Beaver Dam Argus (Beaver Dam, Wisconsin), Volume 2, No. 11. February 14, 1862. Page 3, Column C.
Kansas Letter.
After quite an interval we again have the pleasure of presenting our renders with a letter from Charles Burchard, Jr. We always like to get a letter from Charlie, because he always has something interesting to tell.
Lawrence, Kan., Feb. 2, 1862.
EDITOR ARGUS—Some time has elapsed since I have posted you in regard to matters and things here on the Border. I will give you a short sketch of our doings since the date of my last. Our regiment has the most of the time for four or five weeks past been encamped at Morristown, Cass Co., Mo,, on the battle ground of Cass county, where Col. Johnson was killed on the 6th of last October. Cass county has been noted as the hot bed of secession ever since the war began.—Nearly every man in the county were traitors. The citizens were warned by Maj. Van Horn, last fall, that unless they behaved themselves he would have Col. Jettison's command sent among them.—But they, fools like, would not heed, and sure enough we were ordered over to see to them. Well, we went—had several little skirmishes—whipped them out—burned some two hundred houses—freed all the negroes--Jayhawked all the horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, wagons, and in fact every thing they had. We also killed some sixty of the leading devils among them. And they, the rebels, after having their county depopulated, say enough, and implore Gen. Hunter to take his butcher boys away. They also tell Maj. Gen. Halleck if he will remove the Jenison regiment of cut throats they will be good men, and not fight against Uncle Sam no more. Consequently we are ordered to Humboldt, Kansas, to protect a lot of Creek and Cherokee Indians, who have been driven from their homes by the Texans. Since the fight in their country I like to help the Indians, but 1 am afraid there will be more work than pay about it. As I understand the programme, we the 1st Kansas company, are to remain at Humboldt until the Lane expedition is ready to start for Dixie. That trip pleases me, as our regiment is to have the post of honor. I mean the advance. And as our little Col Jenison is now a Brigadier General we expect good times, for he thinks a power of his men. The Colonel has been absent from the command for two weeks—making arrangements for the grand expedition.
The winter, so far, has been cold for this country, which indicates an early spring. We anxiously hope for an early spring, for soldiering in the winter is tolerable tough. As we march south I will post you of our doings, the good part of at any rate.
Yours, with respect,
Charles Burchard
Captain of Scouts, Jenison’s Brigade