Miami MO Oct 25th 1863 Dear Sister Em.!

At the risk of provoking your wrath by putting you to the trouble of reading this (that is if you do read it) and you can do just as you please about that, I have concluded to write you a very short epistle whether it will interest you or not, but simply because I have nothing else to do (long Sunday), no where to go and no way to go there, and because I feel like it.

Well as for news. I expect you have heard the most of it by W.T. by this time, but probably you would like to hear it over again. You know Benton had given himself up when you was here, and had been sent to Marshall where he was tried on Monday after you left, was sentenced and executed the next morning--

One week afterwards, I was in Marshall (on Monday) when the news of Shelby’s approach reached there. It had been known for some days that he was in the state and coming towards the Osage River, but few persons supposed he would be fool-hardy enough to attempt coming this far up. But so it was about 1 oclock on Monday a messenger arrived bringing word of his approach. His cannon had been heard at Boonville the night before shelling Col. Crittenden’s command across the river. The man who came to Marshall had been taken prisoner by Shelby at the Lamine and escaped while crossing--and made his way to Arrow Rock & Marshall, giving the alarm[,] there being but few troops in the town, Bingham’s Co. and part of Corum’s old [company?] . They of course had to decamp as Shelby [[MS. torn]] (variously estimated as from 1500 to 3000 men. You may well suppose there was some little agitation in and around the old burgh. The soldiers took the road for Lexington, the citizens any and every direction, that their judgment, or fears dictated, and the contrabands, poor creatures, it was not only pitiable, but in some cases I could not help being amused, they reminded me of a flock of black birds, with a hawk suddenly pouncing into their midst.

I left the town for home about four oclock in the evening. A cold drizzling north west rain had set in which continued until late in the night, and to see the creatures, all ages[,] sizes[,] and conditions, trudging through the rain and mud along the roads, paths, across the prairies, any and every direction, to get to the brush with their all bundled upon their backs--and often with a shaver or two too little to keep up on top of the bundle forced upon my mind the comparison of their condition 3- or 4 years or even one year since and now[,] and to reflect seriously upon the wisdom of the policy adopted in turning them loose to shift for themselves upon the charities of the people, in other words, to starve or steal.

But now about the raiders, their fight and run through the county, [[MS. illegible]]. Genl Brown had been closely pursuing them for a day or two and finally on Tuesday morning early commenced skirmishing with their rear guard, between Jonesborough and Marshall. A kind of running fight was kept up from there to Marshall[,] the rebels once or twice making a slight show of fight and then moving on, Genl Brown not being able to [[MS. torn]] to any thing like a general fight until [[MS. torn]] Marshall, where Shelby made a pretty stubborn fight of some four or five hours with pretty severe loss upon both sides. Col[.] Lazear of the Federal forces coming in from the South and West and gaining the town ahead of Shelby. The situation of the two parties as near as I can make it out from the reports was about this. Genl Brown coming up on the A.R. and Marshall road, Lazear’s forces to SW and W of town and in the town. Shelby coming in from the direction of Dr[.] Smith’s farm, having gained a point somewhat NE and E of the town before the fight, two shot from his artillery passing through Dance’s Hotel, one of them striking Haneur and Strikers – (now Iwarts) store at the sign board passing through it quartering. Finding Brown “too many” for him Shelby " cut out" through to the north of town passing to the right of Schreckler’s farm[,] striking the Salt Fork bottom below the old ford, coming up through that valley and crossing the creek at the ford and bridge, taking the Miami Road to Fair View, there taking the Lextg. road.

Skirmishing again commenced at Fair View between Shelby’s rear and Brown’s advance guard. Continuing from there to [Saufley’s?], here the rebels lost a man by a shell from Genl Brown’s artillery. At Sam Welch’s on the " Henning farm" Shelby drew up in line and held Brown’s Advance in check until his train[,] which was some distance in advance[,] could be turned through Van Metre’s pasture, striking the Miami and Lex road at or near the old parsons or Wilson place, thence down the road to Van’s house[,] passing through his farm to the Old bridle house on the bluff[,] down into the bottom to the river at Nyes and on up the bottom reaching Waverly[,] tis said the same night at 3 oclock, a pretty good day’s run for one day I guess. Another skirmish took place at Van M’s[,] Shelby again drawing up between the old brick and Van’s house, little or no damage done here as the firing was at long range.

