War Letters, "Bleeding Kansas"
Yunker, I.T.
Misc. Yunker
Lawrence,
K.T. Aug. 23, 1856
J. S. Clarke Esq.
Dubuque, Ia.
Dr Friend
Agreeable to promise
I will endeavor to post you as far as I am capable in Kansas affairs___ I
arrived here on the 9th inst.___We had a very pleasant trip and
would have enjoyed it
much more had we not been
anoyed considerably by pro Slavery passengers on the Boat and others who came
about along the River to inspect the passengers but we didn't fear the consequences
so much as we dreaded abhored the necessity of disguising
our political sentiments
I have engaged to work
at House joining__to commence as soon as the excitement abates enough for
people to lay aside their arms__ as yet I have spent my time loafing and rusticating
with the ladies!! Except when I have been in the battle field or on
drill. I have joined a military company called the "Stubbs"
or company A__ We drill twice a day. Yesterday we have a grand battalion drill
the company numbering in all about 400 Infantry and cavalry headed by two
companies of artillery (12 & 6 pound pieces)__ all of which are quartered
at Lawrence in expectation of the town being attacked. Report says 2000 men
are forming at Westport for that purpose The only fear the people here have
is that the report is false. They want to get a good body of them together
and wipe them out at a stroke (they can do it) I have had the pleasure of
being in two battles and one I wasn't in for the reason that often we had
marched about 13 miles to attack a party of 300 Georgians on washington Creek
they got wind of us and fled leaving their provisions and
arms and other goods which we took possession of and burnt their block House
We then changed our course for Lecompton 12 miles distant for the purpose
of rescuing 12 prisoners which who we heard were about to
be hung ___ That night when about 12 oclock when we were
marching on the open Prairie within about 15 miles of Lecompton we were fired
upon by a party of 27 Ruffians who were in the act of stealing horses and
sacking the settlers houses _ They were well mounted and seeing the strength
of our party they fled pell mell over the Prairie all but one who fell from
his horse and was taken prisoner__ We afterwards learned that we pounded out
of the company in the leg as we fired upon them as they retreated we then
spread down our blankets and slept directly till morning when we were called
upon just as we were baking our flap jacks for breakfast to move forward notwithstanding
we had marched all day the day before and most of the night with nothing but
a few dough cakes and bacon to regale our gaunt stomachs it was necessary
in order to save the poor victims from an inocent and shameful death __ We
reached the block house where Col. Titus and a crew of his men were stationed
and supposing the prisoners were there and wishing to capture the old ring
leaders of the Ruffians we pitched in to their fort. We gave them 9 6 pound
balls made of the type of the Free State press that was destroyed at the sacking
of Lawrence during which time we were sending Sharps rifle balls into the
windows and doors incessantly the firing was responded to from the fort &
held out about ½ of an hour when the white flag was hoisted from the window we rushed up and took
charge of old Titus and 17 of his men __ all that surrendered 2 being killed
and two wounded Titus himself was wounded twice, Our side had had 10 wounded
and so mortally One Captain Shombree so mortally that he
died 30 hours after his loss is deeply felt and much lament by the free state
men. I was a very energetic man in the cause of freedom. Next day Sunday 17
Old Gov. Shanon came over to make a treaty in behalf of the Border Ruffians
& which resulted in the exchange of prisoners and the proviso on his part
to do all that he could to disband the Ruffians and restore peace and harmony.
They also gave us a cannon to boot (12 pounder) Lawrence
is the only safe place in the territory for a free state individual. We hear
of the latter being butchered in the most horrible manner almost daily. One
was scalped alive on the road near Leavenworth yesterday morning I did not
hear his name. There is not the slightest danger of Kansas ever being a slave
state These people are so much excited and so eager to avenge the wrongs for
their friends who have been slaughtered in cold blood by the lawless devils
They would fight till the last man would drop on the field but don't fear
if the Missourians or the southern Statesmen attempt to rally again they wish
they never had been such a country as Kansas. You must come here Clarke as
you never can know what a lovely country it is. Please write and excuse my
bunglesome style.
Your true friend,
I. T.
Yunker
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