October 22, 1863, Bonham, Tex.,
Brigadier General Henry E. McCullogh to Captain Edmund P. Turner

HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN SUB-DISTRICT,
Bonham, Tex., October 22, 1863.

 Capt. EDMUND P. TURNER,
Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: A good many of Colonel Quantrill's command have come into this sub-district, and it is said that he is now within it. He has not reported here, and I do not know what his military status is. I do not know as much about his mode of warfare as others seem to know; but, from all I can learn, it is but little, if at all, removed from that of the wildest savage; so much so, that I do not for a moment believe that our Government can sanction it in one of her officers. Hence, it seems to me if he be an officer of our army, his conduct should be officially noticed, and if he be not an officer of our army, his acts should be disavowed by our Government, and, as far as practicable, he be made to understand that we would greatly prefer his remaining away from our army or its vicinity.

I appreciate his services, and am anxious to have them; but certainly we cannot, as a Christian people, sanction a savage, inhuman warfare, in which men are to be shot down like dogs, after throwing down their arms and holding up their hands supplicating for mercy.

This is a matter to which I wish to call the serious attention of our commanding generals, and with regard to which I desire their advice and instructions as early as practicable.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

 HENRY E. McCULLOCH,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Northern Sub-District.

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