New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-27
KANSAS.
LANES REPORT ON KANSAS MILITIA-THE
FORT SCOTT DIFFICULTY.
HEADQUARTERs KANSAS MILITIA,
LAWRESCF Jan, ID, 1858.

HEADQuARIERs KANSAS MILITIA
LAWRENCE, Jan. ID, 1858.
To his E1eeency TIE Aon2 Of Kansas Territory the
Predenf 6f the CovHeH and Speaker Of The House Of Rep
Teseatdtces Of the Legisiatiee A"eA"bIy
GEHTLEhEy: In the discharge of my duty submit
the following report on subject which has excited
much interest and comment. AT the time of my cleo
ton by your honorable body MajOrGeneral of the
militia, rumors were rife, "a you will remember, OF a
disturbance in Bourbon County. Immediately after
the adjournment of your special session repaired TO
the scene Of action, sending Generals Phillips and
Plumb in advance to inform the people that force OF
United States troops were moving IN that direction
Accompanied by Generals StrattOn, Whitman, Shore
and LeOnhardt, 4 arrived at Sugar Mound where the
people were encamped under the command of Col. j.
Is. Abbott, shortly after the messengers On inquiry,
/ ascertained that the people had been impelled to
take up arms for these causes and reasons
Two years ago, tIereabOut, man named George
w. Clarke, notorious for his connection with the muir
der of the lamented Barber, organized company Of
marauders in Missouri, who invaded that district of
the Territory, laying waste the country, driving of
the FIeeSrate settlers punderDg and insulting them
and their families and then taking possession OF their
claims and stock which they were compelled to leave
During the present Summer and Autumn number OF
settlers thus expelled from that district returned and
endesvored by peaceable means to recover their
rights and property. They We're met by wrts from
unscrupulOus and unjust officials many of them ar
rested on pretended charges for Offenses which they
never committed and imprisoned ct Fort Scott in
cells unfit for feons TO occupy. In several cases
their property was sold at nominal prices and driven
crued andother outrages perpetrated similar TO those
which drove the people to in former periods of
history. During the Perpetration of these out
RACES Col Abbott, Dr. Fitzpatrick and the Rev. j.
f. Stewart, who had been ordered there, arrived,
and proceeded to establish Squatters Court
for the redress of grievances and restoration
of peace. About the time they closed their SIT
tngs having decided al the cases on the Little Usage
they were assaulted by an Armed mob five times their
number pretending TO act under the authority of a
United States Marshal The assault was successfully
resisted; several of the assailants were killed and
wounded and the marauder driven back to their dens
on the border. 1t immediately after this conflict
that arrived at Sugar Mound. and proceeded
10 enrol the people under your act OF December
IL sent out scouting parties in all directions inform
ing the people that there to protect all actual
settlers without reference to their political opinions
We were kindly received by all, and our authority
cheerfuly recognized. On the evening the compa-
MES were to be disbanded, our scouts brought news
that a company of United States troops were moving
upon us with the avOwed purpose OF attacking Us.
We immediately took position, intending, II possible
with honor, to avoid conflict, but prepared to
meet il successfully if forced upon us. We remained
in the position thus taken until we ascertslned
that the United States troops had marched TO
Fort Scott and had received written assurances
from Judge Williams that the Free-State prisoners
would be protected and kindly treated and peace be-
ing fully restored disbanded the command retain
ng two companies in the teld-some thirty men-wlth
orders 10 protect the inhabitants. On my return 10
Lawrence, writ from Judge Miller Probate Judge
of this County, was placed in the hands of Capt.
Wllet Of my command, for the arrest of the Judges
and Clerks of the Election in johnson County who had
participated in the frauds committed at the election
held on the Dist of December A. the prompt service
Of the writ was deemed important, | thought it in
cumbent to GO in person with the command. The
duty was discharged, and the command dsbsnded.
These expeditions have been attended with K
pense, full and correct account of which has been
Kept and will be transmitted with the vouchers from
the Quarternaster and Commissary Departments.
A. the object of the organization provided for in the
law Of December II the protection of the people
Of Kansas and as the action had was indispensable in
that direction, it ID hoped will meet your hearty sp
prevail. J. II. LANE, Major General