[A supply train reached Fort Gibson in Indian Territory on April 20, 1863.]  Those who came down with the train from Neosho, state that a large portion of the town was recently burned.  It was not definitely known whether the fire was started accidentally, or by an incendiary.  It was discovered after night, and had make such progress that it could not be checked with the means the people had at hand.  Two companies of the Missouri State Militia have been stationed there since Colonel Phillips withdrew his Indian troops; but one cannot easily believe that there could be found among them an individual who would deliberately attempt to burn a town of his own State; a town, too, which he is paid to protect.

SOURCE:  Wiley Britton, Memoirs of the Rebellion on the Border 1863 (1882), page 221.

Some time in April, 1863, a part of Neosho was burned, the deed being ascribed by some to two companies (one Capt. Ritchey's) of Missouri Militia, who replaced the Indian garrison withdrawn by Col. Phillips.

SOURCE:  Goodspeed's History of Newton County, Missouri (1888), page 260.

NOTE

Captain Ritchey's company was Company I of the 76th Enrolled Missouri Militia, which was mustered into service December 17, 1862 at Newtonia.  Ritchey later organized Company K of the 7th Provisional Enrolled Missouri Militia and then Company K of the 15th Missouri Cavalry.

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