Unknown to Major-General CuRTIS, February 12, 1863

Major-General CuRTIS, Saint Louis, Mo.:

DEAR Sie: The great anxiety I have for the restoration and perpe suity of our once happy country is the only excuse I have for again presuming to address you. I will not be tedious.

Cool deliberation and observation prove to us beyond doubt that our liberties, and the cause we fight to sustain, are eminently endangered by leading military men affiliating with sympathizers, and winking at their fiendish opposition to the Government. Persons from abroad are traveling through these upper counties by night, organizing Knights of the Golden Circle. One of those travelers became drunk, and fell into the hands of our unconditional Union men, who were initiated and let into the secret plans of operation, the most important of which was that there were 800 guns at Maryville, Nodaway County, and the same number at Albany, Gentry County, and that as soon as they could raise or initiate into the circle men to rise en masse and overpower the guards and take the guns for Jeff. Davis’ use, they would do it.

As Col. Manlove Cranor and Lieut. Col. J. W. Curry, of Gentry County regiment, have declared boldly their opposition to the Administration and the war, it is believed that they, too, are Knights. Lieutenant-Colonel Cranor denotinces us as unconditional negroes, and does all he dare do to encourage rebels and dishearten Union men. Our people call for a change. We are oppressed and discouraged, and cannot carry out your orders under the present rule. If the present going of things is not checked, supporters of the Government, without regard to previous political opinions, will be down-trodden and driven from the country by secessionists under the garb of democracy.

Again we pray your honor to give us a brigadier of the type of Ben. Loan, and under officers to suit, that we may serve our country without being unjustly oppressive to any; otherwise our future is dark.

Believing that you have information from others also how matters have been going in this district, I subscribe myself, with much respect,

your obedient servant, Provost-Marshal.