382 
KANSAS. 
riority of numbers, Capt. Brown retreated with the small free« 
state party under his command, between thirty and forty men, to 
the timber on the river. The battle lasted several hours, until 
the ammunition of the little party gave out. They were then 
ordered to retreat to the river. The Missourians charged upon 
them with horses, and, being wholly undisciplined, came up in 
crowds, so that the sure aim of the little band in the woods 
thinned their ranks. The free-state party lost two men killed in 
the battle; one man murdered afterwards. As nearly as could 
be estimated, the enemy lost thirty-one killed, and thirty-two 
wounded. Three wagon loads of dead and wounded were taken 
from Osawattomie. After the battle the ruffians burned the town, 
between twenty and thirty houses and stores, and pilfered letters 
from the post-office, etc. They burned, also, the house of “ Ottawa 
Jones,” who had a fine residence half way between Lawrence and 
Osawattomie. This news being received at Lawrence, Gen. Lane 
with a strong force went out to meet Keid’s army. He came 
near them at Bull Greek, and camped for a battle at sunrise on 
the morrow. In the night Keid’s anrny retreated, and Gen. Lane 
drove them to Missouri. 
This portion of the invaders had intended to march nearer Law¬ 
rence, and attack it upon one side, expecting to be reinforced by 
other parties gathered at Lecompton. 
On the thirty-first, Sunday, p. m., a woman, residing a mile 
distant from the camp, came and reported to Col. Cook that 
some ruffians from Lecompton had gathered at her house, with 
threats to destroy it. He sent four soldiers back with her to 
guard it. After their arrival the party left. Mrs. H. gathered 
together some of her goods, and three small wagon loads were 
brought to her mother’s near the camp. Some of the soldiers 
returned with the wagons. Soon after they started with the last 
load, about one hundred and fifty of these Missourians, under the 
lead of Hr. Stringfellow, appeared, and set, the house on fire. 
They at first took the gun from the one soldier then there, but 
soon returned it. A few of them surrounded the wagon, and 
“ ordered a surrender.” But the woman with her escort came 
on to the camp. Soon the dense smoke arose over the hill, and 
