The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-10-17
THE LATE MURDERS AT BAX-
TERsS SPRINGS.


From Fort Scott correspondent of the
Conservative. We learn some additional par
ticulars of the late affair at Baxter's Springs.
Blunt was on his road to Fort Smith, &C
companied by two companies of cavalry, his
body guard, and band, and some ciuzens.
The correspondent says:
When within about half a mile of the
Springs, Gen. Blunt, who was well in the
advance, commanded a halt, for the pur-
pose of allowing the rear and stragglers TO
gather up into line and shape, that all might
approach the camp in order.
While thus waiting, a large body ofmount-
ed men, dressed in the national uniform,
were seen approaching from the direction OF
Bakers Springs. AS all supposed they
were Uaion soldiers, and some assert they
carried the STARS and stripes prominently.
The deception and surprise, as may easily
be imagined. was complete. The General
ordered forward the cavalry, and as il was
not yet too late, he exert-d himself. as well
as did the other officers, to meet ami repel
this unexpected attack. Unfortuna ely, the
citizens took panic, which soon spread and
affected the troops. " no turned their back
10 the enemy and ANONYMOUSLY fled leav-
ing the General and his officers 10 take care
of themselves.
Of the seventy eight bodies of our men
found scattered over the praEie, large
number were shot in the back. All the
prisoners taken, Including the band and 9th
! er noncombaants, were subsequently found
shot through the head and their persons
stripped Of most Of their clothing, and " hat
ever trinkets could be found in a hasty
search. Major H. z Curtis, son of Geuer
| al Curtis. and Lieut. FAIR. District Judge
Advocate, were massacred IN cold blood af-
ter they were taken prisoners. The rebel
even pulled the gold sleeve buttons from the
Majors wrist. His watch was in the peck
ct without a chain or anything attached TO
it, and was the only article that escaped
them.
The rebels were it is supposed. the uni.
Ted forces of Cofey, Quantrle and the rem
uants of Livingstou's band. The first body
of them that appeared in sight numbered
about three hundred. They commenced
firing as soon as they reached within pistol
shot, and their numbers were rapidly ia
creased BY others joining them. and coming
from the strip of timber east of the Springs.
They had only short time previously
arrived in the neighhorhOod and were then
engaged in An attack upon Lieut.. Pond and
his small command. This little body fought
with extraordinary bravery and determine
ZION. Learning of the approach of Gen.
Blunt, they had hastily abandoned the Job
on hand, and al once engaged in the new
and as it subsequently proved, more sue
cesstul enterprise.
The wagons, ten in number, with me
harness, and all description of oroperty
were fred and 5urned up. All the A. A
Generals papers. Of course, shared The
same fate.
General Blunt, after accommodating. anc
collecting all the stragglers together h'
could, followed the rebels. harrassing thei
rear with some effect When he entered Bax
ter's Springs, Captain Tough and ten cav
alrymen were all that were with him.
The latest news from this quarter is tina
Quantrile, Coffey and Shelby have gon'
South, and that Marmaduke with four o
FIVE thousand cavalry, has the intention
attacking Fort Smith. 1t was also stated
that messengers from Blunt have got il
ahead of the rebels and will warn the garri
son before the cut throats can reach there