Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-08-27
Burning Of Lawrence, Kansas.


At about 6 o'clock P. NJ, on the goth
inst, the guerilla chief Quantrell, with
a force about 500 strong, crossed
from Missouri into Kansas, near the
town of Gardner, and immediately
started for Lawrence Arriving be-
fore that town, at 4 o'clock next morn
ing. he posted guards around the city,
SO that citizens could not escape, and,
with the remainder Of his gang, com
menced pillaging the stores, shooting
citizens, and firing houses. A gentle.
man who managed to escape, and Sc
creted himself in a ccrn-field near the
town, reports that he swan the river
at s o'clock, and, on reaching the bluffs
on the opposite side, had plain view
of the city, which was then sheet of
flames. From what he saw, he thinks
the loss would reach So, 00O,00 and
by this time, perhaps, much more, as
they seemed determined to destroy
everything that would burn.
Mayor Anthony, has issued proc
lamation stating that the people of
Leavenworth need not apprchcnd any
trouble, but requesting every able
bodied citizen to provide himself with
the best arms he can, and hold himself
in readiness to aid friends in any part
OF the State at moments notice.
He censurcs the General commanding
the district, who, he says, with 5000
troops under his command, has al
lowed few hundred guerillas to get
fifty miles into the interior, burn a
city, and destroy 100000 worth of
property, and intimatcs that citizens
must depend upon themselves for the
defence of the city and State.
The list of killed and wounded num-
Der about $50; the majority of whom
were killed instantly.
The houses that remain standing
are filed with killed and wounded of
all classes. In the remains of burned
houses, the charred remains of other
victims are being found.
They took all money that could he
found in the pockets of the citizens. or
in houses, and stole the ladies' jewel
ry, even taking rings from their fin
gers.
jim Lane escaped on horseback, raj
lied about 200 men, and with his lit
tie army followed and overlook Guam
trell twelve miles south of Lawrence,
where a fight occurred, the result of
which is unknown. Quantrell is now
retreating toward Missouri, burning
everything in his ronte. 1t is not cx.
pected that he will be intercepted by
our forces, and he will probably get
away without much loss.
No resistance was made at Law.
renee. the people being shot down as
they ran through the streets in their
night clothes and their bodies thrown
into wells and cisterns. The citizens
having expected such a raid from
threats Qnantrell had made, had or
ganized military companies for defence.
Parties had been under arms constant.
~, but from assurances that Guam
trell would not invade Kansas, these
were abandoned, and
the guerillas found the citizens entire
ly defenceless. A large train left Lea
venworth with supplies, clothing. pro-
visions, &C., for the sufferers, and citi-
zens of Leavenworth have opened
their doors to all who choose to come.
Many have availed themselves of the
proffcred Inequalities. The feeling
amongst the citizens is very bitter
against the commander of this Depart
mcnt. He was absent from headquar-
tiers and did not know Of the invasion
until the destruction of Lawrence was
complete. Everything was done.
however, in regard to troops to inter.
cept Quantrell but too late.
The State authorities have now "a.
ken the matter in their own hands
and Col. Henderson has been reinsta.
ted in command Of new Kansas regi.
ment, and is about starting down the
border with sufficient troops to over
come any force the enemy can bring
against him. and if he is not interfered
with by his Commanding officer raids
in Kansas will end at present. The men
comprising Qnantrel's force, are prin-
cipa'ly those bands Of guerillas who