CHAPTER X.
QUESTIONABLE PROCEEDINGS.
Having been away from home nearly a year, and having occasionally heard of my mother's poor health, I determined to make her a visit; so procuring a pass over the road, I went to Leavenworth, arriving there about June 1st, 1861, going from there home.

The civil war had broken out, and excitement ran high in that part of the country.

My mother, of course, was a strong Union woman, and had such great confidence in the government that she believed the war would not last over six months.
Leavenworth at that time was quite an important outfitting post for the West and Southwest, and the fort there was garrisoned by a large number of troops.

While in the city one day I met several of the old, as well as the young men, who had been members of the Free State party all through the Kansas troubles, and who had, like our family, lost everything at the hands of the Missourians.

They now thought a good opportunity offered to retaliate and get even with their persecutors, as they were all considered to be secessionists.