New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-13
WEOu TEE AGMY ON TIE WEST
EEN EOHDEB.
The Appoiutmcnt OF Senator Limo 10 the
Command of The Kansas Trocps-toi'
Non,gomery-EXeo of six Naurder-
er.-Thc Expedition 10 papinsvi;ie-
Activity Of ihc Western Border Army
No Winter Cuartcrs-No Pnymns'er.
Of The n. Y. Tribune
HEADeUArTERs kANsAs BRIGADE
FoKT scoII. kASsAs, Dec. r. 1901.

FonT scorI, KASsAs. Dec. o. 1851.
This part Of the Union army was delighted last
night with the intelligence that Gen. jim Lane war
returning commissioned as Bricndcr-,ieneral and
ASSIGNED the command Of the Kansas troops. The
uncertainty that has surrounded the Fate OF The OH
Gers and men of this brig De, raised under the
authority of Gen. Lane, has been swept away by
thi, acton # the Government. No other appoint
ment could have given them Tie confidence ia their
leader - neces-ry TO good discipline. This conf
dence is not lie result Of blind personal attachment,
but is bas' on ample experience of the soldierly
qualities Of Gen. Lane. To biz knowledge OF tie
r,cnarti,s OF these borerers and hls appreciation
Of the causes Of the rebellion aud the mode oi deaf
Ing with it, il due tie inyiucible courage and en-
durance If the kAusas Brigade.
Itis the opinion OF Kansas men that their young
State has the light 70 demand the appointment Of a
Maor-Cencra and two Briyader-Geurrals OF Nolun-
teers. If another Bigader should be assigned them,
by one voice Col. James Montgomery would be
named. His long experience in border war
ARE and great skill in the management Of the
Wild spirits under bis command, were gained
in the heroic era Of the early history OF this
State The same qualities which five Yeas ago
yade him feared by tie Missouri invaders make his
name a terror to Rebels now. While daring and
courageous in the face Of the enemy he IS mode' n
woman, kind and tender in the presence OF distress
and suffering. In this respect he is different from
some other commanders in this region who have
taken care 10 subserye their private interests while
putting down the rebellion.
Some days ago xix men Were shot by order Of
= Il of
numbering two Of our soldiers in the most brutal
manner. The evidence was conclusive and they
were condemned without dissenting voice. de-
tail was made and they wers led out TO gopher
mound, bali mile from camp. A grave was dug
over which they stood. At the first voey four fell
dead private soldier then stepped forward and
with his pistol dispatched the other two. They con
fessed the murder before they died. We have four
more in custody charged with numbering and robbnS
Union man in Missouri. They will probably share
the same fate.
You have probably heard fthe burning Of Pspins-
Vile and Butler laft month but cannot know why II
Wan done. Col. Montgomery was informed of the
approach Of large rebel force upon Fort Scott. As
We bad but COO men, lie resolved 10 practice the same
tactics which were 20 successful in stopping Rains Il,
Dogwood Lat October. lie dispatched 100 men at
night Pspin.ville with orders to burn it, and then
proceed TO Butler aud serve it in the same manner.
The first was accomplished without much difficulty;
but between that place and Butler was camp Of
rebel recruits, whom it was desrable TO scatter.
THIS was accomplished in gallant style, with loss
on our eide Of five, and on theirs of sixteen. The
command then burned Butler, and every Secesh
farmhouse on the route and returned "a camp with
large number Of horses, mules. cattle and military
stores.
Yesterday four companies went over into Mis-
,ouri on a scouting and forging expedition. They
will not return till they have something to relate.
While the least movement on the Potomac is her
aided in large type, We Of the Western border who
are fighting every day. bringing out Union families,
avcngiug murders, and striking wherever Rebel
raises his head remain unnoticed. We have not
vet received any Winter supplies or means TO erect
Winter quarters, and though in active service Tor
five months have never yet seen the visege OF n
uaymaster. Were the same thing to happen to one
Of the petted regiments of the Potomac, mutiny
would result Nothing but the confidence reposed IN
Gen. Lane and Col. Montgomery has kept this brig
ade from di.solying Many of the officers even have
not seen a dollar for two months.