Anderson County KS Archives History - Books .....Chapter V 1877
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Book Title: THE HISTORY OF ANDERSON COUNTY, FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1876.

CHAPTER V.

  Organization of Pottowatomie Guards—Celebration of Fourth of July,
1856—Struggle between Free State Men and Border Ruffians—Battle of Middle
Creek—How a Ruffian Lost his Nose—Raid on Pottowatomie—Robbing Schutte—Battle of
Osawatomie—Great Suffering among Settlers.

  IN the summer of 1856 the Free State settlers on the Pottowatomies, in order
to protect the settlements against the invasions of the Border Ruffians, who
were then making frequent raids in the southern part of the Territory, robbing
the settlers and driving their families from their claims, met at the house of
W. L. Frankenberger, on the South Pottowatomie, organized a military company,
and named it the "Pottowatomie Guards," and elected Samuel Anderson captain of
the company, which had its drill-ground and place of meeting at the cabin of W.
L. Frankenberger. The Pottowatomie guards had about 30 men able for action. The
company included all the able-bodied men on the Pottowatomie above Greeley.

  This company participated in many of the expeditions against the Border
Ruffians in 1856-7-8, and did valuable service in protecting the settlers
against the depredations of raiding parties from the Slave States. The invasions
from Missouri were so frequent in the summer and fall of 1856, that it was
unsafe for settlers to remain at home over night with their families; and for
several months the families in the settlement would collect together at night
time on the Pottowatomie at Frankenberger's claim, and the women and children
would take quarters in the cabin, while the men would keep guard over them. Such
was the state of the country for many months, that the men would, part of the
time, work on their claims during the day with their rifles and revolvers within
their reach, and stand guard at night or be on the march to the defense of some
settlement against the approach of the Ruffians.

  Notwithstanding the many troubles and hardships the settlers encountered they
did not forget that the early struggles of the fathers of our country purchased
our freedom and established a free government; and on the Fourth of July, 1856,
the few settlers on the Pottowatomie assembled at the cabin of W. L.
Frankenberger, about two miles east of Garnett, and there had a good
old-fashioned celebration. C. E. Dewey read the Declaration of Independence, H.
H. Williams, Capt. Samuel Anderson and J. Y, Campbell delivered orations, and
the ladies sang some patriotic songs to enliven the occasion. These patriotic
people were conscious that justice was on their side, which made them fearless
in maintaining the right, and asserting that all men are endowed with the
inalienable right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness;" that the
primary object and ulterior design of our federal government was to secure these
rights to all persons within its jurisdiction. This was the first celebration of
the national birthday in Anderson county.

  Although the country was but sparsely settled, and the audience small, a more
enthusiastic and patriotic gathering never assembled in any State. In a new and
wild country these people were like the Pilgrim Fathers, who came to make for
themselves and children homes in a free land, to lay the foundation for a great
and prosperous commonwealth, and to make this a country of refuge for the
oppressed of all nations. They performed the work with a Christian fortitude
that was commendable, and which was finally crowned with the desired success.

  In the month of August, 1856, the struggle between the contending parties was
rapidly approaching a crisis. It was evident that the Ruffian power was fast
encircling the friends of freedom in all the southern portion of the Territory;
it was concentrating all its forces; block-houses were erected, and well
supplied with provisions; and Gihon, private secretary of Gov. Geary, says in
his work on "Geary and Kansas:"

  "The Pro-Slavery marauders south of the Kansas river had established and
fortified, at the town of Franklin, a fort, thrown up earthworks near
Osawatomie, and another at Washington creek, 12 miles from Lawrence, and one at
Titus' house, near Lecompton."

  From these strongholds they made sallies, to capture horses and cattle,
intercept mails, rob travelers, plunder stores and dwellings, burn houses and
destroy crops.

