, 1861-12-24
TIE WAR ON THE BORDER
RUFFIAN RAIDS INTO KANSAS.


Especial Correspondence Of the CHICAGO Tribune.1
MouNp C1T1, Linn County, Kansas, Dec IS.
The exciting events for the past week have
made it one Of deep anxiety to many Of our
citizens. On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 6th, q
messenger brought news thnt 4 force Of some
500 rebels was crossing the State line ut Barns
villc, some II miles east Of us, and that their
destination seemed to be for our place. Run
ncrs were sent into the surrounding country
to the few left able TO Eight to come in and
help us, and an express sent to Col. Montgom-
cry, who vas with his forces at 0ssawatamie,
come 80 miles north Of US, to come to our aid
as soon as possible. By s o'clock VIC had
gathered force Of some 50 men, determined
to give the rebels fight should they come to
us. Scouts we're sent out, and guards placed
ut every probable point where they might
come in.
The night, however, passed away, and no
foe made his appearance, although some $50
men CAME to within FIVE miles Of our place;
but by some to us unaccountahle means,
wheeled and commenced retrograde move
ment back to Missouri, robbing and alarming
what few Inhabitants there were left east Of Us
along the State line, and, in one instance,
numbering in cold blood an old man, inno-
cent ofany crime, by the name of 8eawright,
p1undeTing the women and children Of their
clothing, ard not leaving piece Of cloth or
sheet to cover the old mans cold and 1ifeless
form.
On Tuesday Colonel Montgomery arrived
here with his command, and on Thursday
~ In
mand Of Major Williams, were sent to Butler,
| and several companies Of infantry, under Capt.
| Foreman, to Papins7il1e, with orders to try
and find the marauders and recover the stolen
property, if fpossible, for the owners, many Of
| whom accompanied the troops. The cavalry
companies proceeded to Butler, saw about
forty Becesh, who ran away ut their approach,
| took several prisoners and burnt part of the
town. Capt Foreman, when within some fen
| miles Of Papinsyille, learnt that man by the
name Of 1aAder6, noted border ruffian Of 81
and '5S, was one Of the leaders Of the gang, as
also man by the name Of Jackman, living
three miles east Of Papinsvil1e. He immedi
ately proceeded to the house OF Landers, but
the bird had flown. A large amount Of the
stolen property was found in the old man'e
dwelling which was removed and placed in Tux
wagons. He then notified the fami1y to rc
move all their clothing and all the chi1dren't
clothes from the house, and when thus re
moved, applied the torch and laid it in ruins
He also served several others On the road Whit
| be learned had been connected with the gang
the same way and when he arrived at Papins
vile, found large collection Of stolen cattl
and horses, yarded in the town, which b
turned over to the owner5 as fastas identified
and learning that no Union man had or coul
live in the place for the past few months, aI
piled tile torch there also, and soon Papins
vile was known only by the ashes tha
marked the spot where it once stood. Marcel
: ing thence on to the house Of the notoriou
Jackman, man Of considerable wealth
that, too, soon shared the fate {
+, the rest, and not house, outhous
or barn was left. Yesterday be r.
turned to this place with two prisoners,
large train of Missouri refugees with the
: families and stock, many of whom had bee
trying to get away for some time, but dare nj
for fear Of being killed or robbed; bringin
with him ffty-seyen head Of confscatcd cattl
five horses, two yoke Of oxen, one wagon, N
! a large lot Of hogs, which today were turnt
over to the Government.
) Gen. Denver and staff are now at this plac
S besides several officers Of the Kansas Brisad
|. together with the Sd and 5th regiments
e Kansa6 volunteers.
y. On Saturday: train Of some thirty Cover
+ naent wagons, with one hundred and fifty to
/ OF clothing and military goods, arrived hel
and is now unloading at the Court House. 7
l. day very reliable information has reached be
y that a rebel force Of q, 900 is encamped alo
!, between 20 miles east Of Papinsville and
Il miles west Of scdalia, occupying an extent
some so to 70 miles in length. What th
IL intentions arc is not fully known, althou
& they say it is the subjugation Of southc
y Kansas and the occupancy Of MI the tow
in Missouri, at least south Of the river.
u one thing, however, believe the officers
LII command here feel certain, and that
Ge TINT unless q heary force is sent and kt
20 in Southern Kansas, it will become the p1
ae Of sccesh arms, and tho Union families nj
leave,