The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-31

sWarned with rebel spies and alto
gether the general commanding had a
strenuous time In holding the coun-
try occupied by the Union army.
The kansas Republican state cen
Lral committee in calling the conveu-
ton to nominate a state ticket In
1854 provided for representation
from the Kansas regiments IN the field
The Kansas soldiers wanted to norni-
nate Samuel j. Crawford, colonel Of
the Second Kansas eolored infantry,
Tor governor Crawford had been e
captain In the Second Kansas cavalry,
gallant soldier and fighter from
away back. When General Steele
moved from Little Rock to Camden,
Ark, to relieve the pressure on Cen
eraI Banks and his Red river expe-
dition. General Thayer, in command
Of the Kansas troops, Joined Steele
en- route.
After the disaster to the First Kan
sas colored regiment and detaehments
from number of other Kansas regf-
ments and section Of Rabb's Indiana
battery at Poison Springs, near Cam
den, where the colored troops cap
tured were mercflessly murdered by
the rebels the pressure on Steele's DO
sition at Camden became so great that
he was compelled to Hcounteruarch -
as Jim Lane would have said, on Lit
tie Rock, closely followed by the rebel
army. On arrival at Saline river the
recent rains had caused a flood and
pontOons had to be thrown across the
stream The roads were very heavy
and the bottoms covered with water.
and it was slow work crossing a large
army. Colonel Crawford's regiment
had just reached the pontoons when
the artillery announced that the rebels
had engaged the rear of General
Rice.
Colonel Crawford Immediately coun-
termarched his regiment and reported
to General Rice for duty, and asked
him where he should bring his regi-
ment into action Rice Immediately
inquired, What regiment do you COM
mand 2" and was answered with equal
promptness THE Second Kansas col
ored infantry" "They won't fight"
responded General Rice. Colonel
Crawford replied in language that
would not lock well on paper, that
they would, and he was ordered to
relieve the Fifteenth Indiana. Soon
after going into action the regiment
was confronted by a three-gun rebel
battery. Crawford soon discovered
that he could not hold his position
and asked permission to charge the
battery. General Rice was amazed at
the idea Of a colored regiment at
tempting to capture a battery, but the
position soon became so hot that an
other request was sent to General Rice
and he gave permission to charge.
Colonel Crawford lost no time in get
ting his regiment in shape and at the
order Elk bayonets, charge" the regf-
ment dashed over an open plain about
800 yards and was soon upon the bat
terry horses were shot down. Craw-
vancins that all but two Of the bat
terry horses wehe shot down. CraW-
ford's horse was shot through the neck
and in the hip and died. Every other
field officers horse was shot under
him. The battery was taken and those
supporting it were either killed, wound
ed or taken prisoners. The men rushed
to the deadly work with remember
Poison Springs as their battle cry.
The battery was dragged to the rear
by hand and there was great rejoicing
in the camp Of the colored troops that
night CrawfoTd's h~f11iant charge and
cauture Of the battery turned the tide
of battle and saved the rear of Steele's
army and capture Crawford was the
hero OF the campaign and the entire
army wanted to see him elected COVER
nor Of the state.
The old quarrel between Lane and
Robinson was at it's height and the
nomination of a man for governor who
was in the field and not particularly
identified with either faction was look
ed upon as a popular move by eonserv-
alive Republicans. After the com
mand returned to Fort Smith, a delega-
Thayer and asked that he grant a 30
officers and men handed him to en-