EXPERIENCES OF A CAROLINIAN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 447, 14 February 1857, Page 5

EXPERIENCES OF A CAROLINIAN.

.{Correspondence of the '.Charleston Sjandard.'J

- - Lecompton, K. T v September 5, 1856. Having been in camp for .sometime, I, have, not been able to keep you informed of our movements, but, -now that an opportunity presents, will try and acquaint you with facts which have transpired since my last,dn which were enclosed despatches. In compliance with the proclamation of the Governor -{Colonel Woodson acting), about five hundred men repaired to this place, and, after waiting .a few days here for 'recruits, marched out into the territory. Nothing of any consequence occurred, and with .the exception, of alarms almost every night, we passed a very quiet time. But inaction soon produced discontent, and our forces commenced to .diminish, Ik'st in small bodies, and then by companies, until at last we were scarcely a "handful. It was deemed advisable. then, on -account of our small number -(and the force of the enemy having been numbered at 2,300), to fall back on this town, and this morning we were again quiet in the capital of Kansas* not to remain so very long, however, for in a few moments after the call to ai-aas was sounded, and scouts returned informing us that this town was surrounded by the enemy. We soon -answered the call, and found the reports were actually true, and they had already occupied the best positions round the town. General Ajrres was placed in command, and he soon succeeded in placing us in the best possible positions. Too much oredit cannot be given to Genreal Ayrcs for the manner in which he has discharged his duties. He is already looked up -to with confidence •by all the men, and has been more than once offered " coxmnander-m-chief" of the militia here. ■" Our boys " were soon in their places, and showed an anxietj- and readiness to engage, which would have done credit to older soldiers. Again was our blood-red flag—the flag so conspicuous at Lawrence, and spoken of now in the New York papers—floating conspicuously" over the heads of the Carolina regiment, and" had—but I will net anticipate. : - - : ■ : After arrangements had 'been 'made on both ■ sides for an engagement, very niuch to our surprise a White Flag was held out. Whisperings j were heard along the lines—" We will have no flag, from them,-" "No compromise," and such ominous expressions. -The bearer stated- the object of his mission 'to be, ■" the unconditional surrender of all the prisoners in our pos-' session-," .but one reply was made, " Come and take them." But we soon found that MajorGeneral Richardson, commanding, had acted in. tins as in everything else by which his command had been distinguished, and had already dismissed all prisoners, but knowing the effect such .•an announcement would have had at same time resigned his office. I will not attempt to describe the feelings of the men when .they found they wore likely to be deprived of their anticipated pleasure, 'but their excitement had already got high, and they -eageily invited the enemy on. Our orders wore positive not to -waste a shot, as -they numbered about seven hundred and we about three. Every thing was now ready, and the first match about to be applied to our little -four-pounder, with.

which he intended to open the ball, when to our regret;, the United States soldiers made their appearance (having been in camp not far off, and sent for by the Governor) and ordered the enemy to withdraw. So, after all, we didn't fight. - ' But what -are we to do? and why remain here? Can any good be effected by simply remaining m camp; subject to its hard duties and steeping on our arms ? .Are we -to be deceived any oftener.? - On- every occasion when there is a call for men, our. Carolina boys are always among the first on the field; and after we have marched night and day, must we content ourselves with the assurance that the United States' troops will settle it all ? Already has dissatisiaction taken strong hold on the men; and it would not surprise many of us if the result of this aay's' work .decided many to leave for home instantly. ■ . And .why should we remain? We cannot light, : and ■of course, cannot prevent our enemy from ■ voting. The object' of- our mission will then of course .be defeated, and we had as well return. "Whichever" way the Kansas question be decided,' 'tis my opinion and the opinion of all-with whom I have conversed, that the dissolution of the Union will- be affected by it. The Abolitionists themselves say they " will have Kansasif it splits the Union into a thousand pieces." Our companies will, I think,, return to Atchison to-morrow,- and God only knows when we will start out again. All are anxiously waiting for the time for them to return home,andnone among them more \ more anxiously than, Truly yours, &c, | Ingomar.