August 13th 1862

To
     Brig Gen Schofield
                                       General,

                                                          Some time last March I obtained from General Hallock an order insuring one year protection. I applied to you and you gave me a Safeguard, which I thought would enable me to live on my farm near Pendleton in Warren Co., Missouri, undisturbed.

I have frequently been annoyed by the soldiers since then. I have showed them your order which is much _____ they have respected.  They have been here three times this week.  Searching for arms, pulling and throwing down carelessly everything in the house and in the place;  contemplating  what to pull down or set fire to a stack of rye, contending however to act upon the former suggestion-their search proved fruitless.

I can assure you General there is not an arms or ammunition of any kind about the house-this search was made by 19 men of Captain Holberg (Sp?) Company H.  Colonel Brookmyer who afterwards ordered their dinner and feed for their horses, all of which was given them.

The second time the house was search by D or F. they pretended they did not know. Col. Hartran's.  By and such was made at the black of night.

Today, Major Baily's Battalion passed _____, and demanded blankets, comforters, horses, saddles, _____ and I told them I had blankets of my _____ Negro Mrs. L. ________lent me, I having lost 14 last winter by the soldiers.

I showed them your order, but the Orderly Sergeant with an air of impudence said, "He did not know whether that order was of any amount they had received later orders from Washington."

My protestations were of no avail.  I assured him I had only four blankets in the house to cover myself and four little babies the youngest but three weeks.  They took one blanket, also Mr. Tracy's saddle.  Mr. Tracy is in the Hay? of Government at Cincinnati.

My father who _____ _____ and has come up here to spend sometime with me.  ______ had been _____ old _____ brought up his saddle.  _____ ______ General he is getting old and can not work on the plantation intending to ______ (I presented) these facts to them but they paid no attention and took his saddle.

At present General your protection is all I have to save me from ruin.  I think I fairly contributed my share to the Union cause last Winter.  I beg of you that you send me another order.  The same kind but a later date.

Do General send it by return of mail, it is all that will protect me.  I know you will not pass a favor for which I shall ever be grateful.

                                                               Yours very Respectively,

                                                                   Mrs. Clay Taylor

                                                                      Pendleton

                                                                         Warren County, Missouri

Head Quarters; District of Missouri
St. Louis, September 14, 1862

General,

             I enclose a letter from Mrs. Clay Taylor, which I command to your special attention.  I believe her husband is in the Rebel Army, and has forfeited all his property to the Government.  At the same time a safe-guard must not be violated with impunity.  Several complaints of this kind have reached me, and I am determined to make an example of some of these lawless fellows.

            I desire if possible that the men guilty of this they shall be arrested and tried.

Very Respectively
J. M. Schofield
Brig. Gen.

Brig Genl Merrill
Comd'g N. E. Div.
 U. S.

Head Quarters of St. Louis District of Missouri
Saint Louis December 20, 1862

Brig General Lewis Merrill

County Northeast Missouri

General,

              The Genl Comdg directs me to make the following statements:
                                                                                                                       There is a Mrs. Taylor who is in possession of a Safeguard given by Brig. Gen Schofield countersigned by Brig. Genl Davidson.  Reports that on the 20 inst an officer representing himself as a Provost Marshall of your command took from her farm a quantity of Hay, which he said would be paid for.  The lady does not know whether the receipt was given or not, and is very anxious to know if the Hay will be paid for.  Prior to this date Capt. B. Colberg Company H? of Col. Bockmyers Regt and a private of Col. Hutton's Regiment went to her house and took blankets off the beds.  The farm is near Pendleton, Missouri and occupied by a Mr. Bernard Pratt, the Father of Mrs. Taylor.

Very Respectively Your Obd Servt
C. H. Dyer
A. H. G.

Head Quarters N. E. District of Missouri
Warren County, Missouri
 

Thursday, December 25, 1862

Capt C. H. Dyer - A. A. G.
Hd 2trs St. Louis Dist.
St. Louis, Missouri

                                   Sir,

                                              I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of December 20th '62, bearing upon the case of one Mrs. Taylor of Pendleton, Missouri.
    
     Upon the conduct of the men of Colonel's Hutton and Brockmeyer's Regiments was outrageous and was punished with due severity.  The forage it was necessary to take.  It was done by me order and was taken in an orderly manner without in any way disturbing Mrs. Taylor.

     By a matter of course a voucher in proper form has been or will be given to the owner of the hay.  Mrs. Taylor I am assured and believe was treated with all proper courtesy by the officer and men of the forage party." (Signed ) Lewis Merrill Brig. Genl Comdg.

I am Sir
                   Very Respectfully
                      Your Obd Servt
                               Harrison A. Gleim
                                      Major & A. D. G.