will not presume to decide
or to refer to even in an order.

"I return herewith the copy of Laws of Missouri which you were so
kind as to lend me.

"Very respectfully your obt. servt.,
"J. M. Schofield, Major-Genl."

A LETTER ON THE CONDITION OF MISSOURI

On October 25 I wrote to Mr. Lincoln in regard to a reorganization
of the militia of northwestern Missouri, which had been made for
the purpose of suppressing the lawlessness that had prevailed there
under the name of "loyalty," saying:

"I take the liberty of sending you a letter which I have this day
received from Hon. Willard P. Hall, Lieut.-Governor of Missouri.

"It may be of interest to you, as showing the good effect of the
stringent measures which I felt compelled to adopt in some portions
of Missouri, and of the firm support you have given me.

"The immediate effect, as might have been expected, was a terrible
storm, but it has passed away, I hope never to return.

"The State is now in far better condition than it has been at any
time during the war.

"I have issued an election order in compliance with your instructions,
with which all parties express themselves well satisfied. It seems
I have at last succeeded in doing one thing which nobody can find
fault with.

"Shelby's raid has terminated with a loss of about one half of the
men with which he entered the State, and _he received no recruits_
except the robbers under Quantrill and Jackman. These left the
State with him. This fact is gratifying as showing that the rebel
power in Missouri is completely broken.

"Whatever may be the secret feelings of the former secessionists
of Missouri, their influence now, so far as it is exerted at all,
is for peace and submission to the national authority. All that
is now necessary to secure peace to Missouri, with the possible
exception of occasional raids from Arkansas, is union among the
loyal people. I shall spare no effort to reconcile their differences
as far as possible, or at least to restrain their quarrel within
peaceable limits. The additional strength your support has given
me will enable me to do this far better then before. My radical
friends now exhibit some disposition to stop their war upon me,
and I shall certainly not give them any good reason for continuing
it. The honest enthusiasts on the subject of liberty, who compose
the respectable portion of this party, are already well disgusted