The following article appeared in the Laurensville [S.C.] Herald, 20 Jun 1856, p. 2, c. 4:

LETTER FROM A KANSAS VOLUNTEER

Our friend J. W. Epps has kindly handed us the following letter from Mr. D. Boyd, one of the gallant ban that left this place [Laurens, S. C.] on the 20th of last month. It will be seen that the Company, after hardships and trials, have arrived at Kansas City, and are making preparations for action. When the Company left here we were promised letters from many of them, immediately after their arrival in Kansas, but, so far, not one has reached us, and we would request those who receive letters from any of them to give us the privilege of reporting such news from their letters as we think will be interesting:

KANSAS CITY, June 4th, 1856.

J. W. EPPS: Dear Sir: I seat myself to inform you that we arrived at this place on yesterday, 5 o'clock P. M., per steamer Martha Jewel [may be Jewett, hard to decipher] -- out seven days from St. Louis. The Missouri river is quite a difficult river to navigate; we remained on a sandbar 48 hours. According to Railroad and Steamboat cards, we have traveled near sixteen hundred miles since we left Laurens. As to our route I need not inform you. The trip has been quite a pleasant one to all who acted prudent. We have seen some very fine country in Missouri; many beautiful little towns on the river. On our arrival at this place, a consultation was had, as, on our way up the river, we heard various reports . Some advised us to one place, some to another. At sunset arrangements were made to convey our baggage out to Mr. McGee's, 1 1/2 miles distant from the river. The proprietor is on a scout after some abolutionists, who murdered his brother. Our treatment is kind -- plenty of everything good to eat. We will take up our line of march to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock, for Westport, not far distant.

Great excitement prevails through the whole Territory. Assassination seems to be the order of the day. The Border Ruffians are noble, brave fellows; they propose to assist us in procuring horses, which I fear cannot be had at present, and without them we can, in my opinion, do nothing. We will probably have, in a short time, a party of Wyandott Indians added to our company.

News has been received here to day that the U. S. Marshal and three others were murdered at or near Hickory Point, recently. What the result ___ [probably, "is, no one"] can tell. Enclosed is a Circular from which you can form some idea of what is going on. It is expected by the next news to hear of blood shed.

We have been busily engaged the most of the day in rubbing up our arms and running bullets, as our cartridges were not sent with the guns. Many of our company are much disappointed; I am, in one respect only, which is, action has commenced sooner than I anticipated. I fear one thing only, which is, that our brave leader [Jones was a veteran of the Mexican War, in the Palmetto Regiment] may fearlessly lead us, in small numbers, where we may be greatly outnumbered and overpowered. If we have equal numbers I fear not the issue.

I have suffered some with rheumatism; I was not more than half "patched up" when I started. I feel able, at this time, however, to shoulder my yanger to-morrow morning, on a short march.

I hope you will not fail to write me on receipt. Direct to Leavenworth City, Kansas.

Please remember me to mother, brother, sisters, &c.
Yours truly,

DANDRIDGE BOYD.

The following is the "Circular" spoken of in the above, which we publish to show the trials and dangers our friends are encountering, and, if possible, to wake up in our midst a greater interest for them. The news is truly startling and calls loudly for prompt and efficeint action on the part of the South to aid wthose who are so nobly risking their lives in our behalf:

KANSAS CITY, June 2d, 4 P. M.

The above head partly makes up the latest news reached us from the Territory; and we feel indebted to our friends who have so energetically acted in procuring for us what we amy consider reliable, though saddening in purport to every Union-loving heart. What a desperate state of affairs is the Territory struggling under! Murder! the watch-word and midnight deed of a scattered and scouting band of abolitionists who had courage only to fly from the face of a wronged and insulted people when met at their own solicitation. Men -- peaceable and quiet -- cannot travel the public roads of Kansas without being caught, searched, and imprisoned and their lives perhaps taken. No Southerner, it seems, dare venture alone and unarmed on her roads. All this is true; too true! And there seems to be no law of our landor moral restraint to govern and check them in their mad course. They ask for none -- they seek blood, not suasion, in their attempt to make that Territory a free State. How long will it last? Awake, Pro-Slavery men of the South. If such is their purpose -- and their actions proclaim it every day -- we must awake and not look idly on. We may safely say the time has come for action! It is forced upon us. And in responding to the call, two of our noblest and best men have fallen, H. C. Pate and James McGee! Their blood has been spilt to foster the institutions of the South! -- shall theirs be the only spilt for the South! The South has her interests at stake; the North has not. If we remain in lethargy, we are doomed in the end -- and the chain which now binds the States of the South in prosperity and welfare will be snapped asunder by Abolition fanaticism! Shall it ever be done? Here are the reports as collected:

J. M. Bernard, Esq., started from St. Bernard for Westport on Friday night -- since which time he has not been heard from. He is supposed to have been murdered.

Messrs. John W. Foreman, H. Hamilton, and John Lex went in search of Mr. Bernard, and were taken prisoners by the Abolitionists, who threatened to murder them. It is also believed they have met that fate.

Mr. Donaldson, U. S. Marshal, and seven men, were attacked while riding quietly along the road, by about fifty Abolitionists, who were secreted in and about a house near the road. A short conflict ensued, which resulted in the wounding of several of the Marshal's posse and several horses. Mr. Slade, pro-slavery, had his horse shot from under him in the fight.

Mr. H. M. Carty, just in from the Territory, states that about eight men of the company he belongs to were attacked at or near Hickory Point and all seriously injured. Mr. Carty came in for the purpose of raising men and horses; and 25 of Bedford's men will start this evening or in the morning to the rescue. They need horses badly.

Mr. Banks, just in from Bull Creek, states that he met Mr. Conelly, who was wounded in the thigh. Mr. B. helped dress the wound.

Captain Pates [sic] company went to Hickory Point to suppress further outrages by the abolitionists, and was attacked by about one hundred and fifty of the latter, when two of his men were killed. A second conflict was expected and the messenger thinks that if it happened the probability is that all of Mr. P's party, which numbered forty or fifty, were killed.

We learn from Mr. Jas. Chorn that three aboliitionists went to Liberty, Mo., and stole a negro boy from Mr. Jesse Bryant, of that place. They told the negro that if he wish [sic] to be free to follow them, to which he consented. The agreement between them and the negro was, that he should steal one of his amster's horses and come to an old stable opposite the city, where they would meet and cross with him to this side -- all of which the negro attempted to accomplish, and would have succeeded, but for the close pursuit of some men, who overtook him near this palce.

Two of the abolitionists wore red whiskers and moustaches, and the third black. They were riding ponies, roached and bobbed.

P. S. Since the above was written, we have learned that Captain Pate's company had a second fight and thirteen of his company were killed, Capt. P. and James McGee fell victims in the battle.

Later -- We learn, since the above was put in type, that 9 abolitionists were killed at Black Jack -- four pro-slavery men were wounded, two (repoorted dead above) mortally.

Capt. Long's company of Wyandott Indians united with Capt. Pate's command and fought with great valor, in their original mode of warfare."

I have no idea what a "yanger" is, mentioned in the penultimate paragraph of Dandridge Boyd's letter. From the context, it must be a rifle.