To John M. Schofield1Jump to section
St. Louis, Mo--- Washington, DC. Sep. 30. 1863
Following despatch just received:
Union Men Driven Out of Missouri.2Jump to section
Leavenworth, Sept. 29.---Governor Gamble having authorized Colonel Moss,3Jump to section of Liberty, Mo., to arm the men in Platte and Clinton counties, he has armed mostly the returned Rebel soldiers and men under bonds. Moss' men are now driving the Union men out of Missouri. Over one hundred families crossed the river to-day. Many of the wives of our Union soldiers have been compelled to leave. Four or five Union men have been murdered by Colonel Moss' men.
Please look to this; and if true, in whole or part put a stop to it.
A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, RPB. On October 2, Schofield replied to Lincoln's telegram, ``I find . . . that the report from Leavenworth . . . is a gross misrepresentation and exaggeration. A few men who claim to be loyal, but who have been engaged in murder, robbery, and arson, have been driven out. . . . It is a base attempt of my enemies to influence your action.'' (OR, I, XXII, II, 591).
[2] The despatch is in the form of a newspaper clipping pasted on the autograph telegram.
[3] James H. Moss.