Annotation
[1] Tarbell (Appendix), p. 356. General Curtis replied at 9:15 P.M., ``Dispatch received. The peace of this State rests on military power. To relinquish this power would be dangerous. It would allow rebels to rule some sections and ruin the Union men who have joined the military power to put down the rebellion. The civil authority is gradually coming into use, but sneaking rebels are in office, anxious to encourage new raids, and secure revenge for past military surveillance. It requires a considerable military force to keep things quiet in Missouri.'' OR, I, XXII, I, 839.
On December 19, Lieutenant Colonel Franklin A. Dick, provost marshal general of the Department of the Missouri, wrote Lincoln in support of General Curtis' reply, ``Officially I have most complete and reliable information as to the condition of this State. I have been in Missouri nearly all the time during the rebellion, and I say positively that at no previous time have the efforts and evil purposes of the Rebels in this State and city been more active and hopeful than now. . . . I therefore most respectfully ask of the President, that he will not require that we relax in our efforts to fight this enemy in the most effective manner. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).