U. S. CAMP —“DISPERSION OF THE LEGISLATURE. 809 
house and tents. When the “ tattoo ” sounded, it was our signal 
for retreat to the poor little prison. 
Drs. P. and T. did not arrive at camp until after nine o’clock, 
and Capt. Brown was obliged to go to the officers’ tent to see 
them. Provisions and clothing, brought in by another team, were 
taken there, as well as the mail, and not an article escaped strict 
search. 
4th. — There were three men in from Lecompton last night. The 
captain took them into his cabin to show them the port-holes. There 
was also a ruse last night. A pistol-shot was fired; then the word 
came that the picket-guard had been fired upon. Capt. W. was 
in motion; but some little time elapsed before he sent any one 
down to the guard. The matter was probably understood among 
the men. 
There has been no battle yet! The wagon-bodies are all whole, 
and the corn-bags yet undisturbed ! Capt. W.’s head is yet safe, 
and the world moves on! At daybreak there were three more 
ruffians at the captain’s tent. About eight o’clock Crowder, one 
of the pretended officials, came also to his tent, and had a long 
conference. The horses of the privates are continually lent to 
these men, of which they complain bitterly. We did not receive 
our papers from the officers’ tent until the middle of the forenoon. 
(A letter was never given to one of the prisoners.) 
Was there ever such a glorious country as this, with petty 
tyrants made weak-headed by a little power? Austrian despot¬ 
ism is liberty in comparison. 
We heard this morning, from Lecompton, that the cause of our 
removal here was to protect that town; an agreement of mutual 
protection having been entered into by the people there and Capt. 
W. We are also acquainted with the movements of our friends, 
notwithstanding the watchful vigilance of our heroic keeper. 
5 th. — Last night brought the intelligence of the dispersion of 
the Legislature at the point of the bayonet. Col. Sumner arrived 
here this morning, and three companies of troops passed by. 
Capt. W. came down to our tents with Col. Sumner. Col. S. 
said “ he was sorry the Legislature did not disperse at the 
