NEW INVASION — f« ELEASE OE PRISONERS. 
385 
were killed, and the other was supposed to be dead by the cruel 
men. With his head awfully mangled, by the aid of a Delaware 
Indian, he reached Lawrence. Sicoxie, chief of the Delawares, 
on the 4th, sent to the camp for troops to protect them from the 
continual robberies and depredations of the marauders. Captain 
Sackett, with his company, was sent out. The bodies of the two 
murdered men were buried by them. 
On the same day one hundred and fifty men were ordered to 
cross the Kansas river, and march upon the north side as far as 
Lecompton. They arrived at this point about dark. Colonel 
Harvey so arranged his men that it would have been impos¬ 
sible for a much larger force than his to retreat past them. They 
lay all night upon their arms, in one of the most violent storms 
of the season, hungry and supperless. The confusion, the next 
morning, in Lecompton, was unprecedented even there. Many 
of the Missourians, who had come to quell “ outrages and dis¬ 
turbances by the abolitionists ” upon the pro-slavery settlers, find¬ 
ing these acts perpetrated by the “ law-and-order ” party, were 
disgusted and sick of “ the wars.” Wishing to go home to Mis¬ 
souri, they found their retreat cut off. About four o’clock, p. m., 
Gen. Lane had taken possession of the hill overlooking Lecomp¬ 
ton, and the foundation of the capitol, which was used by the 
enemy as a fortress. He had planted two pieces of artillery, 
before any intimation had been given in Lecompton of the approach 
of “ Lane’s army.” 
Three messengers from Lecompton, to Col. Cook, followed each 
other in quick succession. They reported one thousand men about 
to attack Lecompton. There was soon an unusual stir in the camp. 
The different bugles sounded, and, in just thirty-five minutes after, 
the troops began to move towards Lecompton ; not in a body, but 
at the earliest moment each company was ready. The artillery 
went out, mingling its deafening sound of L eavy metal with that 
of iron hoofs, and the clanking of the sabres of their riders. 
Mr. Branscomb and Capt. Cline had been deputed by Gen. 
Lane to go into Lecompton and make a demand of all prisoners 
there. They rode in, bearing a flag of truce, and halted before 
the fort. The following conversation was held : 
