812 
KANSAS. 
of the convention, informed him that we had no communication 
to send. 
“ These gentlemen left, and matters went on as before. It was 
nearly twelve o’clock, the sun was blazing down, and the ther¬ 
mometer stood at 100°, when we learned that Col. Sumner, with 
five companies of cavalry and two pieces of brass cannon, were 
leaving their camp and approaching Topeka in full military array. 
Although they were only two hundred yards off, the report did 
not disturb the convention or other matters. If resistance had 
been intended, Col. Sumner never would have entered Topeka, 
and would have been met before he could get possession. It had 
been determined that no resistance should be offered the United 
States troops, but that we should proceed with our business, and 
let them do their worst. 
“ But Col. Sumner fulfilled his duty in as gentlemanly a man¬ 
ner as such wretched orders could be obeyed. At the moment of 
his approach, the two Topeka companies, F. and GL, were drawn 
up before the legislative hall building. They had just marched 
up the street, preceded by martial music, and had formed in front 
of the State House to receive a banner the ladies had made 
for company Gr. The street was filled with a crowd, among whom 
were many ladies and children, when Col. Sumner appeared with 
his forces, rapidly debouching into Kansas Avenue. With great 
rapidity and considerable military skill he threw his men forward, 
and by rapid orders, shouted in a stern, shrill voice, formed his 
companies into the strongest form they could occupy for their 
service. Perhaps many hearts beat faster when they thought 
that a scene of carnage might in the next few minutes blot out 
the startling and brilliant panorama. On the one hand, the 
armed and uniformed dragoons, with flashing sabres; on the 
other, only two Topeka companies, with their two banners, one 
of them just received, bearing the inscription, ‘ Our lives lor our 
rights.’ Nobly they stood. While the dragoons approached, the 
band was playing, but the drummers continued to drum until the 
drumsticks nearly touched the noses of the advancing horses of 
the dragoons, and only stopped when Sumner requested them. 
One little boy was beating the kettle-drum, and rattled it man- 
