The Montgomery Raid
--
Official Statement.The War Department has received a dispatch from
General Harney, concerning the
Kansas robber,
Montgomery.
His men visited
Montgomery's "fort," but only found four women and a son of the robber.
Two empty
Sharp's rifle boxes were found there.
The dispatch adds:
‘
I believe that
Montgomery's band is fully as large as represented to be; that they area worn to protect each other by perjury, assassination, and in every way possible.
Their object is, as declared publicly by themselves, to protect fugitive slaves in the
Territory, to assist them to run away whenever an opportunity offers, "taking them East and receiving sixty dollars per head," and to drive out of the
Territory all who oppose them in so doing.
A large portion of the population on the border either belongs to this organization or sympathise with them, and those who do not dare not oppose them or give information concerning them.
I am satisfied that the greater part, if not all of the donations which are sent to sufferers in
Kansas, goes into the hands of this band, and the greater portion of it is perverted from the use intended by purchasing arms and munitions of war for carrying out their plans.
It would take a large force to thoroughly break up this band.
’
Montgomery has a regularly organized band of about sixty men, who receive ten dollars per month, besides a portion of the robberies, &c., and also spies and runners all over the country, who give him timely notice of any movements set on foot against him. The day before the troops reached
Mound City,
Montgomery's men, to the number of between four hundred of five hundred, assembled and passed resolutions, a copy of which have been published in the
Black Republican papers.
I think the best and cheapest way to catch
Montgomery and his party will be to furnish the
Governor with funds, and let him do it in his own way.
