From the collections at the Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum. Reprinted with permission from The Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum and the Leavenworth Times. Donated by Debra Graden.
The Anthony Letters
His Order Prohibited Rebels From Hunting Camp for Slaves
Leavenworth Times, Sunday, March 31, 1957
Hqrs 7th Regt Kan Vol
Camp Etheridge,
near Dresden, Tenn.
June 20th, 1862
Dear Sister Susan:
For two days I was in command of the Brigade consisting of the 7th Kan Vol Cavalry, 8th Kan Vol Infantry, 2nd Kan Battery, 8th Wisconsin Battery and I took occasion to issue an order prohibiting rebels from hunting our camp for slaves.
Gen'l Quimby is in command of this district and had just ordered us to return to a Mr. Sims 8 negroes, or rather to turn the negroes out of our camp--the same thing.
I also issued an order prohibiting any officer or soldier from arresting and delivering fugitive slaves to their masters. This, in the army of Gen'l Halleck, seems strange to officers countermanding mine.
I doubt whether any such action will take place.
Most of our B.Gs. and M.Gs. are of the old conservative school, but the regimental, company, and other officers are true and will stand by me.
It is most fortunate that this opportunity occurred, and you will see the importance and strength of the order. When it was read, our boys yelled -- both batteries and the 8th Kansas did also.
Gen'l Quimby has ordered us to be reported for mustering out. Our boys all say if we are to catch negroes--muster us out.
I have to take the lead, but I have the 2nd Kan and 8th Wisc batteries, the 1st 7th and 8th Kan, 2nd Illinois and the 12th, 13th, and 15th Wisconsin volunteers to back me, the colonel of the 13th excepted. So you see I have little or nothing to fear in fighting brigadiers.
The people here are largely union in sentiment. I have had no newspapers since the 13th.
The ladies here all "dip." --that is, they broom up the end of the small stick 2 inches long and an eighth inch in diameter by chewing one end in their mouths. They rub this end in a box of snuff and then suck and chew the stick. The same box is passed around. The best of the ladies they say do this secretly.
D. R. Anthony