Capt. Peevy's Statement
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From Peevy's statement - The main Federal force is now concentrating at Hartville in Wright County, Missouri, and will be under command of Blunt. They report 10,000 men, and I do not believe they miss it far. They are thus concentrating to check Marmaduke, whom they fear as honest men do the devil. On the boarder, both in Arkansas and Missouri, they are murdering every Southern man going north or coming south. West of Cassville, in Barry County, a first lieutenant (Robert H. Christian) of the Missouri militia committed one of the most diabolical, cold-blooded murders that I heard of during my trip. Four old citizens of that county had gone to the brush, fearing that by remaining at home they would be murdered. Their names were Asa Chilcutt (who was recruiting for the C. S. Army), Elias Price, Thomas Dilworth, and Lee Chilcutt. Asa Chilcutt was taken very sick, and sent for Dr. Harris, a Southern man. The doctor came as requested, and, while there, this man Christian and 17 other militia came suddenly upon their camp. Lee Chilcutt made his escape. The others were captured, and disposed of as follows: Asa Chilcutt, the sick man, was shot to death while lying on his pallet unable to move. He was shot some six or seven times by this leading murderer, Christian. They marched the others 150 yards to a ridge, and, not heeding their age or prayers for mercy, which were heard by the citizens living near by, they shot and killed the doctor and the others, all of them being shot two or three times through the head and as many more times through the body. They (the Federals) then left them, and, passing a house near by, told the lady that they "had killed four old bucks out there, and if they had any friends they had better bury them." This man Christian also tried to hire two ladies, with sugar, coffee, to poison Southern men lying in the brush. Christian proposed furnishing the poison and also the subsistence, and would pay them well if they accepted his proposition. The names of the ladies are Rhoda Laton and Mrs. Simms, and every word of all the above can be proven in every particular. I have given you the above narrative of Christian's acts at the request of the public living in this section. They look to you as the avenger of their wrongs. I have the honor to be, general, your most obedient servant, Joseph G. Peevy Capt. Co. B, Hunter's Regt. Mo. Infty., on Detached Service Source: OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Pages 823-825. Submitted by Stan McKay - Deceased |