Ironton Mo Iron Co Mo May 20th 1864

To Col. Sanders Provost Marshal General of the State of Mo

Sir

I Liberty of dropping you a few lines in order to let you know that Contrebrand property has been sold and received at Arcadia, Ironton and Pilot Knob for the last twelve months and I dont see much stop put too it by the military authority her (here) there is daily cotton and others articles such as tobacco &c-- wich I know is rebel property and wich I am able to prove by good Loyal men. This property belongs to Loyil men of south east mo, is taken from them by Timithy Reaves and his gang and sold in Ironton and --- for which they receive salt and provisions to take too below the lines to bushwackers Those wagons are generly drove by rebel women and boys iff you ak them where there husbands are they are widows which is not so we know some of them to be in Reaves band of Gurolis Reaves family is well dress and plenty of --- off than any union mans- family in the county the bad thing is Timothy Reaves and his gang take it from Loyill men and sends those womin with it for with they get half iff you should wish any more information on the subject I can be found any time in Ironton

Your humble and most obedent servant

Doctor James Reid

P/S I would Refer you to Lieut S--- Assistant Provost Marshal Generalhe knows all about me
Yours J Reid

Endorsement - Respectfully referred to Lt. Macklind at Pilot Knob

Letter from Dr. James Reid to Col. Sanders, May 20, 1864 ; Union Provost Marshals file of papers relating to individual citizens (Missouri State Archives microfilm roll F1205, National Archives Microfilm Publication No. 345, roll 227 Ree-Rei).