Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-11-29

DEAR FATHER AND hioihEn
less you know of our going to Humbolt,
and probably before the reception of this,
will have heard of it's being destroyed by
the rebels. We moved there on the 10th
of September. Previous to this time,
when all the men were at Fort Scott, as
it was in danger of an attack, a hundred
men came in and sacked Humbolt; as
their object seemed to be for plunder, the
people did not really expect them again.
We were, however, raising a company of
Home Guards and commenced building
fort. The best men of Kansas, are IN the
army consequently our Home Guards are
made up of what is left-half boys
On the l4th of October, just before SUM-
set, heard the cry of to arms ran to
the window and there. in full view, not
more than half mile distant, were four
hundred mounted men, armed to the teeth,
rushing upon us at full speed, and utter
lug the most horrid yells and screams
This led us to believe they were Indians.
stood at the window and saw nearly
every man in town running here and there
seeking to escape. Anna and | decided
to remain where we we're. 1t seemed but
a moment before the town was surrounded
and nearly every man a prisoner. Our
front door was locked and before we could
possibly open it, they broke in the win
dow pancs. They demanded of us men
and arms I told them firmly and truth
fully there were neither in the house.
They said al believe you," and did not
enter the house until they fred it. Anna
and stood at the door and talked with
them as they came up, and one captain
told us he would protect US, and that we
+ might save all we could. mention this
E because they pillagcd other houses, broke
} open trunks, &C., &c.
!, Imagine our feelings if you can. W.
n knew Colman was taken and expected o.
n course that he would be shot or holden as
. prisoner. We put Walter and baby
e Charlie into the little wagon, and ther
s dragged all that we could a quarter of {
+ mile from the house. We had time only
: to get out our clothing. bedding, sewin!
: machine and little furniture before the.
l. fired the house A few minutes befor
/ this. Colman made his appearance ant
s. told us his guard had released him pri
'e vately. that he might conceal himself
/. He told me to save if possible, certain pa
pers in the land Office. Although we wer
constantly watched. by strategem enter
,s ed the office and saved thousands Of dol
r lars worth of land warrants. Colma,
l. was taken prisoner by Burnett, and
:, DR.. Colman guarded him. This coincidenc
and Masonry, expect, saved him. Al
4 ter they had fired the house, we wen
v out on the prairie to guard our things
>, There were some fifty houses in town, the
" fred nearly all,-reserved three, | beleiv'
"a for the women and children, beside
: the two churches. lt
h In watching the houses burn, notice
that our house and the land office smoke
= rather than blazed; so back to town | RAJ
r and imagine my joy when | found bot
at could be saved, and that the rebels ha
n released the prisoners and fled. A fe
re books and papers in the land office we
= burned, but they can be replaced. X
l. may ask why we should leave Humbolt
/, we Jared so well compared with other
The Cherokees, Greeks and other tribes
- Indians have seeded and they threaten
- sweep the Neosho Valley, and the peop
ne there cannot protect themselves, Meth
n can handful of Home Guards. II
n men have all removed their families; IN
cd ny men return for time to secure the
III crops. Here at Mapleton we have Fo
on Scott and Fort Lincoln south of us, so
&C. nope to be apprised Of danger in time
to flee. ea s&.s
.. suppose the rebels in Missouri a
!, now fleeing towards Arkansas, and Fl
= mont, seigel and Lane after them. y
=, have news to-day that the force at Fo
!, Scott is to be called away; if this is tr
~ we certainly are in great danger fro
NJ squads of rebels left behind, who one al
l. uaa. Lta ,,,o,, ~ xuopL an th