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PATTERSON, MO., March 1, 1864.
Major-General ROSECRANS:
SIR: I learn through the columns of the Missouri Democrat you made a speech in Jefferson City, Mo., speaking of matters in Missouri, and saying the State was quiet in its center and on its borders.
Sir, please suffer me, one who knows that you must be misinformed. Sir, at this time the border counties on the Arkansas line are by no means at ease. I would say that Ripley, Butler, Carter, Oregon, and Howell Counties are so filled with marauding bands, of what they call Southern soldiers, that many other Union men, with myself, are not allowed to stay at their homes. My home and family are in Ripley County, 22 miles north of Pocahontas, Ark., it being near the center of 150 miles square, destitute of Union troops. I have been home three times in twelve months by going with scouts from the Pilot Knob. Now, sir, in the border counties of Missouri and Arkansas, Pocahontas being near its center, there are many bands of men doing as they like. It is true our scouts get some of them, but they concentrate to the opening there, it being a good county to organize their bands in. That scope that is without protection, from what I can hear, would not fall much short of 1,000 men in arms against the Government and Union men. I will not say anything about my loss, but will ask you, what about the future?
Many of us have been waiting a long time and expecting Government troops to be stationed at Doniphan, Mo., or Pocahontas, Ark. Either place would give us protection. I, with many others, would like to know very soon whether or not we are to have any protection. We have homes in said counties and wish to live in them with our families. If there are to be no troops stationed there, then we must try to get our families North, where every house is now filled with refugees already, and give up our homes to the rebels. Doniphan is in Ripley County, 75 miles south of Pilot Knob. Sir, if it is in your power and you feel willing to help us by stationing troops in our country, it would be received as a great favor. Please take notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.
Respectfully, yours,
G. W. HUTCHINSON.
For reference, see General Fisk. My address is Ironton, Mo.