Under the heading "Startling News from Kansas -- Three Georgians Killed," the following article appeared in the Edgefield [S.C.] Advertiser, 25 June 1856, p. 2, c. 7:

'The reports that have from time to time been circulated of an engagement in Kansas between Capt. pate's company and a party of Abolitionists, are fully confirmed by an extra of the Border Times, forwarded to the Savannah Republican by J. H. Blackburn formerly a compositor on that paper, who took part in the fighting. It appears that Capt. H. C. Pate's company of Shawnee Sharp-shooters was a posse under the U. S. Marshal, sent out in quest of some murderers. On Monday, the 2d inst., they were in camp at Hickory Point, when a large body of abolitionists came suddenly on them. About twenty fired, wounding six of Capt. Pate's men. The company returned the fire, and then fell back. The abolitionists then took up a position and fired incessantly for four hours. Capt. Pate then sent a flag of truce and surrendered with twenty of his men to the enemy. Three of Capt. Pate's company, Messrs. Coleman, Long and Ream, mounted their horses and made good their escape. The list of wounded in Capt. Pate's company is as follows: Edward Goodrich, of Ga., mortally; James McGee, dangerously; Henry James and Tim Connelly, slightly; several persons, names not known, were wounded. A number on picquet guard have not been heard from -- supposed to be murdered.

The Border Times, June 4, adds the following: Dr. Tebbs, a member of the late Territorial Legislature, has just reached this place. He gives us the following: Yesterday morning, the U. S. Marshall[sic], I. B. Donelson, together with four of his men, were murdered in Hickory Point, K. T. Maj. Donelson was on his official duty, when he and his men were attacked and cut to pieces by the Abolition Outlaws!"

Note: I cannot reconcile the headline with the number reported killed in the story.