New Madrid Nov 20. 1864
Cpt Chrls H. Hills Dist Pro. Msh.

Captain

I have the honor to report that on the 26. of this month, Humphry Massey, a noted guerilla and brother to Newt Massey, the desperado, who was killed on the 21. inst sent me word asking to know the conditions under which he would be pardoned & allowed to return to his home & resume the rights of a citizen of the United States, promising that, if pardoned, he would help to exterminate his late associates the bushwhackers of New Madrid and Pemiscot Counties. Since I came to New Madrid it was my & Cpt Edwards police to try against the bushwhackers the maxim “divide et impera” --- Capt Edwards & he approved my views. I sent to H. Massey, pledging my honor, that if he is not guilty of murder, that our government would pardon him provided:

1. he would give himself up
2. take the (oath) of allegiance, (he didn’t take it before)
3. sign a bond of 5000 dollars with good securities &
4. keep his promise & help us to exterminate the bushwhackers of this district

On the afternoon of the 27. he complied with the 1, 2 & 3. conditions (prominent secesh signing his bond) & left with of homeguard P.J. Hope. He will give account of himself very soon. He is 20 years of age, 6 feet high, grayish dark eyes, reddish dark hair & whiskers & he is very muscularously (sic) built.

I know my action is rather anomalous & not quite justifiable by law, but if you take into consideration this swampy country which is full of lakes sloughs and islands (a receptacle for dangerous characters) and the extreme difficulty of falling the country from them, you will not receive me severely. In a short time “success will crown my work”, and justify my cause.

Yours Captain
Your obedient Servant
Henry Sladek
Lt. & Asst Prov Msh

Letter from Henry Sladek to Capt. Chrls. H. Hills, November 20, 1864; Union Provost Marshals file of papers relating to individual citizens (Missouri State Archives microfilm roll F1484, National Archives Microfilm Publication No. 345, roll 177 Martin, T.- Mas).