unknown sender - 1864-10-08

St. Louis  Oct. 1st 1864

Kind Sir,

                            I am the recipient of your favor, of the 26th ult; informing me as to your whereabouts, and circumstances.  The weather is cold & damp, the streests [sic], in just such a condition as you have often seen.  There is nothing of interest in the city today, but for the last week we have had a lively time.  Fortifying; organizing; conscripting; to an extent not know before in St. L.  But you might ask, what does it all mean?  The reply is that Price & Marmaduke are in the southern part of the state & all-ready the later, has assailed & captured Pilot Knob.  The Feds or as many as could, retired to Jefferson Barracks & consternation prevails generally.  The impression " [prevails] that Gen. Ewing & Tom Fletcher one captured by Gen Mar---- but we kave [sic] no satisfactory information.  You know, perhaps that Mr. T. Fletcher is candidate for Governor, but if he is "gobbled up" his chance for election is rather slim. I am by no means indifferent to what is transpiring, not only because I take an interest in military affairs, but because the authorities have threatened to close all the schools, & put us all in the ranks; in which event, you know well enough what I may do.  Yet time only can disclose; & I will wait with patience the culmination of affairs in missouri.  As for the Chancellor, he has retired, on account of his health, & Dr. Litton is acting Chancellor.  We have a fine Prof- of Math- but his time is so occupied that he can not teach Descriptive G-.  We look for another Prof- during the term, & the calculations are, that he will relieve Prof- Howisson, from some of the classes when Prof.- H.- will take up Des-prt- G.  My studies at present are Latin Annalytical, & Mechanics.  I recite Mech- with the Senior, of whom there are only three, viz, Eastlehun, Blake, & Glasscow, a hard class.  There are five Scientifics besids [sic] myself none however in the second class.  Ed S. Holden has not returned, as as well as I remember he is in Connecticut, somewhere.  Dr. Litton keeps the boys all strait, & my opinion is that he will make a better chancellor than Mr. Chauvenet (leaving mathematics out of the question.)  Henry H. Mudd, takes a course of medical provided he is not conscripted by either party.  Knight is at Westpoint, Cutter teaching in the Academic Dept- of W. U.   Hisley is in the engineer's office, Smith on the farm, Kercheval merchandising.  Nat Hazard from your Freshman class, is in our Sophomore.  I know nothing as to the folks in St. Charles, having heard from home but once, & been only once at your Uncles.  I dont even know how they are down there.  I hope to have better health this year than I had last.  But if I have to take the field my hopes may be doomed to disappointment.  Good byes

Respectfully  U. McC