Year: 1862

l Deor Brother: I have sad news to communicate to you. Poor William came home Saturday even ing. Johnson and Clay were here when Ire came home. He had not been here more than a half houi when he went out to put away his horse-johnsor and Clay went with him. He had just got his sad de off, when 40 or 50 of the State militia came galoping up, and were at the barn gate before they saw them; William and Clay ran into the orchard and William lay down behind the bushes by the fence; they followed and took Clay prisoner; they fired at William twice, but missed him; he then raised up, came out and told them to take him. They questioned him about what he had been doing and he told them he had just come home from Coffee's camp--they said he had come to get news for Coffee, and they would kill him. They took him over the orchard and pasture fences through the woods to hunt Johnson and his horse, (which, of course he knew nothing about but they got his horse. They then brought William around to the south gate. He asked them if he mi ght come to the house to see his wife and children, but they cursed him and told him no so he called me out there and whispered to me to go to the house and empty the pockets of his coat and bring 1t to him; did so, and then he told me, |" Annie these men are going to kill me, must bid you good bye, l want you to take care of the children, and do the best you can; Jim will help you raise my children" :" He then asked me to bring Frank to see him, the lieutenant told him to hurry, went to the house to get Frank who was asleep and had not yet seen

 

 called William out across the road and told him he should shoot him there and to get through his talk quick. William came back and told mother and that they were going to kill him right there, but mother and threw ourselves on him and told them they must kill us first. They ordered us off or they would shoot us, and l think they would have shot us; they then told William to get on his horse, he did so, and took Frank in his arms and bid him good bye, that those men were going to kill his father Frank cried and screamed, and said, men don't kill my pa! and told them to look at those two little helpless children and then tell me if they could have the heart to kill my hus- band but they only cursed and mocked us; but told us they would not hurt him, only take him with them. So they started down the country road to- wards Fidelity; then after going about quarter of a mile they stopped, (so Clay says) made him get off his horse, ana took him through the woods down hollow to the left hand and there by big tree shot him with six balls We heard the firing and foowed--I found him on his knees with his poor face in pool of blood; 1 called him and thought he answered, but no, his lips were sealed in death He shot twice in the head, three times in the left arm and in the left side. We laid him to rest by his fathers side in the grave yard. at the meeting house. He looked very tural--he must have died instantly. Jimmy try to bear 1t the best you can, 1t IS severe afflctlon to us all. don't want you to come home, stay away until you knoo it is safe to come, or you may share the Sd me ldle WdhtS uo Lo pC together now, there are 80 few of us; but she is afraid to go sonth at this season of the year. What do you think it advisable for IS to do?

 The same crowd of State militia under Lieut.. Lefevre, passed here yesterday (Monday) going back to Mt, Vernon. The union men, Andy Eos ter, the Motleys, Willoughbys, Smiths and Oliver, that came in with the State militia Saturday, as soon as they heard what had happened, left that night without waiting to cut their wheat, they were afraid to stay. Jimmy, on no account, attemptto come home, but as soon you think it best, We will come to you, if we are spared.

 Clay says, after they had killed him, Lieut.. Le fevre rode among his men asking who would have his hat; none would take it, so he threw itand his coat to Clay, and told him damn him, take them and go take care of that man. w met Clay bring ing his hat and coat, and he turned back with us to search for William.

 want you to let the Southern men read of this cold biooded murder. We going to try and get Mr. May to go and see you,

 From your afflicted sister-in-aw,

 ANNIE c. DUNN.