The following article appeared in the Charleston [S.C.] Daily Courier, 16 Jun 1856, p. 1, c. 3:
ATCHISON, (K. T.,)June 3, 1856 -- My Dear Courier: -- On the 8th ult. [of May] the Palmetto Rifles, with a number of volunteers from this city and vicinity, took up the line of march for Lecompton. The young Carolinians, unaccustomed as they were to the toils and privations of camp life, endured with admirable fortitude the fatigues of a three-days' march, under a hot sun, through a prairie country, which scarcely afforded a single tree's shade, and pressed on, eager to meet the outlaws of Lawrence, and teach them that there was law in the Territory, and stout hearts and strong arms to enforce it. Arriving at Lecompton on Sunday, they found affairs in a much more complicated state than they ahd anticipated. Not only had the Sheriff of Douglass country been resisted, but the U. S. Marshal, acting under the orders of the U. S. District Court -- an officer and a court to whom the abolitionists had before expressed their willingness to submit. On the 6th ult. a subpoena had been issued for Reeder, who was then at Techuseh, requiring his attendance before the Grand Jury. This process he positively refused to obey; whereupon the Court issued an attachment, which was served on him at Lawrence, in the room where the Investigating Committee of Congress were in session. This also he refused to obey, declaring to the Marshal "if he laid hands upon him, it would be at the peril of his life," and that he was privileged from arrest as a delegate to Congress from the Territory. In this course he was sustained by Howard and Sherman, the abolition members of the committee, who made speeches to the mob of a very inflamatory character. Mr. Oliver, the other member of the committee, besought them not to interfere, and reminded them that it had been agreed among themselves, at the beginning of the investigation, that neither Reeder nor General Whitfield should be considered as entitled to this privilege; but in vain. They persisted, and the Marshal was forced to return, amid the scoffs and jeers of the rabble. In consequence of this disturbance, the following proclamation was issued:
PROCLAMATION.
To the People of Kansas Territory:
Whereas certain judicial writs of arrest have been directed to me by the First District Court of the United States, &c., to be executed within the County of Douglas; and whereas an attempt to execute them by the United States Deputy Marshal was villently resisted by a large number of the citizens of Lawrence, and as there is every reason to believe that any attempt to execute these writs will be resisted by a large body of armed men; now therefore, the law-abiding citizens of the Territory are commanded to be and appear at Lecompton as soon as practicable, and in numbers sufficient for a proper execution of the law.
Given under my hand this 11th day of May, 1856.
J. B. DONALSON,
U. S. Marshal for Kansas Territory
On Monday morning the "Rifles" and other volunteers proceeded to the Marshal's office and tendered their services, which were accepted. Gov. Shannon was present, and paid them several very high compliments on their martial appearance and proficiency in dirll. They were then ordered into camp, near Lecompton, to await the arrival of the other forces.
From this time uyntil the 20th time passed slowly enough, though there was some little amusement in scouting parties and the capture of a few abolitionists. One Miller, formerly from Chester District, in your State [South Carolina], was brought in and put on trial on the charge of being an abolitionist -- the editor of the "Kansas Free State" -- and a traitor to the State of South Carolina; but owing to the able and eloquent defence made by his counsel, Capt. DeTreville, was acquited.
G. W. Brown, the ["the" italicized] Brown of Lawrence -- the editor of the Herald of Freedom -- was also a prisoner, having been captured near Kansas city, and is now at Lecompton in the custody of the Marshal, awaiting his trial on an indictment for high treason.
On the 20th the troops near Lecompton were moved up to within a mile and a half of Lawrence, where they encamped. Before daylight on the morning of the 21st, the cavalry, 250 in number, took possession of the hills on the south side of Lawrence, which command the town, and under their cover the artillery planted their guns, three six-pounders. As soon as the foot had breakfast, they came up, and in a short time after the forces at Franklin joined. Between 10 and 11, all the troops, about 700 in number, being in position, Maj. Donalson sent his son with a small posse into the town and demanded the surrender of all persons against whom he had process, which was immediatley acceded to, and after a short delay, a wagon and a carriage load of the "resistance to the death" men were brought out. The posse was then dismissed by the Marshal.
