New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-12
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
CoNyRABANus In KANSAS.
Correspondence Of The N. \. Tribune.
HKADquARTERs THIRD hEgiaKS s1 I 10 '" {

s,snoeiton can he made OF the slaves When reen
Having bad hand in the delicate business Of pro
Curing homes and employment for some hundreds Of
them in Kansas, comprising all ages and conditions,
propose, with your permission, to give the results
of my experience to the readers of THE TRIBUNE
The Kansas Brigade had not been long in the held
before it became evident to Gen. Lane and in tact To
The whole army, that the slaves had pracncai
knowledge of the object and tendency Of the war,
Scarcely day or a night passed that one or more do
not come to our camp, or to the command "hen oi
the march, All received the kindes treatment ana
were made to feel that they among friends ano
nj home. Most of them brought valuable lniorma-
ton TO our officers either of the enemy, OF Oh ule
state of affairs in the neighborhood they iei'' AS
many as were needed as cooks teamsters, servants,
&c, were employed in camp, and paid wages such
ns were mutually agreed upon BY the parties. The
remainder were allowed to 60 into Kansas and ind
enployment for themselves. These things COM
meneed Immediately after the Brigade took the field
in August last, and they were encouraged by Gen.
lane, Col. Montgomery. Ma. Williams, and others,
not only from motives Of Justice and humanity but as
being the best war policy that could be adopted.
1t was found that the killing Of "a soldier in arms
had not half the effect upon the realm Of Secessia
that the escaping of slave had. The case was
reasoned thus: Ii restoring to slaves their natural
rights, especially when they are making honorable
efforts 10 attain these deals the heaviest blows upon
this bydra-headed rebellion, and at the same time
saves life, also much property from destruction, does
not every consideration of justice, humanity, and ex
rediency require that such policy be adopted The
war was begun by the rebels to sanction, fortiiy and
extend Slavery. As soon as it is efectually made
she engine for Slaverys destruction, the rebels
unless blinded aud maddened by Judicial wrath, will
by down their arms.
Wherever the enemy could be found we fought
him. When no such work was on hand some little
attention given to the cause of the war and TO
Its removal. If the campaign was a success-if we
met with no disgraces or dsas ers-if it Las made
Gen. Lane one Of the most trusted and popular
officers in the army, the whole may be attributed to
the policy adopted.
When near the border these selffreedmen were
leaving camp every day, to begin on the free soil OF
Kansas their life in the world How many
thus left have means Of knowing, but probably
some hundreds. Loyal citizens were allowed 10
come freely into camp, and persuade i they could,
their slaves TO return with them. This wac ffe-
naently attempted, but in DO case with success,
Had not the rebels run of large gangs Of slaves to
Arkansas aud 10 other parts e the SOUTH the number
tlai fell into our hands would have been largely
increased On the march from Kansas City 70 Use
ola hundreds came within our lines. While the
brigade was within striking distance Of place OF
safety they were allowed to 60 on and take care OF
themselves. On our arrival at Oseola or what was
once Oseola upwards Of hundred refugees were
connected with the command and all their troop
were gathered together and under the protection OF
a suitable escort they were sent to Kansas.
1t was not till we reached Lamar, on our return
from Springfield, that had anything 20 do in par
ticuiar with tbs business. AZ lamar, orr camp was
pretty well thronged with all sorts, sizcs, and sges
Of colored refugees. Gen. Lane issued an order to
Chaplains Moore Fisher and Eisto, to take them in
charge, together with their property, conduct them
directly to Fort Scott and furnish homes and en-
ploymeut for them in Kansas. They were also
ordered TO make for them the best disposition posi-
bic of their effects Their property, Of all kinds,
constituted respectable outfit. 1t was generally
acquired az follows: Slaves with horses, mules,
oxen, wagons, carriages, &c, in charge, were sent
by their masters into the brush for safe-keeping
The slaves had been taught that the army was made
up Of Jayhawkers, and that they either killed OF
sold all the slaves they could get hold Of Their
ries of this kind. Butthe game did not win. Large
numbers would come out Of the brush rs ia an
opportunity was presented, aud bring their entire
charge into camp. Many single men have travelled
thirty, forty, and City miles mostly by night before
reaching our ines. When therefore, we got ready
10 leave for Kansas, of transportation was
almost equal TO the demand. About O'Clock p. III.
ihe train was ready and in line. After leaving in
ramp all that were needed as laborers, counted
as pilgrims TO a land of freedom 2l6, and the train
was about one mile in Length
venture to say, that so large a caravan Of the
knd had never been before in this land Of mixed
slavery and freedom. Could old John Brown have
leit Virginia as we left Missouri his great heart
would have beat with all the strength and vitality of
youth. As the chief command OF the Black Brigade
las it Is called was given 70 the writer, be fell that
the honor more properly belonged to parties now
sleeping with the dead.
No escort was allowed us, and we had Journey
Of 10 miles to make through the enemys country.
We formed our train Main street in the village OF
Lamar, and had with VA a small waqon-load
of CONDEMNED muskets which Col. Nugent was for
wardng to Fort Scott, distributed them among the
to be carried, at least til after dark, that the
maddened lOokers-On might not be too strongly
tempted TO pursue Not a gun was loaded, Dor
had we a cartridge; but that made no difference, ar
the enemy did not know it. The young and single
men all mounted and thut armed formed our rear
guard
That night we made about II miles and camped
led oar teams from the cornfeld OF u Secesh who