, 1862-01-04
THE WAR I'm MISSOURI
Col, Jennison's March from LeaVen-
worth to West Point,
HIS POLICY WITH THE REBELS.


HIS POLICY WITH THE REBELS.
The Desolation of Civil War.
Especial Correspondence OF the Chicago T11bune.J
West POINT No., Dec. eth, 1851.
As my last letter stated, the Kansas troops
were ordered to take position On the border,
in the southeast counties Of the State. Gen.
Denver left on Friday, the 18th inst, for Fort
Scott, and on Monday following Col Jenni-
sons command moved from Camp Herrick,
near Leavenworth City, to this point, where
the 6th Kansas and the Cass County Guards,
we're also to report. The troops started early
IN the morning. Lient.-Co Anthony, who
was to command On the march, started in the
afternoon, and your correspondent rode with
him. Ihe weather was perfectly delicious,
warm and sunny rs May, and filed with the
languor Of the Indian Summer. We reached
Camp sWoyer, at Wyandottc, early in the eve
ming. Information was received Of the pres
ence Of parties recruiting for Prices army in
Jackson county. Col. Anthony determined
therefore to detach companies 4, B, r,
and "G,' Of the list cavalry with the Light
twelve pound howitzer, and Capt. 'Burchard'z
company Of scouts, to Investigate into the
matter. They were ordered to be ready to
march before day with one day's rations and
without tents and baggage wagons. The bal
ancc Of the command, consisting of six COM
panies Of cavalry, three Of infantry and two
rided cannon, were placed under command Of
Capt. Merryman and ordered to move down
the State line by Way Of the Fort Scott mill
tary road, till they reached West Point, throw
ing out heavy hanking parties on the east, and
Investigating as to whether any rebel forces
were on the head-waters Of the Blne and
Grand Rivers-the command OF Col Anthony
seemed likely to have the most work, and
therefore I determined to go with them.
It was just large enough to handle with
ease, go anywhere, find out what was needed,
and fight or run as might be advisable. At
Kansas City We found that Lieut.. Col. Bu7riss,
commanding 4th Regiment ks. vs., stationed
at this point, has left for Independence dur
ing the previous night with the hope Of catch
| ing Gen. Reed and several other rebel officers
reported to be in that down. Our command
ed Independence.
Tho citizens Of this town seem destined to
| ye1atious surprises from both parties. Like
| all men who in the hour Of peril or trial at
| tempt the responsibility Of deciding upon
| their action, they are made the butt Of both
| combatants. Three times previously Colonel
Jcnnison's forces have entered the place, and
as many times have tue rebel guerilla bands
| paid them marauding visits
We entered tile town in fine order, with
close ranks, and the ten buglers blowing 4
stirring march. Our arrival was quite uuex
| pected, and at one time Col. Burriss prepared
his force to give US battle, not knowing but
that VIC we're part Of Prices army. Col B.
had reached the place before daylight, succeed.
ed in surrounding and entering the town be,
fore the alarm was given, but failed to secure
the object Of his search, as Gen. Reed had left
for the South the night before.
Over seventy arrests were made, among
| which were several returned soldiers from tht
Confederate army. A court Of inquiry va;
| organized and a11sexamination made, which re
suited in discharging some, swearing forty
four, and retaining nine for further trial Col
Burriss then returned to Kansas City. oh
served that several wagon loads Of contraband
| followed his command out Of the place. Som
twenty left in all.
Col. Anthony's command having no provi
sions Or baggage, were quartered on the vari
Gus hotels. The proprietors of these institu
| tions were all tinctured with secession pro
elivities, and some Of them showed little vii
Gngness to provide the supper ordered. On
Of them was especially slow, and made NJ
movements until the appearance ola compam
ready and desirous Of eating the lingerin!
meal. By that time Mr.. Nolan concluded t,
go to work. A dispatch was received iron
Col. Newgent, stationed at West Point, com
mandug the Cass County Guards, stating tia
a force Of 2,OoW rebels were cncamped With
thirty miles Of bis head quarters.
This news made change in our plans ncccs
eary. It had been Col. Anthony's inteutio
to make thorough reconnaissance Of til
Southern part Of Jackson, Lafayette, Johl
son and Cass counties, where it was reporte
Col: Bledsoc, Gen. Reed 81 Gordon and Rer
| ick had detachments, to which recruits wer
hastening, and who were gathering up all til
few negroes left in the county, wit
the intention Of running the former t
Prices army at Osceola and the latte
to Arkansas. The mill at Lone Jack, fftec
south Of Independence was reported in thci
/
contEabaDds that q large quantity Of stoc
was Eecrcted On what is known us the Rus
Bottoms, eight miles southeast of the towr
On Tuesday afternoon contraband brougt
intelligence Of the presence Of four of Price
men Ut the house Of Mrs. Ross abou
a mile from town. Lieutenant Hoy
Of Company ''K" with detail Of seven 1neI
was ordered out to take them. As their cal
turc was considered important on account {
certain information obtained, Col. Anthon
went with the purity himself, and Capt Bel
chsrd Of the Scouts to identify the partlc
Your correspondent also thou ght fit to e
On arriving at the house, which was Su1ouns
cd without alarming the inmates, the biri
were found to be flown. Our presence in tow
had caused them to take the brush.
-Four young Indies and Mrs. Ross were IL
only ones at home, two Of the rebels wcl
sons of the latter, aud it was elrevdIy pr
; sumed from indications that three Of tt
| younger ladies present were the swcethear
of the gay gallant" seccsh. 1fBo, wc spoi
pleasant evening.
The detail found two horses saddled ar
: bridled hid in the timber near tho hous
Both anin,als had Government trappines, OF
! being those belonging to the Fremont Hu
sars, and tue other mule saddle. By ord
Of the Colonel all the horses found On Il
r premises were taken Some revolver mouI'
| and equipments were found in the house, b
no Weapons. Mrs. Ross. after considerab
|
: soDs had been home that morning. Nc
morning tho negroes were brought into tow
On Wednesday Companies "A' and "S
Capts. utt and Thornton, under command
: | Adiuiant Snoddy, started ut sunrise after II
stock previously spoken OF. They roturn'
/, by suildowi,, bringing in rs mules and 10
! 50 horses. eon,e Of which were very yalu
I ble. They also broseht in one hundred co
trahands, With eight WAGONS, ten yoke
oxen, twenty horses and mules and uuc1tl
!. Of personal property. Both the negroes 81
: 6totk were found hidden in the brush, az
: guarded By party Of some fifty rebels. Cor
pany had brush with these latter, firing
few rounds and killing one man. A small ia
II was pursued by company 4, but they MA
t aged TO escape without hurt. Tint event.
, tile Black Squadron which left for Eans
numbered at least one hundred and thirty ne
I cons, one-thfrd Of which were children. Til,
took with them ten wagons, an omnibus, ca
riagc, forty horses, ten mules, and ten yoke
oxen. The most of this was jayhawked |
!. the freed e1ayes.
Among these were three men released fro
. tie county Jail, into which place the jailer q
: mittcd us 1t was new and very stro1
/. stone building, very dirty, 1oathsome, fou
e cark and damp. On asking the men why th'
a were pnt in Jail, one replied "That he trit
to steal his wife The crime OF tho rest "
/ stealing Ass7nxl,rs. Of course they we
d released. Mr. Jailer begged hard for t,
Il Jail fees, but he knew but little OF the ia
hawkcr's principles to make such an absu
trsband business with hearty Zeal, not bccau
I | all, officers OF soldiers, are abolitiouists: b
= because they are fighting men and in earne
I aEnut If a r;ti7or nf f1,n four ma n,