Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1863-10-27
From an occasional correspondent
lfEairS In Southwestern Kansas.
Sac AND Fox AGENCY,
Kansas 0ofoha, IT 1862


Kansas, October IL, 1863.
DEAR JoURNAL:-Just as the mail is
closing this evening, I'happen to think
of rash promise made you in your
sanctum, to write you an occasional let
ter from Kansas We have been for sew
eral days past in fever of excitement.
Rumors of rebel depredations come to
US sfrom every quarter; but, happily for US,
they SAVIOR much of the kilograms from
the Army of the Potomac: one report
only serves to contradict the one preced-
ing. Yesterday we had Fort Scott taken,
the Usage Mission burned, and Kansas
invaded from various points. This morn
ing we had Hambello and Belmont
burned, every one murdered, and the
enemy advancing in force on LIE Roy,
thirty miles south from this. But this
evening s mail denies all, and permits US
to enjoy. we hope, an undisturbed night 8
rest, something we can appreciate, | as
sure you.
l have been busy, since my return, in
organizing the Indians into companies
for the defense of the southern border of
the State; and, should an opportunity
offer, they will do good service. l have
already full regiment who have been
in the service for some fifteen months
under Gen. Blunt, and who, in full a
score of well-fought battles, have proved
themselves most efficient soldiers. ! &,
You have, of course, heard of the dis
aster that befel Gen. Blunt short time
ago, when on his way to Fort Smith.
There are some little incidents connected
with the. affair which the papers have
kept dark. We're it possible for man to
smile over so terrible a tragedy, the Incl
dents connected with this would certainly
make him. a
Blunt started from Fort Scott with
one company of the Kansas 18th, and
part of company of Wisconsin regi-
ment He was also accompanied by
number of his best scouts, citizens,
clerks, &c: and last but not least, his
band wagon. There is no doubt but that
Quantrell knew the exact moment he
left Fort Scott, and watched along the
whole route for an opportunity to strike.
That opportunity did not offer until he
reached within few miles of Baxter's
Springs, sort of halfway house be-
tween Fort Scott and Fort Gibson, Cher
okee Nation. At Baxters Springs,
Capt. Pond, with small force, has built
himself tolerably secure entrenchments.
When Gen. Blunt's force had reached
within few miles of that Post, body of
men, about two hundred in number, were
seen approaching from the direction of
Baxter Springs, a large portion of them
were dressed in blue coats, and all had
white felt hats, which was the main dis
tinction between them and our troops.
They were at once supposed to be the
troops from the post coming to escort in
the General.
The General was driving a spanking
team of cream eolored horses, but cali
ing up his darkey, who was riding the
Generals horse, he dismounted him,
and placed him in the carriage, himself
mounting the horse, prepared to conduct
the ceremonies. He ordered the band
wagon to the front, drew his men in line
and thus moved forward, the band dis
NOutoluS oHCCb u6 CLu6T DdfLV
also drew up in line of battle, and NOV
ed forward, when they had advanced to
within four hundred yards of the party
from the direction of the Post, fred a
volley, and even then it was supposed to
be only a salute, though some of the
boys remarked that they fired mighty
careless as some of the horses were hit.
By this time the General began to think
the action of the advancing party was a
little singular, and sent forward one of
his scouts to see what was the matter.
He went about half the distance to the
other party, and wheeling, came fyirg
back shouting that they were rebels.
By this time the rebels were making a
charge. All of Gen. Blunt's party fed,
except those in the band wagon and
some fourteen or fifteen of the Wiscon-
sin soldiers, all of whom were murdered
in cold blood. Gen. Blunt bravely en-
deayored to rally his men, but to no pur-
pose simultaneously with this an at
tack was made on the post, and strange
to say they were completely surprised,
and were at breakfast when the attack
was made. But Capt Pond, in the bra
very he displayed in repulsing the ene-
my, more than redeemed himself from
censure for his want of vigilance.
After a severe struggle the enemy
were repulsed, and they then sent into
the post Green Todd Zone of the most
infamous scoundrels that ever went un-
hung) with flag of truce, asking for an
exchange of prisoners, which was COM
piled with. He stated that Mai. Curtis
was prisoner and should be kindly
treated, but even then the brave Major, |
than whom nobler man or Drawer sol
dier never lived, had been cruelty muir
dered while prisoner, as also was the
brave Maj, Farr, Gen. Blunt lost about
seventy-eight men, most of whom were
murdered after having surrendered. All
the musicians were shot in their seats,
and all the citizens taken were mur-
dered.
After the repulse at the post Quan-
trell started off to the Missouri border,
and, as we understand, burned Neosho,
Carthage, Greenfield and Sarcoxie on his
route. Where he will next turn up God
only knows. As long as Schofeld rules
in this Department, and rebel soldiers
are armed and mustered into the service,
while loyal citizens are disarmed and
mustered out, which is now the rule in
Missouri, he can go where he listeth. 4
Monday we have large payment here,
and everything of course is all excite
ment until that is over. Next letter l
hope to write more at my leisure g.
MuSTC STORE