Randolph County journal., 1858-01-07
Letter from the Seat Of Civil War,
SuERM,SsvnLE, *. r., Dec. 20.
wan IN soIfTurRS KANSAS.

EDS. Com. w thin the last two
weeks the southern part of Kansas has
been flung into commotion by the
fact that civil war has broke out in
the county of Bourbon. Fort Scott be-
ing the head quarters of the ruflian
party.
The state Of the case is this: Du-
ring the difficulties last fall the Free
State men in many cases, were driven
from their claims, and this summer
many have returned with the intcn-
ton of gaining possession of them, but
they find them occupied by Pro-Sla-
very men, and being near the line of
Missouri they find it difficult task to
get possession of them. Again. these
Free State men having been driven off
in hot haste. left their cattle and hogs;
since they have returned, these domcs
tic articles are claimed by the Pro-Sla-
very men who have jumped their
claims. In consequence of this state of
things they sent messenger to the
more thickly settled Free State neigh
borhood for help. n party of some
ten TO fifteen went, and examined into
the case and found it all as reported /;
they held consultation with the ruff
fan party, and gave them to under
stand they intended to right matters
before they returned. The ruiiians be-
gan To enforce, and the Free State men
sent for more help, so now, at this
time, think it probable that not less
than six hundred men are under arms,
threatening death to each other.
l have convcrscd with several mes
scngers who have just arrived from the
field of action. They report that the
Pro-Slavery party, had taken some
five or six Free State men, and had
them confined in Fort Scott. a party
Of seventeen Free State men went on u
trip of observation, to ascertain the
condition of our friends, etc, and Just
as they were starting towards the Free
State camp, (six miles distant, some
hundred or more of the Pro Slavery
party came in pursuit, and after long
run. they captured three of the Free
State men and now hold them as pris-
oners. Both parties were mounted
In the afternoon, about one hundred
and forty of the Pro-Slavery party,
paid visit to the Free State camp,
Sugar Mound. They came with u
white flag conversation took place
and both parties took fighting po-
sition. In short time the ruflians
divided their forces with the intention
of surrounding the Free State camp !;
orders were given for the Sharp's rifles
to ply upon them those who had only
common rifles, etc, were in log house,
and the Sharp's rifles in the timber
The fire commenced, and after few
rounds from the Sharp's rifles. the ruff
fans fled with the greatest dispatch
into more safe retreat. The deputy
Y. =. Marshal. who led the rufiians
was shot in the breast-thought to be
dangerous another man had his hand
torn off, and third, his arm shot
several horses were also killed in the
conflict. The Free State men had
about 20 men. and only nine of them
with Sharp's rifles, drove the enemy
away. Up to this time this is the only
fighting we have heard Of.
a young man, who lives in this
neighborhood. shot himself in taking
his gun out of the wagon-he has since
died. His name is Calvin Eaton, or
Cass Eaton, as he is familiarly called.
Mr.. Phillips, of the \. Y. Tribune,
passed through here yesterday, en- route
to the war. He reported that the Uni
ted States troops had crossed the Kan
sas river, and were en- route 10 Fort
Scott.
A company of thirty mounted men
from Prairie City passed through yes
tcrday, for Fort Scott. This COM
pany will be strong accession as they
have a good many of Sharp's rifles
valuable article in our Prairie war
fare. The Missourians are as fright
ened of them as they are of the name
of "Old Brown" Cor. Gin. Com.
TUESDAY Morning, Dec. 22.
have just conversed with friend
who came in last night. He reports
that on Tuesday evening about 10
o'clock the Free State men discovered
that the United States troops had en-
campcd about three miles from their
camp. twas thought prudent to pull
up stakes and change quarters. AT
l o'clock the same night they moved
their sncampnens scms fifteen miles,