The following letter appeared in the Abbeville (S.C.) Independent Press, a weekly paper, on 16 May 1856, p. 2, c. 3, 4:

"Leavenworth City (Sun-set), K. T.

April 28, 1856

Friend Press: According to promise, I am now seated to write you a line from Kansas. I suppose that you will have seen letters form others of our party that will be more interesting than mine before you receive it, as I know that several are in advance of this. [None found]

We had quite a pleasant trip of it to this sun-set place. It is true that it was not very pleasant to travel six or seven hundred miles on railroad cars, in so short a time -- we traveled day and night -- but when we reached Nashville we had a nice time on the steamboats the balance of the way. We stopped in St. Louis about two days to supply ourselves with guns, pistols,, bowie-knives, &c, that we thought we might need in the Territory.

We arrived here on the 22d, and were very agreeably surprised, both in regard to the appearance of the place and the people. The city, though small as yet, is beautifully situated on a high bluff on the river, and as soon as we are on the top of the bluff, we see the prettiest country that I ever saw. It appears to be a boundless prairie, varied with beautiful green slopes and plains, which give it somewhat the appearance of the ocean. I wish that I was able to describe it just as I see it; but I am not. But I can say that I have traveled in some foruteen or fifteen of the States, and I can assure you that I have not seen anything to compare with Kansas; in fact, I think it is the garden spot, North or South, and I do not blame the Yankees for contending for it, but I do blame the Southern people for their sloth and indifference in securing it; for I assure you that it is worth contending for.

We were very much surprised and gratified with the warm reception from the "border ruffians," as they are called. We had heard all the time that this was an Abolition town, and we of course expected to have the cold shoulder turned upon us -- but not so. There were three or four hundred people standing on shore at the landing, to see if there were any emigrants on board our boat, and when they learned that there were about fifty of us, all Southerners, you may guess that they welcomed us. There was, however, but one large hotel here, and that kept by a Black Republican, and we were determined not to patronize him. The people went to work, put up beds, &c, in the Masonic Hall, and that is our lodging for the present. We board at a private house, which is better than the hotel.

We had no sickness among us on our journey, excepting that one of our party had two or three chills [probably malarial] -- very slight, however. But since we arrived here, several of trhe boys have the measles, though it is of very mild form.

We are all here yet, thought some of the boys are speaking of different trips. Some want to go one way, some another, and some intend to remain here; so we are likely to be scattered in a few days.

We thought there was a chance for a fight with the Black Republicans the day after we arrived here; but we were disappointed. The circumstances I will try to tell you, though you will no doubt hear fifty different tales about it; for just here, where it happened, it is a very hard matter to get at the truth, but I think that I have it. In a small town, called Lawrence, about twenty-five miles from here, the Sheriff (who was a pro-slavery man) attempted to arrest and did arrest a man, for some offence, who was an Abolitionist. The inhabitants of the town, being also Abolitionists, attmepted to rescue him from the Sheriff, and succeeded in doing so. The Governor then ordered five men from Fort Leavenworth to the Sheriff's assistance. The Yankees resisted the Sheriff and U. S. soldiers, the Sheriff receiving two wounds which are supposed to be mortal. The news from Lawrence that night stated that there was no hope for his recovery. (He was shot, I believe, with Sharpe's rifles.) The next day, which was the day after our arrival, the Governor ordered four companies from the Fort, consisting of about three hundred men, well mounted with three days provision. The Fort being enar, we all concluded to go out and see the companies start, and join them if they would accept our service. Accordingly we all (about thirty in number) shouldered our Sharpe's and shot guns, with repeaters and bowie knives , and went marching up to the Fort. The sentinels at their posts told us to halt and give an account of ourselves; but being soon satisfied that we were friendly toward them, they allowed us to pass.

It seemed to be rather exciting times about the Fort for a while, but the soldiers were finally mounted, with their implements of war, and moved off in regular order, the flying artillery and baggage wagons following. And I must say it was an interesting sight to see them, and think that now the time had come (and these were the first troops sent out to fight the first battle); and then think who will fight the last one!

We came back and prepared ourselves to go the next day, expecting every hour to hear the call for volunteers and militia. But when the next news came it was that only four men had been taken prisoners, and the troops nearly all sent back to the Fort. Thus our prospect for fun ended, and we think the Governor has not done his whole duty. We think that he ought to have demolished the fortifications at Lawrence and wiped the place entirely out. The citizens here speak very strongly of holding up an indignation meeting, but I do not know what will be done yet.

Here now is a very confused letter, but it is the best I can do under the circumstance, and if you know the circumstances I know you would excuse me.

Since writing the above, we ahve received news from the seat of war. The Governor has sent away all his troops without doing anything. We have now formed ourselves into companies of ranger, and intend to start to-night to Lawrence, where we will meet at least two thousand others, and we intend to scour the whole Territory and clean out every Black Republican.

Now I must close for want of space. Excuse all deficiencies, and believe me

Yours as ever, G. W. A. G."