Boston Journal, by its
regular correspondent;
On arriving at the scene OF action, he found
less than one hundred men oncamped, but
on Sunday morning tho number had in
creased to ono hundred and eighiy-,hrcc.
The reports sent to Gov. Shannon, to the
effect that the Free State men had been burn.
ing houses, etc, all proved false. Six or
seven houses had been bdrncd, bu, they were
residences Of Free State men. and were des-
,roycd by their enemies. The Free State
settlers have been subjected to 50 many in.
dirnitles. that they have been compelled TO
establish a Vigilance Committee. They had
brought several men before II, and convicted
them Of killing cattle. jumping claims. etc;
but in no case had the sentence imposed been
anything more than compelling the eulpriis
to make restitution for the damage they had
done.
u GAINESVILLE !. q border, pro..lavcry town,
ten miles from For, Scott. Three scouts Of
the Vigilance Committee. Gen. Abbott in
command, having disappeared, Capt. Blain,
with n dc,Achmeu, Of fifteen men. went
I towards GAINESVILLE in search OF them. An
unsuccessful at,emp, was made to draw them
all into the town; but this proving unsuc-
ce-sful. company OF eighty mounted Mis-
sousians, who were concealed there. sudden.
" rode on, and gave them chase. Capt.
Balm. party fed precipi,aiely across the
prairie but owing to the superior numbers
Of their pursuers. Eve were taken prisoners.
These. with tho three captured before them,
were Immediately securely lodged in the
tlird story Of Fort Scott, ostcnsibly to await
trial under the Rebellion Act
7 Thi. was on Tuesday. On Wednesday.
Deputy U. S. Mar,hall Lyle, with an arm
ed posse Of eighty, mostly Missourian.. APP
preached tho camp Of Gen. Abbott, sixteen
mile. from For, Scott. Under flag OF truce
Iyile was admitted to the camp. The Free
State men numbered for,y.fve The terms
which Ly,le proposed were an unconditional
surrender but be made many promises OF
kind treatment, &c. This proposition was
treated With ridieule on all sides. General
Abbot, proposed to him, that Il the Fort
Scott prisoners were released, and the Mis-
-ourians compelled to 90 home. the Free
State forces would disps'ss.
To hi. Lytlc could not assent. So after
making some violent threats ho returned TO
his men, and an engagement, commenced al.
most Immediately. A brisk FIRE was kept
up on both sides for nearly an hour. The
camp was in a grove, and the men were pro-
tec,ed hy trccs, stumps, sc. One Missouri.
an. name unknown, was killed on the spot.
Two or three others were wounded. Lyle
received bullc, in the breast, but IL had
not at latest accounts proved fatal. Lyle
AMI his forces a, las, retreated in confusion,
taking along with them the body Of their
dead companion. They did no, return, aud
Abbott retired TO poin, some thirty.two
mile. from Fort Scott, where be remained
until the arrival OF Col. Phillips.
On Sunday morning there were $50 Of the
pro-siavery forces in the fort, and 80 in
GAINESVILLE. 600 U. ). Dragons. sent
down by Gov Stanton, were also only
few miles distant. During the day the
Free State men marched towards Fort Scott,
and in the evening party Of them APP
preached 80 near the fort as 10 take four
scouts prisoners, and drive all the rec, into
the fort Snch was the position Of the Mis-
sourians and the U. S. troops, however,
that il was no, deemed prudent to make an
attack; and during that night, through a
driving snow storm, the Free State forces
fell back eighteen miles, that they might
eneamp in a timbered region, TO carry out
the instructions. and avoid the troops rs
long as possible. Col. Phillips stated that
the men were very reluctant to retreat, and
tina, they unanimously expressed an eager.
ness to stand up to the position they had
taken, and II necessary 10 .fgh he u. s.
Dragoons. This announcement was receiv.
ed IN the Convention with much sensation
and applause.
On Monday morning Gen. Lane arrived
at the Free State camp. lie Immediately
enrolled all the men on duty there-about
l5O-as m,uibers Of IL, Truiorial Militia.
Col. Phillips lei, during the forenoon arriv.
ing in Lawrsnce Tuesday morning.
IL is stated that Gen. Lanes men had
held a council Of war, and unanimously de.
cided that IT attacked, or il a posscc at !
tempted to arrest them as prisoners, they
would fght them.
SENATOR SrNNTR NOT TO REsiGS. 4 Bos-
ton correspondent Of the New York Evening