The New York herald., 1861-12-17
OUR KANSAS CORRESPONDENCE
MILITARY DEPARTMENT or KANSAS,
IKAyRNWORTH DeC a 1891

With parts of five batteries, numbering twenty-six
guns Of the above force 5000 600 will be mounted
certainly insufficient for any other movements
especially when the great border to be guarded
considered Most of the troops will go. if not into per-
manent winter quarters, into temporary. The Kansas
forces will be stationed along tho river and border while
it probable that the First cavalry will be used to ope
rate against the rebel Indians the Southern from.
tier. These said 10 be threatening the southwestern
c3untss of the state In that section at Fort Riley and
in Gonphan there several companies OF Home Guards
mustered into service; but what their numbers can
not ascertain.
Affairs in Missouri look towards harassing winter
guerrilla campaign Prices army is breaking into small
parties OF fifty several hundred and these parties
moving northward, with view TO obtain supplies and
probably to winter ia their ne ghborho0is. letter
from tho Kansas Brigade the scouts of which among
tho best posted men i'll this scction says:Prce il
camped short distance below Osceoa with about II 0G0
men, and is in no condition to move His men poorly
clad aud have not halt tho tents they need The resat
is greater amount Of sickness than was ever known in
camp Of that size. In proclamation published by him
the 22d Of November he says he has lost three
by sickness where he has lost one by bules That pro
clamaton IS most painful and humilistng appeal for
help He asks for So 900 men, and dozen times
the demand s reiterated He says boys have done tho
fighting, while men OF vigor and wealth have remained
safely at home and says the s lost unless he
havo and better aid.
In tho country between Kansas City and Sedaa on the
south sdc Of the Missouri river the. probably scat
bands Of rebel guerrilas numbering in ali about
900 Up Hays has 200 in jackson county Colonel
Renick perhaps 400 in Cass county, Quartre about fifty
while OF Prices army there are reported to be in Iafay
ette county about ,000 and the number Love
Jack and Pleasant Hill in Cass county Other have
small bands. There is, however, but little 10 sabsist
these that section, it having been oyern by both
armies. Prices has moved through it. while Stnr-
gs', Lanes and Icnnisons commands have also, like
locusts, devourcd everything before them The damage
done by the latter officer in Jackson and Cass counties to
the secessonss in his late trip therein, be less
than $3.50 000 At least hundred buildings have been
burned belonging to the rebel bands three hundred
contrabands removed, five hundred horses,
oxen, &C., conascated, with fifty freight wagons
large stock Of drugs, including 5000 ounces OF
quinne and 1000 OF morphine, groceries, clothing boots
&c with nearly all the forage and provisions necessary
for the OF tho soldiers have been taken used
sold for the benefit Of Uncle Sans army. On tho north
side OF tho river hore several rebel bands OF
two hundred EACH the principal Of which ST. Gordons
and Merritt Youngs in Platte county. 1t also
tanned that in tho neghborhood of the Hannibal and ST.
Joseph Railroad the returning rebels quite numerous
Tho purpose OF these bands is doubtless mentioned
to winter in this section. Failing this is more than
made And all the Dldor IN shape of clothing, provi-
sons, &c, that can be removed will be sought
FOR and carried 70 Prices army, which viii then
winter in Arkansas. What renders this latter
course likely is the rumors OF the return north
Of the rebel Generals Reed, Slack and stein Reed
was, or is, member Of Congress. Slack commanded
the forces from north Of St. joe and Stein those from
Buchanan, Platte Clay and adjoining counties, at the
Lexington fight. Reed is lighting man, and is supposed
to be at tho head of body Of irregular cavalry with
which he to sweep the border counties of southern
Kansas. 10 preventhis Gen. Hunter will locate tho
regiments in that section os to give them opportunities
defend tho border Is to be hoped, efficiently In North
Missouri especially the counties opposite this place.
and the northern part OF the state, undoubtedly the
guerrlas calculated the Missouri river being frozen
oyer carly, thus enabling them to attack the Kansas
towns. Some Of these, especially this place and Atch
SON would bo rich prizes II they could obtain posses
sion OF all any OF the military posts in the State
they would have secured great prize to them. There
ia large quantity of military stores OF the four militia
ry posts Forts Leavenworth Scott, Lincoln and Riley
10 destitute army they would be OF great value.
though no attempt hold them could be successfully
made. From the indications pointed out and some de-
signs supposed TO be entertained against the railroads in
Northorn Missouri IL is not unlikely that the foregoing
a true glance al Prices projected plan &c operation.
To it requires active work in the adjacent portion
ol Silioe Gen:ra! ul.:.ls department. II secns alto