Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-01-04
OBJ 1allp 5pg.


which now threatens Inc peace OF hahzss. AS
has been stated large delegate and mass free
State convention was held in Lawrence on the
23i, being an adjournment of the one held on the
I'd. Judge ". Smith presided and 6. w.
Brown, of the Herald Of Freedom, was Secretary
Ofths exciting discussions in the convention, on
the policy or voting on the 9th of January, we
have given what came to US by telegraph las :
week.
During the evening session, Col VIM. A.
Phillips, having just arrived from the scene of
hostility at Fort Scott, and bringing important
intelligence, the discussion for while sus-
pended, and he was unanimously invited to ad
dress the Convention.
Col Phillips said he was very weary and hardly
in condition to speak Five mornings before
he was summoned from his bed, and detailed to
proceed to Sugar Mound, and take command of
the Free State men there who had been compelled
to rise in defence Of their liberties. He had in
stAnily started, and the intervening time he had
spent principally on the saddle, having travelled
nearly FIVE hundred miles during the Eve days
Col. P. went on to give succinct account Of the
origin and progress of the hostilitss up to the
time when he left. The subjoined details of it
are gathered partly from his remarks, and partly
from private conversation had by the correspond
ent referred to.
Col. P. left Lawrence December 18th, for
Fort Scott. He said the messenger who came for
assistance stated that there was systematic at
tempt about Fort Scott, to rob, persecute and
prosecute Free State men,, until they had been
compelled to take the field in self-deence. They
Sent for Gen. Lane to come and aid them by his
counsel and direction. Being unable to leave at
that time, h. detailed Col. Phillips, whose orders
were, if there were any U. S. troops in the field,
to avoid them as long as possible; but to resist
them rather than permit any man in the Free
State forces to be taken prisoner.
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE HosTILITIEs
Col Phillips left Lawrence at O'Clock Friday
morning, Dec. Is, and rode through to the Free
State camp NINETY miles) in thirteen hours,
changing horses three times on the way. He
found less than one hundred men encamped, but
on Sunday morning the number had inc eased to
one nuudredan elghty-three.
The reports sent to q ~ Stanton, to the effect
that the Free State men had been burning houses
etc, all proved false. Six or seven houses had
been burned, but they were the residences of Free
State men, and were destroyed by their enemies
The Free State settlers have been subjected to so
many indignties. that they have been compelled
to establish Vigilance Committee. They had
brought several men before it. and convicted them
of killing cattle, jumping CLAIMS etc.; but in no
case had the sentence imposed been anything
more than compelling the culprits to make resti-
tuition for the damage they had done.
Fort Scott is abandoned military post. near
the southeastern corner of the Territory. 1t was
SOLD BY the Government shortly after the organic
alton OF Kanzas to party Of radical pro slavery
men f9r 5000, though it originally cost Sl20,000
It's natural position is excellent, and since its
purchase it has been one of the worst strongholds
of border ruttansm.
GAINESVILLE is border pro slavery town ten
miles from Fort Scott. Three scouts of the Vi
GLANCE Committee, Gen.Abbott in command. hav-
log disappeared, Capt. Balm, with detachment
OF fifteen men, went towards GAINESVILLE in search
oil them An unsuccessful attempt was made to
draw them all into the town; but this proving
unsuccessui a company of eighty mounted Mis-
sourians, who were concealed there, suddenly
rode out and gave them chase Capt. BIS party
fed precptately across the prairie; but owing to
the superior numbers Of their pursuers five were
taken prisoners. These, with the three captured
before them, were Immediately securely lodged in
the third story of Fort Scott, ostensbly to await
trial under the Rebellion Act.
This was on Tuesday On Wednesday, Depu-
ty U. 5, Marshal Lytle, with an armed posse of
eighty, mostly Misscurians, approached the camp
o. Gen. Abb1tt xteen miles from Fort Scott
OAACt nag VI tfuCe Lyltie was admitted 10 the
camp The Free State men numbered forty. five,
The terms which Lyle proposed an uncon-
ditional surrender but he made many promises
of kind treatment, &c. This proposition was
treated with ridieue on all sides Gen. Abbott
proposed TO him, that if the Fort Scott prisoners
were released, and the Missourians compelled TO
go home, the Free State forces would dispense.
70 this Lytle could not consent. So after ma
king some violent threats he returned to his men;
ana an engagement commenced almost immedi-
ateiy brisk fire was kept up on both sides for
nearly an hour. The camp was in grove, and
the men we're protected by trees, stumps, &C.
One Missourian, name unknown, was killed on
the spot Two or three Others we're wounded.
Lyle received a bullet in the breast but it had
not at latest accounts proved fatal. Lyte and his
forces at last reiterated in confusion, taking along
with them the body Of their dead companion
They did not return, and Abbott retired to point
some thirty-two miles from Fort Scott, where he
remained until me arrival of Col. Phillips.
On Sunday morning there were $50 OF the pro-
slavery forces in the fort, and SO in BarnesVile.
Z0O United States drvgoons, sent down by Gov.
stanton, we're also only few miles distant.
during the day the Free State men marched to.
wards Fort Scott, and in the evening party of
them. approached near the fort as to take four
scouts prisoners, and drive all the rest into the
fort Such was the position OF the Missourians
and the United States troops. however, that it
was not deemed prudent to make an attack and
during that night through driving snow storm,
the Free State forces fell back eighteen miles,
that they might eneamp in tmbered region, to
carry out the instructions. and avoid the troops
as long possible Col Phillips stated that he
men were very reluctant to retreat and that they
unanimously expressed an eagerness stand up
to the position they had taken. and If necessary
to fight the United States Dragons This an
nouncement was receis ed in the Convention with
much sensation and applause.
On Monday morning, Dec. 81 Gen. Lane ar
rived at the Free State camp. He Immediately
enrolled all the men duty there-about l50-
as members of the Territorial militia. Colonel
Phillips left during the forenoon, arriving in
Lawrence Wednesday morning, Dec. 49,
When Col Phillips had concluded his speech
at the Convention, other messengers, having ar
rived, brought additional important intelligence.
Z. B. Whitman Of Lawrence, one of the mes
sengers just arrived, having left Sugar Creek
(Gen. Lanes camp, at 9 o'clock the previous
evening dec. 22) was called to the stand, and
spoke. He said he had been compelled to come
by a circuitous route, had travelled more than a
hundred miles within the past twenty-four hours,
taking only one meal, and "rding down" several
hoIses on the way. Said Whitman
'IWhen be left, the prisoners in Fort Scot,
had not been rescued, and there were reports tina
three Of them, including Rev Mr.. Stewart, had
been hung. (Senaton) This report had no,
been confirmed. But messenger had gone from
Lanes camp TO Fort Scott, the day they lef,
yesterday. determined to communicate with the
prisoners. He mad said on starting that unless
he returned before that evening, they nigh,
conclude he had fallen into the enemy's hands.
When they left at o'clock p. NJ, he had not vet
arrived.
Gen. Lanes forces consisted Of one hundred and