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Ottville March the 3 1864
Dear Sir
it is under it is under rather singler sircumstanses that i rite you these few lines to let you no that two of your boys has got into dificulty here and needs your help forth witt thare names is John W Parks and Henry Price They went over into Pike Co on a viset as they was coming home they come along a rode whare a man was killed and near the same time and as they was seen near the same place they was arested taken to Pittsfield the Co seet and tryed before the Justes of the peace convicted and put in prison there is no positive evidence but circumstancil
evidence is so strong that we are afrade it will rule the boys wery clost it comes as neer positive evidence as can be to not be the man that was killed was one of the strongest copper heads thas can be he dant deny. organizing and drilling the K G C or the Knits of the Golden Circle he is now to be a sothern simpthizer and it is said of him that he has been a Mosuria bushwhacker and has been nown to harber such carcters as these at his house in pike Co thees facts was told mee and others and would be sworn to if they had the privileg but all evidence of that
kind was ruled out and i dont belive the boys can get Justice here and by there request i rite to you for asistance Circuit Cort sits the 11th of April next and you must be in a hurry or you will be too late whoever comes had better get an order from the Col or head quarters to get them this man that was murderd is said to be very insulting to fedrel solders and is very abusive
now i ask you as frends to your boys and to your government to come after them this from your unworthy friend James W. Wills by request of J W Park & H C Price to J R Kelso
March 3 1864
W.272 AGO [illegible] / 64
918
Wills James W.
States that John W. Parks and Henry Price of Co "M" 8d Cav [U.S.Mo.?] were arrested on suspicion of killing a man in Pike Co Ills. who are now in prison in Pittsfield; and are to be tried at the sitting of the Circuit Court April 11t 1864.
One Enclosure
[Give?] to Gov Yates
Rec'd [H.O.?] Dept Mo Mch 24. 1864
Recd [illegible] March 20 1864
Head Qrs Dist of South West Mo
Springfield Mo March 20-1864
Respectfully forwarded through Department Head Quarters to His Excellency Gov Yates, with the earnest request that the authorities see to it that these men have a fair and impartial trial, and if convicted be made the subject of Executive clemency. If the men committed the act charged, it was not done from ill will, or actual malice or from a [darkness] of the heart, but from a mistaken sense of their duty to the Government, and its loyal citizens.
Lieutenant Kelso's Company has been engaged, fighting and destroying Guerillas for two years, and have destroyed hundreds of them, and have relived large sections of this State, from these bands, the greatest curse of war; all of which is deserving of consideration in their case.
John B. Sanborn,
Brig. General Commanding
Head Qrs Dept of the Mo
St Louis Mch 25th /64.
Respectfully forwarded to His excellency the Governor of Illinois
W.S. [illegible]
Major General Comdg.
E.