The following appeared in the Abbeville [S.C.] Banner, 18 Sep 1856, p. 2, c. 3-5:
"LETTER FROM KANSAS
LECOMPTON, K. T., Aug. 22, 1856
The wings of the telegraph have borne to you long before this can reach you, the news of Lane's invasion and Titus' defeat. You have, of course, been in possession for some time of the various exaggerated stories which purport to be "full details," &c. As I happened to be personally concerned in a portion of the affair, I will be excused perhaps for claiming to be a reliable authority.
For a long time we continued to receive dispatches at this place, of the progress of Lane's army through Iowa, Nebraska, and the Northern part of this Territory. At last they were reported to be at Topeka, and on the same day six spies were captured at this place, trying to make their way to Lawrence by the river road. These men were closely examined and released by Col. Titus' orders, on the promise that they would not take up arms against the U. S. Government again. They were afterwards seen fighting against the Colonel, whose humanity saved them from being hung, and when he fell into their hands, they were loudest in the cry of "hang him! hang him!" They reported that the whole of Lane's force, to the number of 500 men, had, that morning, left Topeka on their way to Lawrence, they supposed.
The next day a message arrived stating that Treadwell's camp was surrounded by companies of Abolitionists, stationed about a mile off, and that an attack was expected every moment. Col. Titus immediatley called for volunteers to go to the rescue, and succeeded in raising 19 men, some being mounted bare back and without bridles, and others riding double. They were armed with muskets, revolvers, and repeaters, and at eight o'clock at night set out on this daring, and I must say, rash expedition. Being engaged in practice in the country all day, I knew nothing of this movement until after the party had left a half hour; when learning that they intended passing Capt. Walker's house, and knowing that a large body of men was stationed there, I headed a small guard and hastened after them to give warning of the danger. But I was again disappointed, and the gallant Colonel and his brave followers went on their perilous way heedless of what was preparing for them.
On reaching the camp of Capt. Anderson, U. S. Dragoons, about two miles from Treadwell's camp (twelve miles from town), they learned that the enemy, to the number of 400, had marched upon Treadwell at about twelve o'clock that day, and that as Treadwell had but 60 men, poorly armed, without defences save a small log house, and provisions for one day onlyhe had broken up his camp and fled. Most of his men were saved, but it is feared that one or two were shot. They were a remnant of Buford's men, of whom so much good was expected.
Col. Titus returned by the same route, which was to come into the California road a little below Wakefield's (a leader among the Abolitionists), and to pass Walker's a mile above. A mile above Walker's is Titus' farm, which again is a mile and a half from town. At Wakefield's two men on picket _____ the whole ___ at [microfilm copy at foot of column so blurred as to be partially indecipherable, one and a half lines] full speed, when suddenly turning a corner of the fence they found themselves surrounded by a large body of horse. The command was given to form on the opposite side of the road and give battle, when a volley was fired on both sides, and Titus commanded his men to charge. For fully a quarter of a mile up the road, sheets of flame burst out from both sides, the balls whistled around them thick as hail. One man (Sisterre, of Ga.) had his horse shot out from under him. He ran to a cornfield and succeeded in making his escape, though they pursued hotly, and sent a volley like hail after him. Anddrew Preston, of Va., had a Sharp's Rifle ball through the fleshy part of his leg. Wimberley, of Ala., had his knuckles skinned. Clowes, of Va., was on a slow jade, and being far in the rear, was surroudned and taken prisoner. One of the enmy was killed dead and several wounded.
