John M. McCutcheon to Richard Yates

St Louis Mo Aug 30 61

Hon Richard Yates Gov

Your Dispatch saying that if Genl Fremont had released my teams, you would not order their detention was recd

In explanation I would say that I was employed by a Good Union House here to haul a load of Butter from here to a Point on the Ohio River opposite Smithland Ky. I did not think I was doing anything wrong - they told me the Butter was Sold to parties there & as I knew them to be truthful men & as Ky was a Loyal State & c -

On the arrival of my teams at Du Quoin my large teams attracted great attention & Suspicion -

they stopped them & telegraphed to Genl Fremont that they had detained a train of teams (only two) loaded with Butter & ammunition of War &c. he in reply said = detain Property till further orders meaning of course said suspicious property & not the teams - I & owner of Butter went over to see about it & were arrested & sent to Col Oglesby who remanded us & our Case to Genl Fremont who referred our case to Maj McKinstry, he investigated the case & at once reported in our favor & ordered us released also Property, the necessary papers were there made out & sent by us to Genl Fremont to be signed - his private Secretary told us that it could not be done that Saturday 24th Evng as the Genl was so busy, but that I might with certainty go on to Duquoin and the dispatch would be there in time for me, I went there but the Dispatch had not been recd. I was then told by

Mr I. H. Brown (who is a very worthless fellow & refer you to Mr. D. S. Phelps for Proof) that he had orders to hold the property till further orders from you - I telegraphed to you as I did thinking that Genl Fremonts order would come as promised - I being tired waiting there came here to see what was the matter & find the Genl has been so busy & has lost some time with Burial of Genl Logan that the papers have laid over, but have the promise of his Secretary that he will try & have it attended to to day -

You will please excuse me for writing you this long letter but I did not want you to think I had been doing anything wrong in the first place and afterwards tried to deceive you about their being released, having such a flattering reccommendation to you by Hon Thos, hope excuse will be received, will you be kind enough to write Mr I H. Brown to release my teams & property when released by Genl Fremont & oblige

Your Friend

John M. McCutcheon

Sparta Randolph Co Ills

Hon Gov Yates

Jno M. McCutcheon

No answer.