ty into flight from the
Territory. One of their number having been captured, was about to be
brought to trial before the United States District Court at Fort Scott,
and what they alleged was a packed jury. They had proceeded to so
frighten the court that the Judge and Marshals incontinently fled to
Missouri, leaving a notice on the door that there would be no session
of the court. Therefore Gov. Beebe humanely recommended to the President
that Montgomery and Jennison be immediately killed, as there would be no
peace in the Territory until they were.

In spite of Lane's constant prominence, there was always a faction in
Kansas as bitterly his enemies as his friends were enthusiastic for
him, and it was ever a question which of the two were the stronger. It
demanded his utmost activity and cunning to keep himself on top. Upon
the admission of the State, Lane succeeded in having himself elected
Senator, but the legality of the proceeding was questioned and this
called for more activity to keep himself at the front.

276

When the Union army retreated after the battle of Wilson's Creek, Aug.
10, there went back with it the 1st and 2d Kan.--all the organized
troops the State had in the field. This left the border exposed to the
vengeance of Price's on-sweeping hordes, who made loud threats of what
they proposed to do. Lane sounded the trumpet. Wilson's Creek with Bull
Run had awakened the people to the stern realities of the contest, and
there speedily gathered into camp the men who formed the 3d, 4th, 5th,
6th and 7th Kan., Montgomery becoming Colonel of the 3d Kan.; Jennison
of the 7th (Jennison's Jayhawkers). Lane took command of the troops
assembled at Fort Scott, moved out aggressively on Price's flank, gave
Rains, who was in command there, a sharp skirmish at Dry Wood, and his
manuvers were so menacing that Price called Rains back when within five
miles of the Kansas line, relinquishing his cherished idea of "scourging
the Abolitionist nest," and pushed on to Lexington. Lane then made
a dash into Missouri in Price's rear, fought a lively skirmish at
Papinsville, and followed up the retreating Confederates, capturing
Osceola, as has been previously stated.

After Gen. Hunter assumed command Lane reappeared with a commission
as Brigadier-General of Volunteers, of which he had beguiled President
Lincoln, and began playing a game which gave intense annoyance to the
bluff, straightforward old soldier. To Hunter he rep