Osawatomie, K. T., Dec. 16, 1855.
Sabbath Evening.
Dear Wife And
Children, Every One, — I improve the first mail since my return from the
camp of volunteers, who lately turned out for the defence of the town of
Lawrence in this Territory; and notwithstanding I suppose you have learned the
result before this (possibly), will give a brief account of the invasion in my
own way.
About three or four weeks ago news came that a Free-State
man by the name of Dow had been murdered by a proslavery man by the name of
Coleman, who had gone and given himself up for trial to the proslavery Governor
Shannon. This was soon followed by further news that a Free-State man who was
the only reliable witness against the murderer had been seized by a Missourian
(appointed sheriff by the bogus Legislature of Kansas) upon false pretexts,
examined, and held to bail under such heavy bonds, to answer to those false
charges, as he could not give; that while on his way to trial, in charge of the
bogus sheriff, he was rescued by some men belonging to a company near Lawrence;
and that in consequence of the rescue Governor Shannon had ordered out all the
proslavery force he could muster in the Territory, and called on Missouri for
further help; that about two thousand had collected, demanding a surrender of
the rescued witness and of the rescuers, the destruction of several buildings
and printing-presses, and a giving up of the Sharpe's rifles by the Free-State
men, — threatening to destroy the town with cannon, with which they were
provided, etc.; that about an equal number of Free-State men had turned out to
resist them, and that a battle was hourly expected or supposed to have been
already fought.
These reports appeared to be well authenticated, but we
could get no further account of matters; and I left this for the place where
the boys are settled, at evening, intending to go to Lawrence to learn the
facts the next day. John was, however, started on horseback; but before he had
gone many rods, word came that our help was immediately wanted. On getting this
last news, it was at once agreed to break up at John's camp, and take Wealthy
and Johnny to Jason's camp (some two miles off), and that all the men but
Henry, Jason, and Oliver should at once set off for Lawrence under arms; those
three being wholly unfit for duty. We then set about providing a little
corn-bread and meat, blankets, and cooking utensils, running bullets and
loading all our guns, pistols, etc. The five set off in the afternoon, and
after a short rest in the night (which was quite dark), continued our march
until after daylight next morning, when we got our breakfast, started again,
and reached Lawrence in the forenoon, all of us more or less lamed by our
tramp. On reaching the place we found that negotiations had commenced between
Governor Shannon (having a force of some fifteen or sixteen hundred men) and
the principal leaders of the Free-State men, they having a force of some five
hundred men at that time. These were busy, night and day, fortifying the town
with embankments and circular earthworks, up to the time of the treaty with the
Governor, as an attack was constantly looked for, notwithstanding the
negotiations then pending. This state of things continued from Friday until
Sunday evening.1 On the evening we left Osawatomie a company of the
invaders, of from fifteen to twenty-five, attacked some three or four
Free-State men, mostly unarmed, killing a Mr. Barber from Ohio, wholly unarmed.
His body was afterward brought in and lay for some days in the room afterward
occupied by a part of the company to which we belong (it being organized after
we reached Lawrence). The building was a large unfinished stone hotel, in which
a great part of the volunteers were quartered, who witnessed the scene of
bringing in the wife and other friends of the murdered man. I will only say of
this scene that it was heart-rending, and calculated to exasperate the men
exceedingly, and one of the sure results of civil war.
After frequently calling on the leaders of the Free-State
men to come and have an interview with him, by Governor Shannon, and after as
often getting for an answer that if he had any business to transact with any
one in Lawrence, to come and attend to it, he signified his wish to come into
the town,2 and an escort was sent to the invaders’ camp to conduct
him in. When there, the leading Free-State men, finding out his weakness,
frailty, and consciousness of the awkward circumstances into which he had
really got himself, took advantage of his cowardice and folly, and by means of
that and the free use of whiskey and some trickery succeeded in getting a
written arrangement with him much to their own liking. He stipulated with them
to order the proslavery men of Kansas home, and to proclaim to the Missouri
invaders that they must quit the Territory without delay, and also to give up
General Pomeroy (a prisoner in their camp), — which was all done; he also
recognizing the volunteers as the militia of Kansas, and empowering their
officers to call them out whenever in their discretion the safety of Lawrence
or other portions of the Territory might require it to be done. He (Governor
Shannon) gave up all pretension of further attempt to enforce the enactments of
the bogus Legislature, and retired, subject to the derision and scoffs of the
Free-State men (into whose hands he had committed the welfare and protection of
Kansas), and to the pity of some and the curses of others of the invading
force.
