Just a little trivia concerning the book, Enemy Women. The Federals didn't take the real Marquis (Mark or Marcus) to Ironton. Missouri State Guard troops under Lowe hung him.

File #11321

Provost Marshall

Solomon D. Crites

Evidence concerning him

Jeremiah Van gilder

Crites was busily engaged in hunting union men for the purpose of delivering them up to Lowe. They were accused of taking mules. The men were sent to Lowes army and hung. The men taken were Mark Gile, Frank Paul (not hung), Steven Paul, James L. Sweazea, were also hung but I don’t that if he helped to take Steven Paul and James L. Sweazea. But he acknowledged he took Giles and delivered him, the home guard. He is an ignorant man and was influenced by Gardner Sheriff of Carter County and witnesses think he (thought he) was doing right being an ignorant man being easily influenced by his superiors. He is a man of some property, but in debt.

Patterson Missouri November 20, 1863

Leeper WT Capt commanding

States that he sent up Solomon Crites, one of the Tucker gang who came into camp and gave himself up. He is a very bad man, also states that he sent out and …. One of the men who committed the murder on Big Creek a few days since. And think they have got another.

Recd, Headqtrs. South Missouri Nov 20, 1863

Patterson, MO November 20, 1863

General Fisk,

I sent up Solomon Crites one of the Tucker gang. He came into camp and then I did not have him killed, If I had taken him I would have him killed him, if I can get Tucker, Brackett(etc,) I will kill them. Crites is as mean as Tucker put him through. You have him, He is a very bad man. Sent out and … one of the men who helped to murder the man on Big Creek , a few days since, and think we got another last night. So they go one at a time,

Yours truly,

W.L. Leeper

Capt in command