Ossawotamie, Kansas, Feb. 17th, 1862.
Here I am on the battle-ground of old John Brown. The thaw setting in, on Monday we commenced forced marches, in order to cross the Osage river before the freshet would affect a rise in the water, but did not succeed, although I, with the right wing, (five companies) crossed on the ice. Must of our baggage and the whole train is yet on the other side, with all the provisions and stores. The ice is now gone, and the river risen 7 feet, so fording will be impossible for days to come. A communication, by canoe only has been established between our troops. We have had to cross several creeks—some on the ice and some by wading.
Although we should have reached Fort Scott on the 15th, we are yet 50 miles from it, and are hemmed in by the tributaries of the Osage, aa 1 encamped in a heavy piece of black walnut, hickory, and other timber,—Fires are, therefore, plenty, and big enough to roast an ox.
I have made the acquaintance of a Mr. Reed, a Baptist clergyman of Wisconsin, who was one of the Union men made prisoners (with twelve others) by Hamilton, the Border Ruffian, who carried them to the Mission Line and then, with 25 followers placed them in a hollow and shot them. Five out of the dozen were killed outright, one or two others were afterwards dispatched, the rest, Reed among them were wounded, and feigned to be dead and thus escaped. Mr. Reed now conducts a school of “contrabands” of all sizes ages and colors. It was quite a treat to hear them recite and sing.
Where we are intended to strike no one can tell. Near Humboldt, 35 miles west of Fort Scott, where the cavalry is being concentrated, some Five Thousand Indians are collected, mostly Seminoles and Creeks, who were driven out by the confederates and Cherokee Indians, and arrived there in a starving condition. They master about 1500 warriors, and all they ask is food, arms, and ammunition, and they engage to do the fighting in their own style—they having a terrible score to settle with their southern brethren. They are semi-civilized, had fine farms, lets of cattle and plenty of negroes, all of which they have been, despoiled of. There are many whites living around here in great poverty, who were driven out in a like manner from Missouri.
This Kansas is no country for you or me. Although mostly beautiful prairie lands, there is no water, no schools or houses of worship, except in the towns. What few springs there are dry up in summer, compelling the inhabitants to fetch water from the streams, which is often impure. Fever and ague prevails constantly, though the prairies are high and dry, with no back water. It is however, a great grazing country, with but a few months winter, and very little mud.—A. H. K.
P. S. We have just reached Fort Scott.—The weather is delightful.
Danbury Times, Danbury, CT