A. C. Harding to Richard Yates

Monmouth Oct 5 1861

Dear Yates

Our Cavalry Men have to the number of 8 or 10 come home, Others have gone to St Louis -- None of them speak well of Marshall!

I have not seen Palmer since (The captain) He was at Jefferson city when Lexington, [and?] His son George Palmer was in the battle and all our men say he fought most Bravely, He went with the party that took the Hospital and when there was faltering, to move up stairs to clear it young Palmer led the way Bayoneted the post man and after a desperate fight they put all but 4 to the floor. He tried to save four prisoners & even got three down stairs but in the rage of the battle they were killed there, young William [Henry?] of this city was with him. They are well educated & are of tried valor, I thought you might wish to notice such men, Their appointment to command would benefit the

service, you of course will do what you think best, But I will say that it does not follow that because such men as William P. Kellogg & Marshall are prominent in civil life that they are fit for military command -- the company of [Horse?] that we raised here can only be rallied, but removing their colonel There is too much [illegible] among the men, that he is a Drunkard and a coward to hope they will ever fight under him, some of his captains who have [certified?] for him, refused to charge when ordered & the work was done by Douglass of our Co -- who was badly wounded

Respectfully

Your friend A C Harding

A. C Harding a strong man

Answer that I have entered names of Palmer & Douglass for promotion if opportunity offers them Copy (A) As far as applicable

Ansd Dec 18 m