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From Mound City, Kansas Territory, Jennison opens his letter to Stearns by acknowledging that the two men did not know each other but Jennison counts Stearns "a true friend to the cause of freedom." Jennison tells him about the so-called "desperadoes known as Kidnapers" who had been active in the region. After warning them of serious consequences if caught and convicted of "man hunting," Jennison's free state force captured, tried, and hung one Russ Hinds. Despite the threat from Gen. William S. Harney's federal troops, Jennison insists "we are determined to Stand or fall by our weight for we have taken our position and it is honorable and Just." He feels federal troops were unfairly targeting free staters and ignoring proslave outrages.
Creator: Jennison, Charles Rainsford, 1834-1884
Date: November 28, 1860
Item Number: 90089
Call Number: George L. Stearns Coll. #507
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 90089
Collections - Manuscript - Stearns, George L
Date - 1854-1860 - 1860
Government and Politics - Federal Government
Government and Politics - Reform and Protest - Antislavery
Military - Service - Army
Military - Wars - Bleeding Kansas
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Letter
People - African Americans - Slavery
People - Notable Kansans - Jennison, Charles Ransford, 1834-1884
People - Notable People - Stearns, George L.
Places - Cities and towns - Mound City
Places - Counties - Linn
Thematic Time Period - Bleeding Kansas, 1854 - 1861
Type of Material - Unpublished documents - Letters
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/90089