DAILY TIMES [LEAVENWORTH, KS], March 25, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
Skirmish with Jayhawkers.
Quantrell Killed.
More Guerilla Outrages.
It seems very probable, from information received in the city yesterday, that the notorious guerilla chieftain, Quantrell, has at last paid the penalty of his many crimes, dying, as it was fit he should die, by the lingering tortures of fire. So that he is dead, and has ceased to curse the world by the enaction of crimes worthy the darker ages in our history, it matters little how he died, or when or where. He was not fit to live, with liberty, nor are hundreds of his stamp now organizing in Missouri for purposes of plunder and outrage upon the Union citizens of that State.
Near Little Santa Fe, on Saturday last, Quantrell and his band were met by a party consisting of five persons—a soldier, a man named Ellison, and his three sons, the youngest about ten years old. Riding up, the noted guerilla asked Ellison his name, which was given, when one of the boys was shot by Quantrell, and at the same time a member of the band killed the soldier. Quantrell then gave Ellison a mule, and told him to go to Kansas City and report what he had done. Upon reaching the post, and giving information of these outrages to Col. Weer, the latter immediately ordered out a detachment of cavalry, under Capt. Sterling, in pursuit, sending word of the affair to Col. Mitchell, at Shawnee, and also to Independence. This cavalry detachment left Kansas City, followed by an infantry detachment in wagons; and about 3 o'clock on Sunday morning, hearing firing, they proceeded in the direction of the sound, and ascertained that it proceeded from a detachment of the Second Regiment, under Major Pomeroy, which had surrounded a house where Quantrell and some of his men had taken refuge. Finding it difficult to dislodge the party inside, they had set fire to the house, when it was surrendered. Two of the party inside were killed and five taken prisoners; and from the latter it was ascertained that Quantrell was in the house, and very badly wounded. It was impossible to do anything towards rescuing the occupants, who, to the number of three or four, perished in the flames.
We regret to add that during the skirmish, and after the house had been surrendered, Major Pomeroy was severely wounded, a ball passing through his thighs. Although very serious and painful, the Major's wound is not necessarily dangerous; but will keep him from duty for some time, if not permanently disabling him. This we hope is the last of the doings of Quantrell, the terror of the Southeastern border."
Fran