Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-27
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HEADQUARTERS 1sT kansas Rp,o.,,..,
camp Hunter, Hnmbnl.lt. Feb, ~ 80
"A new border ruffan" has appeared in the
vicinity of Independence, in the shape of
one Quautrrll, than whom there is no more
daring, reckless man upon the border. He
calls himself captain in the Z. 5, army, Tut
is nothing more than the leader of a band of
outlaws and robbers They compel tribute
from southern men, but devote themselves
chiefly to Unionists, whom they plumber and
kill iudiscrimnately. Ravaging through the
Blue bottom, camping in swamps and thickets
approachable. by hoy paths familiar only to
themselves, and shielded by the inhabitants,
who are almost altogether "Secesh," they defy
pursuit, and affect contempt for The little bat
talon of infantry located at Independence.
1t has become necessary to stop the mails be.
tween Kansas City and Independence, and
between the latter city and Lexington, because
Quantrel viii persist in overhauling them and
carrying away with him even the coaches and
horses.
The other day, with only twelve men, he
robbed the Pacific line within sight of hide
pendence. Capt. Oliver, commandant, sent
over to Kansas City for mounted men, but
there was only one company of cavalry within
twenty miles, and this was Viele's company,
temporarily stationed at Wyandott.
Lieut. Hoyt, passing through Kansas City
on his way to rejoin his regiment Jennison's)
at Morristown, with twenty volunteers, start
ed in pursuit. Arriving at Blue Spring
(QuantrelI's head rendezvous), he divided his
command into two squads, taking Capt. Oliver
and the well known brave, DR.. Osgood, with
six men in one beat up the bush, for the des-
peradOes Passing round a cornfeld, in
clearing in the very heart of the bottoms, he
discovered TWO of the gang going through it.
Giving chase, they led him two or three miles
inlo the woods, into very well planned am
bush, where Qaantrell himself, with eighteen
men, lay in wait. Lieut.. Hoyt and Captain
Oliver, being well mounted, had got a consid-
cradle distance in advance of the balance of
the little band, and were received with vol
ley from their Sharp's rifles. The balls whis
tied close to their heads and perforated their
coats, but instead Of retreating they made a
stand with their revolvers, until the rest came
up, when, aided by the thickening shades
they gave fight almost hand TO hand to the
towards, who dared not come out into the field
and fight like men.
For ten minutes the rascals maintained their
fire, until alter two of them were killed and a
third MORALLY wounded. Hearing Captain
Oliver shout, "Here come the rest OF the boys;
we've got them sure - they beat sudden
retreat, supposing assistance had come to their
pursueIs. Ii they had come down On the lieu
tenants little squad, they must inevitably have
killed every man.
Lieut.. Hoyt seems 10 have been the princi-
pal target for their Sharps rifles, but it was
too dark for good shooting. AS it was after
disuhargiug the contents of beth revolvers,
with the exception of one barrel, lie was
stunned by Sharp's rifle bullet, which glanced
by his temple, an would have fallen from his
horse, had it not been for corporal Taylor, one
of his men, who held him on to his horse.
One of Capt divers men, brave fellow
named John Dayto was killed by them that
night.
A Massachusetts gentleman, by the name
OF Ransom Wade, well known in western Mas
sachuseits, aud personal friend OF Lieut.
Hoyt, came up with the balance of the men,
aud gave chase TO Quantrell, but the darkness
of the night prevented any thing like excepting
the track" He was within half mile during
the fight, but could not get through the brush
in season to aid. 1t he had come up, his men,
armed with Minnie rifles, would certainly
have killed every one of the gang.
Tie next day the command of Capt Par
dee, moving up from Jennisons command
fell in with five OF Qununell's men, and killed
every man. This is fair sample OF this
western border warfare The "Bushhwack.