In conversing lately with Dr. R., who fled for his life, last
    July, from Ripley County, Southern Missouri, I collected some
    information which may not be unacceptable to your readers.

Dr. R. states that early last summer the citizens of Southern Missouri began gathering into companies of armed men opposed to the general government, and that it was a fear that the general government would not protect their lives and property which induced great numbers of really Union men to take sides with the rebels.  They saw their country thronging with secession soldiers; were told it was the will of the State government that they enlist for the protection of the State:  if they did not do this voluntarily, they would be drafted; and all drafted ones would in camp take a subordinate position, have to perform the cooking and washing, in short, all the drudgery for those who volunteered.  This falsehood drove hundreds of the ignorant Missourians into the rebel ranks.  Captain LOWE, afterwards Col.  LOWE, who was killed at the battle of Fredericktown, was the recruiting officer in Ripley and its adjoining counties.  He arrested Dr. R. on the 4th of July, on a charge of expressing sentiments ’dangerous to the welfare of the community.’  Dr. R. was tried by a court-martial, in presence of the three hundred soldiers then assembled.  Witnesses against the Doctor were produced, but he was not allowed time to summon witnesses in his behalf, nor to procure counsel.  One novel circumstance in the trial was occasioned by the absence of any justice of the peace to administer the usual oath to the witnesses.  None were procurable, from the fact that all had resigned, refusing to act officially under a government they had repudiated.  In this dilemma the prisoner came to their relief.  ’Gentlemen, I am a justice of the peace, as most of you already know, and, as I have not yet resigned, I will swear in the witnesses for you.’  ’Wall, I reckon he kin act as justice afore he’s convicted,’ suggested one of the crowd.  So the Doctor administered the oath in the usual solemn manner.  This self-possession and fearlessness seemed to have an effect on his judges, for, after the testimony, he was permitted to cross-question the witnesses and plead his own cause.  He was able to neutralize some of the charges against him.  The jury, after an absence of fifteen minutes, returned verdict that ’as there was nothing proved against the prisoner which would make him dangerous to the community, he was permitted to be discharged.  But,’ added the foreman, ’I am instructed by the committee to say they believe Dr. R. to be a Black Republican, and to tell him that if he wants to utter Black Republican sentiments, he has got to go somewhere else to do it.’  It was well known the Doctor had voted for DOUGLAS.  But here followed an animated conversation between the prisoner and LOWE’S men as to what constituted Black Republicanism; the result of which was, as the Doctor turned to depart,