CHAPTER XXXVIII.

LANE'S NORTHERN ARMY.

When it was announced in the free States that the Missourians had forbidden the passage of emigrants to Kansas, and had driven many back, those desiring to come to the Territory set out by the way of Iowa and Nebraska. Accordingly, about the latter part of May, companies of emigrants began to move towards the south-western corner of Iowa. By the 1st of August there were congregated in the neighborhood of Nebraska City, preparatory to entering Kansas, five hundred persons and sixty wagons. These were truly emigrants, who had, without any preconcerted action, from their common destination and purpose, met at a point in their journey where dangers and trials became common. It is true, the advanced portion of the party, on learning that others were coming, halted until the latter arrived, that they might have a larger force to open the road and repel any aggressions.

These emigrants came here to settle and make themselves homes. They were not an organized army, as was represented, coming here purposely to fight, but were mechanics, farmers, artisans, and some professional men, who came to follow their vocations. They had agricultural and mechanical implements, stock, and those things emigrants generally convey to a new country. They had from common purpose, destination and interest, congregated as peaceful emigrants.

That they had arms, might be expected, for few persons out West in those days were without them.

The first company that passed through was General J. H. Lane and six others, on horseback. They came disguised, in advance of the rest about one week, and had no connection whatever with them.

Three hundred of the first emigrant train stopped three miles south of the northern boundary of the Territory, laid out and established the town of Plymouth; fifteen miles further south seventy-five others laid out the village of Lexington, and about thirty miles south of this Holton was founded by thirty persons. This train opened the road, bridged the bad places, and established the stopping points above mentioned. The remnant of the train reached Topeka on the 13th of August, having traversed the whole length of the new route of one hundred and forty miles, led by C. M. Dickey, who superintended the train. Dr. J. P. Root and A. A. and S. V. Jamison were the committee to locate the route.

Such was the advance of Lane's "northern army" that, created so much talk and fear among the pro-slavery men. They were soon followed by other and numerous trains, and thus the tide of emigration, with its former channel closed, rushed around the obstacle, and found a new channel of its own. We shall now notice the efforts to stop this wonderful invasion. Armed bodies of Missourians could come over, lay waste fields, sack and burn towns, rob and kill the settlers, without any interference on the part of the United States troops; but let it be reported that Northern men are going to do the same thing, and the policy towards them is exactly the reverse.

Let it be remembered, let it go down in history, that Lane's "northern army," which Secretary Woodson telegraphed to the President numbered 1,000 armed men, and which was so reported over the world, consisted only of six men, in disguise.

Governor Geary, the latter part of September, having received reliable information that a large force, numbering one thousand men, with several pieces of artillery, were about to enter the Territory from the north, dispatched a detachment of United States troops, under Deputy Marshal Preston, to the northern frontier, with orders to arrest any illegally armed body that might be found within the limits. of Kansas. Scarcely had they reached there, before one hundred and thirty men, armed, equipped, (as reported by the officers,) and under the leadership of James Redpath, entered the Territory. They were immediately arrested by the United States troops, and conducted into the neighborhood of Lecompton. Here they had an interview with the Governor, who, being satisfied that they were a company of peaceable immigrants, permitted them to go their way.

It was soon reported that Redpath's party was but the advance guard of the main body of Lane's men, and seven hundred more, with three cannon and small arms, were about to cross the river at Nebraska City. The Governor immediately dispatched Colonels Cook and Johnson, with three hundred dragoons, to intercept their march.

On the 1st of October a deputation, consisting of Major Morrow, Colonel Winchel, William Hutchingson and Colonel J. Jenkins, called upon the Governor, stating that they were sent by Colonel Eldridge, General Pomeroy, Colonel Perry and others, who were escorting three hundred immigrants into the Territory by way of Nebraska; that they did not come for warlike purposes, nor disturbers of the peace, but as bona fide settlers, with agricultural implements, and some guns to protect themselves and shoot game for their families, &c.; and that in the present disturbed state of affairs, they did not wish to enter the Territory under any circumstances of suspicion, without notice to the Governor. On their denying that they had any connection with Lane's "army of the north," the Governor told them he would welcome them as peaceable citizens, but that he

would prevent all armed invaders from entering the Territory, to disturb and trouble the affairs therein. He gave them a letter, stating that they had called upon him with regard to their purpose, and commanding all military authorities to give the party under Colonel Eldridge and others, a safe escort into the Territory, in case the immigrants proved to be what they represented themselves.

That which followed is here given in the conflicting statements of Governor Geary and the leaders of the party, so that the reader can draw his own conclusions as to which was correct:

"Colonel William J. Preston, a Deputy United States Marshal, who had accompanied Colonel P.; St. George Cooke and his command to the northern frontier to look after a large party of proposed immigrants, who were reported to be about invading the Territory in that quarter, in warlike array, and for hostile purposes, returned to Lecompton on the 12th inst.

"He informed me that he had caused to be arrested an organized band, consisting of about two hundred and forty persons, among whom were a very few women and children, comprising some seven families.

"This party was regularly formed in military order, and were under the command of General Pomeroy, Cols. Eldridge, Perry and others. They had with them twenty wagons, in which were a supply of new arms, mostly muskets, with bayonets and sabres, and a lot of saddles, &c., sufficient to equip a battalion, consisting one-fourth of cavalry and the remainder infantry.

"Besides these arms, which were evidently intended for military purposes, and none other, which were in the wagons, a search of which was strongly objected to, the immigrants were provided with shot-guns, rifles, pistols, knives, &c., sufficient for the ordinary uses of persons traveling in Kansas as any other of the Western Territories.

"From the reports of the officers, I learn that they had with them neither oxen, household furniture, mechanics' tools, agricultural implements, nor any of the necessary appurtenances of peaceful settlers.

"These persons entered the Territory on the morning of the 10th inst., and met Colonel Cooke's command a few miles south of the Territorial line. Here the Deputy Marshal questioned them as to their intentions, the contents of their wagons, and such other matters as he considered necessary in the exercise of his official duties. Not satisfied with their answers, and being refused the privilege of searching their effects, he felt justified in considering them a party organized and armed in opposition to my proclamation of the 11th of September. After consultation with Colonel Cooke and other officers of the army, who agreed with him in regard to the character of the emigrants, he directed the search to be made, which resulted in the discovery of the arms already mentioned.

"An escort was then offered them to Lecompton, in order that I might examine them in person, and decide as to their intentions, which they refused to accept. Their superfluous arms were then taken in charge of the troops, and the entire party put under arrest, the families, and all others, individually, being permitted to retire from the organization if so disposed. Few, however, availed themselves of this privilege. But little delay and less annoyance were occasioned them by these proceedings. Every-thing that circumstances required, or permitted, was done for the comfort and convenience of the prisoners. Their journey was facilitated rather than retarded. They were accompanied by a squadron of United States dragoons, in command of Major H. H. Sibley. One day's rations were dealt out to them, and they were allowed to pursue the route they themselves had chosen.

"Being apprised of the time at which they would probably arrive at Topeka, I forwarded orders for their deten tion on the northern side of the river, near that place, where, as I promised, I met them upon the morning of the 14th instant.

"I found them precisely as they had been represented to me in official reports; and while I felt disposed and anxious to extend to thein all the leniency I could, consistent with propriety, duty and justice, and determined, at the same to enforce in their case, as well as that of every similar organization, the spirit and intent of my proclamation of the 11th ultimo, which commands all bodies of men, combined, armed and equipped with munitions of war, without