Provost Marshal's Office Inquiry of
Colonel John M. Richardson

Provost Marshal's Office
Lebanon
July 13, 62

Major,

    Sir, in answer to your communication in regard to accusations against J. M. Richardson, Col., Comdg. 14th Rgt. MSM sent by Lt. Brown, I herewith state, that all the papers in my hands in relation to those facts have been sent to Provost Marshal General Ly. Col. B. Farrar, St. Louis, MO.  They consisted in statements sworn to before me about some horses forcibly abducted from one or two of the Complainants by Richardson's 1st Lt. of his original Company.  Unfortunately the Complainants are without exception of that dubious class of men who have been active aiders of rebellion while it was in power, and have now taken the oath of allegiance without ever showing the slightest degree of good will towards lending a helping hand in the suppression of those outlawed Banditts ranging in their immediate vicinity.  I have on the contrary, reason to believe that one or more of them are screeners and secret aiders and abettors of these misereants.

Now although my motto is and always has been justice to everyone, as far as circumstances allow it to be dealt out, I would demand of these men in the first place some proof better than [___] mouther demonstrations of Union sentiments, in the shape of activity engaging to rid the country of this pest before I would press the matter for their sake.

But, if you desire, I can bring some proof of illegal seizures of personal property on the part of Richardson's men from persons better entitled to credit than those you named and will do so immediately, if it is your desire.

Messrs. Wood is an influential man and notwithstanding my several appeals to him to engage in suppressing marau____ bushwhacking, he insists upon his do nothing policy but is very anxious to claim all he can get from the U.S. authorities.

If their case could be deferred until his district is fully cleared of the so called Rippee gang, the [bear] of which is an old friend of Mr. Woods, it would then in my estimation entitle them to a favorable heaving.  There have been within the last two weeks about 600 able bodied men from Wright C. at this post testifying their willingness to come under the protection of the Federal Government and notwithstanding my utmost effort of impressing these men with the importance of manifesting their loyal sentiments by squelching out the guerilla bands, I can hear dayly of new depredations of these scamps, whom nobody can find when federal Troops pursue them.

You will excuse the uncalled for advice contained in the above on the unbounded zeal of bringing about the thorough ramification of the country, and as the pockets is about the only vulnerable point with these Union varnisher traitor, I would attack it until I would see signs of returning real loyalty and submission to law and order.

Very Respectfully
your obnt Servant
C______ W_____
Capt. Provost Marshal

To Major Switsler
Provost Marshal Gen
[SW] Springfield, MO

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Copyright ©2000, Jeanette Shiel
Copyright ©2000, Art Freeman
All Rights Reserved.

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