Alexander Sympson to Richard Yates

Carthage Ills Sept 2nd 1861

Hon Richd yates

Springfield Ills

D Sir

Two Secessionist of Missouri followed Alvin Grant and Chiles Grant from the State of Missouri to this county and had them arrested for horse stealing and committed before Thomas Durant a Justice of the Peace for our county. The following is the facts as I learn them from the Justice. they are brothers and have been living in the lead Region in South West Missouri had accumulated considerable property by mining, they are Union men Was driven from home this summer after being Striped of their property. made their way into Clark County Missouri. and was with Coln Moore and his men at the battle of Athens. they acknowledge to the taking of the horses. A company went while under Coln Moore and took Several horses they among them this was several weeks ago. the Justice who tried them is a conscientious and a good man and had determined to

to acquit them believing they ware not thieves but the secessionist of our county had determined to take them by force and carry them to Missourie where they would certainly be hung by the scoundrils the Union men here would have Resisted the actions of the disunionist and in order evade a fight the Justice committed them. Now the sole object of this letter is to request you not to issue your writ to surrender them to the authorities of Missouri Untill we can ascertain if what they have told us is true of which we will advise you I pledge myself to get this information as speedy as possible. I have not seen the young men myself. the Union men here say they do not look nor act like thieves. Pleas indulge us in this matter

Respectfully your

Abner Sympson

Alex Sympson

Carthage

Not to issue writ to Gov Missouri