The party reached Col. Titus' house at about three o'clock, and hastened immediately to town to alarm the citizens. I was on picket duty the whole night, and when the party left for town, I entreated the Colonel to march all his foot (some 15 men who stood guard at his house) back into town, and stay there. He said no, that he should defend that position as long as he could, and thus save the town. It so turned out, but I regarded it as an unnecessary sacrifice of our brave fellows, another battle of the Alamo. The foot company at Titus' were all Dutch, under the command of Col. Donaldson, and as they all got tight, and did nothing but shoot at my picket all night, I begged the Colonel to go to town and let the Dutch go where they pleased. At daylight Titus and six men returned to his house, and giving up all idea of danger, went to sleep. In an hour more the enemy were upon them, and the rattle of small arms awoke them to find the slopes around covered with men. Three Dutchmen and a young man by the name of Owens were at the tents, about two hundred yards from the house, and in the woods. One of the Dutch was shot through the head in trying the reach the house, and the other two were taken prisioners. They escaped at the end of the battle. Owens escpaed. Of the 18 men in the house, ten were Dutch, and they immediately got under beds and under the floor. Their constant cry with tears in their eyes was "Hang out! hang out!" meaning "hang out the white flag." What a mistake.
At the first fire, Titus killed a Captain Shombray, and Wimberley unhorsed another. He was wounded in the side, and is supposed to be dead. Titus and Wimberley contined to fire from the upstairs, until Titus was wounded in the right hand and shoulder. They fought downstairs after that. For two hours the enemy poured an incessant shower of bullets into the doomed house from every quarter. They got into the barn and stables, and thus fired from a distance of twenty steps. A six pounder was placed a hundred and fifty yards off, and sent balls and grape shot crashing through the building. Some of the men begged to be allowed to surrender, but Wimberley insisted on holding out longer. A cannon ball struck a beam behind Wimberley and knocked him down. The same load contained grape shot, a handful of which lodged in the thight of M. M. Holsey, of Ga. It was the determination to hold out to the last, but the order was given to roll a load of hay up and set the house on fire. The white flag was hung out, and the savages rushed up and commenced the work of plunder. They first asked for Mrs. Titus, but that lady had lckily gone to Westport, abotu ahlf an hour before the battle, in the stage, under a feigned name.
Insult and abuse was heaped upon the prisoners, and one of the enemy actutally had his arm shot off under the impression that he was a prisoner! Provisions, horses, arms, ammunition, tents and everything about the house, even Mrs. Titus' dresses, were taken off. The boys who were boarding with Titus lost everything.
The officers complimented Titus and his men highly, and treated them with the most humane consideration and respect, while the men acted like wild beasts.
The enemy would have marched immediatley upon the town, as it was their original intention to do, but a timely shower of rain saved us. We had about 150 men, at least fifty of whom slipped off in various directions, about twenty rounds of ammunition, and no defense but two log houses on the river. We certainly woud have lsot the town, but could not have been taken.
The enemy continued to threaten us for nearly a week. In the mean time an exchange of prisoners was effected; we delivered up six, who had been concerned in the late Franklin affair, and the little howitzer that was taken at Lawrence in May last, while they gave up 19 in their possession. Nothing but the imminent danger in which Col. Titus and his men were of being hung, could possibly excuse this step of our late Governor. He released men held on a writ issued in the name of the Government, for high crimes against the Government. He gavce up a piece of Artillery which was taken by the Sheriff of Douglas County as a nusiance. And all this, to satisfy a band of outlaws, horse-thieves, and murderers. He could have demanded the unconditional surrender of every prisoner, and in case of refusal, had a right to call in the stong arms and sabres of 1,000 Dragoons to force to force a surrender. His duty was plain, but he lacked the nerve and before going to Lawrence to negotiate the exchange, signed his resignation. Oh! how we ahve wished that Geary was here! We hear that he is a man of strong points of character, and he might have saved the Union by saving Kansas. But I fear he is too late. There is a storm brewing here which he, nor Jackson himself, if he were alive, can ride. The people everywhere are up in arms and gathering slowly, but in earnest, to the contest. Another week, perhaps long ere this reaches you, the race of ten thousand arms, may be the death-knell of this mighty Union. God save us all.
Sincerely yours,
J. M. P."
It is noteworthy that John W. Geary, former mayor of San Francisco, and the Governor designate of Kansas, who was seen as a savior by Pelot, would end up being a very efective Union general in the War. His personal papers are held by the Pennsylvania Historical Society, and some of his letters have recently been published in book form.