But in a close [near-by] buggy, pale and emaciated, evidently suffering acutely still from his recent wound, and sustained only by his indomitable resolution, sat the gallant Sheriff of Douglass countty, who immediately summonede all present to aid him in executing certain writs _____________[several lines cut off] submit without striking a blow. Pistols and knives were belted on in the most convenient position; cartridge boxes were unbottoned, and every thing made ready. Meanwhile Jones ahd been lifted on his horse, and at the ehad of a small posse of 16 men had ridden into the town. As he advanced very few men were to be seen, but on approaching the hotel some 20 or more were found assembled, though all unarmed. Riding up to the main entrance, he called for Pomeroy, our old friend, the pseudo-Baptist clergyman of last December, who made his appearance in an undress military coat. To him, as one of the principal citizens, the Sheriff made known his demands, which were, a surrender of all arms and munitions of war, and of all persons then in the town against whom he held writs, and submission to the abatement of the nuisances. Five minutes were allowed for consideration; but in far less time than that an answer was returned accepting them. The cannon were then delivered up -- one 12 lb. mountain howitzer, marked "N. Y. State Militia," and 3 steel breech-laoding swivels -- the latter bearing very plain traces of having been buried. The entire force was now marched in, and detachments from the Palmetto Rifles and Lecompton Guards detailed to destroy the presses, which was done very thoroughly and effecuallly in a short time.
It being now five o'clock, and the space allowed for the removal of the furniture from the hotel having expired, the guns manned by the detachments from the Palmetto Rifles were placed opposite the hotel, and opened their fire upon the last hope of the abolitionists -- the strong-hold in which they had put their trust. But owing ot the nearness and the light weight of the balls, only 4 lbs., the work of destruction did not go on as rapidly as the approach of neight required -- and 3 kegs of powder were exploded in the building without, however, any great effect. But now a fire broke out in the south-western part, which soon extended and wrapped the whole ediface in flames -- presenting a magnificent spectacle to the troops as they retired to their camps at night-fall, and conveying to the whole of that disaffected district the assurance that there is law in the Territory and that it will be enforced.
Conspicuous during the whole day was the flag of the gallant Palmetto Company -- first waving proudly on the hill, then floating in triumph over the rifle pits which the abolitionists had dug, but dared not use, then over thre printing presses, and lastly over the hotel. While some of the young men were planting it on the pits, an abolitionist was noticed levelling a shot gun deliberately at them. Fortunately he was observed in time, and the gun knocked up. It is said he was hustled out of town and thrown into the river -- though I cannot vouch for the fact -- if it be not true, however, I think you will agree with me, it ought to be.
The only excess committed, worth mentioning, was the destruction of "Gov." Robinson's house. When the forces were leaving Lawrence it was discovered to be on fire, and some of the Palmettoes, assisted by other persons, extinguished it. Later in the night, however, it was burnt, but whether by some of the posse who may have loitered there after the others had left, or by the abolitionists themselves, to make capital, it is hard to say. Be that as it may, the large majority regret it very much; for though the owner had been one of the chief cuases of our troubles, we scorn to destroy his private property, especially in his absence, and while he is our prisoner.
The people of the town were very much alarmed, particularly the women, thought the latter could not be induced, even by the promptings of fear, to keep their toungues still. One virago told some of the men that the taking of Lawrence was almost as great an acheivement as the bombardment of Greytown [Nicaragua]. Another stood in the main street with her arms akimbo and vented a torrent of abuse upon the unfortuante posse. But I cannot learn that the slightest insult was offered to one of them, and I believe that they cannot reproach our men with any want of respect for their sex; that is, with justice; abuse and villify us they will as a matter of course.
Since the return of the companies, dispatches have been received here with information of several pro-slavery men murdered near Lawrence and Lecompton. This is the game they always play. Whenever the pro-slavery men turn out, they submit or run -- as soon as they return to their homes, the work of murder and house-burning begins. The country is becoming much excited and extreme measures will probably be resorted to.
A dispatch yesterday informs us that the U. S. Troops (of whom Gov. Shannon had ordered 100 to each of the following towns, viz: Lawrence, Lecompton, Topeka, and Ossawaitomie) had been fired upon by the abolitionists, and one man killed, several wounded, and six horses stolen. So it seems they are so emboldened by their success in the contest with our party, that they do not fear to measure their strength with Uncle Sam himself.
"SQUATTER."