2nd
Ohio
FROM KANSAS;
Lawrence County Boys opens the
Ball:
We have a letter from Kansas City,
from which we get the particulars of the skirmish with a
band of Jayhawkers, a telegraphic account of which was
published.
The Wade Regiment of Cavalry, in
which is Capt. Stewart’s Company,
of this place, arrived at Kansas City on Friday, 21st
ult., and on the same evening 40 men from each of four
companies were detailed to go to Independence, about 12
miles distant and attend to a band of Jayhawkers that
infested that section and were doing considerable
mischief. The party went out in command of three
Lieutenants, one of whom was Crawford
W. Stewart, of this place. They were attacked by
about 70 of the rebels. Lieutenant Stewart with his little
command, pitched into them in fine style, killing seven,
wounding several, and taking five prisoners. Crawford
Stewart shot one dead just as the rebel was drawing a fine
sight on him. In a short time after Lieut Stewart’s
horse was shot under him, falling against the fence.
Crawford, nothing daunted, sprang to his feet, and
mounting the fence, gave his orders from that position
until a secesh horse came along without a rider, which he
mounted. His own horse rose and went off toward the secesh,
and probably fell into their hands. This was rather a
summary way of swapping horses; but Crawf. Went on,
without stopping to ask for the boot. Our men took five
horses, 9 guns, several fine revolvers and three saddles.
We lost one man brutally murdered, as
follows: His horse became unmanageable, and ran in among
the enemy. He surrendered, and the villains took his own
pistol and shot him in the mouth, killing his instantly.
Two were wounded, but not seriously.
This is the first fight in Kansas,
and our boys had the honor of participating in the
opening, and bearing the brunt of the battle, the older
companies not coming until the enemy were whipped and
retreating, when they gave chase.
Our New Castle boys all acted like
veterans. Sergeant Pearson, Corporal
Sherman, George Bishop, Burt Jones – in fact all
of the Lawrence boys behaved in such a manner as to
reflect credit upon themselves and our noble little
county. It does us good to render honor to the brave.
