The following letter was written by Thomas Buffington Dewitt (1832-1891) of the Missouri Home Guard Infantry who had just been sworn in that day. The letter discusses the current state of the war in Missouri and a growing sense of alarm. John C. Porter’s band of Guerrilla’s had organized in northern Missouri in the early summer and had been raiding trains, stealing horses, and food from the citizens, occasionally skirmishing with state troops, leading to concern about their farms and livelihood. He states that they are able to stay at home most of the time.

Thomas wrote the letter from Milan, some twenty miles due west of Kirksville in northern Missouri. He was married to Madlain McCullough (1841-1927) after his first wife, Frances Carney (1833-1859) died in 1859. His parents were Thomas DeWitt (1791-1879) and Mary Magdalene Buffington (1797-1886) of Wheeling, West Virginia. By 1880, DeWitt had relocated to Polk, Adair county, Missouri. By 1886 they were living in Fresno county, California.

Transcription

Milan, [Sullivan county, Missouri]
August 10, 1862

Dear Mother and Father,

I take this opportunity of informing you that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you in good health. I have just read a letter from Henry to Beck which informed me of your being well, which I was glad to hear.

We are all in the [Missouri] State [Militia]Service here. I was sworn in this day. The secesh is gathering up in companies all over the state and stealing horses, doing devilment generally. We are going to stop them. The people is more alarmed about the war now than they ever have been. For my part, I think it has just commenced. Madlane is taking on about me going into the militia, but can’t help it. I was bound to go. They say we can stay at home the most of the time.

Henry wants to know what is the least money I will take for my place. Tell him to sell it for the most he can get. I will be satisfied with a low price. Take five hundred if you can’t get no more. If I had the money, I could double it every year. I have just sold forty-five head of steers for $22 per head that cost me $10 last fall. I have a lot of two-year-olds on hand now and going to buy more this week. I. Larkins wants me to pick him out a situation. I don’t know what kind of place he wants— for to sell goods, or [to] farm. If he wants either, he can find them here. Pork is selling good. They sell goods very high, and [it’s a] good place for farming.

Tell John that I would like to have him come out here. Any man can do well here that will try. I have talked of coming home this fall but now the Union Army belongs to me and I expect I can’t come home. I have got but one letter this summer from home. I must close. Give my [respects] to all my friends. Write soon. Tell me all about what is doing there. No more at present, but remain your affectionate son, T. B. DeWitt