January 25, 1865, Warrensburg, Mo.,
"The Killing of Allen McReynolds"

HDQRS. CO. H, SEVENTH CAV. MISSOURI STATE MILITIA,
Warrensburg, Mo., January 25, 1865.

Col. JOHN F. PHILIPS,
Commanding District of Central Missouri:

COLONEL: I beg leave to submit the following statement connected with the killing of Allen McReynolds: I ordered Lieutenant Crain with a portion of the command to proceed to Grand Pass Church, some six miles east of Waverly, and to remain there until joined by me. While there he sent two men of his command to the house of Allen McReynolds to get something to eat and to palm themselves off as bushwhackers, which they did successfully. While there McReynolds told them he was willing to feed them and aid them in any way he could, but declined to carry provisions to the brush for fear of being caught and killed by the Federals. He also informed them that they were unsafe where they were, as squadrons of Federal troops had left Warrensburg, Sedalia, and Marshall the day before to thoroughly scout the country thereabouts, and to then concentrate at Miami. He also advised them to proceed to one Tracy's for safety and security, it being an out-of-the-way place and where Federal scouts seldom traveled; that he (Tracy) had plenty of forage and would take pleasure in entertaining them. When the command were through feeding, Lieutenant Crain arrested McReynolds and brought him out to the command. Soon after I joined them; heard the evidence above given, which he (McReynolds) acknowledged, as also to the fact that Quantrill and band had stopped with him several times, and other bands of bushwhackers which he had never reported to the Federal authorities. On consultation with the squadron commanders (Captain Hamblin and Lieutenant Crain) it was decided to execute McReynolds, which was carried out under my orders.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. M. BOX,

Captain Company H, Seventh Cavalry Missouri State Militia.

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