  The fort near Osawatomie was garrisoned by Pro-Slavery men from Georgia; and
in consequence of outrages committed in the neighborhood, and at the
solicitation of the settlers, was attacked by a company composed of Free State
men, who were settlers from Douglas, Franklin and Anderson counties, on the 5th
of August, 1856. This attack on the Georgian party was, by agreement, to have
occurred on the night previous, but the Lawrence party lost their way on the
prairie, which caused delay. The signal was to have been given of their approach
by the firing of the prairie south of Stanton, on the north side of the river,
to the Free State men who rendezvoused on the prairie, on the claim then
occupied by David Baldwin. From this place they could see across the valley and
the divide between the Pottowatomie arid Marais des Cygnes rivers. The Free
State men looked in vain for the sign; no fire illuminated the north; the Free
State men from the Pottowatomie, who had volunteered to rout this Georgian
encampment, returned homeward, not knowing the cause of failure. A few hours
after, intelligence reached the Pottowatomie company that the attack would be
made that night; and they again set out for the enemy's camp. On the approach of
the Free State men the camp was abandoned. The Georgians made a precipitate
flight, ere the Free State men reached the place, leaving a large amount of
commissary stores and other property. Several barrels of bacon and flour were
loaded into wagons, and then the building was burned, with its contents. The
Georgians never returned to this neighborhood, but retreated to their fort at
Washington creek, where they remained until the 15th, when they were again put
to flight by Gen. Lane and his forces from Lawrence.

  The Anderson county men in this attack were under the command of Dr. Rufus
Gilpatrick. Lawrence Brady and others of Anderson county were in Osawatomie
during the day preceding the attack, when a Georgian slapped Brady in the face.
Such and similar insults were given to our Free State men whenever they met the
Pro-Slavery men where they had the advantage.

  August 25, 1856, acting Governor Woodson issued a proclamation declaring the
Territory in a state of insurrection arid rebellion, and calling out the
militia. This was the darkest hour, for the Free State men, that Kansas had ever
known, and hundreds of them left the Territory. The southern division of the
Pro-Slavery militia was under General Coffey. About this time a force of
Ruffians marched from Missouri and camped on Middle creek, near what is known as
Potato mound, then known as Battle mound. They numbered about 200 strong,
remaining in camp several days, waiting for reinforcements from Missouri,
preparatory to a general movement against the Free State settlements along the
Pottowatomies.

  On the 27th of August they took Geo. Partridge from his bed, sick, and
carriedi him a prisoner to their camp. On the same day they burned the houses of
Kilbourne and Cochran, near Greeley. Dr. Rufus Gilpatrick was out on Middle
creek to visit a patient, and discovered the encampment of the Pro-Slavery
forces, and reported the same to the Free State men on the Pottowatomie. Then
Capt. Stewart, of Lawrence, with his company, and Capt. Samuel Anderson, with
the Pottowatomie guards, and Capt. Cline, with his company, set out for the
enemy's camp on Middle creek. Capt. John Brown, with his company, accompanied
them until near the enemy's camp, where he received the intelligence that a
party of raiders was moving up the Pottowatomie, near Greeley, and then he, with
his company, went in pursuit of the marauding parties. Brown returned to the
main force soon after the rout of the enemy and capture of their camp. The
forces of the Free State men did not number more than 100 men.

  On the morning of August 28, 1856, the Free State men came in sight of the
enemy's camp, when they were put in order for battle, and moved steadily forward
to the attack. The enemy were busily engaged in preparing their breakfast and
did not discover the Free State men until they were within a short distance of
the camp, when a sudden rush was made, taking them entirely by surprise, and
they became panic-stricken, and many of them fled in confusion; some of them so
precipitately that they left their horses behind. The rout was complete; the men
fled in such confusion that their commanders could not bring them to a stand,
nor even check their stampede, until they had reached the interior of Missouri.
They reported that they had been attacked by 10,000 Jayhawkers, armed with
Sharp's rifles, and many cannons. The Free State forces here rescued Geo.
Partridge, who had been taken prisoner by the enemy on the preceding day.

  The following amusing incident occurred at the Middle creek affair: A. Simons,
of Anderson county, was in the advance guard. When near the enemy's camp a
Border Ruffian came dashing along. On his near approach Simons brought his gun
to bear on him, and cried out at the top of his voice, "Halt!" But the Ruffian
paid no attention to the Pottowatomie volunteer. At that moment bang went
Simons' gun, and down fell the Ruffian, crying and hallooing, and on inspection
his face was found to be covered with blood; but on closer examination it was
ascertained that his only injury consisted in the loss of his nose. It was said
of him that he returned in a few days after to his Missouri home, a wiser and
better man, but not quite so handsome.

