The Leavenworth Daily Times
Leavenworth, Kansas
May 28, 1861
Correspondence of the Times.
Editor of Times: Since my last, affairs have assumed quite a different aspect. About a week since, Lieut. Col. Emory and staff arrived here, with the purpose of establishing the Head Quarters of the 1st Cavalry at this post. Fort Smith has since been evacuated, and the troops are on the road for this place. Companies A and B arrived here from Fort Arbuckle yesterday.
Company A returned to Arbuckle this morning. Everything at this port is being packed up to leave as soon as Capt. Sturgis and command arrive, if not driven out of here before that time. The orders from the War Department are, I believe, not to fire on the rebels unless they follow
us. Our horses have, for the last four nights, been tied to a picket rope fastened around the quarters. There is great reluctance on the part of the troops, that they are to abandon the Fort without making the traitors smell powder. Ox wagons, and teams of all kinds, have been employed to carry provisions, ordnance, Quartermaster’s property, and stores of all kinds. The families of the soldiers were all sent off yesterday. They are to proceed to Fort Arbuckle, and there await our coming.
us. Our horses have, for the last four nights, been tied to a picket rope fastened around the quarters. There is great reluctance on the part of the troops, that they are to abandon the Fort without making the traitors smell powder. Ox wagons, and teams of all kinds, have been employed to carry provisions, ordnance, Quartermaster’s property, and stores of all kinds. The families of the soldiers were all sent off yesterday. They are to proceed to Fort Arbuckle, and there await our coming.
I can’t see into the policy of the Administration. The evacuation of the forts will certainly give the traitors more territory, as well as increase the numbers of adherents to Davis’ creed. If the Government does not put a stop to these rebellious scoundrels, they will soon have the upper hand.
Yours in haste,
Rover.