Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-01-09
From the Chicago Tribune.
THE FORT SCOTT AFFAIR,
LAWRENCE, X. T., Dec. "a, 1857.

LANhENCE, ~. Ii, Dec. ~ 1901.
Ihave already forwarded to you an account of the
Fort Scott difficulties. By the arrival of Col, Phil
lips W. have full particulars, The Colonel left
here on Friday at 3 A. NJ, and arrived an the camp
of Abbott, Sugar Mound, 90 miles from Lawrence
in the evening, having ridden that distance in elev-
en- hours. lie found about 100 men in camp, aud
on Suday 1873 were assembled. Instead Of the
Free Stats men committing outrages, it was the
Ruiians who had done them. Undor pretence of
collecting taxes, &c., cattle, corn and horses were
stolen. To stop these depredations the Free State
men organized II Vigilance Committee. NJ acts of
violence were committed, and one man who had
stolen a hog was ordered to replace it. Tits wa.
the only act of punishment inflicted by the Com
mittee. The Rev. Mr.. Stewart and two others
were taken prisoners while acting as scouts,
and taken into Fort Scott. On Tuesday. tho 18th
inst. Captain Balm and IA men werc hunting for
Stewart, and approached GAINESVILLE, about eight
miles from the Fort. A citizen Of the place in.
yitcd Balm and his men, informing them that they
knew where Stewart was, but at that moment the
Captain caught sight of q large body of horsemen
deplOying 1T the end of the street. lie immediate
ly gave orders to retreat, which soon became flight
they being pursued by so Ruffans. Five of Bains
men were taken prisoners the rest escaped. On
Wednesday the fight occurred between the Runfans
headed ny deputy Marshal Little and Gen. Abbot
the particulars of which you have already receiv
ed. The numbers, however, were Incorrect
There were IS in the Free State camp, in a log
house on the little Usage River, half n mile from
the bank there are 70 of the posse. The Marshal
demanded their unconditional surrender, which
was of course refused. Their firing commenced, and
lasted an n0ur.
After the Missonrians retreated, the Free. State
men fell back to Sugar Mound. Here Col. Phillips
found them, and on Sunday the forces numbered
l37 men. Phillips who took command, was direct.
ed to release the eight men held in duress without
any pretense of law, if it was a possible thing and
4, au,jH n collision NTH tho trorru .t.n nnl,ol &c
whom were camped near Fort Scott, but IN no
case to allow his command to he disbanded or dis.
armed, He had difficulty in preventing his men
from attacking the troops, so much we've they EN-
Uttered 10y the outrages perpetrated against them.
1t must be remembered that these writs under the
rebellion act are illegal-ihat act having been re,
pealed by the late Territorial Legislature, and all
proceeding under il ~quashed. On Sunday morning
a movement was made on Fort Scott, with a view
of rescue.ng the prisoners but the troops hong but
four miles distant, it was not deemed advisable to
risk the attack from them as ammunition was scarce
and the companies were poorly armed. a retreat
was ordered to Sugar Mound, thirty miles distant.
A binding snow storm came up, and tho cold was
extreme. The men bore it bravoiy, and without a
murmur. Gen. Lane arrived in camp on Monday
noon, and assumed command. He commenced or
ganizing theTerritorial militia, and issuing a procla-
nation to the citizens, stating his object was to pre-
serve the peace, and granting protection to all real
Inhabitants Of Kansas, but at the same, time de-
olaring his intention of Harging every Missourian
caught in arms, after a drum-headc ourt-martial.-
There are about $50 Missouri Rufians assembled
at Fort Scott and GAINESVILLE.
LATER NEWS.
Since the above was written, L. B. Whitman and
Col. Harris Strattcn have arrived from Lanes
camp with the startling intelligence that the Uni
ted States troops are marching to arrest him. A
Council of War had been held, and it was unani.
mously decided to resist the Dragons. 1t was
alsV reported that the Rev. Mr.. Stewart and the
other prisoners had been hung at the fort. This
news had excited the men almost to madness, and
a n messenger was dispatched to CLEAN intelligence.
AS he had not returned at the time set, it is sup.
posed he Was taken. The troops were twelve miles
distant from the camp on Sugar Mound. They
v ere armed only with ~revolyers and sabres, the
latter of which would be of little use in the Tim
Der where Lane is intrenchod. The position occu-
pied Il q very strong one, situated in the heavy
timber on the head waters Of the little Sugar Greek;
the men occupy three blockhouses, which com.
inand all tho approaches, and places any advanc
ing foe under a most CALLING fire. We do not an
ticipate any defeat, and Lane sent word that 4
attacked he should whip them" The reports