Paducah Ky 16^th Sep 1864
Dear Dan

The work to be done here looms up bigger and bigger daily — I don't think that Warren Hastings administration in India could present greater enormities of oppression, outrage and wholesale plunder, than Paines brief reign of terror in this end of Kentucky. Civil Officers who have, for forty years, filled office in all integrity and honor, have been cursed as a humane man would not curse a dog, and ordered with sanguinary threats to resign — They have shown manhood enough to meet the emergency with dignity to themselves, and their people, and refuse even to plead innocent in the absence of charges, They braved Paine out; but could not, I fear, have endured much longer. Business houses were shut up, all rents of property diverted into the hands of the local military, enormous fines — in one instance as high as 9000 dollars — levied and only prevented from being collected by Gen Merediths providential arrival — Men have been shot by Paine, without trial, for offences of which a regular military court had acquitted them

In short a reign of terror, such as no one can conceive who has not witnessed it, existed

We already have a mass of affidavits

large enough as my Quarter Master would say "to burn a wet mule- The proof will be overwhelming — Anderson, Bolinger & C^o have managed very shrewdly Possibly they may escape altogether but we will if possible trip them.

Craddock has proved invaluable — We could not have gotten along at all without him — His efficiency and resoluteness cannot be too highly praised —

We may be detained until 1^st Oct but are straining every nerve by day and night to get through — Proof comes pouring in —

Gen Paine & Capt Paine (his son and A A G) have both tendered their resignations — They left 5 or 6 hours before our arrival —

Gen Meredith gives great satisfaction and talks properly — I hope and believe he will hold out —

Present my compliments to the Governor and Gen Suddarth — Drop me a line to this place

Yours very truly
Jno Mason Brown

Paducah Ky
Sept 16" 1864 —

The work to be done looms up more & more daily. Paines reign was a brief reign of unequaled terror and oppression. Business houses were shut up & rents of property directed into local military hands — fines enormous, in one instance as much as $9000 was levied, but collection prevented by providential arrival of Gen^l Meredith. Men were shot for offenses of which a military court had acquitted them — Have large mass of affidavits, proof is overwhelming. Anderson, Bolinger & Co. managed very shrewdly, may escape but will trip them if possible — Craddock has proved invaluable could not have gotten along without him- May be detained until 1" oct. will get through as soon as possible Gen^l Paine & Capt Paine his son tendered resignations, they left 5 or 6 hours before we arrived. Gen^l Meredith gives satisfaction & talks properly —

L B N^o 7 — 1864 P. 35

Rec^d A. G. O. Sept 23" 1864 —