David Pierson writes in his letter to William H. Pierson, that, "We have had a host of bad news of late some of which has been contradicted but enough has been confirmed to render our affairs as a nation almost desperate." He mentions the capture of General Robert E. Lee with a portion of his army, the fall of Mobile, the total devaluation of Confederate notes, and the outrageous prices of goods. He expresses his disgust with non-military men who organized a rally in Shreveport to bolster Southern spirit. The letter was written from the courthouse in which Lieutenant Colonel Guess had been tried for cotton dealings with the enemy. Pierson comments that the rumor of the deaths of President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward has restored some confidence.