The exact number of killed and wounded on either side I am not able to give you. Among the killed at Marshall was Harvey Thomas. He was buried here last Sunday. Sid Martin (son of Reece) was wounded in the face by a sabre cut[,] so tis said by those who saw him as he passed by Nyes. John McDaniel was taken prisoner. Shelby lost one piece of cannon at Marshall, the other he is said to have sunk in the river between Waverly and Nyes. This is about as concise a report of the whole affair as I am able to give you from all the reports that I can gather.

Affairs have not changed any for the better, I fear. Without a speedy change I greatly fear a complete state of anarchy and terrorism. On day before yesterday (Friday) as old Mr[.] Booker and John C. Scott were coming to town, they were out just beyond Sewell Parson’s by Jim Elson and another soldier said to belong to a Kansas regt. After cursing and abusing them some time, they demanded to know if Scott and Booker were Lane men . Knowing the soldiers they could not of course answer that they were. Seizing Scott’s horse by the bridle the Kansas man started him down the hollow at the side of P’s field swearing he intended to kill him. Scott thinking he was to be shot any how (and no doubt truly)[,] attempted to escape by jumping off his horse and running for the woods. The soldiers commenced shooting at him with his pistol[,] firing three or four shots at him one of which struck him in the left arm passing through the fleshy part of it above the elbow[,] making a very painful if not serious wound. The Dr[.] could not tell whether the bone was fractured or not. After running a short distance he was overtaken but by hard begging and the intercession of Elson he was let off and permitted to come to town and have his arm dressed. Old Mr[.] Booker was allowed to depart without personal violence.

No notice has been taken of the affair as yet, in fact I doubt whether the the authorities have been informed of it as it is a matter of so little consequence that it is not worth troubling their dignities about. These fellows boasted loudly of their being “ Jim Lane” men , that Lane and Jennison or the “Secesh” (i.e. the conservatives) one had to hold this country, or be “cleared out[,]” that hereafter when they told a man to shout for Lane, that he had to sing it out or it would be all right with him.

And so it goes from bad to worse with a fair prospect of getting decidedly bad, but we shall see what we shall see. The will probably decide whether there will be any safety whatever in Mo. for either life or property, or whether it will be given up entirely to a bloody and terrible desolation— For my part I predict a complete triumph of the Radicals just as they did in Iowa, Ohio and Penn. and which I predicted for weeks prior to the elections.

But I must stop this as I dont know whether you will read the half of it or not,- but I won’t scold you if you don’t, just give it to Juddy , John H. [Hop?] or some body else if you like.—

But any way say to Pa that if I am well enough and nothing occurs to prevent it, I expect to commence hunting up the cattle tomorrow as I yesterday got rid of most all of my grass widows and made the last shipment (thank fortune), that I expect to make this season. I do not think there will be another boat here this fall. I will try and keep him posted in regard to my success and as to what I shall do. I am very far from being well,- but hope to improve as the weather settles. It is now dry and pleasant. Somewhat cool.

I fear I shall be disappointed in getting Sam Welch to go to live in the house as I have not heard from him agreeably to promise. If I can do no better I will get Mrs[.] O’Neal to go there if I can[.]

It is very hard for me to determine what to do with myself—to leave here now seems like and would be giving up everything to utter ruin, to leave Aunt Emily here at the mercy of those Shylocks the Estills is more than I can consent to, to say nothing of all my other business matters that would go to destruction. And then again if I am not compelled by “ force of circumstances” to leave[,] my health is such that I can do but little or no business, and must improve greatly if I attend to the half that is needed. I sometimes feel like just holding still and awaiting events, try to meet them as they come- like McCauber “wait for something to turn up.” But tis said that “All’s well that ends well” so I shall hope for the best at any rate.

Give my kindest regards to all enquiring friends. None other. Uncle C- & Aunt Virginia and family, Jno W.[A.?] Cousin [Tom?] [Hop?], Jno B.H. &c &c. Don’t go near [[MS. illegible]] nary time. I had rather go to Nova Scotia. My love to Pa[,] Ma[,] Judy[,] and the little children[.] Write to me. Anyhow at the risk of scolding no more.--

but believe me as ever truly and affectionately
Your Brother W.R.