Below is the story relating to the death list of Union men targeted for the killing of John Hiley. If there is anybody out there with with any information or insights into the names on the list, please feel free to weigh in. Bob, perhaps the names on the list will help you with your evaluation of the Milks Raid. In my document I had the Evans names highlighted because they it into the Hildebrand angle that I was working on--and for some reason I had the listed name F.R. Boyd circled and highlighted, but my reason for doing so eludes me.
I am still looking for the other article—the one regarding Bob Hyley stealing a horse belonging to Hildebrand's enemy, Orville McIlvaine. The below death list article was in my Hildebrand file so I was able to find it relatively easily. As I recall, and I am remembering back almost a decade, I think I had the horse stealing document in another file, and that as I was in the home stretch of completing my Hildebrand book I had made a sweep through every single file and every single document I had on the Civil War in Missouri to see if anything fit into my manuscript, and that the McIlvaine horse stealing article fit the bill (that “home stretch” was a more like a double marathon). In any event, I am thinking the horse stealing article will be a bit more difficult to locate in my files. If anybody lives within a reasonable distance of Columbia and has a little time on their hands, maybe they could go into the Historical Society and look through the 6/26/63 issue of the St. Louis Union for the article and put up a transcription of it for Mr. Schmidt. Anyway, below is a transcription of the death list story.
St. Louis Union, 23 Sept. 1864, p. 2
BUSHWHACKERS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY—UNION MEN SPOTTED
Washington, County, September 20, 1864
To the Editor of the St. Louis Daily Union:
The guerrillas are still at work in Washington county. On last Thursday morning two of these armed villains attacked the house of Mr. Fred Will, whilst he was at breakfast with his family. One of them entered the house by the front door, and stepping, unperceived by the family, to the door of the dining room, asked Mr. Will to step into the hall. This done, he demanded Will's arms, stating that he was a United States detective, and that his captain was at the door waiting for him. Mrs. Will immediately ran into the hall and boldly told Mr. Detective that that game was played out; they succeeded in getting the villain out of the house, when his captain rose from behind a chicken coop with revolver in hand, evidently with the intention of shooting Mr. Will, so soon as they got him to the door, but they were foiled in their attempt at murder, and forthwith made a hasty retreat to their horses, which were tied in the brush, not more than one hundred and fifty yards from the house. They next visited the house of Thos. Blakewell, stole his rifle and put out. The neighborhood was soon aroused and gave chase to them, but owing to the dust in the roads and the woods being so very dry, they were unable to track them successfully. They next went to the house of Mr. Patterson and stole a rifle and revolver, and also some money and jewelry. When they decamped from Patterson's, they went to the house of Mr. M.A. Todd, late Sheriff of Washington county; they robbed him of a shot-gun, a revolver, money and jewelry. From Mr. Todd's they went to the farm of Mr. Nicholson and stole a fine horse belonging to George Towl, of Potosi. The troops in Potosi were soon out in pursuit of the thieves, and pressed them so hard that Mr. Towl's horse and one other were recovered from them; but the rascals made good their escape.
The country is full of bands of guerrillas. No Union man's life or property is safe, while rebels and rebel sympathizers feel perfectly safe and secure from any guerrilla depredation. They are fed and harbored by their friends, and get all the information they want from sneaking sympathisers who are permitted to live in our midst unmolested. Had Order No. 107 been faithfully carried out, and two full companies put into active service, I venture to say that guerrillas would be scarce.
On last Sunday morning a son of Rev. S. Brown found a dropped letter on the road, between Potosi and Hopewell, signed, O.A.K. It was evidently written by these desperadoes with a view to alarm Union men. The contents of the letter was a direct threat to have the lives of thirteen Union men in retaliation for their late chieftain, old John Hiley.
They commenced the work by the killing of Lieutenant H.C. Beckett; Captain Fred Will was to be the next victim, and there is no doubt but they intend to carry out their threat, unless they are speedily arrested in their career. The men whom they have selected as their victims are all unconditional Union men, now and forever. I give you a list of doomed: old John Evans, young John Evans, James Thompson, Elbert Thompson, F.R. Boyd, Captain W.H. Evans, Captain Fred Will, Lieut. John Hewey, old John Forshee, Marshall Ronjey, Captain A.R. Eaton, Captain John Jamison, Lieut. Wesley Yeargan. Lieut. H.C. Beckett, killed.
Signed,
INDEX.