181. 1864 MISSOURI BUSHWHACKER LETTER GROUP A very rare October 1864 Missouri home front letter group written during Confederate Gen. Sterling Price's last major raid in that state while Confederate guerrilla forces roamed the countryside. The group consists of nine letters, totaling 24pp. on various size letter sheets, by a certain Mrs. Thomas Payne, Fayette, Howard Co., MO., between Oct. 24, 1864 and Nov. 28, 1864, to her husband at St. Louis giving him a detailed account of all the military activities, both Union and Confederate that occurred in Fayette and while he was away. Amazingly, Mrs. Payne also stood up to the threats of "Bloody Bill" Anderson's guerrilla band, with whom Jesse and Frank James rode, and forced the feared raider to back down in his promise to burn her house down. In very small part: "...[Fayette, Oct. 24]...we have had a great deal of excitement...The fort was evacuated a few weeks ago and since...we have had Rebels everyday in our town. They do not interrupt citizens or private property except the stores. They take what they want... No trouble as yet. He [Tom] wants the negroes to go home and stay and if they wont do that make a clean out and for me to go to Dick's and stay...some one has broken into John's...none have come in my house as yet...there will be [a] burning in town...[Sterling] Price is on the other side of the river and that will call the federals out after him...I now hear some Rebs galloping in the town...neighbor's step...the fight at Glasgow [Oct. 14-15, 1864] was [a] considerable affair. A good many on both sides [wounded] and a good deal of the town burned. [Brig. Gen. John B.] Clark and [Gen. Joseph] Shelby were the Confederate [commanders]. I do not know about the Federal commanders...All has been quiet in town today only four or five rebs in today. We have been looking for Feds and Negro troops today...if they do bring negro troops in...we will have another fight here for Capt. [Bloody Bill] Anderson, [Col. Sidney Drake] Jackman are still here and they would risk everything to get at them...It matters not where we are we will lose...it is not worth while to haul our plunder anymore...we have Rebs in town everyday and night. They haven't as yet done much mischief...[Oct. 30]...the Feds are conscripting whites and blacks in the river bottom...no Federal troops in town yet...there are plenty of Rebs in the country yet...[Nov. 6]...I have given up ever hearing from you again. What in the world is the matter...Capt. Eaton and Lieutenant Street [Company A, Ninth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia] have just arrived with two hundred men...We are having dreadful times up here. Both sides are killing and burning...We had a visit from Anderson's men Friday night. They robbed a great many citizens...They gave me fifteen minutes to get every dollar I had or they would burn the house. I told them the house would have to go. I had no money. They jawed me a while and finally left. I was scared very much indeed...when they learned the Feds were expected it made them travel...if Eaton and Street stay here we will get along very well but if Knox and Taylor County militia come we will stand no chance...I dread election day very much...[Nov. 6]...we have seven thousand two hundred Feds here at this time. They came in yesterday...to vote for President. All voted for Lincoln...the states of things here [is] awful. No day passes with[out] some fresh out brake on the part of the Feds. The negroes are perfectly wild...they [the troops] keep the kitchen and Ann's room crowded full...I had fourteen to supper last night...I think all the Union people will leave soon...Judge Hunt has been killed by the Feds...Pemberton was also killed...I don't think there will be any...but secesh soon...a great many will be banished from here. The Rebs say send them all out and then they will show you what bushwhacking...that we have never known...[Nov. 18]...our negroes are a perfect bother...the Feds left this morning...killed cattle, hogs, sheep, turkey and chickens and took all the corn, hay, oats in that part of our country...one thousand out of the seven are barefooted...some of the Glasgow troops passed through this town this evening...the election passed of very quietly, no confusion at all...[Nov. 18 by John P. ?]...Capt. Eaton will remain here...this winter unless they are ordered away...Gen. Fisk says they will stay...unless Gen. Rosecrans orders them away. Jim Page and Andrew Adams are reported killed by bushwhackers. George Patterson a soldier...went out to his fathers...the guerrillas found him there and took him off and killed him...we have perfect peace and quiet in town...[Nov. 28]...we are very much encouraged...on first days sale...we find that we need a good many things...we are sending an order to Mr. [CSA General] Marmaduke [she apparently used "Mister" to avoid Federal reprisal if the letter held into their hands]...Major [Reeves] Leonard [9th Missouri Cavalry] is a going to take all the troops...to Macon City if so our goods will go with them and I...haven't the courage to stand the raid. Some of the bushwhackers are around in the country not far from town. Jackson [actually CSA Col. Sidney D. Jackman who used both names] and his men are still on hand robbing...what shall I do...". Missouri letter groups with this content are rare. $1,500 - 2,000