In examining the many news paper articles involving Guerrilla operations during the latter half of 1864 I observed not a decrease in contacts for the reasons you mentioned, but an increase. In many instances there were toe to toe encounters that indicated to me that a point was finally reached where both sides were not offering any quarter. After guerrilla leaders such as Anderson and Quantrill had either been killed or neutralized it did not settle the matter for their followers or lesser leaders. Had not amnesty been offered the war in Missouri would not have ended with Lees surrender. What choice was there for them? Consider also that the regular Missouri soldier would have found it difficult to return home without being caught up in the ongoing guerrilla war. In studying your work through the previous volumes it is my assertion, based upon my own research and experience, that had someone in the rebel corner who really understood irregular warfare, could have caused tremendous problems in Missouri with a disciplined and trained guerrilla force. However, I do keep in mind that in that era the Gentleman's war mentality was the dominant thinking, with many playing at or romanticizing war. Your work has opened my mind in re-evaluating the guerrilla war in Missouri.