The following article appeared in the Edgefield [S.C.] Advertiser, 23 Jul 1856, p. 2, c. 7:

"Leavenworth City, K. T., June 27, '56

Dear Brother: It was my intention to have written you as soon as I landed, but [I] have been prevented from doing so, by moving from place to place, and having to leave my trunk at Kansas City.

We left Augusta [Ga.] on the 22d May, and landed in Kansas City on the 3d June. We were detained at various places on the route, and the trip cost us about $10 each. We marched from Kansas City into the interior of the country, and were going to assist in disbanding a party of abolitionists retained at Hickory Point; but, while making the necessary arrangements, a border ruffian rode up and informed us that the U. S. Troops were coming down to disarm or drive us from the Territory. We then moved back, near the Missouri line, and camped there until the 25th instant. We then moved to this place, a distance of 46 miles, and were very kindly received; being furnished with a house and provisions, and have a Dutch family to cook for us, all of which is furnished gratis to the South Carolinians.

There being so many inducements to stay in this beautiful town, I have concluded to spend the summer here, and perhaps the remaineder of my life. I can get land within twelve miles of this place, which will soon be a large town. It is only 18 months old, and is as large as Hamburg [present-day North Augusta, S.C.] now. There are many vacant lots for sale, and I think of pruchasing some of them. The excitement here is very great at present, and war seems inevitable. It was our lot to come from Kansas City to Leavenworth on board a boat with a company of some eighty abolitionists, there being only about 45 of our party. We met them bravely, at first with arguments, and advised them to go back; but they refused, and boasted of what they would do with us when they landed. When the boat pulled up, however, we rushed to our rifles and refused to let them land -- and being joined by 25 or 30 border ruffians, with muskets, rifles and shot guns, we took out some of their baggage, that looked suspicious, and examined it; but finding no guns, we sent a guard with them up to Weston and then searched their baggage thoroughly and found Sharp's riufles, psitols and ammunition; these we kept and compelled the scamps to return. Some of them were enraged, but others had evidently embarked unwillingly in the business and were glad of the opportunity to go back home.

Rumor says Gen. lane is coming down on us with five thousand Yankees, but we are wide awake and intend to maintain our rights. It they land here, they will have something to do immediately -- we have some of their guns, pistols and cartridges, and if fight they will, they shall receive the fruits of their own hands; and when the fight does commence, I hope I shall see some of our brothers rallying to our side.

I saw, on Sunday last, the body of one abolitionist who had been shot with four balls; his son was also shot and wounded, but not dangerously.

The state of society is very loose here -- the people are very profane; the term stealing is here called "hooking or pressing," and we have to wear our pistols and long knives all the time. There is such confusion in the house I can hardly write at all. I must add a word about the land, which is rich beyond doubt. I have been told by the residents here that the land will bring 60 bushels corn per acre, and it takes but a few acres to bring what they want. Lumber is scarce and dear too -- the cheapest is cotton-wood, worth $30 per thousand, walnut $40, and pine $60. Corn is worth 40 cents; flour $10 per barrel; meat 6 to 8 cents; horses, hogs and cattle high. I would be pleased to hear from all my friends. Direct to Leavenworth City, Kansas Territory.

Believe me your affectionate Brother,

W. S. C."

I do not know who W. S. C. is; it is possible he is W. S. Culbreath, but that is purely speculation. I cannot identify him to Bell's copany. For some reason, this was the last letter from Kansas published in the Edgefield Advertiser that year. In the same issue of the Advertiser there was an account of William D. Wilkes, who spoke at the Edgefield Court House on the need for the South to support those men who had gone to Kansas.