So ended this last Kansas invasion, — the Missourians
returning with flying colors, after incurring heavy expenses, suffering
great exposure, hardships, and privations, not having fought any battles,
burned or destroyed any infant towns or Abolition presses; leaving the
Free-State men organized and armed, and in full possession of the Territory;
not having fulfilled any of all their dreadful threatenings, except to murder
one unarmed man, and to commit some robberies and waste of property upon
defenceless families, unfortunately within their power. We learn by their
papers that they boast of a great victory over the Abolitionists; and well they
may.3
Free-State men have only hereafter to retain the footing
they have gained, and Kansas is free. Yesterday the people passed upon
the Free-State constitution. The result, though not yet known, no one doubts.
One little circumstance, connected with our own number,
showing a little of the true character of those invaders: On our way, about
three miles from Lawrence, we had to pass a bridge (with our arms and
ammunition) of which the invaders held possession; but as the five of us had
each a gun, with two large revolvers in a belt exposed to view, with a third in
his pocket, and as we moved directly on to the bridge without making any halt,
they for some reason suffered us to pass without interruption, notwithstanding
there were some fifteen to twenty-five (as variously reported) stationed in a
log-house at one end of the bridge. We could not count them. A boy on our
approach ran and gave them notice. Five others of our company, well armed, who
followed us some miles behind, met with equally civil treatment the same day.
After we left to go to Lawrence, until we returned when disbanded, I did not
see the least sign of cowardice or want of self-possession exhibited by any
volunteer of the eleven companies who constituted the Free-State force; and I
never expect again to see an equal number of such well-behaved, cool,
determined men, — fully, as I believe, sustaining the high character of the
Revolutionary fathers. But enough of this, as we intend to send you a paper
giving a more full account of the affair. We have cause for gratitude in that
we all returned safe and well, with the exception of hard colds, and found those
left behind rather improving.
We have received fifty dollars from father, and learn from
him that he has sent you the same amount, — for which we ought to be grateful,
as we are much relieved, both as respects ourselves and you. The mails have
been kept back during the invasion, but we hope to hear from you again soon.
Mr. Adair's folks are well, or nearly so. Weather mostly pleasant, but
sometimes quite severe. No snow of account as yet. Can think of but little more
to-night.
_______________
1 Decomber 7-9.
2 December 7, 8.
3 Brown seems to have been divided in mind
concerning this treaty with Shannon, at first denouncing it strongly, as well
as the manner of making it, and afterward seeing the respite it gave the Kansas
farmers to make good their position. Mr. E. A. Coleman writes me: “When
Lawrence was besieged, we sent runners to all parts of the Territory, calling on
every settler. We met at Lawrence. Robinson was commander-in-chief; I was on
his staff, appointed of course by order of the commander. We had gathered to
the number of about two hundred and fifty, all told. The ruffians were gathered
at Franklin, four miles east, with four or five hundred men. We were not well
armed, all of us, — at the same time being somewhat afraid of getting into
trouble with the General Government. Robinson sent to Shannon, at Lecompton, to
come down and see if something could not be done to prevent bloodshed. He came;
we all knew his weakness. We had plenty of brandy, parleyed with him until he
was drunk, and then he agreed to get the ruffians to go home, —which he did by
telling them we had agreed to obey all the laws, which was a lie. As soon
as Brown heard what had been done, he came with his sons into our council-room,
the maddest man I ever saw. He told Robinson that what he had done was all a
farce; that in less than six months the Missourians would find out the
deception, and things would be worse than they were that day (and so it was);
that he came up to help them fight, but if that was the way Robinson meant to
do, not to send for him again.” Mr.
Foster, of Osawatomie, meeting Brown on his return from Lawrence, asked him about
Robinson and Lane. “They are both men without principle,” said Brown; “hut when
worst comes to worst, Lane will fight, — and there is no fight in Robinson.”
SOURCE: Franklin B.
Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 217-21
