The final letter from J. M. Pelot, at least which I have been able to locate, appeared in the Abbeville Banner, 16 Oct 1856, p. 2, c. 5, as follows:

"Camp at Lecompton, K. T.

October 5, 1856

There is little to write you this week of public import. Our company is stationed here for the present to guard 100 prisoners, captured recently at different times and places. One portion of them, to the number of 80, was yesterday committed to stand trial on the charge of "murder in the first degree." These were a part of Harvy's men, who attacked Hickory Point, and were in turn attacked by the U. S. Troops. Ot of 230 men, 110 were on that occasion made prisoners, some 20 having since escaped by the connivance of the Free State troopers. They seem to be impressed with the idea, however, that it is useless to attempt an escape from our company, for although they are well treated; and are neither hand-cuffed nor locked in, yet they are guarded with the most military vigilance.

I am sitting at the door of my marquee, on the slope of a beautiful hill, overlooking the building in which these prisoners are incarcerated, not one hundred yards off. In front of this encampment, and bearing upon the prisoners' house, is the bronze six-pounder, taken with the prisoners. This old piece is one of the battery captured at Sacramento by Doniphan's Regiment, and brought from Mexico by them. It was subsequently presented to the Franklin Company in this County, and is the same piece that was taken by the Abolitionists in their night attack upon Franklin some six weeks ago. Its caisson is pretty well provided with lead and type-metal balls, adn canisters filled with slugs. Something like a hundred Sharp's Rifles, muskets, and carbines are lying in the marquee.

Harvy, with a small part of his forces, made his escape, and has not since been heard from. It is pretty certain that he and Lane have left the Territory. Capt. Walker was here yesterday, under the Governor's protection. He was arrested by the Marshall's [sic] deputy, and afterwards released by the Governor. I do not think that the Executive can claim such a high perogative, although I do not know but that it is the best policy to frighten Walker , instead of arresting him. He remarked to Col. Titus yesterday, that he had no further interest in this Territory and that he intended to leave immediately. He is a brave man and a noble enemy, and active as he has been in the Free State cause, he has ever set his face sternly against their prevailing mode of warfare -- horse-stealing and house-burning.

Judge Cato is still engaged in the investigation of these cases, and it is probable that nearly all will be committed, as our prosecuting attorney is a legal giant who sweeps all before him. I do not think any will be admitted to bail, as the laws of the Territory declare such cases not bailable. Their trial will come off in three weeks.

Winter is coming on already here. We had three or four heavy frosts a week ago, and plenty of ice has been seen; notwithstanding, the people are ill-prepared for the season. Comparatively few buildings were put up this summer, on account of the feeble tenure on property of that kind, and all that were built are mere thin summer houses. The young crops have been destroyed throughout the country, horses and cattle stolen, (or rather "pressed"), merchants borken up, credit lost and creditors swindled, and the better portion of the population fast deserting the country , leaving behind a swarm of vampyres [sic, probably 19th Century spelling] who batten [sic, fatten; I suspect a compositor's error] upon the ruin of the fair young land. These are the dire consequences of the first blush of war. This state of affairs I looked forward to before I left home, and yet I deliberately came to meet it. Much worse than this, I fear, will visit the Territory, and yet I say the time is not at hadn for the South to draw off her hosts. Let her rally on the little band of patriots who are sacrificing their all in the contest, and one more struggle -- stern, vigorous, destructive -- and the contest is ended -- the victory won.

Sincerely yours,

J. M. P."

Note: There is a very good account of the battle of Sacramento, outside of Chihuahua, in Doniphan's New Mexico and Chihauhua campaign, in Bernard DeVoto's 1846: Year of Decision. This cannon is, if I recall correctly, mentioned in DeVoto's account.