Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The undersigned, learning with regret that evil-disposed persons, already in open rebellion against the Government of the United States, have spread rumors through the country in regard to the objects and practices of the Federal troops now among you, rumors calculated to alarm the peaceable citizens, avails himself of this occasion to assure the good people of Missouri that the mission of the troops is one of peace rather than that of war. It is to be hoped, therefore, that all loyal citizens will remain at their ordinary avocations; and all those who may have been deluded from their homes by the emissaries of the so-called Southern Confederacy, and persuaded to take up arms against their Government, will lay down their arms and return to their allegiance.

Among the many falsehoods which you have been made to believe to our prejudice, is, that the prime object of our coming among you is to steal and set free your slaves, and thereby encourage a servile insurrection in your midst, spreading ruin and desolation over your rich and beautiful State. You have been told that we would plunder your houses and barns; demolish them with fire; destroy your crops; rob you of your horses, cattle, &c.; insult your wives and daughters; butcher your men; in fact, commit every outrage known among the savages of the dark ages. All this is done to carry out a wicked rebellion against the Constitution and the laws.

The Government and troops thus vilified you are called upon to judge for yourselves. Upon our march thus far we have religiously observed the laws of your State and protected you in the full enjoyment thereof. In no instance has property been seized for the use of the troops. Every thing required has been fairly purchased, and its fall equivalent paid for in gold. We have been ever diligent in guarding the soldiers from committing the least impropriety, and whenever detected have punished them with extreme severity.

Unite your energies with ours to restore peace and prosperity to our distracted country. Let us put down the arch-traitors who are endeavoring to create anarchy and confusion among us by violating the laws, suppressing the liberty of speech, destroying your mail facilities, tearing up your railroads, burning your bridges and ferries, and otherwise bringing ruin and desolation upon this once free and happy people.