Mrs. Ladd:

It becomes my painful duty to forward you the last letter of your lamented husband, who was shot to death on the 29th of Oct. last, in retaliation for the death of Major Wilson and six of his men by rebels (Major Reeves).

I attended your husband from the time he rec'd his sentence to his death, and am happy to say he bore his fate with Christian fortitude and resignation. At his request, I placed his testament which he had carried with him through the war, on his breast in his coffin. God comfort you and your children is the prayer of your humble servant…

Phillip McKim Chaplain, U.S.A.

Headquarters Department of Missouri,
Office of the Provost-Marshall-General,
Saint Louis, Mo., Oct 29.1864.
Col. J.V. Du Bois, Chief of Staff, in the Field:

Colonel: I have the honor to inform the commanding general that on this day the following rebel soldiers - JAMES W. GATES, Co H. 3rd Mo, Cavalry, CSA; HARVEY H. BLACKBURN, Co A, Coleman's regiment, CSA; JOHN NICHOLS, 2nd Mo. Cavalry, CSA; CHARLES W. MINNEKEN, Co A, Crabtree's cavalry, CSA; ASA V. LADD, Bumbridge's regiment, Mo. Cavalty; CSA; and GEORGE F. BUNCH, Co B, 3rd Mo. Cavalry - were executed by being shot to death by musketry in retaliation for the murder of six men of the Third Cavalry Missouri State Militia by Tim Reves' guerrillas, and in compliance with Special Order No.277, paragraph 12, dated … October 6, 1864. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Joseph Darr, Jr. Acting Provost-Marshall-General

McDowell Prison,
Saint Louis, MO.,
November 8, 1864.
General Rosecrans:
Sir: This morning I was called from the prison where the Confederate officers were confined and taken to an anvil and a 12- pound ball and chain riveted to my ankle, and then my sentence was read to me as follows: "In retaliation for Major Wilson, Maj. Enoch, of Lieut. Col B. Ford's battalion, Col. T.R. Freeman's brigade, Gen. Marmaduke's division, Gen. Price's army,shall be shot to death with musketry on Friday next between the hours of 9 and 11 o'clock."

Now, general, I have one favor to ask and it is with you to say whether it is fair or not. The favor is this: If this inhuman and unsoldier-like deed was committed will you please ask General Price to deliver the per- petrator of this crime, and if he turned Major Wilson over to this notorious bushwhacking Tim Reves to be executed, he certainly will make satisfaction by delivering up to the authorities the man who committed this inhuman crime, and if he refuses to carry on an honorable warfare I think all those officers in prison will refuse to take up arms if ever exchanged.

I think these steps should be taken before you go further.I ask as a member of the Masonic fraternity. Excuse my bad writing.

Yours with respect,
E.O.Wolf Major, C. S.A.

MILITARY EXECUTIONS