Granby, July 10th 1862.

Mess[rs.] Blow & Kennett
Saint Louis.

Dr Sirs,

Since mine of the 30th to you Mr. H. T. B. [Henry T. Blow] I have it in my power to communicate that our portion of the state is in a much quieter and much more promising condition.  The federal forces now occupy Neosho, Newtonia and day before yesterday one company of 50 or 60 men stationed here.  At Newtonia a permanent post is to be established.  When I returned here from St. Louis there were numerous "jayhawkers" and "bushwhackers" about our town but since the advent of Uncle Sam's men a general stampede of this class seems to have taken place.  If the Federals continue to hold this corner of the state or give evidence satisfactory of their ability to do so I cannot but feel that the time is not far distant when it will be entirely safe for you to resume your operations here.  This matter however will present and develop a much clearer aspect within the next two weeks by the expiration of which time I think the party now in possession will have fairly established itself and also by that time we shall be better enabled to judge of the movements intentions and capability of the Southern forces.  You have doubtless learned of the retreat of these last mostly as far as Fort Smith.  Yesterday intelligence was received that Clarkson and 90 of his men had been captured by the Federal forces in the nation.  This may or may not be correct but such is our latest information and is generally accredited.  It is generally believed here also that Hindman has a large force at Little Rock, that those who recently retreated from the line here have gone to him and it is thought possible that he may come up in full force.  On the other hand it is thought that Rains, Coffee & others have only practised a rise in coming here to the line under the pretense of marching into the state for the purpose of getting large numbers of recruits with whom to retreat to Hindman and thus permanently increase his army for active service elsewhere.  These are two of the most prevalent conjectures but I think as before stated, the coming two weeks will develop the whole movements & intentions much more clearly and indeed definitely.

Capt. Park commander here informs me that there will be no difficulty attending the protecting of the furnace & other property thereto belonging so long as he is here as it will be one of his greatest cares to guard all carefully.  Col. Hall stationed at Newtonia & commander of all the forces here at Neosho and his post is said to be a pleasant gentleman and one determined to restore peace & order to our vicinity.  I have not yet seen him but as he will be in to dine with me tomorrow I shall have an interview with him & endeavor to advise you of his views &c &c.  The mail is running regularly 3 times a week to Neosho but does not come through here for the reason that we have no Post Master, Mr. Sweet late P. M. having left.  As it is a matter of great interest to our citizens and perhaps of importance to you, we have determined to appeal to you to endeavor to have the mail come through & be left here, to which end the enclosed petition is addressed.  Mr. Fitzgerald is a quiet, peaceable & loyal citizen and during the war has taken no active part either way.  He is thought competent to act and has been persuaded by the citizens to consent to serve in this way for us, until a permanent appointment is made.  I thought that probably Gen'l Schofield would be the proper person to apply to and would if requested by you authorize Mr. F to officiate but you will understand the proper course better than me.  Mr. F does not wish to be permanently appointed just now as he is uncertain about remaining here through the coming fall but will make an excellent Post Master for a time & perhaps hereafter he may be confirmed permanently.  As soon as this facility is established I will write you by every mail as formerly aand endeavor to keep you regularly advised as to matters here.  Until our office is fairly established any communications or letters for me can be addressed to me care of Jones & Henning Neosho, to which point I will send or go every few days for mail matter.  I should be much pleased to receive occasional newspapers as these will prove of interest and importance not only to me myself but our citizens generally.  There are a few miners still holding on waiting in daily expectation of receiving some encouragement from you. Nothing is being done in the mines.  Will write again in day or two & hoping soon to hear from you, I am

Yours Respy
F. M. Ridgely

Same day.  Later.  Under orders of Col. Hall at Newtonia Capt. Park here is hauling the lead on hand to his encampment and says that it will probably be sent hence to Springfield.  He has promised to give me a certified statement of the am't when all . . .

SOURCE:  Blow Family Papers, Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO.  Reproduced by permission.  Copies of the original letter may be obtained from the Missouri Historical Society Archives, PO Box 11940, St. Louis, MO 63112-0040.

NOTE:

Colonel George H. Hall commanded the 4th Missouri State Militia Cavalry.  Captain Joseph Parke commanded the 4th MSM's Company E.  Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Missouri, December 31, 1863, pages 170-171.

As subsequent entries in the timeline make clear, this letter's optimism about Union prospects in Newton County was premature.  Only after the first battle of Newtonia did Union forces take firm possession of the area.  Even then, they were prepared to abandon the area during the major Confederate raids into Missouri.  Lead production in Granby did not resume until after the war.

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