  In the battle of Middle creek the Free State forces captured about fifteen
prisoners, who were kept over night, then duly admonished by John Brown as to
their fate, and released. It is believed that they never again visited Kansas
during her troubles. One Pro-Slavery man, named Cline, was severely wounded and
soon after died. A large amount of commissaries and other property was captured,
and destroyed for want of transportation.

  The raiding party that came from the Pro-Slavery camp on the 'morning of the
battle of Middle creek, near Greeley, robbed Zacharia Schutte, and threatened to
visit Dr. Gilpatrick and hang him, and left Schutte with that intention, but
learned the fate of the Middle creek camp, before they reached Gilpatrick's, and
made rapid flight to reach their comrades in Missouri.

  The day after the fight on Middle creek, the battle of Osawatomie took place,
from which old John Brown received the name of "Osawatomie Brown." Many of those
who took part in the Middle creek fight did not participate in the battle of
Osawatomie. Not knowing that an enemy was so near at hand, many had left for
Lawrence. This circumstance accounts for the small numbers who were engaged with
Brown, against the forces of Gen. Reid, whose force was between 300 and 400 men,
with one piece of artillery. Dr. Updegraff had a small force under his charge,
and those who had joined Brown at Middle creek composed his whole force, between
thirty and forty men. The fight lasted about three hours. Brown retreated toward
the timber, superior forces compelling him to abandon the unequal conflict. In
crossing the river Geo. Partridge, who was released as a prisoner from the
Ruffian camp on the day before, was shot and killed. Others received various
wounds, but the Ruffians, from the best accounts that could be gathered, lost
over thirty men killed, and many wounded.

  Frederick Brown, son of John Brown, was killed on the public road, near the
house of the Rev. J. S. Adair, about one hour before the battle commenced, in
the morning. He was shot dead by the Rev. Martin White, who boasted of his
exploits the next winter, while a member of the Legislature. Mr. Cutler, of
Douglas county, was also shot and left for dead, at the same time and place. Mr.
Garrison was also killed by the Ruffians, early in the morning, before the fight
commenced.

  The remains of Geo. Partridge, Fred. Brown and Garrison were deposited in a
cemetery which the citizens of Osawatomie set apart for this special purpose,
and we are sorry to know that to this day the unwarranted neglect and want of an
adequate patriotic zeal for liberty has allowed the hallowed resting place of
these early martyrs for human freedom to remain without a proper and merited
tablet to mark the deposit of their remains for the last twenty years.

  In Judge Hanway's reminiscences of Pottowatomie township, of Franklin county,
he says:

  "After the difficulties passed through in the mouths of May and June, 1856,"
to which he had before referred, "we were much annoyed from the lack of almost
every article of consumption, for everything had to come through by the way of
Westport, from Kansas City. It became at times a serious question with the Free
State settlers how to supply our wants. The roads to Missouri were blockaded by
the Pro-Slavery party; Free State men were frequently robbed and their teams
taken from them on the public highway. Flour, bacon and other necessary articles
of consumption became scarce, and brought high figures. Occasionally a team from
Kansas City, with these articles, would pay us a visit, but this did not supply
our wants.

  "Necessity, it is said, knows no law; and it was amusing to witness how the
most tender-hearted and conscientious among us adopted that proverb. Toward the
close of the summer many of the Free State men, in council assembled, concluded
that as the enemy would not sell or permit us to obtain provisions, that, rather
than suffer, they would live on beef, by ' pressing' it. Many of the most
obnoxious Pro-Slavery men had large herds grazing on the prairies, and
therefrom, under the circumstances, they had no scruples of conscience in
reference to killing a beef when needed. These cattle owners were not long
before they advocated the opening of the roads to Kansas City; at least this
class of men were permitted to trade in Kansas City and haul provisions to the
settlers. The fine-spun theories of ethics did not enter into the programme of
'56; Free State men were compelled to adapt themselves to surrounding
circumstances, and retaliation is so natural in man that we have often been
surprised that they were so moderate in their proceedings."



Additional Comments:
THE HISTORY OF ANDERSON COUNTY,
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1876.
BY
W. A. JOHNSON,
CHAIRMAN OF HISTORICAL COMMITTEE.

PUBLISHED BY KAUFFMAN & ILER, GARNETT PLAINDEALER,
1877.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1877, by
KAUFFMAN & ILER, In the office of the Librarian of Congress,Washington, D. C.


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